Symbiosis

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<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter to "Prologue">><</nobr>> ''Chimera Gene Solutions, Seattle, USA'' Doctor Ximena Patrice sighed in frustration as the elevator doors opened. The speakers were still blaring out the same song they had been since yesterday, the day before that, and before that as well. She didn't know the song itself, it was some inane beat that was considered the latest thing. It sounded like someone had shoved a bird in a sack and added heavy bass to the squawking. "Sorry Doc, IT is still trying to figure out the problem" Ximena looked up from her phone to find a maintenance worker smiling at her from the open doors. He had the same grimace she did. "I can't believe this is even considered music these days," she sighed as she stepped in and waved a hand at the panel, her minor talent for telekineses selecting sublevel 13. The maintenance worker chuckled and shook their head, "I know what you mean, my granddaughter listens to nothing but this sort of thing all the time." The two share an amiable conversation for the minute it took the elevator to descend, passing through several security checks as it did. As the doors opened to her destination the maintenance guy, Burt she learned, waved goodbye and she caught him frowning up at the speaker as the door closed. Walking down the sterile white corridor several of her colleagues nodded or said good morning as she passed and the Doctor did her best to respond politely. In general, she was uncomfortable around most other people, Burt had been an acception being close to her age and shared a distaste for modern music. As she came to a large double door she swiped her palm across what appeared to be a blank piece of wall. A chime dinged as the chip in her hand was scanned and with the thunderous echo of large mechanical locks popping the massive doors swung open. Her team was already there and she noticed worried expressions as they looked up to see her. "Alright, what went wrong this time?" she sighed as she took her lab coat from the hook next to her workstation and slipped it on. "Uh, Dr. Ximena, well" Ximena glanced at the short researcher fiddling with her thumbs. Not only was Ximena their boss, but she towered over most of them at a good 6'3". So for this short 5'1" researcher who must have drawn the short straw and was now trying to explain the situation she must have seemed even more imposing than usual. "I'm waiting." Ximena crossed her arms and glared at the others. One of the others finally stepped forward and put a hand on the shorter researcher's shoulder and ushered her back. "Well, Dr. Patrice, it seems the entity gave birth" Ximena's eyes widened. "What? When?? Was anyone here!?" Ximena quickly sat in her chair and brought up the security feed. "What time?" "0331 Doctor." She quickly scrolled the security vid back to three-thirty in the morning, knowing that at the time no one would have been present. She watched along with the others as the creature shivered and shook before loud squelching sounds filled the feed and suddenly there were two entities. "That's not birth you idiot! That was mitosis, get out of my lab" Ximena didn't even look at the man as he scurried for the door, the loud locks grating on her nerves as he fled. She made a mental note to get the man reassigned. Standing she reached for a large red button on the wall and with a thump of her fist security lights flashed and the wall in front of her slid upwards revealing the large clear cage they kept the creature in. There were two of the entities now. The newer one was slightly smaller than the original, though mitosis meant that technically neither was the original. But for the sake of time and her team, she labeled the larger one as the original. She watched as the two creatures moved around each other in their tank. "Well then, it seems we have a busy day ahead of us." Ximena looked at the, [[Plant-like creatures in fascination. Their multitude of viney tendrils slithering about the tank.|pp2p]] [[Gaseous creatures in wonder. They gracefully drifted around each other in the confined space.|pp2g]] [[Blob creatures and shuddered. Despite their look, they did not leave a slimy film behind as they moved.|pp2b]]

This vine-like symbiote is capable of defending its host with dozens of snapping vines. When in a passive state these vines lay across the host's skin and take on a tattoo-like appearance across the host's body. The symbiote is also capable of creating extremely toxic/venomous substances both in itself and its host. The host is obviously immune to these. The symbiote is capable of delivering these deadly toxins via wickedly sharp razors which sprout from certain points along its limbs. This symbiote also has some passive benefits, increasing its hosts strength and agility by a moderate degree. It also makes the host immune to all known poisons, venoms, and toxins. In terms of being able to control the host's limbs, it is average, able to move the host around well enough, but not enough to do much other than going about day-to-day business. [[The symbiote is rather intriguing.|pp3][$sform to "plant"]] [[Checkout the other symbiotes.|pp1]]

Rather unique in terms of a symbiotic life form, the 'gaseous' symbiote is actually close to being related to a jellyfish. In its natural state, when not in a host, the symbiote floats through the air using the unique mixture of gases it produces in its body. In this form, it is capable of diffusing itself through some objects, most notably the bodies of most living creatures. The symbiote has no direct means of attack like the plant-like and gelatinous symbiotes, however, it is capable of creating numerous forms of gas. These can range from helium to dangerous gases which ignite on contact with the air, or even exotic gases such as hallucinogens or even gases capable of inducing lust or euphoria. This symbiote has difficulty controlling its host as it does not bind to the nervous system as well as the others do. Typically the host will also be immune to any of the gases it can create. Typically these will be released through the host's mouth in a breath, more dangerous forms, however, such as flaming gases are more difficult to deliver unless the host is not fond of their eyebrows. The physical signs of this symbiote are a glowing core beneath the host's skin which is the actual body of the symbiote itself, this can move around the body without hurting the host. The host's eyes will also take on a look that has been compared to a nebula with small stars doting the inside. [[The symbiote is rather intriguing.|pp3][$sform to "gas"]] [[Checkout the other symbiotes.|pp1]]

<<set $gamechapter = "Title">> /* MC Stats */ <<set $name = "unknown">> <<set $hname = "unknown">> <<set $deadname = "unknown">> <<set $surname = "unknown">> <<set $eyecolor = "unknown">> <<set $eyecolor1 = "unknown">> <<set $eyecolor2 = "unknown">> <<set $height = "unknown">> <<set $build = "unknown">> <<set $skin = "unknown">> <<set $hairc = "unknown">> <<set $hairl = "unknown">> <<set $hairt = "unknown">> <<set $hairs = "unknown">> <<set $mctrans = false>> <<set $hetchrome = false>> <<set $glasses = false>> <<set $combat = "unknown">> <<set $style = "unknown">> <<set $ccolor = "unknown">> <<set $mask = "unknown">> <<set $assessory1 = "unknown">> <<set $assessory2 = "unknown">> <<set $drink = "unknown">> <<set $vehicle = "unknown">> <<set $wings = false>> <<set $wingtype = "unknown">> <<set $personality ="unknown">> <<set $anger = 0>> <<set $sexual = false>> <<set $relax = "unknown">> <<set $strength = 0>> <<set $perception = 0>> <<set $endurance = 0>> <<set $charisma = 0>> <<set $intelligence = 0>> <<set $agility = 0>> <<set $luck = 0>> /*Gel*/ <<set $sform = "unknown">> <<set $scolor = "unknown">> <<set $ghairl = "unknown">> <<set $gbuild = "unknown">> <<set $gheight = "unknown">> <<set $gskin = "unknown">> /*Ziv*/ /*Proton*/ <<set $pcrush = "unknown">> <<set $pfriend = false>> <<set $prompoints = 0>> <<set $prom = false>> /*Estrid*/ <<set $efriend = false>> <<set $erompoints = 0>> <<set $erom = false>> /*Prologue*/ /*Chapter One*/ <<set $solar = false>> <<set $backtalk = false>> <<set $enraged = false>> <<set $solar2 = false>> <<set $livitzalive = false>> <<set $angerchange1 = "unknown">> /*Chapter Two*/ <<set $helpmike = false>> <<set $estridask = 0>> /*1=asked, 2=sheasks, 3=friends, 4=distance*/ <<set $sorry = false>> <<set $leave = false>> <<set $grav = false>> <<set $sun = false>> <<set $fine = false>> <<set $frown = false>> <<set $work =false>>

Running her hand through her hair as she watched the two creatures it took Ximena a moment for her to remember that her formerly shoulder-length hair was now cut very short in a more modern style. It was not her usual style, but after catching her wife staring at a much younger woman with a similar style Ximena decided to attempt it. The resulting fight and threats of divorce now seemed like a lifetime ago, despite being less than a week. Though she did notice that she was getting a few more appreciative looks since she had it done. But right now Ximena had much more important things to think about. "Alright, let's get samples from both creatures, I want them compared to the original as soon as possible. Inform security that the creature, creatures now need to be watched in person around the clock. Tell them I want two guards in here at all times. What else" Ximena tapped her lip as she thought, those who already had their orders got to work, and the others waited on her. It was close to six in the evening before Ximena let her staff have a break, they had just worked a solid twelve hours. "You have an hour, be back a moment later and you're fired." She waved them out the door and went to stand in front of the tank. Now that she was alone with her subjects she placed a hand on the side of the container and smiled. <<if $sform is "plant">>[[Their deep green color reflects off the glass.|pp4][$scolor to "green"]] [[The pale blue color was rather pleasing.|pp4][$scolor to "blue"]] [[Angry red skin glints under the overhead lighting.|pp4][$scolor to "red"]] [[The bright pink color was a loud color.|pp4][$scolor to "pink"]] [[Iridescent skin constantly shifted color as they moved.|pp4][$scolor to "iridescent"]] [[Deep black skin seems to absorb the light as they shift.|pp4][$scolor to "black"]]<</if>><<if $sform is "gas">>[[The multitude of shifting greens reflect off the glass.|pp4][$scolor to "nebulous green"]] [[Shimmering blues waves ripple through the creature.|pp4][$scolor to "nebulous blue"]] [[Volatile reds, yellows, and oranges whip around in the creature.|pp4][$scolor to "nebulous red"]] [[A multitude of colors from across the spectrum shimmer in the creature.|pp4][$scolor to "iridescent"]] [[The roiling reflective black seems to absorb the light as they shift.|pp4][$scolor to "roiling black"]]<</if>><<if $sform is "slime">>[[The multitude of shifting greens reflect off the glass.|pp4][$scolor to "nebulous green"]] [[Shimmering blues waves ripple through the creature.|pp4][$scolor to "nebulous blue"]] [[Volatile reds, yellows, and oranges whip around in the creature.|pp4][$scolor to "nebulous red"]] [[A multitude of colors from across the spectrum shimmer in the creature.|pp4][$scolor to "iridescent"]] [[The roiling reflective black seems to absorb the light as they shift.|pp4][$scolor to "roiling black"]]<</if>>

They had learned months ago that the creature could take control of a host, using it for its own ends. They knew it, or rather they were intelligent. But when the original creature had been found deep in a glacier in Canada they had no idea that it was anything other than a resilient animal never before seen in the fossil record. Of course, they quickly discovered that was simply because the creatures would not fossilize. At some point during her musings, Ximena had closed her eyes in thought, when she opened them she jumped back and screamed. Both creatures were now pushed up against the containment wall where her hand had been. The Doctor was shocked, they had never shown any interest in what was outside of their cage before. Ximena grew even more fascinated as one of the two creatures mimed writing with a pen on the glass. Just what was going on?? "You two," Ximena turned to the pair of security guards now stationed by the entrance, "I am going to place a marker in the cell." She motioned to a small airlock in the cage. "Be ready in case anything goes wrong" [[Continue|pp5]]

Sirens, lights, something was wrong. Ximena groaned and opened her eyes to find herself laying on the pavement out in the lab parking lot staring up at the night sky. The sirens and lights came from a host of firetrucks and police vehicles now scrambling into the front of the lab. "Doctor!" Ximena looked over her shoulder to find a pair of guards and a police officer all pointing weapons at her. "Do not move Doctor Ximena!" She quickly raised her hands, only to stare in horror at the blood covering them. As the officer hauled her to her feet and began to cuff her Ximena gapped as she started at the fire erupting from the main building of the lab complex, bodies littered the area in front of it and the firefighters had to step over and around the corpses to get their gear in position. A gust of wind announced the arrival of some minor hero as they came flying in low, a massive water tank held in their hands they proceeded to set down for the fire dept. "Ma'am, I asked if you understood your rights as I have explained them?" She realized it was the cop speaking to her. "I..no?" She was given a doubtful look but the officer began to read her rights once again when a loud voice boomed across the parking lot. "Unhand her officer!" [[Continue|pp6]]

Ximena cringed, her boss Doctor Chimera strode towards her and the three detaining her. In his wake were his CFO and daughter Valeria, and head of security Maxwell Lofton. "Mister Chimera I am sure," "Doctor" The cop looked bewildered, "Excuse me, ma'am?" "That's Doctor Chimera officer." Valeria stepped in front of her father and crossed her arms. "You will address my father with the respect he deserves" The man's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish for a moment before Chimera placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder and gently moved her aside. "As I said not a moment ago, unhand her." Doctor Chimera glared down at the officer, he was used to being obeyed immediately. A former hero and owner of Chimera Gene Solutions the Doctor stood an imposing seven feet tall and was just as heavily muscled as he had been in his youth. His long scorpion-like tail waved behind him threateningly. "Mis, Doctor Chimera, we have evidence that Doctor Patrice is responsible for the fire and murder of over a dozen of your employees." "Is that so officer?" Chimera raised an eyebrow, "Well I have proof that she was not in her right mind and was being controlled when these events happened." [[Continue|pp7]]

Ximena cringed, and some of her memories blurred to the surface. Placing the marker in the tiny airlock, a third, very small creature hiding just inside digging into her hand, the painâ€¦then only glimpses of fire and blood. Nothing clear. A hand came to rest on her shoulder and looking up she found Valeria smiling at her. "You okay Doc?" For most people that term would mean instantly being chewed out by Ximena, but not when it came to Valeria. The two were close, with Valeria being as close to her as a daughter, and for a short time they both agreed to never speak of again, secret affair. "I, I don't know Val." The officer was undoing her cuffs and as he stepped away Chimera stepped in front of her and she looked up at him. "You're going to have a hell of a hangover tomorrow Ximena." Chimera had a friendly smile but his eyes radiated worry. Ximena squinted and held her face in her hands before recoiling as she remembered the blood covering them. Valeria quickly stepped forward and was beginning to clean Ximena's face with an alcohol wipe as Chimera kept speaking. "I watched the footage Ximena, it looks like there was a third, very small creature hiding in the airlock. When you went to place the marker inside it got you. Do you remember anything?" "I remember a sharp pain in my hand, then everything becomes a blur. I vaguely remember, blood," Ximena inhales shakily before continuing, "Blood, fire, then I think one of the security guards, I think, the face was familiar, then, oh God, Steven, it went into him!" [[Continue|pp8]]

By this point, Ximena was shaking and Valeria and Maxwell had to help her sit on the ground. "Lofton, other than the dead are you missing anyone?" Maxwell looked at Chimera a bit of worry creasing his face, "Just one Doctor Chimera, a young fella, started last week. He has a promising career ahead of him, I hope." The head of security looked back at Ximena with worry. Ximena was immensely grateful for these three. The media was constantly portraying large companies such a CGS as environments filled with backstabbers and enemies. Maybe that was true for others in the company, but for her, these three were as good as family. "Mmm, I hope so Max. Alright Val, sweetie, can you go with Ximena to the hospital and keep an eye on her?" "Of course, I can dad, come on hun" Val helped Ximena up as a pair of medics came over with a stretcher. Steven watched as his daughter strode off holding Ximena's hand as she lay on the stretcher. He smiled knowing that his friend was in good hands. Of course, he knew about the affair they had a few years back, but since they had both handled it like adults he never felt the need to say anything. "Steven?" "Hmm?" Chimera looked at his head of security. "Sorry Max, I was a million miles away." "Don't worry about it, boss. I was saying that I can send the containment teams to see if they can find our wayward guard and hopefully your creature." Chimera nodded. "Yeah, go ahead Max, I'll be in myâ€¦" Chimera looked back at the burning building, "Well I guess not in my office. Would you mind if I moved into Sec-Ops?" Chimera motioned to a smaller building across the campus which was home to the large security force kept on site. The building was buzzing with activity and people were running in and out on duties related to the event. "Not a problem Steven, I'll let Harmony know you're coming." Max reached for his radio as he mentioned his secretary. "Thanks Max" [[Continue|c1p1]]

<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter to "Chapter One">><</nobr>> //''One Week Later''// ''Ashton Hero Academy, Aeon Falls, Canada'' Why now? Why this morning of all mornings?! You are in a panic, you can't find your good sweater and with who you are meeting today that was a terrible, horrible, thing to happen. You are meeting your partners parents today and it had been implied that if you didn't wear your good sweater you would be in the dog house till after graduation! You continue to scramble through your closet, tossing clothes, old school projects, and a half-eaten bag of stale chips across the room. You immediately regret the latter as a trail of chips flies through the air. No time to deal with it now! Ziv will be here any ''knock, knock'' moment, damn. "Not ready yet Ziv! I'm sorry!!" You holler as you continue the seemingly futile effort of finding the sweater. "I know ye ain't ye dummy, ye couldn't be wi' out the jumper I told ye to wear. The jumper I said I would get professionally cleaned. The jumper I am currently holding." You poke your head out of the closet to find Ziv holding your sweater and wearing the biggest smile you have ever seen. My girlfriend just loves getting a rise out of me, I bet she knew I would forget she had the sweater. "Oh my God! You are the worst!!" You dash over and take the sweater from her struggling to get it over your head in your rush as Ziv just stands there laughing at you. "Slow down sweetheart! We 'ave two hours till we meet ma parents. Why are ye panicking?" You peek out of a sleeve at her, "You just explained why I am panicking, I am meeting your parents. We have been together for two years and I haven't been ready till now." Your voice becomes muffled as you continue your efforts. Ziv goes and flops down on your bed, "If ye are not ready they would understand. I know it's a sensitive topic for ye and so do they." You cringe slightly at the comment on your family situation but finally manage to get your head and arms in all the correct holes. You had applied to the academy in secret because your parents had forbidden it. Even when you had earned a full scholarship they refused to allow you to go. They have extreme feelings regarding heroes, well, anyone with powers really. This always made your relationship strained since you did have super abilities, but the academy was the breaking point. Luckily you had been sixteen at the time and applied for emancipation from your parents. The judge had granted your request and you were officially on your own. Your parents had given you one last chance to "forget the hero nonsense" and if you refused then you would not be welcome in their home ever again. Having to call the police to get an escort back into your own home to collect your belongings had been the worst part of the whole thing. [[Continue|c1p2]]

"No," you inhale deeply and turn to Ziv, "No, I am ready. Besides graduation is next week, it has to be now." Ziv stands back up and bursts out laughing as she pointed at your hair. "Oh ma God love! Ye look ridiculous." You froze, She froze. "Did you just call me?" Ziv nods slightly, "I, yeah I did" "So does that mean you?" "Love ye? Yeah, it does. Is that, alright?" You are suddenly fascinated by a lone chip at your feet as you nod absently, "I mean, yes? I love you too." Ziv is suddenly wrapping her arms around you and nuzzling, "Ye are the best girlfriend, I could ever ask for. My parents are going to love you too." You and Ziv spend a few minutes holding each other in the middle of the disaster that is your dorm room before she pulls back from your hug and heads into the ensuite bathroom. "Where did ya leave yer brush love?" The word sends tingles up your spine. "Never mind, found it!" she steps back into the main room holding the brush triumphantly above her head like it is a heroic sword. "Now sit!" she motions to the bed. Sitting behind you on the bed you are keenly aware of Ziv's proximity after what just transpired. But as you feel her beginning to run the brush through your <<cycle $"hairl" autoselect>> <<option "short">> <<option "neck length">> <<option "shoulder length">> <<option "back length">> <<option "waist length">> <<option "hip length">> <</cycle>> hair your eyes drift closed. You glance over at the mirror on the wall to inspect her work and smile, Ziv is staring back at you in the mirror and mouths "I love you". As she slides off the bed to go put the brush back in the bathroom, you run a hand through your <<cycle "$hairt" autoselect>> <<option "straight hair">> <<option "wavy hair">> <<option "loosly curled hair">> <<option "tightly curled hair">> <<option "frizzy hair">> <</cycle>>. Ziv on the other hand has <<cycle "$zhair" autoselect>> <<option "adorable short hair in a punky style." "short and punky">> <<option "uncontrollable curly hair that reaches her waist." "uncontrollably curly waist length">> <<option "elegant straight hair she keeps in a pony tail." elegant ponytail>> <<option "naturally wavy shoulder length hair." "wavy shoulder length">>. <</cycle>> At the moment her hair is dyed bright pink, but she changes it every other week or so. You still have not figured out how she has not damaged it beyond repair. Despite knowing her super abilities revolve around extreme telekinesis you love to tease her that her real superpower is changing her hair color. Your hair however is a <<cycle "$hairc" autoselect>> <<option "also bright pink at the moment as we thought that matching would be fun." "bright pink">> <<option "a icy shade of blue, matching the color of ice a classmate generates with her powers." "ice blue">> <<option "lustrous black. I am always getting compliments on the way light shines off it." "lustrous black">> <<option "a pleasant brunette color. Looking at it reminds me of mom, why I keep it I don't know." "brunette">> <<option "blood red. Which the vampire girl a year behind us is constantly saying to me, to the point of annoyance." "blood red">> <<option "pure white. I get ripped on a lot with people asking if I have seen a ghost. But I adore my hair." "pure white">> <</cycle>> "Ey, sweetheart?" You look over to find Ziv peeking out of the bathroom when she sees you looking she simply smiles, "I love ye." "I love you too Ziv" It feels incredible saying it and you get the feeling neither of you will be getting tired of saying it anytime soon. Eventually she comes and pulls you down onto the bed in a snuggle. At one point during your cuddle session you glance over to find her eyes traveling over you, a small smile on her face. [[Her fingers glide over my four sets of wings, sending tingles up and down my spine.|wings]] [[Her fingers run through my hair and up my side, sending tingles up my spine.|c1p3]]

You spend the next hour or so laying on your bed talking before Ziv suddenly shoots up from the cuddle you had fallen into. "We 'ave to git, NOW or we will be late!!" "Oh damn!" You scramble to your feet and start putting on your shoes. Ziv has already grabbed your coat and is heading out the door. "Don't forget yer keys, love!" It's not often you roll your eyes and smile at the same time. But she is right. You have the nasty habit of misplacing them. By the time you have your door locked, you turn to find Ziv fidgeting by the elevator while she waits as the old, cantankerous car rumbles its way to your floor. Despite the full scholarship and the funds your parents were required to provide you until you graduate, living in Aeon Falls was expensive. So you live in an older building owned by the academy to use for housing students who were from families that were not well off. For the most part, the building was well maintained and clean, but the old elevator had never been replaced or updated. Normally that's not an issue for you as you can simply hop out of your sixth-story window and fly to where you need to go. But Ziv is terrified of heights, a unique trait for a telekinetic as powerful as she is, and so you use the elevator when she visits. <<if $wings is true>>The tiny elevator is a tight fit for the two of you and your wings. Adding anyone else is almost impossible. As the elevator descends you feel her place a hand on one of your smaller wings and gently stroke it. Your eyes close and you enjoy the gentle feeling as Ziv attempts to keep you relaxed.<</if>> When you finally reach the ground floor and head for the front door Ziv has managed to calm your nerves. Your are still nervous, but not to the point you had been. "So, when we get there just call ma folks Jim and George okay? None of that Mr. and Mr. crap people like to pull" You glance at Ziv and find her frowning. "I never planned on it love." She smiles and takes your hand as your ride pulls up. "I know, ye are the best." The drive into town is fairly quick and you are glad Ziv had chosen a restaurant closer to campus. Having to fight lunchtime traffic to get through the city would have meant that you would be incredibly late by this point. Another reason to be thankful for the short drive was the fact that your driver would not shut up. She just kept going on and on about how she wished that she had parents rich enough to send her to Ashton. Pulling up to the restaurant you scramble out of the car, dragging Ziv with you. You know the look on her face she wanted to tear the driver a new one for being such a judgmental and rude prick. "Not now love," you mumbled as you practically have to drag her to the beautifully detailed glass doors of your meeting spot, "Just give her a one star and move on. Besides, I think your dads have spotted us." You motion to the two men just inside the door sitting on a comfortable-looking leather bench as they wait to be seated. As they noticed you and Ziv the two men stand up with wide smiles. Ziv instantly forgets her frustration and the door opens for you as you approach. The tell-tale shimmer in her eyes tells you that Ziv is responsible. "ZIVVY!" The taller of the two scoops Ziv into his arms causing her to squeak. From the pictures you have seen you know that this is George, which makes the man moving up to you Jim. "Glad tae meet ye <<textbox "$name" "Anna">>, Ziv has told us so much about ye that ye already feel like family" He extends a hand and you notice the tell-tale lines marking it as a cybernetic limb. You keep your mouth shut about it and shake his hand. Ziv has never mentioned her dad being a cyborg, so neither do you. <<if $hairc is "bright pink">>His gaze flickers between Ziv's hair and then yours, a small smile coming to his lips, "Love the matching hair".<</if>> [["It's nice to meet you as well Jim." I smile and maintain eye contact, strangers have never been an issue for me.|c1p4][$charisma to +3; $personality = "confident"]] [["I...uh, hi." My smile is small and despite my best efforts I can't maintain eye contact. Being shy is my natural state with strangers.|c1p4][$charisma to +1; $endurance to +2; $personality = "shy"]] [["Hey Jim, good to meet you!" I shake his hand vigorously, a supremely cocky smile on my face.|c1p4][$charisma to +2; $strength to +1; $personality = "cocky"]]

