So I had a far sillier idea for an omake that came about all the way back when Opale went ahead and breached Faust's contract, but I couldn't really figure out the best way to get the concept to 'work'.
And then notaburner13, who definitely has no relation to Moon River, made my job at least two orders of magnitude easier, so thanks for that. Looks like I'm making an omake before Issue 3 begins after all, and it is... certainly something.
Hero for Hire: META𝓧CHASERS Discussion Megathread (Dec. 2067) Just because I don't play War Thunder doesn't mean I'm not going to make the jokes!
Welcome to the Hero for Hire official message boards.
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♦ Topic: META𝒳CHASERS Discussion Megathread (Dec. 2067)
In: Boards ► ► Gaming
HammingCoder (Original Poster) (Verified User)
Posted On Dec 1st 2067:
This is the official discussion megathread for META𝒳CHASERS, the premier hero simulating VR battle game. Please keep any general discussion regarding the game to here.
For more information about the game, including its' download pages, hero guides, patch notes, and the official dedicated forum, please visit the official website located [here].
As always, please remember to keep it civil when discussing heroes, fictional representation or otherwise.
(Showing page 156 of 156)
►Quicksalter
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
So glad Scarlet Maturity finally lost a battle for once - now maybe the devs will do something about him and he'll finally stop dominating the meta after leviathan knows how many years
►ILOVECATGIRLS
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
SM is easy to counter tho? literally just play any sniper and you can deal with him
►LenormandReader
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
The problem with heroes that are meant to be countered via sniper is that, if the team is building around them, they will make sure to bring a movement/deception hero to shut any sniper down. If anything, snipers should be buffed over the thousands of calls for "NERF SCARLET MATURITY" suggestions that plague these megathreads.
►ILOVECATGIRLS
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
so just kill the support like you should already be doing
►WmenWantMeDiceHateMe
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
Bro, most teams are already Scarlet Maturity surrounded by 1 support and as many flankers as the game will allow a team to have. Trying to kill the support is what got us this trash meta in the first place.
►BatRastard
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
How are they gonna nerf SM in the first place? Dude is the most painfully vanilla beatstick in the game already, what do you change that isn't raw numbers?
►notaburner13
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
Scarlet Maturity has been lying about his powers since the beginning, and I have proof.
[Here's] a detailed analysis of his actual powers.
►BatRastard
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
Ah. That's how.
►Quicksalter
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
EXCUSE ME WHAT THE FUCK
►gkwenviy
Replied OnDec 16th 2067:
IS THIS A REAL FUCKING POWER LEAK HOLY SHIT
End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 155, 156, 157
Notice: Additional messages have been posted. Please go to a more recent page to view them.
(Showing page 157 of 157)
►LawyerAvian793
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
Looking over this, and it's absolutely real - pretty sure that's an actual digital signature Powers uses for their documents on page 6, and you can't forge those.
►KittenPackinHEAT
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON
►FaeAnon
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
> "Scarlet Maturity's physical enhancements do not originate from merely being dealt fatal injuries without further power."
fellas?
> "Instead, Scarlet Maturity will drain a metahuman marked and enhanced by his power in order to revive himself."
FELLAS?!
►RIPTeruTeruBOZO
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
HE WAS RIGHT?!?!?!!!?!
►SchizoPosterX7(Permanently Banned)
Replied On Mar XXth 2063:
I'm telling you - every time Scarlet Maturity ends up coming back from death, somebody who worked with Powers mysteriously vanishes off the face of the planet, and they never acknowledge them. They can't hide this connection forever.
> SM gets exposed as a power enchancer
> SM gets exposed as consuming the people he power enhances
> FUCKING SCHIZOPOSTER IS VINDICATED
> ALL ON THE METACHASERS DISCUSSION MEGATHREAD
WHAT TIMELINE IS THIS I WANT TO GO BACK
►BatRastard
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
"Most people rejected his message. They hated SchizoPosterX7 because he told them the truth."
►Speed_Memer
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
►WmenWantMeDiceHateMe
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
Of all the ways Scarlet Maturity could've been dealt with, a leak revealing his powers were a complete lie and now has to be reworked from the ground up is objectively the funniest one I could've imagined.
►HammingCoder (Original Poster) (Verified User)
Replied On Dec 16th 2067:
I can't believe this. Are we going to need to add "don't leak classified information" onto each discussion thread now? The site's moderation team will be temporarily locking this thread. Any further mention will likely result in disciplinary action. Please do not flood the official site with talk regarding this leak.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 155, 156, 157
Notice: This topic has been locked. You will not be able to reply to it.
Ability Training: Handyman, an omake by ScorpioSting
Using an ability is always a matter of not just training to be able to do more, but also being creative with said usage. A good hero doesn't rest on their laurels, they brainstorm new tactics, further an understanding of what they can do, and work harder.
"So, I've been working on a few new tricks, and I wanted you all to see them in action." Rhys stands in front of the assembled team, Leizi, Opale, Maddie, and Mona.
Leizi's face stays fairly calm, but there's a faint smirk, mild nostalgia for early on, when the old JU would get together to brainstorm group tactics and train on executing them. Opale just looks curious. Maddie and Mona, meanwhile, are excited.
"I've been watching some videos of Marrow Spider, since bones are the easiest thing for me to make for weapons, like arrows and knives. And, uh, seeing your older cousin in action also may have been… inspirational." Rhys says as he looks at Opale.
"…trust me, she might be horrible, but she is also effective. I don't see any problem with cribbing from her playbook." Opale looks to the sides as she says that.
"Alright, kiddos, you'll like this, come close." Rhys waves at Mona and Maddie as he changes from his civilian look to his silver battle mode.
As they get close, he closes his eyes, focuses, and twin handles made of bone pop out of his hips.
"Take one." Mona, slowly, draws it out. A sword made of bone pops out of Rhys's body. Maddie quickly yanks hers out as well.
"Oh, that's what you meant." Opale says while nodding.
"…can you make it a katana?" Maddie asks, reverently.
"Yeah! Should also be able to make knives and even spears! It'll give me a little less clay to work with, but it's a pretty small amount overall."
"This is an interesting development." Leizi says calmly. "Still, it's a bit limited."
"Oh, I've got more tricks. Mona, just run from me, like you can't fly."
Maddie takes a few steps back as Mona starts to run away. Rhys starts running after her, gaining speed thanks to height and the bit of strength he has, and then he jumps on top of her, flattening out his body into a blanket-like shape and smothering Mona.
The blanket forms a hole over the lump where Mona's body is. She sits up and gasps.
"I call this one, Suppression Mode! I could probably do it on more than one person if they were close together. A nonlethal subduing technique for someone we're gonna interrogate."
"Gotta admit, that's cool." Opale smiles. Rhys's body returns to normal, and Mona gets up.
"You picked me for that because you know it wouldn't hurt me, but that doesn't make it fun!" Mona's let go and she rejoins the rest of the group.
"Alright, this next one comes courtesy of Madeline's Percy Jackson collection reminding me of something."
Rhys returns to his normal, pre-Ambrosia appearance, albeit without a shirt. He closes his eyes…
And then, all across his arms and chest, dozens of eyes appear all over.
"I call it: Argus! I figured that the ability to have eyes in the back of my head would be good at some point, if we're flanked or being tailed. This is really just to show off a bit." He laughs a little, and then they disappear.
"But, I have a smarter use for it. Hold for a second." Rhys runs to the gym's opposite side, and then slowly stretches out hand allllllllllllll the way across the room, right by where the group is sitting.
And then the 'wrist' thickens a little, about to throat size. Then, a mouth appears right in the center of the hand.
"Hey. Can you hear me?" Two ears pop out at the hand's sides, too.
"Freaky." Maddie and Mona say in unison, though one says it with admiration and the other, a little weirded out.
"It's only really useful for someone who doesn't have a comm, like a civilian, or if they're jammed. But still, it could be useful!"
The arm retracts quickly to the other side of the room, and Rhys runs back, but not without leaping forward and curling his body into a giant sphere that rolls it's way back.
"I'm not sure I've figure out a practical use for Sphere Mode, but it's fun to do. Like gymnastics in a bouncy castle when you were 6." Rhys unrolls his body back to a normal bipedal form.
"Certainly looked fun, you were grinning going into that mode." Opale says, smiling.
"And a few more modes I've been cooking up that still need final polish."
Firstly, bone blades extend from above his wrists and backs of his hands. Then, out from his elbows. Then, his knees, then the ends of his feet.
"Blade Mode! For slicing and dicing action." Rhys punches and kicks the air, miming a knee strike that could disembowel someone, elbow checks that could stab a person right through, and for his final trick, ejecting the blades out as ranged attacks with fairly good accuracy. "Thank the porcupine for this mode. The animal kingdom has a lot of ideas for me to crib from."
The next form has him becoming covered in scale, bone, and chitin armor. "Leizi and I whipped this up for Blue Skies, and it definitely saved me, but I need to find the right order of layers for maximum defense."
Then, finally, a pair of large wings erupt from his back. "And I still gotta to read up on bird body structure and get the size right to be able to fly without riding a Nevermore, but once I do…"
The wings slurp back into his body, and he bows.
"Wow, lotta cool tricks!" Mona says excitedly.
"Your powers really are something wild." Opale smiles.
"A very good showing, Handyman. But still, there's always room for improvement."
"I know, I know." Rhys scratched his head like he was embarrassed at the praise. "Just don't want to be upstaged by my juniors. Gotta keep working!"
"That's the spirit! Now then, let's see you on the CQC mats." Opale gets up and heads over, cracking her knuckles.
"John-Henry has been really helping me there, so don't expect me to be a pushover! I'm stronger than you!" Rhys smirks as he walks over, and the twin teenagers move to watch.
"I have a lead to follow-up on, but I will see you all later." Leizi heads to the exists as she walks away.
It would be a close match, but Opale would eventually get the upper hand and pin Rhys. Rhys would vow to win next time.
Behind The Hero: Astral Odyssey - SolarGemX (canon)
Γεια! (Geia!) or Hello to my English-speaking audience! Welcome to beautiful city of Athens in Greece, Europe. This city has beautiful landscapes, wonderful architecture, and mesmerizing bodies of water…Oh! It also has a couple of criminals here and there, but what corner of the world doesn't have some now a days? Greece and Rome are home to a variety of ancient myths and legends, from Titans, to gods, to heroes and monsters; there is so much mythology in this corner of the world one could think metahumans were around for longer than 200 years! While some myths might be slightly over the top even by today's standards *Shows pictures of famous heroes like King or R-Train* ….or maybe not… Modern day Europe Greeks are no strangers to the superhero scene and the wild stories they tell. In fact, one can say the various legends that come from Greco-Roman history have inspired many a young hero and there's no way to better show that than with Athens, Star inspired heroic team. Today on Behind the Hero, we take a look at the hero group that have taken inspiration by the stars themselves, let's go on a voyage with: The Astral Odyssey's.
Being around for about 5 years, Astral Odyssey took its first steps into the world of heroics with the team up of childhood friends, Alexander Adamos, and Nicholas Dimitrou, otherwise known as Storm Draco and Pyre Cerberus. The hero duo started their career by catching low level thugs and slowly began making their way up the criminal totem pole, taking down more dangerous threats, until they really began being known thanks to their takedown of 2 bronze level behemoths that had made their way to the shores of Athens. These victories made them slightly arrogant and caused them to think they were basically invincible, a mistake that nearly caused them their lives when an extremely durable Gold Rank Behemoth washed up to the shores of Athens, later named The Aspidochelone by the locals, this behemoth resembled a massive Alligator Snapping Turtle with large spikes in its back.
