The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[trustyside-kick]

And they went back at it, a few more days. By this time, Goddess was back in garb, requiring her masque to hide her facial features. Her more ruthless nature growing by each demon she consumed into her being. After all, it was the demons who made her what she was, aside from the coward inside.

"Now... Now I'm strong enough to fight again," she looked to the Archangel, "Will you stand beside me once more?"

"Yea..."

My body is killing me from all this extensive hunting. But, each time we've gone on patrol it hasn't been a waste of time yet. This is her area of expertise after all. So I start to sprint, a heavenly light from the skies starts to shine upon me and I leap into the air. Before my body naturally would fall my angel-fire wings sprout as the symbol of Faith is branded onto my back and my transformation begins, lifting me into the skies.

Claire follows suit, having gathered enough power she no longer needs me to carry her around as we scout the city for these low, mid, and high level demons. She levitates and goes skyward, riding the wind beside me.

"Where to now?"


The Next Day
Headquarters of The Guardian's
Michael's Room

I cannot count the last time I enjoyed a Tuesday ever since I learned the truth behind Bath Kol's words the day he came before me right before my sacrament of Confirmation and became The Archangel. I have been so overworked and so tired from all this hunting with Claire that it's nice to have a day to rest. For once...it's nice to be useless on Tuesday. Tuesdays means I'm powerless and frankly that's just fine with me today.

Course it did disappoint her quite a bit when I made mention of it Monday night. Then again, it's my fault for not mentioning it before. Eh, my powers are complicated so when I explain 'em to people I tend to forget and leave our some minor details. I started my Tuesday like I usually do by doing volunteer work at the Church and local soup kitchens. After all, I have to somehow help at least one person each day if I want to keep this gig as The Archangel that I got.

But now, back at the HQ, at least I can finally get started on that painting that I told Grace I started 5 days ago when this whole thing with Claire began. What should I paint? Haven't really put thought into it.

"Huh...what about Claire?"

Wait a second. Did I just really say that? Or did I just hallucinate. Geez, this dame must be really getting to my head. Yea, paint a picture that is of a girl you've been 'sneaking around with' hunting demons for the past 5 days so that Grace can see what you've really been up to.

Stupid.

No way can I do that.

...But why did I want to in the first place?

"...I can't do this. Not right now."

I put down the brush, and walk into the kitchen to grab a snack. I can't focus and I cannot concentrate. Why am I thinking about her? Heck. Why am I yearning for her? Desiring so much to be by her side? It is as though the fact of being away from her is causing me a type of pain I've never felt before. And that pain...is at my chest.

"The heck is going on?"

And why haven't I heard from Bath Kol in the past couple of days? You'd think that with me hunting down demons he'd come to check up on me. Then again, maybe I'm just doing a swell enough job he can do nothing but look up from Heaven and nod.

...Though it is strange still that he hasn't made a trip down here.

Gosh...what is with this pain in my chest? I swear, ever since that beast attacked me when we went to the Lost Haven Museum I've felt funny and this excruciating pain is...gah it is unbearable at times.

Hours pass by, and I got a decent amount of my painting done. Tomorrow I can put some time into it, to catch up completely as to what my normal, comfortable, pace would've been for 5 days of painting anyway. Plus you gotta love that one reason artists can always use to explain why the pace has fluctuated as of late: lack of inspiration.

"Guess it's time to hit the sack."

Getting into bed, I have trouble sleeping for a little bit. For some stupid reason, now more than ever, this late in the night I can't stop thinking about Claire again. And as I think about her, the pain at my chest comes back again. Better to just shake it off the best I can and rest. Who knows what is gonna happen tomorrow.

My guess is that Claire is gonna want her demon hunting buddy back.

(OOC: This last part of my post is done in third person.)
​

Two hours and 13 minutes later
Headquarters of The Guardian's
Michael's Room
Midnight

Michael sleeps peacefully in his bedroom. There is a sudden shadow casting throughout the building that is the HQ of the superhero team known as the Guardians. But, as it is nothing more than a shadow, none of the alarms of course are tripped. The shadow creeps through the building, finding its way into Michael's bedroom.

As it seems to stare at the angelic, slumbering hero, there is a small glimpse of light in all that darkness that could easily been mistaken for a smile.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

​

Two hours and 13 minutes later
Headquarters of The Guardian's
Michael's Room
Midnight

Michael sleeps peacefully in his bedroom. There is a sudden shadow casting throughout the building that is the HQ of the superhero team known as the Guardians. But, as it is nothing more than a shadow, none of the alarms of course are tripped. The shadow creeps through the building, finding its way into Michael's bedroom.

As it seems to stare at the angelic, slumbering hero, there is a small glimpse of light in all that darkness that could easily been mistaken for a smile.

Goddess was perched, pampered, and comfortable at the living space Patches provided to her, with him standing very nearby with a piece of silver plating held up for her to watch.

"Ah, which reminds me next time, mongrel. Go buy a larger piece of silver. This one just isn't big enough for me to view properly..." Patches remained silent, knowing that any argument against her isn't going to be helpful.

"And just what do you think you'll gain by tonight, dear Goddess?" her feline purred, crossing open her cross legged lap, earning a few strokes of the fingers on his head.

"A new friend of mine I just acquired. Look..." as she pointed to the dish, reflecting upon the room of Michael. It was something of a wispy shade, and something which couldn't really be identified or given personification despite the darkness it was, and the teeth which were it's only physical characteristic. "This one likes to instigate dreams, and feed on the emotion. It should be fun. Patches, if I have to remind you one more time not to let it move, you get to join your friends," as Goddess points to the wall, each with heads mounted like trophies, and were the people who dared free her. Patches raised the dish back up, his muscles straining from exhaustion. "Much better."

The shade swooped through the wall like it wasn't a physical obstacle for him, and straddled him, reaching its "hands" into Michael's face, seconds before midnight, to finish the seal.

Now, more than before, Goddess had full access to his mind, and from here, Goddess would lay the seeds of doubt which would make him hers.

His dreams were hers to craft and influence, as the shade poured deep into his mind...

And for Michael? What he saw?

Claire, perched upon a stool in a restaurant, straw in a mouth accented by crimson lips, eyes towards the ceiling, blue shirt, black jeans, not a care in the world. Exactly what he thought about drawing earlier in the day. But now he got to interact with it more, and so he approached the much more human like Claire, who smiled beamingly to his presence.

"Hey there!" her voice was accented, bright, worry free, far away from what she'd been the past few days. Free of sorrow and responsibility.

"Hi. How are you?"

"Much, much better than recently," she giggles some.

Michael found it slightly odd. She wasn't urging, she wasn't panicky, she wasn't anxious, she was just...there. Normal, enjoying herself. "Don't have a mission for us to go bash down walls and beat bad guys?"

Claire scoffed, batting an open hand at him while she gave him a "whatever" look, "Of course not! We finished the job, remember? We don't have to worry about mass incursions anymore. We're safe. End of story."

"So... this is what you're like when you have nothing else to do?"

"Well, to be fair. Back in the day, when I had nothing else to do, it was just... forests and my husband," her words sadden a bit, but perk back up, "So I'm really just getting used to the world here."

Michael shifts a little bit, somewhat uncomfortable as he sits next to her, "So... what do you do from here?" Which prompts Claire to quirk her brow in thought.

"Honestly, I have no clue. There's so much of this world I don't understand," such as paying the waiter in gold, "and really, everybody I know or loved is gone, so it's not like they're readily available for me to sponge off of. My home has long been occupied by many other inhabitants..." her voice a little sullen, but still happy. Michael felt a little bad for her.