The world freezes as you grip the server's wrist in your hand, the tip of the blade in theirs stopped barely an inch from Ziv's neck. You thank all your training and take back anything nasty you may have ever thought about the instructors. If not for your impeccably trained reflexes you wouldn't have been able to stop the attack in time. Ziv's dads are both on their feet, people are screaming, and Ziv sits in her seat looking at the blade in shock. "What? Why??" The attacker doesn't respond and instead uses the tension in your arm against you and snaps their elbow back into your chest. The blow sends you toppling from your seat. You cough as you stand, "You're pretty strong". Ziv is already on her feet and between her parents in a defensive stance. Her eyes glow with fury and every sharp object in the room is pulled towards her to form a wall between her and the attacker. "Oh, don't you worry princess," the attacker spits, "I'm here for your girlfriend, not you. I just wanted to see how good she is and if I hurt her feelings at the same time even better." Ziv smiles causing the attacker to frown, "What's so funny?" <<if $personality is "cocky">>Cracking your knuckles you slip into an attack stance as a cocky smile comes to your lips and draws their attention back to you. "She is smiling because she knows I can handle a pathetic punk like you on my own any day of the week." You and Ziv are the top students this graduating year and you plan on showing this fucker why interrupting your lunch was a bad idea.<<else>>You stretch the hand you caught the attacker's wrist with and slip into an attack stance. "She is smiling because she knows I can handle someone like you on my own any day of the week." This asshole ruined your lunch and you intend to make the fucker suffer for it. Time to show them why you and Ziv are the top students of your year.<</if>> [[Heat begins rippling from my hands as I leap towards the attacker. They are unprepared for the sudden heat assailing them as a tiny star forms in one hand and I allow it to send a burning wave at my target.|c1p6][$solar to true]] [[The air around my hand ripples as small objects close to me are pulled into a ball as I leap towards the attacker. The gravity anomaly in my hand increases power and the items floating above my hand are instantly crushed into a ball the size of my fist and with a thought, I hurl it towards Ziv's attacker.|c1p6]]

<<if $solar is true>>They shift to defense and attempt to place a pillar between them and your star, but the tiny ball of fire in your hand is really just a distraction as your free hand is slamming into their jaw, sending them stumbling back into the pane of glass separating the street from the restaurant interior. You can practically hear the academy insurance reps crying as you spin and land a solid kick to the fake server and send them sailing out into the street and as you step through the shattered window you find them getting back to their feet, a tiny amount of blood dripping from their lip, but wiping it away they reveal no wound. "Strong and tough hmm? Fine" You charge at them in a somewhat ill-advised and reckless attack. You must be a little wound up as your defenses are down and once you are just about in striking range you are too close to dodge as they hurl a handful of broken glass at your face. "Fuck! You piece of shit" You stumble back. You tentatively touch a small cut on your cheek and look at the blood on your fingertip. [[//Stay calm//, I think to myself and take a deep breath, centering myself and going back into a proper defensive stance.|calm]] [[Ok, now I am mad, but I am still largely in control and I quickly shift into an attack position.|offense][$anger to $anger +1]] [[Nope, now I am furious, absolutely enraged. This piece of human trash tried to kill my girlfriend and I will not let that stand!!|enraged][$anger to $anger +3]]<<else>>They are unprepared for the sudden attack and they shift to defense and attempt to place a pillar between themself and the ball. But the tiny orb impacts the pillar with such ferocity it causes the server to stumble back against the glass separating the street from the restaurant interior. You can practically hear the academy insurance reps crying as you spin and land a solid kick to the fake server adding a bit of gravitic umph behind it and send them sailing out into the street. As you step through the shattered window you find them getting back to their feet, a tiny amount of blood dripping from their lip, but wiping it away they reveal no wound. "Strong and tough hmm? Fine" You charge at them in a somewhat ill-advised and reckless attack. You must be a little wound up as your defenses are down and once you are just about in striking range you are too close to dodge as they hurl a handful of broken glass at your face. "Fuck! You piece of shit" You stumble back. You tentatively touch a small cut on your cheek and look at the blood on your fingertip. [[//Stay calm//, I think to myself and take a deep breath, centering myself and going back into a proper defensive stance.|calm]] [[Ok, now I am mad, but I am still largely in control and I quickly shift into an attack position.|offense][$anger to $anger +1]] [[Nope, now I am furious, absolutely enraged. This piece of human trash tried to kill my girlfriend and I will not let that stand!!|enraged][$anger to $anger +3, $enraged to true]]<</if>>

Ziv slips into your arms, one of her hands running up your back and through your hair. "Ye did good love, ye were amazing and so bad ass!" You nuzzle back into her and just exhale, the adrenaline is beginning to fade and you could really use a nap. "$name!" You look up over Ziv's shoulder and see Jim and George running over to you. "Damn kid, that was hardcore!" George is all smiles as he steps up and puts a hand on Ziv's shoulder. "Don't encourage her George, fighting should always be the last way ye respond. Though in this case, ye saved our Zivvy, so I would say it was warranted." "Oh ma God, dad's! Leave her alone" Ziv just rolls her eyes but the smile she flashes you tells you that she feels the same. An hour later you are still sitting on the sidewalk, leaning against a building as the police continue to take statements, and medics confirm that the attacker is not dead. Ziv is leaning her head on your shoulder and breathing lightly. She had immediately passed out as soon as you sat down and her head hit your shoulder. Jim is speaking with a police officer, both his and the officer's cybernetic arms opened in maintenance mode as they share tips on maintaining their limbs. George is leaning against the wall next to you sipping a slurpee as he watches his husband with a smile. "Every time he meets someone else with an artificial limb he immediately starts with the shop talk" George chuckles. "$name" You look up and see a young cop coming toward you, her strides measured and sure. You guess she is about five years older than you but she projects an air of confidence decades beyond her. You give Ziv a gentle nudge and she grumbles as you shift. It takes two more tries to get your girlfriend to finally let you stand. The cop smiles as George teases Ziv before she turns to you. "Alright, so we are ready to let you go home $name. We have enough to confirm the account you and the others gave." She waves a hand in the direction of Ziv and her parents. "The name they gave us is a fake unfortunately and they only began working at the restaurant last month, so we have no idea why they chose to attack you and your girlfriend" You sigh and glance down the street towards the ambulance, which is now leaving the scene and you are frustrated. You have questions and they have not been answered. A sudden sonic boom, the loud sound of an impact, and burst of wind announce the arrival of your combat professor, Gene Livitz. "$name, I heard you beat the tar out of someone who tried to stab my favorite student!!" You glance over to see the large man walking over to you, a tiny crater from his landing has you rolling your eyes. There is no doubt that Gene is a half decent fighter, and has a talent for imparting the basics to others, but his unnatural fascination with your girlfriend and his overly expressive personality has bothered you since before you and Ziv actually began dating. [[I sigh, but place a friendly smile on my face, no point in agitating him with graduation next week.|c1p8]] [[I roll my eyes and make no attempt to hide it as he walks over as he is not even bothering to look at me.|c1p8]] [["Oh my God, would you just stop being so creepy about my girlfriend. She was sixteen when you first started drooling over her. It's disgusting!"|c1p8][$anger to $anger +1; $backtalk to true]]

This gelatinous symbiote has been compared to a slime from various anime and games. The lab assistant who made the comparison was killed by the symbiote shortly after. This symbiote is very capable of defending itself and its host via the ability to create numerous tentacle-like pseudopods. These are capable of lifting and easily crushing an average human being, as the former assistant found out. The 'slime' is also capable of sharing the host's abilities, such as manipulating gravity, throwing fire, and other such abilities. This can make the host even deadlier as it essentially magnifies the host's power. It is also capable of forming a sort of armor-like substance over the host. This 'armor' is capable of withstanding light arms fire without effort, and can even withstand some super abilities as well. When inhabiting a host this symbiote will look like hundreds of veins just beneath the skin when in a relaxed, inactive state. [[The symbiote is rather intriguing.|pp3][$sform to "slime"]] [[Checkout the other symbiotes.|pp1]]

[[My feathered wings are a deep bluish black, faint mottling of a variety of colors make them look like the night sky filled with stars.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "night sky wings"]] [[A variety of reds, oranges, and pinks give my feathered wings the look of a sunset.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "sunset wings"]] [[Bright blues, reds, and yellows lend my feathered wings a more tropical aesthetic than others.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "tropical wings"]] [[A dark, abyss black gives way to shades of orange, yellow, and red, giving my feathery wings a fiery look.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "flaming wings"]] [[My feathery wings are a brilliant white, giving them an almost angelic appearance.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "angelic wings"]] [[My draconic wings are a deep shimmering red and when they move they resemble a pool of blood.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "bloody draconic wings"]] [[My draconic like wings are a bright silver that Zivvy has compared to the moon.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "silvery draconic wings"]] [[A deep, reflective black makes up the majority of my draconic wings, with the scales being a dark red.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "abyssal draconic wings"]] [[My wings look like shimmering pools of gold. Each move they make is mesmerizing.|c1p3][$wings to true; $wingtype to "shimmering gold draconic wings"]]

<<if $personality is "confident">>Ziv was right, ye certainly don't lack confidence ${name}. I guess that goes with the whole training tae be a hero territory" Jim smiles as he releases your hand with a nod and goes to hug Ziv, shuffling past George who she warned you is a hugger.<</if>><<if $personality is "shy">>"Relax $name, Ziv warned us that ye were shy around strangers. Just breath kiddo." Jim's smile is understanding with a touch of affection. Ziv did warn you Jim had a soft spot for shy people. She also warned you that George was a hugger which you suddenly remember as he steps past his husband toward you.<</if>><<if $personality is "cocky">>Jim looks at Ziv and smiles. "Ye were right, she is cocky," he looks back at you, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "Don't let anyone tell ye to change that, being cocky ain't necessarily a bad thing" As he lets go of your hand George is shuffling past his husband to get to you. Ziv did warn you he is a hugger.<</if>> Ziv gives you a little nudge as her dad holds out his arms. Despite his size, the crushing hug you expected does not happen. It's a polite, yet comfortable thing that lasts just long enough to be polite and not a second longer. "Hi, there!" A perky server steps up to your group, "did you all have a reservation?" Ziv nods, "Under MacLeod for four." With a smile the server leads you to a fairly private table and after telling you the lunch specials they shuffle off to get your drink orders. You notice their gaze lingering on Ziv and yourself, but you can't place the look on their face. The thought quickly leaves your head as you are drawn into the conversation with Ziv and her parents. The next hour is actually not nearly as bad as you thought it would be. Ziv's dads are super easy to get along with and since they are aware of your past they are careful to not ask any questions regarding your parents. The pleasant atmosphere is suddenly interrupted as you notice a flash of movement and silver from the corner of your eye. [["ZIVVY!"|c1p5]]

<div id="container"> <div id="header"> <span id="header-text" onclick="toggle(this)"></span> <div class="menutoggle"><span id="zero" onclick="toggle(this)"><i class="fa fa-ellipsis-v" aria-hidden="true"></i> </span> <span id="one" style="bottom:-180px;"> <div class="menu-flex"> </div> </span></div> </div> <div id="story"> <div id="passages">  </div> </div> </div>  <script>function toggle() { var x = document.getElementById("one"); if (!x.style.bottom ||x.style.bottom === '-180px') { x.style.bottom = '0px'; } else { x.style.bottom = '-180px'; } } $("#story").click(function() { var x = document.getElementById("one"); if (x.style.bottom == '0px') { x.style.bottom = '-180px'; } }); $("#one").click(function(event) { event.stopPropagation(); }); </script>

/* Do not remove the div, Needed to make the title pretty */<div class="title">Symbiosis</div>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>Symbiosis</h1>\ <p><<if Save.autosave.ok() and Save.autosave.has()>><<link "Resume Game">><<script>>Save.autosave.load()<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<link "New Game" "pp1">><</link>> <<link "Load Game">><<run UI.saves()>><</link>> <<link "Settings">><<run UI.settings()>><</link>></p></div>

<div class="dropdown"> <a onclick="myFunction()" class="dropbtn">MENU</a> <div id="myMenu" class="dropup-content"> <<link 'PLAYER PAGE'>> <<popup "PlayerPage" "Player Character">> <</link>> <<link 'ACHIEVEMENTS'>> <<popup "Achievements" "Achievements">> <</link>> <<link 'CREDITS'>> <<popup "Credits" "Credits">> <</link>> <<link 'SAVES'>><<run UI.saves()>><</link>> <<link 'SETTINGS'>><<run UI.settings()>><</link>> <<link 'RESTART'>><<run UI.restart()>><</link>> </div> </div> /*You can also add whatever you want, it can also be links to passages rather than dialog boxes*/

/*This page is currently hidden. Edit the Menu passage to make it appear!*/ <div>&emsp;<<link '⮘'>><<run Engine.backward()>><</link>>&emsp;|&emsp;<<if State.length === State.size>>⮚<<else>><<link '⮚'>><<run Engine.forward()>><</link>><</if>>&emsp;</div>

Here you can put some info about the player

Here you can add some achivements

<<replace ".menu-flex">><<include "menu-flex">><</replace>> <<replace "#header-text">><<include "header-text">><</replace>>

<script>var myDiv = document.getElementById('passages'); myDiv.scrollTop = 0;</script>

<<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>00</b> go back</div>'>><<run Engine.backward()>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>01</b> settings</div>'>><<script>>UI.settings()<</script>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>02</b> profile</div>' 'profile'>><</link>> <<link '<div class="menu-item"><b>03</b> saves</div>'>><<script>>UI.saves()<</script>><</link>>

Symbiosis / $gamechapter

<<if $solar is true>>Ziv's attacker smirks at you, "Aww, too scared to keep attacking?" "Hardly, I'm just not stupid enough to lose control." They look at the cut on your cheek, their smile growing. "Are you sure about that?" "//Not again//" you think to yourself. This time you are going to make them come to you. You shift slightly and put an obvious flaw in your defense and based on the sudden shine in their eye they notice it. With that you move towards them at an even pace, they follow your movement but charge towards you, a confident smirk on their face as their eyes flick towards the opening you have left them. "You're dead!" As they lunge forward with the knife your knee is coming up and the look of surprise on their face as it drives into their stomach has you smiling. "Fuck //cough// you" As the attacker rolls around on the ground you bend down and pick up the knife. It was nothing remarkable, it just seemed to be a butcher's knife they had grabbed from the kitchen. "Whichever chef this belongs to is going to be pissed," you think to yourself out loud. "Shut up!" They manage to get to their knees, they are still short of breath but are recovering quickly. You glance back down at them as a crowd of people begin to gather around us, you notice Ziv shoving her way toward me and turn to her with a smile. Just as I do she screams a warning at you and acting on instinct you cause a bright flash to erupt from your hand. People around you scream and the attacker is back on their knees swearing as they rub their eyes. People are beginning to panic as they realize they can't see, but within moments their sight begins to return and many now look upset at being suddenly blinded, but you only have eyes for Ziv as she walks toward you, rubbing one eye and squinting with the other, but with a big smile on her face. "$NAME!" [[Continue|c1p7]]<<else>>Ziv's attacker smirks at you, "Aww, too scared to keep attacking?" "Hardly, I'm just not stupid enough to lose control." They look at the cut on your cheek, their smile growing. "Are you sure about that?" "//Not again//" You think to yourself. This time you are going to make them come to you. You shift slightly and put an obvious flaw in your defense and based on the sudden shine in their eye they notice it. With that you move towards them at an even pace, they follow your movement but charge towards you, a confident smirk on their face as their eyes flick towards the opening you have left them. "You're dead!" As they lunge forward with the knife your knee is coming up and the look of surprise on their face as it drives into their stomach has you smiling. "Fuck //cough// you" As the attacker rolls around on the ground you bend down and pick up the knife. It was nothing remarkable, it just seemed to be a butcher's knife they had grabbed from the kitchen. "Whichever chef this belongs to is going to be pissed," You think to yourself out loud. "Shut up!" They manage to get to their knees, they are still short of breath but are recovering quickly. You glance back down at them as a crowd of people begin to gather around you, you notice Ziv shoving her way toward you and turn to her with a smile. Just as you do she screams a warning at you and acting on instinct you cause a wave of heavy gravity to ripple off of yourself flinging the attacker back into the car behind them. However, in your haste, you don't maintain proper control, and while the majority of the force hits the former server some of it forces members of the crowd back. People around you scream and the attacker is laying against the car, a massive dent in the metal where they had impacted the vehicle. People are quick to panic as they realize they are pushed by an unseen force, but within moments they begin to realize the fight is at an end and many now look upset at being suddenly pushed back by your power, but you only have eyes for Ziv as she walks toward you with a big smile on her face. "$NAME!" [[Continue|c1p7]]<</if>>

<<if $solar is true>>With quick, measured strides you move toward the server. Both hands glowing with the heat of a tiny star in each fist and as you throw your first punch at your target you let the star in that hand erupt. A bright flash fills the area and you open your eyes to find the attacker backing up, swinging the knife in front of them wildly and swearing as blood drips from their lip. "You fucking cheat! Tricks won't stop me." They are swinging the knife around so wildly you have to back off as you are much too close. You shift back and to the side just as they blink rapidly and look towards where they last saw you and squint. Realizing you are not there they look around, just in time to see your other glowing fist coming at them. This time they are smart and keep their eyes closed and leap back as your fist connects. You're not overly strong for a hero, more so than a normal citizen for sure, but the attacker in front of you obviously has enhanced endurance and even though you connect with their jaw they simply grin as they fall back into a car parked on the street behind them. "Not so strong are ya?" They stand there and press the palm of their hand against their jaw, causing it to pop, "Ahhh, much better. What good is a hero who can't throw a solid punch?" "I'll show you" This time the pair of suns forming in your hands are much larger than the marble-sized ones you used to blind your target. "You judge strength based on how hard someone can hit? Well, allow me to show you just how hard I CAN hit!!" Their eyes widen in shock as each sun erupts in a beam of incandescent power. The tiny flares each slam into Ziv's attacker blasting them back through the car behind them, causing it to explode and fling them across the four-lane street to crash into a large truck parked on the opposite side. You launch yourself towards them, flying forward with twin trails of flame leaking from each hand your knee connects with their stomach before you hit them with a right cross, letting the sun erupt as your fist makes impact. The explosion sends them hurtling down the street to crash into the side of a building. As you land in front of them and prepare to swing your other sun into their face a hand gently grips your shoulder. "I think ye got them, love." [["Ziv?"|c1p7]]<<else>>With quick, measured strides you move toward the server. The air around you begins to fill with shards of broken glass from the former window, pebbles from the ground, and other random bits of debris. You begin to fling the detritus which orbits you toward the attacker. They dive out of the way but a small shard of glass slices across their neck. The cut is not so deep and they begin swearing as blood drips from the wound. "You fucking cheat! Tricks won't stop me." They are swinging the knife around so wildly you have to back off as you are much too close. You shift back and to the side, using the cloud of debris to distract them while you do so. As they recover and look towards where they last saw you they realize you are not there. They look around, just in time to see your fist coming at them. This time they manage to leap back as your fist connects. You're not overly strong for a hero, more so than a normal citizen for sure, but the attacker in front of you obviously has enhanced endurance and even though you connect with their jaw they simply grin as they fall back into a car parked on the street behind them. "Not so strong are ya?" they stand there and press the palm of their hand against their jaw, causing it to pop, "Ahhh, much better. What good is a hero who can't throw a solid punch?" "I'll show you" A loud creak echoes down the street as the nearest lamp post suddenly bends in your direction, several cars begin to skid closer and Ziv's attacker stares in shock as the gravity around you begins to increase, slowly beginning to draw larger and larger objects towards yourself. "You judge strength based on how hard someone can hit? Well, allow me to show you just how hard I CAN hit!!" Their eyes widen in shock as the streetlight is torn from the ground and sails towards you only to veer aside at the last moment and hurtle towards them. The impact sends them careening through the car behind them, flinging them across the four-lane street to crash into a large truck parked on the opposite side. You launch yourself towards them, flying forward with a cloud of debris trailing behind you. Your knee connects with their stomach before you hit them with a right cross, and several chunks of metal follow as your fist makes impact. The explosion of gravity and metal sends your target hurtling down the street to crash into the side of a building. As you land in front of them and prepare to swing a stop sign now orbiting yourself into their face a hand gently grips your shoulder. "I think ye got them, love." [["Ziv?"|c1p7]]<</if>>

<<if $solar is true>>You lick the blood from your fingertip and smile maniacally at your opponent. They look unsure of the situation now and they even seem to look around for a way out of this fight. "Oh no, you are not going anywhere you stupid fuck. You just made the biggest mistake of your life." You can't help but widen your smile as they hold the knife up. The air around your hands begins to ripple as tiny motes of flame ignite and flow into each hand. In moments you are holding a small sun in each and as you leave the ground, floating into the air, you aim both at the knife-wielding idiot on the ground. The terror in their eyes seems to make you giddy and you begin chuckling. They manage to leap aside as you open the tiniest pinprick in each of the energy fields containing your twin suns and a pair of pavement melting beams streak out and slam into the spot they had just been standing. "Stand still you bouncy fuck", another pair of your beams miss them, striking a car across the street and causing it to erupt in a plume of fire and smoke as an explosion rockets pieces of the car along the road. You barely notice as all your attention stays locked on the piece of shit who just tried to kill your girlfriend. It's then, as you are flying into a better position that you notice the mother and her kid crouching behind a convenient mailbox. The ancient hunk of metal had protected them from the explosion and seeing the terror in their eyes seems to snap you out of your rage for the briefest moment. A very brief moment in fact as your attacker's knife comes sailing at you and slices into your left arm. You howl in a mix of pain and rage as the sun in that hand dissipates and winks out. Unfortunately for the former server you still have control of the other and with a thought it shifts and ripples, forming a blazing spear in your hand. You pump the tiniest amount of energy into the spear. A sliver of your current power in fact but it is still enough, you pull back, and with a grunt hurl the spear down the street toward the fleeing attacker. The blazing spear leaves a ripple of heat in its wake, burning everything in its path before slamming into the ground a few feet to the side of your target. You may have missed a direct hit, but the results are all that matter and a massive explosion rocks the street, one even bigger than the exploding car. Your target is hurled to the side and you can hear their ribs snapping from where you float as they crash into a lamp post. You breathe deep and then exhale, a ripple of heat escaping your mouth as you float back to the ground. Your arm and cheek hurt from the cuts, but your attacker is much worse off if they are even still alive. You turn to find Ziv running up to you and for a brief moment You are elated until you notice the look on her face. She is furious. "Have ye lost yer mind $name?! Look at all the damage ye caused!" She waves her hand at the street and you can't help but cringe slightly. "I don't know why I…" You can't help but stare at the twisted frame of a car, flipped onto its roof in the middle of the street. You don't even notice Ziv reaching towards you until you feel her hand on your cheek. "Hey, it's alright love, just tell me." "I just kept picturing that knife, and your neck, and I just couldn't stop imagining what would have happened if I hadn't stopped them." You wave a hand at the attacker laying on the ground and notice them shift and groan. Alive it is. "Oh sweetheart, that dinae happen. Ye saved me and stopped this nutter, just focus on that alright?" [[Continue|c1p7]]<<else>>You lick the blood from your fingertip and smile maniacally at your opponent. They look unsure of the situation now and they even seem to look around for a way out of this fight. "Oh no, you are not going anywhere you stupid fuck. You just made the biggest mistake of your life." You can't help but widen your smile as they hold the knife up. The air around your hands begins to fill with broken glass from the former window and within seconds you are surrounded by a cloud of flying razors, some of the restaurant's elegant vine motif still visible on the shards. The attacker stares in shock as you lift into the air, your deadly cloud following you. You aim both hands at the knife-wielding idiot on the ground and smile wickedly. The terror in their eyes seems to make you giddy and you begin chuckling. They manage to leap aside as you send a small cloud of shards at them, the sound of shattering glass again filling the air as the cloud strikes the pavement in the spot they had just been standing. "Stand still you bouncy fuck", another wave of your hand sends an even larger cloud at your target, but again they manage to dodge the brunt of the attack with most of the shards striking a car across the street perforating it, leaving massive gouges in the frame. You barely notice as all your attention stays locked on the piece of shit who just tried to kill your girlfriend. It's then, as you are flying into a better position that you notice the mother and her kid crouching behind a convenient mailbox. The ancient hunk of metal had protected them from the shards being flung around and seeing the terror in their eyes seems to snap you out of your rage for the briefest moment. A very brief moment in fact as your attacker's knife comes sailing at you and slices into your left arm. You howl in a mix of pain and rage you grip your now bleeding arm and the gravity around you grows even more powerful and in seconds a small car flies towards you. As the tiny two-door enters your orbit you use your power to rip it apart. With a cloud of car parts now trailing behind you, you take off after Ziv's attacker, flinging car parts in their direction. A sliver of your current power is all you need as you close in to lift the attacker from their feet and hurl them towards a building. Your target is hurled into the side of the building with a resounding ‘’crack’’ as brickwork and bone break. Again they begin to stand, but you have had enough and you grab the end of a bumper as it floats into view. With a lunge, you drop down on them and swing the impromptu weapon into their side. You stay still floating a few feet off the ground and stare down at your enemy for a moment before you breathe deep and then exhale, all the glass, pieces of car, and other random debris fall to the ground around you as you float back to the ground. Your arm and cheek hurt from the cuts, but your attacker is much worse off if they are even still alive. You turn to find Ziv running up to you and for a brief moment you are elated until you notice the look on her face. She is furious. "Have ye lost yer mind $name?! Look at all the damage ye caused!" She waves her hand at the street and you can't help but cringe slightly. "I don't know why I…" You can't help but stare at the twisted frame of a car, flipped onto its roof in the middle of the street. You don't even notice Ziv reaching towards you until you feel her hand on your cheek. "Hey, it's alright love, just tell me." "I just kept picturing that knife, and your neck, and I just couldn't stop imagining what would have happened if I hadn't stopped them." You wave a hand at the attacker laying on the ground and notice them shift and groan. Alive it is. "Oh sweetheart, that dinae happen. Ye saved me and stopped this nutter, just focus on that alright?" [[Continue|c1p7]]<</if>>