Thinking it would be an easy kill the duo were immediately set back when both Storm Draco's Razor Sharp Winds and Pyre Cerberus, Flame attacks basically bounced off the languid Reptiles Diamond Hard Shell, and they had to scatter when the monster shot his head forward for a devastating bite, reaching unnatural levels of speed and easily taking a chunk of a nearby rock formation, the battle was extremely long and the two heroes barely survived their confrontation; as the Behemoth Threw rapid bites or launched itself towards is opponents shell first hoping to impale them on its back. But eventually they managed to wear the behemoth down just enough for it to decide to cut its losses and submerge itself into the water once more. This fight was a loss and showed the two youths that they still had much to learn. Taking this failure to heart, both heroes regrouped and began planning ways to defeat the monster that got away, among them experimenting with their powers and recruiting more allies.
Why don't we take a look at those allies? Let's start with their first recruited member Ariana Sakkari, also Known Eurydice. Ms. Sakkari has a rather unusual power, the ability to control rhythm. While it may sound lame at first glance, her metahuman ability gives her perfect coordination and allows her to detect the "flow" of movement during battles, letting predict how an opponent will move, even before they do. Additionally, she can synchronize with allies letting them coordinate just as well as she can, making her an extremely potent ally during group fights. She met Mr. Adamos and Dimitrou about a month after their fight with the behemoth, when one night she was taking a walk in the outskirts of the city and found the two male heroes practicing and experimenting with their powers.
Deciding to prank them before meeting them face to face, she used her power to make them slightly uncoordinated, causing both to smash into each other, face first. After apologizing and introducing herself, she decided to help them with coordinating attacks and eventually joined the team. A little-known fact is that she was the one to come up with the team's name Astral Odyssey, she wanted to call the team Olympus, but was vetoed by the two male members not really wanting to use the name, and all the implications that it could entail.
The second recruitment came in the form of the Dysmorphic metahuman known as Gladiator Beast or Leonidas Galanis when not on patrol. Being the oldest member of the group, Mr. Galanis has the form of a bi-pedal lion with an amazing Golden mane, fur, claws, and a lion tail in the back. He found the group himself and offered his services to train them physically, making sure their bodies were as sharpened as their powers, eventually he took a sort of mentor figure role and joined the team, usually sticking to city and his gym. Yes, Mr. Galanis is actually the owner of a small, but well-equipped gym where many people go for physical training, and as the team's reputation grew, so did the reputation of his gym.
About five months after the battle the team found their third recruitment in the form of Agnes Orologa, also known as Math Libra. Ms. Orologa used to be a math teacher at ACS Athens private educational institution before switching to heroics at 29 years of age, after being saved by the team when a group of armed robbers barricaded themselves in the school after a failed robbery. Pyre Cerberus managed to incapacitate the robbers, and a week later Ms. Orologa offered her services to the team as thanks for the help, she dedicated her free time in order to track down the Behemoth that had escaped five months ago and eventually tracked its general location. She joined the team not soon after, adding her rather unorthodox power set to the mix. Math Libra's ability is Weight control, she can manipulate the weight of any target she tags with her powers, including herself, up to a certain limit. This makes quite the annoyance during fights since she can make herself as light as a feather or as heavy as 2-ton weight, she uses these abilities to maneuver around the battlefield, while also making her opponents a quarter of their weight or up to 4X times their weight, disrupting their movements severely.
The last member recruited was about a month before the eventual rematch with the Behemoth, and it was less a recruitment and more on the lines of:
"You guys are cool and now, we are your problem." These were the first words Mr. Adamos heard when meeting Sophia Alexandria, who would eventually be known as Charged Gemini.
Yup, Charged Gemini basically recruited themselves after hearing many rumors of an upcoming hero group and the fact they were planning on taking on a powerful behemoth. After much… much deliberation, the team decided to take them on a test run to see if they could measure up, and they easily did. Alexandria's power is bound towards magnetism or polarity, and a cloning ability. As their chosen name implies, Charged Gemini's power lets her make a copy of herself that can move independently or in synch with the original. Additionally, each one of them can alter their polarities making them living magnets, powerful ones at that. While they can attract or repel many forms of metal, one of their most interesting abilities is the ability to attract each other. They usually use this feature of their metahuman power while they have a target in the center, leading to devastating body tackles, squishing anybody caught between them. Another ability is where one "twin" will grab an opponent and the other will attract or repel them depending on the situation.
With the team assembled and the fight fast approaching, we should really talk about the original two members of the team, shouldn't we? First let's see what Alexander Adamos or Storm Draco is capable of. His costume takes the appearance of a green dragon, Mr. Adamos is the strongest member in Astral Odyssey. As you could probably guess from my previous statements, Mr. Adamos is an aeromancer or wind manipulator. He is capable of creating powerful gusts of wind, making miniature tornadoes or throwing razor sharps wind blades capable of shredding his enemies. Additionally, after his defeat and subsequent training, he learned he can change the temperature of his gales, making them either frigid cold or extremely dry.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Dimitrou or Pyre Cerberus was a pyromancer or flame manipulator. Dressed in armored leather, belts, and boots, he somehow takes an edgy biker look and makes it work. The most prominent features in the costume are the two gauntlets in his hands in the form of wolf heads and his wolf like mask: giving him the appearance of his namesake. Initially, being able to generate and shoot fire from his hands or mouth, after training he was able to lower the output of his flames, letting him find out the fact he can generate three types of smoke from said appendages and mouth, a paralytic smoke, and explosive powder and a normal smokescreen, all three being capable of being re-ignited for a quick burst of flame.
With the stage set, the epic commences, The Behemoth resurfaces once more 8 months after the initial confrontation on Akti Vouliagmenis Beach, roughly 20km away from the city center of Athens, and Team Astral Odyssey is there waiting for it. After studying their previous confrontation and learning about turtles and reptiles, Storm Draco and Pyre Cerberus immediately use new tactics to circumvent the behemoth's defenses. SD generates a constant stream of chilling winds aiming to lower the reptile's temperature as PC uses his paralytic smoke; both hoping to drastically lower their opponents' reflexes and speed. Math Libra and Charged Gemini were in charge of keeping the Behemoth from escaping by magnetizing it and pulling towards land and Math libra reducing its weight immensely; letting Gladiator Beast grab in from the side and toss it around when needed. All the while, Eurydice coordinated the teams' movements to capitalize on moments of weakness. An hour later, Aspidochelone lay dead, and the team stood battered, but Victorious; and the rest is history.
From slightly humble beginnings to dramatic challenges, learning from their mistakes and finally slaying the beast. Astral Odyssey's story is quite a tale. Learning how to use their powers more effectively, finding valuable teammates and becoming a proper hero team. Astral Odyssey shows how much can be accomplished when people work as a team, letting them surpass overwhelming odds. Here's hoping the team continues to grow and expand, still need a couple more constellations don't you agree? This has been Behind the Hero, signing off!
Authors note:
*In a vampire's accent* "Six omakes Ha! Ha! Ha!" *cough* Probably should have done that on the previous one; Never mind. Hello again and welcome to the sixth instalment of the BtH series.
Today's team The Astral Odyssey was based on Greek myth, constellations, and some slight Mega man Starforce influence. Storm Draco was based on the Draco constellation and Satellite Draco AM from Mega man SF 1 with some slight elemental adjacent abilities from Leo AM and Pegasus AM from the same series (Temp. Control).
Pyre Cerberus was obviously named after the Guardian of the doors of Tartarus, and I took some inspiration from the Digimon, Cerberusmon: Werewolf mode.
Eurydice was based on Orpheus' wife and the Lyra constellation.
Math Libra was based on well… The libra Constellation and weights.
Gladiator Beast was based on the Leo constellation and the name came from the Yugioh cards of the same name.
Finally, Charged Gemini came from, you guessed it the Gemini Constellation… with a bit of Magnet Man.EXE from Battle Network.
Name: Ismael Boulos Age: 19 Stats: HIT 2, ESPIONAGE 3, REPUTATION 2, OPERATIONS 4 Tolerance: 7 Chaucer's notes: I actually don't have much to say about him. Self-declared rock-paper-scissors world champion; his father runs a convenience store in the Worker's Mitt and was present alongside him in the Town Hall where Mona unmasked herself. He apparently knows her from occasional visits to the shop, and thus got the name "Project Prometheus" out of Mona from a wager; reportedly he had to win twenty rock-paper-scissors games and she just had to win once. He has now communicated his willingness to participate, saying, and I quote, "If even bumbling Mona can be part of it there's no way there won't be space for me!" Lady Leizhi's notes: Not much to say, other than he's too clever by half. A bit of humbling would make him a splendid hero, but I hope he would not pay dearly for the experience.
Name: Bertha Blau Blumenthal Age: 18 Stats: HIT 4, ESPIONAGE 4, REPUTATION 4, OPERATIONS 4 Tolerance: 4 Chaucer's notes: Miss Bertha is considered by many to be a gem. A veritable teenage genius, at her young age she is considered an expert in capoeira, parkour, computer science, chess, painting, playing the guitar and olympic shooting; and when not doing any of that, she swims and runs marathons. She would have her pick of most any university in the world but choose to remain in Horizon and not enroll for now, baffling many. While clearly very talented, I attribute most of her excellence to hard work; why, I don't even know how she can fit sleeping in such a packed schedule!
She had her suspicions about a Justice Unlimited "secret project" alighted by a quite deranged post in a hacking community. It was complete nonsense, but on hunch decided to investigate further and so discovered a bit about the project. I think she would be an excellent candidate, provided her… enthusiasm…is properly dealt with. I have seen my share of burnouts, and I'd like her to avoid such a fate. Lady Leizhi's notes: Her determination is born of the senseless deaths of her parents at young age due to a metahuman clash. Ever since, she craves feeling in control, and chases manner after manner of self-improvement to do so. Had she actually awakened powers she could have become quite the villain, but hopefully with guidance she can channel this trauma in a more constructive way.
AN: She lives with her grandparents btw, but don't know where to put that.
Name: Simão Cruzes da Silva Neto, alias "Cain" Age: 30 Stats: HIT 6, ESPIONAGE 7, REPUTATION -1, OPERATION 6 Tolerance: 3 Chaucer's notes: What is this submission doing here!? Is someone out of their minds? Was there a mistake? I know he can't possibly have volunteered for the project, since I dare not say he can't find it...
Anyhow, I have flagged this submission and hopefully it will be removed soon, but for any enterprising soul who finds this file by accident, let me be very clear: "Cain" is a spree killer, though some say "vigilante" (pfhah!) and is the deadliest mundane in Brazil, and possibly in the world. His killing habits began when he was a mere twelve years old, and there are even rumors he had murdered his cousin before that! He was a monster who mercilessly killed anyone who he considered "criminals", no matter how small their crimes, while hypocritically participating in the drug trade himself. He has gruesomely killed several gangs, including those with metahuman membership! Even in jail his killings did not stop, even when ambushed inside his cell seven-to-one he killed the ambushers without pause. He has an estimated murder count in the triple digits, including his own father!
I cannot imagine any reason this man should even be in a kilometer from the Apiary, much less part of our project. It is toying with a mad beast! Lady Leizhi's notes: Our dear Chaucer is quite heated, isn't he? For the record, I put this submission in myself, even if I consider him far from a prime candidate; you can say I'm somewhat sympathetic to him. One of the few whose childhood rivals my own, and when I killed my own dog he was taking a human life. The cousin thing is fake, by the way.
But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, aren't I? His story begins even before his birth, where his abusive father kicked his pregnant mother viciously, leading to a wound in his cranium before birth. At 9 he had escaped from home to go to São Paulo, where he lived as a petty thief. At 12 he killed his first victim, a local drug dealer, and ran away back to his home to escape the police. At 14 he killed the deputy-mayor of his hometown for falsely accusing his father of participating in a corruption scheme, costing him his job and leaving the family destitute. At 16 he was back at São Paulo, and fell in love with a 17 year old female drug-dealer; I heard he was quite happy for time living with her and assisting in her "job"; and were even expecting a baby. Of course, that's when a rival gang killed her while he was away, and in response he massacred the majority of the gangs in the city; to hear it described it seems the streets were awash with blood. At 18 years old he was finally captured, but was quite a troublesome prisoner, participating in many mutinies and rebellions, and of course the mentioned episode where he killed his own father; he was being transferred to another location after a rebellion and, presumably due to carelessness, was put in the same transport as his father, who had been arrested for finally killing his wife during one of his abusive episodes. The rest, as they say, is history.