"I might just join up with your Guardians, if they'll have me. It's really my only trade, to be perfectly honest. And there will always be a threat arcane in origin which will require facing," she nods some. "We'll see."

For the next few hours, it's all a haze to Michael, dream wise, but it pops right up again, same spot, same chairs, and to Claire popping a surprised question, "Weren't you meeting someone today?"

"Oh crap! Ummm..." Michael looks at his phone to several text messages from Grace, who he was going to show some art to, and then again to Claire, and puts his phone back, "I'm actually meant to go and show some art to Grace. Would you mind?"

"Of course not!" she laughs it off. "I gotta go anyway, you know? Places to live and junk," she pats him on the shoulder and starts to take off, as Michael grumbles to himself, immediately knowing he'll regret this.

"Umm... come with? I'm sure the Guardians will let you crash temporarily there while you establish yourself," his voice a little shaken.

Claire turns back around, a little taken aback by the offer, surprised to be given such generosity, "Well... sure."

Michael then finds he and Claire at his place where Grace has been "patiently" waiting for quite some time, and when he opens the door, it's obvious Grace is less than happy to see him, much less him with another woman.

"So you blew me off for lipstick here?" Grace was livid.

"Hey, I can explain-"

"Explain how I've been here for two and a half hours while you flirted it up with some floozie?" Claire was obviously taken aback, and hurt by the comments. She didn't exactly understand them, but you didn't need to be from the modern era to know when you've been called names.

"Look, I apolo-"

"Don't you start. Look, I don't care what you do, lady," she turns to Michael, "But when you make a promise to be somewhere, how about rather than worrying who occupies your bed that night, how about showing a little respect and BEING there?" Grace begins to storm out, "It's a wonder you and I aren't together anymore," her voice filled with venom. And after she shut the door, the room was silent for 13 seconds.

"Perhaps I'll go talk to her, explain how it's my fault?"

"No no," Michael clasped Claire's right arm as she began to make for the door, "There's really nothing you can do. That's just how she is..."

Claire was obviously worried, "Look. This is really my fault. I shouldn't have unloaded on you-"

"You didn't. I asked some about your life, you answered. So really, if you're not going to stop blaming yourself, at least let me share in it," a goofy awkward smile.

Claire laughed, and they simply embraced in a hug. Claire was old-fashioned after all. Even this might be considered forward for her in her own time.

"Look, I know you're having it rough. And I know you said you have nobody here, but it's not true. You -do- have me. And obviously, it's sort of my job not to let you down. Being a hero and all."

Claire quirked a brow in dry humour, "I'm pretty sure you were just the meat shield, while I did all the butt kicking. But come on, show me my new home. All you have here is one grumpy woman with no patience."

As Claire reached out for Michael's hand, he smiled, took the hand, and the walked out of the door, towards a much brighter future without being unsure or alone...


The smile in the dark still just as dark, if not darker than before. "Annnnnnd....shut." Goddess peered through the silver as the shade vaporized and reformed next to her in her abode. "Very good job, you transmit quite well." She held out her left hand, forming a white sealing gate, where she reabsorbed it into her being.

"And now, with the human side totally subjugated to my well being. Believing it to be a possible future for him, he'll work to make it his reality. Oh, and Patches? 200 lashings."

Two 7-foot human looking beings in business suits approached Patches, each one's hand forming into a long silvery tendril.

"The future should prove to be quite promising..."

 

[Mr. Majestic]

In downtown Manhattan outside of a bank building just a couple of feet in front of the doors waited the Executioners along with other members of S.T.R.I.K.E. They all have been waiting patiently for their leader Spartan to return from handling the metahumans situation. The meta’s came to rob the bank but were surprised inside when they found out that most of the employees were really STRIKE agents waiting to ambush them. A couple of months ago Spartan has been running his team ragged searching the globe for certain metahumans. Three of whom are on his list were former teammates who had decided to get back together. Thanks to STRIKE’s Intel they received information that the gang were going to rob the Chase bank and STRIKE wanted to have a surprise for them and what better way than to have a detainment unit ready with Spartan leading.

But all didn’t go as plan, instead it was Spartan and the other Agents who were the ones surprised. The three metahumans ended up getting the best of Spartan himself.

Spartan rested on the floor between two tables looking up into the eyes of a former STRIKE agent. They had him beaten to almost inches of his life. He has fought these meta’s before and won but this time something was different they were different. They’re powers seemed as if it had double. Spartan knew that with their increase of power he would need to get the help from his other teammates but his pride wouldn’t let him do such an act.

“Look how the mighty has fallen. You guys leave I’ll take care of Spartan.” These words came from a meta human that went by the code name Pain. The other two took off towards the back to make an exit. It was only Spartan and the metahuman Pain and unconscious STRIKE field agents left in the bank.

Before Pain had join STRIKE he was just like any other meta on the wrong side of the law. Spartan was the one who brought him in. Pain was one of the few meta’s they decided not to lock up but train him instead to join their cause. They felt that he would be useful because of his power which was a very unusual one. Any pain that his body received he is able to use that to not only increase his own vulnerability to make him more resistant but he also can enhance his normal physical attributes durability, stamina, strength, speed, reflexes. Now it seems that his powers have changed a great deal, to the point that he is able to take down Spartan.

He has been able to go toe to toe with Spartan because of a new ability he has gained. Any type of pain he feels physical or mental he is able to fire a kinetic type blast of energy. Not only does it have a very high destructive power but it also causes the person it makes connects with unimaginable pain. The more pain he takes the stronger the blast becomes.

“Tell me Spartan, how do you like my Penance blast?” Pain looked into the eyes of Spartan waiting for him to reply but it was obvious that no words were going to be spoken from the STRIKE soldier.

“Speechless I see. To be honest I’m still amazed that you are even conscious. I’ve fired a normal blast at a human and he automatically went into a coma state but I guess you can’t aspect the same from the mighty Spartan huh?”

Pain waited a second thinking that maybe Spartan was going to say something heroic but once again no words were said.

“Don’t want to talk? Very well it does matter to me. If I can’t get you to speak I can get you to scream.”

A dark red energy began to course through his entire body. Spartan could feel the heat radiating from it. Spartan tried everything in his being to get up but that last shot he took really weakened his body and it was taken awhile for his powers to adapt to the situation because of fatigue. Even though Spartan’s body wasn’t reacting to any command he knew in his mind that he will take down Pain no matter what the cost.

Once Pain felt that he had enough power generated he fired it at Spartan making sure he got every last bit of it. He stood over top of Spartan releasing everything he had. He was getting frustrated at the fact Spartan was going through so much pain but he wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of screaming. Pain couldn’t take it so in one last effect he released every thing he had into one concentrated blast. The pain was so much that the mighty Spartan feel totally unconscious to the ground.

Pained waited a minute before doing anything, he wanted to be believe it was over but he wanted to be safe. He slowly walks over to Spartan’s motionless body and kicks it a few times. Once he didn’t get a reaction he knew he has done the impossible.

“You didn’t scream but I can live with the fact that I’m the one person to beat you.” He then spits on Spartan’s body. He stood there just a couple more seconds bathing in his victory and then finally turns around to join his other teammates. While walking he heard a sound come from behind him. He stops walking instantly. Only one thought ran through his mind. “He’s came.” As he begins to turn around Spartan spoke.

“One person has beaten me and you’re not him.” His voice was different than normal it sounded more dark. When Pain turned around he couldn’t believe his eyes. Spartan was there looking at him with a white energy surrounding his body. His eyes where also glowing with the same white energy.

