What Happened in Corvallis

[Comatose he/him]

TWO WEEKS AGO

 
It was a beautiful day.  They were standing on what had once been the Harrison Street Bridge, with the Williamette River glittering in the sunlight below them.  Then again, it was almost always a beautiful day in Corvallis.  That was part of the city’s charm.  Rainmaker was proving herself to be a comparatively benevolent ruler.  Her rages, though terrifying, were rare, meaning that most days in Corvallis were clear and sunny. 
 
”Five minutes until arrival”  Good, things were on schedule.  Euphoria made a few notations on her clip-board, and then looked up to survey the assembled crowd.  They were a downtrodden lot, both Epics and Vanillas alike.  You could pick all but the least powerful of Epics out, of course.  There was something in their posture, in the very way they held themselves that seemed to say, ”I have power, and you do not.” 
 
Euphoria, of course, was one of those epics, though she took care not to seem like one.  Her position within the city was precarious, even with Rainmaker’s protection.  Rainmaker was careful to avoid antagonizing other high epics, but many were coming to resent the power that she and Euphoria held.  Even within Corvallis, there were whispers of rebellion and betrayal filtering through city’s elite.  Rainmaker and Euphoria were providing lives of peace and luxury that few could claim to rival in the days since the rise of Calamity, but the populace resented them for it.   Rainmaker spared no expense when more powerful Epics chose to move to the city.  They were given everything: the best residences, any possession they could possibly desire, and, of course, more Vanillas than they knew what to do with.  Still, they whispered and plotted behind closed doors, inexplicably hoping that the person responsible for their wealth and comfort would fall.
 
“The immigrants are ready,” Euphoria said, speaking into the mic attached to her lapel.  Both the mic and her earpiece connected wirelessly to her mobile.  She caught sight of one man, staring skeptically up at the stage and podium, no doubt wondering if the mythical Queens of Corvallis could possibly live up to what was claimed of them.  Scanning the crowd for further signs of discontent, Euphoria switched channels to speak to one of her agents.  “Back right hand corner, green jacket.  Needs a dose.  Just a little for now though.  Keep your eyes on him when Rainmaker arrives.”  Euphoria would save using her powers herself for Rainmaker’s arrival.  For now, they wanted to build excitement and anticipation, but it was Rainmaker’s speech and entrance that they really wanted the new arrivals to associate with their new-found happiness. 
 
“Euphoria paging Reynolds.  What’s Bubbles’s status?”   Euphoria waited impatiently for the agent she had on Buttercup’s team to reply.  When it came, Reynolds voice was labored and he was breathing heavily.  Likely he had forgotten his mobile somewhere again and left it unnoticed until he heard Euphoria’s page.  ”We are in position at HQ.  The shield is back up.”  Euphoria switched channels on her mobile, not bothering to reward Reynold’s tardy reply with a response of her own. 
 
Euphoria continued to scan the crowd, giving minor instructions here and there, doing her best to ensure everything would be perfect when Rainmaker arrived.  Though she never caught anyone’s gaze, she could not shake the feeling that she was being watched.  It’s just your paranoia talking.  You’re invisible up here.  As was her custom, she wore standard business attire, with a matching blazer and loose fitting pants, a white blouse, and stylish but sensible heels.  Her hair was tucked back in a simple bun, and she was wearing her trademark thick-framed glasses.  To any observer, she should seem to be one bureaucrat among many, just doing her job to prepare for Rainmaker’s arrival. 
 
Unless someone already knew what she looked like.
 
The crowd fell silent as thunder rumbled in the distance.  Rainmaker was coming.  A gentle wind rose up around them and swirled through the crowd, playfully tugging at loose fitting hats and stray locks of hair.  Then, there was a flash of light in the sky above them, accompanied by another rumble of thunder in the distance. 
 
If Rainmaker loved anything it was theatrics. 
 
A cloud appeared where the flash of light had been only a moment before, seemingly out of nowhere.  Then, out of the cloud, came Rainmaker, accompanied by a supernaturally bright ray of sunlight lighting her path down to the earth.  Her skin was shining with a gentle glow, and rainbows danced in the sky around her.
 
“Dose all targets.”  Euphoria took a breath and unleashed her power on the crowd, hitting them with a powerful dose of positive emotion.  It was difficult to affect a crowd of this size effectively, which is why her agents would be targeting specific individuals.  The sooner potential trouble makers learned to crave Euphoria’s power, the easier they would be to control later on.  While Euphoria was never entirely comfortable with her powers, using them in this way made her feel whole and complete.  She could not affect her own emotions of course, but affecting the emotions of others made her feel in control, and helped to keep her feelings of anxiety and paranoia at bay. 
 
Rainmaker touched down, and a strong gust of wind rushed out into the crowd.  Standing behind the high epic on stage, Euphoria only felt the faintest of breezes, but judging by sight alone the gust Rainmaker had hit the crowd with had been stronger than the playful breeze she had used before.  The effects of Rainmaker’s powers were extremely localized.  If she wanted, Rainmaker could create a tornado next to a playground and not harm a single child.  Rainmaker spread her hands out to either side as a gesture of welcome, and as she did more rainbows appeared, seeming to flow out from her outstretched arms to dance among the crowd. 
 
This was the Goddess of Corvallis.  Rainmaker was a true High Epic in all her glory.  So why was it that Euphoria’s name was the one people whispered about?
 
Euphoria knew it was her own fall and disgrace that the other epics of Corvallis hoped for, not Rainmaker’s.  Rainmaker was easily understood.  She was incredibly powerful, and so less powerful epics followed her to enjoy the benefits of her power and protection.  Rainmaker seemed custom-designed to succeed in the world that Calamity had created.  Euphoria, if she was anything, was the opposite.  She had no form of invincibility, and no offensive capabilities to speak of.  Despite this, the epics of Corvallis and the surrounding area found her more threatening than even Rainmaker.  It was her power, after all, that kept the Vanilla population docile and under control.  Corvallis would not be what it was without her, and everyone knew it.  And so, the other epics whispered to each other, no doubt wondering when the mysterious Euphoria would choose to take back everything she had given them, and what they could do to prevent that eventuality. 
 
Rainmaker launched directly into her speech, welcoming the new Epics and Vanillas to Corvallis, her little slice of paradise.  After the welcome, the newcomers would be taken to their new homes.  Epics would be given residences that suited their power levels and usefulness to Rainmaker, likely within Corvallis proper unless they preferred to live on one of the acreages in the surrounding area.  The Vanillas would be taken to be processed by more of Euphoria’s agents.  There, the rules of the city would be explained to them, each of them would receive a full dose of Euphoria’s power, and  be told to expect more if they performed well at their work.  Then, based on their skills and experience, they would be assigned either to serve a particular epic, or to work in Cornucopia’s fields, harvesting the goods that supplied the city. 
 
“Before Calamity, those people who told me that my dreams of a better world would never come true, also told me that happiness could not be bought or earned, and that we were all hapless victims of fate.”  Euphoria prepared herself as Rainmaker’s speech started coming to a close.   “Well, my fate has given me the power to change all that, a power I now wish to use in service of you, new citizens of Corvallis.  So come, lay down your cares and your woes, for they are things from other times and places.  You all have a home in Corvallis now, and by working together, we can all build a better and brighter future.”  As Rainmaker finished, she once again began shining, and Euphoria unleashed all the happiness she could onto the crowd, trusting her agents to do the same.  Rainmaker, still shining with rainbows dancing in the sky around her, began to ascend back into the sky, radiant, triumphant, divine, as her new subjects showered her with applause.  . 
 
As the crowd gazed up adoringly at their new goddess, Euphoria continued to watch the crowd, searching for signs of discontent or malice.  A young woman caught her eye.  As everyone around her was cheering for Rainmaker, the woman was looking down, reaching into a large suitcase she kept by her feet. 
 
Wait a minute…  “Security Team B, we have a shooter.”  The woman removed an enormous looking gun from the bag, and lifted it to her shoulder in one smooth motion.  How in Calamity had she gotten that past their metal detectors?   “Center crowd, female, bright red sweater.  I repeat we have a shooter.”  Euphoria felt her body guards stiffen as they caught sight of weapon.  What did that thing do, anyways?  Despite her recent lessons at the shooting range, Euphoria couldn’t do much beyond telling a handgun from a rifle. 
 
“Begin evacuation maneuvers, and ensure the security of all Tier 1 epics.  I repeat…”  Euphoria was cut off as her body guards jointly tackled her, throwing all three of them off the stage.  A second later, the entire construct exploded.  Euphoria remained pinned to the ground, shielded from the worst of the blast by her less vulnerable body guards.  Bulletproof was impervious to any damage caused by any kind of gun, no matter how indirect, and Decoy had healing abilities that would help her recover from the blast. 
 
A form leaped out of the wreckage.  Though she was now twice as tall and probably three times as wide, the gun on her shoulder helped Euphoria to recognize her as the woman from the crowd.  Along with being huge, the woman’s skin seemed to either be coated with or entirely composed of metal. 
 
“Euphoria!”  The metal-epic shouted, leveling her weapon and pointing it in Euphoria’s direction.  “Your reign here is OVE-uh?”  Euphoria felt a strong wind rise around her, but the wind she felt was nothing compared to the one that threw the metal epic several feet into the air and then slammed her into the ground.   The gun was carried over the side of the bridge and into the river.  The sky above them was already darkening, growing so thick with clouds that the sun was blocked out completely, and the only lights to be seen came from the city. 
 
A low hanging cloud burst into sudden radiance and Rainmaker rematerialized, shining with rage.  Her light revealed the crowd, scrambling away for safety, as well as the metal-epic, who seemed to be pinned in place as she was buffeted by gale force winds from all sides. 
 
“Euphoria, come on, we need to get you out of here.  She knew who you were, and there could be others…”  Euphoria removed her heels, and helped herself to her feet, choosing not to take the hand Decoy offered. 
 
“Okay,” Euphoria said, trying to keep the fear from her voice.  “Let’s go.” 
 
