The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[TrueMastermind]

Cruising down New Haven Drive, Victor was a nervous wreck. With mysterious men invading his estate, looking for his "Vault", Victor's mind was searching within itself for a plan. If they managed to discover the "Vault", they would have enough evidence to lock Victor away for life. Spotting two glimmering black Escalades with 2 suspicious looking men on polished black and red motorcycles slowly drifting behind Vic and Drake. Shrugging them off, Vic pulled into an Exxon gas station and that's when he realized that he just can't barge into his mansion without some kind of mask or something. Looking at a box in the passenger seat, where it had resided for about 6 months, Victor decided it was time to get over his hate of hiding behind a mask and do what needed to be done. As a result, Vic strolled into the gas station, box tucked under arm, and put on the quite frightening but flashy costume.

People started to talk in hushed tones to each other as soon as Victor, no, the Grim marched out of the restroom. Realizing that the disappearence of Victor Palazzo and the sudden appearence of the Grim could obviously be traced, so as a "precaution", the Grim ripped every camera in the little rest stop off the walls just with a miniscule wave of his index finger, provoking all witnesses to flee the scene. As the Grim burst through the doors, Drake, who was parked next to Vic's Mazerati, opened his mouth to comment on the Grim's new garb as he had made it himself, but the Grim signaled for Drake to get ready to head for the mansion.

"Oh, but I think not," The Grimm turned to face a man who was covered in all different kinds of equipment that made him looked like some kind of android.

And one by one they all begun to appear.

A scaly figure materialized out of thin air, similar to a chameleon and had tiny blades where its fingers should of been. Bursting through the gravel, an ugly mole-like man who looked like he hadn't taken a shower in about 30 years, growled at the Grim. But it was the last one who actually scared him.

Exploding through the walls of the gas station, a giant humanoid beast reared his hideous head back and roared louder than a foghorn. It appeared to have something similar to have charcoal as its skin, and flaming hot magma flowing inside its giant mouth.

And all the Grim could say was "Damn."

3 hideous beasts with an awful odor and their evil Buzz Lightyear look-a like leader stood across from Vic and Drake.

"You see, we are..."

" Shut the hell up." Darth Lightyear, Reptile Voldo, and the Mole Man, were thrown into the filling stations by an unseen force, letting loose a massive explosion and provoking the " Volcano Thing " to go rabid.

" So what do we do about Stone Head over there. He looks a little pissed off." Even the usually calm Drake was shaking out of fear.

" I say we get the hell out! " Vic took off towards a lone Mercedes across the street while Drake hopped on his suprisingly still intact motorcycle. Stone Head was clearly not intelligent in any way as he ran around like a stupid baboon, coughing up magma with every step.

Vic tore the door off the Mercedes with a flick of the wrist, and propelled the candy black car down Sea Street, in the direction of his estate, all with his mind. Too bad it seemed like Stone Head finally caught on, taking off towards Drake on his motorcycle. Drake's motorcycle was just too quick and nimble for the heavyweight, and Drake gave the walking piece of rock the finger and exclaimed, " SAYANORA, BABY!!! "

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

"Alright, sounds like a plan. And I know Icon will be cool with the whole ordeal. I mean, he's really a swell guy."

And if he isn't cool with it? Well, uh...that could go several different ways. But come on! Icon's like our big blue and gray boyscout. I don't think I've ever seen him lose his temper on anyone other than a supervillain. I mean, not like I'm going to lose my position on the team.

...

...

...Right?

Goddess nodded, "I sure hope so, because it will take cooperation in case the monster from whom those demons serve comes back to fight. It will take more force than you or I can muster, and the demon we saw today was naught more than a passing fancy of collection." She bit her lip, "I know I already thanked you, but I must truly express how grateful I am to find another selfless being in a time I do not know nor understand, willing to help a total stranger despite the high level of danger, and continues to be willing to assist.... It is most... admirable..." her words soft, sweetened almost. Though her blonde hair falls over her right eye, her left eye is slightly widened, looking up towards the fellow warrior.

"I hope I can rely on your power in the future to make right what I couldn't once in the past," her words ended quickly as she turned around, pulling a small gem on a golden chain from her pocket, which swirled with violent green gasses within... "I do not seem to get much ability to see here... Tell me, as your powers are of origin not of man... Do you have an ability to track the more corrupted forces which travel around here? We must know if they're tied to my foe."

 

[trustyside-kick]

"I hope I can rely on your power in the future to make right what I couldn't once in the past," her words ended quickly as she turned around, pulling a small gem on a golden chain from her pocket, which swirled with violent green gasses within... "I do not seem to get much ability to see here... Tell me, as your powers are of origin not of man... Do you have an ability to track the more corrupted forces which travel around here? We must know if they're tied to my foe."

I side-step a bit as she gets a little too close for comfort. Mind you she is definitely easy on the eyes, I'm not exactly comfortable. Then again I did just save her life in a sense. I see similar reactions all the times from regular dames. Why should she be so different? Best not too think too much of it.

"Err, well...not exactly."

For all my angelic influence now that I think of it, why don't I have that ability? Honestly this is perhaps the first time I'm not at all annoyed by a comment from pure judgement. I'm a weapon of God in a sense and I don't deal with demons? Meh, maybe he has someone else to take care of that job.

"Though, if there's someone in immediate danger within proximity of where I'm at I'm sort of forced into my transformation and my wings guide me to the location. Looks like we are going to have to go the old fashioned route and simply sit by the old police scanner. Heh, joking of course. But not exactly. At our base we are linked with the Lost Haven Police Department's radio. If there is any attack in the city, they'll notify us."

I start to lift off and see that she remains on the ground. That's when I want to facepalm strike myself in the...uh, well face because perhaps she cannot fly. So I lower myself, still levitating in the air and extend my hand.

"Care for a lift? Much quicker to travel back to base in the air."

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

I side-step a bit as she gets a little too close for comfort. Mind you she is definitely easy on the eyes, I'm not exactly comfortable. Then again I did just save her life in a sense. I see similar reactions all the times from regular dames. Why should she be so different? Best not too think too much of it.

"Err, well...not exactly."

For all my angelic influence now that I think of it, why don't I have that ability? Honestly this is perhaps the first time I'm not at all annoyed by a comment from pure judgement. I'm a weapon of God in a sense and I don't deal with demons? Meh, maybe he has someone else to take care of that job.

"Though, if there's someone in immediate danger within proximity of where I'm at I'm sort of forced into my transformation and my wings guide me to the location. Looks like we are going to have to go the old fashioned route and simply sit by the old police scanner. Heh, joking of course. But not exactly. At our base we are linked with the Lost Haven Police Department's radio. If there is any attack in the city, they'll notify us."

