What Happened in The Dalles

[Shattered he/him]

 

Sunspot strode determinedly forward, glowing faintly in the night. He would have preferred to just blast through the Dalles, loudly announcing his presence like he had done in several previous towns. But, unfortunately, that tactic wouldn't work here. If what he had heard was true, then this place was crawling with Epics. Here, simply charging in would get him killed. No, he had a far better plan. He would approach the Dalles quietly, then join one of the different opposing factions.

 

Then he would kill their leader and take their place.

 

Sure, he had never tried anything as ambitious as taking down an Epic strong enough to control an entire gang of lesser Epics before. But then again, he had yet to come across a city that had any powerful Epics at all. It seemed like the perfect place to take as his own.

 

As he continued along his path, the city came into view. Sunspot extinguished his light. Even that tiny illumination would give him away in this darkness. His footsteps sounded out as he walked, thinking about what he would do when he arrived. For some reason, as he continued on in darkness, his confidence left him, and he began worrying.

 

I can't just make my move immediately, he thought. Sparks! I don't even know how to find these guys. I don't know what I'm doing! This was a stupid idea!

 

It was too late to turn back at this point, however. He had been forced to leave his last residence on... unpleasant terms. So, what was he going to do? He knew that the place was run by vanillas, but, beyond that, there was nothing.

 

Blindly attacking civilians when I get in sounds like a bad idea. I have no idea how the local Epics will react.

 

As he walked, Sunspot continued to argue with himself, changing plans at least a dozen times. By the time he neared the city, he was tired of listening to himself think. It looked well-defended, so he eventually decided to just stand and wait. Someone would come, right?

 

They'd better, he growled inwardly.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Frequency saw the street below suddenly explode everywhere. Colorful, sparkly explosions riddled the street below. Terra screamed and pointed at some building. Her walls of dirt came down rapidly and began to form a ramp. Some of the dirt grabbed Terra's crippled body and shoved her down the ramp. Frequency took a step towards the ramp and was sped away by Canis. At the bottom of the ramp, he saw Terra's dead body, crushed by dirt. Blood oozed out.

Frequency shook his head at her ignorance. Fool of a woman should've known better than to throw herself off a building. Blitz was still on the roof. The red tiles began exploding into the air and the roof collapsed. Streaks of lightning shot out of the building, one large one coming straight down from a cloud above struck right where Blitz had been. The Epic had probably decided to end his misery on his own terms.

Frequency nodded and Canis took him away from the house, speeding off towards the city border. They saw a man standing there with a faint glow about him. Frequency yelled at Canis over the wind, telling him to stop. The speedster did and the pair approached the Epic, whose eyes were yellow. "Greetings. I'm Frequency and this is Canis. Are you waiting for someone?"

[Shattered he/him]

 

No one was coming.

 

Sunspot continued to wait, unable to understand his own anxiety.  He was more powerful than any regular man. Why was he so hesitant?

 

Maybe someone will notice me if I shine a bit, he thought. But that wouldn't necessarily be a good thing. Being noticed by someone could be the same as, you know, being noticed by a powerful murderous Epic.

 

Spark it! He activated his powers before he could talk himself out it, letting off the same dim light he had earlier, his eyes glowing slightly. As he stood there, shining in the dark, his confidence began to return. Anyone who challenged him would have to face the channeled power of one of the most devastating forces in the universe. A smug smile appeared on his lips, and he increased the intensity of his radiant aura.

 

This wait should end soon.

 

But it didn't. Sunspot's impatience grew, until he almost decided to march in and do what he had done back in Odell. He moved to take a step forward, but halted when he heard a rush of air from behind.

 

He spun, and found two strangers standing before him. They appeared to have recently seen action. Sunspot saw traces of blood and dirt on them. One of the men stepped forward. He looked like he belonged in some Victorian London ballroom, not on the outskirts of an Oregon town at night. He was dressed in a full suit and cape, and even sported a cane.

 

"Greetings," the man spoke. "I'm Frequency and this is Canis. Are you waiting for someone?"

 

Sunspot was taken aback. He hadn't expected the random strangers to be so calm in the presence of a man shining like the sun. They didn't appear surprised or threatened at all. That could only mean one thing.

 

Epics.

 

He covertly felt at his side, his arm detecting the holster hidden beneath his leather jacket. It contained a handgun he'd stolen from one of his first victims. Sunspot doubted he'd ever use the weapon at the time, but now he was glad that he'd kept it. There was no telling when he might run into an Epic that was immune to his powers. Reassured, he responded to this well-dressed newcomer.

 

"Who's asking?" For a brief moment he increased the brightness of his aura further, and added a flash of heat for good measure. Gauging their responses to this would offer him some insight into just who exactly he was dealing with.

 

Well, he also did it because it was sparking cool, but could you blame him?

 

He continued staring confidently at the stranger, awaiting his reply.

Edited May 26, 2015 by Shattered Logic

[Mailliw73 he/him]

The shining Epic seemed surprised to see them. Frequency straightened his gloves calmly. "Who's asking?" The Epic asked.

The glow around the Epic increased, ruining Frequency's night vision. There was a brief heat wave as well. Frequency looked at Canis and the speed Epic dashed forward, knives drawn and slashed the Epic's leg shallowly. Frequency clapped and sent a shockwave toward the Epic, just enough to make him stumble. "I just told you who we were. I advise you to answer us or I won't be able to restrain Canis. He quite likes blood, if you can't tell."

Frequency smiled. "Actually, I just lost a couple partners. I could use some assistance. How would you like a city to rule?"

[Shattered he/him]

 

The well-dressed stranger - Frequency, he had called himself - glanced at his companion. Before Sunspot could react, he felt a rush of air as Canis charged him, moving inhumanly fast. A sharp pain flashed through his leg as he passed. He must have been carrying concealed knives. A gasp escaped Sunspot's lips, though more from surprise than pain; the cut wasn't very deep. Frequency clapped his hands together, and Sunspot felt the impact of an invisible force, knocking him off-balance. He stumbled, looking at the ground to regain his footing. When he glanced back up, Frequency was standing still, hands resting on his cane. Canis stood in a crouch behind him, knives still in his hands. Small crimson droplets dripped from one of the blades. Blood. Sunspot's blood.

Slontze.

"I just told you who we were," Frequency said, wearing a professionally neutral expression on his face. "I advise you to answer us or I won't be able to restrain Canis. He quite likes blood, if you can't tell." Then, Frequency's flat line of a mouth curved into a smile. "Actually, I just lost a couple partners. I could use some assistance. How would you like a city to rule?"

Sunspot's fury boiled over. He prepared to vaporize the two fools off the face of the planet. They had attacked him, and Frequency had the gall to ask that he become some kind of servant? He would regret those words. He and Canis would feel the wrath of-

A city to rule?

