The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[Mr. Majestic]

He’s there! Pulling up alongside the kid in his newly rented car Fontaine yells out the side. He was walking in a somewhat dazed fashion, the beast must be dead… he wouldn’t be walking out in the open like this with that beast still up and around:

[blackout]“Where’s the big guy? He dead? *Claps his hands* Ahh… so you’re an alien too, right? That what this is? Another Icon? Bear with me a little kid, I’m still getting used to all this ‘Superheroes walking amongst us’ stuff. Get in.”[/blackout] With that Fontaine reached across the passenger side and opened the door.

I quickly run over to the passenger side and jump into the car.

"Yeah he's died." Thank God. For this being my first real battle i hope its a while before another.

"And to answer your question I'm not an alien, or maybe i am. I don't really know its still a bit confusing to me. My mother who have birth to me was human and..." Wait why am i going on like this? He doesn't care about my life story. "...i still have some stuff to figure out."

Best thing for me to do right now is just relax and be glad its all over. I just hope that my powers will come back. Oh wait that right how could i forget.

"Hey i know this might be a little crazy for me to ask but everything that took place with me and Titan and the whole lightning striking, turning me into a much more stronger hero, can we just keep that between me and you?"

 

[Hound55]

I quickly run over to the passenger side and jump into the car.

"Yeah he's died." Thank God. For this being my first real battle i hope its a while before another.

"And to answer your question I'm not an alien, or maybe i am. I don't really know its still a bit confusing to me. My mother who have birth to me was human and..." Wait why am i going on like this? He doesn't care about my life story. "...i still have some stuff to figure out."

Best thing for me to do right now is just relax and be glad its all over. I just hope that my powers will come back. Oh wait that right how could i forget.

"Hey i know this might be a little crazy for me to ask but everything that took place with me and Titan and the whole lightning striking, turning me into a much more stronger hero, can we just keep that between me and you?"

Fontaine gave a short laugh, a cackle that could strip the veneer from a newly polished table.

[BLACKOUT]“I’ll tell you what kid, you don’t check out that house you and the not-an-Angel dropped me off at and I won’t say a damn thing to anybody. Deal?”[/BLACKOUT] Fontaine asked [BLACKOUT]“Deal.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac answered his own question.

[BLACKOUT]“I know you could probably fly us to the others in about 5 minutes, but I’ve gotta be honest with you. I’m still having trouble dealing with the whole flying thing, and the complete lack of control that comes with it.”[/BLACKOUT]

Fontaine turns and grins through his balakava. [BLACKOUT]“I don’t like being luggage.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Besides, I find driving chills me out a bit. Gives me a chance to think. There’s nobody on the road anyway at the moment, anyone with any sense blew out of town in a hurry early on in the piece, so we’ll get to the others pretty soon. They were this way, right?”[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac answered his own question again. [BLACKOUT]“Right.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“So is there anything you want to talk out since you’ve actually got someone here who knows more than he should anyway… I mean I don’t want to lie and say I’m a good listener, but I can pretend for your sake.”[/BLACKOUT]

Fontaine left an uncomfortable pause. Then breaking it with a laugh. [BLACKOUT]“I’m messing with you kid. Say as much or as little as you like.”[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Mr. Majestic]

Fontaine gave a short laugh, a cackle that could strip the veneer from a newly polished table.

[BLACKOUT]“I’ll tell you what kid, you don’t check out that house you and the not-an-Angel dropped me off at and I won’t say a damn thing to anybody. Deal?”[/BLACKOUT] Fontaine asked

To be honest i can't even say i thought twice about checking the place out, it never cross my mind. I don't even think i could remember where it's located. Wait that's not true. If i wanted to i could but all he wants me to do is keep his place a secret and he'll keep mine, i can do that.

"D..."

[BLACKOUT]“Deal.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac answered his own question.

I didn't even get a chance to answer the question. Guest once he gets started talking theirs no stopping him.

[BLACKOUT]“I know you could probably fly us to the others in about 5 minutes, but I’ve gotta be honest with you. I’m still having trouble dealing with the whole flying thing, and the complete lack of control that comes with it.”[/BLACKOUT]

Maybe i could have done that before i fought Titan. Now i'm pretty much like you, normal.

Fontaine turns and grins through his balakava. [BLACKOUT]“I don’t like being luggage.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Besides, I find driving chills me out a bit. Gives me a chance to think. There’s nobody on the road anyway at the moment, anyone with any sense blew out of town in a hurry early on in the piece, so we’ll get to the others pretty soon. They were this way, right?”[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac answered his own question again. [BLACKOUT]“Right.”[/BLACKOUT]

This guy really likes to talk, must loving hearing himself.

[BLACKOUT]“So is there anything you want to talk out since you’ve actually got someone here who knows more than he should anyway… I mean I don’t want to lie and say I’m a good listener, but I can pretend for your sake.”[/BLACKOUT]

Fontaine left an uncomfortable pause. Then breaking it with a laugh. [BLACKOUT]“I’m messing with you kid. Say as much or as little as you like.”[/BLACKOUT]

With everything that has been going on and everything that i have been through talking is probably what i need. This would be a perfect time for me to get everything off my chest but right now i just want to sit back and enjoy that ride.

"I have so much going on talking about it does sound like a great idea. But for now I just want to sit back and enjoy the fact its all over."

I then turn my attention outside of the window looking at what is left of the city.

"If the offer is still on the table later, I'll gladly take you up on it."

He's the only person i can speak to about this. He's the only one who knows my secret.

 

[Hound55]

Fontaine drove around where he last saw the others but the place was abandoned. F***ing flyers. All that remained was an off-colour corpse sitting in a pool of silver.

[BLACKOUT]"Well... looks like they've all flown out, but considering the lack of new destruction and the dead guy in the elaborate Alien armed services suit I think its fairly safe to say this is over."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"That said I don't exactly know the alien insignia of rank... the guy could be an apprentice ship's cook for all I know... But it seems likely this madness is over."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"So where am I dropping you off..?"[/BLACKOUT]

After dropping off the one in yellow and white at a generic looking corner (presumably near his house), Isaac headed back to his rental property. Despite what he said to the kid he wouldn't be there long. Too big and stupid a risk for someone who could easily afford to move. A massive chunk of asphalt taken out right outside of the house where he's staying with no weapon fragments whatsoever? Even if there were no witnesses at the time it still posed too many questions and since he had money transferred over to his Visa it just wasn't worth the potential heat.

Isaac pulled into the garage and lowered the door, there was work to be done... Going to a drawer he removed a toolbox, first removing the number plates of his borrowed car, then scratching over the ID numbers on the engine block and chassis of the vehicle. He'd been clever enough to "borrow" the same colour and model from Crazy Larry's and while it was regrettable that he'd had to do it in the first place, he already planned to return a second time over night and drop another larger wad to cover damages and for the remainder of his new car's worth. He'd have to make another trip tomorrow to his old car to pick up the plates and registration, but with the damage to the city it was unlikely that civilisation could get back on track fast enough to tow away a specific wrecked car amid all of the chaos and destruction.

But these were issues for another time, he had some more positive work to do as well as he went inside to get changed and get his phone. Hitting redial a familiar voice answered the phone.

"Isaac? Thank God you're alive."

[BLACKOUT]"Hows things, Tone? Everything over down your way too?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Yeah, apparently the ships here fled after a big spire down your way was destroyed. They came back briefly to launch an actual invasion but when their central ship which was holed up in space blew up the minor ships all fled for good."

[BLACKOUT]"That's great... I've got some more good news as well, I've got something for you to do..."[/BLACKOUT]

"What now, Isaac?" the response came uneasily. "You spent all of your holiday allowance already?"

[BLACKOUT]"Haha, not yet, man. Not yet. No, I need you to set up another company, I'm sitting on a multi-billion dollar idea here. Do your thing, grab a TFN number and a name befitting a new green concern company..."[/BLACKOUT]

"Now? You don't think the world has more concerns at this point in time than climate change? Isaac, if I'd trusted your business sense you'd have destroyed what your father left you months after he died... in fact I'm pretty sure that's why he didn't give the company directly to you. Why the sudden interest in the business end anyway, you never gave a damn before?"