I start to lift off and see that she remains on the ground. That's when I want to facepalm strike myself in the...uh, well face because perhaps she cannot fly. So I lower myself, still levitating in the air and extend my hand.

"Care for a lift? Much quicker to travel back to base in the air."

She tilts her head, slightly confused. "That's odd. I would imagine with your station of ability, and source of might, demons would be something you would have some experience in. Perhaps they're not as common today as they once were. Not exactly a bad thing..." Goddess did not find this pleasing to hear. If there weren't as many demons around, the same must be true of divine beasts, limiting her ability to grow into her old power. "At any rate, at least you have some ability to know when you're needed, and I guess that is enough for now."

Goddess righted her head watching him pick up into the air, and almost sighs as she reaches with her right hand to hold her left arm, and hoods her eyes a little bit in what appears to be her simply being tired. "I would...appreciate the lift. While I can fly on my own, I'm still weakened by the skirmish..." She reaches out and takes his hand, giving a small smile.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Goddess righted her head watching him pick up into the air, and almost sighs as she reaches with her right hand to hold her left arm, and hoods her eyes a little bit in what appears to be her simply being tired. "I would...appreciate the lift. While I can fly on my own, I'm still weakened by the skirmish..." She reaches out and takes his hand, giving a small smile.

As she takes my hand, we slowly start to ascend to the sky. Pulling her higher, I have my arm locked around her waist and we start to pick up speed as we head towards the base. You know, I haven't really ever picked someone up and flown like this before. Sure, I mean, I've swooped down and saved someone from being eaten by say a large T-Rex man or picked up an officer just as a bullet was about to be fired.

But I've never really...held someone like this...in the air.

I always thought Grace would be the first.

"Just up ahead, pretty sweet huh? I present to you, home of The Guardians."

We fly to the roof of the building, and as I make my landing I let her gently stand up on her own two feet before fully letting go. She trades me a smile as I let her down, and I head over to the console. Entering the pass code and passing the security clearance on the machine, a part of the roof opens up revealing a platform. I gesture her to walk with me to the platform, and we ride it down into the building.

"This here is the garage I guess you could say. As you can see, uh...there isn't much in it yet. Yea...a lot of us can fly or run really really fast so I'm not quite sure why they gave us a garage. Guess it serves better as a storage unit."

 

[Byrd Man]

Chicago


"Matt, please have a seat," Mr. Fry says I step into his office. Along with him are Dr. Brown and some skinny looking guy who has his gray hair tied up in a ponytail.

"What's this about?"

I sit down in the plush leather chair. It gives out a little squeek as I rub up against the leather.

"That....that was the chair..."

"No doubt. Anyway, I have someone I'd like for you to meet. You already know Doctor Brown. The gentleman to his left is Marcus Riley. He's a producer for NBC."

"Howdy."

"Mister Riley has an idea involving Frytech and the Blue Blur," Dr. Brown says as he adjusts his glasses.

"Four words can sum it up perfectly, gentlemen," Riley says as he finally talks. He takes his fingers and thumbs and frames a rectangle, creating a picture frame around my head.

"Blue. Blur. Reality. Show. NBC is prepared to create this new reality show, giving insight to the rest of America on how one of their greatest, and most public, heroes goes about his daily routine. Matt Byrd as the star of...Life in The Fast Lane!"

I give him a blank stare as I take it all in.

"Umm....that's...wow."

"Think about it, we see your life as the cameras roll 24/7. Showing you on the streets, saving the world and fighting crime in Chicago, spending your tender moments with your family, hanging out with the Guardians...uhh, providing they all sign release forms, that is."

"Good luck getting Kensei to sign that...."

"What was that?""

"Nothing...So, you want to have me star in my own show?"

"Very much so.."

I turn to Mr. Fry and sigh.

"This is different than hosting SNL or guest starring on CSI. The cameras will be on me at all times. You've got to consider that, you've got to remember my life....you've already signed the paperwork, haven't you? I have no say in this?"

"That's not correct, Matt. This is a big decision in your life, I would never do this without your approval."

"Ahh, so you've signed the papers and all, but you're waiting to fax it to NBC?"

"Correct."

I shake my head and then shrug.

"Okay. What the hell? Let it be known that I am very specific about nudity.....I get to be naked at least once an episode, sound good?"
​

 

[Rain Dog]

Squish.

I yank the blade out of the pimp’s chest and toss his body to the curb. Another name off the list. Step one 80% complete. The People are noticing. They’ve started a spark. Flames coming soon. Glorious flames.

* * *​

CHANNEL 9 – LIVE FROM BEDLING, LOST HAVEN

“This is Linda Garcia with Channel Nine News. I’m standing here in Luther Avenue, Bedling, or as the locals know it, ‘Bedlam.’ This neighborhood is notable for having some of the highest crime, poverty, and homeless rates in Lost Haven. Over the course of the last few weeks, Bedling has erupted in violence. Various shootings have taken place and dozens of bodies have been found in alleys, houses, and in some cases, lying on the streets. Many of these scenes had the words ‘The Dummy was here’ spray painted somewhere in the vicinity of the bodies. The victims all had one thing in common—they were criminals.”

LOST HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICE CAPTAIN – ROGER BRODY
“Um, we initially suspected that it was the work of local gangs in a territory war but now it does seem evident that these incidents were acts of vigilantism. Uh, the victims were primarily gang members, pimps, and drug lords. An, uh, investigation is currently underway and any information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the vigilante or vigilantes should be reported to the police department immediately.”

DEPUTY MENBERG
“People need to be aware that vigilantism is a crime. The person or people who are doing this are not heroes and need to be stopped. Crime and punishment is something to be handled by the law and law enforcement authorities.”

BEDLING, LOST HAVEN
“Local residents, however, see the vigilante in a different light.”


“It’s good we finally have someone cleanin’ up these streets. ‘Cuz the cops is never around, the muta—the flyin’ dudes is never around and I am sick and tired of hearin’ about some gang bangers or some crack head breakin’ into my neighbors’ house and shootin’ up the place.”

“Man, I’m all for this guy He took out the Bonez. Those ****ers killed my brother.”

“Y’know ever since these, uh, shootings or whatever started happening, I’ve seen less pimps walkin’ around, I’ve seen less gang bangers, I’ve heard of less break-ins and whatever. Y’know I don’t see anything wrong with it. Frankly, I think the police are just embarrassed ‘cuz this guy is showin’ ‘em up. And he doesn’t even have no super powers. I mean, the police never say anything about those guys in, uh, y’know tights that fly and breathe fire or whatever. What they’re doing is vigilantism too and the police don’t say nothin’ about it.”