 

 
As the last of the new immigrants got clear of the scene, Rainmaker unleashed all of her pent up rage and frustration, calling dozens of lighting bolts down from above to strike the enemy who had dared to ruin her welcome speech.  Whoever this metal-epic was, Rainmaker would see to it that she paid for failing to fear Rainmaker’s wrath.   Rainmaker angrily ripped her ear piece from her ear—any messages were being drowned out by the sound of her thunder anyways—and continued her assault, lettering the winds that held the metal epic in place alternate between bone-chilling cold and blistering heat.   Above, she worked the winds to create hail stones, some the size of cars.  When they were ready, she sent them crashing down as well, pelting the metal epic with giant blocks of ice, before beginning a new assault with more lightning.  
 
As the last of her new citizens cleared the area, some fleeing back the way they had come, others crossing the bridge to the other side and entering the city, Rainmaker’s troops, opened fire on the enemy.  They were all accustomed to working in darkness, but between Rainmaker and Calamity, the bridge was brilliantly lit.  Snipers popped up on the nearby Van Buren Bridge, peppering the metal-skinned epic with fire from their rifles. 
 
“It will take more than that to do me in, weather witch!” the puny epic shouted through gritted teeth.  “I can withstand any thing you can throw at me!  Come on, hit me with your best shot!” 
 
Rainmaker bristled with rage, and again she sent down strike  after strike of lightening, feeling her frustration grow as each strike failed to leave even a scorch mark on the epic’s metal skin.  It doesn’t matter she told herself.  Even if she couldn’t personally damage the epic, her winds seemed to be sufficient to keep the metal-skinned annoyance trapped.  If none of her powers would work, she could call in one of her retrieval teams with powerful restraints, and lock the intruder up until they could find a way to bypass her invincibility.  Yes Rainmaker thought, as she brought down another round of hail stones.  ”I’ve already won.  Her vibrant glow lessened slightly as she calmed herself. 
 
Below her, metal skin continued to look up at her, grinning like a maniac.  Why would she be smiling?  She must know she’s lost.  Poor thing, perhaps losing has driven her mad.  Rainmaker certainly wouldn’t be smiling if she were in the same situation.  The way the epic was smiling, it almost reminded Rainmaker of the Vanillas who served her, smiling and humming to themselves as they catered to Rainmaker’s every whim.  Once, wanting to test what lengths the Vanillas would take to have another taste of Euphoria’s power, Rainmaker had used her slaves as furniture for a day, requiring them to kneel on all fours  while she used them as benches and coffee tables.  Even then, they had been smiling, totally in Euphoria’s thrall…
 
Euphoria!  Rainmaker jammed her earpiece back in, switching her attacks to solely hailstones so that she could hear.  “Bulletproof, I need your location.  I have metal skin under control, but I think she might not be working alone.  Expect another attack at any moment, and know that if they manage to harm a hair on Euphoria’s head, I will hold you personally responsible.”
 
Rainmaker flew off into the city, shouting instructions to her security teams into her mobile, warning them to keep an eye on metal skin, but not to engage her until Rainmaker returned or something changed.  The winds and hailstones would continue in her absence, and should be able to keep metal-skin pinned down.  In the mean-time, Rainmaker had another target to see to, before it was too late. 
 
 

 
“Rainmaker seems to think there might be another attacker.”  Bulletproof was saying.  He was driving, while Decoy and Euphoria sat in the back seat.  “It’s possible we are being watched.”  Other cars holding members of Euphoria’s security team were driving in front and behind them.  Her team was filled with Corvallis’s best, consisting of both epics and Vanillas, all armed to the teeth, incredibly dangerous, and ready to risk their lives for her. 
 
For some reason, that did not make Euphoria feel safer in the slightest. 
 
“Any updates on Bubbles?”  Euphoria gratefully accepted a new pair of glasses from Decoy.  Her old ones had broken when she was pushed from the stage. 
 
“She’s reached her bunker.  Buttercup is with her, so she should be fine.  Cornucopia is with her team at the Arboretum.  They are on the look-out for any danger, but right now it seems like only the city itself is under attack.”  What you mean is, it’s just me who is under attack. 
 
With a new pair of glasses, Euphoria could finally read again, so she turned to her tablet computer and began searching through the city’s data base of Epics.  “Do we have any idea who the Iron Maiden was?  She seemed dependent on the gun to attack at range, but she might be hiding other abilities.”
 
Decoy was about to respond but was interrupted when the lights from the car behind them suddenly swerved off course, and all of their mobiles went off at once with messages and alerts. 
 
”We are being pursued by another car, he’s trying to drive us off the road!”
 
“Roger,” said Bulletproof as he stepped on the gas.  “Car A, are you hearing this?  Get Earthrumble out there, and see if she can slow this guy down!” 
 
Instead of a verbal response, the ground behind them began to shake, breaking the pavement and stopping both the other members of their team, and the unfamiliar vehicle who was chasing them, in their tracks. 
 
“Decoy, you better be ready just in case.”  Decoy nodded and, taking Bulletproof’s instruction, she reached out to take Euphoria’s hand in her own.  After a brief moment of hesitation, Euphoria accepted Decoy’s hand, and felt a tingle run down her spine as the link was established. 
 
“We’re ready,” Decoy said, giving Euphoria an encouraging smile.  “Don’t worry, they can’t hurt you now.” 
 
The sound of gunshots and epic powers being used echoed behind them. 
 
”He’s out of the car!  We’re trying to hit him, but he’s too fast.  Definitely has super speed, and possibly some form of precognition, though it’s difficult to tell…  Ugh, no, argh…”
 
“Dammit, they got Smith.”  Bulletproof cranked the wheel, turning off onto a side street, heading to the University, where the Corvallis guard would be waiting for them. 
 
A man appeared in front of them suddenly, seeming to blur into focus as he stopped moving.  The headlights of the car lit up his smile and the whites of his eyes before he vanished again. 
 
Suddenly, Euphoria felt a hand on her shoulder, and found herself being thrown from the speeding car.  She tumbled a few times in the street before coming to a stop, losing her second pair of glasses in the process.  Thankfully, the link to Decoy protected her from any harm.  As long as she stayed in range, she would be fine.
 
“Resilient eh?  Has Lady Euphoria been hiding some secret abilities from us all this time?”  Euphoria swung around to face her attacker, but before she could get a look at him she found herself flying backwards through the air.  The wind left her lungs as she slammed into the wall of a nearby building, but the link protected her from any further harm. 
 
“Get away from her!”  Bulletproof shouting, his fists glowing in the darkness.  His secondary power allowed him to cause any substance to burst into flame with a single touch, which, combined with his invulnerability to ranged weapons, made him a deadly combatant. 
 
“Sorry hot-stuff, not today.”  Again, the assailant moved faster than Euphoria’s eyes could track.  Bulletproof swung his fists wildly, trying to get in a hit.  A single finger graze would be all it took to end things.  Decoy stood nearby, using the car for cover while she took aim and fired, trying to land a hit.
 
Three shots echoed from Decoy’s gun before Bulletproof collapsed onto the street, bleeding from a dozen carefully placed stab wounds.  The light from his fists flickered out.  Decoy was next, not even getting a fourth shot in before she too fell to the ground.  The attacker had left his knife lodged in Decoy’s throat so she could not heal.  A few seconds later, Euphoria felt the link fade. 
 
It’s finally happening.  I’m going to die.
 
Euphoria reached for her own gun, but it was knocked from her hand before she could turn the safety off.  Her assailant grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground.  Now that he had stopped moving, she could finally get a good look at him.  He was about her age, and handsome in the way that many epics were, with dark curly hair and darker eyes.  A knife glimmered in his long, slender fingers. 
 
“And now, Euphoria, Queen of Corvallis, allow me to introduce you to your untimely end…” 
 
Euphoria acted by instinct the moment his hand touched her skin and stayed there, forcing all the power she had through the hand he held her throat with.  She knew nothing about him, so she rewrote his history blind, forcing him to despise what he had been doing the last few days, and himself because of it.  Knife raised, he hesitated as the self-loathing he now remembered feeling caused him to question his current actions.  The contact continued, and days turned into weeks.  Euphoria began to struggle for air, but forced herself to concentrate, watching the inner turmoil grow behind his eyes. 
 
Suddenly, she found herself on the ground again.  This time, she didn’t have the link to Decoy to protect her, and so she felt ever bump and scrape as she tumbled down the street, collapsing in a heap on the ground.  Her entire body ached with a dozen small cuts and bruises, but for the moment, it seemed like she would be all right. 
 
Not that it would do her any good. 
 
The attacker stood across from her, his eyes wide with rage, the knife still glimmering in his hand.  It would seem he had realized what she was doing to him.  Now it would only be a matter of time before he reoriented himself, and realized that he did, in fact, still want to kill her. 
 
“You…” 
 
Euphoria shot up into the air, carried by a stream of warm wind rising upward.  At the same time, what seemed like dozens of lightning bolts flashed at once, blinding Euphoria with their radiance, and deafening her with the thunder that followed.   When her vision cleared, she was on a nearby rooftop, while her assailant was lying still in an unrecognizable blackened mass on the ground. 
 
The darkened sky cleared, and daylight returned to the city.  Rainmaker landed on the rooftop next to Euphoria, with a gentle smile on her face. 
 
“Such a shame,” she said, “I’m still waiting for the day when an Epic will be able to outrun my lighting.”
 

*****

 
After Skinsaver had seen to the worst of Euphoria’s injuries, and the city was determined to be secure, Euphoria made her way to Rainmaker’s office, with new bodyguards in tow.  The metal epic, apparently named the Iron Ogress, had been drowned.  To make it work, they had needed to wire her mouth open after an Epic with super strength managed to pry her jaws apart.   Her partner, who apparently called himself Fast-Forward, had been killed instantly by Rainmaker’s lightning.   For the moment, it would seem like the attackers, both new comers, were working alone, but Euphoria still couldn’t shake the feeling she was being hunted. 
 