[BLACKOUT]"My business-sense may suck, but I know a billion-dollar idea which would truly help mankind when I see one."[/BLACKOUT]

"The fact that you added 'benefitting mankind' just further underlines your lack of business sense..."

[BLACKOUT]"Just do this, get some analysts and scientists onboard too, there should be some good ones about... something like an alien invasion is always going to cripple some businesses... I want tight security on this as well, Nothing gets out. Nothing."[/BLACKOUT]

"What are you up to, Isaac?"

[BLACKOUT]"I'm keeping this one close to my chest. I need to fly something back home too... What's the best way to go about that? I can't exactly bring this through the airport either, this thing. Something away from prying eyes."[/BLACKOUT]

"We could find a way... what you're doing... this isn't illegal is it?"

[BLACKOUT]"I've no idea. But its good."[/BLACKOUT]

"You wouldn't be doing it if you didn't think it was good... that's not what I asked."

[BLACKOUT]"Look, I've found something that I want some scientists and analysts to look further into. It has the potential to be a real boon for humanity and address a major issue."[/BLACKOUT]

"And make us all a lot of money..."

[BLACKOUT]"Well, potentially."[/BLACKOUT] Isaac responded, money talks... this was the only way he could make it happen. There was no point pushing the humanitarian issue here and he should have known better than to try that route with his friend anyway...

"Alright... I'll call you again once I can get things sorted out. Other than that, you're alright? You haven't blown your funds? What am I saying, you've probably spent all of your time brooding around the house all day about your father's death again just like you do back here..."

[BLACKOUT]"Tony... It's been bedlam here, what you want me to go sightseeing or living it up while aliens are flying around, blowing the s### out of the city..?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Alright, alright... but now that's done try and find some time to get loose..."

Isaac paused for a second, Tony had no idea just how loose he'd been... with the surreal environment he'd been in, seeing a half dozen guys who had made the same decision he had and devoted themselves to flying around setting things right he'd been all too eager to lighten up. In fact he'd have to find a way to reel himself in because by his experience getting this loose in his line of work meant eventually taking one dumb risk too many. He'd just found the urge to open up so strong that the second he'd found people in his position he'd just open his mouth and let things he'd normally bottle up and internalise flow forth with barely a seconds thought.

[BLACKOUT]"I'll try..."[/BLACKOUT] The pair exchanged goodbyes and Fontaine hung up.

There was still much more to do tomorrow, but for now he'd done enough. He grabbed a TV-dinner out of the freezer, stuffed it in the microwave and sat in front of the TV watching the local news hoping above all else that he wouldn't see himself flash upon the screen. He'd put too much work in to improve things back in Cooktown to have organised crime High-Ups realise that he was out of town.

That night he would sleep like a log, the twisted body which would keep him awake at nights stubbornly against the minds best wishes had been straightened by the Not-an-angel. The body relieved so that the mind could rest. And rest he did.​

 

[Hound55]

Isaac awoke abruptly as he usually would, forcing his frame into the en suite and going about his morning routine.

Coming out to the living room with his large bowl of cereal he flipped the TV on. After a few seconds the screen flashed onto the news, scooping large spoonfuls into his mouth he let the information wash over him.

Apparently Icon had a major event arranged in the city, a public press conference that would bring some things to light and reflect on what had happened. Fontaine mulled this over... he didn't care much for grandiose public speech, he was one who thought that people who did what he did shouldn't have a voice at all. Its too much influence. The actions speak plenty. Still, this could be something pertinent so he should probably find his way down there. Thinking about it further he felt some relief about where the media shin-dig would be as well... The other side of the city from the remains of his shredded car.

This would be another busy day, without much time for delay.

Immediately after breakfast he got changed and donned a second "street" outfit over the top, leaving only the cargo pants. It was unseasonably warm and he thought he'd look odd with bulging pants over the already necessary cargo pants.

He then made his way to the garage, a few things left to do. He pop-riveted the plates back onto the vehicle (better possibly stolen plates than none at all when it comes to remaining inconspicuous) dropped a few choice tools including the pop-rivet gun and then set to removing the large drum from the car boot.

His work now done Isaac backed the car out and drove comfortably with the window down. One fawn lemon about to meet another.

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

Isaac pulled the fawn Oldsmobile (with new, old plates) up to a car-park as close as he could get to the media fiasco... which was not saying much. The press speech had far more in attendance than just the media. Many had come to pay respect to their saviours, the heroes of the Haven and Isaac imagined he would have a hard time actually seeing anything.

When he got to the location itself though he saw how prepared, even so soon after staring obliteration in the face, the people had managed to make the occasion. The stage itself was quite large and was being projected onto massive screens every hundred metres or so as the immense crowd was so big as to require it, with huge speakers even more frequent.

Due to his other "chores" Fontaine was now stranded right at the back, far away from the stage. He tried to weave his way through the crowd but it was useless, after edging about 50m closer the crowd packed tight with everyone trying to get closer to the monumental occasion. The crowd itself was getting to him as well, so he backed out from where he was to a more comfortable position at the back and watched on one of the big screens without the pushing and shoving.

Although he had come late he hadn't missed much as Icon was just coming to the microphone now...​

​

 

[trustyside-kick]

So of course I finally decided that I'm going to go to Lost Haven for the city's dedication ceremony at the last possible second. After all this time of trying, I've all but given up trying to get a hold of Grace. She made it perfectly clear she just doesn't want anything to do with me. Whatever happened to hero saves the day and gets the girl? Is that equation really too much for the real world?

I haven't gone out in the daylight like this...in The Archangel State...since the invasion. For a while I felt like Batman or Daredevil, you know, scouring the night of the city and punishing the wicked with the enchanting moon high in the skies. But when I transformed today. When that bright light from the heavens shined down upon me in broad daylight?

It was like Heaven.

"Ah man...which park was the ceremony at? There's like three big parks in Lost Haven...that city is huge."

Attaboy, Michael. Not only do you finally make your decision to make a heroic appearance at the same time you don't have a frickin' clue as to where the precise location of said appearance is supposed to be at.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

Stepping to the podium, Icon looks out to the crowd gathered and is amazed by the resilience of these people. Not too long ago, this planet was under siege by an invading alien force. Millions were killed, and this city, as well as many others around the world are in ruins. Yet these people are here, paying their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on their behalf.

He wasn't prepared to make a speech, but wasn't able to turn down the request when Councilman Kluver approached him before the ceremony began. He agreed to speak at the dedication, out of respect to those who gave their lives during the invasion...out of respect for Blacklight.

He stands before the microphone for what seems to be an eternity, studying the faces of those in the crowd. Looking for the one face that he knows is not there...Lisa. And he suddenly finds himself questioning just what it is that he's doing here at this moment, in front of these people. He feels that he needs to be with his family right now...with Lisa's family. In just a few short hours he will be away from this media circus, with his friends and family as they say their goodbyes to her.

He hesitates for a moment as he opens his mouth to speak, but then steps to the microphone and begins to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming. Today we are here to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we may live. Because of the sacrifices made by these heroes, we are given the chance to rebuild what the Arlaaekan attackers destroyed...not only rebuilding our cities...our world...but with the memory of their heroic acts to guide us, we can make our world a better place. A Place that they will be proud of."

Icon is interrupted by light applause from the crowd, but continues.

"The men and women who are being memorialized here today showed us all exactly what it means to be a hero. Each of them selflessly giving their own lives so that others might live. Blacklight, Zen, the Harrison twins, and Captain Tomorrow each lived their lives for the sake of others, and when it came down to it, they died for the ideals in which they lived. I would just ask that you remember that while you walk among this park....While you look around at the statues and plaques that populate Olympus Memorial Park, please remember not only these heroes, but everyone who died during the invasion. Because whether they were 'super' or not, many people became heroes over the past several days...not because they were born with special abilities, but because when the situation required a hero, they answered the call."