The reason I put him on the candidate list is that he is genuinely trying to find peace. He was released on probation due to mysterious circumstances, and is in Horizon to help his nephew, who has been having it though. In his free time he has a vlog where he talks and shows his daily life; a dangerous thing considering his reputation but he doesn't seem to care at all. I understand he is very dangerous, so even with my sympathies I'd only consider it during a very rainy day.
AN: Surprisingly based on a real guy, if you can believe it, though fluffed-up for a comic-book setting. Even if you don't know him, you probably know someone based on him. Leizhi is mega-yapping on this one, but with the parallels to her life (as I see it) it kinda just came out.
Was not sure that last guy would get the QM OK, but it's all good.
Horizon, City of Leviathan's Rest – Praça do Orixá – December 25, 2067
You are Gabriel Kwan, better known as the hero, Wolong.
You're currently surrounded by a display of opulence that has you feeling distinctly out of place. Your team feels it as well. Gentleman James is taking care to be extra polite and has been double-checking his appearance in every reflective surface he passes. Miss Naught is almost manically cheerful, and Palisade is tense as if she expects an attack at any time. Only Dreamcatcher seems at ease, but that might be because he's grabbing every tray of hors'devours he can reach.
"Foodsh 'ood!" he says through a mouthful of salmon. Miss Naught pinches his mouth shut until he swallows. "Man, these stuffed-shirts really know how to throw a party! Look at this place!"
You had to concede that Dreamcatcher had a point. You were in the Praça do Orixá, the open air plaza that opened to the Ọsanyìn headquarters on one side and the first checkpoint to enter Jacob's Ladder on the other. The weather, for once, was cool and dry, though many Horizon natives like Gentleman James found it chilly. The Ọsanyìn staff had gone all out on the decorations and entertainment—not a single surface was free from garlands, flowers, depictions of Ọsanyìn as Santa clause, and all other kinds of seasonal decorations. The massive screens on the sides of every building played selections from different holiday movies, and food and drink flowed freely while sounds of live music drifted on the air.
However, the centerpiece of the event was the massive Grand Fir pine tree in the middle of the square. It was over two-hundred feet tall and stood proud under the thousands upon thousands of ornaments and lights on it. The festivities today would conclude with a grand lighting ceremony that you're certain will be a sight. It was nearly a regret that you would have to miss it to make it back to the Apiary in time for Justice Unlimited's celebrations.
Nearly.
It was quite a sight, but your mind was elsewhere. After Menagerie Witch's birthday party, Lady Leizi had pulled you aside and had you fully read into Project Prometheus. It was . . . staggering. Valiant Silver was truly the mind of your generation, and you cursed the fact that stopping the Movement cost her life.
Project Prometheus was elegant, engaging, and—if you were being honest—a little fun. With your power, you easily could see how different metahumans could combine and synergize—and it was even entertaining when you were wrong. How Novalight, Crimson Soprano, Steadfast, and Soldier X created a sentient black hole was still something you puzzled over in your spare time.
Speaking of which, there was something about [Enhanced Strength] and [Clairvoyance] that fit together. It was missing something, but it nearly felt familiar . . .
You drift through the plaza, and eventually your team starts to loosen up. You're glad to see it. It had been some time since you all had been able to be together at the same time. Monarch had been keeping her head down following the explosive battle between Black Swan and Scarlet Maturity, earning you all a rare reprieve.
As you walk, Gentleman James grabs a glass of champagne and asks, "So where is our main event going to be?"
"In the center of the Praça do Orixá, beneath the great tree," you answer, "I believe you can see them setting up the stage now."
"Dang, I guess some poor suckers have to work on Christmas," Miss Naught says, "And all dressed up like penguins? Couldn't be me."
"Wolong," Palisade says, "What's this all about? Why did they invite us?"
"I confess, I don't know," you say, "Some announcement of some sort. If I had to venture a guess, with the recent revelations about Powers, there are some elements of the Foot and Elysium Station that feel they have no protectors. Likely, today is about projecting strength as much as anything."
"I don't like it," Palisade says, "It feels off."
"Booo! Grinch!" Miss Naught sticks out her tongue.
"I'm serious," Palisade says, "Moon River's been airing Dominion's dirty laundry for over a week, but they haven't said anything? Not even a denial? Something is brewing."
You hum in agreement. That's your read on the situation as well.
You continue wandering and mingling—and even pose for a few pictures—and eventually a stage is erected in the center of the plaza. An announcement rings across the various displays, asking guests to take their seats for the main ceremony.
New Dawn has been granted VIP seating in the front row. As you walk towards it, you hear a young girl's voice over the noise of the crowd.
". . . me go! Get off of me!"
"Unhand her!"
"Mr. Oliviera was clear in his request. The young Miss Oliviera has a place of honor on the stage. She is to join him. Alone. No metahumans."
You see several large men in black suits surrounding a teenage girl in a smart blouse and winter jacket. One of the men has a hand on her arm and is attempting to pull her away, only to be blocked by a woman in a red and yellow tabard. She wears a musketeer's hat with a red plume and a black mask over her eyes.
"I'm afraid that the terms of my contract do not allow me to let Ms. Oliviera out of my sight, even for a moment. Especially in light of . . . recent ongoings. Kindly let her go."
Her voice is even and controlled, but you don't miss how one hand drifts to the sheathed saber on her hip.
Nor do the men in suits. "Miss, if you plan to make a scene, I can assure you that will be a decision you will deeply regret."
"Oh? Don't threaten me with a good time."
"I like her, boss. And I don't like the looks of this," Miss Naught whispers in your ear, "And I like apes in suits even less. Should I . . .?
You tilt your head to Gentleman James. He nods and walks towards the group.
"Aww, I never get to do nothin'!"
As Miss Naught whines, Gentleman James throws on a thousand-watt smile and approaches the woman with open arms.
"Meu anjo! There you are! I leave for one second and I find you in another man's arms? My poor heart—I shall die!"
Everyone whips their heads toward Gentleman James, who walks up to the man holding the teenager and elbows jocularly in the ribs. He leans over and speaks in a stage whisper while pointing to the swordswoman.
"I met querida here at the facilities and fell in love at once. Who could resist a woman who can handle a sword? Alas, she didn't feel the same! Wouldn't give me the time of day. Wouldn't even believe that I am Gentleman James of New Dawn! As if anyone else could be this handsome!"
He gestures to the rest of you as you arrive, forming a semi-circle around the group.
"So of course, I rushed off to grab my friends here. Only to find her here with another man!" He clutches his heart. As he brings his arms up, he "accidently" breaks the man's grip on the girl's arm. "Why meu anjo? Why is love so cruel?"
The girl rushes into the swordswoman's arms, who quickly pulls her back. The men go to follow her, but Palisade and Dreamcatcher are in the way. The lead man frowns and moves to push his way through, only for another man to hold him back.
"You're Wolong, correct?" he says to you, "Of New Dawn? We're with the personal security division of Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries. We're to bring Ms. Oliviera to her father."
"Leave me alone!" the girl whose face looks familiar says, "I don't want to sit next to him. I don't want to see him! I didn't want to come out today!"
"She's hysterical," the suit says to you, "Surely New Dawn will help return a girl to her father?"
Said girl looks as terrified at that idea as Dreamcatcher was at the sight of Menagerie Witch's new tarantula.
"I believe it is you who is upsetting her," you say with a pleasant smile on your face, "It may be best if you leave. We'll look after her and escort her to where she needs to go once she's calmed down. I promise it on New Dawn's good name. Is that acceptable?"
A flicker of purple light flares across Palisade's body to emphasize the point.
The first suit looks like he might protest, but the one speaking grabs him and pulls him away. "Very well. I'll personally make sure Mr. Oliviera hears about how helpful New Dawn has been."
With that, they leave as one. Miss Naught sticks her tongue out at their backs.
You turn to the two women. "Are you alright, Miss . . .?"
The swordswoman bows. "You may call me Belle Sabreuse. And this is my charge, Ms. Yara Oliviera. It is an honor to have the illustrious New Dawn come to our aid."
Yara doesn't say anything, but hides behind Belle Sabreuse like a child hiding behind her mother's skirt.
Belle Sabreuse places a gentle hand overtop Yara's and gives a sad smile. "Please excuse her. She's been through quite a lot these last few months."
"No offense taken," you say immediately, "And that offer was genuine if you would like us to escort you."
Belle Sabreuse gives Yara a questioning look, which Yara responds to by leaning over and whispering in her ear. You only catch fragments of their words.
". . . sure . . . real?"
"Too smart . . . fake it for this long."
Yara finally nods and acquiesces to your presence. You continue your journey to the center of the plaza, and Belle Sabreuse moves next to you, speaking in a low voice.
"Please, do forgive her. We've . . . not been certain who to trust lately."
Your brows go up at that, but you keep your tone light.
". . . New Dawn is always listening if you need help."
Belle Sabreuse looks around before speaking again, her words coming fast. "There have been a number of abduction attempts. They've been increasing in frequency as of late. Yara's assailants . . . they're not normal."
You keep a mask of slightly-bored amusement on your face as you look at a display of a life-size of a nutcracker soldier.
"How so?"
"They're . . . simple," Belle Sabreuse says, "They can manage complex tasks, but speaking? Improvising due to an unexpected attack? Impossible. The veneer of humanity peels away. It's the only reason they haven't taken her yet."
She lets out a breath, but she quickly inhales and continues speaking as if a great burden was coming off her chest.
"They're getting smarter. The last batch nearly passed for human. And . . . I recognized one of them. I know I rammed him through the heart with my sword during a previous attempt. So how did he return? I'm holding, but just barely. If metahumans get involved . . ."
"I understand. New Dawn will do what we can. And I have a direct connection with Justice Unlimited. I know Lady Leizi will have an interest in the safety of the younger sister of Uiara."
Belle Sabreuse gives a relieved smile. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I know how difficult it must be to approach your archrivals for help."
You give a mysterious smile. "Not as difficult as you might think."
Belle Sabreuse reels back. "Truly? Times must be changing them."
"Indeed."
* * *
You, the rest of New Dawn, and Belle Sabreuse and Yara all sit in a line in the front row. There was some minor scuffling with an usher about where Yara should sit, but the sight of six metahumans all united in purpose quickly put any protests to rest. As you move toward your assigned block of seats, you find a tall, blonde woman in a red dress and opera gloves sitting in your row.
"Excuse me, miss," you say as politely as possible so as to not scare her. Some people react badly to perceived hostility from metahumans. "I believe this is our assigned row of seats."
The woman gives you an intense look that you find off putting. But then she looks at her pass, laughs, and gives you a beatific smile. She apologies for her mistake and asks you to forgive her.
"Of course," you say, "No harm done."
She asks if, by chance, you are Wolong of New Dawn? She doesn't know too many people who dress in the way you do.
"I am. And this is a team of our members with us as well as some new friends."
Wonderful! She is such a fan. She says this may be an odd request, but could she shake your hand?
You frown. That is an odd request. But before you can protest, she takes off a glove and takes your hand in hers. She then goes down the row and shakes hands with Gentleman James, Miss Naught, Palisade, and Dreamcatcher. She is very enthusiastic, sometimes even grabbing a forearm or shoulder. She goes for Yara, but she hides behind Belle Sabreuse.
"Pardon us," the masked musketeer says, "We are not with New Dawn and not used to the attention."