Not knowing what to do Pain open his hands and aim them at Spartan. He was about to fire his Penance blast but he forgot he wasted his last bit of energy just moments ago. It didn’t matter though being that at that moment when he aimed his hands Spartan had disappeared. Pain assumed that Spartan was using super speed but that wasn’t the case, he had teleported behind him. Once Pain realizes where Spartan was he got slip with the back of Spartan’s hand. It almost seemed as if Spartan barley moved his hand but the impact of the smack was so great that it sent him through a nearby wall. Pain laid on the floor coughing up blood holding his aching jaw. Spartan slowly made his way towards Pain with the white energy covering his body greater than before. He came to a stop once he stood at the new entrance Pain’s body created. Spartan just stood there in that spot looking at Pain with his white eyes white as snow. Pain slowly got back to his feet.

“I don’t know what happened to you but made me a lot stronger than before. Now you well feel all of my PAIN!” He screamed as he fires his blast once again. Right as the blast was going to hit Spartan put his right hand in front of it to stop it. Pain couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. He didn’t think it was possible for someone to stop his blast and what makes it worse is it is being stop by one hand.

Determined not to lose Pain decided to do the same as he did before and fire all he has at once. As he was about to do so, Spartan began to walk forward while his hand was holding back Pain’s penance blast. Before Pain could give it everything he had Spartan closed the gap between them in a blink of an eye. When the two were face to face Spartan grabs both of Pain’s hands and crushes them stopping his penance blast in the process. Pain instantly falls to the ground screaming in pain and begins to crawl away from Spartan in fear.

“Wha…what ar…are you?” he asked terrified for his life.

As Spartan began to approach Pain the white energy around his body began to burn brighter and brighter with each step he took.

“To ask what I am you must first know who I am.” Spartans says as he picks Pain up from the floor.

“In greek history there were a group of men that were one of the most disciplined, well trained and feared military forces in world. It was said that just one of them was worth several men of any other state. All of their qualities are what describes me. But there is really only one word that will tell you what I am and that one word is…”

Before answering he pulls Pain closer to him with his eyes shimmering with such fury and so much energy that it was licking out like electrify around his face. Then once he felt like he had Pain anticipating long enough he gave him his answer.

“…SPARTAN!” He said with pride as he throws Pain through the front door landing outside with the Executioners and the rest of Strike.

Pain quickly wasted no time running to the other STRIKE members trying to get away from the man known as Spartan. All of the members of the Executioners found it funny and went to congratulate Spartan. As they all approached him all of their smiles left there faces once they laid eyes on him. He stood in the entrance doorway with a very masculine pose unconscious.

 

[Rain Dog]

​

Councilman Freider was kind enough to give a healthy donation to the New Church of Madlove. My followers are still keeping tabs on him, however, should he decide to grow a pair and tattle on us. We hope this is but the first of many donations from the noble politician. We’re using the money from his first donation to help spread the word—the Church has begun mass producing The Holy Book of Madlove and placing ads for it and the Church in local newspapers, magazines, posting fliers wherever we can. We’ve further renovated and expanded the lovely Church and hired a security team to keep out pesky family members who barge in to my precious sermons looking for their children all too often.

It was truly magnificent. My empire was ever-growing. Not since my days as O Nva the Destroyer in the universe of Di’Chata have I had such power. Of course my power here is pale in comparison to what is was there—in that universe, I was omnipotent. I truly was god. But I am beginning to grow fond of this new form of power. I am not feared but adored. These humans cling to my every word. Their willingness to toss aside logic, reason, and their own notions of morality for the sake of emotional comfort is fascinating. And hilarious.

I am also growing fond of a physical body and the experiences that come with it. I’ve experienced them before, in other realms, but not in such excess. Food, drink, drugs, and of course, the sex—possibly the greatest of the physical pleasures available to humans. Again, it is nothing new—I experienced it the very first time I took a physical form in the universe of An’Ga. But there, I had to earn it. I had to prove myself as a hunter and as a warrior before I was permitted to choose a mate. That species considered reproduction a sacred act, only performed when the parents desired children. Futhermore, once a couple mated, they mated for life. Here, however, it is delightfully different. My followers submit to my every desire, every whim, whenever I choose. I go through several a day, indulging in every physical pleasure imaginable. I was almost beginning to grow tired—not of it but of them, the same humans each time. But luckily, a fresh shipment of attendees was well on its way.

Cade Belton was a young up-and –coming musician. He has become something of a local sensation in Lost Haven. Clubs, bars, festivals and the like were always jam packed whenever Belton announce he would be performing. The young man had already been approached by three record companies and seemed to be on the verge of stardom. And he may very well be the latest addition to the Church of Madlove.

A follower of mine, a young woman around the age of twenty-three, followed the young musician. She gradually befriended him and is now in a romantic relationship with him. This, of course, was all done under my direction. Natalie, my follower, has told the musician of the Church and persuaded the young man to come to one of my sermons. Natalie has informed me the boy is very interested in my teachings. It is imperative that I convert him.

With a popular cultural icon in my church, the youth of Lost Haven will come flocking to our doorstep. We could help the boy’s career while he endorsed us, promoted us, converting more and more into faithful followers of the divine Reverend Madlove. He is scheduled to attend my next sermon. He will join. And if he refuses, we could always show him the lovely collection of his secrets Natalie has collected.

 

[Blacklight]

​

Chapter 1...​

-The spectrum of light contains the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet in that order...​

As the Goddess of Light and her champion traversed through a portal she had created, the tall, elegant beauty and the boy that accompanied her had both found themselves in a brightly lit hall as elegant and beautiful as the goddess herself.​

"What is this place?"​

"Behold, Blacklight... The Hall of Light."​

"Wow..."​

The Mistress looked down upon Blacklight while he was amazed by the Hall's vibrant atmosphere. Even his grandest of travels paled in comparison to where he stood at this very moment.​

"Amazing... But why did you bring me here?"​

"I already told you before, we're here to introduce you to a group of individuals I've handpicked to help you on the quest you are about to embark on."​

"Oh yeah. This 'team' you were talking about... Well where are are they?"​

"Here..." the Goddess replied as she waved her hand, and in a flash of light instantaneously a group of seven heroes had appeared before Blacklight's eyes.​

Blacklight couldn't believe his eyes. This group the Master of Light wanted him to lead... was him. Or rather, seven of him.​

"Blacklight... meet the Blacklights from alternate dimensions. The one standing closest to you goes by Redlight."​

"Nice to meet you, Redlight." Blacklight greeted with an open hand to shake.​

"Whatever..." Redlight simply grunted, not even bothering to reciprocate. He seemed angry for some reason, but Blacklight digressed and moved on.