“Ah, Euphoria, I’ve been expecting you.”  Rainmaker gestured and one of her slaves brought up a chair for Euphoria to take while another was standing ready with a cup of tea.  All of the Vanillas in the room had the overly bright smiles and dazed expressions that were becoming characteristic of those who were constantly under Euphoria’s influence.  While some of the lesser epics in the city had to scrimp and save the happiness that was allotted to them through Euphoria’s agents to reward their servants for good behaviour, Rainmaker’s entire staff were kept blissful by a near constant supply. 
 
“Now dear, how are you doing?”   Rainmaker was reclining on a plush divan, and had exchanged one of the sparkling outfits she wore in public for a comfortable looking silk robe.  A slave was brushing her long dark hair while another one massaged her feet.  “I do hope you have recovered from that grisly attack today.  I trust Skinsaver treated you well?” 
 
“Yes of course.  I’m fit as a fiddle.”  Euphoria waved away the cup of tea.  Fearing poison, she had gotten into the habit of only consuming food and beverages she prepared herself.  “I did want to talk to you though.  This attack felt… different from the others.”  Euphoria shuddered, once again feeling Fast-Forward’s phantom fingers clutch at her throat. 
 
“Oh?”  Rainmaker took a sip of tea, an amused expression playing across her features.  Of course she’s amused.  Rainmaker was virtually indestructible.  Even the government, back when they still exercised some power, had been unable to find a way to kill her.  How else would a being with that kind of power react when confronted with the fear of death? 
 
“We’re exposed here,” Euphoria continued, trying to keep her voice from trembling.  “Perhaps we should hunker down for a while, stop allowing new immigrants in.  Reports from our agents indicate word of Corvallis,” And of me, “Is spreading across the state.  It’s only a matter of time before we attract the attention of someone more powerful.  We’ve been lucky up until now, but what if word travels out of state, and someone like Steelheart or Obliteration chooses to attack us?”
 
Rainmaker burst out laughing.  Euphoria felt her cheeks colour, both out of embarrassment and frustration.  How dare Rainmaker laugh in her face, after everything she had done. 
 
“I’m sorry dear,” Rainmaker finally replied, dabbing a tear from her eye, “You’re just so precious.  You know as well as I how high an opinion I like to have of myself, but even I know that, for the moment, we are far below the notice of Steelheart and Obliteration.  Maybe if we were controlling Portland we might grab their attention, but they have bigger things to worry about than the tenth largest city in Oregon of all places.  As things stand, Portland remains divided and in chaos, and there are no other cities in the state that are big enough to attract the attention of anyone important .  Why do you think I chose Corvallis of all places for our little experiment, hmmm?  Remember the plan.  Another year or so here should be sufficient to work out all the kinks in our system.  Then, when the time is right, we can make our move to somewhere larger, and be ready for anything those tyrants want to throw our way.”
 
Euphoria forced herself to smile.  “Yes of course, you’re right as always.  I’m sorry I let my paranoia get to me.  I must still be a little frazzled from the attack.” 
 
“Tell you what, how about you take tomorrow off?  We’ll reschedule the appointments you have tomorrow and spread them out over the next couple of days.  I’ll send by some of your agents in the morning to get extra doses to distribute, and you can stay home and just relax.  Have a massage, take a bath, read a book, do anything that can get your mind off of this grisly business.  We can talk about our public response to this attack on Tuesday, once you’ve recovered.” 
 
“Thank-you, Rainmaker.”  Euphoria knew when and when not to question Rainmaker’s ‘advice’.  It was clear there would be no changing the High Epics mind.  She was determined to see their little experiment through.  “You know, I think you’re right.  A nice bubble bath and a good book might be just what I need.”
 

PRESENT DAY

 
Euphoria was awake before the alarm on her mobile went off, but she hit snooze anyways.  It had been two weeks since the attack, and still she had trouble getting out of bed.  All the safe-guards she had designed to protect her identity seemed foolishly flimsy now.  After all, how easy would be to bribe one of the thirty or so people who knew her true identity?  Could any vetting process really secure someone’s loyalty?  Who really knew how many of her trusted staff had been placed in her company with the sole purpose of finding a way to destroy her? 
 
Fifteen minutes later, one of her servants arrived with the outfit she had chosen for the coming day freshly laundered and pressed, inquiring when she would be down for breakfast.  Euphoria didn’t know why her staff still bothered keeping track of her morning schedule; she prepared her own food anyways, mostly eating food picked straight from the trees Cornucopia had grown in Euphoria’s own personal garden.  Even a slice of bread buttered by foreign hands had the potential to be poisoned.  Even eating food from Cornucopia’s trees had become a source of anxiety for Euphoria, and she had to constantly tell herself that Cornucopia, at least, was on her side and would not betray her. 
 
She decided which food she would pick for the day—some eggs and veggies for an omelet for breakfast maybe, then a vegetable wrap for lunch—while she showered and got dressed.  She was picking a bottled water from a potted bottle-of-water plant when she heard the sound of her door opening.  When she turned, she was surprised to see an all too familiar face.  I knew someone was watching me!
 
“It’s you…”
 
 

 
“We can’t find her anywhere, your majesty.  She’s vanished.”
 
Rainmaker stood on her balcony, and felt herself begin to shine with fury.   “How could she have just vanished without a trace?  Her home was fully staffed, well-guarded, and its location was supposed to be a complete secret.  A secret, that you were in charge of keeping safe.” 
 
Gossipmonger shrunk away from her harsh rebuke, and squinted in the face of her radiance.  “I… I don’t know, majesty.  All of her power was recalled around eight o’clock this morning, and…”
 
“I KNOW the timelines," Rainmaker roared.  Outside, the sky began to darken and thunder rumbled in the distance.  “In fact, I think I know that nothing you could possibly say right now will satisfy me, so get your filthy self out of my sight, and don’t enter it again until you have some good news to share.” 
 
“But…”  Lightning flashed through the open balcony doors, frying Gossipmonger where he stood.  Rainmaker's slaves hurried forward, concerned expressions marring their usually smiling faces.  How long before they realized how awful they were treated and started to rebel, or grew so desperate for a dosage of Euphoria’s power that they went mad? 
 
Rainmaker took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.  The sky outside cleared again, revealing a radiant sunset.  Almost a full day had passed, and she was still no closer to finding even a hint of where Euphoria was hiding.  The whole city was on lock-down, but it was only a matter of time before the Epic population began asking questions, if they weren’t already.  Right now, only their happily rewritten memories and present fear of their epic masters was keeping the Vanilla population under control.  How long could it last? 
 
“When you are done cleaning him up, summon the other Queens.  I’ll meet them in my office.”

[Blackhoof]

 

 

 

TWO WEEKS AGO

 

Iconoclast stood in the group of new arrivals, smiling at all the people who he would soon kill. Or who would kill each other, perhaps. Or kill for him, even. So many options.

He stood on the bridge, the sun shining in a cloudless sky, glinting off of the crystal clear water beneath him. A large stage and a podium had been erected in front of the group, and it was filled with milling bureaucrats. Fodder, nothing more.
He also noted the Epics among his group, of whom there were several. Fools, walking into a life of slavery. Worshipping the gods of comfort and sloth, surrendering their freedom for safety and comfort. It was pathetic behaviour, not at all how Epics should conduct themselves. Like every Epic in this city, they relied on others, trusted others, needed others. They didn't realise that it was folly to trust or rely on anyone else, especially on things you could not even see or feel. They could only trust in themselves. He could only trust in himself, and in his powers. Those, after all, he could see and feel right before his eyes, as he lengthened his fingers into grotesque talons and then returned them to normal.

The insane Epic was broken from his musings by a sudden shaft of bright light, and like a rainbow goddess, a woman who could only be Rainmaker descended from a cloud that had not been there a moment before. Of course, she would need to die. Apparently she as made of cloud, though, so that could prove difficult. Iconoclast shrugged, "Plenty of time to plan something". Looking around, Iconoclast saw that the vanillas around him were looking at her in absolute adoration. He copied them, twisting his face into a mask of love. "Euphoria...." He snarled inwardly, "She will need to die, if chaos is ever going to rain in Corvallis." As Rainmaker gave her pompous speech, Iconoclast looked around, trying to identify any Epics in her employ, particularly Euphoria. "No... she will likely be elsewhere." Suddenly all hell broke loose, as a woman in a red sweater lifted a large gun and pointed it at the stand. Two people tackled some woman off the stage a second before it exploded into splinters, and before his eyes, the shooter changed. She grew twice her usual size, her clothes either stretching or being ripped into shreds as she grew. Her skin seemed to attain a silver sheen to it, a sheen that intensified until her skin appeared to be made out of metal.

"She looks like fun," Iconoclast muttered to himself in glee as she leaped into the wreckage. But what could she be after- "Euphoria!" The Epic shouted, pointing her gun at someone unseen. Perhaps... the tackled woman? Was that Euphoria? Regardless, he had lingered long enough. It was time to retreat to the shadows, and plan the freeing of the enslaved Epics and vanillas here. Racing towards the edge of the bridge, he dived off, growing fins and webbing his fingers together as he crashed into the water. The alterations enhanced his swimming ability, and he modified his lungs to hold more air, taking one last gulp before he went under. Iconoclast swam to the shore on the Corvallis side, emerging slightly downriver, crawling in the mud on his belly like an eel. Dignity mattered little to him... not anymore.




THREE DAYS AGO



Iconoclast crawled into the bushes and then into the trees, seeing a house not far ahead. After nearly two weeks hiding in the local park, watching from afar, he was ready to take up position inside the city proper. He hadn't to arouse any suspicion, with that metal Epic certainly causing security to increase. What a nuisance. Ah well, still, it had given him time to find the perfect house to move into.

The target looked like a small place, likely the residence of a very weak Epic. From what he had seem, the Epic wore an orange suit and had three servants... couldn't be too important, then. Likely, no-one cared about him or her, and they probably knew more than Iconoclast about this city.... making this house the perfect place to stay while he planned.

He stayed low to the ground, manoeuvring around the yard, hiding in the bushes and trees that lined the small property. Inside the small white building, he could see several people- likely vanilla servants. He would turn them, he decided. But keep them restrained for now- no use letting them run rampant before he was ready. One of the people in the window turned, and looked straight at him. Her gaze passed over him, but only for a second, before snapping back, her eyes first furrowing in confusion and then widening in fear. Iconoclast smiled. Time to have some fun.