That gave Sunspot pause. The promise of territory was quite tempting indeed. It was almost enough to make him reconsider wanting to kill Frequency.

Almost.

But, if he really can deliver me an entire city... that was Sunspot's goal, right? Get a foothold somewhere, a place of his own? So, he made a choice. He would follow Frequency, as long as he eventually made good on his word. Maybe, after a while, time would even prove him to be less of a slontze than he seemed. Sunspot swallowed his pride, and spoke:

"I would be... amenable to that. You guys seem fairly powerful. And, to answer your original question, I wasn't waiting for anyone. I'm Sunspot."

Edited May 28, 2015 by Shattered Logic

[Kobold King he/him]

 

 

 

 

"You deserve a better ending than that."

 

At the end of Autumn's words Vondra felt the volition come back to his bones, taking a moment to regain his balance after being frozen. He turned to face the two women, trying to hide the still-boiling anger inside of him.

 

Autumn Glass was smiling timidly, an expression which even he had to admit made it hard to feel bitter feelings towards her. She had a reputation for a certain... how was it the guards put it? Adorableness.

 

Rhonda, on the other hand, bore a stiffer and more self-satisfied smile on her lips. The one she always bore after using that tainted talent of hers. The one that she bore more and more frequently of late. She needed a reminder of her place in this town.

 

Keeping his eyes on the Epic, he determinedly walked closer to Autumn and whispered "You make a good argument, Glass. Guess I'll be staying put."

 

His voice, just loud enough for Rhonda to hear but not distinct enough for her to make out, wiped the smile off the Epic's face in an instant. Her face was scrunched up into a scowl, her fists clenched by her side. He met her gaze for a minute before she pulled a tablet from her bag and began diverting her full attention to it, muttering quietly under her breath.

 

Like every Epic in the city, the woman who called herself Redlight was on a tight chain. And just like all the others, every now and then she needed that chain jerked.

 

Just as he was resetting himself to the organization of a termination squad, a voice crackled over the radio again.

 

"Arsenal to Vondra," Dewhickey rasped. "The Deathwish situation has been resolved. I'm having him transported to headquarters on guard."

 

"Thank you, Daniel," Vondra replied through his own speaker. That was one concern out of the way. "Are you at the clinic yet?"

 

"Pulling into the place now," the man replied. "I'll report on the situation soon."

 

"Can't wait," Vondra muttered dryly. More clearly, "Over and out."

 

Pocketing his radio, Vondra sighed deeply and met Autumn's gaze again.

 

"Apologies for the distractions," he said with a hint of irony. "It's been a busy day for all of us. As for the matter with Shiny Sparkle..."

 

He sighed again, rubbing his brow as he struggled with his phrasing. "...I don't blame you for your actions today. I can't hold you to the same standards I hold from Dewhickey or myself. But from now on I will require you to meet new Epics only with a personal guard picked from one of the Epics currently in the city's employ. The consequences of your judgement being compromised as it was today could be disastrous. I hope you understand."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Pulling into the place now," Arsenal stated through the radio. "I'll report on the situation soon."

 

If Game's anything like most of the civilian recruits working in this city, then there'll be quite a lot to report on, he thought irritably. 

 

Vondra's voice was too low to hear for a moment, but a response came over shortly. "Over and out."

 

Arsenal gave a curt nod the commander couldn't see, then clambered out of the ambulance. His eyes cautiously scanned through the falling darkness of the city, and as a safety precaution he summoned a sturdy rifle to sling over his shoulder. If he actually had cause to fight, he'd of course need heavier firepower, but it was always good to begin negotiations with a show of force.

 

Stepping over the bodies of a few swine and squirrels scattered around the pavement, he made his way to the clinic door and entered without knocking.

 

The inside was a protocol nightmare.

 

The City Guards within were dispersed loosely around the building, fiddling with guns that appeared to have had their firing mechanisms badly warped. Not a care in the world for the new Epics in the city, who needed to be confronted with a united and firm stance rather than a troop of idiots who couldn't keep their rifles in proper order.

 

There was a cat casually roaming the room, undoubtedly shedding its unsanitary hairs all over the medical facility. A food bowl sitting in one corner bespoke the drain on resources the hairy little beast inflicted on the town. Game should have euthanized it the minute the city's dire predicament became apparent.

 

But as serious as those matters were, they were nothing compared to the Epics in the room.

 

Two of them he knew already. Reader was bruised and disheveled, apparently having to hold his pants up with one hand as he conversed with one of the outrageous new Epics. Scribbler, true to form, was doing absolutely nothing of value as she stood against a wall with all those outrageous tattoos of hers. Just because they had a purpose didn't make them proper for her to sport!

 

And the other two... the ones who were obviously Epics... he had trouble even knowing where to begin with how intolerable they were.

 

There was a young man in shorts and flip flops, an arrogant smirk underneath sunglasses he seemed to be wearing indoors.

 

And--outrage of outrages--there was a woman who looked like nothing so much as a Disney princess, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room as she listened to Reader talk. Her hair was platinum blonde and tied into a braid behind her, and she wore a glimmering blue dress that trailed behind her. Arsenal vaguely remembered one of his grand nieces having a lunchbox with a woman exactly like her on it. Some Epics went too far with their themes.

 

Striding into the chaotic clinic with a stern expression on his face, Arsenal glowered at the assembled ne'er do wells and raised his voice.

 

"Welcome to The Dalles," he announced loudly, making sure he had each of their attention.  "First off, allow me to congratulate you for your peaceable entrance to the town. If you have lived this long here without forcing us to terminate you, then you may already possess the discretion that will allow you to prosper here.

 

"Also allow me to apologize for the sloppy introduction you had to our town. If you had arrived at any other time, you would have been immediately greeted by the best officers we have to offer, who were regrettably otherwise occupied in today's invasion."

 

Though he'd said that last part with his eyes on Doctor Game, he now let his eyes linger on the blue princess and the flip flop kid, boring into them with his stare.

 

"You may have been treated as royalty elsewhere in the world. Possibly even divinities. That ends now. In The Dalles, you are held accountable under all the laws of the United States. The penalties for breaking any one of them are severe. The choices for your kind upon entering this city are simple: either you agree to function as a contributing member of society, or you will be escorted beyond our borders by scores of armed men and some of the deadliest Epics in Oregon. The choice is yours."

Edited July 12, 2015 by Kobold King

[Voidus]

True to form Arsenal had barely crossed the threshold before he was scowling and judging everyone in the room, his eyes swept the room as his mouth drew to a line thick with distaste.

Lucy moved into position behind the lecturing Epic, crossing her hands behind her back and doing her best to imitate a soldier. Arsenal tended to be less grouchy when you at least made a pretense of being organized. Mouth twitching silently Scribbler took advantage of his distraction to maneuver a tattoo down her leg and across the floor, finally ending up on the Epics shoe.