Jon turned to to Redlight's right and headed for the Blacklight with the funky swirl-patterned costume and the orange and black baseball cap.​

"Sup. I'm Orangelight. Bit hokey I know, but it sounded good at the time."​

"Nice to meet yo--"​

"I know what you're thinking. Deja Vu times seven right? Well don't worry about that pal. You ain't the only one seeing septuple here. Heh. Get it? Septuple? Seven? Oh man do I crack myself up sometimes..."​

Moving to their left, Blacklight and the Goddess of Light stopped at the next Blacklight. The one dressed in yellow.​

[blackout]"Greetings. I am Yellowlight."[/blackout] the yellow garbed Blacklight greeted with a bow. A bow of a person that had a deep respect and understanding of the martial arts. That would explain the ninja-like appearance of his costume.​

[blackout]"It will be an honor to work alongside you."[/blackout]​

"Thanks. Likewise."​

Next, Jon approached the Blacklight in green armor.​

"Greenlight." he said with a quick handshake.​

"What's with all the weapons? That's like 3 times as many as I have..."​

"I have a knack for 'em. What can I say?"​

The next Blacklight's costume featured something the others' didn't. A mask. Something that made Jon wonder why he would need a mask, for changing his hair and eye color worked sufficiently enough in his opinion. Maybe it was the stealthy and tactical setup of his suit? There were a Liefield-esque amount of pouches...​

"Hi. Name's Blacklight. You are?"​

The blue Blacklight simply grunted, brushing Jon off.​

"Silent type?"​

"It's Bluelight." he stated calmly, with a gravelly voice reminiscent of Chritian Bale's Batman.​

"Good to meet yo--"​

He simply raised his hand to him before Jon could continue to speak, effectively ending the conversation. That's two Blacklight's now that gave him an attitude. He could already tell that there was going to be problems.​

Two more Blacklight's to go, so Jon moved towards the one with his hands on his hips in Superman fashion, his cape flowing valiantly.​

"Hello, fellow crimefighter! My name is INDIGOLIGHT! Defender of Enferno!" he shouted in a more sterotypical heroic manner, with his head tilted back a huge grin on his face.​

"Uhh... Hi..."​

"Godspeed!"​

Finally, he walked over to the one in the far back. The one in the futuristic looking techno-suit with glowing energy conduits on the shoulders and the chest, the chest one shaped like the upside-down prism symbol that they all shared.​

"Lemme guess? Purplelight?" Jon assumed from the pattern that all his alternate universe counterparts followed.​

"Incorrect. Being that the last color in the specrtrum of light is classified as 'violet', your assumption that the purple coloring of my suit leads to my name being 'Purplelight' is thus proven false. I actually go by Violetlight. Not only because it's scientifically more accurate, but it also rolls off the tongue better."​

Quite the mouthful there, Jon thought. This must be the 'intelligent' archetype of the group assembled he assumed.​

"Excellent. Now that introductions have concluded, we can move to the dire matters at hand."​

"Sweet! What's our mission, boss lady?"​

"You are about to take part in war that's been raging for eons between myself and the forces of Light..." she began as a hard-light construct formed in front of here in the shape of a demonic figure boasting a huge sword.​

Spoiler

"...and my brother and his forces of Darkness."​

 

[Mr. Majestic]

​

Before me and Vigilante were to meet up I left him and went to the bank early to scope things out. I have to make sure me and him our not running into any type of trap.

I stood about a building away from the bank on top of a nearby roof. I and Vigilante aren’t due to be here for another 20 minutes so if this is some type of ambush someone will be around. I walk over to the edge of the building and use my reverberation vision to scan the area. To my surprise there’s nobody around, nobody at all. We are going to keep our eyes open on this one.

I then take off racing back to where I told Vigilante I’d meet him once he was ready.

Moments later while waiting for my partner, I see a dark colored sedan approaching in my direction. I push myself off from the wall I was leaning against and walk forward as the vehicle draws near. I look at the driver and it doesn’t looks like Vigilante but he is the only one who knew I was going to be here.

As the sedan stops beside me I bend down and look into the car from the passenger window.

“That looks…looks… mighty uncomfortable.” I tell him not believe that he is really wearing skin tights clothing.

​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"That's the spirit", smiled Archetype.
The villain came at Icon again, but pulled back at the last possible second, unleashing a blast of solar energy point blank at the hero.

As the villain pulls up short, Icon anticipates his attack and moves out of the way just as the solar blast is fired at him. Icon counters with a right hand that connects with his enemy's jaw, sending him flying several dozen feet.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay down." Icon says as he looks down at his opponent, "Now why don't you just tell me exactly who you are, and what it is that you really want."

 

[SuperFerret]

Part II​

While it doesn’t matter much here and now, my name is Ben Blackfoot. I’m 26 years old. Like my father, I’m an iktisanthrope, a wereweasel. My mother is human, and she raised me alone after my father was taken by werewolves. I was only four at the time, but I remember how worried my mother was when she got that last phone call from him. He called to say goodbye, that he was leaving town to lead the lycans away from us. We never heard from him again.

I sigh, brushing my hair from my face. I’ve been here long enough for it to have gotten long, I think. My mother probably thinks that they got me too, that the wolves first took her husband and then came back for her son. I know the werewolves aren’t the ones keeping me here. They wouldn’t keep me in the dark about it, both figuratively and literally, and they wouldn’t bother performing surgery on me. They’d just come at me all at once, tear me limb from limb, and eat me alive if they could. This is all too subtle and cerebral for them.

My thoughts drift to Jill, my girlfriend, the love of my life. It’s thinking of her that’s gotten me through this so far. We met two years ago, purely by accident (or was it purely by fate?). She was visiting the Bronx Zoo, where I worked as a zookeeper. (At this point, I’ve been here so long that I’m sure I’ve lost the job.) She’s epileptic and had a seizure that day, sending her over the wall that enclosed the tiger exhibit. None of the tigers really seemed to care, but seeing her go over, I jumped down into the exhibit myself before I even realized what I was doing. I later explained away my inhuman agility by saying that it was all adrenaline. She surprisingly wasn’t hurt all that badly, but I carried her out to the ambulance that was called for her. A week later, she returned to thank me. We went to lunch and the rest just followed eventually.

 

[wiegeabo]

I really should have left in the morning. As a thief, you develop a knack for knowing when it's time to get out and move on. Sticking around for that extra 30 seconds to crack another safe deposit box, or rifle through another closet, can be the difference of getting clean away, or spending a few years with Bubba in cell block D.

But Julia is so damn hot. And I've been in 'prison' for a long time. First it was dinner and a nice walk through the city as Julia pointed out some sights. Then it was a couple of drinks at a club with a fairly decent comic.

And now when in my hotel, tearing the clothes off each other.

And now when in my hotel, tearing the clothes off each other.

Oh yeah, I had to say it twice.

She pushes my undershirt up over my head and starts working on my belt buckle. I smiles as I kiss her, working on her top. She pushes me back onto the bed and lays down on top of me, kissing me back hard. I pull her tight against me and roll over on top of her-

-and the door to my room crashes open. Julia screams in alarm and I shout as a shorter, slightly balding man in a bad suit rushes in, gun aimed at me.

"What the hell-?!"

I try to stand up, but the guy just gives me a kick to the stomach. I collapse on the bed. Julia tries to back away.

"Get out," the guy says as he forces me on my stomach and pulls my arms behind my back. "Government business. You didn't see anything. We were never here." I feel cuffs slap onto my wrists and it triggers a panic response. I try struggling and fighting back.

"Cut it out!"

The butt of his gun slams into the back of my head. And there's nothing but darkness...

 

[trustyside-kick]

The smile in the dark still just as dark, if not darker than before. "Annnnnnd....shut." Goddess peered through the silver as the shade vaporized and reformed next to her in her abode. "Very good job, you transmit quite well." She held out her left hand, forming a white sealing gate, where she reabsorbed it into her being.

"And now, with the human side totally subjugated to my well being. Believing it to be a possible future for him, he'll work to make it his reality. Oh, and Patches? 200 lashings."

Two 7-foot human looking beings in business suits approached Patches, each one's hand forming into a long silvery tendril.

"The future should prove to be quite promising..."

I wake up...different. Not in a bad way at all. Really...really good actually. Man, I haven't slept so well like that since I was a kid; I slept like a baby. Getting up from my bed, I walk over to the bathroom. Making way past the mirror, I notice that the grin on my face is surprisingly a lot bigger than I thought it was. I don't know what it is I...I'm just really happy. Can't stop smiling.