“One resident has gone as far to claim that they’ve seen the vigilante. The police note that this sighting occurred shortly before one of the shootings.”


“He had this, uh, like bulky uniform, like padding or something and this, uh, white mask or somethin’ on. Like Michael Myers or some ****. It didn’t have hair though. He looked like some kind a crash test dummy or somethin’.”


“Could the high number of Meta-Humans operating in Lost Haven have inspired a new wave of vigilantism? This reporter thinks so. This is Linda Garcia, signing off.”

* * *​

Hmm…need barbeque sauce. Patrol car, sitting by street corner. Need to get swine out of car. Away from radio. I run up to the car and tap on the glass.

[BLACKOUT]“Officers! I need your help! Come quick!”[/BLACKOUT]

I’m not in my gear, of course. That would just be stupid. Stupid.

Window rolls down. Porky looks up at me.

“What’s wrong?”

[BLACKOUT]“There’s a man over here—I think he’s dying! He’s bleeding a lot! I think he was shot or stabbed or something!”[/BLACKOUT]

The officer quickly exits the car. One stays in and calls for a paramedic before heading out. Damn. Oh well, at least I know they’ll be found quickly. I lead them to the pimp, clutching his wounds, bleeding to death on the curb. He tries to speak but all that comes out of his face-hole is gurgles and blood. This part is tricky.

Officers tend to the scum. Their backs are turned to me. Easy pickins. The blade I used to slice the pimp up is concealed in my sleeve. I quickly flip it out and grab Porky, slit his throat right-quick. The other immediately goes for his gun—I go for mine. Well not mine. Porky’s. Mine now. I use Porky’s body as a temporary shield. I thrust his husky corpse towards the officer and fire off a few shots. Get him in the nose. Now the fun part. I dig into my pocket and pull out a huge wad of cash rolled up in a rubber band, confiscated from various criminals. I put in Porky’s back pocket. I take No-Nose’s wallet and slip in a card—American Nazi Party. Slip the wallet right back into this pocket.

I drag the bloody pimp into an alley. I take his hat and swap coats with him. I give him the murder weapons and drag him back out. He no longer looks like a pimp. Just a black man. A black man victim to two corrupt, racist cops. Investigators/autopsies will probably be able to deduce that he couldn’t have possibly killed the officers. Which is exactly what I want. Step one complete.

 

[Blacklight]

​

"Rebirth by Prism": Prologue pt.1​

-White light is the effect of combining the visible colors of the spectrum in equal proportions...​

Six months ago...


The funeral held for Enferno's Greatest Hero, their teenaged protector Blacklight, was comparable to that of one held for royalty or a deceased pop-star. Nearly everyone who lived in Enferno and the twin city of Vernova was in attendance to mourn the loss of their guardian. From the simple citizens he protected from a mugging or murder, to the people he saved by stopping a crazed villain bent on the destruction of the city or the world as a whole. Even a few people from Lost Haven came to pay their respects, from normal average people, to the very heroes that reside there. Even the newly introduced super-team, the Guardians, had arrived to thank Blacklight once more for his sacrifice and wished for his soul to rest in peace...

Mayors of Enferno and Vernova Hal Allen and Barry Jordan had speeches prepared, to which they recited before the Eulogies were read. Eulogies written by some of Blacklight's closest friends, normal and super-powered. Then the night ended as they all watched as his casket was lowered into the ground, and the dirt showered over it before everyone filed out of the stadium, wondering...

Who will save us all now?

* * *​

Shortly after Blacklight's funeral had ended, a more private funeral was held for Jonathan Small. Who, to everyone who didn't know his secret identity, died while on a trip to Lost haven during the Arlaaekan invasion when wanton debris had fell from the sky and crushed him. But to eveyone who did know who he was, well... They knew what really happened to him.

Those very few, his mother, brothers, sisters, and best friends, all gathered around the memorial headstone for their loved one.

"Jonathan Salvador Small; Beloved son, brother and friend..." it read, as his loved ones all cried in agony over his sacrifice.

Why did you have to do that? they all questioned in their minds while shedding tears for the late Jonathan. But deep inside, they all knew why. Because he was a hero... and it was the right thing to do. If he hadn't we'd be dead... Everyone would be.

So after some heartfelt words spoken by everyone in attendence, they all went their seperate ways, hoping that Jon's journey into the next life be safe, and more importantly, peaceful. He deserved it...


But little did everyone know, his journey was going to be anything but peaceful...

* * *​

A lone soul had been trekking aimlessly through an infinite space. One devoid of anything but light. To what seemed like six months on the Earthly plane, only an hour or so had passed in this dimension the soul wandered...

That soul was dressed in a black suit, with rather large pants, and had black hair and eyes composed of white pupils and irises as well as black scleras.

This soul was Jonathan Small to few, and Blacklight to most...

"Hello?" Blacklight said as he stood in what appeared to be... nothing.

There was nothing but endless white, and there he stood in the center of the brigh void... Alone. But, one thing was certain...

This is definately not what I pictured heaven looking like...

"That is because it's not..."

"What? Who's there!?"

"Jonathan Small... Blacklight. Your time on earth has not yet come to an end."

"But... but how can that be? I DIED! I... I must've... I felt it..."

"You may have left the Earthly plane, but your journey is not yet over. There is one last task that you must complete."

"Wait a second! I'm not doing anything unless I get some answers right now!"

"Fair enough. What is it you would like to know first?"

"Let's start with who the hell you are... How about that?"

"Very well..." the voice began as she appeared next to the hero in the void, seemingly out of thin air.

Spoiler

(OOC: follow the link to see what she looks like...)

http://evilapple513.deviantart.com/art/CHAMPION-OF-LIFE-140961005

"I am the Master of Light, and I have chosen you to be my champion..."

"Champion of what, exactly?" Jon inquired, growing impatient.

"A neverending war... One aginst my eternal enemy. My brother... The Master of Darkness."

Blacklight sighed before giving himself a facepalm.

"How cliche... I read comic books. Totally should've guessed that one coming."

"There is no time for humor, young one. You must come with me."

"Where're we going?"

The elegant Master simply smirked as she crypticly responded...

"To meet your teammates..."

 

[Optikal]

"Alright. I'm on point. We get in, clean sweep, nice and tidy. We've worked too long on this to bork it now!"

Officer John Cade nodded grimly along with the rest of the team at the Captains final instructions. They were in the back of an unmarked van heading towards the residence of Salvatore Costello, one of Lost Havens long time Mafia heads. Cade rested his hand on his holstered weapon instinctively, ready for anything at any time.

"You okay Johnny?" Billy Stone. Fellow officer for the LHPD and long time friend.