"Thank you."

 

[trustyside-kick]

Well, while I did not quite get it right the first time...or the second time...at least I made a few kids happy at both Anderson and Colossal Park. Heck, when I got to Colossal since there was only obviously one park left to go to--Olympus Memorial--I gave in and took a photo with a few of them. So now? I'm picking up the speed on these angel-fire wings of mine hoping I did not just miss the entire event.

He stands before the microphone for what seems to be an eternity, studying the faces of those in the crowd. Looking for the one face that he knows is not there...Lisa. And he suddenly finds himself questioning just what it is that he's doing here at this moment, in front of these people. He feels that he needs to be with his family right now...with Lisa's family. In just a few short hours he will be away from this media circus, with his friends and family as they say their goodbyes to her.

He hesitates for a moment as he opens his mouth to speak, but then steps to the microphone and begins to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming. Today we are here to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we may live. Because of the sacrifices made by these heroes, we are given the chance to rebuild what the Arlaaekan attackers destroyed...not only rebuilding our cities...our world...but with the memory of their heroic acts to guide us, we can make our world a better place. A Place that they will be proud of."

By the time I make it, I hear most of Icon's speech from the skies above and away as he speaks into the microphone. I nearly freeze though as I see and hear what sounds like a hundred reporters and photographers.

Icon is interrupted by light applause from the crowd, but continues.

"The men and women who are being memorialized here today showed us all exactly what it means to be a hero. Each of them selflessly giving their own lives so that others might live. Blacklight, Zen, the Harrison twins, and Captain Tomorrow each lived their lives for the sake of others, and when it came down to it, they died for the ideals in which they lived. I would just ask that you remember that while you walk among this park....While you look around at the statues and plaques that populate Olympus Memorial Park, please remember not only these heroes, but everyone who died during the invasion. Because whether they were 'super' or not, many people became heroes over the past several days...not because they were born with special abilities, but because when the situation required a hero, they answered the call."

"Thank you."

Snap out of it, man. It's not about you. It's about everyone else. About those that died. You walked out of there alive when let's face it...you fell on your knees and cried when Death's door approached. You should consider yourself so lucky.

It's not about you.

It's about...what these people need right now. A hero. A band of heroes.

Coming into view, Icon now sees me. The boyscout smirks an almost goofish smirk at the sight of my appearance as I make way over the crowd and fly over beside the podium. There are no words. He simply extends his hand for a handshake, but I do him better and pull him in for a hug. Press photographers go crazy with the picture taking, and as I walk to the podium and continue to see nothing but flashes of light I wonder if Icon went temporarily blind as I feel I am.

Nah. He's Icon. I'm sure he has some sort of super power where he's immune to flash photography. What can't the guy do?

"I'm not one for making public speeches. Heck, at my Art Galleries...even as I'm reading my index cards I'm unsure of what words come out of my mouth. A lot of my life has been exposed through my own...lack of mental stability at the loss of a loved one. A loss of...excuse me."

I cover up the mic with my hand, using my other arm to wipe the tear of my that drips down my helmet and to my chin. I pause for a moment, looking at Icon and he just gives me a look of assurance and nods at me to turn back around towards the mic. I turn, and place both hands on the podium like it is the only thing keeping me up. My deep breaths are the only thing that can be heard on the mic.

My helmet...feels so darn heavy. Never felt so heavy before. Can't...breathe. Like it's suffocating me as the tears continue to drop down my face. So I take it off, and do one last big sniff as I wipe away the tears. I set the helmet off to the side of the podium, and take a deep breath.

"My name is Michael Angelo...though everyone already knows that. There's a lot that you don't know, though plenty have taken the opportunity to try to invade my personal life. So I'm going to do them a favor, and shorten the task a bit. Icon was right. When the time called for, heroes came forth. I was one of the ones to come answer said call, but I've come to learn that that call is just going to be the first of many to come. A lot of articles are asking: 'What's he's going to do now?'. In the papers you've come to call us 'The Guardians'...well, Icon--"

I step away from the podium and microphone, and walk over to Icon. I offer him my outstretched hand, and conclude my speech.

"...I'm here to pick up my decoder ring."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Well, while I did not quite get it right the first time...or the second time...at least I made a few kids happy at both Anderson and Colossal Park. Heck, when I got to Colossal since there was only obviously one park left to go to--Olympus Memorial--I gave in and took a photo with a few of them. So now? I'm picking up the speed on these angel-fire wings of mine hoping I did not just miss the entire event.



By the time I make it, I hear most of Icon's speech from the skies above and away as he speaks into the microphone. I nearly freeze though as I see and hear what sounds like a hundred reporters and photographers.



Snap out of it, man. It's not about you. It's about everyone else. About those that died. You walked out of there alive when let's face it...you fell on your knees and cried when Death's door approached. You should consider yourself so lucky.

It's not about you.

It's about...what these people need right now. A hero. A band of heroes.

Coming into view, Icon now sees me. The boyscout smirks an almost goofish smirk at the sight of my appearance as I make way over the crowd and fly over beside the podium. There are no words. He simply extends his hand for a handshake, but I do him better and pull him in for a hug. Press photographers go crazy with the picture taking, and as I walk to the podium and continue to see nothing but flashes of light I wonder if Icon went temporarily blind as I feel I am.

Nah. He's Icon. I'm sure he has some sort of super power where he's immune to flash photography. What can't the guy do?

"I'm not one for making public speeches. Heck, at my Art Galleries...even as I'm reading my index cards I'm unsure of what words come out of my mouth. A lot of my life has been exposed through my own...lack of mental stability at the loss of a loved one. A loss of...excuse me."

I cover up the mic with my hand, using my other arm to wipe the tear of my that drips down my helmet and to my chin. I pause for a moment, looking at Icon and he just gives me a look of assurance and nods at me to turn back around towards the mic. I turn, and place both hands on the podium like it is the only thing keeping me up. My deep breaths are the only thing that can be heard on the mic.

My helmet...feels so darn heavy. Never felt so heavy before. Can't...breathe. Like it's suffocating me as the tears continue to drop down my face. So I take it off, and do one last big sniff as I wipe away the tears. I set the helmet off to the side of the podium, and take a deep breath.

"My name is Michael Angelo...though everyone already knows that. There's a lot that you don't know, though plenty have taken the opportunity to try to invade my personal life. So I'm going to do them a favor, and shorten the task a bit. Icon was right. When the time called for, heroes came forth. I was one of the ones to come answer said call, but I've come to learn that that call is just going to be the first of many to come. A lot of articles are asking: 'What's he's going to do now?'. In the papers you've come to call us 'The Guardians'...well, Icon--"

I step away from the podium and microphone, and walk over to Icon. I offer him my outstretched hand, and conclude my speech.

"...I'm here to pick up my decoder ring."

Icon isn't exactly sure what to say, Michael's remark about the decoder ring kind of threw him for a loop for a moment. After a split second, he reaches out and shakes Michael's hand...then steps back to the microphone to address the crowd which is staring at the two heroes waiting for some sort of explanation.

"If this invasion has taught us one thing, it's that sometimes a threat will arise that is too much for any one of us to handle on our own. Sometimes everyone, even a so called 'superhero' needs help. This got me to thinking, and I reached out to Michael and several other of the superpowered heroes who joined the fight against the Arlaaekans and we discussed making this group...which Michael pointed out you have dubbed 'The Guardians' a more permanent organization...a team to support one another whenever there is a threat that is more than one of us can handle alone.
Michael has accepted the offer, hopefully more will follow."

 

[Eddie Brock]

FLUX
​

Chrissy Jones stands at the back of the assembled crowd, leaning against a tree while listening to Icon and Archangel give their speeches. She struggles to remain focused on the present. Images of Arlaaek flash in her head, reminding her of the home she abandoned long ago. The home she will never see again.

As Icon announces the birth of The Guardians, Chrissy is stirred back into the present. She remembers fighting alongside Icon and Archangel and the others. She remembers the compassion they showed her. And she remembers the compassion she felt for Earth, the compassion she still feels for Earth. Her only home now. Motivated by some intangible force, Chrissy deactivates her hologram and begins floating in the direction of the stage.