<<if $backtalk is true and $personality is "confident">>At that, he finally turns to stare at you. "What the fuck did you just say to me?" "I said that you drooling over a student more than half your age as blatantly as you have is disgusting. I also know that she has asked you not to look at her like that in the past, so knock it off you disgusting creep" You haven't even realized that you have stepped into his personal space. Many people would be terrified of being so close to someone as large as he is, but despite his 6'5'' height, and heavily muscled frame, you have finally had enough of this letch.<</if>><<if $personality is "shy" and $backtalk is true>>You suddenly find your eyes naturally drifting down towards your feet. "Yeah, that's what I thought. I don't know why she even bothers with you." Dammit! Not now! You hate that he knows how shy you are and is always using that against you! But you suddenly feel something well up in your chest, it feels like anger, but it boils over. "I said stop being such a lecherous piece of shit and start acting like the teacher you claim to be!" You can not remember when your eyes had locked on his, let alone when you stepped into his personal space. All you know is that when you snap out of your sudden anger you find yourself glaring at him like you never had before. His mouth simply hangs open and he looks just as shocked as you do.<</if>><<if $personality is "cocky" and $backtalk is true>>"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot you are getting older, when did your hearing start to go?" The cocky smile on your face has him turning red as he does his best to keep his fists clenched to his side. "Ohh, or is it your blood pressure, you are turning rather red. Maybe you should go have a laydown. Getting old must be terrible for a lecherous piece of shit like you" At this, he steps into your personal space, but you just keep smiling at him as if nothing at all was wrong.<</if>> "Hey $name, who's this?" You turn to find George coming up to us. //This should be interesting// you think to yourself, knowing that Ziv had told her dads about Livitz last year. "Hey George, this is Professor Livitz, our combat teacher." You do my best to maintain your casual look. George's face instantly drops from its seemingly permanent smile and takes on a carefully crafted neutral expression. "I see, Ziv has told us all about you Mr. Livitz" "That's Professor, but for my favorite students dad I'll let it slide," he thrusts his hand towards George, a massive smile on his face. "Where is Zivvy anyway?" Neither you or Livitz expects Georges's fist to come flying upwards. The sound of it connecting with the Professor's jaw resounds down the street and the letch falls back onto his ass. George is already placing his hand on your shoulder and turning you away and urging you down the street. "Come on $name, Jim and I are taking you and OUR Zivvy to a movie. Let's leave the 'Professor' to his thoughts. [[Ziv's dad is sooo cool!|c1p9]] [[Piece of shit deserves worse I think|c1p9][$anger to $anger +1]] [[Next time I'll be the one putting that fuck in his place|c1p9][$anger to $anger +2]]

The rest of the day goes by with a shadow hanging over your group. Not only because of the attack which none of you know the reason for, but also because George had no choice but to explain to his husband why his knuckles were scrapped up. That brought Ziv's mood lower than any of the rest of you. Eventually you all decide that it would be best to end the day. Ziv's parents would head back to their hotel but Ziv wanted to stay with you in your dorm rather than head home to hers. Being two years into your relationship meant that you had each spent the night at the other's place many times, but this was different. Ziv was in a darker place than usual and it was not the first time that she had been there because of Livitz. As soon as you had gotten into your room she broke down, collapsing to the floor and crying. There was nothing you could say at this point. You had talked about your combat teacher so many times that you knew saying anything would make it worse. So instead you pick up Liv and tuck her into your bed and simply hold her for hours. When she finally fell asleep you managed to doze off, but with so many thoughts in your head you only slept for a few hours. With a deep sigh you turn your head to the small alarm clock on your bedside table and groan. Eleven forty at night. At some point Ziv had rolled out of your arms and was sleeping facing you and you gently stroked her hair for a minute before you realized you would not be falling back asleep anytime soon. You roll out from under the weighted blanket you had gotten to help Ziv sleep when she spent the night and sat on the foot of your bed with your tablet in hand. Scrolling through your social media you freeze as you see a picture of yourself and Ziv hugging. The picture seems to be from shortly after your fight with the mysterious server from earlier and linked to a news article about the incident from earlier. You slip on your headphones and tap the article. Instead of reading it you decide to watch the news broadcast from earlier in the evening. You recognize the host from other events revolving around super abilities and groan. Despite being enhanced herself she never held back her negative opinions of other enhanced individuals. Rumor was that she hated being enhanced and as a result took out her frustrations on others. <<if $enraged is true>>"This was the scene outside of the La Resturante Valour earlier today when an eighteen year old woman from Ashton Academy went berserk after an innocent server simply looked at her girlfriend. Pedestrians on the street were shocked when the server, who's name we have learned is Eva Small, was hurled through the front window of the restaurant by the psychotic student." Small, that last name was familiar. It takes you a moment but you finally remember a Small family living down the street from your parents home. You don't remember much about them as your parents refused to allow you around the family as they had all been enhanced. So you had some connection to the server, in passing at any rate. You look back at the tablet. "The student whose name we have learned is ${name} had been close personal friends with the Smalls as a child. Apparently however that mattered little to her as jealousy reared its ugly head and she lashed out." "What the fuck?" I mumble to myself quietly. Not one word of this shit has been correct so far. This was much worse than the hosts' usual smear job. "Poor Eva did their best to defend themself against their attacker, but there is only so much a poor unenhanced human can do against a monster like the one from Ashton. By the end of the fight Small was in critical condition, several passing pedestrians had been injured, and millions of dollars of damage had been done to the surrounding property and vehicles."<<else>>"This was the scene outside of the La Resturante Valour earlier today when an eighteen year old woman from Ashton Academy went berserk after an innocent server simply looked at her girlfriend. Pedestrians on the street were shocked when the server, who's name we have learned is Eva Small, was hurled through the front window of the restaurant by the psychotic student." Small, that last name was familiar. It takes you a moment but you finally remember a Small family living down the street from your parents home. You don't remember much about them as your parents refused to allow you around the family as they had all been enhanced. So you had some connection to the server, in passing at any rate. You look back at the tablet. "The student whose name we have learned is ${name} had been close personal friends with the Smalls as a child. Apparently however that mattered little to her as jealousy reared its ugly head and she lashed out." "What the fuck?" I mumbled to myself quietly. Not one word of this shit has been correct so far. This was much worse than the hosts' usual smear job. "Luckily for all involved the damage was minimal despite the power of the crazy Ashton student. Eva Small was sent to hospital with severe injuries, and we have yet to get a comment, but as soon as this poor working citizen is well enough we will be sure to get their opinion on the situation and this psychotic student named $name."<</if>> "Stop watching love" I feel the bed shifting behind you and look back to find Ziv looking at you. She could see what you are watching from her angle, and despite not hearing what was being said, based on the images and animated host she probably had a good idea. You sigh and toss the tablet towards your desk, the chunky case ensuring the paper thin device didn't simply flutter to the ground. As a hero in training you quickly learned to keep your phone and tablet in a heavy duty case as you never knew when an attack could happen. You pull off the headset and turn as Ziv sits up, the blanket shifting and falling aside as she reaches for you and tugs on your arm. As you turn you fall forward planting your face into your pillow, Ziv rubbing your back as I mumble. "Sweetheart, I can't understand ye with yer face buried in a pillow." You turn your head slightly and sigh. <<cycle "$angerchange1" autoselect>> <<option "They didn't even try to get the story straight, they made me look like some crazy villain." "none">> <<option "I do my best to hid the tears shimmering in my eyes. Why would they make me seem so bad?" "minus2">> <<option "I tremble as I feel my anger rising. I don't understand what that bitch gets from tearing down others." "plustwo">> <</cycle>> Ziv leans over you and gently kisses the back of your neck. "Ignore tha bitch. Anyone who matters will know the truth." You roll onto your back and Ziv shifts slightly so she is on top of you, her lips pressing to yours. "Ye saved my life," she kisses your jawline, "Ye saved ma parents," her lips find your ear, "and ye kicked the absolute shit out of that dipwad." You feel her teeth gently tug on your earlobe and you give in, wrapping your arms around her. [[I trace my hands down her side, slipping into the shorts she wears and as my fingers find their target she moans into my ear, her hands also beginning to explore.|c1p10][$sexual to true]] [[I hold her tightly as our lips meet and I gently stroke my fingers up and down her back. Kissing, cuddling, making out, these are all I have ever been interested in. It's about the tingles from being close. I'm not interested in sex and Ziv has always been fine with that.|c1p10]]

<<nobr>><<if $angerchange1 is "minus2">><<set $anger -2>><</if>><<if $angerchange1 is "plustwo">><<set $anger +2>><</if>><</nobr>> It's not your alarm, or even the sun coming in the window that wakes you the next morning. It's a fact that when you shift you end up knocking a floating Ziv across the room, only for her to wake up and fall to the floor as she bumps into the wall. "DON'T LAUGH!" she is on her feet in seconds. Meanwhile you are attempting to keep said laugh in, your hand muffling your mouth. It wasn't often that Ziv would end up floating around in her sleep and the first time it happened you were worried, but she was quick to reassure you that it was just a nuisance and nothing more. Unfortunately you are still doing your best to keep the giggles in all through your morning shower together, as you both go down the elevator, and even as Ziv's dads pick you up in their rental. Something about this morning had you focusing on it more than usual. "Let me guess," George grins at you as you are securing your seat belt and trying not to look at Ziv glaring at you, "She was floating around in her sleep again?" The hiss in your ear has you simply shrugging and trying to act natural and your eyes do their best to express a confirmation. "So, how'd ye two sleep?" Jim is in the driver seat, swearing and wrenching the wheel before you can answer. "Dammit, why is everything on the wrong side of the road over here?" "Hey hun, just relax, ye know they can't get the small things right over here," George chuckles. Jim looks at you in the rearview mirror, "I see 'at look on yer face $name. Maybe I should make ye drive when ye come visit Glasgow fer Christmas?" "Da', leave her alone," Ziv just rolls her eyes The rest of the week goes by in a bit of a haze as you prepare for your graduation from the Academy. Between finalizing your job offers with established hero groups across the country, dealing with the fall out from the "Small Incident" as Ziv had taken to calling it, and finally having to deal with your parents now suddenly trying to cut you off early, you and Ziv only had one chance to see each other and that was for a short lunch. So when you finally get the chance to see her the morning of graduation day in her full hero outfit you can't help but swoon a little. Ziv had always enjoyed the peculiar when it came to what she had imagined her official hero outfit to look like. Her top consisted of nothing but a light combat vest bristling with a variety of throwing blades, with a light set of urban camo pants, and heavy combat boots. However despite the rather eye-catching top, what really grabs the eye are the two large claymore that follow her through the air, held aloft by her power. With the strength of her abilities this was trivial, and you have witnessed her wield those blades in training with no effort, swinging them at practice targets and combat bots without so much as touching them. Ziv also used her abilities to create a cloud of blades with the dozen or so blades on the vest. While she could use anything near her for this she favors their own blades. To top off her look is a simple black domino mask to help hide her identity from strangers. [['"Hey good lookin"'|c1p11]]

Ziv comes sauntering over to you as you sit under the large tree in the middle of the campus just doing your best to relax in preparation for the ceremony in a few hours. You are on your feet in seconds, your arms pulling her into a tight hug. "What do you mean 'good lookin'? I'm not even in my outfit yet." You tap the domino mask in the school colors you are wearing as was required when none staff or students are on campus. "Have ye still not settled on a final look?! Ye have gone through a dozen in the two years we have known each other." You shrug, "What can I say, I have standards, and not all of us have a chest perfect enough to pull off that look love." You motion to her simple combat vest. She just rolls her eyes and smiles, "Ya ya, stop tryna butter me up will ye? Which one did ye settle on?" "It took me FOREVER, and Edna is still pissed, but I finally settled one" [[I decided on something more modern. It has combat grade calf length boots, gloves, and a light weight chest plate. A pair of gauntlets with built in tech for monitoring emergency frequencies are included. These are worn over a body tight one piece suit capable of stopping blades and light arms fire.|c1p12][$style to "modern"]] [[Of course I had to go with something eye-catching! The bodysuit has a unique cut to it and reveals tiny hints of skin in random spots. The boots have curved lines swirling in them and the fingerless gloves follow the same pattern but in an opposite curl. I top it off by styling my hair in a dramatic, slightly over the top way.|c1p12][$style to "eye catching"]] [[I had to go elegant, there was almost no choice. Nearly every other hero had a slutty, combat oriented, or wacky look. It looks like I should be attending some formal event, but the soft, elegant lines give way to obvious ballistic absorbing fabrics. The boots, despite having a subtle heel, are tipped with metal, and the gloves follow a similar pattern with metal on the knuckles and joints.|c1p11b]] [[Revealing, what can I say, I like giving people something pleasant to look at while I beat down the villains. With more exposed skin then logic says I would want exposed in a fight most probably think I am vulnerable. But strategically placed carbon-fiber cloth protects my vital organs, all the while keeping the rather slutty look. The thigh high boots and elbow length gloves are also incredibly tough.|c1p11c]] [[I settled on a combat oriented look, similar to Ziv. Unlike Ziv I wear a tank top underneath my combat vest and it lacks the sheer number of blades hers does. My combat pants are a solid color and I keep them tucked into my heavy boots. The outfit also comes with a pair of heavy leather gloves with small metal plates stitched in along the fingers.|c1p12][$style to "combat"]]

Just as you finish explaining part of your hero outfit to Ziv your phone jingles, looking at it you grin and stand up quickly. "Speak of the devil! It was just delivered to my dorm!" You are in the air before you even realize that Ziv is with you. As you look down at her you turn bright red. "Oh damn, I am so sorry love!!" It's then you see her with her arms outstretched and eyes screwed tightly shut, "Just, just don't go to high" You're shocked. Here is your girlfriend, an extreme acrophobic, willingly offering to let you carry her and fly home, FLY. "If you're sure" she nods. "Hurry up before I change me mind." With no further hesitation you scoop Ziv into your arms, holding her bridal style, and take off towards home at a slower pace then you would normally travel. The other students in the area simply gap, never in any of your lives had any of you ever thought Ziv would willingly fly. When she came to Canada to attend the academy she had to come by boat, and then mag-rail rather than fly. You move at a decent clip, never going more than a few meters off the ground, and concentrating on keeping a solid grip on your trusting girlfriend. Normally this would take you less then a minute to get from the campus to the dorm, but you don't want to freak Ziv out more than she already is. It's an odd feeling having the extra weight to your normally weightless flight. But it doesn't hinder you in the slightest and you can't help but smile as you zip around obstacles, you never thought this would happen. You and Ziv must seriously have something if she is allowing this. It's something you have talked about before, staying together after graduation. You both want to, and the reality that you may never see each other again after graduating hasn't fully sunk in yet. But this, right here and right now, makes you think that maybe you can make it work, find some way to be together forever like you have talked about. Of course in the back of your mind there is a tiny nagging voice slowly chipping away at your hope. You know she had originally intended on going home to Glasgow and joining a super group there and it is what her dads want, which if anything makes her decision easier as Ziv would never dream of going against her parents. But there have been the casual comments at lunch, the playful jabs while sparing, the whispers while holding each other late at night. What if she didn't go home. What if Ziv stayed here, with you. You could both try and join the same super group, or at least different groups here in Aeon Falls. After all there were dozens of them and as the two top ranked of your year you could join practically any one you wanted. You could make a life together. Yet part of you knew that it was just wishful thinking on your part. The odds were stacked against you as it is. You would never ever want to come between Ziv and her parents. But still. [[Continue|c1p13]]

"Did ye go with a dress or suit?" [[A dress. The flowing fabric hides my legs except for the slit up the side to allow more freedom of movement. The top has a faint corseted look to it. The boots are calf-length with a lace-like pattern, and the gloves are lacey with no tips, letting me keep my nails long.|c1p12][$style to "elegant dress"]] [[A suit. The cut is somewhere between a tux and a more casual affair. The boots only come up to my ankles, but are hidden by the flowing pants, and the gloves have no tips, keeping the very tips of my fingers exposed.|c1p12][$style to "elegant suit"]]

Ziv rolls her eyes and smiles, "Did ye go masculine or feminine with the look?" [[Feminine all the way! The boots are stilettos, with a mini-skirt capping them. The top is a corset and the gloves have more frills than needed. It also as a mini cape around the shoulders.|c1p12][$style to "revealing feminine"]] [[I went with a masculine look. The thigh highs have a hint of heel and give way to a pair of tight pants. The top is a tight, revealing fish-net top, and the gloves have a subtle fishnet look to them.|c1p12][$style to "revealing masculine"]]

"Okay love, just one quick zip up to my window and we're there alright?" Ziv just pushes her face into your chest harder then before and nods. With a quick burst you carry her up to your window, the automatic opener you added to it causing the window to slide up at your approach and you are quick to get Ziv's feet on the ground. Despite that she doesn't let go of you immediately.<<cycle "$height" autoselect>> <<option "It's kind of awkward as Ziv is 5'10 and compared to her you are so, so very small. Set height to 5' and under." "very short">> <<option "You reach up and gently stroke her hair and wait patiently. Set height 5'5 and under." "short">> <<option "You gently stroke her back and nuzzle into her neck affectionately. Set height 5'10 and under." "average">> <<option "Nuzzling the top of her head always makes her happier. Set height 6'3 and under." "tall">> <<option "It's easy enough to lift Ziv into your arms and hold tight well you wait. Set height 6'4 and up." "very tall">> <</cycle>> "Am, am," "What is it love?" You gently stroke her hair. In a tiny, meek voice she simply asks, "Am I alive?" The chuckle rumbling through your body has Ziv pulling back and looking at the floor, then up into your eyes, before her lips are locked to yours. After a minute of grounding herself Ziv backs up, holding one of your hands. "Don't ye ever, ever ask me to fly alright? It is my decision and I will take it at me own pace. I don't even know why I let ye do that." "Isn't it obvious?" She looks at you seriously and shrugs, "It's because you loooove meeee" You tease in a sing song voice. "Of course I do ye dolt! I just never expected it to lead to, to" Just thinking about the experience has Ziv paling noticeably. A sudden tapping on the window behind you has you turning to notice Ziv's swords attempting to get in. "Mind opening that love? I don't want to go anywhere tha' window at the moment." As you let her blades in Ziv is opening your door and floating a large box, two smaller cases, and a thin container into the room. "I'm assuming the big one is yer outfit, but what with the smaller ones?" "Oh, those three are probably the accessories I wanted, I think the thin one is my mask" Ziv sets the boxes down on the bed and steps aside and lets you break into the boxes like a kid on christmas morning. You pull the pieces of your primary suit out and Ziv whistles, "I cannae WAIT to see ye in those" She gives you a 'look' and you know you have no choice but to humor her. You quickly strip out of your everyday clothes, while Ziv sits on the bed staring at you with a wolfish grin the entire time, and slip into your new $style outfit. It feels amazing, to actually be wearing your official hero costume, finally, after all these years of wishing, hoping, and waiting. Not to mention the long hours of study and physical practice. You stand in front of the tall mirror on the wall and turn this way and that, inspecting yourself from every angle. "Ye look amazing love, so good I just want to unwrap ye and devour the contents." [[Continue|ass]]

"Ye look amazing!" Ziv steps up behind you and wraps her arms around your waist. You grin and turn gently in her arms so as not to break her hold on yourself. "I'm not the only one. So, do you ever plan on explaining why you are wearing nothing but that combat vest?" Ziv just shrugs, "I dinnae know, I just enjoy the look. I know for a fact I am not the only one." She nuzzles your neck before breaking off. "Alright, so what shall we do for the rest of the day me love?" In the end you end up in the campus cafeteria, sitting with your usual group of friends and all swooning over each other's new outfits well you indulge in a massive pile of food you all chip in for. Many of the younger students occasionally slip into your group to compliment or just stare in awe at what they perceive to be an honest to God group of heroes. Your costumes mark you as no longer being students. You are no longer wearing the school uniform, or the domino mask in the school colors. "Hey $name", You turn to Jennie, your classes resident ice manipulator, "You still have those posters of Proton in your room right? Still have that massive crush?" Ziv snickers and nudges you. "She does, that vintage one and the one she got last year are basically shrines at this point." Ziv nudges you again. "What is it about Proton you like anyway love?" "She is a heroic icon. Sure she is in her early fifties but she is still regarded as one of, if not the most, powerful and dedicated heroes on the planet. Besides she looks amazing and continues to make the covers of fitness and hero related magazines. Wait, why are you asking so suddenly?" Jennie grins, her usually subtle dimples making themselves very visible. "Because she is behind you." Your head is swiveling despite your doubt. Your crush on Proton is the worst kept secret on campus and even Ziv loves making fun of you for it. Jennie was not lying. The rest of our group erupt into whispers as they also notice her. Your eyes widen as you see Proton striding through the cafeteria with the dean on one side and your ethics professor on the other. The three of them seem to be having an animated conversation and aren't paying much attention to those around them. But for the briefest moment your eyes meet hers and she directs a pleasant smile in your direction but continues talking to the other two. "Is it warm in here Zivvy?" Jennie is giggling and pretending to whisper to your girlfriend. "I cannae tell, is it $name?" She leans closer to you and gives you a poke. Oh damn...you're blushing Your eyes snap back to the group and you can suddenly feel your entire body turning red well the others laugh. Even Ziv is teasing you as she leans closer and whispers in your ear, "Ye have a crush on her and it's adorable." You feel her slip an arm around yours in an unusually possessive move as the conversation shifts to why Proton is at the academy, let alone why it is on graduation day. The entire campus is abuzz for the rest of the day as word spreads that Proton is here. Some speculate that she is here to recruit the best students to join her hero group. Part of you hopes this is true. The Paragon League is one of the top hero groups in the world, with Proton leading them. They have prevented more world ending disasters then any of the next five groups combined. Though some conspiracy theories suggest that they manufacture these to increase their own standing. Joining the Paragon League right out of graduation would be an amazing accomplishment as they usually only take heroes with a few years of experience under their belts, and as of last month they are down three members. Madam Parax left to join her boyfriends hero group in the U.S. Whips died of apparent natural causes, and their girlfriend left the group in grief. That leaves three open spots which, you check your phone, yup, they have yet to be filled. "Ziv, what if?" You trail off. "Ack, don't get yer hopes up love. I bet she is just friends with the Dean and here visiting." Ziv, always the realist, well when it came to anything other then your relationship at any rate. [[Continue|c1p15]]

"Almost time, almost time," Jennie is pacing back and forth, back stage as the rest of you deal with your nervousness in your own ways. No one is surprised that you and Ziv are wrapped in each others arms, Jennie is pacing and muttering the same thing over and over like a mantra, Pietro is chewing on his nails, and there are a dozen other forms of coping as you all listen to the dean giving her speech before she will present the graduating class with your diplomas. Finally the time comes and the dean calls the first graduating student by their chosen hero alias rather then their civilian names. Jennie squares her shoulders and strides out onto stage as 'Shatter'. Pietro floats out as the 'Grey Ace'. 'Queen Lux'. 'Kill Joy'. 'Ruiner'. A dozen or so more before you hear 'Razor Storm' and with a final hug and quick kiss Ziv turns and heads out onto stage, You immediately hear George going absolutely wild and just imagine Jim is hiding his face in his hands. After a minute you hear the dean, "Finally, I am proud to present this years top student, with perfect scores in all of her classes, only beating out Razor Storm by a single point <<textbox "$hname" "Valkyrie">>. [[Continue|c1p16]]