John flicked a glance at Billy and gave him a curt nod. "Always. Just want to get in there and take these guys off the street".

Billy laughed a little and shook his head. "Johnny, always so serious dude. Lighten up. We'll bag 'em and tag 'em man, no sweat".

The van came to a rumbling halt and Captain Anderson leapt to his feet. "This is it boys. In and out. Clean as a whistle, remember?" Without waiting for an answer, the Captain burst out of the doors of the van and lead the team up the driveway to Salvatore Costellos mansion.

Through the door, Cade, Stone and fellow officer Rico Sanchez raced for the stairs. As they made their way down the hall, each room was swept for civillians. From the ruckus around the house it was unmistakable that someone would not hear them coming. However, each room they swept bore no occupants. Still, there were plenty more unchecked. Whatever it was that Costello was into, it afforded him a house most people could only ever dream of.

*****
​

"Come on Mallory, Your Pop will never find out. ...And you know I love you, right?"

Mallory Costello eyed the tall slender man from across the room as he rolled up a fresh bill and put it to the line of white powder on her dressing table. Shane Denton was one of her fathers employees and her on-again off-again boyfriend. He'd been trying this line for weeks and she was growing tired of it. "Shane, you know if you do anything like that and my dad finds out, he'll cut your f-cking head off! We can't".

Shane turned on her and shook his head vigorously. "I don't give a f-ck what yer pops thinks Mal, me an' you... we deserve to be together. You do love me, don't you?"

Mallory leaned back on her bed as he approached. "Well yeah, you know I do but-"

"FREEZE! THIS THE LOST HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT! STAY WHERE YOU ARE!"
​

Mallory and Shane both leapt up as the front of the house exploded in a frenzy of activity. Footsteps pounded up the hall and began kicking open doors. Mallorys room was at the bottom of the hall, but it'd be mere seconds before they were kicking down her door.

"Oh Sh-t! Mal, what the f-ck?! The cops. I can't be taken in again! I can't go back in there!" Mallory gasped as Shane reached into his jacket and pulled out a dull grey handgun. He went for the door and glanced a peek out.

"Shane... don't. Please, oh God, don't do anything stupid!"

Shane rounded on her, his eyes feral, his voice a hiss through gritted teeth. . "I ain't gettin' sent down again Mal, not for you or your dickweed daddy or anyone!" He spun back to the door and fired off a couple of shots. Mallory cried out and froze to the spot. "Got one of the bastards!" Shane grinned, his eyes wild. "No f-ckin' pigs are taking me out!" He went to fire off a few more shots but was met with resistance. Shane gritted his teeth and tapped his head. "Gonna need a distraction orsome **** to finish this. Mal, come here, quick!"

Mallory was frozen in terror at what was happening. This was her dads line of work, she knew that, but she had never seen it first hand. She tried to move, to cry out or do something, but she could only stand there sobbing. She realised that she wasmoving, Shane had hold of her and was roughly manouvering her to the door. He fired a couple of shots blind before throwing Mallory out into the hall...

*****
​

Sanchez was down, caught in the temple by the assailant. Cade and Stone had taken up positions each side of the hall, the dead body of their fellow officer bleeding out into the deep blue carpet in between them both. Stone made his move, but a couple more shots whizzed by. Stone cried out as a fine spray of blood erupted from his arm. He held firm though. Cade glanced out and caught a brief glimpse of the weapon, knowing the position of the gunman. He rolled out and towards his partner, checking on his condition. "I'm okay" Stone grumbled, shrugging off the attention. "Lets take this bastard down".

Cade nodded as a couple more shots ricocheted over their heads. In a flash of movement from the gunmans position, Cade swung and fired off two shots. A young woman, long blonde hair, barely out of her teens gasped as the shots punched into her chest. She fell back, her gaze wide with terror meeting Cades as she fell. In that instant, another figure leapt out, weapon blazing. Cade only managed to look as Stones weapon came up and took the man clean out.

Cade leapt to his feet and raced down the hall towards the bodies. The room must have been the young females and now stood empty. Cade checked both bodies but the life had left them. No pulse on either. Cade checked the woman and found her to be completely unarmed.

He'd shot an unarmed civillian dead.

John sighed and rose to his full height. The fight gone out of him. His weapon held limply to his side, he stood and stared down at the girl. Guilt and disbelief slicing through the adrenaline of combat.

"John?"

Cade turned and faced his partner. Blood was seeping heavily from multiple shot wounds on Stones body. Cade rushed to his side and removed his partners helmet and flak jacket. A wound in Stones shoulder and his thigh were bleeding profusely but it was likely he'd survive. From the stairs, more men filled the hall and rushed to their side. Sanchez, Denton and Mallory Costello all lay dead.

Cade ripped of his helmet and made his way through the crowd of officers. He needed some air.

 

[Mr. Majestic]

I can’t wait any longer I have to try and find Vigilante, waiting here for his phone call isn’t going to work. Question is where do I start? Now that I think about it headquarters seem like a good place to look into.

I flip my hood over my head and put the mask that’s connected to over my face. At a normal pace I run out of the bunker and close the door to the entrance and flip the rug back on top to conceal it. I turn around about to take off but I bring myself to a halt as I see a glowing white light in front of me. I take a couple steps back and quickly glance around the area making sure I’m the only one in the barn.

“I advise who ever is here to show yourself now because if I have to find you it won’t be pretty.” My words must have didn’t hold any value because no one made there selves known. Only thing that did happen was that the ball of glowing light began to burn brighter.

“You must stop this.” A voice had come from the light.

“Stop what?” I ask

“The road you are traveling down is a dangerous one, Sincraft.”

“How do you know my name?” There are only two others that know my real name. Vigilante being one of them and my alien mother the second. I know this isn’t my mother because the voice is different and I getting a bad vibe.

“You have been warned Sincraft, if you continue to carry on this path of iniquity you and everyone of this planet will pay the price for your insolence.” It vanished shortly after it gave out its last words of caution.

“I don’t even know what iniquity is.” And at this moment in time I truly don’t care. I’m tired of getting this warning only at times when it suits who ever it is best. I don’t have any time for these silly games and questions that don’t get straight answers. I have a job to do and I’m going to do it no matter what the cost. Instantly I take off heading to Lost Haven.

I come to a stop at a couple building away from the Guardians headquarters. I can’t risk walking into the base and he’s not there i don't know if the Themis group has eyes on me or not. I have to handle this carefully. I’ll use my reverberation vision to locate him first. I then focus my super hearing into the Gurardian building. I’ve been around Vigilante long enough that I can find him by just singling out his heart beat as long as he’s not around a group of people. As I’m listing I can see and hear two people up on the roof.