Waiting until he'd finished delivering his ultimatum to the new Epics, Scribbler then addressed Arsenal in a low-pitched voice.

"Sir. The girl is an ice manipulator of some kind, still unRead. Some Epics are still unaccounted for, a teleporter left with Autumn, two other Epics a momentum manipulator and someone Dr. Game was seeing both had been Read before the attack have left to find their companion, Emma followed another after he stormed out, I think he's the one who hit Reader and broke these weapons."

Hoping he wouldn't notice, Scribbler actualized the tattoo she'd placed.

"Permission to be dismissed sir? I'd like to see to my parents safety."

She wondered how long it would take Arsenal to notice that she'd turned his socks pink.

[Guest]

"I agree to function as a contributing member of society," Ozymandias said. He made this statement in a flat and lifeless voice, straightening up as he said it. "So...yeah, as the teenagers say. What's next?" His voice became more bouncy as he deliberately spread his hands to the side.

"Do I get a membership card, or, even better, a pack of jellybeans? I REALLY love jellybeans." Ozy cocked his head to one side, a quizzical look on his face.

His voice again changed, becoming more decisive and commanding. Ozy strode forward to the strange Epic with a gun and extended his hand. "In all seriousness, I am perfectly amenable to whatever it is that I need to do or say as an upstanding citizen of this hellho--I mean, lovely city. My name is Ozymandias, but do call me Ozy. I can punch people really fast and break stuff. And you are...?" Now, about those jellybeans...

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

 

 

 "...I don't blame you for your actions today. I can't hold you to the same standards I hold from Dewhickey or myself. But from now on I will require you to meet new Epics only with a personal guard picked from one of the Epics currently in the city's employ. The consequences of your judgement being compromised as it was today could be disastrous. I hope you understand."

 

Autumn nodded slowly. Her heart sank, and she kicked herself for it, because Vondra was right. Having the final say over who stayed and who left meant a repeat of Shiny Sparkle could spell disaster for the city. 

 

Shiny Sparkle.​ Her cheeks flamed. If she'd just hesitated a moment longer….her head might've exploded, but it might still be intact. She should have waited to see. 

 

And now he wanted to stick her with a bodyguard. Good. 

 

Who was an Epic. Not so good. 

 

Had it not been for the recent incident, Autumn knew Deathwish would have been Vondra's first choice. His strange damage reflection and love of confrontation made him an ideal bodyguard. His penchant for laughing at things like two girls kissing one another, rather than stepping in and stopping it, did not.  Autumn ran through those others she knew. 

 

Arsenal and Redlight were out, and Glamour's attachment to his headphones rendered him unable to hear important things at strategic moments. She nearly suggested Edgerunner or Scribbler, but knew Vondra would frown on both their lack of offensive powers and their fondness for pranks. Her stomach twisted. It looked like Deathwish would be her bodyguard after all, provided he had a plausible explanation for the armory incident….

 

Something triggered in her memory. A prison. A single prisoner, drenched in water and stripped rather than executed. The only Epic it seemed Vondra wanted to trust, even if he couldn't. 

 

​"What about Vapor Snake?" she asked. "I know he lost control, but he's always gained it back before. How about I interview him in the morning, and if it goes well, would you offer him the job? He has both offensive and defensive powers that he could train me to use, and he's the only Epic in the city who asked you to use his weakness on him if he lost control." 

 

Plus, she almost added, I know him. If you give him a second chance, I know this is the chance he'd want. And I really, really, really ​don't want to spend all that time with Deathwish. 

 

I really don't.

[mail-mi he/him]

 

Elsa said nothing.

 

Reader was still in shock from the information pouring out of the "Ice Queen." He tried to say something, be it biting or not, but he couldn't work up the saliva to say anything. 

 

Disneyland...Arendelle...Anna...Hans...Walt Disney...child Epic...

 

An all-too-familiar voice spoke up from the entrance. "Welcome to The Dalles," it said dryly. Oh, how Reader hated that grating voice of his. Of all the Epics in the City Guard, including the likes of Deathwish and Edgerunner, Reader hated this one most. Slowly he turned to look at the source of the voice, but ignored everything it said, content to let the hatred fester within himself. 

 

Arsenal.

 

As he jabbered on, Reader Read the day's happenings off of Arsenal, and smiled. 

 

This is gonna be good. 

 

"The choice is yours." Arsenal finished, right in time for Scribbler to scoot up to him and start whispering. Reader Read her too, then looked down at Arsenal's feet and snickered. Ozy in the corner decided to finally grace everyone with his voice, but Reader ignored him. As soon as Scribbler was done with Arsenal, Reader spoke up. 

 

"Arsenal!" he said loudly, his voice dripping with sarcasm and fake excitement. "Long time no see buddy! How've you been?" Not giving him a chance to respond, Reader continued. "Nice socks, by the way. Here, why don't you come give Uncle Reader a big one right here on the cheek?" He pointed his chin upwards and to the side, and tapped himself on the cheek.

 

Let's see how he likes that. And besides, if Arsenal didn't follow through, Reader knew a certain vanilla who would be happy to do it for him.  

Edited May 27, 2015 by mail-mi

[Mailliw73 he/him]

The Epic stood, frozen in fury, after the mild attacks. Frequency kept his hands on his cane, but prepared to whistle if this went wrong. The Epic's shine grew brighter in his fury, but Frequency kept his gaze fastened on his eyes.

The Epic finally decided to be reasonable and accepted the offer, "I would be...amenable to that. You guys seem fairly powerful. And, to answer your original question, I wasn't waiting for anyone." Strange. He had looked like it. Maybe he was just odd like that. "I'm Sunspot."

"Pleasure to meet you, Sunspot. Besides the obvious glow, what can you do? As you saw, Canis has super speed and I have sonic claps. I can also-" Frequency paused to whistle a single, sharp note. A brick in the building nearest them cracked, shattering to pieces. "-whistle." Frequency decided to keep Canis's blood tracking power a secret for now. Some people didn't like knowing that he could keep track of them. It'd be easier to catch an assassination attempt if he knew where Sunspot was at all times.

[Shattered he/him]

 

"Pleased to meet you, Sunspot. Besides the obvious glow, what can you do? As you saw, Canis has super speed and I have sonic claps. I can also-" Frequency paused, suddenly emitting a sharp noise, which was followed by the sound like that of tumbling rocks. Glancing in that direction, Sunspot could see that a brick in a nearby building had broken apart, the pieces falling to the ground. That noise Frequency made, it had sounded like a- "-whistle." Sunspot stood for a moment, surprised at the unusual power. He wondered just what else a brick-shattering whistle could be used for. It was only then that he remembered that Frequency had asked him a question.