The woman says it's alright but goes for the handshake again anyway. Yara acts more frightened and you see Belle Sabreuse's hand drifting to her waist again. You intervene—the whole situation is now deeply concerning—but the woman scowls and disappears.
You blink. What were you doing again?
You shake your head and take your seat with Palisade to your left and Yara to your right, with Belle Sabreuse to her right. As you sit down and wait for the ceremony to begin, Yara nervously twists her hair while glancing at you from the corner of her eye. You give her some time, but eventually you realize that you'll need to start the conversation.
"Is something the matter, Ms. Oliviera?"
She flinches before visibly steeling herself. "J-just call me Yara, please. And, um, you knew her, right? My sister?"
You nod. "Uiara? Of course. I daresay there isn't anyone in the metahuman community of Horizon who didn't at least know of her."
"W-what was she like?"
You pause and think. "Uiara . . . was one of the most genuinely heroic people I've had the fortune to meet. She was always the first to put herself in danger for others, and the last to retreat."
You stroke your beard in thought. "Hmm, how to say this? Uiara was . . . direct. There was never any doubt she said what she meant and meant what she said. She had this uncanny knack of finding the good in people and willing it to the surface. It was she who convinced Abarimon to turn himself in, and I know she kept up regular correspondence with him while he was in Wonderland. There are a thousand stories like that about her; there was a reason the whole world came running when she called for the heroes of Horizon to resist the Looming God."
"Wow," Yara breathes with bright eyes, "Ummm, okay, uh. . . did she ever talk about me?"
You feel something in the tone of her voice tug at your heartstrings. You choose your words carefully. "I'm afraid I am the wrong person to ask. Despite your sister's reputation, things were always tense between Justice Unlimited and New Dawn. To my deep regret, I never had much chance to speak with her outside a professional capacity."
"O-oh," Yara says, looking down.
"But," you add, "If anyone would know, it would be Lady Leizi. I'll make sure to ask her personally the next time I see her."
"Oh! Thank you."
Yara's expression perks back up, and Belle Sabreuse gives you a grateful look over Yara's shoulder. You find yourself curious about the Ọsanyìn heiress, but your chance to further engage her in conversation is spoiled by the emcee.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and good citizens of the City of Leviathan's Rest, thank you for joining Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries for a special Christmas celebration!" a voice booms. On stage, a tall, bronze man with immaculately styled hair walks forward to a podium. Behind him is a row of mostly empty chairs with three people sitting on the far right end.
"I am Juan Bonfim, and I will be your master of ceremonies this evening!"
You have to stop yourself from flinching. The man is loud.
"Now, let's hear it for the generous folks at Ọsanyìn and their generous portions of shrimp cocktail! Ha!"
He draws a few chuckles from the audience.
"Without further ado, all my to introduce our first speaker. It is my deep and true honor to introduce a man who needs no introduction. The son of Ọsanyìn himself, a member of the board of this great company, and a true child of Horizon, please give a warm welcome to Mr. Jair Oliviera!"
Applause fills the air, which you politely join, but you don't miss Yara shrinking in her seat like she wants to disappear.
From the rightmost chair rises a tall, broad man with dark skin and short, curly hair. He wears a suit sharp enough to draw blood, with every detail of his appearance so neat and precise it was like a painting. However, what truly stuck out to you was his eyes. They were dark brown, but with a fire burning in them. It was as if he saw the world both for what it was and for what he desired it to be.
A man to be wary around for sure.
"Thank you," he says to Juan Bonfim with a curt nod, as he approaches a podium, "And thank you to everyone who has joined us today. My father, the man who was Ọsanyìn, built this city for the sake of an ideal. An ideal that the future was not some distant goal just out of reach, but something that we could achieve if we just reached hard enough for it. He spent his life doing just that, but my father died before he saw his dream realized. And what followed in the wake of his passing?"
Jair slams the podium.
"Chaos. Anarchy. Disorder. His company left leaderless and rudderless. Opportunists draining the prosperity of Horizon. Metahuman warlords carving up his city piece by piece into fiefdoms for them to rule."
He leans over and fixes the audience with a stare that somehow felt unique to each person. Then, to your surprise, Jair bows his head and holds the position.
"You deserved better. You all deserved better. We have failed you, and from the bottom of my heart, I apologize."
He raises his head and continues.
"There is not a person here who has not felt the ravages of the so-called 'Movement'. Horizon is in disarray, failed by its former protectors."
"Aww, crapbaskets. Here we go," Miss Naught mutters.
"New Dawn promised to keep the most vile criminals this world has known safely behind bars," Jair declares, "And now, those same monsters are free to roam the streets. There were no precautions, no backup plans, just the arrogant belief that their 'heroes' would never die."
He looks at you directly.
"I mean no disrespect to brave men and women who now hold the line against impossible odds. You can hardly be blamed for Novalight's failure."
You keep a neutral expression but give a slight nod back. Is this why you were invited here? You have an inkling in your mind where this was going, and it did not bode well.
"But it is not just New Dawn. You have been failed by your other protectors in deeper, more direct ways. The recent revelations as to the true nature of Scarlet Maturity and this Faust give rise to questions of if Powers truly has your best interests at heart."
He gestures to a tall woman with long, raven hair and a red blazer, sitting behind him. "Which is why I invite Gertrude von Goethe, acting CEO of Dominion Security Concerns, to join me."
The woman rises, and gracefully walks next to Jair, who moves aside and lets her take the podium. She's wearing a pair of dark, horned rim glasses that she readjusts before speaking.
"Thank you, Jair," she says, "And yes, I am Gertrude von Goethe, the acting CEO of Dominion Security Concerns. 'Acting' because this morning, effectively immediately, Christopher Mason—'Faust'—has tendered his resignation."
There is a susurration of whispers around you. The sinking feeling in your stomach grows worse.
"After a thorough investigation and review, Dominion Security Concerns had determined that Faust had breached his duty of care to the company and engaged in multiple unauthorized acts that have harmed our good name and—more importantly—harmed the people we serve. We are working tirelessly to see if his 'contracts' can be rendered void and compensating all of his victims until then."
She readjusts her glasses again.
"Likewise, Scarlet Maturity has been relieved of his leadership role in Powers and indefinitely suspended. He is cooperative with our requests."
If your eyebrows go any high, they're going to fly off your head. You feel your power whirling behind your eyes, this is the only move to make. The proof was too irrefutable.
Goethe goes on. "I swear to you, the citizens of Horizon, that Dominion Security Concerns and Powers will work tirelessly to restore the faith that you have lost in us. But words are cheap. Action is expensive. Which is why, I'm pleased to announce a new, joint-venture between Dominion Security Concerns and Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries!"
If the noise before was loud, it is now deafening. Your mind is awhirl. It's a new metahuman team. Ọsanyìn largely stayed out of the metahuman race—everyone else had too much of a head start. Ọsanyìn was left leaderless after their namesake's death. It's a match made in heaven, Ọsanyìn gets the foot in the metahuman market they've always craved, and Dominion gets to launder their reputation.
However, even with your power, you're not prepared for what comes next.
"Thank you, Gertrude," Jair says, "But our new project was grander in scope than either of our corporations could handle on their own. It calls for a special kind of expertise. Which is why it is my pleasure to introduce our next speaker, former Brigadier General in the United States Army and current CEO of Allied Global Logistics: General Oliver Bringham."
The final person sitting on stage stands up and comes forward. He's a powerfully built, no-nonsense man with a haircut you could set a watch to. Jair and Goethe move, and he approaches the podium. He's noticeably more stiff than the other speakers, and his choice of words is similarly terse.
"We lost too many good soldiers when the Leviathan moved. Global Justice can no longer secure the front. AGL was approached by Ọsanyìn and asked to participate in this initiative. We agreed, as it was the best way to protect the people who depend on us."
"Thank you, General," Jair says, smoothly stepping back in, "Which leads to the actual announcement. I'm certain we have left you in enough suspense. I am proud to announce that the expertise of Global Justice, the manpower of Powers, and the resources and sterling ethical standards of Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries have come together to form a new heroic organization for you, the people. Today, I announce that no longer will terror live on our doorsteps. Today, I announce that no longer will criminals freely walk the streets."
Jair leans forward, the fire in his eyes burning bright. "Today, I announce Crusade!"
Every screen in the plaza changes to show a logo of a white sword pointed downward over a blue Jerusalem Cross.
"A team of metahumans founded on accountability, service, and, of course, justice. A new bred of hero for a new age."
You can hear Palisade grinding her teeth at that one. The dig at New Dawn was unmistakable.
"Allow me to introduce the members of our new team." As Jair spoke, each member arrived from off stage and took a seat behind him. Every person wore a variation of their old costume, now with a blue and white color scheme and the symbol of Crusade on their arm.
"Formerly of Global Justice, Plasticity! Perspective! And newly recovered from his wounds suffered in defense of Horizon in the Quarantine Zone, Joules!"
"That bastard wasn't injured in the QZ!" Palisade hisses, "He ran away! I'm amazed he has the gall to show his face in public again!"
"I don't believe he has shame," Gentleman James murmurs back.
Sure enough, Joules is mugging to the crowd and even attempts to take the podium before Perspective kicks out the back of his knees and Plasticity drags him to his seat.
"Next, from Powers: Ronin, The Brass Shield, new member Été—"
Été arrives looking terrible. There are dark circles around her eyes, she's noticeably lost weight, and her presence is diminished somehow. She keeps her head down, makes eye contact with no one, and quickly takes her seats. You don't miss the black armband she wears, the only person on stage to do so.
But the next name you hear drives that idle observation from your mind, along with everything else.
"—and Anansi!"
Sunny walks on stage, her head held low like she's walking to her death. She looks up for a second and accidently makes eye contact with you, before putting her head down again and walking faster. Her eyes are wild, and you can see her heavy breathing. You can only see her face for just a second— you only get a single point of data in a great chart—but it's enough.
DC 20
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 20. Wolong has (3) charges remaining on his power.
AUTO-PASS
Success! -1 charge!
You've known Sunny since she was a girl. Dick brought her specifically to you, after he realized what her power was. Deadman knew how corporations and organizations would use up an Algernon-type until there was nothing left but an empty shell. He didn't want that life for his little sister. Novalight had gnashed her teeth and protested, but here you held firm. Sunny was allowed to develop her specialization safely and only used her power when absolutely necessary.
She was a bright, happy girl who became a bright, confident young woman. She matched her name perfectly. She was the voice in the ear of every metahuman in New Dawn, friendly rivals and gaming partners with Moon River, and the only person keeping her brother tethered to reality.
But after the Movement, she disappeared off the face of the Earth.
There's shame on her face, but there's something else too. Confusion. Longing. Sunny wants to be sitting with all of you. Sunny doesn't understand why she ever left New Dawn.
Her defection made no sense, as did her total lack of communication afterward. She's ashamed of her actions she doesn't understand, and that shame is making it impossible for her to talk to you. It's making it impossible for her to ask for help. Even now, she has to try to justify her actions to herself or it means she's losing her mind. But why did she leave? Not even she knows.
You exhale as you let go of your power. Palisade looks over at you—she can tell what you were doing. You tap her leg once to indicate you'll explain later. But the revelation leaves you shaken: Sunny is in trouble.
But there's no more time to think about that right then. Jair continues.
"You might see many familiar faces here on the stage. But that is not what you were promised. You were promised change. Something new. And so you shall receive it." He gestures upwards, toward Jacob's Ladder. "High above our planet, there exists a world of tomorrow. A world that should mirror our own, but instead remains an unreachable dream. The people of Elysium Station live in comfort and security, protected by the Horae Guard."
He drops his hand.
"But your cries of suffering have reached their ears. The people above the world can longer remain ignorant of their fellow humanity's pain. I now introduce three new members of Crusade, hand-selected from the Horae Guard!"