Springing into action, Iconoclast altered his legs muscles to be extra powerful as he leapt towards the house, ploughing through the window and knocking the girl off her feet. Cuts and scrapes healed in a second as he held the screaming girl down with one hand, and laughed as he grabbed the side of her head with the other. Other people screamed and yelled, but he ignored them as he poured his power into the young woman, twisting her mind and... setting it free. Her screamed faded as she calmed, looking at him with a puzzled expression. In seconds, bemusement twisted into a bestial fury and her eyes took on a crazed cast to them. It was done. He grabbed a nearby chair and smashed the leg off of it by enhancing his strength, and impaled her in the gut with it, pinning her to the floor. That should hold her until he got around to gifting her some of his regenerative powers. The new Ghoul snarled and hissed, clawing at the chair leg, but in anger and rage, not pain- Ghouls felt no pain.

Rising to his feet, Iconoclast found that he was in a kitchen, with two terrified vanillas cowering against a far wall, hiding behind the dining table. Someone else entered the room in a rage, dressed in an orange suit. "What is the meaning of this!?" He roared, holding glowing hands in a ridiculous imitation of a combat pose. "Who dares attack Firefly, and mutilate his servants!? I will kill you for this!" With that, he threw his hands forward, and twin balls of orange sparks flew at Iconoclast. They smashed into his chest, blowing a huge hole in it and sending him flying backwards into the wall he had come through. Firefly laughed and turned to the vanillas, "Haha! See my power! See how I protect even worms like you? Am I not a gracious master?"

But the servants were not paying attention- after an initial surge of relief, they, unlike their master, had seem that Iconoclast was already healing- before Firefly had finished talking, the wound was halfway through healing completely. Firefly followed their gaze, finally seeing that something was wrong, and his face and eyes soon matched those of his servants. "B-b-but.... I was promised protection.... You can't do this!"

Iconoclast smiled, his wound fully healing in the last few seconds. "Well ... I haven't been one for following rules lately, I'll admit." With the statement still hanging in the air, Iconoclast moved like lightning, jumping onto the table, eliciting screams from the two servants. Leaning down, he grabbed each of their faces and pushed them into the wall. Firefly backed away and threw another spark, but it missed by a mile, despite the point-blank range. The servants struggled, but soon their struggles faded, and then renewed once more as Iconoclast's power broke their minds and turned them into animals. He released them, and leaped off the table, pushing it with his enhanced might until it pinned both of the now raving servants against the wall. Firefly gaped as Iconoclast turned to him. "What... what have you done to them?"

Iconoclast grinned evilly, "I have released them. Now, you have two choices. You can serve me until I let you go, and indeed I shall, or... I can rip your hands off and release them, and let your former servants eat you alive... and if I feel like it, I might join in." Firefly's eyes seemed as wide as saucers. "I... I will serve you... master".
Iconoclast laughed, "No, do not call me master, we are equals! Partners!" He walked up to Firefly and put his arm around the younger man's shoulders. "Now, first thing's first, we are going to lock this lot in the cellar, then you are going to tell me everything you know about this city, and then...."
Several seconds passed, and Firefly ventured, "..and then, mast- uh, partner?"
"And then, my boy, then.... we are going to bring down Corvallis."

Edited April 25, 2015 by Blackhoof

[Comatose he/him]

 

Rainmaker turned to greet Chase, unsurprised that she had been the first of the Queen's to arrive.  With the number of tagged Vanillas in the city, Chase could travel anywhere in Corvallis in an instant.  With this in mind, part of Rainmaker couldn't help but be annoyed that Chase had not reached her sooner.  She supposed the blame would have to be borne by the whichever messenger had been sent to track Chase down.  With Euphoria gone, Chase would be the key to keeping the Vanilla population under control, as well as keeping Rainmaker informed of all the goings on in the city.  Blaming the messenger was a much safer option, especially since it had probably been their fault anyways. 

 

"No apologies are necessary, Chase darling."  Rainmaker made a curt gesture and the rest of her servants and guards turned and left the room.  With Euphoria around, she hadn't needed to worry about her slaves passing her secrets to others, but without Euphoria's influence, Rainmaker thought it best if she kept the meeting with the Queens private.  "I'm certain it was my messenger's fault.  These Vanillas really are useless, aren't they?  Probably got lost along the way, or some other ridiculous excuse.  I'll have his or her ration... I mean I'll see to it that whoever is responsible is punished."  Rainmaker mentally cursed herself for the slip.  She had grown too accustomed to using Euphoria's power, and the threat of withholding it, to control the people around her.  It had just been so easy to keep all of those happy people under control, especially when it was so easy to threaten to take that happiness away.  Rainmaker had become lazy, depending too much on Euphoria to control the city.  If she was going to maintain her position, she would have to find more creative ways to punish people without killing or permanently damaging them. 

 

"While we're alone, I don't suppose you have any information for me?  Is there anything your Chains can tell you about Euphoria's movements, or who might have visited her residence?"

[Comatose he/him]

 

Riots, so soon?  They must have started recently, or Gossipmonger would have informed Rainmaker of them.  It was likely only the field hands rioting, those with no Epic to serve or take immediate commands from.  At least the reason they were rioting was because they wanted Euphoria back so that the status quo could return.  How long before the realized how Euphoria's powers had been used to control them and started fighting back?  Rainmaker bristled at the thought.  How dare these impudent mortals flout her wishes?  She would have to teach them a lesson, and soon.  Part of her wanted to just destroy the entire city and call it a day, but there was still too much for her to do and learn here.  She was not yet ready to allow Corvallis to be destroyed. 

 

At least Chase still seemed to assume Euphoria had been taken.  That was good, it wouldn't do for the Queens to appear to be fighting among themselves.  It was especially important that Rainmaker and Euphoria appear to be on the same page, especially in the latter's absence.  Why would she have left me?  Rainmaker could not think of a possible motive Euphoria could have betraying her.  Before Rainmaker had found her, Euphoria had been living like a common Vanilla, barely even using her powers out of fear that another epic would destroy her for being too much of a threat.  Then, Rainmaker had turned her into a Queen, giving her a life of power and luxury.  It must have been another Epic.  Even if Euphoria had left on her own, surely she would have been detected.  Chase had eyes all over the city, and would have caught at least some hint of Euphoria's whereabouts.  Unless she's not working alone...  Again, the thought of Euphoria's betrayal seemed strange to Rainmaker.  Why would she dare, knowing the consequence was death?  The possibility Euphoria could be working with other Epics against Rainmaker was a dangerous one, and she would have to prepare for that eventuality. 

 

Whether Euphoria had left or been taken, Chase was right.  It must have something to do with the attack from two weeks ago.  Should I have taken her fears more seriously?  That meant that the two epic attackers had likely not been working alone.  Perhaps I'll have to take a trip to the river later...  That would have to wait for the time being though.  Rainmaker didn't want the other Queens to know about that, and besides, at the moment they had a riot to deal with. 

 

"I agree, these riots must be dealt with, and making an example is a good way to do that" she said, after a moment of thought, resisting the urge to fly out right now and send down her rage among the population.  Despite her self-control, Rainmaker could feel her skin begin to faintly shine.  "I was thinking of something a little more... dramatic.  We could have all of us Queens confront the crowds together, show a united front, and remind them of everything we have given them."  And everything they have to fear if they disappoint us.  "We'll also have to come up with an official reason for Euphoria's disappearance, and why she recalled all of her gifted power so suddenly.  Perhaps there was an important mission out of the city?  Or maybe we could spin it as a test of the population's loyalty after the attack, some sort of collective punishment.  We can tell them we will bring Euphoria back when they impress us with their service and loyalty.  That might work, don't you think?"  Brainstorming ideas was already making Rainmaker feel better.  Maybe she would only fry a few dozen of the rioters with her lightning when the time came, instead a few hundred.

[Voidus]

Cornucopia was strolling through one of her urban plantations when a messenger arrived with the summons, the Vanilla nervously eyeing the plants sprouting handguns instead of the more usual fruits and vegetables one would expect to see. Amused Cornucopia manipulated one of the bushes, turning one of the guns towards the Vanilla as he bowed to her, a bead of sweat dripping slowly down his face.

"I assume you have some reason for bothering me?" She asked, eyebrow raised. She notably did not signal the messenger to raise his head and so he wisely kept his head down and continued the supplicating gesture.

"Yes, of course. Rainmaker requests your presence for a counsel of the Queens." He said, voice firming as he remembered his purpose.

Cornucopia sighed gently as she examined him.

More time away from the Arboretum. Can't be helped I suppose.

"Very well then. I'll be with her shortly." She said, dismissing the messenger before turning her back to quickly inspect the rest of her crops, it wasn't particularly necessary, none of her plants were ever unhealthy but she'd always been something of a perfectionist.

The soft crunch of a snapping branch followed by a sharp intake of breath from behind her caught her attention. She turned slowly to see that the messenger in his hasty retreat had broken the branch off of one of her trees before realizing his mistake, he'd turned halfway back to her, blood draining from his face.

Cornucopia glided slowly towards him, face serene as she inspected the damage with delicate hands. No crop sprung from the broken branch, it was an old branch that was more decorative than practical. She smiled gently at the messenger whose face flushed with gratitude.

A sharp bang sounded from her other side as one of the bushes nearby pulled the trigger from a handgun with one woody branch.

The messenger collapsed, clutching his leg as he bit his lips to keep from crying out. All knew how Cornucopia hated people breaking the silence of her gardens.

"See that you tread more carefully next time." She said, stepping over the bleeding man before swooping out of the gardens and into her car.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sorry for the delay." Cornucopia said as she swept into Rainmaker's office. "Messenger broke one of my darlings and he needed some... correcting, might want to slate him up for an appointment with Euphy to remind him of his place."

She nodded to Chase in greeting before continuing.

"So what was this about a meeting? What's happened?"