 

So you want to know what I can do, Frequency? Sunspot smiled, then turned to face the building that Frequency had targeted.

 

Then he raised both hands and let loose.

 

Twin rays of pure solar energy burned through the air, slamming into the wall that faced the group. The bricks quickly began to glow red, and several shattered from the intense heat. The air began to reek of burning mortar as the entire wall began to melt. A few more seconds of sustained energy, and it quickly collapsed into a molten, steaming puddle of rock and building materials. An entire support face gone, the structure sagged dangerously in the direction of its missing wall.

 

Sunspot hadn't used his full powers, of course. If he had done that, it would have simply vaporized two small holes in the building. Not very exciting at all. No, this had turned out much better. he turned back to Frequency, waiting for a reaction.

[Queen Elsa Steelheart she/her]

Elsa turned to Reader, shaking her head as she came out of the flashback she was in. Memories of Anna and Hans swept in and out of her head. Elsa's hands clasped together just above her waist. Her delicate eyebrows creased with concern.

 

"Do to me? What do you mean? They hurt me! I was covered in blood and I fled. I came here. My name is Queen Elsa. Of Arendelle. Who on earth are you?"

Edited May 28, 2015 by Queen Elsa Steelheart

[Glamdring804]

Blinks followed the Snake River out of Boise. He traveled in quick jumps from vantage to vantage, never going farther than 15 miles. The river snaked north, before eventually looping south and joining the Colombia. After a few moments of thought, he decided to continue downstream.

 

The darkness inside him grew with each jump. He could feel it, building in the pit of his stomach,sucking his humanity away. There might not be anything left by the time he arrived at his destination, wherever that was. He didn't really care. Let the darkness take him. 

 

Eventually, the sun sank behind the western horizon, and the light started to fade from the sky. As much as Blinks wanted to continue, he realized he would have to stop for the night. His teleportation required a line of sight, so flashing around in the darkness was a bad idea.

 

He materialized on a low hill, some distance from the river. He frowned, sniffing the air. Smoke.

 

Blinks scanned the landscape, trying to pinpoint the burn. There. Columns of smoke rose from the next valley over. A quick flash carried him to the next ridge. In front of him was the smoldering remains of a camp. A movement in the distance caught his eye. Blinks took off his sunglasses, focusing on the source.

 

There were a pair of people walking away from the camp, male and female. They appeared to be moving back towards the river. Blinks frowned. Some distance away, he could see a ever-so brighter patch of sky. A town.

 

Blinks chose a point beyond the hidden town, a low ridge across the river. Light flashed, and Blinks vanished in a puff of ether.

 

He landed on a low hill, overlooking the town.

 

Chaos.

 

Skirmishes were raging across the city, flashes of light too distant to make out much detail. A tower of ice rose from the center of the town, and several buildings were on fire.

 

Interesting, Blinks thought. He sank down in the tall grass, content simply watch.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Glamdring804

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Sunspot seemed a bit surprised at Frequency's whistling power. Then he turned with a grin on his face and raised his hands toward the same building. A bright light blinded Frequency and hear radiated intensely. When the after images faded, he saw bricks and cement, most broken, piled at the bottom of where the wall had been.

With a proud smile, Sunspot turned back to Frequency. Frequency nodded, satisfied, with a small grin. This would help nicely. "Impressive. I take it you can control the intensity too, yes?" Without waiting for an answer, he walked toward the side of the ruined building.

"I'd like you to scorch a message here for me. A bit of a calling card, if you will." Frequency gently passed his hand over the wall, gesturing. "'Koschei lives', if you will. With a smaller 'Frequency's back in town' beneath it." The Guard already knew he was back, now everyone would.

[Shattered he/him]

 

Frequency nodded in appreciation, a slight smile playing on his lips.

 

"Impressive. I take it you can control the intensity too, yes?" Sunspot's reply was cut off as Frequency turned away began strolling toward the building, apparently completely uninterested in the answer to his question. Bemused, Sunspot followed behind until they stood before the melted remains of the wall he had destroyed. Frequency regarded it briefly, then walked around the side of the leaning structure. Sunspot started after him but slowed, glancing at the interior of the building. It looked to have been a small business, maybe a pawn shop of some sort. Turning away in indifference, Sunspot continued after Frequency. After they turned the corner, he stopped, looking at the wall. This one was still intact.

 

"I'd like you to scorch a message here for me. A bit of a calling card, if you will," he said, running his hand over the wall. "'Koschei lives', if you will. With a smaller 'Frequency's back in town' beneath it." Sunspot nodded, stepping forward, preparing to do as asked.

 

Koschei, he thought to himself. Do I know that name? He paused. More importantly, how do I spell it? He stood still for a moment, wracking his brain, hoping it wouldn't look too awkward.

 

How do you spell something obviously foreign, pronounced 'koe-shye'? It's German, right? Or is it Russian? Calamity! I am not going to let grammar kill my chance of controlling a city!

 

The considered nationalities did trigger Sunspot's memory, thankfully. There was a legend from Slavic folklore that he had studied for a paper while he was in school. Its main antagonist had been a demon named Koschei. Relieved, Sunspot began the task of writing the message. The rays of light from his hands weren't nearly as powerful as they had been when he destroyed the other wall. Then, they had melted the entire structure. Now, Sunspot lowered the intensity significantly. He drew in large, bold lines, the bricks blackening from the heat as the beams passed over them. He continued thinking as he worked.

 

Why would Frequency have me write 'Koschei lives'? If I remember right, he dies in the story. And why would he care about some random, obscure legend in the first place? Could 'Koschei' be a code name for something? That seemed a bit ridiculous. However, as Sunspot thought about it, the obvious answer came to him.

 

It's the name of an Epic, isn't it?

 

That made perfect sense. There was no way that Frequency, an Epic with seemingly no defensive powers, could be important or intimidating enough to control any followers at all. No, there was someone else who held the real power, someone apparently strong enough to name himself after a mythological figure who had held the title 'the Deathless'. But, then, where was he? Why was Frequency out here, sending a message saying that he was alive?

 

Sunspot's thoughts were cut short as he finished his task, the wall now bearing the requested words. He stepped back, briefly admiring his handiwork, then turned to Frequency.

 

"What now?"

Edited May 31, 2015 by Shattered Logic

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Frequency nodded his appreciation when Sunspot didn't ask for Koschei's spelling and still got it right. An educated man, then. Good. The scorched bricks made an impressive message. Sunspot asked, "What now?"

"The last part of the message." Only one more part needed. Frequency sent Canis out on a brief errand and he returned momentarily. He placed the screaming sacrifice at the base of the wall. Frequency whistled a range of sharp notes and shattered legs, an arm, ears, and nose. They were the most efficient places to shatter to make a display. The face wounds bled profusely and the others pointed sharp bones out of the skin. The member of the City Guard lay unconscious from the pain. Frequency let Canis have a turn too.