You . . . you weren't sure that Horae Guard was actually real. Rumors abound of an elite organization of metahumans, whose sole purpose was to protect the Elysium Station. The story was that powerful metahumans would disappear into the night, promised a place in Elysium if they would devote their life to protecting the station. They were never heard or seen again—they could never return to Earth—but why would they? It was paradise. Supposedly it was the Horae Guard who drove back The Defiance Unit during their assault.
To have their existence confirmed in a manner like this . . . Ọsanyìn was truly sparing no expense. Jair was determined to make a move. Determine to retake control of Horizon.
"First, Seraph!" Jair shouts.
A figure shining so brightly that you're unable to directly look at her arrives on the stage. The glare lessens fractionally, and you can just make out a blindfolded woman dressed in a toga with giant, angelic wings extending from her back.
"Greetings," you hear a voice in your mind say. Seraph smiles and then takes a seat next to Été who puts a hand over her eyes to block the glare.
"Next, the Sunlight Knight!"
Nothing happens for a moment until you hear a loud whistling, like a mortar shell. Then you see him, a figure streaking from the sky like a comet. Sunlight Knight lands on stage on top of a horse made of fiery light, and then dismounts and dismisses his steed. He raises a fist to rapturous cheers from the crowd, and then takes a seat.
"He certainly knows how to make an entrance," Jair says, "Last, but not least, the final member from the Horae guard. A native of Elysium, born and raised on the station, he has left paradise in pursuit of higher ideals. It is my honor to introduce: White Hawk."
Compared to the bombastic lightshow of his cohorts, White Hawk's descent to the stage is subdued. He wears a visor with a beak-like mask and a cape shaped like wings over his shoulders. His wavy, blonde hair falls to his just past his neck, while his exposed, muscular arms drop to his side. Unlike the other heroes, he moves to take the podium. It's apparently a scripted maneuver, as Jair has already made space for him.
"Hello," he says in a pleasant baritone, "And thank you to Mr. Jair Oliviera for that warm welcome."
He gives a gentle smile that you can imagine will be played ad nauseam in the coming days.
"But I'm not sure if I agree with the distinction between Elysium and Earth. It feels . . . a little overwrought?" He gives a self-deprecating laugh. "We're all just people. I was just fortunate to grow up with a better view than most."
He draws a polite chuckle at that.
"As a child, I used to gaze down on Earth and dream about what the surface was like. It seemed so magical to me, the place where all life started. It was only seven years ago, when Elysium was attacked by the vile Defiance Unit, that I understood that not all places were as fortunate as Elysium. Not everyone had the safety and security I had so taken for granted. On that day, I swore I would return to the Earth and not rest until every person could walk without fear. And so, that is what this Crusade shall be for."
Oh no. You realize what's happening a second too late. They need to draw attention from the failure of Powers. They need to draw attention elsewhere—fight a battle where their clientele can watch and be reassured that someone is "doing something". Somewhere that won't actually affect the people they serve—
"Which is why, today I make this vow," White Hawk leans forward, over the podium and staring directly into a camera, "Monarch? You and your so-called lieutenants are living on borrowed time. Crusade is coming for you. And we will not rest until you are utterly defeated."
All out war. You feel lightheaded as applause and roars of approval explode around you. AGL, Dominion, and Ọsanyìn have combined their resources to create a metahuman team to wage war in your backyard. Nevermind your careful plans to limit collateral damage. Nevermind your deal with Lady Leizi. There was no more time. To protect the Uni District, you needed a scalpel. They have created a sledgehammer.
There would be blood in New Dawn's territory, currently being cheered on by those who would never suffer the consequences. Was this why they invited you? For your tacit endorsement of this madness?
The applause takes several minutes to die down. As he waits, White Hawk stands with the same slight smile on his handsome face. You narrow your eyes. He either doesn't understand the carnage he's about to unleash . . . or he doesn't care.
Finally, the noise ends and White Hawk can speak again.
"Thank you. Thank you all, truly. But for Crusade to succeed, we need a strong leader," he says, "And not myself. I am too inexperienced, too unfamiliar with the world down here. No. We need someone who has fought and spilled blood in defense of Horizon. Who knows the horrors of the Movement and has resolved to never let them come to pass again."
He steps aside as a hydraulic lift raises someone onto the stage behind him. It's a person in armor.
Armor that is all too familiar. A white bodysuit, overwhich lay countless interlocking plates of armor. A helmet with a black visor over the eyes. A double crest on the forehead, and thicker armor across the back and shoulders. The amor plates have been planted blue with red highlights, and the word "PREVAIL" has been emblazoned down the side of one arm.
As the figure walks to the podium, White Hawk announces, "Please meet the leader of Crusade, the inheritor of the will of Global Justice and Horizon as a whole, Valiant Red, White, and Blue!"
"That name is terrible," you breathe at the walking insult in front of you. You know that armor. You know that title.
All of it stolen.
Valiant Red, White, and Blue takes the podium and removes his helmet, revealing a face you know. It's Stockpile, the young Algernon-type metahuman that Justiciar was protecting. He sets his helmet down next to him, a manic light in his eyes.
"Hello," he says. He sounds older. He looks older. "My name is Silvio Serra Fernandes, and I was once known as Stockpile. But that young boy died along with many—too many—good souls during the Movement."
He surveyed the audience.
"Earlier, when Mr. Jair Oliviera discussed how Horizon was failed by its protectors, there was one name noticeably omitted. This is not to absolve them of the same condemnation. No, quite the opposite. There is no group more responsible for suffering in this city than Justice Unlimited."
He practically spits the name.
"The armor I wear was recovered from Valiant Silver," he says, examining his hand, "Inside of it, I found a terrible truth. This armor is a psionic siphon, designed to draw raw psychic energy from elsewhere to empower the user."
He squeezes his fist.
"And Valiant Silver found a practically unending source of power, one many thought long dead. Yes, Valiant Silver stole her power directly from the Leviathan itself."
Someone gasps in horror. Your eyebrows go up. Is it possible . . .?
Strength of Alliance with New Dawn: Wolong is fully committed.
No change.
No, you decide immediately. It isn't. It doesn't make any sense. But the uneasy feeling goes on as Valiant Red, White, and Blue continues, now nearly ranting.
"The Movement was her doing. She delved too greedily and too deeply into the Leviathan, disturbing it from its slumber, awakening it and nearly killing us all! Good people died in her bid for power! SLAYERS, New Dawn, the Captain herself! Too many sacrificed at the altar of one woman's ego!"
"Wait, that doesn't seem right though?"
A voice cuts through the speech. To your surprise, it's coming from next to you. Dreamcatcher is standing with one hand raised, using the other to continue eating a sandwich of some sort.
"I was at the Movement—I was fighting on a dragon, it was super rad—and I don't think I saw any of you there?" he says pointing to the metahumans on stage, "The Leviathan only stopped moving after VS showed up. She had some gadget that put it back to sleep. I'm pretty sure she didn't cause it, she, uh, opposite-caused it?"
"Stopped it," Palisade hisses.
"Oh, right, duh. Yeah, she stopped it! You sure you're just not mistaken about the armor, lil' guy?"
You can see Valiant Red, White, and Blue clenching his jaw, but Dreamcatcher's words have found purchase with the audience who quietly whisper.
"Yes," you agree, standing up, "Valiant Silver very clearly stopped the Movement. Silvio–" you refuse to call him by his stolen moniker, "Is it possible you just misunderstood the purpose of her armor? It's by all accounts the masterwork of an unparalleled mind."
"I'm certain," he says. There's a gleam of victory in his eye and you realize you've walked into a trap, "But you don't need to take my word for it. Valiant Silver's crimes would have gone undetected, but for a warning sent directly to Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries."
Across every screen on the plaza, a face appears. A face known to everyone in Horizon: it's Uiara. Only, she isn't wearing her mask. She looks exhausted, but determined, a familiar expression you've seen on her countless times. The video starts playing.
Jair . . . Dad, although I'm certain you don't deserve that title. It's been over ten years since we last spoke, and if I have my way it will be another ten. But this goes beyond us both. Nora . . . Valiant Silver . . . my love isn't in her right mind. I think . . . I think it's what happened to Avô. She's forgetting things, acting wild, and won't stop using her power. She's experimenting on things she shouldn't be. She's experimenting on the Leviathan.
I can't . . . I can't stop her. I can't get anyone else to listen to me either. They don't know her the way I do. They can't see how far gone she is. She's planning something tomorrow, some kind of grand project. I'm going to do what I can to stop her, but if I fail then you need to protect the rest of the city. You're a worthless father and a terrible human being, but, if you have an ounce of goodness in you, you will heed my warning.
Be ready. I pray this amounts to nothing and I have to spend the next year ignoring your calls again.
"No . . ." Yara cries, holding her hands to her mouth. There's a stunned silence in the audience.
It's fake. You know it has to be fake. They have Sunny, doctoring a video would be trivial—
DC 5
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 10. Wolong has (2) charges remaining on his power.
AUTO-PASS
Success! -1 charge!
It's real. Your power turns up nothing. Even the most flawless of forgeries have something wrong with them, some calling card of inaccuracy. Some thread you can pull on and tease out.
But there's nothing.
You push harder. It isn't real. You know it's not real—
DC 15
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 10. Wolong has (1) charges remaining on his power.
AUTO-PASS
Success! -1 charge!
Not only is it real, but the Uiara in the video sincerely believes every word she is saying. You feel a spike of agony in your temples as you overextend your power. Distantly you're aware of Yara desperately whispering to Belle Sabreuse.
". . . has to be one of them. It has to be. It has to!"
"No. I'm sorry, dear heart. But we both know they can't fake that level of emotion."
"Well?" Valiant Red, White, and Blue demands, "Anything to say, Wolong? Have you found anything wrong with the last message of a true hero?
". . . no," you're forced to admit after a long pause.
He gives a cold smile. "The Movement was Justice Unlimited's doing. And they haven't stopped. Word has reached our ears of a top secret 'Project Prometheus' that continues the madness started by Valiant Silver."
You carefully disguise your surprise with a wince of pain. It's not difficult.
"We demand that Justice Unlimited open their doors and submit themselves to a full audit of all of their secret projects! The citizens of Horizon will not bear another foolhardy attempt to tame the Looming God! Justice Unlimited will face punishment for their crimes, or we will go forward and drag their sins into the light!"
The crowd roars and you swear bitterly about how thoroughly you were outplayed. Your own power used to validate their accusations. Foolish. Foolish. He doesn't understand he's destroying the last hope for true heroism in the city!
Then, as if she heard your thoughts, a sonic boom splits the sky.
Everyone looks up, as Black Swan descends from the heavens, her mast fully opaque. Suddenly, the topic of conversation switches.
"It's the woman who defeated Scarlet Maturity."
"She can fly at the speed of light, right? Was that a sonic boom?!"
"Justice Unlimited? Why's she here?"
There's a susurration of anticipation that falls to silence as Black Swan simply hangs in the air, slightly higher than the stage but above the audience.
Then, she speaks.
"It doesn't belong to you."
Her words seem to reverberate in the air. You remember Black Swan as a bubbly, young girl. Here floats a powerful, young hero.
"What was that?" Valiant Red, White, and Blue says, "If you're here to intimidate us or threaten these innocent people—"
"The armor doesn't belong to you. You stole it. Like you stole the name."
Black Swan doesn't raise her voice. She doesn't make a face. Just speaks calmly and levelly as if she was discussing the weather.
"Black Swan, is it?" White Hawk says, stepping in, "It's a delight to meet you, although I wish they were under less alarming circumstances. Perhaps we can have this discussion in private—"
"It won't ever be yours," Black Swan continues, not even acknowledging White Hawk, "And you won't ever find what you're looking for while you wear it. I just thought you should know."