With a huge sigh you step out onto the stage and leave $name behind. Only $hname is here now. <<if $personality is "confident">>You stride onto stage with a confident swagger in your steps. Your eyes quickly find Ziv on the opposite side of the stage, ${zherhis} eyes sparkling from behind the mask. You move up to the dean and with a firm handshake and a friendly smile, she hands you your diploma. That's it, you are officially graduated, your whole life is ahead of you. You are doing your best to not burst out laughing as George gives you just as much of a reaction as he did Ziv. You are immediately engulfed by the crowd of your classmates, most friends, a few simply aquentinces, one your true love, but no enemies, no rivals. You all cheer as you attempt to navigate the massive group hug on stage. Eventually only one pair of arms remain wrapped around you, Ziv is there, her bright green eyes locked on yours. Nothing can ruin this moment and the majority of the amphitheater bursts into cheers as you kiss.<</if>><<if $personality is "shy">>You slink onto the stage, wishing beyond all hope that the spotlight following you would just go away. You are doing your best to not hunch and try to curl in on yourself. The dean, well aware of your issue waits patiently and gives you a confident smile. Ziv, on the other side of the stage makes a subtle 'keep going' hand jesture, and even Geroge attempts to help. "You got this $hname!" he shouts from the audience. That just made it worse! You pick up speed, eventually flying without even realizing you are doing so. A very quick handshake with the dean and you are zipping to your classmates, intent on hiding in the crowd. That's it, you are officially graduated, your whole life is ahead of you. You are immediately engulfed by the crowd of your classmates, most friends, a few simply aquentinces, one your true love, but no enemies, no rivals. You all cheer as you attempt to navigate the massive group hug on stage. Eventually only one pair of arms remain wrapped around you, Ziv is there, her bright green eyes locked on yours. Nothing can ruin this moment and the majority of the amphitheater bursts into cheers as you kiss. Your cheeks burn a bright red, but you don't break the kiss.<</if>><<if $personality is "cocky">>You fly onto stage and do a quick loop of the amphitheater, your hand slapping George's in a high-five as you zip by. The dean is politely asking you to knock it off and just let her finish the ceremony so you float down to her, just barely touching the ground as she reaches out to shake your hand and you turn it into an over the top affair she somehow seems to keep up with. That's it, you are officially graduated, your whole life is ahead of you. Holding your diploma above you, you zip over to the cheering group of your now former classmates. You are immediately engulfed by the crowd of your classmates, most friends, a few simply aquentinces, one your true love, but no enemies, no rivals. You all cheer as you attempt to navigate the massive group hug on stage. Eventually only one pair of arms remain wrapped around you, Ziv is there, her bright green eyes locked on yours. Nothing can ruin this moment and the majority of the amphitheater bursts into cheers as you kiss. You even go so far as to sweep Ziv into an elegant dip as you keep kissing her.<</if>> The after party is held out on the shores of the pacific which runs along the entire Ashton property. The food is the best you have ever had at the Academy, and the liquor flows freely. What starts as a fun party filled with laughing quickly becomes a party filled with terrible dance moves, attempted hookups, and most likely regrets come morning. You can't help but smile as you watch your former classmates and remember late night study groups in the library, pranks gone horribly, but wonderfully wrong, and jokes shared about the faculty that they will never know. Ziv stands next to you, her fingers laced with your own. The dean, Proton, and your girlfriend are all in a deep conversation you are not paying attention to as you watch Jennie amaze Jim, George, and several other parents with her control of ice, forming intricate shapes with ease. Suddenly, everything is ruined. You feel Ziv tense and look over at her to find Livitz on her other side, his hand on her shoulder and his thumb, hidden from the dean and Proton rubbing slow circles on her back. He obviously does not care that you can see his actions. You're not the only one and you notice George and Jim stomping over towards your group, but it is to late, because you are there. As Livitz tries to butt in on the conversation you reach over and grab his wrist, squeezing tightly and forcing him to release your girlfriend who is immediately pulled close by the dean. Even Proton seems to pick up some hint as to what is happening and angles herself between your former combat trainer and Ziv. "What the hell do you think you're doing kid? Assaulting your professor is not a good look." You hold up a finger on your free hand. "Former professor actually, seeing as how I am no longer your student." He scoffs, "So what, you suddenly think you can take me, over what, this little tease?" You hear Ziv sniffle behind you, the dean gasps, and George immediately breaks into a string of curses you do not understand.<<if $height is "very short" or $height is "short" or $height is "average">>You look up into his eyes and grin fiercely. "I don't think I can, I know I can. You were great teaching the basics, but beyond that we always had 'guest' professors. Why is that Livitz?"<</if>><<if $height is "tall" or $height is "very tall">>You look into his eyes and grin fiercely. "I don't think I can, I know I can. You were great teaching the basics, but beyond that we always had 'guest' professors. Why is that Livitz?"<</if>> "Shut it you little shit. I am a permanent fixture at this academy and there is nothing you can do." A small cough from the dean grabs your attention and you look back over your shoulder. You notice Ziv is being held by her parents and is hiding her face in George's shoulder. The edges of your vision turn red seeing this. "I was going to do this in private, but to hell with decorum. Mr. Livitz, you are fired. It took me years of work, but I finally got certain people to see the light and grant my request. You will leave the property immediately" The dean pushes her glasses up her nose with her middle finger as she finishes, nice. Livitz is sputtering by the time she finishes. "Wha, but, who? YOU CAN'T FIRE ME!" "Livitz," he looks back at you as you squeeze his wrist. "You're trespassing" [[I'm going to very publicly remove him from the property, gotta keep it semi legit after all.|escort]] [[The red is still tinging my vision and I grin widely, something snapping in my mind as my body begins to heat up.|wrecks][$anger to $anger +2, $solar2 to true]] [[The red is still tinging my vision and I grin widely, something snapping in my mind as tiny pebbles begin floating up around me.|wreckbh][$anger to $anger +2]]

"Fuck you!" Livitz wrenches his hand from your grasp and turns to walk away, obviously you have no intention of falling for his ruse, it is the same one he always tries to pull in training. Your hand is waiting for him as he spins around, leveling his foot at your head, you can't help but smirk at the look in his eyes. "You're predictable Livitz, you always have been. Beyond teaching the basics of combat you are worthless, but even with that you are mediocre, at best." With a slight shove you push him back causing Livitz to topple over. As he stands back up, face red and locked in a scowl, you smile politely, "Now leave, or I will make you leave." "Shut up you little shit! You would be worthless without me! All of you would!" Livtiz turns in a circle, pointing at his former students and ranting. You can't help but shake your head, a tiny fragment of pity worming its way into your heart, until you hear Ziv sniffle behind you. A low growl escapes your lips and that shred of pity vanishes as you stomp over to Livitz well he rants, his back is to you and with a swift move you have pinned the arm he is swinging around behind his back as you kick out his opposite leg and bring him to the ground. Reaching over his shoulders with one hand you snap your fingers in his face, the tiniest flare of light bursts and he flinches back, "I'm blind you little shit!" "It'll wear off, now on your feet." Livitz continues to struggle until you get tired of his stubbornness and use your powers, turning the former professor weightless and easily hauling him up and over your shoulder. "Put me down fucker!" "Oh shut it Livitz, no one wants to hear you" As you approach the main building a trio of security guards comes marching out of the doors in front of you, "$hname? The dean called ahead and told use to escort Livitz off campus." One of the guards steps up to the former Professor and slips a pair of cuffs onto his wrists. As he is being led away he turns to face you, a wide grin on his face. "You're a blind idiot $name, you should ask that little tramp of yours if there is something she is not telling you." Before you can ask what he means by that Livitz turns away, that grin still plastered to his face. Your mind is racing trying to come up with reasons he would say that. The most obvious is that he just wants one last chance to fuck with you. There are several other options that sneak into your mind, none of which you want to think about. Ziv would never do anything like the thoughts now rampaging through your mind. Heading back to the party you are surprised to nearly run into Ziv as you step back outside. Livitz last few words continue to ripple through your mind as you stare into Ziv's shimmering green eyes, but they vanish as she wraps you in a tight hug. Ziv clings to you for several minutes before you notice Proton and the Dean looking meaningfully towards the two of you, curiosity on both their faces. "Hey, love, I think some people would like to speak with us." It takes a moment before she is comfortable enough to release you, but before you even take a step Ziv fingers are lacing into yours and squeezing. With a gentle smile you squeeze back and pull your girlfriend along with you as you stride over to the Dean and Proton, the latter flashing you a wining smile that nearly causes you to turn bright red. Luckily you are able to keep the blush from your face and simply return the smile. "Well," the Dean begins as she removes her glasses and begins cleaning them, "This was certainly the most memorable graduation party I have ever been a part of" Proton simply snorts and shakes her head with a smile. "Certainly more memorable then mine at any rate. Did you manage with the former professor easily enough $hname?" Ziv squeezes your hand tightly as you smile, "Yup, passed him over to security easily enough." You toss a casual thumb back over your shoulder towards the doors. The dean simply nods and glances at Proton. "Ah, right, well $hname I am sure you are just as curious as your classmates as to why I am here." You simply nod, your stomach suddenly feeling like it is twisting into a knot, "The timing of your graduation and the loss of three of my teammates are a bit of a mixed bag of events" She shifts slightly, running a hand through her hair and looks at the dean, "Normally I would never make this offer to a freshie, but my little sister here has been raving about you for the last two years, and after doing my own snooping into you, not to mention my sudden need for new teammates I have decided to offer you a slot. So, what do you say, want to join The Paragon League?" [[Chapter 2|c2p1][$livitzalive to true]]

The last two years of frustration and anger over the actions of this, man, finally come surging out of you. You have absolutely zero worries about repercussions involving what you are about to do. Only two thoughts make coherent sense in your roiling mind. He has hurt your Zivvy and the urge to beat Livitz to a bloody pulp. So you do. You haven't even realized that you are drawing in dozens of small items which fall into a lazy orbit around yourself and Livitz. More and more objects are being drawn to you by the second and people around the party have stopped and are now aware of the situation in the middle of what had been a wonderful event. Within a moment most people are trying to hold onto their personal items, utensils, and glasses as the gravity around you pulls harder. "You're going to regret every being born Livitz", He growls at you in response but before he can say anything you begin to squeeze his wrist tighter, increasing the gravity in your grip as you do. The sound of bones grinding together fills the space around us as he grits his teeth. My knee is driving up into his groin before I even register the action, then I grab his other wrist and flip him over my back and smash him into the ground. With a howl of pain Livitz falls to the ground, clutching himself with his partially crushed hands. As you begin to turn you see him getting back up. "No" You push your hand against his chest and he looks confused for a moment, until an explosive burst of gravity from under your palm explodes in a shockwave and hurls him into a tree, his back makes a horrendous sound as he hits, and he slides down to the ground. But he is still not out. Spitting he gets back up, cracking his spine, and then pulling the remains of his shirt from his torso. "That the best you got kid?" He is panting heavily, favoring one leg. His wrists are heavily bruised from where you had gripped them and his torso is covered in lacerations, but he is still not done. "So, you may fight like a beginner, but you are tough. It must be the reason you got the job." You crack your neck and rise several feet into the air and debris from your fight with Livitz is rapidly pulled closer into your orbit. You think you hear one of the professors mutter something along the lines of "Oh shit" when, with a sudden burst of speed, Livitz is hurtling through the air toward you in a rage. He grabs your collar and slugs you across the jaw, causing you to lose your concentration. The sudden shock has you losing focus and reflexively causing a burst of gravity to sent debris in all directions. Luckily most people are far enough away to find cover but the blast is enough to send Livitz and yourself flying in opposite directions. He slams back into the same tree as before and the sound of cracking wood ripples over everyone. You fly into a table and crash through the glasses and flatware still in place. Instincts alone bring you to a stop, floating a few inches off the ground. Your new outfit is covered in rips and tears, but you are mostly in one piece. "$name!! That's enough love! He's, LOOK OUT!" Your attention flashes from Ziv, to Livitz, only to find his furious face almost in front of you. You have so much adrenaline in your system you don't even really feel as the knife in his hand finds it's mark, sinking into your side. All you know is Ziv is screaming, well, most people are by his point, but you are not sure why. You see the blood on the knife as Livitz pulls back but you feel fine. Well, other then being slightly woozy, but you chalk that up to the fight and losing control for a moment. Livitz screams in anger as you float upwards, hovering just out of reach above him. "You little shit, Im going to end you!" That phrase again, like the server, what was their name? Right, Small, Eva Small. "You look rather small from up here Livitz" You chuckle, a light cough shaking you. Ziv is yelling at you to stop, to back off and let Proton and the others who are now closing in finish Livitz, but as he turns to her and screams that she need to mind her business you feel another sudden burst of rage boiling over. [[Ziv, Ziv is right, I should let the others finish this. I'm kind of tired to be honest.|c1p17]] [[My anger is to much, I lose total control as I grab Livitz in both hands and shoot into the air.|wreckbh2][$anger to $anger +3]]

You find myself beginning to drop to the ground as you turn and fly towards your Ziv. You vaguely hear Livitz being tackled behind you, but your eyes are locked on Ziv as you quite literally fall into her arms, your power giving out suddenly. Ziv lowers you to the ground gently and nuzzles your neck, you can feel something wet dripping onto your neck from her face. "Ziv, are you crying?" She pulls back, a look of worry on her face. "Of course I am ye idiot! He stabbed you!!" You are confused for a moment, until you feel a sudden shock of overwhelming pain as Jim is pushing a cloth into your side. The dean is resting a hand on Ziv's shoulder as she is yelling into her phone about a stabbing and student who needs an ambulance. You look down and see the cloth Jim is pressing to you slowly beginning to turn red. "Huh, look at that, hey, Ziv" "Yes love?" "I love you..." [[Continue|c1p18][$anger to $anger -5; $livitzalive to true]]

You just barely make out Ziv screaming at you to come back down. But you can't really register any thing beyond Livitz howling in your face in anger. You finally stop when you are a decent way above the academy grounds, the Pacific stretching out to your right, Aeon Falls, it's lights a shimmering vale of stars to your left. "You're a dick Livitz, a piece of trash, and I think. I think you deserve to die because of who you are and what I am fairly certain you have done." "Shut it you little fucker, you know nothing about me" He squirms in your grasp. "I know that you set your eyes on a sixteen year old student. I know you made her next two years a living hell. I can safely guess that she was not the first. So I think I should stop you." A wicked smile crosses his lips. "Wait, she didn't tell you, did she?" "Tell me what" "She didn't! Oh that's too good. Listen kid, you can find better then that tease." "Don't call my girlfriend that!" Livits scoffs. "Girlfriend, right. Whatever. Kill me, or don't. I don't give a shit, you've ruined my life anyway." [[Im done with him and he is tough. I simply let go, he'll probably survive.|livitzlive][$anger to $anger -3]] [["You are a predator Livitz, and it's time to suffer the consequences"|livitzkill]]

The last two years of frustration and anger over the actions of this, man, finally come surging out of you. You have absolutely zero worries about repercussions involving what you are about to do. Only two thoughts make coherent sense in your roiling mind. He has hurt your Zivvy and the urge to beat Livitz to a bloody pulp. So you do. You haven't even realized that you are glowing, not just your hands, but your entire body. The glow growing brighter by the second, people around the party have stopped and are now aware of the situation in the middle of what had been a wonderful event. Within a moment most people are covering their eyes, but yours are locked on Livitz who now has his screwed tightly shut and is trying to cover his face with his free hand. //That will just not do//, You think to yourself and take his other wrist in hand. Then, you begin heating up. Within moments your hands are glowing with heat, the air around them sweltering and waving like a mirage. Livitz, despite still standing is now howling in pain and rage, the smell of cooked flesh reaches your nose, but he is still standing You bring his sizzling wrists together and then use the leverage you have to flip him over your body. You release his wrists as he impacts the ground and makes a sound somewhere between a squeak and scream. You roll your shoulders, crack your glowing knuckles and hold out one hand as he stumbles to his feet. The tiny star in your hand is barely bigger then an apple seed, but when you unleash a bolt of pure destructive power at Livitz it is more then enough to send him flying back into a table. The sound of shattering glass, snapping wood, and flying silver ware fills the area. You almost do break down laughing as you see a school insurance rep cringe out of the corner of your eye. But the sight is filed away somewhere in the back of your mind. The smell of singed hair joins that of cooked flesh as Livitz stands, tearing of the remains of his shirt. You nearly gag at the sight of his sizzled chest hair, and it just makes you angrier. "So, you may fight like a beginner, but you are tough. It must be the reason you got the job." You crack your neck and hold both hands out in front of yourself, the stars forming in your hands are pure white and you can feel the energy fields in your hands struggling to contain them. You think you hear one of the astronomy professor mutter something along the lines of "Oh shit". But before you can act with Livitz is charging you in a rage. He grabs your collar and slugs you across the jaw, causing you to lose your concentration. The star in your left hand winks out, luckily for everyone, because if both stars had exploded it could have been disastrous. You manage to just barely contain the burst from the star in your right hand, but the blast is enough to send Livitz and yourself flying in opposite directions. He slams back into the same tree as before and the sound of cracking wood ripples over everyone. You fly into a table and crash through the glasses and flatware still in place. Instinct alone bring you to a stop, floating a few inches off the ground. You shake your head, your hair is smoldering and parts of your new outfit are blackened, but you are mostly in one piece. "$name!! That's enough love! He's, LOOK OUT!" Your attention flashes from Ziv, to Livitz, only to find his furious face almost in front of you. You have so much adrenaline in your system you don't even really feel as the knife in his hand finds it's mark, sinking into your side. All you know is Ziv is screaming, well, most people are by his point, but you are not sure why. You see the blood on the knife as Livitz pulls back but you feel fine. Well, other then being slightly woozy, but you chalk that up to the fight and losing control for a moment. Livitz screams in anger as you float upwards, hovering just out of reach above him. "You little shit, Im going to end you!" That phrase again, like the server, what was their name? Right, Small, Eva Small. "You look rather small from up here Livitz" you chuckle, a light cough shaking you. Ziv is yelling at you to stop, to back off and let Proton and the others who are now closing in finish Livitz, but as he turns to her and screams that she need to mind her business you feel another sudden burst of rage boiling over. [[Ziv, Ziv is right, I should let the others finish this. I'm kind of tired to be honest.|c1p17]] [[My anger is to much, I lose total control as I grab Livitz in both hands and shoot into the air.|wrecks2][$anger to $anger +3]]

Only as you release him he stays floating in the air. Oh, right he can fly too. "Poor idiot" He quickly shoots off towards the city, a few of my friends and Proton chasing after him. But for me everything is becoming darker. I look up and see the moon shining brightly over my head, there is not a cloud in the sky. That's odd. Everything is going dark. Am I falling? [[Continue|c1p18][$livitzalive to true]]

The sounds of a steady beeping, birds chirping, and a familiar humming draw your eyes open, a painful grunt escaping your lips as you realize how bright it is in the room. "Hey Zivvy, can you close the blinds?" A gasp comes from your side as you speak and within a second you are being crushed in a hug and you manage of faintly open one eye and see a mess of bright pink hair blocking your sight, "Zivvy? You're crushing me" Sobbing slightly Ziv nuzzles into you, "I know, just let me do it for a little longer. I almost lost you, I was terrified." "Lost me?" The memory of your fight with Livitz comes back to mind, but parts of it are hazy and you can't quite pin down what happened, but if how sore you are is any indicator something bad happened, "Zivvy, what happened?" <<if $livitzalive is true>>"Well, you, you kind of lost it and just attacked Livitz. You really messed him up too. But, uh, well he managed to stab you and you nearly died of blood lose." Ziv shifts the sheet covering you so you can see the bandage covering your side, "The doctor says you will be fine." "What about Livitz?" "Ah well," Ziv picks at the sheet, her eyes barely meeting yours, "He flew off, Proton and a couple others chased him but he got away." A gentle knock on the door interrupts her before she can continue. "Sorry to interrupt Ziv," You are stunned to find Proton poking her head in the room, "Ah! You're awake, mind if I come in?" Your head bobs before you can stop it. "So you're awake, thats good because I have an important question." Ziv grips my hand and grins, her eyes sparkling. "So, despite everything that happened the other day I had plans to ask this at your graduation, but here is as good as anywhere. The timing of your graduation and the loss of three of my teammates are a bit of a mixed bag of events" She shifts slightly, running a hand through her hair, "Normally I would never make this offer to a freshie, but my little sister, your dean, has been raving about you for the last two years, and after doing my own snooping into you, not to mention my sudden need for new teammates I have decided to offer you a slot. So, what do you say, want to join The Paragon League?" [[Chapter 2|c2p1]]<<else>>Ziv grips your hand and squeezes tightly, "Why did you do it? You killed him!" It's startling to see your Zivvy staring at you the way she is. Her eye's do not shimmer as usual, and she avoids meeting your gaze as much as possible, "Iâ€¦I killed him?" Part of you twists inside and you feel slightly nauseous, but somewhere, deep in the back of your mind there is a tiny joy swelling up. "Why $name?" "He hurt you, all the time! He deserved to die, I had to protect you." "I never asked you to kill for me, we are supposed to be heroes, we don't kill if we can avoid it!" Ziv tears her hand from yours and you cant help but be surprised. You have had arguments before, but not once has she ever pulled away from you like this, "I can't be here right now!" Ziv is running out of your room before you can do anything to stop her. "What the hell was that all about?" You barely even notice Proton enter your room as she stares back out of the door after Ziv. "I, uh, I think I fucked up." "You attacked and killed your former professor, yes I would say that you fucked up," Proton stares at you, her arms crossing her chest, "But despite that I am still in a bind and have already made the arrangements so I will be making you the same offer I was planning before you went insane and killed someone. The timing of your graduation and the loss of three of my teammates are a bit of a mixed bag of events, lets not even bring your recent transgression into it" She shifts slightly, running a hand through her hair, "Normally I would never make this offer to a freshie, but my little sister, your dean, has been raving about you for the last two years. After doing my own snooping into you, not to mention my sudden need for new teammates I have decided to offer you a slot. So, what do you say, want to join The Paragon League?" [[Chapter 2|c2p1]]<</if>>

<<if $solar2 is true>>Before he can speak you push a hand to his chest and release a blast knocking him back towards the ocean as it swells in and out. Even from your height you can hear it and it relaxes you, your muscles going slack. But a flicker of movement snaps you back to reality as you see the former professor regain control and come to a stop about a hundred feet below you. "Time to die Livitz." You are not angry, not vindictive, despite knowing that you should be. You are just so tired all of a sudden. But you need to finish this now, eradicate this parasite from the world. Protect your Zivvy. That is all that matters in this moment as you bring your hands together. The energy fields in yours hands combine into one, the tiny star they form swelling to the size of a marble, then an orange, a grapefruit, a beach ballâ€¦it grows larger. Despite the massive ball of fire blocking your vision you can still see your target clearly, somehow. With a face enraged by the events of the last few minutes he hurtles through the sky towards you. But as he is about to reach you, you unleash all of your anger and rage, now embodied in this star before you. I open the field of energy keeping all that destructive energy contained and it lances out through the sky, the entire city now lit up by this small ball of destructive force. You don't hear the impact of the beam of pure destructive fire hitting Livitz, it is more power then he could ever manage and it simply washes over him, through him, engulfing every cell and atom that make up the monster that is Gene Livitz. You hear his screams though, burning their mark into your memory. The screams of a dying man, pathetic and soft, yet loud and howling at once. The beam slices through the ocean, blasting down to the sea bed. Water within a few meters of the stellar power is instantly vaporized. The body of Livitz follows the beam down, he really was tough, his mostly intact body impacting the sea bed just as the beam fizzles out and the ocean comes crashing back in to crush his corpse. You lower your hands, the tiny glowing star fading into the night with more grace and dignity in its death then Livitz probably ever managed in his entire pitiful excuse of a life. You are vaguely aware of people yelling your nameâ€¦names. Most are calling for $hname, but there is one voice screaming for $name, a voice you know very well. You feel the wind wiping around you and your stomach does that thing that happens in free fall, wait, are you falling? The moon is bright overhead and it feels like it follows you as you fall. In it's face you suddenly see Ziv, your Zivvy. You reach up and caress her cheek. "You're safe now love, you're safe." The world goes dark and fades away. Ziv is safe, and that is all that matters. [[Continue|c1p18][$anger to +10]]<</if>><<if $solar2 is false>>Before he can speak you push a hand to his chest and release a blast knocking him back towards the ocean as it swells in and out. Even from your height you can hear it and it relaxes you, your muscles going slack. But a flicker of movement snaps you back to reality as you see the former professor regain control and come to a stop about a hundred feet below me. "Time to die Livitz." You are not angry, not vindictive, despite knowing that you should be. You are just so tired all of a sudden. But you need to finish this now, eradicate this parasite from the world. Protect your Zivvy. That is all that matters in this moment as you bring your hands together. The gravity around Livitz begins to rapidly increase, the strain on his face growing as he tries to stay in the air. You smile wickedly as you watch him struggle but your satisfaction is cast aside when he seems to draw from some reserve of power and launches towards you through the air. But as he is about to reach you, you unleash all of your anger and rage capturing him in an orb of gravity, rapidly increasing its power as his body begins to distort and compress due to the forces being exerted on him. Somehow he is still alive even with the bones of his arms and legs crushed, his ribs no doubt splintered and his skull being caved in. The look he gives you is one of pure hatred. You are tired of this, he should be dead, but Livitz is somehow still hanging on. Your flash of annoyance passes quickly and you simply reverse the ball of crushing gravity, this time not taking your time to draw out his death. The immediate and powerful reversal has Livitz body being torn to shreds nearly instantaneously. Yet somehow he still manages too scream one last time, the screams of a dying man, pathetic and soft, yet loud and howling at once. You stare at the various pieces of the former instructor with an apathetic indifference as they all spiral away towards the ground, blood raining through the air behind them. His last scream still rings in your ears as you hover above the academy grounds. He really was one tough bastard to have survived like he did, let along manage that final scream. You are becoming vaguely aware of people yelling your nameâ€¦names. Most are calling for $hname, but there is one voice screaming for ${name}, a voice you know very well. You feel the wind wiping around you and your stomach does that thing that happens in free fall, wait, are you falling? The moon is bright overhead and it feels like it follows you as you fall. In it's face you suddenly see Ziv, your Zivvy. You reach up and caress her cheek. "You're safe now love, you're safe." The world goes dark and fades away. Ziv is safe, and that is all that matters. [[Continue|c1p18][$anger to +10]]<</if>>

You just barely make out Ziv screaming at you to come back down. But you can't really register any thing beyond Livitz howling in your face in anger. You finally stop when you are a decent way above the academy grounds, the Pacific stretching out to your right, Aeon Falls, it's lights a shimmering vale of stars to your left. "You're a dick Livitz, a piece of trash, and I think. I think you deserve to die because of who you are and what I am fairly certain you have done." "Shut it you little fucker, you know nothing about me" He squirms in your grasp. "I know that you set your eyes on a sixteen year old student. I know you made her next two years a living hell. I can safely guess that she was not the first. So I think I should stop you." A wicked smile crosses his lips. "Wait, she didn't tell you, did she?" "Tell me what" "She didn't! Oh that's too good. Listen kid, you can find better then that tease." "Don't call my girlfriend that!" Livits scoffs. "Girlfriend, right. Whatever. Kill me, or don't. I don't give a shit, you've ruined my life anyway." [[Im done with him and he is tough. I simply let go, he'll probably survive.|livitzlive]] [["You are a predator Livitz, and it's time to suffer the consequences"|livitzkill]]