The crowd gasps and murmurs as the teal-skinned alien takes the stage next to Icon. Several of the dignitaries seated behind the podium begin to shift and whisper frantically. Mayor McDonald stands up and motions for the crowd to quiet down. He then looks at Flux and gestures to the podium. Flux smiles at Icon as she takes his place behind the microphone.

"I am Ryryu," Flux begins. Her voice instantly silences the crowd. "Though, it might be easier to call me by my alias, Flux. In case you couldn't tell, I'm Arlaaekan." She pauses and looks out among the crowd. Most of them are eyeing her wearily. A few are outright terrified. She can't blame them. What her people did to this planet was unforgivable. "I'm not sure how to express to you my deep sorrow for what my people have done. I'm ashamed to count myself among them, frankly.

"Yet, as easy as it would be to hide - to not face the fear and discrimination that come with being a member of my race - I feel that I would be lying to all of you," Flux continues. "I fought among your race against the Arlaaekans. I did everything in my power to save this planet - though my contribution was small, at best. I love Earth as much as any of you, and with my homeworld gone, this planet is all I have."

Flux looks over to Icon.

"That's why I want to take my place here, at Icon and Archangel's side. I want to prove that not all Arlaaekans are evil. I want to defend Earth from those who would harm it.

"And I want to be a Guardian."​

 

[Spike_x1]

The Guardians, huh?

Adam Locke, the current alias of the superhero known as the Survivor, stood off from the crowd in the park with his hands buried in his pockets as he listened to the speeches and applause from the crowd. Adam was not comfortable venturing out in his uniform during the day, let alone in front of an audience that wasn't made up of criminals or supervillains. It just wasn't in him, but he had confidence that Icon knew that the Survivor was watching and supported their founding of the Guardians. Instead, Adam wore a four button suit and sunglasses, and tried to stay out of the sun.

While he wasn't exactly rich, Locke had accumulated a very healthy sum of money from betting on sports and racing, and using his natural ability to calculate the odds of certain opponents winning or losing in competitions. He was wealthy enough to live comfortably when not patrolling the rooftops, but not so wealthy as to attract any unwanted attention... or at least, that was his financial status until recently, when he donated most of his savings to the Red Cross after the invasion had ended. Currently, Mr. Adam Locke was practically broke. Although he knew that he'd make several thousand dollars by the end of the week, Adam would give that away as well. He didn't need the money right now, and there were still millions of people out there in desperate need of it.

The Survivor had more pressing matters to tend to anyway. He'd talk to Icon later that night. There might be something to this "teamwork" thing after all.

 

[Byrd Man]

Chicago

I watch on TV, feeling almost too ashamed to go. I helped with the Lost Haven end of things, but I mostly took care of things here at home.

Me, Jen, Johnny, Bruce, and Mom all watch the memorial live at my house.

"Dude," Bruce says as he watches Archangel and Icon form their alliance.

"Are you doing what I think they're doing?"

Flux steps up and joins them. Suddenly, all the eyes in the room are on me.

"What?!"

"Go," Mom says. She gives me a look she hasn't used since I was 10 and got caught sneaking into the cookie jar.

"You know Fry and Dr. Brown will want you to do it. It'll look good from a PR point."

"I don't do things for PR any longer. I'm a hero because people need help."

Jen squeezes my hand, "You know they need you."

The whole room explodes into a fury of wind as I disappear.

"This is gonna be so awesome! Maybe they'll let us join!"

"If only we had powers beyond our super-geekiness."



Lost Haven

The crowd looks on as I appear in a fury of wind and speed.

I step up alongside the other heroes, looking out at the crowd in full uniform.

"My name is Matt Byrd. You all know my story. When I first but on this costume, it was for the paycheck. A wise man taught me that being a hero has nothing to do with money or endorsements. I'm no hero. Those who gave their lives to protect this planet are the heroes. We must follow their examples as we move forward in the protection of this planet so that we can all be safe."

I turn and look at Flux, Icon, and Archangel.

"Blue Blur, ready to run."

Wow. Where the hell did that speech come from? Seriously.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Kensei stood on the edge of the crowd, appearing in street clothes, as the heroes made their way on stage. It was good to see Matthew had grown since his training. Truly, the heroic speedster was finally unlocking his potential for good.

The events of the invasion still played strongly in his mind, and the Swordsman was ready to go home and make sure all was right with Hideyoshi and Ami.
But he had some things to tie up first. Namely, this new team that was seemingly forming before his eyes.

In his past life, he would've strode on stage in full regalia and proclaim his membership in this group in front of the awestruck crowd. But his days in search of glory were long gone. Now, all that mattered was the mission to protect the world from the dark forces bent on tearing it apart.
And he needed to get back to his mission as soon as possible.

The invasion took priority, but he'd be foolish to think Leevoth was not still out there, going about his work while the world burned.
The man had a head start on him, and would prove difficult to track. If only he knew what he was after...what mystic artifact he sought for his diabolical goals?
First things first, though.

Kensei made his way through the crowd, closer towards the stage, as the heroes gave their brief speeches.
Finally, he was close enough, and the angel's eyes fell on him. As Kensei looked back at Michael, he could see the recognition in the young hero's eyes when he looked at the disguised Demon's Bane.

With a curt nod, Kensei made his way out of the crowd and into the park. There wasn't much traffic in the rest of the park, as practically everybody was at the memorial service and dedication.
So it wasn't hard for Kensei to find a nice, quiet bench away from it all to sit down and wait...

 

[Mr. Majestic]

“Everything is fine now mom. My powers has come back and I used them to rebuild the house. You would like it to, I made the kitchen with hardwood floors like you always wanted.”

Here I stand at my mother grave talking to her like she can hear me. I hope she can hear me. The day my abilities came back first thing I did was get her body and burry it next to dad, like she would’ve wanted it. It was shocking the day I had came to the cemetery that it wasn’t full with people. Guess everyone was just filling tired of seeing death, not like you could blame them. That is the only thing this planet has seen within the last week. Just like then no one is here today. Everyone is at the dedication so I’m here alone with you again.

“I know that the Youngster should have made an appearance but I feel like my place is here by your side. I wasn’t there for you when you needed me so at least we can share this moment together.”

I then sit down with my back resting against her tombstone.

“I’ll do the listen for both of us.” I then close my eyes and use my super hearing to listen to the dedication.

"Thank you all for coming. Today we are here to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we may live. Because of the sacrifices made by these heroes, we are given the chance to rebuild what the Arlaaekan attackers destroyed...not only rebuilding our cities...our world...but with the memory of their heroic acts to guide us, we can make our world a better place. A Place that they will be proud of."

Icon is interrupted by light applause from the crowd, but continues.

"The men and women who are being memorialized here today showed us all exactly what it means to be a hero. Each of them selflessly giving their own lives so that others might live. Blacklight, Zen, the Harrison twins, and Captain Tomorrow each lived their lives for the sake of others, and when it came down to it, they died for the ideals in which they lived. I would just ask that you remember that while you walk among this park....While you look around at the statues and plaques that populate Olympus Memorial Park, please remember not only these heroes, but everyone who died during the invasion. Because whether they were 'super' or not, many people became heroes over the past several days...not because they were born with special abilities, but because when the situation required a hero, they answered the call."

"Thank you."

“That speech was great wasn’t mom?” I pause and just imagine her replying to the question. “Your right mom I don’t think the Man of Steel could have said it any better himself.”

They couldn’t have picked a better person to deliver a speech to a world of people who are in need of hope and looking to be in a better world.

"I'm not one for making public speeches. Heck, at my Art Galleries...even as I'm reading my index cards I'm unsure of what words come out of my mouth. A lot of my life has been exposed through my own...lack of mental stability at the loss of a loved one. A loss of...excuse me."