"How dare you?!" Valiant Red, White, and Blue shouts, "You have the arrogance to come here and preach at me while your organization is responsible—"
"I don't think it is," Black Swan says, "I don't believe that video. I can't explain why, but it feels wrong. And even if everything you say is true, then so what? Either way Valiant Silver died stopping the Movement. If it was her fault, then she died fixing her mistake."
"So what?!" Valiant Red, White, and Blue snarls, "The Captain is dead! Steadfast is dead! Global Justice burned for no reason, and that madwoman's work continues. Tell me this: what is Project Prometheus? If you have nothing to hide, then surely you can share the details. What is it?"
Black Swan stares at him and then starts to drift back up into the sky. "I think it's the thing you actually care about. I hope you really meant everything you said about protecting people."
"Where are you going? Come back here!" he screams, "If Justice Unlimited won't stop, then we'll stop you. We'll destroy you utterly! We will come to blows!"
Black Swan actually stops for a moment. With genuine confusion she asks, "Why? We're heroes. Are you bad guys or something?"
Then she takes off into the sky and disappears with another sonic boom. Valiant Red, White, and Blue swears another oath of revenge, but he's shuffled off the stage. Crusade's debut has been thoroughly derailed.
But not, you think through the pain in your head, their plans. You need to rest. You must recover. You'll need every use of your power to plan for the coming storm.
To plan how to weather the Crusade.
* * *
You are Black Swan. You return to the Apiary faster than any other living thing in Horizon could, save perhaps one particular orangutan.
As you arrive, you see the shell-shocked faces of the residents of the Apiary as well as the rest of your team. There is a smoking table that lay in ruins from where it was destroyed by lightning. As you land, Rhys approaches.
"Hey . . . good job, Mona. I'm glad you put that twerp in his place."
"I just said the truth," you say, "Where is Lady Leizi?"
"In her room. I think she needs to be alone right now."
"No," you say as you float by, "She doesn't."
You've never been in Lady Leizi's room before, but you know where it is. As you fly in, you see the room is completely dark except for two screens. One shows a news broadcast discussing today's events.
"A shocking Christmas Day announcement! Scarlet Maturity suspended, Dominion under new leadership, Crusade, the Horae Guard confirmed to be real, revelations about the cause of the Movement, and Valiant Red, White, and Blue—"
"Don't call him that."
"You're right! It's a mouthful for sure. The folks online have already dubbed him "Valiant Justice", much catchier I think—"
"Not that either. He stole her name. Black Swan was right."
"Listen, Chichi—"
"Don't call me that."
You turn off the broadcast and turn to the other source of light in the room. The screen on Lady Leizi's desk. She's a mess. Her hair is everywhere, her clothing is askew, a cup of some alcoholic beverage held in her hand. Most damningly, she's not wearing her sunglasses.
You try to ignore the fact that her eyes are red and puffy.
On her screen, an open DM conversation sits open.
♦ Direct Message
Lady_Leizi_Official
Posted On Dec 25th 2067:
Is it real? ►notaburner13
Replied On Dec 25th 2067:
I don't know how they faked it yet. ►Lady_Leizi_Official
Replied On Dec 25th 2067:
Eve, come home. ►Lady_Leizi_Official
Replied On Dec 25th 2067:
Please. ►Lady_Leizi_Official
Replied On Dec 25th 2067:
I can't do this alone. ►Lady_Leizi_Official
Replied On Dec 25th 2067:
Please.
The last message was sent forty minutes ago. There is no answer.
You walk over, pull the cup out of her hands, and try to pull her to her feet.
"Come on, Lady Leizi. We still have to do White Elephant. Don't pick Maddie's gift. It's a box filled with clones of Shelob."
She lets out a miserable, raspy laugh. "I don't think I'm in any condition for a party, darling."
"Tough poop. Suck it up. Put on your sunglasses, do whatever you do to make your hair perfect, and let's go. Everyone is scared and they need their leader."
"I don't think anyone needs—"
"I need you!" you shout, "I'm doing a super excellent job of keeping it together, but I'm like, crazy close to freaking out. If you act like this, then everyone will too."
You point to the screen. "We'll figure this out tomorrow. We'll find Moon River and drag her back by her virtual butt or something. But today is Christmas. The best day of the year. Come have fun. They don't get to have this. They don't get to win."
Lady Leizi is looking at you in wonder and, wow, her eyes are, like, so pretty?!
"You . . . you're right, darling. How embarrassing of me." She stands up and runs her hand through her hair, immediately smoothing it over with nary a hair out of place. It's bullshit.
"Give me a moment, and I'll rejoin you. Please give everyone my deepest apologies for my outburst."
"Yeah," you nod, "But there's no fixing Alice's apple cobbler. That kind of got destroyed and they spent hours on that."
"I'll have to make it up to them," Lady Leizi says as she cleans herself up. As you leave, she says, "Oh, and Black Swan?"
"Yeah?"
"I thought you needed more time before you were ready for leadership. It appears I was wrong. I'm sorry for underestimating you."
"Oh, fudge that. I'd rather fight Scarlet Maturity again then do all the paperwork you do!"
* * *
That night, Lady Leizi gave a quick apology to Mendicant under the mistletoe, John Henry proved immune to arachnophobia, and Opale and Rhys sang a kickass duet of "Judgement". The air was uneasy, but confidence returned to the Apiary.
A girl without a body watched through a backdoor in the security system she installed. When the evening ended, her avatar blinked once and then disappeared.
All missions with Wonderland Inmates will cost +1 AP and have additional HIT requirements!
Crusade may appear during missions! They're not super friendly!
Every turn, Crusade will continue their PR campaign against Justice Unlimited. A REPUTATION roll will decide any reduction to global REPUTATION if any. This will continue until Justice Unlimited submits to an audit or clears Valiant Silver's name!
Kon'nichiwa! (HELLO!) What else needs to be said? Kamen Rider, Super Mighty Rangers, Sentai. Are you truly a Japanese hero fan if you haven't heard these words at least once? The Super Sentai genre is perhaps one the oldest forms of the hero genre to ever live and it's the father of many, many, modern day heroics. These Warriors of Justice are only matched in popularity by the Mystical Defenders of Love: Magical Girls. At least if you're an anime fan or live in Japan that is. In today's world of heroics, sometimes you just want to see the classics and in Ginza Tokyo, Japan; you get just that. Although I've yet to meet a Magical Girl in my stay here, I can proudly say that the Kamen Riders are alive and Kicking! Joins us today in a very colorful and explosive chapter of Behind the Hero, when we take a look at one Japan's most beloved hero teams, The Niji Riders! All together now! Henshin!
Perhaps one of the longest performing hero teams we have seen yet, the Niji Riders have been fighting for Justice for over 10 years. This Technicolor team has seven armored members to its name and is actually sponsored by the world-famous Toei Corporation! Indeed, the father of many of history's most famous Riders does in fact have it's own Rider team. In fact, if you believe some rumors on the internet, people have said Toei has a secret society of Kamen Riders somewhere in Japan, where they train new generations of Kamen Rider… nothing's been confirmed though, but can you imagine? Although, there has been talks that Toei's lawyers and the Horizon hero Valiant Silver used to have some rather heated debates way back when; may she rest in peace. Either way, why don't we start this analysis by talking about the leader of these crime fighting septuplets with the Red Niji Rider of Flames, Burning Bulwark, also known as Homura Ijisu.
[Providence Revolt!]
[Henshin!]
Ms. Ijisu is the red-haired, 26-year-old leader of the Niji Riders, and started out as a rider alongside her sister Sunlight Phantom about 10 years ago. Armored from head to toe in a stylish red armor with emerald highlights, Burning Bulwark cuts an impressive figure. All members of the team have their own set of armor increasing their strength, speed, and endurance to metahuman levels, not only that they can switch in and out of it at will! (and with a catchphrase obviously). Not only that, but they also have a set of metahuman abilities to further enhance their combat capabilities. As you could peruse from her name, Ms. Ijisu's power is fiery in nature. She can produce extremely durable shields from her flames that are capable of blocking all sorts of hits, from physical to energy she has endured it, not only that, if anything does touch the front of the shield it will get engulfed in flames or explode on contact making the act of even touching her a struggle, and that's not counting the ports in her armor were she can bellow flames to enhance her un armed strikes or increase her maneuverability. In addition, she can make other armaments out of her fire. Things like swords, claws and clubs of fire are also at her disposal, just as long as she can hold it. Hmm, if every single member is packing armor that complements their power sets like that, there might be some credence to Toei having some tricks of their sleeve if they can afford such impressive armor.
[Pierce Through!]
[Henshin!]
The second member of the team is one of the two males in this rider team, the drill that shatters evil hearts, Hesperidium Driller, Sora Kagi. Donning an impressive, burned orange armor with silver highlights, this 20-year-old is one of the Niji Riders heavy hitters. Mr. Kagi's main power is the ability to summon a light construct of a drill that he can change the size of up to a certain range. From the size of his hand to the size of a car this thing is the last thing you want to see heading your way, and don't think that you can block it. If that drill touches you and doesn't pierce through at the beginning? Just give it a minute or two, because it will. You see Hesperidium Driller's… well drill, has a unique property, the longer it spins while hitting a target the faster and stronger it becomes, making sure that it will eventually get through any defense. Not only that, but HR's armor will absorb the heat generated from the construct and the target to generate some heavy steam that can be released from thrusters at the back of it to launch the armored hero forward like a car.
[Photon's Ignite!]
[Henshin!]
The third Rider to join the scene is the golden tomboy herself and sister of Burning Bulwark, Hikari Ijisu, also known as Sunlight Phantom. Armored in an impressive gold and silver armor, SP is the stealth specialist of the team. The older Ijisu sibling; ("HA!" told you I'm older.- said a blonde tomboy; "Yeah, for like 1 minute, and you don't act like it either way"- says a red head woman. "Hey!") took her metahuman ability in a different direction to her sister, where she's the tank of the party, she's the rouge. With the ability to control light in about a 4-foot radius of her, Stealth Phantom is capable of cloaking herself in a veil of reflective light, turning herself invisible. She uses this ability in conjunction with shaping light in her hands to form a blade of light from her fingertips, letting her cut even armored foes. Theres just something about punching someone in the face while they can't tell where you are, that is just… fun. In addition to her powers, Sunlight Phantom can channel her light through her armor in order to shoot arrow shape light blast towards her enemies.
[Target locked, commence the operation!]
[Henshin!]
Even if other members are stronger or more capable with their powers, Viridian 97, otherwise known as Kairi Shinzo is perhaps the most famous member of the Niji Riders. Covered in a stylish emerald armor with silver highlights, Ms. Shinzo's acclaim to fame is entirely because of her powers. You see, Viridian 97… is a combat healer. For the first time in a very long while, Behind the Hero will talk Metahuman with healing abilities, there few heroes with acclaim to having the ability to heal others, and for good reasons. One just has to look at world famous healer Medicant, to know why any hero group, would probably kill for a healer; and for quite some time we did in fact not know. 21 years of age, it's been less than a year since finding out Viridians 97's hidden ability. For several years, many fans only knew that she was capable of generating a green light that was capable of charging electronics. Some people speculated that the hero may had a hidden power, but they correlated it to being tied to her impressive marksmanship skills (No… she's just that good with a gun and sniper rifle). Thanks to Viridian 97's armor being capable of carrying her custom-made armaments that can harness her energy to shoot lasers from them, people just assumed that was it. That is, until last year where a monstrous Named Behemoth: Pestilent Izanami, a massive bus sized Japanese snow fairy, and while the animal it tried to emulate is quite cute, this monster was not. Carrying a smell similar to rotting flesh, every part of this behemoth's body was capable of melting inorganic materials at a rapid pace if touched and organic material, including human flesh, would begin to rot in less than a minute, and that's not counting the number of bacteria covering its plumage. The team was called to the outskirts of Tokyo in order to deal with the monster and had to get creative due to the fact that they had to stay away in order to not get harmed from the behemoths rotting abilities, a fact Izanagi pounced on with fervor. After a long battle the beast laid dead, but not before tearing Void Purple's armor just enough to scratch his stomach, leading to the rot to start setting in. Without hesitation, Viridian 97 ran towards her comrade and with a stream of green light, began keeping the rot at bay; long enough that they were able to transfer him to a safer place to remove the infected tissue, but not without some witnesses to the action. With the cat out of the bag, Viridian 97 began using her abilities more often and with that people manage to figure out that she is capable of accelerating the growth of healthy cells in a body, letting her rejuvenate and heal wounds, in some accounts it's been said she can even regrow lost limbs, but not organs. This revelation has made her a bit of a target during some missions, not that they get far since she's armed to the teeth.