"This here is the garage I guess you could say. As you can see, uh...there isn't much in it yet. Yea...a lot of us can fly or run really really fast so I'm not quite sure why they gave us a garage. Guess it serves better as a storage unit."

That’s not him its Archangel and he’s with someone else and by the sound of their heart its not who im looking for, it doesn’t have that same rhythm as Vigilante. His reminds me of the drum solo to an old ACDC song. I listen in carfully into the headquarters I come up with nothing.

“He’s not here. This trying to listen for his heart beat is bull****. I might as well face facts I have to do this solo.” I can do this by myself but then again who am I kidding I need him for this I can fly solo. I’ll try the entire city hopfully he’s here. I close my eyes and widen the horizon of the area Im listening to. As every car, person or object makes a sound it paints a picture for me. A picture that only I can see, looking at this city in new eyes. As the kids bounce the ball on the pavement the sound vibrations shows me the outline of their bodies and the objects close to them. For a second I almost forgot how beautiful this city could be when I look at this way. I can’t let my self get distracted I have to focus.

best way to do that is to find out who the hell paged me..."
[/BLACKOUT]

Wait that voice I think that’s him. I open my eyes and take off in the direction where I head Vigilante speaking. Fallowing the sound of Vigilante voice lead me to Downtown Lost Haven at a parking building. Out of all the places he’s here next to a Vette.

“You are one hard person to find.” I say from behind him.

 

[Hound55]

“He’s not here. This trying to listen for his heart beat is bull****. I might as well face facts I have to do this solo.” I can do this by myself but then again who am I kidding I need him for this I can fly solo. I’ll try the entire city hopfully he’s here. I close my eyes and widen the horizon of the area Im listening to. As every car, person or object makes a sound it paints a picture for me. A picture that only I can see, looking at this city in new eyes. As the kids bounce the ball on the pavement the sound vibrations shows me the outline of their bodies and the objects close to them. For a second I almost forgot how beautiful this city could be when I look at this way. I can’t let my self get distracted I have to focus.

[BLACKOUT]best way to do that is to find out who the hell paged me..."[/BLACKOUT]

Wait that voice I think that’s him. I open my eyes and take off in the direction where I head Vigilante speaking. Fallowing the sound of Vigilante voice lead me to Downtown Lost Haven at a parking building. Out of all the places he’s here next to a Vette.

“You are one hard person to find.” I say from behind him.

Fontaine half-turned his head over one shoulder, recognising the voice as the one who'd helped him during the invasion. Called himself The Youngster, but Isaac had also heard another name. A name he wouldn't use.

The gap in his balaklava filled with a rare grin, one reserved for those of kindred spirit in his own line of work.

"Well. I think I can close the case as to who sent the page." he thought to himself.

[BLACKOUT]"I've been told that before."[/BLACKOUT] He smirked. [BLACKOUT]"Even harder to peg down."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"Now I think its a fair bet that you could shed some light as to what brought me back out here, yeah?"[/BLACKOUT]

He lifted up his black top exposing the pager which was strapped around just above his hips for effect.

 

[Mr. Majestic]

Fontaine half-turned his head over one shoulder, recognising the voice as the one who'd helped him during the invasion. Called himself The Youngster, but Isaac had also heard another name. A name he wouldn't use.

The gap in his balaklava filled with a rare grin, one reserved for those of kindred spirit in his own line of work.

"Well. I think I can close the case as to who sent the page." he thought to himself.

[BLACKOUT]"I've been told that before."[/BLACKOUT] He smirked. [BLACKOUT]"Even harder to peg down."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"Now I think its a fair bet that you could shed some light as to what brought me back out here, yeah?"[/BLACKOUT]

He lifted up his black top exposing the pager which was strapped around just above his hips for effect.

“Gladly.” I say smiling on the inside relieved I’ve finally got a hold of him. Out of all of the members from the team he’s the one I feel most comfortable with.

I reach behind my back and pull out a folder and hand it to Vigilante.

“For the past 2 months I have been chasing down this group of metahumans who call themselves Themis. They get there name from the greek goddess who is described as good counsel and is the embodiment of divine order. From what i gathered there mission is to bring Justice to the world. They believe that the invasion was the first sign of the apocalypse. So they plan on whipping out everything and everyone to start over. They want to begin a new utopia. Their plan is to start at New York and make there way to other major cities.”

 

[Hound55]

“Gladly.” I say smiling on the inside relieved I’ve finally got a hold of him. Out of all of the members from the team he’s the one I feel most comfortable with.

I reach behind my back and pull out a folder and hand it to Vigilante.

“For the past 2 months I have been chasing down this group of metahumans who call themselves Themis. They get there name from the greek goddess who is described as good counsel and is the embodiment of divine order. From what i gathered there mission is to bring Justice to the world. They believe that the invasion was the first sign of the apocalypse. So they plan on whipping out everything and everyone to start over. They want to begin a new utopia. Their plan is to start at New York and make there way to other major cities.”

[BLACKOUT]"Hey, you actually started to research!"[/BLACKOUT] He comments. [BLACKOUT]"Hmm... this is actually pretty thorough..."[/BLACKOUT] thumbing through the material

[BLACKOUT]"I take it their view of a Utopian society is not one that would necessarily be shared by the rest of the folk on this world, eh?"[/BLACKOUT]

Pointing to a photo in the folder he spun the folder around back to The Youngster.

[BLACKOUT]
"Who's this guy?"
[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Mr. Majestic]

[BLACKOUT]"Hey, you actually started to research!"[/BLACKOUT] He comments. [BLACKOUT]"Hmm... this is actually pretty thorough..."[/BLACKOUT] thumbing through the material

[BLACKOUT]"I take it their view of a Utopian society is not one that would necessarily be shared by the rest of the folk on this world, eh?"[/BLACKOUT]

Pointing to a photo in the folder he spun the folder around back to The Youngster.

[BLACKOUT]
"Who's this guy?"
[/BLACKOUT]

I take a quick glance at the photo and right away I knew who it was.



“That person right there I believe to be the leader of the group. I don’t know his name or what he goes by but I dubbed him as The Strategist. From what I gathered his powers are his mind, he has a genius intellect. His specialty is coming up with strategies. He always seems to be five steps ahead of me. Since I started this I’ve read so many books to increase my own intelligence but he always seems to have the upper hand.”​

 

[Hound55]

"Hmm... well that cuts down my edge..." Isaac thought to himself.

[BLACKOUT]"OK, anything physical? Or is his meta-edge just his brain using other brawn? Its probably good that you went outside yourself anyway... even the best of us have tendencies, makes you more predictable. Easier to counter."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"Who are the other key players in this? This thing has facts but you should still have your own insight over these guys."[/BLACKOUT] Waving the folder.