"My name is Michael Angelo...though everyone already knows that. There's a lot that you don't know, though plenty have taken the opportunity to try to invade my personal life. So I'm going to do them a favor, and shorten the task a bit. Icon was right. When the time called for, heroes came forth. I was one of the ones to come answer said call, but I've come to learn that that call is just going to be the first of many to come. A lot of articles are asking: 'What's he's going to do now?'. In the papers you've come to call us 'The Guardians'...well, Icon--"

"...I'm here to pick up my decoder ring."

"I think you are right mom, I could tell it took alot for him to do that speech. One can only assume that he lost someone close to him as well."

Its funny i just thought my hearing could be used for just listing to things from a far but now that i understand the power i can do so much more. Just by hearing the heart beat i can tell when someone is lieing or upset or even angry.

"What was that mom? Yeah your right it is amazing gift."

We listen to all of the others who had come and said something to the crowd and the millions watching at home.

“No mom I’m fine being here with you, I don’t need to be there. To them I’m just the youngster or the kid. But here with you I know that I'm your hero, and that’s all I need.”

I then rest my head against my mother’s headstone and closed my eye’s and thought back to the time we were together, a family.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

After Michael, Flux, and the Blue Blur make their speeches, Icon takes his seat behind the podium where the other heroes join him. Alongside his new teammates, he listens as politician after politician take the podium to say their piece. Through it all, Icon has a hard time remaining focused on the here and now, his thoughts constantly drifting to his lost love.

The applause from the crowd snaps him back into the present, Icon sees that Mayor McDonald has finished his speech, and from what little he heard of it, it was good. And for just a moment, Icon feels a twinge of guilt over the fact that he is having such a hard time remaining focused on the dedication.

Councilman Kluver steps back to the podium and thanks everyone for coming to the dedication and echoes what Icon had said at the beginning of the dedication about honoring the memories of those who were lost during the invasion, a theme that had been repeated over and over again during the dedication. As the city councilman concludes his closing remarks, the guests on the stage all stand and exit to the left of the stage while the crowd begins to leave the dedication area, and head into the park itself.

Excusing himself, Icon takes to the skies and heads away from the park. With the dedication over, he now has to get ready for Lisa's funeral, and facing her family...and for that, he will need to somehow summon all the strength he can muster.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Icon takes to the skies and high tales out of here and to my surprise the press don't come swarming at me. Huh. Maybe that little mini-episode I had on the podium on national TV worked in my favor. Doesn't mean they don't stick around of course, but it is a lot more relaxing as I ascend without having to feel the need of making a quick exit.

I glide not too high above from the ground but high enough to where unless you're 30 feet tall there's no way you're going to be able to keep me bound. I fly past some trees and take a general tour of the park. Pretty remarkable design really.

Maybe I'll paint it.

Yea. I'll take a mental picture of this shot. It's brilliant.

"Click."

Huh. That's...interesting. Could that be? No. Huh...it is. But I wonder why he wouldn't show up at the podium then if he was present. No way I'm going to approach him like this though if he wants the privacy. Guess I'll just swoop down here by this large tree, plant myself in the branches and--

"Shazam."

...Meh, doesn't have the same effect without the lightning coming down. But what can I say? I couldn't help myself.

Jumping down from the tree branch and making a sick landing, I steadily walk down the sidewalk of the park. Rounding the lake I see a japanese dude who seems to be taking in the scenery.

"Kensei. Surprised to see you here and like this. Why didn't you come up on the stage? If I had such killer armor as you, I'd wear it non-stop. Wicked stuff, man."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The Celestial Samurai smiled and gave a chuckle.
"I thought it best if I stay out of the spotlight. It is not a place I particularly enjoy. It was an excellent ceremony though, and this is a beautiful park."

Kensei looked around, taking in the tranquility of the place.
"It is an honorable dedication for those that died."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Several hours after returning to his apartment from Lisa's funeral, Scott sits on his couch in silence. His mind racing with the events of this afternoon, the memorial service at the church that Lisa's family had attended for years. The tears that were shed by friends and family...the immense guilt that he felt for sending her away in the first place, not knowing that it would play a part in her death.

During the service, he just sat in the front pew with his and Lisa's family...and never once could he bring himself to look her mother in the eye. The same thoughts kept racing through his mind..."All these powers, and I couldn't save her."

Her family had set up a reception at Joe's Grill, one of the restaurants that Lisa had worked at while she was trying to get her acting career off the ground. But Scott couldn't bring himself to go. Jenny or Eric would make an excuse for him, but the reality was that he just needed to be alone. Through everything that had happened, he had to be out there fighting for the Earth's survival when all he wanted to do was crawl in a hole somewhere and cry.

But now he is in his apartment with nothing but his grief to keep him company. He is unsure of what to do next. For so long he believed that he fought to make the world a better place...a better place for everyone, but above all, a better place to spend his future with Lisa...and now she is dead, and he feels at least partly responsible.

As he sits silently, he is so deep in thought that he is startled when he hears a knock at his door. Unsure who would be knocking on his door at a time like this, he hesitantly gets to his feet and makes his way over to the front door. He takes a moment to compose himself before unlatching the locks, and slowly opens the door.

He is surprised to see Keira standing in his doorway. She is a complete mess, she was Lisa's best friend and had taken her death extremely hard. Just by looking at her he can see that she had been crying, and was on the verge of tears yet again. He isn't in the mood for company, but the sight of Keira standing here like this is almost too much for him to stand...he won't turn his back on her no matter how much he wants to just be left alone right now, so he moves aside and motions for her to come in.

She walks into the apartment and goes to say something, but isn't able to find the words, so she says nothing. She just makes her way over to the couch and sits down. After a moment he slowly closes the door and makes his way back to the couch, sitting down next to her.

Both feeling alone, they sit together in silence...mourning the loss of the best friend either had ever known.

 

[Rain Dog]

MADLOVE​

CHAPTER 9: BRING ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUNGRY, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES…

“You’ve been through a lot. Lord knows, you’ve been through a lot.”

My words echo throughout the makeshift “bomb shelter”, an old warehouse cellar in downtown Lost Haven. The left corner is filled with the newly-homeless denizens of Lost Haven, their homes, families, and lives destroyed by the extraterrestrial invaders. Their faces are grimy, their clothes are tattered, their wills are broken. They have nothing now. Except faith.

“What has happened to this city…to this nation, nay, this world has raised some questions. And answered some. Are we alone in this universe? No. Are we safe? No. Why would God allow such a thing to happen? Is he angry?”

The right corner is filled with the newly-wounded denizens of Lost Haven. A teenage girl who’s roof collapsed on her after flaming debris from the destruction of an alien craft came raining down on her neighborhood. She can no longer walk. An elderly man who has suffered third degree burns on his side. A father of three who lost his vision after a piece of debris struck his head. The young and old alike huddle in this corner, bruised, bloodied, and broken.

“Or perhaps…He was never there?”

The front row is filled with the veterans. My surviving loyal subjects from the Church’s original incarnation. Before that accursed “angel” ruined me. Before those haughty Arlaaekans ruined me. Those beasts nearly laid waste to my future kingdom and nearly forced me to jump to another dimension. After dwelling on it, however, I realized those Arlaeekans did more help than harm. They’ve presented me with a gift…

“Maybe he wasn’t. Or maybe he was. And simply didn’t care.”

…the gift of opportunity.

“Well, NO MORE! No more shall you be ignored, forgotten, left to die out on the streets while forces beyond your control and comprehension shape and destroy the world! The government should not control your destinies, the meta-humans should not control your destinies, these extraterrestrial horrors should not control your destines, and God should not control your destinies! It is you! You and only you should wield such power, my babies, and I, the Reverend Madlove shall help you gain this power!”

A few of the homeless newcomers shake their heads and begin to make out of the cellar.

“You!” I say pointing to someone in the crowd. The exit-bound newcomers turn their heads to see if they were the ones I was speaking to. They were not.

I had pointed to the wounded elderly gentlemen. His shirt was covered in huge holes, revealing the burnt, twisted, raw flesh and muscle tissue. I beckoned him to approach the stage. My veteran followers quickly rose to their feet and helped the old man up to the stage.