Life is good. And I owe it all to--

"...Claire?"

Woah. What? What did I just say?

*RING RING RING*

*RING RING RING*

Hearing my cellphone go off, I go back into my bedroom, picking it up from my nightstand. It's Grace. Huh, I guess she is calling to apologize or something. She seemed pretty mad when she saw Claire and I and wouldn't let me explain.

"Hey."

"Good morning, Michael."

"So uh, I never exactly got a chance to explain myself yesterday."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Well when--uh...what? What do you mean what am I talking about?"

That's...strange. It only happened yesterday. Woah, did it bug her that much that she wants to act like nothing happened? Maybe it is just her way of dealing with the issue. I mean, she clearly inferred that my being with Claire when she was there was nothing close to innocent. Guess I'm off the hook then.

Huh...strange. That's...not like Grace.

"Eh, nevermind. I'm assuming that you are calling about the painting then?"

"Yea. The Long Island Exhibit called me and wanted to book you for their Art Gallery show three weeks from now. I just wanted to follow up with you as to if you think you will be ready with the new painting by then. Well, and what other paintings maybe you wanted to submit. I was thinking maybe around 2pm?"

That's...very strange. Normally Grace just picks the paintings from my portfolio herself since 'she knows best'...is she making up an excuse to see me? Wow, what a turn of events. Huh, I thought I'd feel different about this. But all I can think about is Claire.

--Yes. Right. Claire. I owe it all to Claire.

"Uh, actually, Grace I'm pretty booked today. I'm still helping Claire with--"

"Honestly Michael I don't know why you've been spending so much time with this Claire, and not focusing on...forget. What about tomorrow?"

Yea...that sounds like Grace for sure.

"Sure. So uh--"

She hangs up before I can finish. Yea, definitely acting more like herself now. I shrug it off though. Not going to let anything ruin this mood I'm in. I'm feeling good and I just know that today is going to be an awesome day.

I walk through the HQ, making my way into the kitchen. Claire is there making some breakfast. It's been nice having someone else living at the HQ, even if it is temporarily. Makes me feel less alone.

Huh...I really owe a lot to Claire.

"Pancakes?"

"My favorite."

 

[Byrd Man]

The Blue Blur

"So, anyway. This is my living room," I say to the cameraman as he follows me around sans costume. The reality show is four hours old, and the idea is already starting to wear on me.

"This is where we.....live, I guess. Now if you'll follow me into the kitchen."

"What's cracking, *****es," Johnny proclaims as he leaps into the living room. He pushes me aside and starts speaking in the camera.

"This is your man, JB. Breakout star of Life In The Fast Lane!"

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Trying to get a spin-off series, man," he says as he turns away from the camera. He turns back and flashes a smile.

"Twenty of the skankiest hos in America vying for the affections of yours truly. Blaze And The Babes coming to a TV near you soon."

I shake my head and push him aside.

"Come on, cameraman. Follow me into the kitch- oh, my God."

Standing on the kitchen table with a cloth cape on is Bruce.

"I am darkness, I am the night, I am-"

He slams into the ground as his foot catches on a plate placed on the table.

"I am going to need some stitches."

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

Me and my "posse" head back to Frytech, where the cameras roll as Bruce gets fifteen stitches in his skull.

"Enjoying the limelight yet, Matt," Mr. Riley, the show's producer, asks as the cameras follow us down the halls.

"Umm, do I have to say 'yes'?"

"Don't be so foolish, Matt....of course you have to say yes, our sponsors demand it."

Before I can come up with a snappy comeback, the device on my belt starts to beep and vibrate.

"Uh-oh, something big's going on downtown."

"Blue Blur to the rescue?" Riley asks.

"Looks that way..."

"Let's roll, cameras included."

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

A trip downtown that would take only a few seconds now takes forever...a full two minutes now that I have to wait on the camera to keep up.

Decked out in my suit, I come to a skidding stop in front of the courthouse.

"I heard it from a reliable source that there was a naughty boy somewhere around here."

My eyes stop on a balding man standing on the court steps in a three piece suit, a briefcase in his hands. Twelve people are bunched around him. Hostages.

"About time you showed up. I thought you were fast."

"Oh, I'm very fast. Especially when it comes to wit, Mister.......suit-man."

"Well, you should know I have a bomb in my briefcase. It's staying disarmed only by the signal a device on my person is transmitting. The briefcase gets twelve feet away from me, then it blows. Are you that fast?"

"Maybe...so, what's your deal, buddy?"

"I want to be a member of your Rogues Gallery."

"Come again?"

"T-Rex, Game Genie, the Disco Gang, Night Fox, and The Maestro. The people you fight and face off against...I want to join them."

"Call me crazy, buddy...but I don't think they accept applications...and if they did, I'm sure there's some kind of union local you need to join."

"You are funny. Oh, and my name's not 'buddy'. I used to be a lawyer, but I was disbarred after the justice system failed me. Today is when I get my vengeance."

His free hand moves fast, zipping something through the air and cutting my cheek.

"That's my business card. Razor plated, just so you know. You can call me the Ambulance Chaser....the bomb in my hands has thirty seconds before it blows..."
​

 

[TrueMastermind]

Only in this society would being murdered by some insane creep be more common than living through another sunrise. And of course, someone has to try and give these stoneheads a beating to remember... or to forget, depending on how hard you pound them. My life has been like the predictable movie Final Destination, death has been pursuing me since I was 15. Maybe I overdramatize my past, but it definitely ain't one of love and happiness. But I promised Eric and myself that I would start anew, beginning with sheilding the good citizens of America from the torment and sorrow that has plauged my life...no, the world since the dawn of time. Plus, I like the costume.

Christian hopped off his couch, donning a leather jacket over a black muscle shirt with a large skull symbol embezzled on it. He walked over to his window, staring out at the cloud-covered sky, depicting a sad day was ahead --- " HELP!!! " A woman's cry for help rang out from a nearby alleyway outside Christian's cheap apartment, unlocking Christian's inner hero.

" And there's my call, " Christian declared with a hint of confidence and maybe his life was taking a new meaning, one that the The Wanderer will define.

 

[Hound55]

Before me and Vigilante were to meet up I left him and went to the bank early to scope things out. I have to make sure me and him our not running into any type of trap.

I stood about a building away from the bank on top of a nearby roof. I and Vigilante aren’t due to be here for another 20 minutes so if this is some type of ambush someone will be around. I walk over to the edge of the building and use my reverberation vision to scan the area. To my surprise there’s nobody around, nobody at all. We are going to keep our eyes open on this one.

I then take off racing back to where I told Vigilante I’d meet him once he was ready.

Moments later while waiting for my partner, I see a dark colored sedan approaching in my direction. I push myself off from the wall I was leaning against and walk forward as the vehicle draws near. I look at the driver and it doesn’t looks like Vigilante but he is the only one who knew I was going to be here.

As the sedan stops beside me I bend down and look into the car from the passenger window.

“That looks…looks… mighty uncomfortable.” I tell him not believe that he is really wearing skin tights clothing.