[BLACKOUT]"...and have they got a base of operations, that you know of? Have you managed to track them down or do you need help finding them?"[/BLACKOUT]

Giving a friendly smile [BLACKOUT]"I don't plan on going in there only to get my arse kicked, y'know... some of us don't have super strength."[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Mr. Majestic]

“For the first question I have no clue if he has any meta powers that increases any of his physical attributes. He never had to fight because he always either beat his opponents by out thinking them or he tells his henchmen what to do so they can get the job done. Only thing I do know is he is a master and armed and unarmed combat and also weapons.”

I pause for a second before getting ready to tell him the real bad news.

“As for the other questions I don’t know. I have searched this whole globe trying to find there base but never could.”

I could tell by Vigilante’s body language he didn't like that part of the information I've given him.

“Now before you say anything let me finish. Reason why I called you is so I can get the rest of the information you just asked me about. I went undercover, that’s why I left the team and did some act of crimes for them so I could join them. I figured once I was apart of the team I could get all the information on them I need. I did everything they wanted but one thing, only problem is this ride is for two.”

 

[Hound55]

“For the first question I have no clue if he has any meta powers that increases any of his physical attributes. He never had to fight because he always either beat his opponents by out thinking them or he tells his henchmen what to do so they can get the job done. Only thing I do know is he is a master and armed and unarmed combat and also weapons.”

I pause for a second before getting ready to tell him the real bad news.

“As for the other questions I don’t know. I have searched this whole globe trying to find there base but never could.”

Isaac cringes noticeably.

Well... I guess he wants someone they won't recognise to scope around and find their base so he can go take it out...

I could tell by Vigilante’s body language he didn't like that part of the information I've given him.

“Now before you say anything let me finish. Reason why I called you is so I can get the rest of the information you just asked me about. I went undercover, that’s why I left the team and did some act of crimes for them so I could join them. I figured once I was apart of the team I could get all the information on them I need. I did everything they wanted but one thing, only problem is this ride is for two.”

Oh... well that's even worse than trying to scope out a meta-genius' base.

[BLACKOUT]"So let me get this straight. You wanted to infiltrate a meta-human organisation and the partner you thought to bring along for the ride was me?"[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac thought about this for a minute... "well, I guess I am probably about the least visible member of this team. I spend most of my time ironing out the problems in my own small city under relative obscurity."

Fontaine looked at The Youngster, he could see he looked a little disappointed by how Isaac was handling the situation. "Geez, this guy must think I'm an ********..." and returned a warming smile trying to cheer him up again.

[BLACKOUT]"Then again, I'm fine with the master of armed and unarmed combat thing. Just so long as I'm not going toe-to-toe with a guy who could punch a hole in my chest... I'm in."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"But first, I'd better change out of this gear in case he does recognise me. I've got some variant gear I've been testing back home that does largely the same thing as my usual gear. And I'll see if I can put together a different set of clothes for myself..."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]
"Stupid risks end now, kid. We're dealing with a super-genius..."
[/BLACKOUT]

 

[NiteMare Shape]

The glow from the raging inferno lights up the night sky, even as the city's firefighters try to subdue it...to no avail. Like a beacon in rough seas, the tenement fire in Anderson Heights draws the attention of Icon, who makes his way to the scene of the chaos.

"What's the situation, Sergeant?" Icon asks a firefighter as he lands behind him.

"Glad you're here, Icon. There's some people trapped on the 6th floor, we tried getting to them but the blaze is too hot for the ladder truck to get close enough."

"I'll take care of it." Icon says as he takes to the skies again.

Icon hovers in the general area of the level that supposedly has some trapped survivors. He does a quick scan with his radar sense and locates the survivors, and without hesitation he makes his way to their location.

Quickly moving through the burning building, he finds himself in the general vicinity of where he had sensed the survivors, but found no one.

"Hello? It's alright, I'm here to get you out of this." Icon calls out.

There is no reply, so he continues his search of the surrounding area. Finally, he spots someone out of the corner of his eye sitting in a chair across the room.

"Hello? Miss, are you alri-" He cuts himself off as he realizes that the young woman sitting in isn't moving.

He puts his hand on her shoulder and as he does so, she slumps backward. He steps back in surprise, then goes in for a closer look at the corpse in front of him. That is when he notices the others. Eight in total, all brutally slaughtered in a fashion he hadn't seen since...

"Ravage." He says coldly.

"You recognized my handiwork? I'm flattered." Says a disembodied voice.

Icon stands there, trying to utilize all of his enhanced senses to locate the maniac, to no avail. It isn't until the form of the monster materializes in front of him, hitting him with a devastating right hand that sends him crashing through the wall of the burning building to the street below the he sees the lunatic's monstrous form.

Ravage jumps from the building, landing right next to where Icon lays, trying to get back to his feet.

"Surprised to see me, hero?"

Icon looks up at the monsterous features of the madman who is standing over him. He gets to his feet, never taking his eyes off the monster.

"Ravage."

"In the flesh."

"Last I heard, STRIKE had you locked away in some vault somewhere."

"What can I say, I got out early for good behavior." The maniac spit as he pressed his attack.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon looks up at the monsterous features of the madman who is standing over him. He gets to his feet, never taking his eyes off the monster.

"Ravage."


"In the flesh."


"Last I heard, STRIKE had you locked away in some vault somewhere."


"What can I say, I got out early for good behavior." The maniac spit as he pressed his attack.

Icon braces himself, and takes the worst of Ravage's attack square in the chest. Having absorbed the blows, Icon looks to his attacker and grins, then hits Ravage with a roundhouse right that knocked the lunatic into the side of one of the nearby fire engines.

Icon looks around the gathering crowd, then to one of the firefighters who had responded to the initial blaze.

"Get these people out of here, I'll take care of Ravage, but I need this area clear."

The firefighter nods and starts attempting to get the area cleared of civilians.

As Icon turns his attention back to Ravage an instant too late, he is hit in the face by a manhole cover. The shock of the attack knocks Icon back a few steps, but it was just the opening that Ravage needs. The maniac jumps on Icon, hitting him with a flurry of shots that keeps Icon reeling.

As Icon tries to fight back, he is suddenly overcome by a sense of lightheadedness. He takes a wild swing at Ravage, but misses...taking a hard shot in the ribs for his effort. Ravage grabs Icon by the back of the head and slams him face first into the ground.

Ravage stands over Icon with a toothy grin. "I have to admit that I'm dissapointed. You're not even trying anymore..." He says, as his right hand begins to change, at first elongating and then coming to a sharp point, until finally settling into a single blade.