“Behold, the power of sheer Enlightenment!”

I place my hand on the old man’s wounds and concentrate. Before everyone’s eyes, the flesh begins to heal and in seconds, the wounds disappear. The old man stands up, takes a deep breath, and smiles, as if a fresh breath of hope and life had just entered his lungs.

“Oh my…how did you..?” he asks.

I hear various gasps. The exit-bound newcomers quickly returned to their seats, staring with utter amazement.

“Wounded, make a line and I shall relieve you of your ailments.”

Within minutes, the right corner is now filled with newly-healed and revitalized denizens of Lost Haven, smiling, weeping with joy. I clasp my hands together and grin at the crowd.

“This is but a taste of what awaits you, my babies! Total control over your lives, your world, your universe! Peace, happiness, and utter ecstasy shall be your reward! ”

The veterans look back at the newcomers, then at me, then at each other, and finally, smile.

“The New Church of Madlove welcomes you!”

 

[Eddie Brock]

FLUX
​

"I saw you on television today," Sean Abbott announces, breaking the night's silence. He stands casually on the roof of his home, hands buried in his sweatpants' pockets. His bare feet cling effortlessly to the shingles as he looks over at his friend, Chrissy Jones.

Chrissy hovers mere inches above the roof, staring at the night sky. She hears Sean's announcement, but her mind is too preoccupied to process what he said. Instead, she states simply, "It's a strange feeling." She looks back at Sean, meeting his eyes. "Knowing I'm the last of my kind."

Sean tries to give a supportive smile, but he is unable. He moves over next to Chrissy and takes a seat on the roof. For a moment, he contemplates whether he should say something, but he decides against it. Somehow, he feels like Chrissy is only looking for someone to listen.

"That's where it used to be, you know," Chrissy explains as she points to a specific spot in the sky. Sure enough, there's nothing there but darkness. All around, distant celestial bodies twinkle and shine, but the Arlaaekan light was extinguished long ago. Chrissy is just coming to terms with that truth. "There's literally nothing left."

"Except you," Sean adds hopefully.

Chrissy allows herself to smile, but only slightly. She then turns her attention back to the stars. "You know, I gave up on Arlaaek long ago," Chrissy muses, "Yet, in that moment when Icon destroyed the mothership...for one moment, I felt the pain of all of my people crying out. And I know it was just my power, but..."

Chrissy locks gazes with Sean once more.

"I thought - I hoped - I'd never feel anything for that planet ever again."

Sean shifts uncomfortably. More and more, it seems like Sean is getting in over his head, but this? This is beyond anything he could imagine. He didn't even know how to begin to give Chrissy comfort. The only person Sean could think of who could relate is Superman, and he didn't feel like using a fictional character would help too much.

"But you know what I realized?" Chrissy asks rhetorically, relieving Sean of the pressure of finding the right words to say. "As sad as I was in that one moment, I was infinitely more afraid of losing Earth. And I don't really know why."

Chrissy gives a soft sigh.

"All I know is that I've already lost one home. I won't risk ever losing another."

Smiling, Sean wraps his arm around Chrissy. She rests her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes. Sean continues smiling to himself, thinking of the unlikelihood of this friendship. Yet it just felt right. And so, knowing now that he didn't have to say anything, Sean kisses the top of Chrissy's head and exhales deeply.

And, for a moment, the stars above seem to shine even brighter.​

 

[wiegeabo]

Then...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGHGGGGGHGHGHGHG!!!!!"

The machine gun floats in the air, pointing up to the sky, clacking loudly but harmlessly.

"Darren!"

"AAAAAAAAAAGGGHGHHHH!!!!"

"Darren!!!"

"AAAAAAAAAGGHGHHGHGH!!!"

SLAP

"DARREN!"

"Wh-What?" The cold drops away as my quicksilver flakes off.

"You ran out of bullets two minutes ago," Kevin says.

"Did I get them?"

"You didn't hit a damn thing, kid." The fat man says.

"Well, at least I don't look like ****," I counter.

The Director looks down at his torn and burnt suit. He looks like hell. The whole damn base looks like hell. And it's only now I notice the fires and scattered bodies.

"What happened?"

"A bunch of heroes on the East Coast took the alien mothership out. At least, that's what the scattered reports filtering in are saying."

"Wait...did you just told me something about the outside world."

"Heh, yeah. I guess I did. Don't get used to it."

Suddenly my hands are pulled behind my back and a couple of guards slap cuffs on my wrists.

"What the-?! You bastard."

"Director," Kevin starts to plead.

"Hey, guys. You got any aspirin? My head's starting to kill me."

But they just ignore Kevin and I as they drag me back inside...

***

Now...

I hear the familiar sound of a keycard sliding through the lock on my door. The guard's are early. Probably have some brand new experiments for me today.

"Darren!" Kevin barges into my room, scaring the crap out of me.

"What the hell?!"

"We've gotta get out of here. Come on!"

"Wait...what?"

"Let's go! Now!"

Kevin grabs my arm and starts yanking me out of my room. And for some ungodly reason, I'm actually resisting.

"Is this a trick?"

"Dammit, get your ass moving!" Kevin pushes me outside. "We've got to go before they get here."

"Before who gets where?"

The sound of gunshots echo down the hallway. Kevin and I look at each other. "Never mind, I don't think I want to know." We start running...

 

[trustyside-kick]

The Celestial Samurai smiled and gave a chuckle.
"I thought it best if I stay out of the spotlight. It is not a place I particularly enjoy. It was an excellent ceremony though, and this is a beautiful park."

Kensei looked around, taking in the tranquility of the place.
"It is an honorable dedication for those that died."

"Yea. I was just thinking to myself about a painting I'm going to do too. It's going to be a painting of this park. Of today, actually. I was thinking it can be a sort of fundraiser type of deal. All the donations will go to restoring Lost Haven City."

I mean, with my identity exposed it's sure to do something for my work. What better way to indulge in success than to donate it for a good cause? Yea, it felt great when I'd make some big and insane sales on some of my work...but I live a pretty simple and content lifestyle. My quality of life doesn't require me to have certain possessions that I think people nowadays find themselves clung to.

"So uh, if you heard the speeches than you know about the little superhero club we are working on. I've already decided on a base of operations. How wicked cool would it be to have a superhero treehouse? I mean, sure...we could have some large hall here on earth or some massive satellite in the sky...but whatever happened to feeding your inner child, am I right?"

Man...it'd be one sick treehouse too.

 

[Hound55]

He stands before the microphone for what seems to be an eternity, studying the faces of those in the crowd. Looking for the one face that he knows is not there...Lisa. And he suddenly finds himself questioning just what it is that he's doing here at this moment, in front of these people. He feels that he needs to be with his family right now...with Lisa's family. In just a few short hours he will be away from this media circus, with his friends and family as they say their goodbyes to her.

He hesitates for a moment as he opens his mouth to speak, but then steps to the microphone and begins to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming. Today we are here to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we may live. Because of the sacrifices made by these heroes, we are given the chance to rebuild what the Arlaaekan attackers destroyed...not only rebuilding our cities...our world...but with the memory of their heroic acts to guide us, we can make our world a better place. A Place that they will be proud of."

Hmm… the crowd seems fairly into it. Once again Isaac is amazed at the size of the audience.

"Really is preaching to the masses, isn’t he." He thought to himself. Still, it’s a dignified formal event, the stiff talk is more than justified… the royal blue tights, maybe not so much, but why break habit...?

"The men and women who are being memorialized here today showed us all exactly what it means to be a hero. Each of them selflessly giving their own lives so that others might live. Blacklight, Zen, the Harrison twins, and Captain Tomorrow each lived their lives for the sake of others, and when it came down to it, they died for the ideals in which they lived. I would just ask that you remember that while you walk among this park....While you look around at the statues and plaques that populate Olympus Memorial Park, please remember not only these heroes, but everyone who died during the invasion. Because whether they were 'super' or not, many people became heroes over the past several days...not because they were born with special abilities, but because when the situation required a hero, they answered the call."