UNCOMFORTABLE-TIGHTS-RIDING-RIGHT-UP-THE-CLACKER-MAN​

More familiar to us as...​

[BLACKOUT]ISAAC FONTAINE: Man of No Pain[/BLACKOUT]

​

[BLACKOUT]"Not. A damn. Word."[/BLACKOUT] Isaac spat between clenched teeth, he already felt like a jackass.​

[BLACKOUT]"We the only ones here, yeah? You found me earlier, you have some kind of enhanced hearing, don't you?"[/BLACKOUT]​

[BLACKOUT]"Can you hear this? Can you hear this? Can you hear this? Can you hear this?"[/BLACKOUT]​

Isaac raised an eyebrow, impressed with how well he could hear. He literally couldn't speak softly enough to not be heard and had gotten to the point of merely breathing the words out.​

[BLACKOUT]"Great. This could work... Alright, here's what we're going to do, for starter's around these guys call me..."[/BLACKOUT]​

Isaac pushed out the key points of his plan quickly as the pair watched another car pull up outside of Lost Haven International Bank...​

 

[Mr. Majestic]

[BLACKOUT]"Not. A damn. Word."[/BLACKOUT] Isaac spat between clenched teeth, he already felt like a jackass.​

I can't help but laugh on the inside at Vigilantes appearance. I haven't smiled in a long time and I must say this is well worth it. The suit doesn’t look bad its just I would never image him in one such as the one he is wearing.

[BLACKOUT]"We the only ones here, yeah? You found me earlier, you have some kind of enhanced hearing, don't you?"[/BLACKOUT]

"Your right on both accounts. I got here about 15 minutes early to check out the area. I used my super hearing and i didn't pick up on anyone."

[BLACKOUT]"Can you hear this? Can you hear this? Can you hear this? Can you hear this?"[/BLACKOUT]

I nod to Vigilante to let him know that I can indeed hear what he was saying. What he doesn't know is the full extent of my hearing ability.​

Isaac raised an eyebrow, impressed with how well he could hear. He literally couldn't speak softly enough to not be heard and had gotten to the point of merely breathing the words out.​

[BLACKOUT]"Great. This could work... Alright, here's what we're going to do, for starter's around these guys call me..."[/BLACKOUT]​

Isaac pushed out the key points of his plan quickly as the pair watched another car pull up outside of Lost Haven International Bank...​

“Looks like were on.” I utter as I stand up straight from the passenger window and head towards the automobile.

Once we are beside the car we see that there isn’t anyone inside. Only thing was an envelope in the driver seat.

“They must have got the car here remotely…” I open the drive side door and pull the envelope out. “… it's obvious we must prove ourselves before we get some face time.” I say as I open the envelope and read the letter inside.

After I'm done I hand the letter over to Vigilante so he can check it out just in case I might have missed something.

“Well the good news is we are not robbing the bank. Bad news is we have to get to a certain box in the safe. Which needs two keys to open it and the two security guards are the ones with the keys.”

 

[NiteMare Shape]

He sits on the couch, looking through the day's newspapers...each with similar headlines. The papers all describe disturbing events taking place in Belding, a section of Lost Haven notorious for its disporportionally high crime rate. It seems as if a recent string of murders, claiming the lives of drug dealers, gang members, and police officers alike.

Keven reads through the articles, when he finishes he puts the papers back on the coffee table and takes a sip from his dup of coffee.

"So? What do you think?" Erica asks.

"About what?"

"What do you think? Those killings in Belding."

"Not my problem. The Cartel isn't involved in that, it's not their style."

"The Cartel? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything. Midas and The Cartel is my only focus right now. I'm finally getting close again, I can't let up because of some nutcase in Belding."

"But you can't just let this go on. You have to at least look into it."

"It's not part of the plan, Erica. Midas and the Cartel are my number one priority. They're what's important. Taking down the Cartel and getting on with my life, that's the plan, remember?"

"Plans change."

After going back and forth with Erica for a short while, I finally accept the one constant in my life...she always wins. Once I realized that my arguement was not going to sway her, I relent and agree to go into Belding tonight after sundown. I promised her that I will look into these killings and get to the bottom of it.

And once I've taken care of this supposed vigilante, I can get back to my mission.

 

[Hound55]

I can't help but laugh on the inside at Vigilantes appearance. I haven't smiled in a long time and I must say this is well worth it. The suit doesn’t look bad its just I would never image him in one such as the one he is wearing.

"Your right on both accounts. I got here about 15 minutes early to check out the area. I used my super hearing and i didn't pick up on anyone."​

I nod to Vigilante to let him know that I can indeed hear what he was saying. What he doesn't know is the full extent of my hearing ability.​

“Looks like were on.” I utter as I stand up straight from the passenger window and head towards the automobile.

Once we are beside the car we see that there isn’t anyone inside. Only thing was an envelope in the driver seat.

“They must have got the car here remotely…” I open the drive side door and pull the envelope out. “… it's obvious we must prove ourselves before we get some face time.” I say as I open the envelope and read the letter inside.

After I'm done I hand the letter over to Vigilante so he can check it out just in case I might have missed something.

“Well the good news is we are not robbing the bank. Bad news is we have to get to a certain box in the safe. Which needs two keys to open it and the two security guards are the ones with the keys.”

[BLACKOUT]"Two guards..? Piece o' piss."[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac thought to himself, this doesn't sound like the M.O of a super genius... two regular guys could take out a couple of security guards. That doesn't "test" much other than for lack of complete incompetence. The only way this is a test if they're watching to see HOW we handle the pair of them, Isaac thought to himself.

[BLACKOUT]"Reckon they're watching us."[/BLACKOUT] exhaled the grey and red figure.

[BLACKOUT]"Can you take one of these guys clean? Last I checked you were overpowering a guy who could shake a building. I don't want to see you trying to put a guy in a sleeper hold and snapping some poor guards neck. I mean... punching guys into the sun, the electric bolt thing and hearing a pin drop from out of state... your forte. Stealth and picking off armed guards 10 to the dozen... my forte. I got no problem with taking one each but nobody needs to die here from what we're doing. Keep looking away. If you can take one, great. It'll look better for us. So can you take one, clean? Give your answer through the question I'm about to ask you."[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac stopped short of the building and turned to Samson. [BLACKOUT]"Here.. we.. go... So, man. Ya nervous?"[/BLACKOUT]

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Belding.

One of the most dangerous sections of the city of Lost Haven, and when you take into consideration the population of monsters and freaks that inhabit this city...that's saying something.

For the most part, this part of the city is run by the gangs that reside within the several blocks that make up Belding. They are the law here...not the police, and not the metas.

Shortly after the rest of the city began rebuilding after the alien invasion, some politicians took an intrest in the area of the city that the locals call "Bedlam." An urban renewal of sorts was proposed, however it never took hold. The only thing that came of this proposal was an increase in police patrols through the area, however even that has had very little impact. The increased patrols were met by violent resistance from the various gangs of Belding, and more recently by some self styled vigilante who has taken it upon himself to kill not only the police officers who venture into this neighborhood, but the gang leaders who each fight for control of neighborhood.

After sundown I made my way to Belding in search of this vigilante, however, I haven't been able to turn up anything. In fact, tonight Belding is uncharacteristically quiet. I haven't come across anything...not even a mugger. Whoever this vigilante is, he's got the residents of Belding, criminal and civilian alike running scared.

I'm about to call it a night when a sudden commotion down the block catches my attention. From where I'm perched atop an old pharmacy, I can see the flashing blue lights of a patrol car. As I begin making my way to where the patrol car is parked, I can hear people shouting....and then three gunshots ring out.

I arrive on the scene, looking down from the rooftops and see a man dressed like...like a crash test dummy standing over the bodies of two police officers, the pistol he holds is still smoking. This must be the man that I've spent all night looking for, I jump from the rooftop and descend toward the vigilante.

"This ends now!" I say as I drive my foot into the back of the vigilante's head.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

"Good, you'll be needing breakfast. It's considered the most important meal of the day after all."

"Why's that?" Michael asks as Goddess sets a plate before him.