Ravage makes a swift move toward Icon, bringing the blade down where his head had been just a split second before. He looks to Icon, "That's more like it. I was hoping that you'd at least pretend to put up a fight."

Icon takes a step toward Ravage, but again the lightheaded feeling overcomes him, bringing him down to one knee. he can hear Ravage laughing and taunting him as he tried to regain his composure and get to his feet, but he is unable to do so before Ravage is on him again, grabbing him and throwing him against the side of the smoldering building.

"Now, I think it's time to end this...Just stay still while I----!"

The lightheaded feeling that has been staggering Icon finally takes over. Icon struggles to regain his composure, and as he does so, a massive blast of heat radiates from his eyes, hitting Ravage at nearly point blank range, stopping the lunatic in his tracks.

When the heat blast, which only lasted for several seconds, but seemed to go on for an eternity finally stopped, Icon took a moment to look around and survey the damage that had been done...and was shocked to see that everything in the path of the blast was now singed and smoldering. As he looks down at Ravage, who is laying motionless on the spot he stood when the blast had hit him, Icon is thankful that the firemen were able to evacuate the area when they did...if they hadn't who knows how bad things could have been.

Within moments, the LHPD is on the scene, along with the newly created Special Crimes Squad, a unit of the Lost Haven Police who deal exclusively in metahuman affairs. As soon as they have Ravage secured, Icon leaves the scene for Gaurdian Headquarters....where he can look into exactly what just happened to him.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

As the rays of early morning sunlight creep into his darkened bedroom, Kevin Pierce lay motionless in bed, still tired from yet another night in his seemingly endless war with the crime syndicate known only as "The Cartel."

As he lay in his bed, the events of last night's successful raid on one of Midas' weapons depots plays through his mind. He goes through the entire operation, step by step...thinking about what was successful and what he could have done better. Although the operation itself was successful, he feels that he needs to improve in his tactics.

For one, the gaurd on the roof saw him and nearly blew the entire thing before he even got started. Even though he took the gaurd down before he was able to sound the alarm, it was too close...too sloppy.

And in this line of work, sloppy equals dead.

He knows that he has to improve if he wants to take Midas and The Cartel down...and he will. The countless hours he spends in his gym improving the several forms of martial arts he has mastered...the countless hours studying the blueprints of every building in Lost Haven, built both before and after the alien invasion...everything he does, he does to improve his performance as Shadow Walker.

And today will be no different, soon he will be up and he will go to his gym to work on his fighting technique...but that can wait just alittle longer, as all the training in the world will do him no good if he's too tired to use it.

Suddenly, the door to his bedroom bursts open. Kevin jumps up, ready to take on whoever is intruding in his home...and immediately relaxes when he sees the familiar form of his longtime girlfriend, Erica.

"Up and at 'em sleepyhead."

"Erica...what are you..?"

"You might want to get up...there's something that you've got to see."

 

[Eddie Brock]

I lay in my girlfriend's bed. Now, I know what you're thinking, and - yes - normally that would be a beautiful sentence. But it's not what you think. No, it's Friday night, and while I lay on Brooke's bed, she's seated across the room in front of her laptop. We're trying to come up with ideas for what to do with the night.

Well, scratch that, actually. I'm trying to come up with ideas for what to do with the night. Brooke is barely saying anything at all, which has me really concerned. In fact, I'm not certain she's even listening to me anymore.

Sighing, I stare at her ceiling and muse, "We could go see a movie." No response. Wonderful. "Everyone's saying great things about Avatar. Personally, I don't see the appeal, but..."

Brooke remains silent before responding coldly, "Sounds like a plan. Why don't you run it by your new best friend, Abby?"

I pop up, sitting up straight now. "Is that what this is about?"

"Sorry, Sean," Brooke fires back, spinning around to face me, "If I'm a little uncomfortable with how close my boyfriend is with some other girl that I hardly know!" She throws up her hands defeatedly and faces her laptop once more. "But, of course, what do I know? Judging by everyone else's reactions, Abby is little Miss Perfect." Her tone is bitter and biting.

"Woah, woah, woah! Where is this coming from?" I ask calmly. I never knew Brooke felt this way. I mean, I guess I could have tried to see it from her perspective, but she never gave any kind of indication - which is why this is catching me totally off-guard. "Look, Brooke, if there's something you need to say, say it. That's what I'm here for."

Brooke sighs. "Sean, don't you think that the way you and Abby act around each other is a little too...?"

"Too what?"

"I don't know, okay?!" Brooke announces defensively.

After allowing some silence, I say softly, "Brooke, I know what you're trying to say, but that's just the way Abby and I have always been."

"And it was okay when you were both kids and it didn't mean anything!" Brooke responds. "But you're both older now, and you know better, and it just seems like..."

"Seems like what?" No response. "Tell me, Brooke. You know we're not going to be okay until you just tell me." I can see she's shaking.

"Like you would rather be with her than me!"

I feel like I was just shot in the chest. My own girlfriend thinks that? About me? How can this be? "Brooke, I..." How do I even begin to refute that?

"Save it, Sean," she urges. "Look, I'm tired of fighting with all this history. I've always been the outsider, and it's time I accepted that."

"What are you trying to say?" I ask nervously, observing that her shaking hasn't stopped. Whatever's going on inside her, it's been building for a while. And there seems to be nothing I can do to help.

"Maybe we better take a break and sort our stuff out," she suggests in an exhausted tone, like she's been wrestling with this outcome for a long time.

I'm stunned silent. Are we breaking up? "I...I don't know what to say." Yet, in my heart, I'm wrestling with a dark realization. It occurred to me in the back of my mind just moments ago, and I've been trying to repress it since. But I'm not strong enough, and it plays on my thoughts and feelings as I stare at the back of Brooke's head.

I realize, to my own horror, that I would be just as happy with Abby. And I'm not sure how to deal with that.
​

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

As she takes my hand, we slowly start to ascend to the sky. Pulling her higher, I have my arm locked around her waist and we start to pick up speed as we head towards the base. You know, I haven't really ever picked someone up and flown like this before. Sure, I mean, I've swooped down and saved someone from being eaten by say a large T-Rex man or picked up an officer just as a bullet was about to be fired.

But I've never really...held someone like this...in the air.

I always thought Grace would be the first.

"Just up ahead, pretty sweet huh? I present to you, home of The Guardians."

We fly to the roof of the building, and as I make my landing I let her gently stand up on her own two feet before fully letting go. She trades me a smile as I let her down, and I head over to the console. Entering the pass code and passing the security clearance on the machine, a part of the roof opens up revealing a platform. I gesture her to walk with me to the platform, and we ride it down into the building.