[Reach for the Sky!]
[Henshin!]
The fifth member of the group is the Skybound Sōjutsu (Spear arts) Master Emi Aoki, also known as Cerulean Valkyrie. Ms. Aoki's armor is cerulean in color with a white trim, and strangely enough has some metallic tips around the waist of the design. While in combat, Cerulean Valkyrie uses a Japanese spear as her main weapon, but is more than capable of fighting hand to hand if needed. Her skills with a spear are enhanced thanks to her metahuman ability, gravitational direction. You see Ms. Aoki is capable of altering her own sense of gravity, letting her fling herself in any direction, not only that she can essentially walk on walls or even ceilings thanks to this ability. Her armor has some higher specs compared to her teammates due to the fact that her powers don't require it to be modified to further enhance her abilities. Nonetheless, her armor has an internal gyroscope that lets her keep her balance no matter her orientation, it also helps to prevent dizziness.
[Kesshō-ka suru]
[Henshin!]
Next is the sixth member of the Niji Riders, Burst Sapphire, or Asuka Tanaka to her friends. Ms. Tanaka is an interesting case when it comes to the Niji Riders. Her armor is actually less fortified than the rest of her team, having her elbows, fingers and her kneecaps exposed. You may think this is a design flaw, but its actually intentional. Ms. Tanaka's power is actually visible at all times; her neck, shoulders, knees, and fingers are all covered in a crystal-like shell. When in a confrontation these "shells" grow into massive spikes or claws made of crystal, so if the armor was plated in those areas it would end up destroyed. Burst Sapphires crystal doesn't stop there, they are in fact capable of absorbing different forms of energy, cracking in power when full and further enhancing the hero's power. She can also break the crystals and throw them like grenades towards her enemies, since they will eventually grow back in a couple of minutes. Its for this reason that Burst Sapphire prefers fighting with Sunlight Phantom and Viridian 97, since she can absorb the energy, they produce to amplify her own.
[Fading Stars]
[Henshin!]
The final member of the Niji Riders is the shadow loved Dark Hero of the riders Riku Yugure or Void Purple to his enemies. Mr. Yugure has an imposing dark purple armor with a black trim and is actually the tallest member of the group at 6'2. Starting out as a solo rider, he eventually joined the rest of the team after having an enthusiastic duel against the orange member of the squad Hesperidium Driller, who he later became friends with. Much like Viridian 97, Void purple is the physically strongest of the group just behind Burst Sapphire and his armor has been modified to enhance his agility. Using a combination of karate, judo and aikido alongside his powers, the dark champion of the Niji Riders is the most skilled when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. As for his power, Mr. Yugure can reduce the combat abilities of any opponent he hits, lowering their strength, speed, or endurance after a couple of blows. These reductions require a couple of solid hits to begin their magic, but once the pain train starts it just keeps rolling until it just gets out of hand. However, if an opponent is capable of evading the heroes blows for around a minute or two, the effect will wear off.
Quite a colorful and explosive cast we have here huh? From beating bad guys, to helping civilians; The Niji Riders are probably one of Japan's most loved teams. The amount of merch they have also doesn't hurt. Well, I do believe it's about time I went back to the states, need to make sure the house is still intact, but I sure enjoyed every last second of this trip. Here's hoping we can see each other again, this has been Behind the Hero, Singing off.
Authors note:
I reserve every right to say that I have no idea what I'm doing. Hey, welcome to the seventh episode of BtH, also known the Mr.Kermie/Bitterman/Kamen Rider fans will rightfully judge a guy that has not touched the Sentai genre since the original Power rangers. Also, the episode that aired 3 omake's early because of REASONS! By all means, feel free to criticize, I'm just glad I managed to do it. A few fun facts about this little team are that they are based on the colors of the Rainbow (If it wasn't obvious from their names and team name).
I took the risk of adding a Named Behemoth and a Healer to this team because it's probably the strongest team I have made, and they have a organization backing them up. Hopefully it works, if not we can lower the Behemoth to gold level and change Viridian 97's so she doesn't have healing ability, or have it that she carries medical supplies in her armor as well.
As I was making the team it was around the time, I was around the time I was naming the 6th member of the team that I caught on that I had mad 5 female riders and only a single male, So Riku came into existence to save Sora from being the only dude in the squad.
A little head canon that I have after this and Bitterman's confirmation is that one of the many discussions between Toei Lawyers and Valiant Silver was because of her name. Niji Riders Burning Bulwark, Hesperidium Driller and Viridian 97 didn't really mind and would have loved to swap stories with the heroine. Sunlight Phantom, Cerulean Valkyrie, Burst Sapphire, and Void Purple just made popcorn and watched the back and forth like it was a legal drama. As for inspiration:
Burning Bulwark and Sunlight phantom were slightly based on Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Pyra and Mythra and their armors are based on the Siren Artifice, just with their colors. Homura's sword and shield looks like Shinegreymon's Burst Mode sword and shield and Hikari finger sword looks like the light sword the Nahobino uses in Shin Megami Tensei 5.
Sora's name came from the Japanese word for Sky, specifically a sunset sky and a bit of the Yugioh Card Neo Spacian Grand Mole. The armor looks a more a bit like the Kingdom Hearts armor, only more technological.
Viridian 97 was inspired by Sharla from Xenoblade chronicles 1, and those videos of dads taking their daughters to shotting ranges. Fun fact: Her main weapons are a pair of pistols, a sniper rifle and a grenade launcher that shoots capsules with her healing energy stuffed in them. Armor was slightly inspired by Skystriker Ace- Hayate.
Emi was based on the Dragoon/Valkyrie class from Final Fantasy. Armor takes after a more techno theme Dragoon armor from FF 14.
Asuka was based on a character from Wargroove 2 Rhomb, especially his groove form, only less hulky. Her armor looks like a futuristic version of Gem Knight Aquamarine. Just a lot slimmer in some places.
Riku was based on saboteurs from FF 13 and the monk class from FF and his armor looks like Super Starslayer TY-PHON - Sky Crisis, but with human proportions.
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The Urchin's Dining Table - chickenbouillon (canon)
Omake: The Urchin's Dining Table by chickenbouillon
You are Aiden Greyson, and you are a thief.
It's a cold, hard world out there, and you don't have many regrets about how you've decided to live your life. Times are hard. Noone's going to look out for you? Then you'll look out for yourself.
Sometimes, there's a pang of guilt in your chest when you think of what you have to do to survive, but it's immediately smothered out by the realization that these people have much more than you do. You've developed a talent at this, at selecting which targets are so rich that they can afford to lose a bit of money.
It made you feel a bit better, stealing from the people in well tailored suits and elegant dresses and not from the struggling single mother just struggling to get by. Of course, you don't know these people's life stories, so you can't really tell if your assessment is accurate or not, but it's either you or them.
Currently, you're munching down on a hotdog you bought with your pilfered cash. It's warm and hot and melts in your mouth, and you nearly moan. Your stomach grumbles appreciatively at the meager meal you've managed to scavenge today, but you didn't eat as much as you should, so it still rumbles slightly.
That's for a reason. If it weren't for the fact that he was waiting for you at home, you would've simply gorged yourself on as much as you could take. You hurry your way back home and pull your hat over your head, you're not well liked in the Industrial District, so just in case, you're covering your face to avoid any unnecessary complications on your way back home.
You move past the streets, past the buildings, until you stumble upon an alley. It's cold, it's cramped, it's small, but it's home. You enter the "house" you've managed to build for yourself from spare cardboard boxes and stray garbage, and smile at the small figure crouched in a corner.
"Ezra! I'm home!" You call out cheerfully. The figure turns to you, and his eyes noticeably brighten. "Big bro! Did you get anything good today?!" He cries out and tackles you in a hug. It's adorable. "Sure did!" You smile and offer him the hotdog, which he tears into with record speed.
"This is so good.." He mumbles between bites. During days like these where you question whether what you do is worth it or not, he makes it worth it.
You found Ezra all alone, stumbling through the streets as a street rat after his parents abandoned him. You don't know the exact details, because he's never liked talking about his family to you. He doesn't even want to tell you his last name.
"So what did you do today? More reading?" You ruffle his dirty blonde hair affectionately, a bright grin on your face. "Yep! The book you got me was really interesting!" You found it when you were digging through a used book fair and fetched it for a pretty price. It was a waste of money, considering that your economic situation is as tight as ever, but it was worth it to see him smile.
You catch the bright figures on the book's cover. Superheroes. You've never really cared much about them.. but you can't help but wonder how great it'd be if you were born with powers. Then you could be a hero. Give Ezra a life.
..And you'd never have to go to bed hungry again, with only a hotdog for you to eat.
He must've noticed the expression on your face, because he hugs you tightly and mumbles. "Is something wrong, big bro?" You sigh, unable to contain yourself. "Nothing's wrong. Big Bro is just tired." The sun was beginning to set now, the resplendent hues painting a beautiful image across the canvas of the sky. You smile at him one more time to dispel his worries and usher him inside.
You don't have much in this life. You never knew your parents. You were tossed out from the orphanage when you turned 17 because they didn't want you either. You were a street urchin with no merits, no achievements, and no wealth. But it was all worth it, because you have him.
And sometimes, he's all you need.
You hope you don't fail him. You can't fail anyone again. He's the one good thing in your life.
But right now, you just want to be here, talking with your little brother in this cold, cramped alley as the night sets in.
A/N: Urgjghfhhfhfhhhfhfhffh this is somewhat less edgy than my previous stories… but candidate story out!!! Yippeee!!!
Chaucer's Notes: An engineer with a recent doctoorate from Zurich in electronical engineering with a somewhat tragic history. Mother was a runaway teenage prostitute who died giving birth to him. Neurological condition known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease which leads to problems with muscle coordination. Grandparents raised him and indeed put all their money into his education after he demonstrated an impressive intelligence and interest in machines. Has worked on several projects involving high end military gadgets, most of which are classified, throughout university due to introduction from one of his professors. Actually moderately wealthy due to childhood hobby of picking stocks to invest in (Technically half of that is his grandparents). Hobby of video games and watching TV. Despite lack of muscle coordination has made efforts to exercise with help from his Polish fiancee a physical trainer named Adelie Zeknaya. They met when Jensen was in France on a "consulting" program (We think it was a joint French-German military initiative).
Overall a fine candidate for the project especially considering Jensen's talent for fixing electronics and data analysis.
Lady Leizi: Somewhat of a concern but also too valuable to not recruit if not as a Prometheus Candidate then at least staff. Jensen would be ideal to work on maintaining the Apiary's facilities. His manner however... it just can't be seen as anything but difficult to work with. The man does not respond well to social gatherings or interactions even when he wants to socialize. Indeed asides from his fiancee he can barely stomach interactions with anyone not even his grandparents (although the feeling is mutual as while respectful his grandparents readily admit that growing up Jensen always was difficult at socializing).