"Apparently it gives you a nice-"

"No no. Why will I be needing it?"

"Oh. We have plans today," Michael hungrily begins wolfing down the food.

Michael was somewhat flustered. A big part of him wanted to jump at joining Claire on whatever errand she had set out for him, but a part of him, especially due to the dream, wanted to get back in touch with Grace. His head had been swimming around Claire, and felt he needed a small break.

"Sorry, I got stuff I gotta do."

"What can be so important?"

"I have plans with Grace today."

"The woman who dumped you, and then yells at you when you're late after saving innocent lives. You can't really judge her needs to be above that of your responsibility?"

"I don't care. Look, I need a small break, and I'm gonna do this. Today I'm going to meet her, I'm sure you can manage fine on your own."

To this, Goddess sighed.

"I'm glad I made these then. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go -so- far, but it seems your divine side protects you somewhat, even in human form. You still show resistance Not for long though," her voice darkened, her eyes sharpened, and her warm smile curled into a cruel grin. Michael looked down, and yes, there were pancakes, but on those pacakes were what looked to be black ink writing marks all over them, even popping off the pancakes and resettling. The look of surprise was obvious.

"Looks like it took root, as you can see the spell now. Let me be the first to welcome you to what will most likely be a short rest of your life," she pats him on the forehead, as his body becomes unresponsive.

"Now dive down. Reverse your desires from yourself, and make them mine. Your thoughts are only of me, your will doesn't exist, you function only as my arm now. No more need for breaks..."

 

[trustyside-kick]

"Looks like it took root, as you can see the spell now. Let me be the first to welcome you to what will most likely be a short rest of your life," she pats him on the forehead, as his body becomes unresponsive.

"Now dive down. Reverse your desires from yourself, and make them mine. Your thoughts are only of me, your will doesn't exist, you function only as my arm now. No more need for breaks..."

OOC: Until I announce otherwise, my posts will be in third person rather than first.​

There is a resonating glow about Michael's body. Beams of light seem to wrap around him, as though they pull and yank on his body to pull him down. His facial expression does not change, as he does not even react to the light tugging on his body as he bows to his new Goddess.

"You are going to hurt the ones you care about, whether you like it or not, Michael, for I want them hurt. You will put aside all morality and your very humanity so that I get what I want. Now, rise my Champion. Rise before your Goddess, adorned in her colors."

The light and energy that surges around Michael, starts to change colors to a purplish hue. The entire room starts to light up, as a brilliant stream of violet energy expands in all directions. And as the light withers away, standing before Goddess is her newest minion; motionless.

"Now, rise, Michael. You above all know about the power of Faith, Michael. So allow me to educate you."

Suddenly, Michael stands tall. The angel-fire wings spread wide, and he breathes, taking everything around him as though he had just been born; for he has been reborn. Goddess walks up to him, her finger curling at the chin of his helmet.

"Without faith, it is impossible to please your Goddess. Have faith in Her, and obey She who owns you, so that Her absolute care and love can be yours. Should it cost you your life, you do so gladly. For your sole purpose in life, is to serve your Goddess."

Smiling a devious smile, Goddess turns and walks away. Stopping, she turns her head to the side as she looks at Michael with the corner of her eye.

"Is that understood?"

"Yes...my Goddess."

"Now...to the first order of business...the Guardians. They are the first who would oppose us. They must be eradicated from this plane of existence. So be a darling and...get their attention."

"Yes...my Goddess."

Smirking, Michael starts to rise towards the ceiling of the kitchen. It is Wednesday, and on Wednesday Michael is the master of the wind. An orb of wind starts to spiral all around Michael's body. Increasing the force of the winds, everything in the room starts to blow around him: the chairs, table, couch...everything. And as the twirling and turbulent items naturally crash into another, and into its surroundings, the alarm through the entire Guardian HQ blasts away as it notifies everyone in the building, as well as the Guardian Comms that each of the members of the Guardians wear, of a Level V threat intruder within the premises.

 

[Rain Dog]

Belding.

One of the most dangerous sections of the city of Lost Haven, and when you take into consideration the population of monsters and freaks that inhabit this city...that's saying something.

For the most part, this part of the city is run by the gangs that reside within the several blocks that make up Belding. They are the law here...not the police, and not the metas.

Shortly after the rest of the city began rebuilding after the alien invasion, some politicians took an intrest in the area of the city that the locals call "Bedlam." An urban renewal of sorts was proposed, however it never took hold. The only thing that came of this proposal was an increase in police patrols through the area, however even that has had very little impact. The increased patrols were met by violent resistance from the various gangs of Belding, and more recently by some self styled vigilante who has taken it upon himself to kill not only the police officers who venture into this neighborhood, but the gang leaders who each fight for control of neighborhood.

After sundown I made my way to Belding in search of this vigilante, however, I haven't been able to turn up anything. In fact, tonight Belding is uncharacteristically quiet. I haven't come across anything...not even a mugger. Whoever this vigilante is, he's got the residents of Belding, criminal and civilian alike running scared.

I'm about to call it a night when a sudden commotion down the block catches my attention. From where I'm perched atop an old pharmacy, I can see the flashing blue lights of a patrol car. As I begin making my way to where the patrol car is parked, I can hear people shouting....and then three gunshots ring out.

I arrive on the scene, looking down from the rooftops and see a man dressed like...like a crash test dummy standing over the bodies of two police officers, the pistol he holds is still smoking. This must be the man that I've spent all night looking for, I jump from the rooftop and descend toward the vigilante.

"This ends now!" I say as I drive my foot into the back of the vigilante's head.

The kick sends the vigilante staggering forward. Pain surges through his head and neck as he nearly tumbles to the ground. He quickly regains his balance and spins around, pistol pointed steadily at his attacker.

[BLACKOUT]“A meta? Here? No…they know! They know!”[/BLACKOUT] he screams as fires wildly at the shadowy superhuman.

[BLACKOUT]“Die fascist pig!!”[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Byrd Man]

The Blue Blur



Guardians HQ
Lost Haven
Now

I streak into the large building that's home to the supergroup known as the Guardians. It's supposed to be an impregnable fortress and cannot be....pregnated. But the buzzing on my hip told me otherwise.


Richard J. Daley Plaza
Chicago
Two Minutes Earlier

A trip downtown that would take only a few seconds now takes forever...a full two minutes now that I have to wait on the camera to keep up.​

Decked out in my suit, I come to a skidding stop in front of the courthouse.​

"I heard it from a reliable source that there was a naughty boy somewhere around here."​

My eyes stop on a balding man standing on the court steps in a three piece suit, a briefcase in his hands. Twelve people are bunched around him. Hostages.​

"About time you showed up. I thought you were fast."​

"Oh, I'm very fast. Especially when it comes to wit, Mister.......suit-man."​

"Well, you should know I have a bomb in my briefcase. It's staying disarmed only by the signal a device on my person is transmitting. The briefcase gets twelve feet away from me, then it blows. Are you that fast?"​

"Maybe...so, what's your deal, buddy?"
​

"I want to be a member of your Rogues Gallery."​

"Come again?"​

"T-Rex, Game Genie, the Disco Gang, Night Fox, and The Maestro. The people you fight and face off against...I want to join them."​

"Call me crazy, buddy...but I don't think they accept applications...and if they did, I'm sure there's some kind of union local you need to join."​

"You are funny. Oh, and my name's not 'buddy'. I used to be a lawyer, but I was disbarred after the justice system failed me. Today is when I get my vengeance."​

His free hand moves fast, zipping something through the air and cutting my cheek.​

"That's my business card. Razor plated, just so you know. You can call me the Ambulance Chaser....the bomb in my hands has thirty seconds before it blows..." ​

​

​

"So, I've got thirty seconds to make sure this bomb is safe? Well, okay!"