The bloodthirsty Epic blurred and stabbed multiple places, but left the areas around Frequency-induced wounds alone. Now the were signs of multiple Epics for the imposter Vondra to fear. This soldier would bleed out soon.

"Now, we rest and recruit. You and I, Sunspot will head to Dufur and find some willing Epics to join us. I have a few more destinations for Canis," Frequency said. Canis quickly found a muscle car that had belonged to some rich kid. The Guard had confiscated it and now Frequency would use it. He sent Canis to Goldendale to summon a contact Frequency had met in his time wandering. Blindside was his name. Then the two would travel to Hermiston to recruit another Epic, Boombox. Both had extremely useful powers that would help Frequency recover the Dalles. Canis had orders to bring any other Epics sympathetic to the cause as well.

Frequency and Sunspot drove off to Dufur to find some Epics to help. In the dark, he sped along and arrived in town. He quickly commandeered a house from a young couple who'd no longer have need for it. In the morning, they'd find assistance.

[Kobold King he/him]

 

 

 

It was the flip-flopped miscreant who responded first.

 

 "I agree to function as a contributing member of society," he said solemnly, in a low and respectful voice. Despite the man's flippant clothing, Arsenal found himself nodding in approval at his speaking manner. This Epic might actually teach Scribbler and Edgerunner how to behave themselves!

 

Then he ruined it.  "So...yeah, as the teenagers say. What's next?" he continued, his voice growing more bouncy and rambling as he cocked his head at his elder. "Do I get a membership card, or, even better, a pack of jellybeans? I REALLY love jellybeans."

 

Arsenal gritted his teeth in frustration as the little slontze continued. The man had changed his tone yet again, striding forward and holding out a hand to be shaken. "In all seriousness, I am perfectly amenable to whatever it is that I need to do or say as an upstanding citizen of this hellho--I mean, lovely city. My name is Ozymandias, but do call me Ozy. I can punch people really fast and break stuff. And you are...?"

 

"I am called Arsenal," Arsenal stated flatly, taking Ozymandias' hand with a tight grip. "You will be assigned quarters to stay the night, and will have to undergo an orientation on your new duties in the morning. I suggest that you keep your less serious side in check."

 

Without waiting for a response he let go of the Epic's hand and turned away from him, still annoyed at the man's temperament. No sooner than he was finished, however, than Scribbler had seized her opportunity to catch his attention.

 

"Sir," she began. In typical manner she stood stiffly and kept her voice flat, pretending to be the loyal and responsible soldier that she had never been. He almost wished she'd speak to him with the disrespect that Edgerunner did, if only so he'd have something solid to reprimand her on.

 

Even so, despite her making a mockery of the military with her playing soldier she nonetheless managed to give a coherent and useful report. The girl who looked like a fairy tale princess was an ice manipulator, at some point a momentum Epic had come through the area, and Edgerunner had apparently followed a dangerous security hazard out of the clinic and onto the streets.

 

If she doesn't arrest that Epic or kill him in the attempt, Arsenal thought darkly, she'll spend her day tomorrow scrubbing every toilet in The Dalles. Mark my words.

 

He gave a crisp nod to Scribbler, hoping that this slight sign of approval wouldn't go to the girl's head. Apparently it did, as she immediately started to push her luck.

 

 "Permission to be dismissed sir?" she asked hopefully. "I'd like to see to my parents safety."

 

"Not yet," he replied sharply. "As long as unprocessed Epics remain in this city we need all of our assets available for immediately deployment. You have a duty to every citizen in The Dalles, not just to your parents."

 

Ignoring the dismayed look on the girl's face he turned away once more, walking towards the last Epic to catch his attention.

 

 "Arsenal!" Reader proclaimed cheerily--if somewhat nasally, considering his hurt nose. "Long time no see buddy!"

 

We're not buddies, was the thought that first came to Arsenal's mind. And I see you all the time. But then, Reader's words were never to be taken literally--this was a man whose every word and deed was calculated to annoy the hell out of everyone in his vicinity.

 

"How've you been?" the alcoholic Epic continued, voice still dripping with false camaraderie. "Nice socks, by the way. Here, why don't you come give Uncle Reader a big one right here on the cheek?"

 

Arsenal had never been touched by a blood manipulator, but somehow he felt like a few veins had just spontaneously popped in his skull.

 

"Now is not the time for your games, Reader!" he shouted furiously. With one hand raised he summoned a steel-buckled belt around Reader's waist, irritably making it considerably tighter than was necessary for keeping his pants up. "This city is up to its ears in strange Epics, and rather than doing your job you're standing here, acting like you have nothing better to do than draw the ire of every man, woman, and child in town!"

 

Arsenal breathed heavily, his own eyes locked on the unfazed Reader as the rest of the clinic cast their gazes on him.

 

Just as I feared, he thought heatedly. Reader's making the town look like a ring of schoolyard bullies.

 

The new arrivals--and everyone else, for that matter--needed to see not squabbling Epics, but decisive action and discipline.

 

Still fuming from the day's many absurdities, Arsenal locked eyes with Reader and made a decision. Reader's face seemed to show a slight glimmer of alarm as he Read what he was about to do.

 

"We treat you generously," Arsenal growled, loudly enough for every Epic in the room to hear. "We afford you many liberties."

 

With a snap of his fingers, a heavy ball and chain materialized around Reader's right hand, overwhelming him with the sudden weight and pulling him to the ground.

 

"The city affords you food, board, and luxuries. All it asks in return in return is a single simple service."

 

Another weight appeared around his other wrist, forcing him into a kneeling position. Arsenal knelt beside him, ignoring his joint aches and glaring into the no-longer-smug Epic's face.

 

"You have forgotten your place, Reader," he hissed, too quietly to be heard by the rest of the room. "You missed your chance at rulership when Koschei fell. In this city, you are our hound."

 

As he said the last words, he cupped his hands together and conjured a new simple object. A large dog crate, of the kind he'd once seen used for an enormous mastiff, appeared around Reader. Cramped in the dog crate in the middle of the clinic, the only visible part of him was his livid face glowering out from the front bars.

 

Arsenal turned from the crate nonchalantly, the same satisfaction he'd felt at cuffing Deathwish returning to him.

 

"Respect and responsibility," he enunciated to the room at large. "Demonstrate these qualities, and this city will treat you with the same. Act with reckless foolishness and irresponsibility as this one has, however, and... and..."

 

Nice socks, by the way...

 

He trailed off, rolling up a pants leg at the sudden memory of one of Reader's taunts.

 

His socks were bright pink. Not a pale, unnoticeable pink; they were a flamboyant majenta that made his eyes feel like they were being pierced with a thousand insulting needles. He shut his eyes at once, his thoughts churning to the most likely culprit, the only one young and irresponsible enough to pull such an idiotic stunt in front of newcomers to the city.