[Comatose he/him]

Never one to let someone else speak for her, Rainmaker took the lead, ignoring Chase's response to Euphoria's question and talking over her instead. "Welcome, Cornucopia. We were just discussion what to do about Euphoria's disappearance, and..." Oh, that was right, Cornucopia wouldn't know. Cornucopia preferred to spend more time with her plants than with other epics or humans, usually keeping herself isolated in her base at the Arboretum.

 

"Rainmaker, I don't suppose you would kindly elaborate for us?"  Again, Rainmaker resisted the temptation to lash out, though she could feel her skin was still shining.  Chase was just being helpful.  She was not intending to be an annoyance. 

 

"Of course, you wouldn't know, would you? Euphoria seems to have vanished, earlier this morning, and she took all of her happiness with her." Rainmaker did not apologize for the her earlier assumption. If she could help it, Rainmaker never apologized. Lightning usually worked better anyways. "Chase has just informed me we may have a riot on our hands, and we'll have to find a method other than 'dosing' or 'appointments' to deal with them.  I was thinking a public display of our combined power, and a few examples might be best, followed by an explanation for Euphoria's absence."  Again, Rainmaker did not acknowledge Chase's part in forming the idea.  Chase worked under her after all, so it might as well have been all her idea anyways. 

 

"Do you have any suggestions Cornucopia?"

[Voidus]

"Euphy's gone?" Cornucopia asked "Oh how dreadful, well I must say there was always some concern with her, she's a dear of course but fragile." Cornucopia lamented the disappearance of one of Corvallis' most important epics with all the expression that she had when told someone was out of tea.

"Yes I suppose a public demonstration would be best, can't have the rabble rioting now can we? If Chase could track down whoever started this then we could stage a public execution, strike hard and replace their joy with fear rather than anger. That should keep them quelled for now and focused on continuing to serve. I could perhaps cut off the food from some of the plantations as well, remind them how much they depend on our goodwill to survive."

Cornucopia mused over her plan, she'd hate to kill any of her babies, perhaps just causing their fruit to wither and drop off early would be better, she'd needed to get some replanting done anyway, perhaps the new crop could be altered some way in order to make up for the lack of Euphoria's presence, some kind of chemical that elevated moods...

She bit her lower lip slightly, deep in thought though trying to show Rainmaker her attention.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

The Williamette was beautiful. Autumn leaves, having fallen gracefully, augmented the color of the water. They were dragged along by the swift current, contrasted by the green moss on the sharp rocks.  The Van Buren Bridge stretched across the river, growing amidst crimson and tangerine trees. Hypno sat on the bank of the river in the optimal position to see the lone silhouette in the center of the bridge. With a deep breath, inhaling the scent of peace, he spoke a single word into the mic. "Jump."

Hypno stood, a tranquil grin on his face. "Let's go," he Commanded the human furniture he had brought with him. They rose from their positions on the ground, stepping in place around him. The three servants were his most reliable guards. "Protect me from anyone who attacks." Sparing one last glance at the broken body brushing up against the shore, he walked towards the now empty bridge.

-----------------

Upon arriving back at his home near the fields, Hypno noticed slaves rioting. They were chanting something about Euphoria. Were they off their doses? The masses in Corvallis were typically very placid and content.

He Commanded one of the rioters to tell him what she was doing. Hypno was already at his limit, but the woman seemed eager to express her complaints. "We want our happiness back! Euphoria stole it from us. Raining jerk," she yelled. Hypno nodded and backed away, his guards still surrounding him. Euphoria wouldn't have stopped doling out doses of pleasure. Not unless she was going rogue. Or if she had been taken.

Hypno headed towards his home, ruminating the revelations he had received from the rioters. He took his mobile from his pocket and sent a short message to Rainmaker: Ready when you are. If Euphoria couldn't control the population, Rainmaker would have to rely on lesser types of control, like Chase's tagging and Hypno's powers.

Hypno cracked a smile. With Euphoria gone, he was about to have more favors asked of him. Which meant more rewards. In turn, that would bring him peace like today's.

Simple peaces. Calm bridges, autumn leaves, clear rivers, broken bodies.

[Blackhoof]

 

 

 

THREE DAYS AGO

After securing the three Ghouls in the cellar, blocking the door so they couldn't open it, Iconoclast sat the trembling, orange-suited Epic down at the dinner table and began to question him. Firefly told Iconoclast everything he knew. He told him the names of the Queens, and what he knew of their powers, and how they kept control of the city- through happiness from Euphoria, mostly. He told him how he had once been higher-ranked, possessing many more servants and a much bigger and nicer house, but he had gotten drunk at some function or another and offended one of the Queens. He was lucky to be alive, in fact, although he couldn't remember what he had done.

Firefly also told him about other Epics he had known when he had been higher-ranked, and filled him in on the rest of the details of the immigration process, that Iconoclast had missed by jumping off the bridge. Epics came, and were assigned residences and servants based on the usefulness of their powers, and their favour with Rainmaker. All in all, the information mostly expanded upon the rumours Iconoclast had heard, and confirmed what he had thought- that this place was the ultimate prize for him. If he could bring chaos and anarchy and freedom to Corvallis... he could, and would, do it anywhere.

"Thank you, for all your help, Firefly."
The orange-suited young man fell to his knees, bowing before the insane Epic. "Mast- uh, friend! I live to serv- uh, work with you!"
Iconoclast chuckled, "Of course, we are equals, after all! Now, I will spend the next few days planning my attacks... with your help, of course. Euphoria needs to die... as does... Chase, was it? And... Bubbles?" Firefly nodded at each name. "Without them," Iconoclast continued, "Rainmaker won't be able to retain control over her little kingdom. My Ghouls will inspire the humans to rise up, and the Epics will follow. Soon she will lose control completely, and then I will kill her, too. Or someone else does, by that point watching is really my only goal." Firefly gulped. Even by Epic standards... this man.. this monster was insane!

"But first..." Iconoclast whispered, looking Firefly straight in the eye, licking his lips, "I am... hungry." Iconoclast smiled, revealing pointed teeth. They hadn't been pointed a second ago.

Firefly tried to back away, mouth and eyes forming perfect 'O' shapes, but Iconoclast grabbed his shoulder with an iron grip, newly-formed claws digging into his flesh. "Y-you said you wouldn't hurt me!" The Epic whimpered.
Iconoclast giggled, "I lied. But I won't kill you. How about we make a compromise, a deal. You let me rip an arm off, and I won't take an arm and a leg by force. Sound like a win-win situation?"

Firefly's eyes began tearing up, and he blubblered, "N-no, please! I have food, I can make you something! J-j-just d-don't eat me! Any of me! Please!"
Iconoclast shook his head sadly, "No, no, you see, I long ago lost my taste for human food. Now, I prefer... human food, you know? Or Epic, in this case." The deranged monster giggled again. "Well, if you don't want to accept my offer, I can always take something from one of my Ghouls, but then I'd need to repay them somehow, and they are probably hungry too.... and you, my friend, are the only thing I could repay them with....."

Firefly cried even harder.

Iconoclast tsked, "Now now, that is no way to behave in front of a guest. You have the choice- give me your arm... or I give you to the Ghouls as a snack. They like to play with their food, sometimes, if you are unlucky." Firefly started to calm down, and after a minute of Iconoclast staring, licking his lips, Firefly nodded. "Ok... Ok.... y-you can h-have it..."
"I can have... what, you say?" He said, leaning in closely.
Firefly closed his eyes, and looked away, "M-my arm... you can have my arm.... Just please be quick about it."

Iconoclast grabbed his chin and yanked his head to look into into his eyes, Firefly yelping at the ferocity of it. "Thanks to your little cry and the amount of time you made me wait on an empty stomach... you can watch." The anger in his voice and the dangerous light in his eyes made Firefly completely unwilling to disobey. Iconoclast smiled, and his arms expanded as he enhance the strength of his muscles. With a mighty wrench, Iconoclast pulled Firefly's left arm out of its socket.
 

.....

Not much later, Iconoclast sat at the table, holding Firefly's arm like a chicken leg, ripping bloody raw chunks off with his shark-like teeth. Firefly sat opposite him, tears in his eyes, trying very hard to ignore the stump of his arm, cauterised with his own power. Speaking through a mouthful of red meat, Iconoclast raised the arm and gestured to it, "you want some?" he asked, eliciting a horrified expression from Firefly. Iconoclast laughed, blood spraying from his mouth across the table.

The gruesome spectacle continued, with the only noise being the disgusting sounds of Iconoclast as he messily ate his meal. "W-when are you going to release me?" Firefly whispered, breaking the silence. "I've done everything you asked of me."

Iconoclast paused, looking thoughtfully into the distance. "Indeed you have. I will release you in a few days, when I am ready to bring chaos to this place, and you can't alert the authorities to my location. Can't have you ruining things before I've gotten started, now can we?"
 

PRESENT DAY

"No, no, you can't do this!" Firefly screamed, his remaining hand impaled behind his back with a metal spike.
"I'm afraid I can, little Firefly." Iconoclast smirked, and he went to open the cellar door. The Ghouls beyond, having grown in number to a dozen over the past few days, with Iconoclast kidnapping any servants who got too close, hollered and screamed. "Euphoria has withdrawn her happiness, as you say, so whether she is dead, kidnapped or fled, now is the perfect time to strike. Also, my friends are hungry, you see, and you are the only food I have on hand. Sorry old pal, guess this is the end."

"No, no! Nononono!"
Iconoclast opened the door, and with a powerful shove, pushed the screaming, protesting Firefly into the cellar, slamming the door behind him, muffling his cries and soon, his howls of agony as the Ghouls descended upon him. Iconoclast giggled, remembering one of the humans he had turned, not an hour ago, telling him of a riot that was occurring nearby. That sounded like the kind of place he wanted to be.

Iconoclast strengthened his leg muscles, changed his facial features to be indistinguishable from his former appearance, and began running. Onlookers might think him an Epic, but that wasn't a bad thing in this city. This riot should be fun, perhaps he could help it get really wild. He would not corrupt any of the rioters, oh no, he didn't want the riot dispersed. Riots were good. Riots were chaos, and chaos was freedom.
When he got back, he would let his friends go free at last. And that.... that was only the beginning.