"Thank you."

The crowd erupted into a thunderous applause and an old woman near Isaac was even in tears from the emotion of the moment and it hit home just how much what they had down had effected these people. This wasn’t merely a physical or materialistic gain for these people, people glad they could have their house, their tv, their iPod, their stuff.

These people had more. They had another chance… and Isaac had no idea that people would or could be this grateful for such a thing. He’d heard rumbling on the streets of Cooktown, gossip, whispers of what they’d heard the vigilante, “He”, had done. That was nothing like this.

Nothing at all.

But now something else… the not-an-angel… he’s dropped from the sky and is on the stage as well. Now embracing Icon and stepping towards the microphone…

"I'm not one for making public speeches. Heck, at my Art Galleries...even as I'm reading my index cards I'm unsure of what words come out of my mouth. A lot of my life has been exposed through my own...lack of mental stability at the loss of a loved one. A loss of...excuse me."

I cover up the mic with my hand, using my other arm to wipe the tear of my that drips down my helmet and to my chin. I pause for a moment, looking at Icon and he just gives me a look of assurance and nods at me to turn back around towards the mic. I turn, and place both hands on the podium like it is the only thing keeping me up. My deep breaths are the only thing that can be heard on the mic.

My helmet...feels so darn heavy. Never felt so heavy before. Can't...breathe. Like it's suffocating me as the tears continue to drop down my face. So I take it off, and do one last big sniff as I wipe away the tears. I set the helmet off to the side of the podium, and take a deep breath.

"My name is Michael Angelo...though everyone already knows that. There's a lot that you don't know, though plenty have taken the opportunity to try to invade my personal life. So I'm going to do them a favor, and shorten the task a bit. Icon was right. When the time called for, heroes came forth. I was one of the ones to come answer said call, but I've come to learn that that call is just going to be the first of many to come. A lot of articles are asking: 'What's he's going to do now?'. In the papers you've come to call us 'The Guardians'...well, Icon--"

I step away from the podium and microphone, and walk over to Icon. I offer him my outstretched hand, and conclude my speech.

"...I'm here to pick up my decoder ring."

Ugh… well, there goes the dignity and decorum, wafting out between the high-rise buildings, but the crowd reaction shows Isaac something else. Something he could tell about him in person previously but didn’t think to apply to people at length.
He was personable, easy for so many of the people to relate to… and the crowd loved him for it.
How could they not?

Icon isn't exactly sure what to say, Michael's remark about the decoder ring kind of threw him for a loop for a moment. After a split second, he reaches out and shakes Michael's hand...then steps back to the microphone to address the crowd which is staring at the two heroes waiting for some sort of explanation.

"If this invasion has taught us one thing, it's that sometimes a threat will arise that is too much for any one of us to handle on our own. Sometimes everyone, even a so called 'superhero' needs help. This got me to thinking, and I reached out to Michael and several other of the superpowered heroes who joined the fight against the Arlaaekans and we discussed making this group...which Michael pointed out you have dubbed 'The Guardians' a more permanent organization...a team to support one another whenever there is a threat that is more than one of us can handle alone.
Michael has accepted the offer, hopefully more will follow."

Whoa… Bombshell…

Although it was quite a logical conclusion, really, in hindsight. The question would be how these people would handle this decision. This is a lot of power… held by very few people, being concentrated and put in a very small group. One could trust himself to not be corrupted, but a group as a whole?
Agendas cross paths, power-struggles would be inevitable. Isaac understood perfectly why he was a political issue back in Cooktown, he had all the power over his own actions. So while he could have faith in himself as incorruptible it was easy to understand that EVERYBODY else would be so wary.

But this group… this group seemed to be accumulating power that was incomparable to any on Earth. I mean, Fontaine only thought of Icon as rumour mere weeks ago, now he’d witnessed others wielding more extreme power than he thought possible on Earth. Who could possibly rival them if they went bad? And this was in America… the land where they fought so heavily for gun control because of a fear of corrupt forces wielding power.

His doubts were answered in seconds, however.

Spontaneous applause filled the city, the masses thrilled that there was a plan to prevent something like this happening again.

One of Isaac’s main mantras had rung true yet again…

“Timing is everything.”

Chrissy Jones stands at the back of the assembled crowd, leaning against a tree while listening to Icon and Archangel give their speeches. She struggles to remain focused on the present. Images of Arlaaek flash in her head, reminding her of the home she abandoned long ago. The home she will never see again.

As Icon announces the birth of The Guardians, Chrissy is stirred back into the present. She remembers fighting alongside Icon and Archangel and the others. She remembers the compassion they showed her. And she remembers the compassion she felt for Earth, the compassion she still feels for Earth. Her only home now. Motivated by some intangible force, Chrissy deactivates her hologram and begins floating in the direction of the stage.

Isaac heard murmuring around him and turned to face. A blue one! Another blue one! But… something familiar. He remembered her. The alien girl from the TV! The one that fought alongside of them!

Still it was hard. His heart, beating at double or triple pace, was telling him to take up a defensive stance, his head was telling him she was still on their side, even if she wasn’t what could he do here in plain clothes in front of all the people.

Let it play out, Ice. Let it play out.

The crowd gasps and murmurs as the teal-skinned alien takes the stage next to Icon. Several of the dignitaries seated behind the podium begin to shift and whisper frantically. Mayor McDonald stands up and motions for the crowd to quiet down. He then looks at Flux and gestures to the podium. Flux smiles at Icon as she takes his place behind the microphone.

"I am Ryryu," Flux begins.

[BLACKOUT]“Wait, did she just say her name was ‘Ree-reow’?”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac said half stunned, pronouncing her name like a verbal wolf-whistle.​

[BLACKOUT]“Not that the name doesn’t sort of apply… in a pale blue kind of way.”[/BLACKOUT] He continued to joke to himself, turning his head to the side as if sizing her up in a chauvinistic fashion.​

"Though, it might be easier to call me by my alias, Flux. In case you couldn't tell, I'm Arlaaekan."

She pauses and looks out among the crowd. Most of them are eyeing her wearily. A few are outright terrified. She can't blame them. What her people did to this planet was unforgivable. "I'm not sure how to express to you my deep sorrow for what my people have done. I'm ashamed to count myself among them, frankly.

"Yet, as easy as it would be to hide - to not face the fear and discrimination that come with being a member of my race - I feel that I would be lying to all of you," Flux continues. "I fought among your race against the Arlaaekans. I did everything in my power to save this planet - though my contribution was small, at best. I love Earth as much as any of you, and with my homeworld gone, this planet is all I have."

Flux looks over to Icon.​

"That's why I want to take my place here, at Icon and Archangel's side. I want to prove that not all Arlaaekans are evil. I want to defend Earth from those who would harm it.​

"And I want to be a Guardian." ​

​

​

Isaac was once again sceptical as to how well this would go down. This is asking a lot of people. Isaac’s faith in humanity still was very heavily grounded to say the least. But he was once again surprised as a few members of the crowd began to applaud the official verbal “letter of intent” and it became infectious, spreading throughout the crowd and growing in volume. Drowning out the bigoted comments in a deluge of support. Whether that sentiment would hold after the swirling emotions of this occasion would remain to be seen, but for now the world seemed to be with her, or at least the loudest.​

A cloud of dust resonated behind the stage.​

Now what?​

The crowd looks on as I appear in a fury of wind and speed.

I step up alongside the other heroes, looking out at the crowd in full uniform.