 

 

"LOCKSER!"

Edited July 12, 2015 by Kobold King

[Voidus]

 "Nice socks, by the way." Reader said.
 

Ugh, typical Reader, not happy unless he's personally responsible for embarrassing someone.

Lucy almost withdrew her power, restoring the socks original color but decided against it. What was the point if she didn't get to see Arse's face anyway?

It seemed to take Arsenal a few moments to realize what had been said, he was mid way through another lecture when he stopped and rolled up one pant leg.

"LOCKSER!" He yelled, whirling to confront her.
 

"Yessum?" She responded in her most innocent voice. "Oh dear, mix up the laundry? You need to be more careful or it might happen to your pants next time."

By the way the veins on his temple were pulsing she thought there was a decent chance she may have just given Arsenal an aneurysm.

 

MV crouched by a window, she couldn't see what was happening outside but she could certainly hear it. Several explosions shook the air, along with the loud booming of the lightning she'd seen it was certainly one noisy fight.

Oh sparks, can I even block lightning? Or explosions? That's different to stopping a solid thing isn't it? Does lightning have momentum?

Sparing a glance for the obviously terrified Bactrack, MV felt a protective instinct well up, conflicting with her desire to find Impact was her desire to protect Backtrack.

How did this happen? I only met him today!

Briefly closing her eyes, MV reached out to take Backtracks hand. She would have to trust Impact to keep herself safe for now, if there was one thing she could trust Impact to do it was to keep a cool head in a crisis.

"Come on, we need to get out of here before we get blown up. Can you find one of the Epics from the city?"

If they could leave a message for Impact with the city then someone would find her eventually. Wouldn't they?

[Comatose he/him]

 

Brandon walked out of the bathroom, intending to slink back to his seat and hopefully remain unnoticed until Reader hopefully forgot about him.  He was totally unprepared to find Reader chained to two ball and chains restrained in a dog crate.  A strange epic, likely the source of the restraints, was in command of the room, lecturing Reader for overstepping his place.  Interesting.  It would seem that the Dalles was not entirely unified.  It made sense, of course.  After all, how could a city run by humans that included powerful epics in its population be unified?  The new epic's attention shifted to the younger female epic who had been helping the Doctor with his supplies earlier.  What was her name again?  Apparently she was responsible for turning the new epic's socks pink.  As 'Lockser' (what kind of epic name was that?) taunted Arsenal, Brandon tried his best to slip back into his seat without being seen.  With Reader restrained, and all the other squabbles between the epics in the room, perhaps he would be able to slip away unnoticed after all.  

 

He tried his best not to make eye contact with any of the guards across the room, who Reader had instructed to kill Brandon if he attempted to leave.  

[mail-mi he/him]

 

Reader was pretty sure the vein in Arsenal’s forehead exploded.

"Now is not the time for your games, Reader!" A magically appearing belt squeezed itself around Reader's waist as Arsenal continued. "This city is up to its ears in strange Epics, and rather than doing your job you're standing here, acting like you have nothing better to do than draw the ire of every man, woman, and child in town!”

I tried to do my job, Reader said, growling on the inside and keeping his smug face unchanged, and then I was kidnapped by pandas, punched in the nose, and pantsed. How would you feel about that Arsenal?

"We treat you generously," Arsenal said through clenched teeth. "We afford you many liberties."

Suddenly, a massive weight and chain formed around Reader’s wrist, forcing him to the ground. His jaw dropped in shock as Read Arsenal's plan. He frantically tried to lift his arm back up, but the ball was way too heavy.

"The city affords you food, board, and luxuries. All it asks in return in return is a single simple service." Another manacle formed around his other wrist, forcing him to kneel down. He continued to try and fruitlessly get up while glaring into the old Epic’s face as Arsenal knelt down and looked him in the eyes. "You have forgotten your place, Reader," he hissed. "You missed your chance at rulership when Koschei fell. In this city, you are our hound."

Reader’s jaw dropped as a new piece of Arsenal tech formed around him:

A giant dog crate.

A dog crate.

Reader glared furiously at Arsenal and Read all that he could off of him. He could still see his whole body through the crate. You are not going to like this one buddy. Let’s see how you like the humiliation.

"Respect and responsibility," Arsenal started to lecture. "Demonstrate these qualities, and this city will treat you with the same. Act with reckless foolishness and irresponsibility as this one has, however, and... and..."

Reader’s lips curled up into a slight half-grin as Arsenal finally noticed his pink socks. “LOCKSER!”

Scribbler said something snarky, but Reader didn’t pay attention. Instead, he waited until she was done, and as soon as she stopped talking he spoke.

"Arsey, Arsey, Arsey," he whispered. "You've been breaking rules yourself, haven't you old friend? By the way, Scribbler, love the new nickname you and Edgey have given him."

Reader paused as Arsenal's furious gaze fluctuated rapidly from him to Scribbler, then, when his eyebrow was sufficiently twitchy, he continued. "You have gone quite outside your bounds. You've broken the basic rule that our Lord and Commander Vondra has given to us. I can't help it; I can't turn my powers off. But you...” Reader looked down and shook his head. “You've taken every possible excuse you can to conjure up some new piece of technology.” He grabbed the bars of the crate and rattled them, pointing his gaze back at Arsenal. “Just now, you've created four pieces of unnecessary tech, and for what? To imprison me? To humiliate me?"

Reader's anger-flushed face slowly calmed down as his voice returned to a whisper, barely able to be heard by Arsenal. "I've been humiliated today more than you can believe.” He raised his voice again so that the entire room full of loyal Epics and vanillas could hear him. “This is nothing. You're only humiliating yourself Arsey. What happens when I tell Vondra about your plans to start going against his will? You're breaking his rules and thinking of disobedience. You speak of order, yet you yourself are the biggest threat to breaking it."

Reader raised his hands as high as he could in the cage and shook the chains that were shackled to his arm. "You have nothing on me Arsenal. You deserve imprisonment even more than I do."

Edited June 2, 2015 by mail-mi

[Edgedancer he/him]

Arsenal’s arrival to the clinic should have brought order in the situation and at first it did. Welcoming the new Epics still present to the city in his undeniably… strict manner and it worked.

 

Ozymandias, as flippant as he may be, agreed to work with the city. He seemed, well not serious, but genuine about it. With some luck the young man would actually add to their rows.

 

Then the city guard happened.

 

Scribble’s prank was innocent enough, very much a youthful mistake without much thought but innocent enough. Pink socks aren’t a very harmful occurrence, even for someone like Arsenal, as much as it was clear that he would get angry once he realized what was going on. Still, given the situation both undermining Arsenal’s authority by attempting to humiliate him and risking him flying into a fit of rage was not something she should have done.