Edited April 25, 2015 by Blackhoof

[Blaze1616 he/him]

 

Clop clop clop clicked her heels as she strolled down the corridor. She missed these college campuses, the way they made her feel. She hadn't attended OSU, but she had owned the academics in her school. Those halls had been her halls. Now these halls were hers too, though for a different reason.

 

Turning a corner, she walked a few short steps before opening a door and stepping into a class room. "Ready to move?" she asked the two women before her, "Rainmaker has summoned us. She's summoned all the Queens."

 

"You couldn't have said that on the phone? You're such a drama queen!" Buttercup complained. Blossom and Buttercup had always had a tense relationship, what with Blossom often leading her sisters, but Buttercup thinking she could do a better job.

 

"I figured an extra Queen for security could do Bubbles some good. I had to come here from Albany, thank you. There's a riot on that side of the bubble, and I wasn't sure how safe Bubbles's route would be." Blossom ran a few fingers through some of her hair, offering a small smile to her sister. Buttercup's face went from surprise at the mention of the riot, to anger at the jab Blossom had made at her job.

 

"You're lucky we're related. I'd kill you otherwise." Buttercup rammed a finger into Blossom's ribs, the force causing her to take a few steps to keep from falling over.

 

"Oh shut up you two! I finished my drawing, let's go." Bubbles rose from her seat, pushed her pencil down into her hoody, and made for the door, leaving her drawing on the desk. Blossom walked over to look at it as Buttercup checked the hallways for danger.  Bubbles's had drawn Seattle. Burning. Blossom allowed the corner of her lips to rise momentarily before leaving the room after Bubbles.

 

 

Bubbles walked liesurely down the hallway. There was no sense in rushing, Buttercup never let her rush indoors. Too many corners, with too few ways of escape. Without finding a window, Bubbles would never make it out of the building without Buttercup's help. She should be grateful of her sister. Afterall, it was Bubbles's own safety Buttercup was worried about.

 

"Buttercup, can we not move faster?" Blossom complained. Buttercup ignored her though, the insult earlier souring her mood.

 

"Give her a break, Blossom. She's been upset ever since Euphoria's attack two weeks ago. She had handpicked Bulletproof, and Decoy had been very useful. She's just doing her job, which you know she's the best at." Bubbles didn't bother turning to see her sisters response, but she did hear the audible grunt Blossom made as they reached the exit.

 

The sun was setting beautifully, as always in Corvallis. The familiar sights of the OSU campus were painted orange in the waning sunlight before the sisters, everything clean and inviting. An outsider would never even guess the school had been turned into a headquarters for the Queens. The Epic guarding the entrance, GasMask, nodded to Buttercup as the girls took flight, light streaming behind them as they zipped to Rainmaker's office. 

 

 

Buttercup led the way into Rainmaker's office. She was used to being the front of a group. That's how things were when you were the Queen of Security. Looking around the office, she noticed Chase and Cornucopia already there, though Cornucopia's guards were not. Idiots, I'll have to scold them for leaving her alone. Even if she dismisses you, her safety is priority! Buttercup tried to hide her rage from showing, but it was proving difficult. As Bubbles and Blossom got into the room, she took up position by her sisters.

 

"What's the ruckus about?" Blossom asked. "I noticed a riot outside of town on my way here from Albany." Albany, a city torn in half by Bubbles's bubble. People living inside the bubble were regular citizens of Corvallis. Those outside the bubble, though, were not. Buttercup had spent much time up in Albany getting security well equipped and in the right mindset. Shoot first. Don't bother asking questions. One could never be too careful when any of your targets could be an Epic.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Blaze1616

[Comatose he/him]

 

Rainmaker was distracted from Chase's explanation by a vibration from her mobile.  "Ready when you are."  A message from Hypno.  Rainmaker smiled.  The minor mind-control epic would actually be of great use to her tonight, but perhaps not in the way he expected.  

 

Finally, Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles arrived completing the circle.  Or at least, completing the circle save for Euphoria.  "Yes, yes," Rainmaker said, waving a hand for the girls to take a seat.  "Chase has already informed me of the riots.  We were just figuring out what to do about them," Rainmaker eyed Chase out of the corner of her eye, warning her not to interject this time.  "Euphoria has gone missing, and my agents have been unable to locate her.  All of her power has been recalled, which is why the people are beginning to riot.  What we need now is a way to remind the population of who we are, perhaps making an example of a few, and to show off the extent of our combined power.  Then, we need an excuse to give them about Euphoria's absence.  I'm still partial to the test idea, let them think it's their fault she's gone.  Once are announcement is over, we send everyone back to their houses, and kill anyone who continues to riot."  

 

Rainmaker got up from her seat and walked over the window, watching the last sliver of sunlight vanish below the horizon.  "We have spoiled these people terribly, and now we are paying for it.  They act out like children, wanting a sweet.  It is time to understood that the happiness they enjoyed was at our pleasure, and what we give, we can take away."

[Blaze1616 he/him]

 

The news of Euphoria's disappearance washed over Buttercup like a tidal wave. But I increased her security. I put more men than was reasonable on her guard force! How could this happen? Buttercup shot to her feet, then knelt on one knee. "I take full responsibility for Euphoria. Were the men I had guarding her found dead?" If not, they will be soon.

 

"That doesn't matter right now," Blossom spoke before an answer could be given, "we need to worry about these riots. Your plan is a good one, Rainmaker. I only wonder if we should kill all the rioters as a warning to others who might be considering a similar course of action." Buttercup glared at her sister, who was blatantly ignoring her, looking to Rainmaker by the window. Bubbles, on the other hand, had curled up in a chair, and begun to doodle on a small pad she apparently kept on her.

 

"Is it not wise to let them live? Rainmaker's plan requires us to only kill a few, leaving all those servants and farm hands to continue working," Buttercup countered. "There is no sense in ridding ourselves of a few hundred farm workers, when we can accomplish a similar goal by only killing ten or twenty." Whichever Rainmaker chose didn't change the situation much. New immigrants were constantly trying to gain access to Corvallis. Replacing a few hundred vanillas would be easy, though they'd need to find Euphoria first.

[Comatose he/him]

o

 

As she looked out into the night, Rainmaker continued to glimmer dangerously, her rage sustained Blossom's suggestion.  Of course she could kill all the farm workers.  If she wanted to, she could kill everyone in the city, Blossom included.  That would be a waste she reminded herself.  As she turned back to face the other Queens, Rainmaker forced clouds to appear in the night sky all across the city.  Moments later, it was drizzling lightly outside; not enough to force to rioters back indoors--she still wanted a chance to punish them, after all--but enough to make them cold and miserable.  

 

"We are not sure how long Euphoria will be absent.  For the moment, let's limit the scope of our demonstration to ten or twenty."  It would be a shame.  Rainmaker could kill far more people on her own in an instant.  It would hardly be a good show of her power.  "Per group, that is.  There may be more than one gathering, and we will need to keep them all in check.  And as further punishment, they can all work in pouring rain tomorrow.  Maybe then they'll be ready to prove to us they deserve some sunshine."  She would have to be careful though, not to drive people away.  If word got out that Euphoria was missing and Corvallis was falling apart, their stream of fresh immigrants would drive up.  Rainmaker had amassed an incredible team of epics and a near limitless supply of human slaves.  She couldn't give that up now.  

 

Thinking of her supply of slaves reminded Rainmaker of Hypno.  He would have a price, he always did.  She could always threaten his life, but that would be a risk.  A man with Hypno's talent was difficult to hold captive.  While his power was limited in scope, it was useful in specific situations, and it would be a shame to lose him just because of a misunderstanding.  As she continued to give instructions, Rainmaker checked her mobile again.  "Ready when you are."  His text was still there, unanswered.  Rainmaker closed the message and opened a new one to her chief of household staff.  Find three servants you wouldn't mind firing, and have them waiting in my office four hours from now, and keep them there until I return.  

 

"Buttercup, you'll deploy the police and our other forces in full riot gear.  We'll get them to gather all of the rioters in the Crystal Lake sports-field.  I'll send my winds along with them, to help with the herding.  Cornucopia has many plants there, so it should serve well to show off her powers.  Actually," Rainmaker smiled to herself, as a new idea began to form, "Let's see about gathering the whole city, shall we?  We will keep the rioters cordoned off from the rest of the populace of course, but I want everyone to see us for the goddesses we are.  We'll show them what happens to people who disappoint us, announce that we will be testing their loyalty by withholding Euphoria's power, and then send them off to enjoy the rest of their miserable night, and the miserable work day that will follow."

[The Honey Badger he/him]

Two Weeks Ago

Tonedeath stood at attention in front of the stage using his powers to dampen the noise of Euphoria’s communications before the vanillas in front of them could hear it. He could hear her fine, in his earpiece, but Rainmaker definitely didn’t want Euphoria to be unprotected. That was only part of his job, the other part was to act as Rainmaker’s microphone when she got there. Larry stood beside him shotgun in hand. Tonedeath stood with his handgun in both hands, one hand stabilizing and the other clicking the safety off and on, the constant clicks bounced off the surrounding objects and returned to him creating an ever changing picture of the world. Eyes update automatically, but Tonedeath had lost his.

“Do you need anything sir?” Larry asked.

“No,  but do you know when Rainmaker is supposed to show, I’m getting bored.”

“She is supposed to arrive any minute now.”

“Perfect.”

                And Larry was correct, within the next two minutes thunder began rumbling. He heard when Rainmaker finally appeared. He didn’t dare turn around, that would ruin the look, but he knew that Rainmaker was there. As Rainmaker began to speak, he began amplifying the sound. Rainmaker had given him instructions on when to bring the volume down and up for dramatic effect.

Tonedeath looked at the people in the crowd, he spent the odd moment thinking about how much he wasn’t seeing, he couldn’t see, but sensing. He used to mourn the loss of his eyes, but now he realized how much better his echolocation was. He couldn’t sense color which was a downer, but he could sense in the dark. Ah whatever…  Try as he might Tonedeath could never really convince himself that he was better off this way. He still felt like something had left him on that airfield years ago. He still felt tingles where …

“Security Team B, we have a shooter.” Euphoria said over the mobile interrupting his thoughts.