He is also a spy sent by Dominion. Now he flat out told me that in a dead drop book that he left with Chaucer. He wants out however as he is also smart enough to know Dominion doesn't have good intentions and has voluntarily offered to be a double agent feeding back false information and to be isolated until we can trust him. Part of this is also because Dominion used Adelie Bernard's past (See Adelie's File) as a way to keep ahold of his loyalty. If we recruit him we will also have to isolate his family (grandparents and fiancee) along with him in the Apiary.
He is a contact of Moon River. Apparently he came across her on some computer forum when he was researching programming as part of a project he was working on and she made him a contact. They apparently only talked about engineering with Jensen not even knowing her identity and she sent him evidence of Dominion using his fiancee to pressure him to spy on Justice Unlimited. We know it was Moon River due to her sending a piece of info on Rosemary know one else knows about along with the evidence that Jensen turned over to us.
Finally we have to be concerned about Jensen's .... mercenary inclinations. While loyal to his fiancee and loved ones Jensen has a kind of greed to him. He desires not money or fame but to be of impact in the world around him and views the Leviathan and the recent Movement as an opportunity to make that kind of impact. The Dominion greymail to access Justice Unlimited is just another opportunity to him and if another opportunity to make an impact comes there will remain the possibility of even betraying us to get the opportunity to make an impact. Fortunately for us he is aware he lacks the instincts or ability to be much of a spy.
He is good enough to analyze and deduce from information but actual information gathering, interrogation, and deception are frankly beyond him.
Chaucer's Notes: Adelie Zeknaya is an ideal candidate. Idealistic, loyal, and hardworking she would make an excellent hero. Her parents were however criminal drug dealers so she has picked up a modicum of street smarts. Apparently they owed something like roughly 100,000 euros to a very nasty gang in Poland before dying in a drug buy gone wrong so she relocated to France. Dominion dug it up and threatened her fiancee Jensen with it to spy for them. Even if we don't hire her we can still use her against Dominion.
Lady Leizi: Somewhat better at being a spy than her fiancee. While physically fit has no combat training and is better at street fights. Very sociable and gregarious with a gift for gettig along with those who aren't as good as socializing. She certainly would be a good friend for the less socially inclined among our number.
Of note is her capability for remaining positive despite losing her parents at 19. As she puts it everything in life is just a reminder to cherish the good and tomorrow. She is an avid reader with Don Quixote being one of her favorites. As she puts it she interprets the work to be a reminder that even when knocked down good will always get a decent person to stand back up.
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Memo From Dr. Mammoth Ibis To Gabriel Kwan - ScorpioSting
We already have a character who messes with perception naming themselves after a plant in Foxglove, even if for her it's in direct reference to the pollen-based vector. If we go with Yara as our super psychic, I think it would be fitting.
Memo From Dr. Mammoth Ibis To Gabriel Kwan, an Omake by ScorpioSting
I was informed that you would be assisting in processing Ambrosia through your ability. Lady Leizi and Joelle Chaucer asked me to prepare a brief summary of our two Project Prometheus successes at this point, to give your ability data points to work off of. This is prompt and tossed off, as I have other work I am focusing on, including the cataloging of Valiant Silver's laboratory and all of it's components, as well as figuring out how Scarlet Maturity's ability is interfering with Prinptemp's sample. But I will still be as thorough as I can:
Mona Merola-Morales, aka "Black Swan"
Used Samples: Novalight, Crimson Soprano, Steadfast, Soldier X
Power Summary: Mona's body is a false energy shell around a hyperdense core, with the ability to manipulate gravity to fly. Her blasts of energy launch matter at relativistic speeds, expending her body. She can regenerate this from absorbing radiation. The core is also extremely durable owing to it's high densities.
Personal Observations: The flight ability comes courtesy of both Novalight and Crimson Soprano. The durability came from Steadfast, no question about it. The higher potency of the combination as a whole supercharged Soldier X's regenerative ability to stay in top form.
The largest part, however, came from how Novalight's photo and radiokinesis mixed with Crimson Soprano's energy blasts and ability to absorb solar energy. This resulted in her ability to control gravity, one of the fundamental forces. Rhys Gardner, aka "Handyman"
Used Samples: Outsider, Adamant, Daggermaw, Soldier X
Power Summary: Rhys's body has been turned into a substance we have dubbed 'clay'. Rhys can shape this as he wishes, and create more if he loses some through injury or removing it from his system. Rhys can create almost infinite organic, animal components: chitin, bone, feather, fur, secondary organs, the works. He can also make constructs, such as organic pilebunkers insides his arms to strengthen punches, or rudimentary crossbows that shoot arrows made of bone. Owing to it's elasticity, he can also stretch out his limbs to reach far away. He can grow to about 20 feet in height before he becomes too brittle to move, or shrink and become more dense. He can reliable imitate people, down to the voices. Lastly, he has enough strength to throw a car.
Personal Observations: The strength comes from Adamant and Daggermaw both having it in their powersets, and it's greater than either of them individually. But the bulk of this powerset is one large synergy. Outsider and Adamant's ability to control and shape their bodies (possibly a hint of Daggermaw's dysmorphic condition, too), Adamant and Soldier X's regenerative abilities, Soldier X's peak human condition… it's all mixed to create perfect control of himself. Make good use of this.
Author's Note:
This takes place in a universe where Project Prometheus is a fictional TV show, everyone's civilian identity is just their real name as an actor, and everyone is nice and happy.
I'm not coping, you are. Lore Drop Failed
"…Anyway, the only way to do it is to artificially manufacture a superhuman-esque power. Which I've done by altering my own RNA. If you've initiated The Project, give the attached schematics to Ibis. It's the formula to create what's needed for the EXCEED-FOWARD armor. It's administered the same way we would a you would Ambrosia and— wait. Shit. Valiant Silver wouldn't know to say that."
(Nora leans into the camera.)
"Ok, it's a good thing the producers told me to just record this on my webcam… I can just delete this, nobody needs to know— wait. Wrong button. Fuck—"
Losing Your Cool
"Did you really think bringing him here would get what you want?" you hiss, "My friend's killer?"
"Hmm?" Scarlet Maturity frowns and appears to be paying attention for the first time since arriving.
"Should I take that as your answer then, Lady Leizi?" Faust asks from the table. There's the barest hint of a smile on his face.
"Go to hell, Faust, you fucking…" Lady Leizhi snorts, and ends up giggling. "Ok, I'm sorry, I think I need a redo on this scene. I don't think I can get into character when Christian's just standing there like that."
(The camera pans over to Faust and Scarlet Maturity, who is not very menacing. He's actually just… a guy in a green screen suit, who has a microphone and is standing on a really tall ladder.)
"I mean, I could put on my nephew's Halloween mask. It's really scary, it's got the… uh… Death Note vibes? Nope, wrong anime."
(The crew off camera break down into laughter.)
Sexual… um…
"Y-you," she says, stumbling over your words, "You truly want to make me out to be a villain because I would not have indulged your . . . your . . . textual theming?"
(The camera pans over to Opale, her mouth agape. Her twin, Harrier, gives a thumbs up from off screen.)
"The trans representation is really important! We get more sad gay nerds writing fanfic about us that way!" Harrier yells.
Opale blinks before hitting a dramatic pose. "You'll have to indulge me, Gwen. I would really like to read an character essay written by— snrk—by a sad nerd on Tumblr about me."
Overdoing It
You carefully touch her body, and when nothing happens, you try to lift her.
And accidentally fling the prop of Mona's torso over your head.
(THUD!!!)
"Lei, we need some force, but not that much!" Ibis yells.
"Well what am I supposed to do?" you answer back. "Pretend to lightning shock the black hole???"
Mechanic Malfunction
There's a susurration of anticipation that falls to silence as Black Swan simply hangs in the air, slightly higher than the stage but above the audience.
Then, she speaks.
"It doesn't belong to you."
Her words seem to reverberate in the air.
Unfortunately, she doesn't, as something backstage pulls taut.
The cable holding her snaps, as Mona falls onto the stage floor, sprawling flat onto the wood. You see Silvio and the rest of Crusade hold back either screams or groans of empathy, and you can't help but wince as well. "Ow, I think that's my everything that got broken."
Silvio, in the suit the cast has decided to tentatively call the EXTRAPATRIOTICEXCEEDPREVAIL2000 (E2P2 for short) looks down in sympathy. "…if it makes you feel better, that'll probably happen to me too?"
Wrong Universe
"We've tested it extensively. The Frozen Throne can't reach inside her Domain Expansion." He taps the map where the Frozen Throne touches the NID. "The area on the perimeter of the Throne is by far the most stable. We place Catherine's Bankai— wait."
"I mean, at least you didn't say Reality Marble…"
Unfair Edict
As they approached, a voice rang out in Silvio's mind.
"EDICT: ALL CITIZENS ARE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES BY TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED HOURS. PUNISHMENT: VIOLATORS' HEADS WILL EXPLODE."
Silvio stopped in his tracks. "Ms. Williams? Justiciar's a bit crazy, but not that much."
"I'M METHOD ACTING. I AM CURRENTLY RUNNING ON TWO DOSES OF FIVE-HOUR ENERGY AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT SHE'D SAY."
Lamar facepalmed. "Kaitlyn, I think you need to see a doctor…"
Keep Your Phone On Silent!
You make a show of yawning and stretching while ignoring. "Hey Hiver, you ever see this skit Black Swan made in high school? Her acting sucks but the names are funny."
You open your phonescreen and pull up that video Mona made you watch. Or try to.
"Hey there, Novelites! It's Shio—"
Fuck.
"FAKE ASS EMO!" Primtemps jokingly yells, "WE KNOW YOU WATCH VTUBERS NOW!"
"WELL FUCK YOU TOO OLD ASS MAN."
They're Frickin!?!
"Ah," he says, not looking away from her, "I suppose it was crooked."
Mona's eyes go wide.
"Levithan's Blood, they're frickin'."
"They're actually fucking!?"
(Both girls go silent as the camera slowly seems to zoom in on them… before Mona begins to laugh. So does Maddie.)
"Snrk—"
"Hahaha— oh my god Mona, we're gonna need to do a redo of this scene so many times."
(These next three are from some canon Omakes! This mini-fandom has been amazing, so I wanted to give back!)
Maddie takes a few steps back as Mona starts to run away. Rhys starts running after her, gaining speed thanks to height and the bit of strength he has, and then he jumps on top of her, flattening out his body into a blanket-like shape and smothering Mona.
Or at least, that's what I supposed to be. Without the CGI, it just looks like a green man squished Mona.
"With this form, I can… uh, Mona you alright?"
"Yoush squershd mee too haard. (You squished me too hard! I'm facedown!)"
"Indeed, the father of many of history's most famous Riders does in fact have it's own Rider team. In fact, if you believe some rumors on the internet, people have said Toei has a secret society of Kamen Riders somewhere in Japan, where they train new generations of Kamen Rider… nothing's been confirmed though, but can you imagine?"
"It'd be like some sort of crazy show… you could get it in a crossover with Magical Girls… even title it— uh, wait. Shit. What was I talking about again? Power Rangers?"
You want to curl up here forever, curl up like a cocoon and burst out like a heavenly butterfly. You could stay here forever. Sleep forever among the insects. Get some sleep, since you woke up at 5:30 in the morning. Just sleep…
"Uh, crew? I think Franz is out cold again."
"THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK."
How Broke Are We?
". . . and that concludes an assessment of available assets," Chaucer says, "We have enough remaining funds to maintain our base on the Ladder for a few more months as well as train and equip exactly one new metahuman. Most of our support staff are more than happy just to have a safe place to stay, but once things hopefully stabilize on Horizon proper they'll be wanting to be compensated as well."
Leizi nods. "So we're as broke as can be— wait, hold on, that wasn't my line. Agh, it's been years since I played this role, give me a sec…"
From his side of the table, Ibis just shrugs. "I mean, you aren't wrong, technically! We'll have just enough money to pay for all the sets we're gonna have Mona and the VFX team blow up."