"My name is Matt Byrd. You all know my story. When I first but on this costume, it was for the paycheck. A wise man taught me that being a hero has nothing to do with money or endorsements. I'm no hero. Those who gave their lives to protect this planet are the heroes. We must follow their examples as we move forward in the protection of this planet so that we can all be safe."​

I turn and look at Flux, Icon, and Archangel.​

"Blue Blur, ready to run."​

Four? Four ridiculously powered guys in the one unit.
Fontaine’s concerns once again came to the fore. They’ve got the stiff-coloured blue boyscout, sure, him he could trust. And the not-an-Angel, he had no doubt he could trust him… no doubt the appearance didn’t exactly hurt that trust. But this blue kid, he’d never met him, he’d likely be young and impressionable and he just admitted that he was susceptible to personal desire for material goods, even if that issue was in the past and solved its still an issue. People have been known to regress.
And the sapphire senorita? She was a whole other unknown to doubt and lack faith in.
Even Icon and the not-an-Angel… they could still be susceptible to influence, who’s around these guys? Surely 4 people couldn’t handle all of the logistic works of organising an idea like this? And how would they be funded? The US Government? The UN? No matter how you look at it someone’s going to look to sink their claws into this and pervert it to their own agenda. Even if its just a matter of “to what extent”. And these guys… these kids really… Only Icon has been in this game LONG term. How the hell could these kids recognize this stuff as its happening?​

Well, Isaac’s mind was made up. There was only one thing for it.

He’d have to get on-board.

Be a Guardian.
​

 

[Hound55]

Walking back to the fawn Oldsmobile Isaac felt a slight vibrate on his right hip, digging at folds of clothes he extracted his phone and saw the name "Tony Morris" on the screen, flipping it open he greeted his friend like they were already in mid-conversation.

[BLACKOUT]"Tone, what have you got for me?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Its always what I can give you with you isn't it, Isaac? You're sounding more and more like a real Fontaine every day..." kidded Tony.

[BLACKOUT]"How is it, that you've managed to remain such a fine family-friend over the years when you say my family name like an epithet, MORRIS?"[/BLACKOUT] replied Isaac, feigning hurt and emphasising his friend's own surname.

"Isaac?"

[BLACKOUT]"Yeah?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Grow a pair."

[BLACKOUT]"Ha!"[/BLACKOUT]

"Anyway, 'What I can do for you' is tell you that you've got yourself a new business... or at least the shell of a new business, the TBN, the base paperwork's done. I got some real right guys in the high-up managerial positions, they start looking for your eggheads tomorrow..."

[BLACKOUT]"'Real right guys'? What? Are we hiring mobsters now? Did you make them an offer they couldn't refuse?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Forgeddaboutit!"

[BLACKOUT]"Forgeddaboutit!"[/BLACKOUT]

Both guys laugh into the phones, old friends cracking wise like they're still back in school.

"Aaaanyway, you've got the framework going. I picked the name Greenpathways Innovations, seemed to be along the lines of what you were after and you'll have it staffed fairly soon. I've also rigged up a private cargo jet, one of ours, and got it cleared... or roundabouts. So what's this multi-billion dollar idea that you have? What flavour 'ice-cream' had to so urgently be delivered that's worth all of this hassle to a guy who never gave a s### about the businesses his father left him?"

Isaac had reached th Oldsmobile and was sitting in the car, alone, with the windows up. He looked around instinctively checking whether anyone was nearby and they of course were not.

[BLACKOUT]"You've got to keep your trap shut on this, ok?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Yeah, OK. What?"

[BLACKOUT]"Its a drum. A drum of a new fuel. Fuel for alien tech..."[/BLACKOUT]

"WHAT?!"

[BLACKOUT]"There's been all of these guys flying around fighting the aliens and stuff, I was nearby. One of them swatted a ship down and it didn't blow up.. I checked it out and saw how amazing these things are. Its a ridiculously high powered fuel, and its safer than any of ours. It clearly doesn't combust til it gets hotter, meaning..."[/BLACKOUT] started Fontaine, reciting the bulls### story he'd concocted and repeated to himself in the mirror the night before.

"...Meaning it'll make vehicles far safer and less susceptible to explosion/incineration in the event of a crash."

[BLACKOUT]"Exactly, and from what I can tell it burns FAR cleaner than our own fuels... and you know how popular that would be these days."[/BLACKOUT]

"Money in the bank..."
[BLACKOUT]

"Yeah."
[/BLACKOUT]

"Well, I was speaking to David, who was chosen to be a head scientist until all of the other hirings have been done, told him much of what I could get out of you and he said preliminary testings for new products, which sounds like what we have here, take about six months..."

[BLACKOUT]"Six months? Six months doesn't sound very damn preliminary to me..."[/BLACKOUT]

"Me neither, but then we are scientific cretins who do not understand the nature of their job."

[BLACKOUT]"If they come back with exactly the same things I already know after six months, I warn you, I will lose my s###..."[/BLACKOUT]

"Heh, fully understandable. I will too. But the testing process can be very tedious."

[BLACKOUT]
"This drum's the only drum there is... you make sure they know that. Its not particularly big either. I don't want waste."
[/BLACKOUT]
"Waste not, want not."

[BLACKOUT]
"Eh?"
[/BLACKOUT]
[BLACKOUT]"What the hell. is that. supposed to mean?"[/BLACKOUT] Fontaine said rhythmically, emulating Jerry Stiller from Seinfeld.

"Am I a clown to you? Do I make you laugh?" Tony responded with a Joe Pesci of his own.

[BLACKOUT]"Funny? Funny how?"[/BLACKOUT] Isaac returned Pesci's previous line and the pair cracked up again.

"So, you listened to what I told you about loosening up, huh? Did you go out to a club or something after our little talk?"

[BLACKOUT]"As a matter of fact I did listen to you. I've been opening myself up a bit more, made a couple of new friends out here, we got in a bit of a scuffle with this big meathead when we were out..."[/BLACKOUT]

"Knowing you from high school, the 'Ice cool killer of Cornwall' no doubt held his own... If you didn't start it, you'd have no doubt finished it, eh?"

[BLACKOUT]"Well... I wouldn't say that, but I had my moments..."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"Anyway... speaking of this I've got to speak to one of those new friends about a club in just a bit... so when and where can I take this drum for the cargo jet..?"[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac started to edge the car away, places to go, people to see...

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Yea. I was just thinking to myself about a painting I'm going to do too. It's going to be a painting of this park. Of today, actually. I was thinking it can be a sort of fundraiser type of deal. All the donations will go to restoring Lost Haven City."

I mean, with my identity exposed it's sure to do something for my work. What better way to indulge in success than to donate it for a good cause? Yea, it felt great when I'd make some big and insane sales on some of my work...but I live a pretty simple and content lifestyle. My quality of life doesn't require me to have certain possessions that I think people nowadays find themselves clung to.

"So uh, if you heard the speeches than you know about the little superhero club we are working on. I've already decided on a base of operations. How wicked cool would it be to have a superhero treehouse? I mean, sure...we could have some large hall here on earth or some massive satellite in the sky...but whatever happened to feeding your inner child, am I right?"

Man...it'd be one sick treehouse too.

Kensei laughed at the tree house remark.
"You have a good sense of humor for an angel, I will give you that. Most of your kind that I have met have been more...serious in tone. It is quite refreshing."

"This team you are all putting together", Kensei said as he leaned forward on the bench, looking out at the still pond, it's surface like a mirror reflecting the beautiful blue sky above.

"This is not the first time those with abilities have banded together for the common good. But, each time I have been a party to it, it has not ended well. Almost every time, the heroes are too green and wind up causing more destruction than they avert. It always ends the same too, with their recklessness leading to their own demise."

"It is a vicious cycle I have seen played out over the centuries, and one of the reasons I have stayed a lone warrior for much of my days."

The Swordsman picked up a small, smooth stone. He ran his fingers over it, feeling the perfection of it's surface. With a casual flick of his wrist, Kensei sent the stone skipping across the pond's surface. The ripples caused by the stone's contact with the water traveled across the pond in seconds, distorting the once tranquil scene.

"But, life is about adapting, and correcting one's flaws. I have seen your courage and how you value life, Michael. As well as seeing the same qualities in some of the other heroes."

"Perhaps this time things will be different", Izanagi's Chosen stated with a far off look as he watched the ripples dance across the pond's surface. His thoughts were going back to the turn of the twentieth century, and the last time a group of heroes banded together to 'save the world' in a small area near the Tunguska River in Russia.

"If you need me for this team, Michael, my sword is yours. The gods willing, this time things will be different."