<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter to "Chapter Two">><</nobr>> ''Chapter Two'' The faint shine of the few stars bright enough to make their presence known through the intense light pollution of Aeon Falls greet you as your eyes shudder open. You blink rapidly as you try to force the sleep from your eyes, stretching as you force yourself to sit upright, only to immediately regret moving as your head pounds the now familiar beat of a hangover. If that wasn't enough the memories from five years ago decided to make themselves known as you slept off the bottle of, something you had grabbed after the "mission" the day before. Speaking of that mystery bottle. Your hand slides around to your side and bumps the dark glass of the liquor bottle you had klept off of your handler, Damian's, shelf. "Huh, not bad" You inspect the bottle of whiskey for a brief moment before you bring it to your lips and down the dregs of the bottle, only to immediately cough and spit the contents all over the roof you are sitting on. Rolling onto your side you spit and attempt to get rid of the remnants of the cigarette you had apparently stubbed out in the bottle. "For fucks sake, can't even enjoy a morning drink." Grumbling you reach into your pocket and pull out the pack of smokes hidden there. Reaching into the classic paper design you find one remaining cigarette waiting for you and with a sigh you bring it to your lips, dig out your lighter, and sigh happily at the first taste of fresh tobacco. "Guess I need to go shopping, joy." In this case shopping meant the black market, whoever thought outlawing tobacco three decades ago was a good idea was definitely on your shit list. Slowly you drag yourself to your feet, grunting in pain with each throb in your temples. With a final stretch you reach down and scoop up the now empty bottle. Looking out over the city your mind wanders back to the dreams you had. Despite everything you tried to forget her, no matter how much you drank, or shot-up, <<if $sexual is true>>or who you slept with,<</if>> or "mystery" injuries you had to explain away, Ziv always found her way back into your mind. Nothing you tried worked and your increasing hatred of the hero industry only made things worse. "Well," you exhale a puff of smoke as you stare out over the city, "What are you going to throw at me today, you great heaving bitch" You hurl the bottle out over the edge of the building, a small smile coming to your lips at the thought of scaring the shit out of some early morning jogger who narrowly avoids the falling bottle. <<if $wings is true>>Some how you had slept with your wings spread across the skyscraper rooftop, one dangling over the edge, and the cramps you have too work out have you swearing a litany of words most people would never associate with a hero, but once you are confident you won't cramp up you step out over the edge of the building and plummet towards the road below.<</if>><<if $wings is false>>Working out the final kinks that come with sleeping on a skyscraper rooftop you step up to the edge of the building and look towards the distant street below. With a slight smirk you step one foot out into the air and hold it for a moment, before you lean forward ever so slightly and slip from the edge, plummeting towards the road below.<</if>> As you careen towards the ground the memory of the last time you spoke with Ziv slips it's way into your mind unbidden. The yelling, the crying, the things said that should have never been said. The breakup still burned in your mind the same as it had when she had told you to never speak to her again. If not for what had happened a week later then it would probably still hurt, but not nearly as much as it does as a result of Ziv turning on her hero group and killing them all before surrendering to the authorities and being locked away. Anytime you had tried to reach out to her in prison you had received no word until George called you and explained that Ziv did not want to hear from you. He was a upset as you were at the time as neither he or Jim could understand why Ziv had done what she had, she barely spoke to them at all. By the time everything with Ziv had happened you were already becoming disenfranchised with the whole hero thing as the true nature of the job reared it's head and began to devour you. Endless photo shoots, public appearances, and parties took up most of your days and you were actively discouraged from dealing with what P.R. called, small time crime. You were and still are forced to let local authorities handle crime despite being severely out classed by modern criminals. The only time you ever really got the chance to do what you had originally envisioned and save people was when it was a big, splashy villain threatening the entire city. The first time you had tried to prevent a mugging you were severally reprimanded and warned to not deal with the small stuff. It was all so depressing and as the years dragged on you began to slip down a dark hole as you slowly lost yourself. It all lead to this moment, plummeting towards the ground, the street quickly growing larger a familiar thought comes forward. Why not just let it happen, it would be so simple, all you had to do was not stop like you normally would, to not fly away and let the ground finish what you had tried too many times before. From the height you had fallen from you doubt you would even really feel the impact. But there must be some tiny part of you that is not ready too end your existence and at the last second <<if $wings is true>>your $wingtype snap open and tug you upwards only a few feet from the ground.<<else>>your instincts take over and you pull yourself back up only a few feet from the ground.<</if>> Anyone who saw you most likely thought you were simply just another enhanced person out for an adrenaline rush. You settle into a lazy glide above the city with a sigh and take in the streets below you. From your height you can see three separate high speed chases, two fires, and a dozen other crimes you could easily stop if you wanted to, but after so long living the way you do, after having been forced to push your old self down so deep do you even want to bother trying to help? [[Of course I do, at least, I think I do. That feeling is still there trying to claw its way to the surface but everything else is pilled on top of it, burying the feeling too deep.|c2p2]] [[Maybe, but not because of any idealism. It would be out of spite for the system.|c2p2]] [[I shake my head and push the thought away. To hell with these people, if they really wanted they could fix everything but they don't care enough, so why should I?|c2p2]]

As the sound of distant gunfire reaches your ears you groan and dip to the side, altering your flight path and aiming for the best black market dealer in town. Before you do anything else today you need to pick up a few packs of smokes and with a slight flex you increase your speed, rocketing across the sky. <<if $personality is "confident">>Dropping low into the alley that leads to your destination you casually land a few feet from the pair of thugs guarding the entrance causing one to jump in shock and pull a gun from behind his back. Luckily you know the other one and she clasps a hand over his gun. "Chill newbie, that's just $name, she's a regular and so confident that pulling this shit isn't going to get herself shot she ignores my warnings to stop." "Aww Lor, I didn't realize you cared so much" A deep chuckle rumbles up from deep in the muscular womans chest, "You know I do good lookin", she steps forward and looks down at you with glowing green eyes from her seven foot vantage, "You ever going to take me up on my date suggestion?" "Maybe someday hot stuff," you give her a playful wink as you step past the new guy and into the dark tunnel.<</if>><<if $personality is "shy">>Landing outside the alley that leads to your destination you shuffle for a moment before you peak around the edge of the building to see who is on duty today and sigh when you see Lor, the seven foot tall, muscular guard who flirts with you every time you came by. You don't recognize the other one, he must be new. "Well, well, look who it is." Lor licks her bottom lip as you shuffle down the alley towards her, "$name, my favorite customer comes to visit." "H, hey Lor" Dammit! Not now. You could stand up against world ending monstrosities with out fear but in an everyday encounter your old problem still rears its head. "You know cutie," Lor steps up to you, takes your chin and raises your vision till you are looking up at her, "That whole shy thing you have going on makes you nearly irrisitable" You feel your cheeks warm as you attempt to step around her, "I, I'm just here for some things Lor." "Of course cutie," She steps aside but places a hand on your shoulder, "You ever going to let me take you out on that date I mentioned?" "I, um, maybe?" Before either of you can say anything else you dash down the dark hall, Lor's chuckling following.<</if>><<if $personality is "cocky">>Swooping down into the alley that leads to your destination you impact the ground with a loud thud in a stereotypical superhero landing directly in front of two guards. "That's bad for your knees ya know $name" The seven foot tall, muscular guard says as she casually keeps a hand on her partners gun to keep him from shooting you. "Aw, Lor, thanks I didn't know you cared." You give her a cocky wink and little salute as you start to walk past her. "Just as cocky as ever I see," Lor chuckles as you pass, "How about that date I suggested?" "Mm, maybe another time hot stuff."<</if>> The dark hall leads you to a set of stairs and as you descend the sounds of a bustling market begin to filter up to you. Reaching the bottom you step through a double door into a large space filled with stales maned by a variety of people, each one hawking different items ranging from the illegal that will get you a slap on the wrist, like your cigarettes, to heavy weapons and in some cases WMDs and in one corner even people. You could care less about any of it and begin weaving through the crowd, occasionally waving to some of the other regulars or vendors you know. "$name!!" Turning you find Eva Small jumping towards you and pounding your shoulder with a smile on their face, "How's my favorite," They quickly look around before leaning in and whispering, "hero doing?" "Hey, Eva, I'm fine. What are you doing here?" You turn and continue towards your favorite vendor as Eva falls in beside you. After your graduation you had to deal with a trial involving Eva and their attack on you and Ziv. During that trial you learned they had attacked you because of your parents and something they had done to the Small family. While the exact details were kept from you, you did learn that it had resulted in Eva's younger sister committing suicide and their dad losing his job which sent the family into a spiral. Learning that your parents had been just as horrible towards you as they had been to other enhanced individuals Eva had apologized during their sentencing. They landed three years in a rehabilitation facility and when you bumped into them shortly after they had been released the two of you hit it off and have become friends to a certain degree. Though you still hold a bit of a grudge toward them for what they had done. "Oh! I got a new job over with Jo and Jo." "Hmm, what is your parol officer going to say about that?" Eva chuckles, "Who do you think got me the job. He's keeping it listed as tech support" Jo&Jo, the resident cyber experts in the market had the largest selection of illegal mods anyone could ever ask for, they are also incredibly friendly with everyone, even people who owed them money. Of course they still never let that get in the way of collecting and you distinctly remember the example they made of someone who owed them for too long. But they do take very good care of their employee's, so all in all Eva seems to have lucked out. "So why are you here $name?" You casually tap the pocket of your jacket you normally keep your cigarettes in and Eva frowns, "Those are terrible for you ya know." Unfortunately you do not get a chance to respond before a body comes flying through the crowd ahead of you. Both you and Eva easily sidestep the limp, unconscious body of the young man you recognize as a vendors assistant. Specifically it is is Ell, the assistant of the vendor you are heading for. "For fucks sake." You grumble as you notice someone standing bent over the stall, massive revolver in one hand and the vendors collar in the other, he is at least eight feet tall, and made of nothing but muscle. Around you most people simply keep going about their business and only a few look shocked at the events taking place. They must be new. You notice a couple guards and a heavy mech wading through the crowd towards the altercation but it will probably take them a moment to get here and you are really craving a smoke. [[Fuck this guy, he's in my way. Besides, he hurt Ell the sweetest kid in the whole market.|c2p3]] [[Knowing Mike he has that cannon of his charging up, maybe I can distract this fucker till Mike can get a shot off.|c2p3b]]

Stepping up next to the mountain of muscle you casually smile at the vendor, Mike. He notices you from the corner of his eye and you see a slight twitch of his lips but he keeps a mostly straight face. Most people underestimate Mike because of his baby face and young age, but you have known him for a few years now and you also know his right arm is not entirely an arm and more a cannon. "Hey Mikey, looks like a hell of a day. Costumers seem rougher then usual"<<if $personality is "shy">>You are doing your best to keep your eyes from darting to your feet or the roof as you speak.<</if>> "Hey $name, you could say that, is Ell alright?" You throw a thumb back over your shoulder, "Yeah, Eva is takin care of him." "HEY! What the fuck are you doin?" "Huh? Oh, talking to my buddy, what are you doing?" You glance up at the guy still holding Mike by his collar. "Talking to your buddy," the thug mumbles as if trying to find some secret meaning in your words. "Yeah, Mike, the one in your hand?" "I KNOW WHO YOU MEAN!" The amount of spittle flying towards you makes you cringe but you manage to bring your arm up and block it. "Samson, just fuck off and let me get back to work. I warned you and your boys not to fuck with that shade, but you did and now three of em are pushin daisies, don't take that out on me." You glance down at Mike's arm as he speaks and you notice the lines along it becoming more prominent as he charges up. "You didn't say it could kill them!" "Yeah, I did, I said that an overdose will result in death." "Naw, you used some fancy word they didn't understand." "Which word?" "Exportation, no, expi, huh" The goon scratches his head with the barrel of his revolver. "Expiration?" You ask. "Yeah that was it!" "Well may I recommend you let my friend go before you expire yourself?" At that the thug drops Mike and turns to you, towering over your smaller frame. "Did you just threaten me twerp?" You sigh and look back over at Mike, "He's a real intellectual this one." A massive hand suddenly grasps your collar and lifts you off your feet and up to the brutes face. "You just insulted me, I know it." You immediately hear people around you placing bets on who is going to win the confrontation, most are betting on you and you even notice the guards have stopped and most are smirking. You spy Lor hefting a massive rifle over her shoulder as she grins and salutes you. That's all the go ahead you need. "Maybe I did, but I think everyone can agree that your breath is an insult to every one around you. Allow me to assist you with that little problem." <<nobr>><<switch random (1, 2)>><<case 1>>Lifting your hand you point a single finger at the face of the thug holding you and he simply chuckles. "Awww, whatcha goin to do? Boop me to death?" His laughs echo across the market and you can tell he thinks the others laughing are on his side but they simply know what is about to happen. The smallest spark of a sun appears at the tip of your finger and he laughs even harder, throwing his head back in an exajurated gesture and as he looks back at you, you simply raise an eyebrow and let your power loose. The beam of pure destruction incinerates his head and digs a small crevice into the wall behind him. His meaty hand slips from your collar but you stay floating in the air as his headless corpse drops to the ground, a cheer erupts from the crowd and money is quickly exchanged, though you doubt anyone really made anything big. You take the time to adjust your clothes before you drop back to the ground.<<case 2>> Cocking your head to the side you raise an eyebrow at the thug holding you and he starts laughing. "How adorable, you look like a puppy with that expression." His laughs echo across the market and you can tell he thinks the others laughing are on his side but they simply know what is about to happen. A tiny drop of blood flows from his nose and he lets you go, though you stay floating in place, as he wipes it away. Just as he does more blood drips from his ears, then his eyes and then he begins howling as he clutches his head in pain and falls to his knees. "Too tight! TOO TIGHT!" Being his last words they are not very intellectual, but they are apt, and as his entire head implodes into a gory mess a cheer erupts from the crowd and money is quickly exchanged, though you doubt anyone really made anything big. You take the time to adjust your clothes before you drop back to the ground.<</switch>><</nobr>> As the crowd begins to go back to what they had been doing a few people in coveralls stroll over with shovels and mops to clean up what remains of the former thug. Mike steps around from behind his stall and comes over to stand next to you as Eva helps a hobbling Ell over towards you. "Hey kid, that was a rough landing. Take a few days off and rest up." Mike pats Ell on the shoulder as the kid nods, "Eva take him over to your boss and get him patched up, on my tab" "Sure thing Mike" Eva gives you a wave and turns to help Ell hobble across the market. As you watch Eva and Ell head across the market you feel a tap on your shoulder and turn to find Lor beaming down at you. "Hell of a show cutie, my days are always more interesting when you come by" She winks playfully as Mike chuckles. "I'm certainly happy you swung by $name, handling disgruntled customers is always easier when you're around," he hands you a small box with a smile, "On the house, though with how much you smoke I'll probably see you next week" Opening the box you find several packs of cigarettes nestled inside. "Thanks Mike, you sure you don't want me to pay for these?" "Naw" he casually waves his hand dismissively "That jackass would have cost me a ton so I can part with a few smokes for my favorite customer" "Well, I have shit to do today, so I better head out. Let me know how Ell is feeling later" You close the box and tuck it under your arm and bump Mike's fist when he brings it up. "Come on cutie, I'll walk ya out." Lor turns and carves a path through the crowd with her large frame while you follow close behind. [[Continue|c2p4]]

Stepping up next to the mountain of muscle you casually smile at the vendor, Mike. He notices you from the corner of his eye and you see a slight twitch of his lips but he keeps a mostly straight face. Most people underestimate Mike because of his baby face and young age, but you have known him for a few years now and you also know his right arm is not entirely an arm and more a cannon. "Hey Mikey, looks like a hell of a day. Costumers seem rougher then usual"<<if $personality is "shy">>You are doing your best to keep your eyes from darting to your feet or the roof as you speak.<</if>> "Hey ${name}, you could say that, is Ell alright?" You throw a thumb back over your shoulder, "Yeah, Eva is takin care of him." "HEY! What the fuck are you doin?" "Huh? Oh, talking to my buddy, what are you doing?" You glance up at the guy still holding Mike by his collar. "Talking to your buddy," the thug mumbles as if trying to find some secret meaning in your words. "Yeah, Mike, the one in your hand?" "I KNOW WHO YOU MEAN!" The amount of spittle flying towards you makes you cringe but you manage to bring your arm up and block it. "Samson, just fuck off and let me get back to work. I warned you and your boys not to fuck with that shade, but you did and now three of em are pushin daisies, don't take that out on me." You glance down at Mike's arm as he speaks and you notice the lines along it begin to glow faintly as he charges up. "Hey, speaking of work, I really hope you have my brand in stock Mike, I need to top up my stock." You smile pleasantly at Mike, keeping the thug in your perfiferal vision. "Actually yea I do. Shipment came in last night so I'm all set. Just need to finish with my current customer, seems a few of his friends did not take my warning to heart." "Fuck yer warning! You knew they would die and didn't say nothing." The thug grits his teeth at Mike before turning to you again, "Beat it! You're not getting nothing from this puke." "Aw, well damn, I really needed a smoke." You slap a fake pout on your face and place a hand on the guys arm, "Could you maybe deal with your thing after I get my cigarettes?" "Gawd! Just fuck off will ya?" He releases Mike and turns towards you, his back now to Mike. Big mistake. The goon swings a massive fist towards you and you simply duck, the slab of meat not even getting close as you spin out of the way. "Hey now! Attacking a fellow customer, that's really rude you know." You keep playing up the dense customer bit as you see Mike raising his arm, a smile on his face as the massive cannon expands out from his arm, a low whine filling the air which has those close to us ducking for cover. "Huh?" The thug looks around at the people diving for cover and then back at you and the smile you flash him, "What's going on?" He turns slowly towards Mike and the whine his cannon are making. You dive sideways towards a stall and as you leap over the counter a hand grabs you and pulls you into cover, the stall owner grinning widely. "You and Mike really like," ''BOOM'' You don't manage to hear him finish before a bright burst of energy and massive explosion rock the market sending smoking pieces of the thug flying in all directions. A hazy cloud of plasma residue hangs in the air where the guy once stood and the market bursts into cheers and applause as Mike's arm begins to shrink and repack down to his hand. As the crowd begins to go back to what they had been doing a few people in coveralls stroll over with shovels and mops to clean up what remains of the former thug. Mike steps around from behind his stall and comes over to stand next to you as Eva helps a hobbling Ell over towards you. "Hey kid, that was a rough landing. Take a few days off and rest up." Mike pats Ell on the shoulder as the kid nods, "Eva take him over to your boss and get him patched up, on my tab" "Sure thing Mike" Eva gives you a wave and turns to help Ell hobble across the market. "Hey, thanks for the distraction $name, it's been a while since I got the chance to use the ol' cannon" Mike pats his cyber-arm and chuckles. A large shadow falls over you and you turn to find Lor grinning at you. "She always distracts me thats for sure" She winks playfully at you. Mike leads you back to his stall and pulls out a small box, "Hows fifty percent off for your help sound?" Opening the small box you find several packs of cigarettes and nod, holding out your hand for Mike. A quick swipe of his scanner over your wrist and your purchase is finished. "Well, I have shit to do today, so I better head out. Let me know how Ell is feeling later" You close the box and tuck it under your arm and bump Mike's fist when he brings it up. "Come on cutie, I'll walk ya out." Lor turns and carves a path through the crowd with her large frame while you follow close behind. [[Continue|c2p4]]

Stepping back out into the alley Lor gives you a playful salute as you lift into the air, "Fly safe hot stuff" Flying over the city usually causes your mind to wander and today is no different as you think back to that thug. Five years ago seeing someone die would have been a horrific experience, but you have seen so much death since your graduation that you have become jaded to the whole affair. In the last year alone you've killed at least five people and you can't help but wonder what has happened, not just to you, but the heroes as a whole. Back when the first enhanced heroes began to emerge they stood for something, they actually protected people regardless of the danger and if a hero killed, even by accident they where held accountable. These days you can't go a week without hearing about some villain killed simply to save a hero the effort of bringing them in alive. Heroes have become nothing but glorified bounty hunters at best, more then a few are outright serial killers. But no one cares, not even you. A buzz snaps you out of your funk and you come to a stop and hover well you pull your phone from your pocket, it would not be the first time you fumbled it flying at high speed. You quickly flip through your texts, ignoring most from your "teammates" but stop when you see Proton's name. <<cycle "$pcrush" autoselect>> <<option "You feel your cheeks heating up as you begin to read. It's been five years but your crush is still as strong as ever." "crush">> <<option "You smile and feel your tummy flip slightly. Your crush on Kara may not be as strong as it was, but it's still there" "smallcrush">> <<option "You cock a slight smile. Your crush for Proton has faded after years of working together, but you still enjoy her company as a friend." "friend">> <</cycle>> //Hey $name, good job on the mission yesterday, sorry I missed it. Damian says you are ignoring him, though I don't blame you, but he wants to remind you that you have that photo shoot in two days. There is a charity event we have all been invited to the day after. Black tie, so dress appropriately. Now, I know you hate these things but they come with being a hero so please try and behave. If i hear you blasted another photographers drones again, well I'll probably buy you a drink. But please, don't do it. On that note you have the next two days off baring any emergencies, enjoy. P.S. I know you stole the whiskey Damian "misplaced". Look, I know this whole hero life isn't what you thought it would be but you need to tone it down, please. I'm getting worried about some of your behavior. If you ever need to talk feel free to swing by my place. Kara// Staring at the text you reread it a couple times before sliding your phone back in your pocket. It's not the first time Kara has expressed concern over your increasingly self destructive behavior but you keep ignoring her concerns. No, it's not that you are ignoring them, it's that you don't care. Still, two days off sounds nice so you figure that you may as well stock up. That means, booze, snacks, and maybe some other "things". But before that you have another stop to make. Taking off at speed you shoot across town to your favorite store. No one pays you any attention as you touch down outside the store, none of them recognize you and to them you are just another enhanced civilian going about your life. You studied the effects simple changes such as masks and glasses can have on whether or not people recognize you in the academy and at first you were grateful for the strange effect. But as the years have passed it is just another thing you could care less about. If someone recognized you and made everyone aware of your civilian identity you doubt that you would even blink. It would just be another bullshit excuse for people to judge you, if not more openly then they can when you wear a mask. [[Yes, I am an adult and a super hero to boot, but I still love reading comics, so I angle towards my preferred comic shop.|c2p5][$relax to "comics"]] [[My D&D group hasn't had a chance to get together in months, but a new expansion was just released for 15th edition so I may as well pick it up.|c2p5][$relax to "dnd"]] [[I could use two days to assemble a new squad for my table top army. This is the perfect time to expand. Maybe I'll get two squads.|c2p5][$relax to "table"]] [[Two days with nothing to do? I could try and get through a whole book in that time. I quickly speed towards one of the few books stores still open.|c2p5][$relax to "book"]]

<<nobr>><<if $pcrush is "crush">><<set $prompoints to +2>><<elseif $pcrush is "smallcrush">><<set $prompoints to +1>><<elseif $pcrush is "friend">><<set $pfriend to true>><</if>><</nobr>><<if $relax is "comics">>The Cyborgs Prison, such an odd name for a comic shop but you have yet to ask why it is named as such, all you know is that it is the oldest consistently open comic shop in the city having opened within a couple years of the city founding. Stepping into the store you are quickly bombarded by loud arguing coming from two kids near the wall. They are screeching so loudly that you can't make out exactly what they are saying, but you do pick up on the fact they are arguing about their favorite heroes. A casual glance has you catching sight a selection of comics featuring a very familiar figure on the cover. With a groan you hustle past the stand of comics featuring you and make for the fiction section. You deal with real "heroes" everyday, you don't want to read all the fake crap they make up for the comics. The one time you tried reading one of your own made you nearly vomit with how drastically different your comic persona is from real-life. With a handful of comics you eventually start making your way to the till when you notice a kid staring at you intently before looking at the comic at his hand, then back at you. Now it really is time to go. Just before you get to the till one of the stores employees quickly comes over to you, "Hey $name there is something I need to tell you".<<elseif $relax is "dnd">>The click clack of dice greets you as you step into the store, the sounds soothing you as you head through the store. As usual several of the tables are occupied by groups playing their respective games with one enthusiastic DM practically shouting a BBEGs monologue and cackling madly. He's pretty good and could give real world villains lessons. You take your time getting to the D&D section of the store as you slowly check out new TTRPGs, character figures, and the large dice counter where you end up grabbing three new sets. It's not difficult finding the new expansion as it is set up in a massive, over the top display which draws the eye from every spot in the store and you take some time flipping through it. Overall it's fairly unimpressive but their are a few new additions that catch your interest and you tuck the book under your arm as you head for the till. Just before you get to the till one of the stores employees quickly comes over to you, "Hey $name there is something I need to tell you".<<elseif $relax is "table">>Entering the store you have to wind your way through several tables set up as battlefields to cater to their customers who frequently come in to play and you get distracted by a trio of players fighting a free for all between their armies. One of them has been wedged in between the others and is getting her forces pounded from both sides and she is rapidly losing troops each turn. She won't last much longer. But at the last moment she gets few lucky hits in and takes out one of her foes leaders causing a backlash which sends his forces into a tactical retreat, freeing up her flank and she quickly swings her army to the other flanking force. In the end she manages to wittle both her opponents down and comes in second when an artillery shell goes wide missing her last squad and hits the remaining one belong to the other opponent. With the battle over you congratulate her on playing so well and head past the tables to begin going through the forces available. It doesn't take you long to pick out a new squad and an APC to carry them around and just before you get to the till one of the stores employees quickly comes over to you, "Hey $name there is something I need to tell you".<<elseif $relax is "book">>Stepping into the store the smell of coffee and tea wafts through the air and mixes with the new book smell sending a wave of calm through you. You are unable to resist the temptation and head over to the small stand to order a drink. After a few minutes, with a cup warming your hands, you start winding your way through the aisles occasionally stopping to flip through a book that catches your eye. At first you find nothing that you are truly feeling but as you round a corner you see a simple display set up featuring the latest release in your favorite series, which you had completely forgotten was releasing the seventh book last week and you excitedly pick up one of the copies. Like all of the first six books this was thick and heavy with somewhere between nine hundred and a thousand pages, flipping it open you savor the feel of the bamboo pages in your fingers as your eyes scan a few lines at the beginning. With your choice made you quickly head towards the front but one of the stores employees quickly comes over to you, "Hey $name there is something I need to tell you".<</if>> "Okay? What is it?" You don't mean to sound rushed, but getting two days off in a row is rare and you want to take full advantage. "Right, so you know that new employee we have?" He leans closer and whispers conspiratorially. Oh great gossip. "Yeah, what about her?" He leans in closer to you smiling playfully, "It turns out she has a huge crush on you!" [[Continue|c2p6]]