 

Yet something even worse managed to happen. Reader didn’t even hold back on taunting Arsenal outright. It all managed to accumulate with Reader in chains and Arsenal looking as if he might do something very dangerous in his anger.

 

“Sir, if I may.” Baxter said, while stepping up to Arsenal before the Epic could do anything rash, “I’m aware that both Reader and Scribbler have stepped over bounds but it seems to me that disciplinary methods for them can wait. I know that what Reader says is just meant to aggravate you and that endangering The Dalles or its order is something you would never do, something I’m sure commander Vondra is just as aware of as I am. Meaning that nothing he’s saying right now is of any real consequence”

 

Baxter wasn’t lying about this, a lot of things could be said about Arsenal and he was far from being a flawless man but nothing he ever did gave Baxter the impression that he had anything else but respect and obedience for Vondra.

 

“The new arrivals on the other hand should be provided for at this moment. It might also help to actually show them what this town is like, without giving Reader a chance to give them the wrong impression.”

 

Hoping that he actually managed to calm Arsenal down he attempted to address Reader by thought. Reader, I hope you can hear this. Right now you are angering Arsenal, a man that already has no mind for nonsense with something that really gets under his skin. I can see how you don’t like being in a dog crate but If you continue like this he might actually snap and if that happens he might just kill all of us with a gigantic bomb.

[Shattered he/him]

 

Evan sat huddled in the corner, tapping frenetically at the keyboard of his notebook computer. He had had it since before the first appearance of Calamity, and had never had the will to get rid of it in exchange for a mobile. He had a special fondness for it.

 

It had belonged to his mother.

 

Brushing that distracting thought from his mind, Evan stopped briefly from his work and took a gulp from the mug of lukewarm coffee sitting beside him. He set the drink down, firmly pushed his glasses back into position, then resumed his frenzied pace, fingers flying across the keys. He had to finish the daily finance projections. Then there was the message from the informal civilian commerce coalition, the schedule for the rebuilding project, then the discussion of funding from the school board...

 

He glanced out the window. It was dark outside. He'd stayed in past his work hours. Again.

 

That's fine, he thought. I set those hours. He changed tabs, editing his schedule. There. That extra thirty minutes should allow me to finish about twelve more tasks per day.

 

He finished his report, then sent it off. It's a good thing we have Arsenal, Evan thought to himself as he began his next assignment. Without him, The Dalles would have fallen into financial ruin long ago. Not that they were exactly skipping merrily along. Arsenal helped, but the way they were going through money...

 

Evan would deal with it. He had to. Even if it was blasted hard to keep the city economy functioning smoothly. There were very few entities that facilitated the circulation of capital anymore.

 

He allowed those outside thoughts to fade into the background, focusing solely on trying to come up with ways to explain to the street businesses that they wouldn't be getting their usual tax reduction this quarter. The city's budget was simply too tight recently, what with Quicksilver and the like causing ludicrous amounts of property damage. The room was filled with the noise of rapid clicks, often punctuated by brief periods of manic backspacing. Evan continued his hypnotizing rhythm for another twenty minutes. His progress was slow, but the letter was taking shape word by word. Despite additional drinks from his coffee, though, he began to droop over his computer. His eyelids began to grow heavy. A few minutes later and he was fighting to stay alert and functional. His eyes would close, but when he actually began to fall asleep, he would snap awake again, uncomfortably jerking his head back into position. He rubbed his eyes, trying to will the tiredness away.

 

He was in the middle of revising his opening when he lost the battle.

 

In light of recent events and unfortunate but necessary expenses, The Dalles city government will be unable toiewuywo8wowtv8weio78htoywie78rhoiity

 

The impact of his face on the keyboard lurched him painfully back into wakefulness. Evan rubbed his nose tenderly, then stared at his notebook screen with uncharacteristic hatred. He immediately felt guilty, however, and patted the case affectionately, smiling, regarding the computer with bleary eyes.

 

He erased the string of face-mashed words on the document, then downed the rest of his coffee and began to type again.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Shattered Logic

[Kobold King he/him]

 

 

Autumn nodded her head slowly, her cheeks turning red with shame. She stood in silence for a minute, prompting Vondra to feel pity for her situation.

 

There weren't many Epics available to her, and there were few fit for guard duty. Glamour was too wrapped up in his own musical world to be of much assistance. The Florist might very well rebel if asked to leave his gardens for so long. Scribbler and Edgerunner weren't mature enough to handle the responsibility. The most sensible option--provided Vondra didn't shoot him the moment he next saw him--would be the Epic most inclined to make passes at her every hour of the day.

 

He opened his mouth to remind her that they all made sacrifices for the well-being of the city, when she burst out with the one option he hadn't considered.

 

​"What about Vapor Snake?" she suggested shyly. "I know he lost control, but he's always gained it back before. How about I interview him in the morning, and if it goes well, would you offer him the job? He has both offensive and defensive powers that he could train me to use, and he's the only Epic in the city who asked you to use his weakness on him if he lost control." 

 

Vondra paused, surprised by the suggestion. Vapor Snake. The one City Guard Epic to have betrayed his oaths and attacked his city.

 

But as Autumn had pointed out, he was also the one Epic who had helped the create the contingency plan for his own termination. These things combined made him both more dangerous than Deathwish and more trustworthy than Arsenal. Softer than Edgerunner but a greater risk than Reader.

 

"I suppose..." he said slowly, casting a glance at Rhonda. She was giving him a flat, unreadable expression before returning to the study of her tablet, giving no indication what she thought about the idea. A shame--he would have liked to hear a lorist's opinion on Vapor's merit as a guard.

 

More firmly, he made a decision on his own and looked Autumn in the eye. "You have my approval. I'll want him evaluated by both you and Reader, just in case. Even if he passes your scrutiny I don't want you alone with him. He's too big of a risk."

 

Autumn nodded at the words, and Vondra continued, glancing at the clock hanging over his desk.

 

"With that settled... I think it's time to dismiss you for the day. You've done good work today, but we'll need you fresh enough to do your duties in the morning."

 

"Yes sir," Autumn agreed with another nod of her head. If she was thinking anything else, then she didn't say it as she began to walk out the door. She looked tired and nervous, as was to be expected from a young woman who'd spent the day molested by a powerful Epic and would spend the next day interviewing one who might very well murder her at his first opportunity.

 

Well, he could at least put her first concern at ease. "Autumn?"

 

The redheaded woman froze in the doorframe, looking back at him with her sagging doe eyes.

 

"I intend to have words with Ms. Sparkle when she returns from downtown. When you wake up tomorrow, she'll either be off your back or dead."

 

Autumn flushed as red as her hair at the mention of her molester, but nodded her head again. "Yes--thank you sir." She flashed a weak smile and headed out of the room, leaving Vondra alone with his secretary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor Swift, pop icon and cutest thing to grace the music industry since Cyndi Lauper, stood among the smoldering remains of dead panda samurai as she chortled and assured her fan that he hadn't lost his mind.