Tonedeath relayed, “Larry, there is a shooter on the other sid…”

“I know, I know, I have a mobile too,” He said as he unslung his rifle from his back, “You may want to take out your guns, it could be a coordinated assault.”

                Just then the stage behind them exploded. A metal woman stood in the middle of the wreckage, a massive gun on her shoulder. Larry got a shot off to no affect, before Rainmaker began hitting the thing with massive blasts of wind.

“Larry,” Cried Tonedeath jamming the earpiece in, “I’ll attempt to stun her until backup arrives, cover me.”

                Tonedeath sharply began amplifying the roar of the wind. A regular person would be writhing on the ground, but this was an Epic. She obviously wouldn’t be able to hear anything that her comrades tell her. When rainmaker switched to hail, Tonedeath had to increase the sound so that each hail dropped was like a cannon going off in addition to the impact.  

When the snipers began their firing Larry spoke, “Tone, let’s go Rainmaker has localized the storm, we may be needed somewhere else, but we aren’t needed here.”

“Okay, head for the tunnels and then back to base.”

 

Present Day

Tonedeath wasn’t a Queen of Corvallis, he was all too male to be one of them. He and Larry had been summoned to Rainmaker's Office, and they took this summons very seriously. The guards at the door stopped them for a minute and then let them in.  The Queens appeared to be discussing the use of a show of force to quell the riots.

“We'll show them what happens to people who disappoint us, announce that we will be testing their loyalty by withholding Euphoria's power, and then send them off to enjoy the rest of their miserable night, and the miserable work day that will follow," Said Rainmaker closing her speech.

Tonedeath tentatively raised his hand, he hated stooping to this level, but when in a room where everyone in it could kill you easily, it was best to be cautious.

“Yes Tonedeath, do you have any additions to my glorious plan,” Rainmaker asked.

“I just thought that it is possible that the epics that attacked us two weeks ago could also be leading the riots, if so, we might want to infiltrate the rioting crew and kidnap the leaders, for a public execution later. If any of Chase’s chains are part of the riots we could have an easy way in. I could lead a team in, if needed. I know little about Bubbles powers but if she could put the rebel leaders in force fields and prevent them from escaping or attacking us, we could hold them indefinitely. Of course this all hinges on whether or not the rebels have a leader, but what do you think?”

Edited May 23, 2015 by The Honey Badger

[Edgedancer he/him]

Two weeks ago

 

Kenshin stood at the edge of the immigrant crowd that had been gathered in front of a stage, resting a hand on the hilt of a sword hanging from her hip. She arrived here after a long journey and had to wait outside that forcefield. Now, hopefully the city would live up to what she heard. The weather was as wonderful as she heard but that was a minor detail at best, a real judgment wouldn’t be made until Rainmaker howed herself.

 

Distant thunder heralded Rainmaker’s entrance. Wind pulled at Kenshin’s ponytail and the legs of her pants. Finally she descended out of a cloud, specifically generated just so she could descend from it, and surrounded by brilliant light and rainbows. The gumin around her perked up at the theatrics.    

 

A gust of powerful wind washed over the crowd. Finally, something more what Kenshin searched for, an actual display of power. The system of the city as it was explained made sense, powerful and usefulness gave an Epic comfort in the city and gumin served. Still, Rainmaker kept her theatrics to dress up her measures of control, instead of openly addmiting to her dictatorship.

 

Chaos erupted in the crowd, as an Epic grew to giant size and covered herself in metal. She pointed a gun towards a group of scribes and screamed for Euphoria, the cities living drug dispenser, so they were hiding her under unimportant bureaucrats. The attacker was smashed to the ground by immense winds and Rainmaker descended back down, fury radiating from her skin.

  

Not following the flows of the crowd Kenshin only moved far away enough to create a safe distance. There she watched Rainmaker darkening the sky, so only Calamity’s light could penetrate the dark clouds, and calling down the forces of weather, be it lightning, storms of hail, on the would be assassin, now being reduced to enduring the onslaught.

 

Having seen enough Kenshin calmly walked into the city. Kenshin didn’t found herself agreeing with her pompous personality but she was not about to deny Rainmaker’s might. It created some confidence that this city was worth its reputation.

 

Present day

 

Corvallis was exactly the paradise that was promised and even more it was fake.

 

Kenshin was in her new residence. It was a nice house and more than large enough for her needs and she had started decorating the place mostly with self-made weaponry. Nothing about it leaved room for complains, neither did the catering or anything else they provided her with.

 

What she couldn’t stand were her servants. Their plastered on smile and… happiness just rubbed her the wrong way. Stability was a valuable good but having the weak smiling instead of bowing to their better, a problem that spread through the whole city.

 

She signaled a servant to refill her sake. Once the girl finished, Kenshin grabbed her wrist and pinned it to the table. “I wonder if you would keep that smile, if I cut off a finger.” Kenshin said, while making a dagger appear in her free hand.

For a moment the gumin kept smiling. However, her smile twitched up, almost as if she eager to get a finger cut off. Then a jerk joulted through her and she started whimpering, “Please, no.” That reaction was better than I anticipated.

Kenshin held the dagger to the girl’s throat, “Tell me, is there a reason for your begging?”

“I…I… it’s my happiness, it’s gone. Euphoria must have taken it. Please, just don’t hurt me.” Tears welled in her eyes, as she stared at the blade.

“Kneel.”

Kenshin kept the blade on the girl’s throat, as she followed her command.

“You’ll still serve me, won’t you?” Kenshin asked her and through the sobs got an agreement.

Kenshin smiled as she looked down at her crying servant and she put the knife away. This is more like things should be the weak being aware of their inferiority and submitting to their better.

 

Another servant of hers stormed down the hallway, “I can’t take this. I want my happiness,” he kept on muttering, as he stormed by her and towards the exit. Kenshin cleanly cut through his stomach with a katana. The parts of his body limply fell to the ground, staining the carpet with blood.

 

“Remove the body until I return,” she ordered the girl, who weakly nodded back. The Epic exited her house, finding a healthy spring returning to her stride. She doubted that only her gumin lost their happiness and normally risking the collapse of order to this extend would be a catastrophe but had this city stayed as it was Kenshin doubted she would have stayed for long anyway. As things stood, she might be able to find satisfaction this evening or at least watch it become something agreeable.

[Comatose he/him]

 
Rainmaker eyed Tonedeath skeptically as she considered his remarks.  His comments raised a concern.  Was someone leaking him inaccurate but informative information, or had he just been misinformed in general?  Perhaps she would have to start watching Tonedeath more closely.  The epics from the attack two weeks ago might not be working alone, which Rainmaker would have to act quickly and in secret if she was going to catch them.  
 
"The epics from the attack are dead," Rainmaker said decisively, "But I acknowledge that they might not be working alone.  With Euphoria gone, the maintenance of the larger shield is too important to use Bubbles's power for anything else, but your infiltration plan does have some merit.  I will give it further thought after the demonstration."  
 

 
A little girl was sitting on a swing, frowning to herself.   Why isn’t she swinging? Danny wondered.  Swings weren’t meant just to be sat on.  Swings were meant for swinging, for soaring through the air like an eagle, for kicking up your feet and spreading your hands wide when you were at your highest point, like you were giving the sky a big hug.  The sky was awesome.  Swinging was awesome.  Danny had loved swinging all his life.  Even though he still liked it when his mom pushed him or gave him under-ducks, since starting school he had realized that sometimes his mom wasn’t around to give him under-ducks, so he had wasted no time in perfecting his ‘pumping’ technique.  Now, he was known as the best swinger in the class, and was the only kid to even come close to swinging over the top of the swing set. 
 
Swinging was pretty much the most awesome thing in the world. 
 
What wasn’t awesome was waiting for your turn on the swings while some grumpy girl was sitting on one and not even swinging.  Danny was good at taking turns.  Even though it was just him and his mom at home, his Mom ran a day care, so Danny had been sharing his things with other kids all his life.  He didn’t mind waiting his turn for the swings if it meant other people could experience the sheer… awesomeness of swinging.  What he did mind was sitting and watching while some silly girl just sat there and moped. 
 
The boy who was swinging on the swing next to the grumpy girl got up and left, racing off towards the monkey bars.  Now was Danny’s chance.  Wasting no time, he leapt up from where he had been playing in the sand and dashed towards the swing set.  Another kid saw what he was doing, and started chasing after him, no doubt desperate to claim the free swing for herself.  Danny wasn’t the fastest kid in his class, not by far, but he had a head start, and in that moment he wanted that swing more than almost anything.  Except maybe popcorn with peanut butter on it.  Even swimming wasn’t quite as good as popcorn with peanut butter on it. 
 
The girl who was chasing him almost cut up, but as they neared the swing set Danny leapt forward, landing on the swing tummy-first, claiming it for himself.  The girl frowned, stuck her tongue out, and stomped off to the play structure.
 
The other girl, the one who was just sitting and moping was still there, barely even moving, just staring down at her hands and frowning to herself. 
 
Not wanting to ruin his good mood, Danny started swinging, easily gaining momentum with each practiced movement of his legs.  Even as he reached his highest point, just shy of coming even with the top of the swing set, for some reason he couldn’t help but wonder why that girl was still sitting there when she had a perfectly good swing to use. 
 
Swinging was less fun when you had something on your mind.  Now that he had a swing, Danny didn’t feel as mad at the girl for not using hers.  Actually, he felt a little bad he had thought mean things about her.  His mom always said that he had a bundle of sunshine inside of him, and that meant that it was his job to share that sunshine with others when he noticed they were feeling sad. 
 
“Hi,” he said, slowing his momentum so that he could converse.  “My name’s Danny.  What’s yours?”
 
The girl looked up at him briefly, then away, saying nothing. 
 
“I could teach you to swing, if you don’t know how.  I’m really good at it, but it’s not hard to learn.  It’s really fun too.”  Still the girl said nothing.  Now that he was paying more attention to her, and he wasn’t so distracted by the fact that she wasn’t swinging, Danny noticed that he didn’t recognize the girl at all.  Garfield Elementary was one of the biggest elementary schools in the city, and even though Danny often forgot people’s names, he knew the faces of everyone in his grade well, despite only moving to Corvallis earlier that year. 
 