The thought of Estrid immediately makes you smile. While technically not new having worked here for just over a month now she is the newest employee and the two of you connected immediately. Estrid has become one of the only bright spots in your life with her quirky smile, shimmering eyes, and easy going attitude. She takes almost nothing seriously which is a welcome change from every one else in your life, but there is still something that you know would set you apart. If she ever discovers the you are a hero she would never speak to you again. One of the few people you have ever met who can see through all the bullshit the PR teams and media feed people, Estrid is very out spoken on her views regarding modern hero culture and how toxic it has become. She will usually keep her thoughts to herself but if someone asks her thoughts on a popular hero it is a garuntee that she will chew them out for supporting what she calls "Villains in hero costumes". Still, despite the risk involved even the thought of her makes you feel lighter. But if you tried to pursue anything with her, whether it is friendship or something more, it would end in even more pain and so you have kept yourself at a bit of a distance. There is a strange buzzing in your ears as you stare at the till, your eyes following Estrid standing behind the register laughing at something one of her co-workers just said. Your feet feel heavy as you slowly get closer to the register and some part of you begins to panic despite your calm exterior. So many people have crushes on $hname and you rarely went a day without someone hitting on you, but it rarely happens when you are just being yourself and some part of your brain is freaking out over the thought that someone has a crush on $name and not $hname. The last time was Ziv and as that thought creeps in it just makes everything worse and it takes you a moment before you realize that you are standing at the till and Estrid is staring at you with concern written all over her face. "Sorry! What did you say Estrid?" Her smile sends butterflies fluttering through you, "I asked if you were okay. You're really pale and have this weird look in your eye" As she speaks there is just the faintest hint of an accent that has been worked away after living here for most of her life. "Oh, yeah, I, uh," You unconsciously wring your hands together,<<if $wings is true>> as your wings flex in agitation,<</if>> while conflicting thoughts fill your mind. "I'm fine. I just heard something that kinda shook me is all" "Oh no" her hand reaches over and settles it on yours "Is everything alright? Was it bad news at all, can I help?" "Mm, no?" Your mind is slowly beginning to relax, your thoughts coming free from the ball they had tangled themselves into. "No, I suppose it could be good news." "Well thats good" Estrid quickly scans your purchase through and slips them into a bag. "You had me worried there for a moment." There she goes with that amazing smile again. [[To hell with it! I'm asking her on a date.|c2p7][$estridask to 1, $erompoints to +1]] [[I have to ask, no I don't, yes I do...nope!|c2p7][$estridask to 2, $erompoints to +1]] [[I can't risk it. Our friendship, if it can be called that, is not worth the pain of losing her if she finds out I am a hero. But that doesn't mean I can't improve our current relationship.|c2p7][$estridask to 3, $efriend to true]]

<<if $estridask is 1 and $personality is "confident" or $personality is "cocky">>As she hands you the bag your fingers brush against hers and you notice her blush slightly before pulling away. Now is as good a time as any. "Hey Estrid I was wondering if you would like to go with me on a date sometime?" She immediately freezes as her blush gets worse and begins creeping up her face, reaching the tips of her ears. "U, uh" "Estrid? Are you alright, should I just go?" You are really hoping that you didn't just blow your chances with her. "YES! N, no, I mean, no you don't have to go. Y, yes I would like to go on a d, date with you." Despite the blush she has a magnificent smile on her face and you feel something light in yourself for a brief moment before your worries and doubts attempt to drown it. Just as it seems like the feeling will vanish some tiny part of you latches onto it and pulls it back into place. "Really? That's great! Uh, when are you free?" She chews on her lip for a moment while she thinks, "Ummm, well I am off in three days, we could do something then?" After thinking for a second you smile, that black tie thing can take a back seat. "Sure, that sounds perfect, oh, here I guess you need my number." Holding out your phone Estrid fumbles her own out of her pocket nearly dropping it. Luckily she manages to save it from a fall and brings it up, fiddles with some settings and holds it over your own. After a second both phones chime in unison and you check to find Estrid's contact information now securely in your phone. "So, $name, I'll see you in a few days then. Let me know what we are doing." She hesitates for a moment but smiles, "You can text me whenever you want, for any reason." Leaving the store you look back over your shoulder and notice Estrid watching you and smiling. With a wave you let the door swing shut and launch into the air angling for home.<<elseif $estridask is 1 and $personality is "shy">>As she hands you the bag your fingers brush against hers causing you to heat up as you blush furiously while you notice her blush slightly before pulling away. You are both bright red and stuttering for a moment when something beyond your control happens and you suddenly blurt out, "Will you go on a date with me?!" "U, uh" "Estrid? Are you alright, should I just go?" You are really hoping that you didn't just blow your chances with her. "YES! N, no, I mean, no you don't have to go. Y, yes I would like to go on a d, date with you." Despite the blush she has a magnificent smile on her face and you feel something light in yourself for a brief moment before your worries and doubts attempt to drown it. Just as it seems like the feeling will vanish some tiny part of you latches onto it and pulls it back into place. "R, really? That's great! Uh, when are you free?" She chews on her lip for a moment while she thinks, "Ummm, well I am off in three days, we could do something then?" After thinking for a second you smile, that black tie thing can take a back seat. "S, sure, that sounds perfect, oh, here I guess y, you need my number." Fumbling with your phone for a moment before you hold out your phone Estrid also fumbles her's out of her pocket, nearly dropping it. Luckily she manages to save it from a fall and brings it up, fiddles with some settings and holds it over your own. After a second both phones chime in unison and you check to find Estrid's contact information now securely in your phone. "So, $name, I'll see you in a few days then. Let me know what we are doing." She hesitates for a moment but smiles, "You can text me whenever you want, for any reason." Leaving the store you look back over your shoulder and notice Estrid watching you and smiling. With a little wave and a furious blush you let the door swing shut and launch into the air angling for home.<<elseif $estridask is 2>>Taking the bag from Estrid you give her a friendly smile and head towards the door as fast as you can manage without it looking strange, but right as your hand reaches for the handle you feel a hand on your shoulder. Turning you come face to face with Estrid and she has an unusually serious expression on her face. "Hey, $name there is something I have been meaning to ask, and for some reason I feel like if I don't do it now I will never get the chance." She has a faint blush on the tips of her ears but beyond that nothing gives away what she is thinking, but based on what the other employee told you, you can guess and the thought makes your heart beat faster. "$name I have had a crush on you for a while but have been to scared to ask until now, so, would you like to go on a date with me?" "Yes. I would really like that" You do your best to answer calmly but your heart is beating a mile a minute and you feel like you are probably smiling like a mad woman. "When were you thinking?" "Well, I have a day off in three days, we could go out then?" Her smile is making you giddy. Looks like that black tie party is not going to be an issue for you anymore. "That sounds perfect" Taking your phone out of your pocket you hold it out towards her, "we should probably exchange contact info." Estrid fumbles her own out of her pocket, nearly dropping it. Luckily she manages to save it from a fall and brings it up, fiddles with some settings and holds it over your own. After a second both phones chime in unison and you check to find Estrid's contact information now securely in your phone. "So, $name, I'll see you in a few days then. Let me know what we are doing." She hesitates for a moment but smiles, "You can text me whenever you want, for any reason." Leaving the store you look back over your shoulder and notice Estrid watching you and smiling. With a wave you let the door swing shut and launch into the air angling for home.<<elseif $estridask is 3>>Before you can take your bag and leave she looks at you with a meaningful smile, "So $name, want to hang out sometime, you know outside the store? I feel like we could be really good friends since we already get along so well here." After a brief moment you feel a smile tugging your lips and you unconsciously nod. "I was just about to ask you the same thing" "Awesome! Here, lets exchange info and we can text and stuff." She holds out her phone after fiddling with the settings. Doing the same you hold your phone close to hers and after a second they both chime. "Sweet, I'll text you later once I'm done my shift and we can come up with something to do." "That sounds great, talk to you later Estrid." Just as you get to the door your phone dings and looking down you find a gif of a waving cat from Estrid. Chuckling you turn and wave to her. Leaving the store you look back over your shoulder and notice Estrid watching you and smiling. With a wave you let the door swing shut and launch into the air angling for home.<</if>> [[Continue|c2p8]]

With an eye roll you go to the three small boxes and proceed to open them. Each one contains an accessory you chose. <<listbox "$assessory1" autoselect>> <<option "Flowing cape">> <<option "Elegant shoulder cape">> <<option "HUD shades">> <<option "Combat gauntlets">> <<option "Clawed rings">> <<option "Utility belt">> <<option "Lots of belts">> <<option "Sigil bracelet">> <</listbox>> <<listbox "$assessory2" autoselect>> <<option "Flowing cape">> <<option "Elegant shoulder cape">> <<option "HUD shades">> <<option "Combat gauntlets">> <<option "Clawed rings">> <<option "Utility belt">> <<option "Lots of belts">> <<option "Sigil bracelet">> <</listbox>> Ziv nods, "Ooooh, good choices ye got there love." [[Continue|c1p13b]]

You gaze at yourself in the mirror again and nod, "They are, and finally," You turn to the last box. Realizing you are still wearing the school mask you take it off and toss it onto the bed. With a deep breath you open the box and take in your mask, the corners of your mouth twitching upwards as you do. <<cycle "$mask" autoselect>> <<option "Its nothing complicated or over the top. A simple domino mask stares back at me." "domino mask">> <<option "A mask similar to a domino, but with long ties dangling from the ends that are tied around the back of the head." "tied domino mask">> <<option "This is a half mask. It will cover the entire upper portion of my face." "half mask">> <<option "The full mask before me will completely cover my head keeping my identity hidden more then any other." "full mask">> <<option "A face plate with to slits for my eyes, and a creepy smile grins up at me." "smiling mask">> <<option "The kitsune mask has a playful smile as it stares up at me." "kitsune mask">> <<option "A traditional luchador mask sits in the box, just waiting for me to wear it." "luchadore mask">> <<option "With sharp teeth, and wicked eyes the demon mask in the box is sure to scare any villains." "demon mask">> <</cycle>> You slip the mask on and once again look at yourself. With the color scheme you have chosen, your mask, and the rest of the outfit coming together you feel giddy. [[Dark colors are all I wanted. Primarily black and dark grey.|c1p14][$ccolor to "dark"]] [[So many bright colors reflect in the mirror and I smile.|c1p14][$ccolor to "bright"]] [[Lots of warm, earthy tones make up my new outfit.|c1p14][$ccolor to "earth toned"]] [[A good mix of lighter and dark colors cross the different bits of my outfit.|c1p14][$ccolor to "light and dark"]] [[Fiery lines of red, yellow, and orange cross my hero outfit.|c1p14][$ccolor to "fiery"]] [[Pale blues, purples, and white give my outfit a frosty appearance.|c1p14][$ccolor to "icy"]]

Like all good things, it feels like your two days off have gone by way too quickly and you are now sitting on the edge of a tenth-story balcony, one leg dangling over the edge, as you take a break from the photoshoot you have been stuck in all day. Sixteen hours, sixteen mind-numbing, backing breaking, hours. You've been here since five in the morning and guess you have at least another three to go. A chill breeze blows across your exposed skin and if not for the small star floating around you your rather skimpy outfit would have a hard time keeping out the cold. Whoever thought it was a good idea to shoot a swimsuit set in autumn must be insane. You suppose it hasn't been all that bad, during the few free moments you have to yourself, you and Estrid have been texting back and forth. Since the two of you exchanged numbers she has taken it upon herself to text you so much some people might see it as a problem, though being as alone as you are it's been nice having someone to talk to. Exhaling a cloud of smoke through your smile you stare at your phone screen, cigarette expertly held between two fingers as your thumbs fly across the keyboard. "//So when they finally found her she had been trapped in the closet for ten hours//😝" You take another drag as you wait for Estrid's response to your story about the time Jennie got locked in a closet after running from some of the staff at the academy who caught her setting up a prank. Your phone dings and your eyes quickly go from staring out over the city to the screen. "🤣🤣 //Oh she must have been soooo angry at herself for getting locked in, how'd she even get the door open without the keys?//" "//No damn clue!//🤷‍♀️ //She said it was unlocked when she got there but just locked by itself once she was inside. I think it was one of our classmates taking the opportunity to get her back. She was notorious for pranking everyone.//" "//Your school sounds like it was a blast!// 😁🤯" "//Yeah, sometimes I miss it. Everything was simpler then.//" The door to the balcony opening catches your attention and your manager pokes her head out. "Times up $hname, get your butt back in here." She stares at the tiny star as it lazily orbits around you. "At least you won't catch a cold. You'll be happy to know the photographer says he can probably get everything finished in two hours and I know you want out of here." As she retreats inside you sigh angrily. "//Sorry, gotta go, my breaks over.// 😒" "//Awww, okaaaay fine. Do photoshoots usually take this long?//" "//Unfortunately, ttfn//" "//Have fun, talk later// 😘" So far you have managed to get around the reason you are in a photoshoot when talking to Estrid and she only asked once, but she seems to have forgotten even asking as you shared stories of what she thinks is a private boarding school. You feel like crap from omitting so much and you know that someday you will have to tell her the truth about you and what you are. The thought that you are lying to your new friend, even if it is a lie of omission, twists you up inside and the thought sours your mood as you step back into the building, your star winking out as you do. [[Continue|c2p9]]

"NO! Nononono! Can you not follow simple instructions?!" The photographer's screeching is making your teeth ache and he has been at it for nearly ten minutes. He had been high-strung all day but he finally exploded when you had not managed to maintain a pose he had been intent on. Your indifferent and slightly hostile attitude probably doesn't help the situation, or the fact that last time he worked with you you had destroyed several of his camera drones. The urge to make his day worse has been stirring in your chest all day, but you have been doing your best to behave like Kara and your manager both requested. Speaking of your manager, she is standing just outside the door to the room, earbuds in, while she plays on her phone, ignoring the situation entirely. Technically it is her job to handle these situations but you had long ago driven her past the point of caring with your volatile and self-destructive behavior. "//Just one more hour, just one//" You keep repeating this to yourself over and over again in your head in an effort to keep Kara happy, but this annoying little man is pushing your buttons and it is becoming harder to keep your cool. "Useless! Why people call you a hero I'll never understand" "It's quite simple" He turns to stare at you from his constant pacing and raises an eyebrow. "Unlike your pudgy ass, I am willing to help people where as all you can manage is degrading and insulting people. It takes a pretty pathetic little man like you to think that making someone cry when they do you a favor and bring you coffee is at all acceptable. You are a shitty excuse of a man and even worse when it comes to your humanity or lack thereof." You hit all his buttons, you've known him long enough that you know what they are and you can't help the shit-eating grin that comes as you notice him beginning to turn red and shake. "You, you...That's it! I'm never working with you again." "What the hell is going on in here?" Your manager finally seems to have decided to intervene. "What the fuck are you doing this time $name?" Of course, she immediately blames you. "Not a thing, we're done here." "What? No, you aren't, you need to finish this shoot, the both of you need to tough it out." "NO! I can't with this, this...cow! She's unreasonable and will not hold a simple pose!!" "If it's so simple then you hold it fatty" You're not usually one to call someone out on their weight, but he's pushing it this time. Your manager sighs and stomps over to you. "Enough! $name apologize so we can finish this and all get the fuck out of here" [['"Fine, I..." Ugh, am I going to do this? "I'm sorry, let's just get this done."'|sorry][$sorry to true]] [['"Nah, fuck that, we're done" I turn and stomp out onto the balcony before leaping from the edge and flying away, still in the damn skimpy outfit.'|c2p10][$leave to true]] [['"No. We. Are. Done." With a thought I increase the gravity in the room.'|c2p10][$grav to true]] [['"Fuck that, I'm done with this asshole." They shrink back as my eyes begin to glow, the air around me rippling with heat.|c2p10][$sun to true]]

He stares at you for a moment before he turns and stomps over to his gear. "Whatever, just hold the fucking pose!" Gritting your teeth you turn to your manager to find her no longer paying attention, eyes glued back to her phone. It only takes another hour before you are finally finished and in the middle of changing into your street clothes when a knock raps on the door to the room you are using. "Come in" You tug your shirt down just as your manager peeks in. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it? I don't know why you have to be so difficult during these things $hname." "Seriously?! He's a misogynistic dickwad! Of course, I'm going to be difficult. Why can't I work with Amber anymore? She is so much better." Amber Nash, the goto photographer for the League for nearly a decade, but last year she began refusing to work with you. <<if $sexual is true>>"You know why! You fucked her little sister at that gala last year and ditched her in the coatroom, for God's sake $hname, it was her first time, did you not realize that?" "Wait, I did?" You try to think back, but there have been so many in the last five years that sometimes it's difficult to remember them all. "Oh, wait, that cute little redhead?" "Yes!" She throws her hands in the air and sighs. "Seriously $hname, what the fuck has happened to you, when we first met you were the nicest woman I had ever met." Okay, that was a low blow, but it manages to strike you in whatever remains of your humanity and you get a sudden sinking sensation in the pit of your gut. What has happened to you? "I'm not sure." "Well, whatever it is fucking fix it, go see a therapist or something. Start acting like a goddamn human being again and maybe people will be willing to work with you." With that, she turns on her heel and stomps out leaving you reeling from the conversation. It takes a few minutes before you find yourself able to move and you are quick to dash out onto the balcony and launch into the sky, eager to get away from what just happened.<<elseif>>"You know why! You agreed to a date with her little sister and then stood her up! She waited at that cafe for you for three hours $hname!" "Wait, I did?" You try to think back, but there have been so many in the last five years that sometimes it's difficult to remember them all. "Oh, wait, that cute little redhead?" "YES!" She throws her hands in the air and sighs. "Seriously $hname, what the fuck has happened to you, when we first met you were the nicest woman I had ever met." Okay, that was a low blow, but it manages to strike you in whatever remains of your humanity and you get a sudden sinking sensation in the pit of your gut. What has happened to you? "I'm not sure." "Well, whatever it is fucking fix it, go see a therapist or something. Start acting like a goddamn human being again and maybe people will be willing to work with you." With that, she turns on her heel and stomps out leaving you reeling from the conversation. It takes a few minutes before you find yourself able to move and you quickly dash out onto the balcony and launch into the sky, eager to get away from what just happened.<</if>> [[Continue|c2p11]]

The night air is a relief from the day-long photoshoot and as you exhale your breath mists pleasantly. Floating through the sky on your back you stare up at the stars, you had to fly fairly high to get a view unmarred by the light pollution of the city, but despite that and the cold, the view is worth it, your entire being finally beginning to relax. <<if $sorry is true>>Despite the pleasant surroundings something still bothers you, your manager said that you are not the woman you used to be and on some level, you know that you are no longer the nieve young woman you had been when you joined the League, you doubt anyone could maintain their naivety working as a hero this long, but you are beginning to realize that it is more then just that. It's the reason why Kara is constantly expressing worry about your behavior, it's the reason Amber will no longer work with you, and it's the reason you have the constant feeling of being alone, even when surrounded by your teammates. Something in you is broken, or missing. Something vital. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, and plummet towards the ground grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers you alter your personal gravity and swoop into a gentle flight above the city, though technically you are simply falling sideways.<</if>><<if $sorry is true, $wings is true>>Despite the pleasant surroundings something still bothers you, your manager said that you are not the woman you used to be and on some level, you know that you are no longer the nieve young woman you had been when you joined the League, you doubt anyone could maintain their naivety working as a hero this long, but you are beginning to realize that it is more then just that. It's the reason why Kara is constantly expressing worry about your behavior, it's the reason Amber will no longer work with you, and it's the reason you have the constant feeling of being alone, even when surrounded by your teammates. Something in you is broken, or missing. Something vital. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, tuck your wings in tight, and plummet towards the ground, grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers your wings snap open and you swoop into a gentle glide above the city, chasing the warmer air currents as you weave between buildings.<</if>><<if $grav is true>>While you are doing your best to forget the day you just had your actions continue to gnaw at the back of your mind. You nearly killed two people, no, you could have destroyed the entire building, simply because you were angry. Yes, the photographer's actions were despicable, but part of you realizes that it is your own fault you are where you are in life. You keep driving people away, and those who have no choice but to be around you, your manager for instance, simply shut off and don't bother interacting unless necessary. Five years ago she would have intervened immediately if the photographer had acted like the one you had today, but now she just can't be bothered. The fear in her eyes when you went off the rails and destroyed several thousand dollars worth of gear had, at the time, been a thrill, but now as you float here in the sky, cool air and spectacular view give you the time you need to reflect, you are beginning to understand that something is seriously wrong with you. Something in you is broken, or missing. Something vital. Not to mention your anger seems to be growing as the years go by. You have been losing control more often. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, and plummet towards the ground grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers you alter your personal gravity and swoop into a gentle flight above the city, though technically you are simply falling sideways.<</if>><<if $grav is true, $wings is true>>While you are doing your best to forget the day you just had your actions continue to gnaw at the back of your mind. You nearly killed two people, no, you could have destroyed the entire building, simply because you were angry. Yes, the photographer's actions were despicable, but part of you realizes that it is your own fault you are where you are in life. You keep driving people away, and those who have no choice but to be around you, your manager for instance, simply shut off and don't bother interacting unless necessary. Five years ago she would have intervened immediately if the photographer had acted like the one you had today, but now she just can't be bothered. The fear in her eyes when you went off the rails and destroyed several thousand dollars worth of gear had, at the time, been a thrill, but now as you float here in the sky, cool air and spectacular view give you the time you need to reflect, you are beginning to understand that something is seriously wrong with you. Something in you is broken, or missing. Something vital. Not to mention your anger seems to be growing as the years go by. You have been losing control more often. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, tuck your wings in tight, and plummet towards the ground, grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers your wings snap open and you swoop into a gentle glide above the city, chasing the warmer air currents as you weave between buildings.<</if>><<if $sun is true>>While you are doing your best to forget the day you just had your actions continue to gnaw at the back of your mind. You nearly killed two people, no, you could have destroyed the entire building, simply because you were angry. Yes, the photographer's actions were despicable, but part of you realizes that it is your own fault you are where you are in life. You keep driving people away, and those who have no choice but to be around you, your manager for instance, simply shut off and don't bother interacting unless necessary. Five years ago she would have intervened immediately if the photographer had acted like the one you had today, but now she just can't be bothered. The fear in her eyes when you went off the rails and destroyed several thousand dollars worth of gear had, at the time, been a thrill, but now as you float here in the sky, cool air and spectacular view give you the time you need to reflect, you are beginning to understand that something is seriously wrong with you. Something in you is broken, or missing. Something vital. Not to mention your anger seems to be growing as the years go by. You have been losing control more often. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, and plummet towards the ground grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers you alter your personal gravity and swoop into a gentle flight above the city, though technically you are simply falling sideways.<</if>><<if $sun is true, $wings is true>>While you are doing your best to forget the day you just had your actions continue to gnaw at the back of your mind. You nearly killed two people, no, you could have destroyed the entire building, simply because you were angry. Yes, the photographer's actions were despicable, but part of you realizes that it is your own fault you are where you are in life. You keep driving people away, and those who have no choice but to be around you, your manager for instance, simply shut off and don't bother interacting unless necessary. Five years ago she would have intervened immediately if the photographer had acted like the one you have today, but now she just can't be bothered. The fear in her eyes when you went off the rails and destroyed several thousand dollars worth of gear had, at the time, been a thrill, but now as you float here in the sky, cool air and spectacular view give you the time you need to reflect, you are beginning to understand that something is seriously wrong with you. Something in you is broken, or missing. Something vital. Not to mention your anger seems to be growing as the years go by. You have been losing control more often. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, tuck your wings in tight, and plummet towards the ground, grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers your wings snap open and you swoop into a gentle glide above the city, chasing the warmer air currents as you weave between buildings.<</if>><<if $leave is true>>A shiver creeps up your spine and you begin to regret taking off like you did without changing back into your regular clothes, but a quick thought and you are glowing with warmth, just another star hanging in the sky. You know that you will probably get an ear full for skipping out on the last bit of the photoshoot, but at least you didn't lose your temper and destroy anything this time. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, and plummet towards the ground grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers you alter your personal gravity and swoop into a gentle flight above the city, though technically you are simply falling sideways.<</if>><<if $leave is true, $wings is true>>A shiver creeps up your spine and you begin to regret taking off as you did without changing back into your regular clothes, but a quick thought and you are glowing with warmth, just another star hanging in the sky. You know that you will probably get an ear full for skipping out on the last bit of the photoshoot, but at least you didn't lose your temper and destroy anything this time. With a sigh you flip back, angling yourself towards the ground, release your hold on gravity, tuck your wings in tight, and plummet towards the ground, grinning as the air rushes past and the exhilaration takes you. As you drop past the level of the tallest skyscrapers your wings snap open and you swoop into a gentle glide above the city, chasing the warmer air currents as you weave between buildings.<</if>> [[Continue|c2p12]]