 

Somehow, Glamour found himself still slightly skeptical.

 

"I hope I didn't startle you too badly," Taylor Swift went on, flashing teeth that seemed far too white to exist in a post-toothpaste world. "I just heard you singing my music, and couldn't resist coming over to check it out.  It's been a while since I've been able to stalk one of my own fans, and its been a lot harder since the internet went down, so I couldn't resist.  I'd be happy to sign something if you wanted.  What's your name?"

 

Abners. Wilbert Abners, was what he almost responded with. But he found himself putting his hands in his pockets and leaning back, smiling as he answered--

 

"Glamour."

 

And with that answer he formed a glowing green aura around himself, allowing it to dance and fluctuate around him to the beat of the faint music strumming from the iPod.

 

"I'm with the City Guard," he explained, hoping that he sounded at least somewhat as cool as the big shots she'd be used to dealing with. "We're sort of the last surviving bastion of civilization in this crazy world now. You happened to wander into the only city that still has running water, electricity, coffee makers, iPods, and all that other cool stuff America used to have. I could get you hooked up, if you want. Get you quarters and a food card."

 

He paused, looking at her slightly askance. "Are you..."

 

How should he phrase this question? Was it rude to just come right out and ask someone if they had superpowers? He didn't mind being rude to Edgey or the Arse, but this was Taylor Swift he was talking to. One did not simply ask Taylor Swift if she had superpowers without a certain smoothness.

 

Deciding on the smoothest possible course of action, he smiled and said "So... are you an Epic, or just epic in general?"

 

 

 

 

 

"Not a crook... not a crook..."

 

It turned out shouting at an empty street in an incandescent Epic rage took a lot out of you. So did splatting against a sidewalk and having to pull yourself together with a siren blaring. It wasn't exactly Deathwish's preferred way to tire himself out in an evening.

 

Still grumbling quietly to himself, he leaned against his lamppost and banged his head quietly against the metal bar.

 

Those storming guards still haven't gotten here, he observed to himself, glaring at the empty street. I bet that slontze deliberately called a team from the other end of the city just to leave me here longer.

 

'That slontze,' of course, was Arsenal. Or "Arse," as he was also called. Or "The 70 Year-Old Virgin." Or "Will No Longer Have a Skull When I Get My Hands On Him"...

 

He spent a while contemplating alternative names for the Tool Man before a giant walking orange stepped around a street corner and into view.

 

Deathwish immediately got to his feet, blinking while trying to make out the slontze walking towards his lamppost.

 

The orange freak was clearly another one of the new Epics in the city, though he didn't recall seeing him downtown with Impact's gang. He seemed to be one of those Epics who followed a theme to a fault, as literally every shred of fabric on him was a shade of orange that most tangerines would be ashamed of.

 

His T-shirt was orange. He wore a pair of orange sunglasses. He wore orange swim trunks with an orange iPod pinned to them. He was bright and unmistakable, clearly the kind of Epic who had no fear of being ambushed or challenged. The kind of slontze Deathwish would love to beat the sparks out of on any other day.

 

Only...

 

Deathwish glanced at the manacles that bound his hand to the lamppost, then back to the orange guy again.

 

This could be a problem.

 

Or... an opportunity.

 

Smirking like a guy who wasn't cuffed to a post and waiting for the cops to pick him up, Deathwish raised his free hand and called out to the guy.

 

"Yeesh," he yelled in mock disgust, "What the sparks happened to you?"

 

He leaned against his post and yawned, trying to make it look like he'd chosen to hang out around it.

 

"You know there are easier ways to repel women, my friend. And if you're the kind of guy who thinks that's an intimidating way to dress, you're probably a natural at it already."

Edited July 12, 2015 by Kobold King

[Mckeedee123 he/him]

Crush strode confidently through the city, heading in the direction of the gunshot.

 

Vanillas were openly staring at him through doors and windows, which prompted him to put on his game face: a reckless grin with a touch of condescending superiority. He was glad for the attention, though he hadn't been expecting people to give it to him so soon. Vanillas in most towns would high-tail it if they saw an unknown Epic walking down their street. He shot a finger-gun at a convenience store operator sweeping up before closing time, which caused the man to look at him oddly.

 

Perhaps it was the sunglasses. They made it sparking hard to see at night, sure, but it was better than letting people... well, suffice to say, he'd draw a lot more stares if he took them off right now than if he left them on.

 

Crush ducked into an alleyway and emerged onto another street. Looking down it, he could just make out a black-clad man banging his head against a metal lamppost. Well, now we're getting somewhere. He rearranged his face, trying to make himself appear casual, and ambled over.

 

The man was now leaning against his post as if he didn't have a care in the world, though Crush noted that he was handcuffed to it. Crush decided to call him Convict.

 

Convict lazily raised his free hand and called out across the street. "Yeesh. What the sparks happened to you?"

 

Crush stopped, confused, and it took him a moment to register that the comment was directed at him. A little voice in his head answered the man of its own volition.

 

Calamity happened to me.

 

He ignored it.

 

Convict was still standing there as if he owned the entire street. Adopted it? He yelled at Crush again. "You know there are easier ways to repel women, my friend. And if you're the kind of guy who thinks that's an intimidating way to dress, you're probably a natural at it already."

 

Crush raised an eyebrow. He was being insulted. He tried to muster up an ounce of anger or disdain, but it just didn't come. The length and brutality of his rending had taken away his ability to feel strong emotions. They were just gone.

 

So he just stood there awkwardly as Convict continued yelling slurs at him. Comments about his odd fashion sense or inability to get girls and other things he didn't give an orange-tinged whoop about.

 

Crush sighed. I think it's time to put an end to this.

 

He took a deep breath, flashed a million-dollar smile, and strolled towards the man. He thought he caught a flash of victory in Convict's eyes before it was covered up with a smug, knowing, look. Crush held out his hand to him. "I'm an Epic," He stated flatly.

 

Convict opened his mouth to retort to that, but Crush stopped him. "I'm guessing you're an Epic, too. One who's chained to a lamp post and has apparently been left for dead. Now, I don't know who the Epic who rules this city is, but I want to meet him." He paused. "Or her, and I'm guessing you know how to get me in on that sort of action."

 

There was a squeal of tires further down the street. Crush observed what looked to be a Military Transport Vehicle heading down the road in their direction.

 

He turned back to his new acquaintance "I'm perfectly willing to help you, Convict. In fact, I'll free you right now. Just make sure to thank me later." Convict panicked for a second, but it was too late. Crush summoned a blade of orange light and sliced clean through the man's handcuffs.

Edited June 20, 2015 by Mckeedee123