"This here is the garage I guess you could say. As you can see, uh...there isn't much in it yet. Yea...a lot of us can fly or run really really fast so I'm not quite sure why they gave us a garage. Guess it serves better as a storage unit."

Goddess made sure to reciprocate the action, placing her arms around him to hold close for the flight, feigning a slight bit of nervousness.

"I've never actually had anybody fly for me before," she lied.

The flight was relatively quick, though it seemed to drag on forever to Goddess' disgust, she smiles upon landing, and lets go to observer her surroundings. She still wasn't used to this modern world. It didn't sicken her, or even offend her, but it did confuse her. She did not dally long, however, and simply followed into the building with him, genuinely struck with wonder and curiosity.

"It's amazing to think that none of this is magic in origin... If you were to tell people back home humans were capable of this through alchemy," she incorrectly states, "they'd simply laugh at you..."

She then settles her eyes around the garage, at what to her are monstrous machines.

"And these do not live on their own?"

She quickly remembered her "purpose", and turned to the angel, "Perhaps you have dated maps of the land?"

 

[Mr. Majestic]

Isaac cringes noticeably.

Well... I guess he wants someone they won't recognise to scope around and find their base so he can go take it out...



Oh... well that's even worse than trying to scope out a meta-genius' base.

[BLACKOUT]"So let me get this straight. You wanted to infiltrate a meta-human organisation and the partner you thought to bring along for the ride was me?"[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac thought about this for a minute... "well, I guess I am probably about the least visible member of this team. I spend most of my time ironing out the problems in my own small city under relative obscurity."

Fontaine looked at The Youngster, he could see he looked a little disappointed by how Isaac was handling the situation. "Geez, this guy must think I'm an ********..." and returned a warming smile trying to cheer him up again.

[BLACKOUT]"Then again, I'm fine with the master of armed and unarmed combat thing. Just so long as I'm not going toe-to-toe with a guy who could punch a hole in my chest... I'm in."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]"But first, I'd better change out of this gear in case he does recognise me. I've got some variant gear I've been testing back home that does largely the same thing as my usual gear. And I'll see if I can put together a different set of clothes for myself..."[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]
"Stupid risks end now, kid. We're dealing with a super-genius..."
[/BLACKOUT]

He couldn’t be more right, I’ve made tons of mistakes just trying to get this far. All those lives I put in danger just to get as much of the information I have now. I can’t make anymore errors.

“Okay here’s the deal. We are to be at the Lost Haven International Bank at midnight. I was told once I get there with a partner he would contact me with the instructions on what to do from there.”

Hopefully this will be the last thing I have to do for them and things won’t go wrong. But if they do I’m glad I’ll be fighting alongside Vigilante. We seemed to have made a good team when we fought Titan but of course then I wasn’t the Youngster.

“Thanks for doing this.” Out of everyone on the team Vigilante just felt like the one to ask for the help. I just hope I didn’t get us in over our heads.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Lost Haven, The home of Dr. Peter Caron


Icon stands in silence as Dr. Caron goes over the results of the tests that he has conducted over the last several days. The doctor, a scientist that Icon met after his captivity at the Valor facility...a scientist who worked on the project which created him, and a man that Icon learned to trust with his life.

The doctor has gone on for several minutes, and Icon has done his best to follow the good doctor, but has had a difficult time doing so. However, he gets the gist of what happened to him: When he flew the Omega Javelin missile into the Arlaaekan mothership, the resulting explosion did something to him...altered his DNA in a way. As a direct result of the radiation he absorbed when the alien weapon exploded, he now is able to store energy which he is able to discharge...hense the optic energy blasts.

"Is it permanent?"

"Oh, it's hard to say...but I'd suspect so."

"And you say that I can control them?"

"Yes Scott. You see, it's very much like a muscle in a way. You need to excercise it, train it...and then you will be able to control it. It might take some time, but I suspect that in time, you will be able to control not only the optic blast itself, but the duration and intensity as well."

"So, what do you suggest we do?"

Dr. Caron looks at Icon and gives a broad smile.

"We practice."

 

[Eddie Brock]

[YT]7n8nbo8YsHM[/YT]

Jim frowns as I finish retelling the events of last night to him. "Ouch, man, that sucks," he laments. He shifts his weight, adjusting his heavy backpack. "You think maybe she'll calm down and take it back?"

I shrug. "I honestly have no clue," I admit. "I've never seen her like this."

Just then, I notice him looking over my shoulder. I turn and see that Brooke has just walked in the front door of the school. Jim immediately goes back to his locker, pretending to be busy. I, however, watch Brooke carefully, hoping to catch her eye. She merely breezes past - clearly attempting to avoid any contact.

"Guess not," Jim muses, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

***

Brooke and I happen to share the same English class, so I decide to take advantage of another opportunity to get her attention. It's not like I feel much like learning about Shakespeare right now, anyway. Brooke sits one seat ahead of me in the row to my right.

I tap the shoulder of the guy in front of me. "Hey, man, can you get her attention?" I whisper as I nod in Brooke's direction.

He nods slowly, turning back around. When the teacher turns her back, he reaches out and taps on Brooke's desk. When she turns to look at him, he nods towards me. Brooke glances at me briefly before turning back around in disgust. The guy in front shoots me an apologetic glance and shrugs.

"Thanks," I mutter. I lean as far in Brooke's direction as the desk will allow me, and I whisper, "Brooke!" She doesn't budge. "Brooke, look at me!"

"I have nothing to say to you, Sean," Brooke responds coldly without turning around.

"Well, I have things I want to say to you!" I argue in a hushed, urgent tone. She pretends to be taking notes, but I know she's just trying to keep me quiet. "Hey!" I announce, a little too loudly.

"Something to say, Mr. Abbott?" our teacher asks, her eyebrow raised suspiciously.

I shake my head as I lean back in my seat.

***

Upon the final bell of the day, Brooke heads immediately from the classroom to one of the side exit doors. Normally, she would stop at her locker to get her books, but - suspecting that Sean might try to cut her off there - she has already packed away everything she'll need. Sure enough, she manages to escape the building without another run-in.

Halfway along her walk home, Brooke's phone vibrates. She stares at the name for a few moments, contemplating ignoring him once again, before opening the text message.

We NEED to talk!

Brooke shoves the phone back into her pocket and quickens her pace. By the time she gets inside, tears are forming in her eyes.

***

I stare blankly at my phone, knowing better than to expect a response. After a few moments, I discard the phone onto my bed with a heavy sigh. For seemingly the first time today, I'm left in silence with my thoughts.

And that's when I let it all out.
​