<<if $grav is true>>"$hname, please, just calm down a moment, take deep slow breathes and then we can talk about this" She tries to take a step towards you but is struggling to stay standing, unlike the photographer who has already collapsed to the floor and is whimpering as her stares up at you. "I was calm, I was calm for hours. I was calm every time this pig made a misogynistic remark, I was calm every time he touched me without asking, and I was calm while I held positions no sane human would try taking. I'm no longer calm!" As you snap a wave bursts from you, shoving everything backward, your manager finally falling over to skid along the floor with the photographer, both of them screaming in terror. Glancing up you notice the camera drones are still in the air, he must have had better jets installed after the last time. Of course, last time you were only mildly annoyed and crushed just one of his drones, this time you are furious. With a thought you snare the trio of drones in their own little bubble of gravity, slowly increasing it as you watch the photographer's face drop. "Oh no, please, not again" Your face twists in a sneer and the three drones are suddenly pulled together in the center of the room along with all his gear, the cacophony of metal and plastic echoes through the room as it forms a giant floating ball of debris. You know that most of his gear is probably trash at this point but you see no point in letting him off that easy and you reach towards the mass of floating gear, closing your fingers into a fist for dramatic effect as you increase the pressure. The screeching of the tech being crushed together grates on your ears but the look on his face as his gear begins to implode is priceless, each second is like a compactor turned up to eleven. After a minute the mass has formed into a single ball of junk compressed in on itself so tightly there is no hope of ever getting anything free, but still, it is not enough. The entire room groans as you increase the gravity again, the lights all begin tilting in the direction of the wreck floating in the center of the room and one wall even cracks as it bends inwards slightly. You hold it for another moment before smiling widely, you are now satisfied, and you let go of your power, the marble-sized mass falling to the ground with a loud thunk, cracking the floor beneath it from the density of so much pressed into such a small shape. "Ok, now I'm done. Good session" You turn to go change but find your manager grabbing your arm. "ARE YOU INSANE?" She is bright red and is hyperventilating as she gestures to the cracked, sagging wall. "You could have brought the whole building down!" You simply scoff and turn to walk away. "It's fine, just some cosmetic damage, I'll pay for it." "I'm done! I quit!!" You just shrug as you close the door to the changing room behind you. You couldn't honestly care less at this point. [[Continue|c2p11]]<</if>><<if $sun is true>>"$hname, please, just calm down a moment, take deep slow breathes and then we can talk about this" She tries to take a step towards you but is struggling with the amount of heat you are putting out and after a moment both she and the photographer run to the opposite side of the room as a sun the size of a basketball manifests in the air in front you. "I was calm, I was calm for hours. I was calm every time this pig made a misogynistic remark, I was calm every time he touched me without asking, and I was calm while I held positions no sane human would try taking. I'm no longer calm!" The entire room is sweltering and most of the photographer's gear looks as if it's on the verge of melting, but the drones seem to be doing just fine. He must have upgraded them after the last time. Of course, last time you were only mildly annoyed and melted just one of his drones, this time you are furious. With a thought your star contracts for a moment before bursting outwards and throwing flares across the room. It must be a sight as you notice your manager staring in awe as the tendrils of stellar fire arc across the room and it's all you can do to not give in to their wish to destroy everything in their reach. With a firm hand, you direct the flares toward the first drone, two of them carving through the machine in an X, sending the remains tumbling across the room. With a sweep of your hand, you direct another to lash outwards like a fiery whip, snapping across the remaining two and carving them each in half. The room is now so hot the photographer's gear nearest you is sagging as it melts, the light fixture above you drips molten metal onto your shoulder, and the ground beneath your feet is charred black. As for the outfit you had been wearing all that remains is ashes seared to your skin. You sneer as you look around the room, satisfied that nothing remains of the man's precious gear, and with a dramatic snap of your fingers the star flares out of existence, leaving only melted plastic and metal behind. "Ok, now I'm done. Good session" You turn to go change but find your manager grabbing your arm. "ARE YOU INSANE?" She is bright red and is hyperventilating as sweat drips from her face, she gestures to the burning wreckage that surrounds you. "You could have brought the whole building down!" You simply scoff and turn to walk away. "It's fine, just some cosmetic damage, I'll pay for it." "I'm done! I quit!!" You just shrug as you close the door to the changing room behind you. You couldn't honestly care less at this point. [[Continue|c2p11]]<</if>>

Gliding in low over the buildings you are barely paying attention to your surroundings as you effortlessly glide between them, your thoughts consumed by the day's events and how your life has turned to shit in the last five years. "//Becoming a hero was the worst decision I've ever made//". With a heavy sigh you land on a random rooftop and reach for your smokes, but as you bring a finger up to ignite a scream pierces the night and you drop the cigarette in shock. Quickly looking down over the side of the building you notice what appears to be a woman lying in a pool of blood, a dark figure standing over her. A mugging, nothing new to this city and you catch yourself thinking about simply flying away, the constant nagging by the League PR team already beginning to drone in the back of your mind about not interfering with something so "minor". But as you step back from the edge something clicks in the back of your mind, why are you even listening to them? You give everyone else such a difficult time just being around you, so what is it that makes them so special, why can't you give them a hard time for once...why not be what you wanted to be when you started down this twisting path of self-hatred, a hero. It almost feels like you are watching from outside your own body as you step over the edge and drop into the alley below, crashing to the ground behind the attacker and lashing out in the same second, throwing them away from their victim and into the side of the building opposite you. But as you kneel down towards the victim you stop, you know the face below you, Hysteria, a member of Team Aeon one of many rivals to the Paragon-League and in her case a known serial killer. Of course, because she is seen as a hero nothing is ever done about her purposely hunting down and killing criminals no matter their crime, each time driving them to madness until they turn on those closest to them and are inevitably killed by their own friends, or commit suicide after murdering everyone they care about. Her eyes flinch as she stares up at you, eyes swirling with an angry red miasma, but simply looking at her throat you know she will be dead in seconds as it is not so much slashed as torn out, and as your gaze flicks back to her own her eyes have become a dull blue, her body stops convulsing, and you step back in shock. <<if $livitzalive is true>>"Well, well, well" Your eyes snap towards the figure staggering towards you, that voice sounds familiar despite the odd gurgling quality it has. "I see you found us. Finally decided to intervene for a change $hname?" Livitz, it's fucking Livitz, but something is wrong, even as you launch yourself towards him, fingers wrapping around his throat as you smash him into the dumpster behind him you can tell everything is off. His eyes are dull and pale, and his skin is cold and feels loose beneath your fingers. It's then, as you stare into the dead eyes of your former professor that those pale orbs begin to shift and become $scolor. "You" Releasing your grip you stumble back, Livitz is most certainly dead, but the one controlling him is alive and well. Memories of your first mission as a member of the league come flooding back and threaten to overwhelm you as the figure attempts to straighten their posture and takes a jerking step toward you. "Hello, my dear" [[Continue|c2p13]]<<elseif $livitzalive is false>>"Well, well, well" Your eyes snap towards the figure staggering towards you, that voice sounds familiar despite the odd gurgling quality it has. "I see you found us. Finally decided to intervene for a change $hname?" Leon, it's fucking Leon, your former classmate turned villain, the Grey Ace. He had always been so hostile towards everyone during your years at the academy and it came as a surprise to no one when a year after graduation he robbed a bank, killing a dozen civilians in the process. But as you launch yourself towards him you notice something is off. His eyes are dull and pale, and his skin is cold and feels loose beneath your fingers as you grab his throat. It's then, as you stare into the dead eyes of your former classmate that those pale orbs begin to shift and become $scolor. "You" Releasing your grip you stumble back, Leon is most certainly dead, but the one controlling him is alive and well. Memories of your first mission as a member of the league come flooding back and threaten to overwhelm you as the figure attempts to straighten their posture and takes a jerking step toward you. "Hello, my dear" [[Continue|c2p13]]<</if>>

''Five Years Ago'' It's only been a week since graduation and you are still coming down from the excitement of being offered a spot in the Paragon League. It's been a whirlwind of activity with media interviews, meeting your new team, and unfortunately having to say goodbye to Ziv as she left for home yesterday. All in all, you are tired but find it counterbalanced by a weird high that keeps you awake at night. Standing in the team meeting room you find yourself standing nest to your own chair, your personal sigil emblazoned on the round table in front of you along with the seven other members that make up the Paragon League, though you are currently the only one in the room. You needed somewhere to think, somewhere quiet, and with the large doors leading into this place closed not a sound can reach you from the outside. Ziv leaving was a blow, but she was not offered a spot on the team despite Proton, no, Kara, stating that if she could she would offer. But apparently bringing one newbie onto the team caused enough of an uproar, bringing in two would have been a disaster. Despite that, you knew she had offers from other teams in the city but ultimately she decided to move home to Glasgow and join a team there and part of you knew that it was going to happen, despite all the times you sat together making plans for your future you knew, deep down, that she would be leaving. Still, you had both agreed to try making it work despite the distances involved and you were already excited for your first video chat on the weekend, of course, that didn't stop either of you from constantly texting or leaving cheesy messages for each other whenever possible. You are so lost in your thoughts you don't even hear the doors open and jump in shock as a hand lands on your shoulder. "SHIT! Easy $name, it's just me" You spin to find Kara smiling at you, her eyes shining with mischief as she looks like she is about to burst out laughing. You immediately find your cheeks warming up. "Sorry, Pr, Kara" No hero names in the meeting room, that was the rule. Kara felt it kept the team close. "I was just thinking. Guess I zoned out." "Yeah, I picked up on that." She moves next to you and sits on the edge of the table. "Thinking about Ziv I take it?" You simply nod. "Yeah, I get that. My first girlfriend and I had to try the long-distance thing too, it mostly worked out" "Mostly?" "Mhmm, she, ugh, she passed about two years in. Didn't even tell me she had been diagnosed with something terminal, she just wanted me to be happy I guess." She leans back, both hands propping her up as she stares at the roof. "If you ever need to talk or want some advice on surviving the whole long distance thing feel free to ask." "Thanks, Kara, I'll keep that in mind." You sit down in your seat and stare at your team leader for a moment. "Hey, so did you need me for something?" "Huh," She turns her gaze down towards you. "Oh, no, I just wanted to check-in. You've had one hell of a week and I didn't want you to feel like you are not worth anyone's time, we are all so busy that I figured no one else had bothered to check on you yet." [['"It's fine" I shrug, I get that the team is busy and I have enjoyed the bit of time I have gotten to myself.'|c2p14][$fine to true]] [[I simply frown, it has kind of sucked that no one other then Kara has bothered to try and talk to me.|c2p14][$frown to true]] [['"I'm good, I'm not exactly here to make friends" I am kind of surprised when she snorts out a laugh.|c2p14][$work to true]]

<<if $fine is true>>She stares at you for a moment then returns your shrug. "If you're sure, just remember that we are a team now and we look out for each other, so if you ever need anything just ask." Her smile is dazzling and you find yourself easily returning it. "Thanks, Kara, I'll keep that in mind."<</if>><<if $frown is true>>"What's with the look?" She returns your frown, a slight smile on her lips. "I just guess I expected the rest of the team to be more interested in getting to know the newbie, or well, this newbie." You have noticed that the rest of the team have easily gotten on with the other two new members of the team, but have been ignoring you for the most part. "Ah, yeah, that." She rubs the back of her neck and turns her head away. "I'll talk to them. I think it's just that they are not sure how to act around someone so..." She makes a hesitant gesture with her hand and looks back at you. "Young" You are definitely the youngest, by at least a decade, but you didn't think that would matter. "Once you get the chance to establish yourself I'm sure they will warm up to you. They just don't really know what you are all about, understand?" Not really, but you just nod anyway.<</if>><<if $work is true>>"Already focused on work $name?" She snickers as she tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Let me tell you now, focusing entirely on the job will burn you out faster than you can imagine, it's not just the occasional villain or kaiju that we have to deal with around here, it is also the paparazzi, lawyers, fans, haters, and even each other. Focusing on the job is okay as long as you take time for yourself any time you can manage it." "What do you do when you get time to yourself?" You find yourself curious about what Kara gets up to in her downtime, even with your encyclopedic knowledge of her career as Proton, Kara has managed to keep her private life on lockdown. "Cooking calms me. It reminds me of when I would cook with my mama back in Havana." She glances at you and smiles. "I also enjoy crochet and I swear if you call me an old woman because of that..." She trails off as a small spark of energy pops in her fist, though her smile is nothing if not playful."<</if>> As you open your mouth and ask her a question the bracelets you both wear begin flashing red and chirping shrilly at the same time the room around you lights up with flashing lights as the various displays along the circular wall snap to life. "Look at that, work calls" Pressing a button on her bracelet the holographic display in the center of the table ignites and Damian, the team's mission coordinator, appears. "Oh! Good, Kara, $name, glad I was able to get through to you both, everyone else is already busy and we have a situation." The monitors all flick to different news stations, police cameras, and even a satellite view of what appears to be downtown. "Approximately forty minutes ago one Mr. Hernandes seems to have lost control and begun attacking everyone around him." A driver's ID pops up showing you one Kevin Hernandes. "By all accounts, he is your average family man, works a nine to two, and has a minor talent for pyrokinesis and by minor I mean minor, he can basically light up a barbeque but that's about it." "Okay, so why are you calling us Damian? Sounds like the AFPD can handle him easily enough." Despite Damian making it sound like the man was nothing too tough Kara simply asking means she knows that something is up, it's a feeling you share. "Glad you asked Kara, look at this." One of the monitor images takes the place of Damian's holographic head and you are shocked to see the average-looking Mr. Hernandes hurling a fireball the size of a large truck towards a cop car. "That's not all" The image flicks again and you watch the man take several bullets to the torso, cringing as you think you just saw him die only for him to roar and begin throwing even more fire in return. "Somehow Mr. Hernandes's minor talent has become as powerful as the top ten percent of pyros worldwide and nothing is stopping him. The police chief has asked that we handle it, he's already pulling his people back." "Okay Damian, we're on it." As the hologram turns of Kara turns to you and smiles. "Well, come on $hname, your first mission, let's go!" Her enthusiasm is infectious and you find yourself returning the smile as you both leap out of the window which has retracted to allow a quick exit. [[Continue|c2p15]]

Even with the mission tracker telling you where to go it's not hard to figure out where the situation is as a series of explosions trail down several blocks of downtown Aeon Falls. Even now as you and Proton close in you can spot several other heroes flitting through the air assisting with damage control as well as search and rescue and you feel a sense of pride swell up in your chest knowing that you are about to join them in defending the city, your speed increasing unconsciously. "Eagre to get there hmm?" You blanch as you look over at Proton, her fists, and eyes already glowing with oscillating blue/purple energy. "Sorry, guess I got excited." "Hey, don't apologize, this is what we both want to be right? We want to be here to help, to protect people, it's our calling. That is something you can be excited about." "Yea, okay, thanks Proton" "Anytime $hname, now let's see if we can't get Mr. Hernandes to take a break." You know from your years of following her that Proton is one of the few heroes who still try to de-escalate situations through talk before she resorts to violence, it's something she is equally admired and ridiculed for. So as you both swoop into the street and land in front of your target you are not surprised to find her holding up her hands casually. "Hang back $hname, let's see if we can't talk him down first. But be ready, something tells me this is going to go sideways." With a nod you stay back and focus, a small star-forming above each shoulder while a storm of debris begins to orbit around you. Whatever happens, you will be ready for it. "Mr. Hernandes!" Proton takes a step towards the man as he lifts a small car and smashes it against the ground. Damian never said anything about enhanced strength. "Hey, Kevin, why don't you put the car down and we can talk this out hmm? What's wrong? Do you need help?" "N,need help? NO! N,no help,p." A burst of flame shoots from his hand above Protons head and while she doesn't even flinch you nearly unleash a blast from one of your stars. It's only Proton looking back over her shoulder and shaking her head that keeps you from firing. "Okay Kevin, you don't need help, then what do you need?" "N,need? Death, kill, t,they k,killed them. Need vengeance" Despite the agitation Proton does seem to have the situation in hand as the man has stopped throwing things and hurling fireballs. "Someone was killed? Who was it, Kevin, tell me and we can bring whoever did it to justice." "S,sisters, the c,chimera killed t,them. I f,felt it" "//Somethings not right here//" You jump as Damian's voice comes from the earpiece you are wearing. "What's wrong Damian?" You keep your voice to a whisper, your subvocalizer easily picking up your question. "//According to records Mr. Hernandes has no sisters, only an older brother, still alive and well out in Manitoba//" You notice Proton nod slightly. "//Though he does have twin daughters, it could be in his agitated state he is getting the wording confused.//" "Damian, check to see where his daughters would be at this time of day, I'm guessing school, and get the police to check on them" "//You got it $hname, good call//" Proton looks back at you with a smile before focusing back on the man. "Kevin, do you mean your daughters? We can check on them now" "NO! S,SISTERS!" "Oh, shit" is all Proton manages to get out before a fireball is flung towards her. [[I was already prepared for this and a quick thought sends a beam from one of my stars towards the fireball, carving it in half and leaving Proton standing between between the two fires.|c2p16]] [[The fireball doesn't even reach Proton as it is pulled into a diminutive black hole I create in its path. The flames being sucked into it's tiny depths leaving Proton unharmed.|c2p16a]] [[Thinking quickly I use my gravity control to pull a large chunk of debris into the path of the blast. The fire shatters the chunk of pavement I used but Proton is fine, if a bit dusty.|c2p16b]] <<if $wings is true>>[[❤️ My instincts have already taken over and as the blast comes in I am wrapping my wings around Proton, my arms holding her waist as I prepare for the pain.|c2p16c][$prompoints to +1]]<</if>>

The flare of solar energy makes quick work of the fireball and before it has even dissipated Proton is leaping towards the target, hundreds of tiny energy bolts flying from her hands as a distraction while she closes in. Never being one to sit back when a teammate is in a fight you kick off the ground and launch high into the air and once Proton is no longer in your way you begin raining bursts of solar energy and random debris down on the man, adding to the distractions Proton is firing. But he doesn't seem to care, even as the tiny energy darts, beams of energy, and random detritus strike he simply stands there, his gaze snapping between the two of you as if trying to decide who the bigger threat is. Ultimately Proton makes the choice for him as her fist connects with the man's jaw, sending him hurtling backwards into the wreck he had been intent on smashing a few minutes ago. You dip down closer to Proton and glance her way. "Think that's it?" "$hname, I'll tell you one thing I've learned over the years, it's never that easy." Turns out she is correct as the entire wreck is suddenly lifted and thrown toward you. Fortunately, you are ready and the wreck is torn in half by a series of gravity wells you throw at it, the halves being hurled in random directions after spinning around the diminutive black holes for a moment. "Hey!" "Congrats $hname, you've had your first car thrown at you. Now, I'll stay low, you go high!" Unleashing a beam of energy from her hands Proton circles the target, staying low to the ground and using the various debris as cover while you dart upwards, flying above the man, and drop one of your suns on his head. The tiny, unstable star explodes in a miniature nova as the energy field maintaining it fails, the resulting wave of energy leveling everything within several dozen meters of the target. Proton winks up at you and signals with a thumbs up, the blast must have at the very least taken the fight out of the target by now. Unfortunately, as she steps towards the cloud of dust settling over the area you are able to see something from your vantage point that Proton can not from the ground, the target is moving. "PROTON!" Your warning comes too late as a pair of hands lunge from the dust cloud, grabs your mentor, and throws her half a block down the street and into the crumbling remnants of a former cafe, the large coffee cup-shaped sign falling to the ground as the building shudders with the impact. "Shit" Looks like it's just the two of you now. Looking back towards the target your eyes widen in shock as you find the man's face inches from yours, but it's not just the sudden appearance of your foe that has you surprised, it's his glowing $scolor eyes and the odd <<if $sform is "slime">>$scolor, throbbing veins beneath his skin.<<elseif $sform is "plant">>vines that seem to grip tightly to his skin.<<elseif $sform is "gas">>nebulous streaks of $scolor that swirl beneath his skin.<</if>> His hand wrapping around your neck is that last thing you see before the world goes black and for a moment you think you are dead until you feel a sudden warmth bloom in your chest and a feeling of contentment comes over you. "//How?//" The next thing you remember is waking up cradled in Proton's arms, the former Mr. Hernandes's corpse lying nearby. According to the media, it was a great showing by the League's newest and youngest-ever, member, your popularity immediately skyrocketed across all age categories, and your new team members all opened up a little. But both you and Kara both knew something strange had happened. She had found you unconscious and the target dead next to you, but neither of you could explain what had happened. In the end, you took the win and basked in the glory that came with it. [[Continue|c2p17]]

You never expected the fire to make a slurping sound, but as the massive ball of flame is sucked into the gravity well that is exactly what you get, a flaming slurp, and before it has even dissipated Proton is leaping towards the target, hundreds of tiny energy bolts flying from her hands as a distraction while she closes in. Never being one to sit back when a teammate is in a fight you kick off the ground, dragging a cloud of debris behind you which you begin to hurl down on the man, adding to the distractions Proton is firing. But he doesn't seem to care, even as the tiny energy darts, and random detritus strike he simply stands there, his gaze snapping between the two of you as if trying to decide who the bigger threat is. Ultimately Proton makes the choice for him as her fist connects with the man's jaw, sending him hurtling backwards into the wreck he had been intent on smashing a few minutes ago. You dip down closer to Proton and glance her way. "Think that's it?" "$hname, I'll tell you one thing I've learned over the years, it's never that easy." Turns out she is correct as the entire wreck is suddenly lifted and thrown toward you. Fortunately, you are ready and the wreck is carved in half as a beam from one of your suns leaps out towards the metallic hulk, the pieces flying past you on either side. "Hey!" "Congrats $hname, you've had your first car thrown at you. Now, I'll stay low, you go high!" Unleashing a beam of energy from her hands Proton circles the target, staying low to the ground and using the various debris as cover while you dart upwards, flying above the man. Spotting a large tanker sitting among the debris you grin at the various signs proclaiming the contents to be extremely flammable and with a gesture you pull it towards you into the air, once it sites above your target you reverse its gravity, sending it crashing towards the ground at many times the speed a drop from such a height should be possible. The tanker explodes in a massive ball of flame the resulting wave of fire and red-hot metal leveling everything within several dozen meters of the target. Proton winks up at you and signals with a thumbs up, the blast must have at the very least taken the fight out of the target by now. Unfortunately, as she steps towards the cloud of dust settling over the area you are able to see something from your vantage point that Proton can not from the ground, the target is moving. "PROTON!" Your warning comes too late as a pair of hands lunge from the dust cloud, grabs your mentor, and throws her half a block down the street and into the crumbling remnants of a former cafe, the large coffee cup-shaped sign falling to the ground as the building shudders with the impact. "Shit" Looks like it's just the two of you now. Looking back towards the target your eyes widen in shock as you find the man's face inches from yours, but it's not just the sudden appearance of your foe that has you surprised, it's his glowing $scolor eyes and the odd <<if $sform is "slime">>$scolor, throbbing veins beneath his skin.<<elseif $sform is "plant">>vines that seem to grip tightly to his skin.<<elseif $sform is "gas">>nebulous streaks of $scolor that swirl beneath his skin.<</if>> His hand wrapping around your neck is that last thing you see before the world goes black and for a moment you think you are dead until you feel a sudden warmth bloom in your chest and a feeling of contentment comes over you. "//How?//" The next thing you remember is waking up cradled in Proton's arms, the former Mr. Hernandes's corpse lying nearby. According to the media, it was a great showing by the League's newest and youngest-ever, member, your popularity immediately skyrocketed across all age categories, and your new team members all opened up a little. But both you and Kara both knew something strange had happened. She had found you unconscious and the target dead next to you, but neither of you could explain what had happened. In the end, you took the win and basked in the glory that came with it. [[Continue|c2p17]]