Both the Ambulance Chaser and I disappear from Chicago. In the blink of an eye, we're standing on a beach somewhere.

"Let's see, we've now got twenty-eight seconds until this bomb blows. Hope you got your affairs in order."

"Where are we?"

"Island SP-214 in the beautiful South Pacific. It hasn't had occupants on it since World War II, so it's safe to say nobody will get hurt when this bad boy blows except you."

I take off, leaving the lawyer behind. I spend the next twenty-five seconds cutting laps across the Pacific. My way to kill some time.

With just two seconds left, I swoop in and take the bomber away from the bomb just as it blows. Both of us are back in the plaza in Chicago. The Ambulance Chaser is safely inside a squad car.

"Jesus. Talk about an attention seeker. He's worse than the 'Pants on The Ground' dude."

The camera crew gets most of the action, save for the stuff that happened thousands of miles away. Before I can turn to tell them it's over, the comm on my hip goes off. A serious intruder in Lost Haven.

"I gotta go," I tell Mr. Riley and the cameras.

"Wait, Matt. Take this," Riley says as he tosses me a small device.

"It's a portable digital camera. Has a battery life of twelve hours and can store that much information on it."

I nod and pin the camera to my lapel.

"Happy?"

"Very."

"Good to see I made your day. I'm gone."

All Riley and the camera crew see of me is ass and elbows as I speed East towards Haven.



Guardians HQ

Lost Haven

Now​

I'm racing around the corner of the HQ when a serious wind hits me, almost hurrican force. I kick it into high gear to try to beat through the wind resistance. The blinding wind blinds me as I run through the hallways and spaces of the HQ.​

 

[Carnage27]

"Did you see Lost last night?" Penny asks as I shovel some cafeteria food into my mouth. We're sitting alone, as always, in the back of the large room, and the dull roar of the other students makes it almost impossible to talk at a normal volume level.

Looking up at her, I notice how...beautiful she looks today. I've never told how how I really feel about her or our friendship, and I probably never will. She'd never want to be with...someone like me.

I nod and swallow, "Yea, great episode. Don't know how I feel about the parallel universe, though."

"Yea, I don't know. What the heck was Desmond doing on that plain? That's crazy," she asks back.

"Who knows. The guys who write that s**t are one acid."

"So..." she looks at me with questioning eyes. "You know what Miles-"

"No," I cut her off before she finishes. "It's not like that. He can control it. I can't."

The bell rings and she nods before walking away and shaking her head. I should have never told her that I can hear the spirits of the dead, but when it first happened, I was so scared that she was the only one I could talk to about it. Mom would have had me checked out, and I know Penny would have kept the secret.

It started at the very outset of the alien attack. The minute Paris was wiped off the face of the Earth, I heard millions of people screaming, and then a roar of confused questions, looking for loved ones, and then nothing. It happened every time mass amounts of people were killed in the struggle, but every time it became easier and easier to deal with.

She's been different since I told her, though. She's been distant and aloof, and when we hang out, she talks about almost nothing other than my powers.

"Well, back to school," I mutter to myself before dumping my trash n the bin and trudging off into the hallways where I'm seen as nothing more than another high school outsider.

*******

I swing the front door open and plop my book bag in the hallway and head up to the kitchen for a snack before I hear mom’s voice come from the living room, “Des, is that you?”

“Yea, ma. I’m starving I’m going to grab something to eat,” I respond opening up the fridge and grabbing the second half of the Subway sandwich mo had last nigh. I unwrap the sub and stuff my face.

“Oh, well, could you come down here once you do that? I have something to tell you,” she says. She sounds worried, or nervous, which worries me.I hurry down the stairs, my cheeks still full with sandwich.

“Ebery fing-Hey…” I say swallowing the huge bite at the sight of the gigantic man sitting on the couch across from my mother. He's got a pitch black suite, and looks like he could wrestle a grizzly bear and a polar bear at the same time...and win. “Who are you?”

He stands, towering over me, and offers me his hand, which I shake, “My name is Chiron, Desmond. And we have a lot to speak about.”

​

Becoming the Hero
Part 1
​

 

[Mr. Majestic]

[BLACKOUT]"Two guards..? Piece o' piss."[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac thought to himself, this doesn't sound like the M.O of a super genius... two regular guys could take out a couple of security guards. That doesn't "test" much other than for lack of complete incompetence. The only way this is a test if they're watching to see HOW we handle the pair of them, Isaac thought to himself.

[BLACKOUT]"Reckon they're watching us."[/BLACKOUT] exhaled the grey and red figure.

[BLACKOUT]"Can you take one of these guys clean? Last I checked you were overpowering a guy who could shake a building. I don't want to see you trying to put a guy in a sleeper hold and snapping some poor guards neck. I mean... punching guys into the sun, the electric bolt thing and hearing a pin drop from out of state... your forte. Stealth and picking off armed guards 10 to the dozen... my forte. I got no problem with taking one each but nobody needs to die here from what we're doing. Keep looking away. If you can take one, great. It'll look better for us. So can you take one, clean? Give your answer through the question I'm about to ask you."[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac stopped short of the building and turned to Samson. [BLACKOUT]"Here.. we.. go... So, man. Ya nervous?"[/BLACKOUT]

“Breaking into a bank and taking out a security guard, no problem at all.”

That’s right Vigilante doesn’t know that I can only use two powers at the same time.

I then use my vision ability to locate the where about of the guards. I see that both of them our on the opposite parts of the building standing in front of doors.

I then walk up to Vigilante right before we begin to enter and whisper to him. “I think your right about them watching us. There are only two guards in a bank watching it? Something doesn’t seem right about that. Anyways there is one at the east part of the building and the other at the west. If you don’t mind I’m get the one the west side.”

Right before entering I tell him. “Watch your back. I have a funny feeling about this.”

 

[NiteMare Shape]

As the villain pulls up short, Icon anticipates his attack and moves out of the way just as the solar blast is fired at him. Icon counters with a right hand that connects with his enemy's jaw, sending him flying several dozen feet.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay down." Icon says as he looks down at his opponent, "Now why don't you just tell me exactly who you are, and what it is that you really want."

The villain raises his head and smirks at Icon, then lowers his head back to the ground. Icon hears the sound of approaching sirens as he steps toward the motionless newcomer, apparently their little fight gained the attention of the Lost Haven Police Department's newly formed Major Crimes Unit, or as they have been dubbed in the press, the "Meta Crimes Unit."

As the sirens get closer, something else gets his attention...the Gaurdians comm that he wears goes off, indicating a serious threat inside the Gaurdians Headquarters themselves.

"Sorry to cut this short, but I'm needed elsewhere." Icon says as he takes off toward Gaurdian HQ.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

The kick sends the vigilante staggering forward. Pain surges through his head and neck as he nearly tumbles to the ground. He quickly regains his balance and spins around, pistol pointed steadily at his attacker.

[BLACKOUT]“A meta? Here? No…they know! They know!”[/BLACKOUT] he screams as fires wildly at the shadowy superhuman.

[BLACKOUT]“Die fascist pig!!”[/BLACKOUT]

The vigilante squeezes off several shots directly at my chest. His reaction catches me off gaurd, and I phase from where I was standing as the man fired, to a few feet away from him.


"Bad move." I say as I strike the vigilante in the jaw, knocking him to the ground.

"You've been making quite the mess around here. It's time for it to stop."