The blast rocks the area and shatters the chunk of concrete you had managed to throw in the path of the fireball, you immediately cover your eyes at the impact, but after a moment you move your arm to find Proton standing where she had been and brushing dust from her arms as she coughs. "Thanks for the save //cough//, $hname, going to need a shower when this is done but at least I won't be dealing with any burns." She grins before turning back toward your target. Without a second thought, she leaps towards the target, hundreds of tiny energy bolts flying from her hands as a distraction while she closed in. Never being one to sit back when a teammate is in a fight you kick off the ground, and fly up next to her, the suns on either shoulder unleashing blasts of energy, adding to the distraction. As you break off from Proton, going flying along the man's left side, while she goes right he simply stands still, snapping his gaze back and forth between you and Proton as if trying to decide which is the greatest threat. You find yourself grimacing as his head seems to turn at unnatural angles to keep track of each of you. Ultimately Proton makes the choice for him as her fist connects with the man's jaw, sending him hurtling backwards and right into your path. With a smile, you spin your leg up and into his way, your heel connects perfectly and sends him back towards Proton, who with a grin of her own brings a leg down in an axe kick, and crushes the man into the ground at her feet. "That was beautiful $hname!" "Think that's it?" You try to ignore your blushing as you stare at the ruin below her floating form. "$hname, I'll tell you one thing I've learned over the years, it's never that easy." Turns out she is correct as a hand lunges upwards from the wreck, luckily Proton is quick and dashes aside, leaving the man standing next to the wreck of the car he had been smashing a few minutes ago. With a howl, he picks it up and hurls it in your direction. Fortunately, you are ready and the wreck is carved in half as a beam from one of your suns leaps out towards the metallic hulk, the pieces flying past you on either side. "Hey!" "Congrats $hname, you've had your first car thrown at you. Now, I'll stay low, you go high!" Unleashing a beam of energy from her hands Proton circles the target, staying low to the ground and using the various debris as cover while you dart upwards, flying above the man. Once in position you take one of your suns in each hand and force them together into one, shaping the resulting conflagration into a blazing spear that you hurl down towards your target. The blindingly brilliant spear explodes in a miniature nova as strikes the ground directly in front of your target, the resulting wave of energy leveling everything within several dozen meters of the target. Proton winks up at you and signals with a thumbs up, the blast must have at the very least taken the fight out of the target by now. Unfortunately, as she steps towards the cloud of dust settling over the area you are able to see something from your vantage point that Proton can not from the ground, the target is moving. "PROTON!" Your warning comes too late as a pair of hands lunge from the dust cloud, grabs your mentor, and throws her half a block down the street and into the crumbling remnants of a former cafe, the large coffee cup-shaped sign falling to the ground as the building shudders with the impact. "Shit" Looks like it's just the two of you now. Looking back towards the target your eyes widen in shock as you find the man's face inches from yours, but it's not just the sudden appearance of your foe that has you surprised, it's his glowing $scolor eyes and the odd <<if $sform is "slime">>$scolor, throbbing veins beneath his skin.<<elseif $sform is "plant">>vines that seem to grip tightly to his skin.<<elseif $sform is "gas">>nebulous streaks of $scolor that swirl beneath his skin.<</if>> His hand wrapping around your neck is that last thing you see before the world goes black and for a moment you think you are dead until you feel a sudden warmth bloom in your chest and a feeling of contentment comes over you. "//How?//" The next thing you remember is waking up cradled in Proton's arms, the former Mr. Hernandes's corpse lying nearby. According to the media, it was a great showing by the League's newest and youngest-ever, member, your popularity immediately skyrocketed across all age categories, and your new team members all opened up a little. But both you and Kara both knew something strange had happened. She had found you unconscious and the target dead next to you, but neither of you could explain what had happened. In the end, you took the win and basked in the glory that came with it. [[Continue|c2p17]]

"$hname! What are you..." The explosion rocks the area around you, the searing pain coming from your burning wings causing you to scream out in agony as Proton wraps her own arms around you. Finally, after what feels like an eternity the flames dissipate and you wince as you pull back the shroud that you had created around the two of you, your wings in tatters as pain rips along your spine. "What the hell was that?!" You look at Proton and find a look of panic on her face as she stares at you. "Something like that would have hurt me, but not nearly as much as it just did you. You know that $name! What were you thinking?" What were you thinking? Your wings were a simple genetic anomaly not at all related to your powers and unlike many heroes they were not made of steel-like feathers, or incredibly strong, or flexible. They were just, wings. So using them to block a fireball was perhaps one of the dumbest things you could have done, but you had simply reacted, working on nothing but instinct and adrenaline. But now as you stare into Proton's eyes you feel something in your chest, besides the pain, you know exactly why you had reacted like you did. Your damn crush on the woman who still has her arms around you. "I, I wasn't about to let you get hurt, you're part of my team." Proton stares at you but you see an odd glimmer in her eye. "Well, thank you $name, but next time please don't do something so stupid." She shifts her gaze to the tatters that are your wings. "Are you okay to keep fighting?" "Yeah, I don't need them to fly" You float a few inches into the air. "Good, then let's end this so I can get you back to base and in to see a medic." Without a second thought, she leaps towards the target, hundreds of tiny energy bolts flying from her hands as a distraction while she closed in. Never being one to sit back when a teammate is in a fight you kick off the ground, and fly up next to her, the suns on either shoulder unleashing blasts of energy, adding to the distraction. As you break off from Proton, going flying along the man's left side, while she goes right he simply stands still, snapping his gaze back and forth between you and Proton as if trying to decide which is the greatest threat. You find yourself grimacing as his head seems to turn at unnatural angles to keep track of each of you. Ultimately Proton makes the choice for him as her fist connects with the man's jaw, sending him hurtling backwards and right into your path. With a smile, you spin your leg up and into his way, your heel connects perfectly and sends him back towards Proton, who with a grin of her own brings a leg down in an axe kick, and crushes the man into the ground at her feet. "That was beautiful $hname!" "Think that's it?" You try to ignore your blushing as you stare at the ruin below her floating form. "$hname, I'll tell you one thing I've learned over the years, it's never that easy." Turns out she is correct as a hand lunges upwards from the wreck, luckily Proton is quick and dashes aside, leaving the man standing next to the wreck of the car he had been smashing a few minutes ago. With a howl, he picks it up and hurls it in your direction. Fortunately, you are ready and the wreck is carved in half as a beam from one of your suns leaps out towards the metallic hulk, the pieces flying past you on either side. "Hey!" "Congrats $hname, you've had your first car thrown at you. Now, I'll stay low, you go high!" Unleashing a beam of energy from her hands Proton circles the target, staying low to the ground and using the various debris as cover while you dart upwards, flying above the man. Once in position you take one of your suns in each hand and force them together into one, shaping the resulting conflagration into a blazing spear that you hurl down towards your target. The blazing spear explodes in a miniature nova as strikes the ground directly in front of your target, the resulting wave of energy leveling everything within several dozen meters of the target. Proton winks up at you and signals with a thumbs up, the blast must have at the very least taken the fight out of the target by now. Unfortunately, as she steps towards the cloud of dust settling over the area you are able to see something from your vantage point that Proton can not from the ground, the target is moving. "PROTON!" Your warning comes too late as a pair of hands lunge from the dust cloud, grabs your mentor, and throws her half a block down the street and into the crumbling remnants of a former cafe, the large coffee cup-shaped sign falling to the ground as the building shudders with the impact. "Shit" Looks like it's just the two of you now. Looking back towards the target your eyes widen in shock as you find the man's face inches from yours, but it's not just the sudden appearance of your foe that has you surprised, it's his glowing $scolor eyes and the odd <<if $sform is "slime">>$scolor, throbbing veins beneath his skin.<<elseif $sform is "plant">>vines that seem to grip tightly to his skin.<<elseif $sform is "gas">>nebulous streaks of $scolor that swirl beneath his skin.<</if>> His hand wrapping around your neck is that last thing you see before the world goes black and for a moment you think you are dead until you feel a sudden warmth bloom in your chest and a feeling of contentment comes over you. "//How?//" The next thing you remember is waking up cradled in Proton's arms, the former Mr. Hernandes's corpse laying nearby. According to the media, it was a great showing by the League's newest and youngest-ever, member, your popularity immediately skyrocketed across all age categories, and your new team members all opened up a little. But both you and Kara both knew something strange had happened. She had found you unconscious and the target dead next to you, but neither of you could explain what had happened. In the end, you took the win and basked in the glory that came with it. [[Continue|c2p17]]

''Present'' In the years since that first meeting you have run into this creature on several occasions, the media had declared it your nemesis after your third fight, but you knew something had changed after that initial encounter. Each time you met the creature it had never been the first to attack and would initially try to speak with you, but in those early days you were keen on proving that the first fight had not been a fluke, and then after a couple of years you simply attacked first because it was all you knew. So now, as you find yourself sliding down the wall behind you in shock, why are you not taking the first swing? "Odd, you are usually more combative than this" "Shut up!" You try to find your feet but simply fall forward onto your knees. "Having an off day?" The cocky smirk that comes to the face of the corpse is one you have become all too familiar with in the years since your first meeting, even if it is on a different face each time. "Oh my God, would you please, just shut up. Why are you not attacking me anyway? You didn't seem to have a problem killing a hero a minute ago" You wave a hand in the direction of Hysteria's corpse. The sound the creature makes is somewhere between a laugh and a gurgle and makes you shiver in disgust. "Hero? Do you call that monster a hero? Look at what she was doing for fun when I found her!" Waving a rotting arm in the direction opposite the corpse you nearly vomit at what you see, a child, no more than ten years old lays in the middle of the alley, blood streaming from his eyes as he twitches. It's something you have seen before when working on joint missions with Hysteria so you know the creature is telling the truth, she had used her powers to torture the boy. "Why?" "Why? Because his older sister deals for a local gang to help pay their family's expenses. Not that a monster like Hysteria needs a reason to torture someone. This was just a convenient excuse. Are you really so jaded, so oblivious to what goes on around you that you need to ask why?" You turn your gaze from the boy back towards your nemesis. So many questions run through your mind as you stare into the glowing eyes of the corpse the creature is inhabiting, but one that has bothered you for years takes precedence. "Why did you never attack me first after that first fight? Every single time I have run into you you only ever act in self-defense and even then you are constantly trying to talk, why? What is your goal? Why not try to simply kill me like you have so many other heroes?" Even as you ask, part of the answer becomes clear as you look back at Hysteria's corpse. Each one of the heroes that the creature has killed in the past had a trail of bodies behind them, some dead, some only wishing they had died. "It seems like you have realized part of the answer yourself." The corpse creaks as the entity squats down in front of you. "As for the rest. Do you remember our first fight? Do you remember when I touched you?" A burst of warmth, a feeling of contentment like none you have ever felt. A strange voice saying one word. You remember, you dream about it almost every night. The corpse smiles as it recognizes the look in your eyes. "You do" "What was it?" [[Continue|c2p18]]

"Belonging, togetherness, compatibility" The corpse smiles. "Fate. I've gone through hundreds of hosts in the years since I escaped my captivity, but you $name, you are the only human I have ever felt that warmth with." The being stands back to full height and backs up a few paces. "You see, that day when we fought I was still new to inhabiting and controlling a being such as you, up until that point I had only been in half a dozen or so, some lasted longer, some burnt out quickly, and when you and your friend attacked my vessel was already at the end of its life." "Kevin Hernandes" "What?" "You called him a vessel, his name was Kevin Hernandes" "Ah, yes I am aware" You have to blink, why does the creature look upset? "I did not intend for him to die, at least, not now. Back then I could not have cared if someone I was controlling died or not, my only experience with your kind until that point had been one of torment and violence. But then you appeared." They spin and begin pacing. "That feeling you had was me trying to control of your nervous system and take over, but even I was not prepared for what happened. Until you, it had always been a cold, semi-painful experience, but with you it was..." "Warm, comforting" They spin to you with a smile. "Exactly! I didn't understand it so I stopped before I could finish the process. But in that fraction of a second, I saw into your mind, something I have never experienced with anyone else. Oh, I get flashes, and general feelings from my hosts, but never what I got with you. I saw your hope, your joy, your pain, your sorrow. I saw that there were good people out there, you had been one of them, someone who had dedicated their own life to helping others and I came to understand some things, the first being that my ves...Mr. Hernandes had been an innocent victim, my victim, and realizing that I abandoned his body, but of course, it was already too late, he was dead." The creature squats back down in front of you. "Since that day I have only ever taken those who deserve the fate that comes with joining me. <<if $livitzalive is true>> Like your former professor here, I bumped into him a month ago and when I realized who he was, when I looked back into your memories I knew I had to take control, I had to ensure that he suffered for everything he had done. Believe my $name, I dug into his sorted life like I never had before. He deserved the pain I brought him. I went out of my way to keep him from burning out too fast and I am pleased to say that he experienced pain like no one ever has in the history of your species.<<elseif $livitzalive is false>>Like your former class mate here. He wasn't the worst I have ever taken control of, but he was no angel that's for certain.<</if>>" "You still haven't explained to me why it was so different with me" "It's simple, $name, we belong together, we are compatible, two halves of a whole. Together we are greater than we could ever be separately. Do you understand now why I have only ever tried speaking to you like we are doing now? We need each other." You recoil from the creature, at least physically, in the recesses of your mind everything it has said makes so much sense. "I don't need you! What even are you?" "You know, I'm not sure. I hold the memories of all my siblings who came before me, but they are extremely fuzzy before waking up in a lab a decade ago. The scientists considered me a parasite, something to be experimented on to see if the benefits I brought could be separated from the deterioration that comes with joining. Not even two weeks of freedom and I found you, my perfect host." The creature brings a hand up to your cheek but stops and frowns at the hand they are using. "Disgusting, I'm sorry you have to see me like this $name." "So what is it you want then? To take control of my body?" They look shocked, almost appalled at the suggestion. "Never! I would never take control of you, in fact, I'm not sure it's even possible with a compatible host. No, I want to join, to become one, stronger together than apart. All I want is to be with you $name, to stop burning through bodies, to stop trying to survive and finally live." "Right, because a hero joining with a parasitical villain will go over so well with the public." They frown at your words. "Hero? You? Oh no my dear, you are not a hero, you haven't been one in years." The contempt that drips from their voice is like a physical barb, piercing your heart. "When did you stop being a hero $hname?" [[Continue|c2p19]]

"Shut up" "I'm only saying what true $hname" "Shut. Up" "I'm sorry $hname, but it's true, you are so far from being a hero that if you were not compatible with me you would probably end up being one of my victims sometime in the future. After all $hname, you're not that far off from torturing children like your dead friend over there." "I SAID SHUT UP! Just stop, stop calling me that" "Calling you what?" "$hname, that was the name of someone who wanted to change the world, to make it a better place. That's not who I am. Not anymore." "Maybe, but you can be her again you know. She's still in there somewhere, yes maybe the reality of things beat her down and tried to bury her deep beneath the jaded woman in front of me, but $hname is still in there. She tried to stop what she believed was a simple mugging a few minutes ago, is that something the current you would have done?" "I didn't do it for the reasons you think. I was just sticking it to the people who own me, own me...Jesus Christ" You feel yourself sink as tears begin to run down your cheeks. You really aren't who you once were. They do own you, everything about you is controlled and sanitized by your employers, and when you do something they don't like they beat you down for it. "Are they ever there to help?" You glance up at the corpse. "The ones you work for, do they ever help you or do they simply cast aside your pain and fear? When you are falling from a skyscraper hoping against all hope that this time, this time you will see it through and become a smear on the pavement, are they there to catch you? To help you?" "Kara is" "No" They shake their head. "Kara is as much a pawn as you are, she may be there for you, but pawns can only do so much. The ones who really control you, who own you, who let the world only see what they want it to see, do they care about you when you are trying to kill yourself, or when you nearly o.d., or when your heart is broken? Do you even have a heart anymore $name?" "Please, stop" You are shaking as sobs wrack your body. "I can't take it anymore" "I don't want to hurt you $name, but you need someone to say these things. You need to hear it. But I'm not leaving this time $name. You don't have to be alone ever again." They kneel down in front of you and past the corpse, beyond those dead eyes you see that $scolor glow, you feel warmer just looking at it, and as they extend a hand towards you you already know the answer to their unspoken question. With a nod, you take the dead hand in yours. "Yes" [[Continue|c2p20]]

Everything is so warm, despite the darkness you find yourself floating in. It's not terrifying, it's comfortable, like being wrapped in a fuzzy blanket on a cold morning. You could just stay like this forever, content, warm, happy... "//No, I'm sorry my dear, but that is not something that can happen. We have too much work ahead of us.//" That feminine voice, you have never heard it before, so why is it familiar? "//Oh come on, you know why. Now it's time to wake up, everything went perfectly, we are one, and we are whole. Now up and at them, we have a world to shake up, a system to topple, and truths to share.//" Your eyes snap open and with a gasp, you sit up. Instinct has you quickly taking in the alley around you, almost everything is the same as it was, except there is a new corpse lying on the ground next to you. <<if $livitzalive is true>>Livitz.<<elseif $livitzalive is false>>Leon.<</if>> As you stand you realize something, you feel amazing, better than you ever have. All the aches and pains are gone, the cravings that always gnaw at you have vanished, and you feel strong, so very strong. "//See, I told you we were meant for each other//" You spin, looking for the source of the voice but find no one else as you hear a giggle. "//Really, did you forget already?//" "Wait, it's you, it worked?" "//Mhmm, perfectly! I feel amazing!! How about you?//" "Amazing doesn't begin to cover it." You look down at your hands as you wiggle your fingers, stopping as you notice <<if $sform is "slime">>faint $scolor veins beneath your skin, where they had always looked bloated and sickly on the creature's former vessels on you they look, natural, almost beautiful as you notice they faintly pulse with color and power.<<elseif $sform is "plant">>$scolor vines trailing along your skin. On the creature's previous vessels, they had looked invasive, as though they did not belong, but now, on you, they almost look like your hands and what you can see of your arms, are covered in elegant tattoos.<<elseif $sform is "gas">>faint wisps of $scolor gliding lazily beneath your skin. It almost looks as though you have a nebulae beneath your skin. On the creature's former vessels, they appeared noxious, but on you, they form something elegant.<</if>> "//Okay, first of all, stop calling me 'The Creature', I'm not some monster.//" "Uh, then what do I call you?" There is a hesitation, you don't know why but you can feel it, almost like you are the one hesitating as you think, but not quite. "//Gel, call me Gel//" "Okay, that's kinda cute. So, Gel, what do we do now?" You feel your eyes shift on their own, it's not an unpleasant sensation, just, odd. You find yourself looking at the boy, still lying on the ground and shaking. "//We need to get him to the hospital.//" "Right, okay." You walk over and kneel down, wrapping an arm under the child's knees and one under his back before standing up. "The nearest hospital is Saint Arc, think he can handle flying?" "//I doubt it, but his pulse is erratic and I don't think he'll last much longer. I'll fly, you just focus on him.//" "What do mean by you'll flyyyYYYYYYY!!!!!" You feel yourself launching into the air, but it's not you doing the work, it almost feels like you're being carried, and as your shriek fades you try to settle into the feeling. "Jesus! Warn me next time, this is so weird." "//I did warn you, and yes it is weird. I've never had this level of, of... connection before. It feels so natural, not forced.//" "Is that how it felt with the others?" You get the impression of a nod. "That sounds awful." "//Oh, it was, but I had to survive somehow.//" Neither of you says anything else, but you can feel Gel, shift. That is probably the closest way you can describe it, as they, she? Adapt to being in your body. "Uh, so Gel?" "//Technically I don't have a gender, but I'm manipulating your brain into hearing a feminine voice because I figured that would make you more comfortable. Feel free to use she/her if you prefer...oh, shit, I'm sorry I didn't even wait for you to ask.//" "Yeah I was going to say, but someone just jumped the..." The boy suddenly convulses in your arms. "Shit, down, down now!!!" You hit the ground on autopilot, your legs moving on their own as you adjust to the shock. Luckily you have landed right at the edge of the parking lot next to the hospital's emergency entrance and as you begin CPR you yell for help as loud as possible. It would be a terrible thing for you to be this close and lose the kid. After two calls for help, you hear someone respond and within seconds two EMTs come running up followed by several nurses. "What happened?" The first EMT hits the ground on his knees across from you and takes over chest compressions as you shift aside while the second begins taking vitals. "Found him in an alley with two dead, one was Hysteria, the member of Team Aeon, I think, it's his eyes, I think she did something to him." "Ma'am, how would you know that?" You look up at the nurse beside you as she places a hand on your shoulder. Standing you shift and look her dead in the eye. "I'm $hname, I've seen the aftermath of her ability before, she definitely did something to the poor kid." Everyone around you stares, other than the EMTs, though from the way they shift even they are surprised, it's not every day a hero shows up in civilian clothes without their mask. <<if $wings are true>> With a slight ruffle of your wings you stop hiding the smaller set, revealing all four to those around you. "Shit, well this is going to be a paperwork nightmare" The EMT doing chest compressions smirks. He's not wrong, anyone who sees a hero without their mask and is told by them that they are a hero has to sign a mountain of NDAs. "Worth it if you can save the kid." You look down at the boy as he suddenly begins coughing. "He's breathing again. Good" "$hname" You turn back to the nurse who has pulled out a tablet. "What can you tell us about the ability used on him?" As a stretcher arrives and the boy is placed securely on board and wheeled into the hospital you follow close behind, telling the nurse everything you know about Hysteria's ability, not something normally allowed, but to hell with it, she's dead. By the time you enter the hospital, you have already pulled your phone out and begun bringing up the secure data on the former hero for the medical team gathering around you to go over. At this point none of you care about NDAs or top secret, all that matters is saving the kid. "//I'm proud of you $hname, be proud.//" [[Continue|c2p21]]

''7 am'' You watch from the viewing room as the surgery continues on the young boy. The doctors had to open up his skull to get in and repair, or try and repair, the damage done by Hysteria. It's been six hours already but they are still going hard, though the nurses have been rotated out, the two experts must be dead on their feet. The boy's parents had arrived three hours ago after you had contacted Damian and had him figure out who the kid was from his prints, which means you could have left a long time ago, but you have been refusing to leave despite being told that you can go home. Too often in the past five years have you just washed your hands of some poor victim and let it all be handled by someone else, never again. "You look dead on your feet $name." Gel immediately shifts uncomfortably and glancing at your hands you notice all signs of her retreating up your arms until your clothes hide any trace. "Hey Kara" "So, Hysteria huh? Finally caught that fucking bitch in the act. Good, I hope you made it hurt." As Kara steps up next to you she hands you a steaming mug. "How's the kid?" "They don't think he'll ever return to full functionality. He'll be able to walk and take care of himself for the most part, but he'll always need some help with anything beyond the basics." "Fuck" "Yup" You pop the p at the end and take a sip of the <<cycle "$drink" autoselect>> <<option "coffee">> <<option "tea">> <<option "hot chocolate">> <<option "latte">> <<option "cappuccino">> <<option "spiked coffee">> <</cycle>> Kara handed you. "I'm going to make sure that the family is taken care of, and I want to keep a lockdown on the press from getting to them. They are already going through enough" "I figured, I've already put everything into gear." "Thanks, Kara." "No need to thank me, just doing what's right. But there are going to be some, issues, going forward. I tried to handle it but..." "I revealed classified information to unauthorized persons and now Team Aeon wants my head on a plate. Despite the fact that the revealed information is about a dead person, who was basically a serial killer, and that same information will save this boy's life." "Basically." "Fuck 'em." [[Chapter Three|c3p1]]

//"Yet more shocking information coming out of Team Aeon this morning as team leader Quake issued a statement saying that he was retiring from the team to move back to Ecuador. This comes on the heels of Larceny, widow of former team member Hysteria, committing suicide three days ago after the startling revelations regarding the horrendous activities of the former hero surfaced. Authorities have yet to say whether or not Larceny was aware of her wife's actions, but sources inside the team are saying that she had been for several years. This all follows on the heels of Paragon League member $hname admitting a young boy to hospital after finding him in an alley being tortured by Hysteria. While the boy's name and that of the family have been kept under wraps we have learned that $hname and team leader Proton are personally heading the charge to ensure that Team Aeon pays full reparations to the family for the heinous actions of their team member. While $hname has yet to be reached for comment we have learned she will be appearing before a judge to testify against the actions taken by Hysteria not just several nights ago, but many other times in the past as well. Half a dozen other heroes are set to follow as they each provide their own eyewitness accounts of the actions taken by former hero Hysteria. This has led to a number of anti-hero groups becoming even more vocal about the necessity for some form of oversite being placed over hero groups and their members. For nearly two decades various anti-hero groups have been growing in strength citing evidence that the industry as it stands breeds corruption and a lack of empathy in those who are supposed to protect us. Government officials and representatives of major groups have stated that there is no such evidence and the groups making the claims have yet to provide anything verifiable. This has led to a stalemate between the two sides of the topic and the future of the entire hero industry at this point seems murky. Now for today's forecast, Leanne, how's the weather looking for the rest of the week?"// You flick the TV off and lean back on your couch with a sigh, you've been so busy the last week that it's the first chance you've had to sit and relax, Kara basically told everyone to fuck off and gave you a day, so you don't plan on moving beyond what is necessary. "Really? Just, what, sit here? That's a thing?" "Mhmm, never relaxed before Gel?" "Uh, no, I was always on the move, always looking for a new vessel before the one I was in burned out." You smile and turn your head to stare at the woman sitting next to you. Obviously, she isn't actually there, and when she had first appeared a few days ago you had nearly blown a hole in the wall behind her, but since then you have gotten used to the illusion that Gel plays with your brain to trick you into seeing someone. It has made talking easier at any rate. Running a hand through her <<cycle "$ghairl" autoselect>> <<option "short">> <<option "chin length">> <<option "shoulder length">> <<option "back length">> <<option "waist length">> <<option "hip length">> <</cycle>>, $scolor, hair she sighs. "Relaxing, are you sure this doesn't get boring?" She turns to look at you, her glowing eyes crinkling at the edges. "It's fine Gel, you'll love it. No more worry, no more rush. Just relaxation." Your vibrating phone proves to have the worst timing and as you look down you can only glower. Shit. "We need to tell her something $name. We did have to bail on meeting up. It's the least we owe her." Estrid. With all the activity you had to cancel on her, and though she seems okay with it part of you is worried that she has taken it harder than she's letting on. "Yeah, I know. But anything I tell her will be a lie." "Unless we tell the truth" You immediately spit out the water you had been drinking. "Are you insane Gel?! Tell her that I'm a hero? She would lose her fucking mind and never want to talk to me again." "At the very least we can go see her today, we have the time." "I don't know..." "$name, come on, don't puss out." That makes you burst out laughing and you find it difficult to breathe for a moment. "Did you really just say that?" "Yeah, just thought I would try it." "Okay, fine" //Hey Es, I'm finally free for the day, you available?// It takes no time at all for her to send a response. //I will be later, want to come over to mine for dinner? Say six?// //Yea sounds like a plan, see you later// "Okay, so we have dinner plans, what do we do until then?" [[It's been a while since I had the chance to hang out with Kara outside of work, nows as good a time as any.|c3p2k [[I should swing by the market and check up on El, aparently he's okay but I want to see for myself.|c3p2e [[What should I do, my mind is a blank. Guess I'll just go fly around and see what I can find.|c3p2f