“What grade are you?”  He asked, but still received no response.  The girl looked about his age, but sometimes it was difficult to tell.  She was wearing a frilly pink dress that was kind of fancy, and had sparkly pink butterfly barrettes in her strawberry blonde hair.  In fact, it seemed like the only thing she was wearing that wasn’t pink was her thick framed glasses, which were black.  Except for the glass part, of course.  That part was clear. 
 
Danny got an idea.  “Hold on!” he said, leaping from the swing and landing feet first on the ground.  “I’ll be right back!”  Racing off, Danny ran to the edge of the play-ground where he had seen his targets earlier that day.  Lots of people needed a net to catch butterflies, and some couldn’t even catch them then, but Danny had been catching them with his mom since he was little, and was sneaky enough to do it with his bare hands. 
 
The butterflies in question were bright orange with black markings.  His mom said they were called ‘Monarchs’.  Danny didn’t know what that word meant, but figured that maybe it had something to do with doing art on Mondays.  The butterflies danced among the spring flowers that were growing in the hedges on the edge of the playground.  Slow and steady, Danny crept up to them, moving one muscle at a time so that the butterflies wouldn’t be scared away.  Finally, when he was close enough, he clapped his hands together, being careful not to squish his new captive.  After peeking through his fingers to make sure the monarch was still alive, he rushed back across the playground to where the girl was still sitting glumly on her swing. 
 
“Here!” he said, “I got you a butterfly!  Like on your barrette!  Girls like butterflies, right?”  The butterfly fluttered away as he opened his hands. 
 
The girls fixed him with a stare that could have stripped paint off a wall, acknowledging him for the first time.  “My name’s Leila,” she said, “And I hate butterflies.”  For some reason, the way she said that made Danny feel like they were going to be great friends.
 

PRESENT DAY, EARLY MORNING

 

Insight let the memory fade.  It continued to flicker, one of few vibrant sparkles of colourful light among the many more dingy memories that hovered around him.  Euphoria the Enslaver stood in front of him, picking a bottle of water from a plant.  To Insight, she seemed to be moving in slow motion, and like the rest of the room, excluding him and his memories, she was lacking any form of colour.  Insight sighed.  He had watched for long enough.  It was time to put his theory to the test.  
 
He shifted, becoming tangible and visible as his memories faded from view, and the room around him burst into vibrant colour.  Euphoria turned, eyes widening as she turned to face him.  
 
"It's you..."
 

 

LATER THAT NIGHT

 

Rainmaker stood, watching with disapproval as the crowds gathered in the field.  Her soldiers, both epic and human, were busy corralling the rioters into a tight knit space, using riot shields and pepper spray to do so.  The rest of the city, epics included, were gathering not far away.  It was reassuring for Rainmaker to see how large the second crowd was compared to the first.  She still had a chance to maintain some measure of control.  After they gave their explanation, and put some much deserved fear into these people, they would fall back into line.  Rainmaker continued to wait patiently.  While her light drizzle continued to fall on the crowd, she had cleared a small space of clear night sky just big enough for her and the other Queens to stand under.  She glimmered dangerously in the relative darkness, the light of her skin reflecting through the many prisms she wore.  For the announcement, she had changed into one of her official costumes.  This was a public appearance, after all, and it was important she looked her best when she struck fear into the hearts of her populace.  

 

Rainmaker continued to regard silently as the other Queens and the rest of her team, including Tonedeath, assembled.  Soon she told herself, Soon you will make these idiots pay for squandering the kindness you have given them.  Then, they shall give you the respect you are due.

[Blackhoof]

 

 

 

The sky darkened rapidly as Iconoclast ran through the streets, small groups of vanillas and Epics converging on the location of the meeting. Apparently Rainmaker wanted to quell the rioters or somesuch nonsense... well.... that would not do at all.

 

In his peripheral vision he caught sight of a storm drain and suddenly he remembered. His safeguard! Couldn't go into a dangerous situation without a safeguard, now could he? He came to a sudden stop, digging his heals in and bracing himself as his momentum caused him to skid along the ground for several metres before coming to a stop. With a twist and a rough jerk, he ripped off his left hand with his right, and tossed it into the drain. After years of regenerating constant injuries, he had lost all sense of pain, merely feeling a mild discomfort, followed by a tingling as his hand grew back. If his body was every fully vaporised- as had occurred a few times, fighting Epics, he would regrow from the next largest piece of him left. So he always left a few pieces scattered around, wherever he went, as a back-up. Too bad they started rotting once separated from him, and were prone to being eaten by scavengers. 

 

His gruesome delay complete, Iconoclast took up a more sedate pace as he followed the masses to the gathering. Wouldn't want to draw suspicion to himself by being conspicuous, now would he? No... better keep them guessing. 

 

Ten minutes later, he was at the gathering, and he noticed a smaller, second group separate from the main congregation, surrounded by riot-gear-equipped police officers. Police. Corrupt, amoral, traitorous police. Iconoclast felt his teeth being bared, and extending to cruel points, his vision growing hazy. "No, not yet! Wait!" He growled under his breath to himself. He needed to bide his time. Observe. Soon. The weather, a light drizzle, went unnoticed by him.

 

He suddenly saw Rainmaker- or the Epic he was certain was her- flanked by what must be the Queens of Corvallis, at the head of the crowd, observing them all with imperious eyes. Iconoclast looked at each one individually, trying to figure out which was which. Firefly had been too stupid and inattentive to give him much about their appearances, but he had told him that Bubbles was fond of blue hoodies.... one of which she must have been wearing now. He smiled, like a crocodile observing its meal. She needed to die, certainly. Without her, Rainmaker would lose control of traffic in and out of her city, and without secure borders her "paradise" would lose its security, and quickly fall into anarchy. "Well," he thought, looking at the rioters, "the process would be hastened, certainly. Lets see how these Queens react to a few more rioters joining the picture..."

 

Moving to the edge of the crowd, Iconoclast found himself mere metres from the edge of the police line. Only a line of vanillas and a few metres separated him from warm, fresh traitor blood- no! He couldn't move yet. Iconoclast smiled, and grabbed two vanillas on the shoulder. But his Ghouls could. Channelling his power into them, he turned them, and as their faces became twisted, bestial masks of rage, he directed their minds towards Rainmaker's policemen. He let them go, and they pushed through the few humans in their way, ignoring them utterly. The two Ghouls snarled and growled as they leapt towards the officers, tackling them and clawing at their face guards. Iconoclast didn't care what happened next- he was already moving, turning two more humans and sending them screaming at the traitors. He repeated this, and soon some people were following of their own accord, attacking the officers in a futile attempt to break the ring of police surrounding the rioters. The rioters pushed back as well, and soon the orderly division was breaking down into a swirling melee of Epics, police and angry vanillas. It wouldn't last long once the Epics began using their powers in earnest, though.

 

Iconoclast smiled and watched his handiwork. How he loved it when he made people fight. He turned his gaze onto Rainmaker and her Queens, curious as to how they would react, and began moving towards them through the crowd. Most High Epics were reckless and would lash out if their plans were interrupted, make mistakes.... if they did, they might present an opening. One gap, one chance... and Bubbles was as good as dead.

Edited April 25, 2015 by Blackhoof

[Blaze1616 he/him]

 

Bubbles was satisfied with her doodle. It had started very innocent, just a bunny eating a carrot. As the boring conversation about the riots continued, though, the carrot slowly turned into a gun as the bunny slowly turned suicidal. As Tonedeath entered Bubbles had been just about to erase the bunny's head to redraw it with a gaping hole. His comments caused her to pause however.

 

It always annoyed her how misinformed people were about her powers. Given she made the shield that blanketed the city, people just assumed there was no limit. This was an exploitable ignorance that could be utilized, but also caused problems when allies believed such things. It also sucked to have defensive powers that were difficult to use offensively. She believed it made her seem fragile. Though in reality, her bubbles made a great combination with her flight powers, though it had taken a lot of practice to get her own timing right. Not being able to move the bubbles once erected had proved to be a somewhat difficult hurdle.

 

Rainmaker's response was enough, so Bubbles returned to her doodle. If Rainmaker trusted Tonedeath enough to correct him, who was Bubbles to say otherwise? By the end of the meeting, the bunny had died, his brains dripping down the side of the page in a gray and white greusome display.

 

---

 

By the time the Queens left for where Buttercup had gotten her police to gather the vanillas, night had descended upon Corvallis. Bubbles flew with her sisters to the site so the Queens could show a united front. Buttercup was completely against the idea of Bubbles attending, saying that the security of Corvallis should not be put into further jeopardy for a simple display of force, but Blossom had convinced Rainmaker that all the Queens were necessary. Missing one would show something was off, but missing two would solidify the rumors that were no doubt circulating.

 

Bubbles didn't mind. She was used to being in constant danger by this point, so the slight increase in threat level didn't bother her. Rainmaker had even been nice enough to keep the skies the girls were flying through nice and clear, instead of letting them be rained on. Buttercup, though, would not be quelled, and was very unhappy with the situation. She had ordered GasMask and SparkPlug to accompany them, and insisted on swapping outfits. Bubbles hated times like this, when she had to give her hoody to Buttercup. Now she was wearing a stupid athletic jacket with too small of pockets, track pants that she couldn't put anything in from fear that they fall to her ankles, and running shoes that didn't hug her feet just the way she liked. Bubbles did find solace in the fact that Buttercup looked even more uncomfortable in jeans, though.

 

"And remember, should anything happen, leave with GasMask and Sparkplug immediately. Go straight to the bunker and don't let anyone in until I get there," Buttercup always told Bubbles the emergency plan. It had initially annoyed Bubbles, but she had quickly realized it was Buttercup's way of dealing with anxiety, and it no longer bothered her. Blossom, on the other hand, was quiet, calculating, logical.  She probably never even felt anxiety, or at least never showed it.

 

"Sounds like a plan," Bubbles offered her sister a smile as they descended, having arrived. It was not long before the Queens were all there, except for Euphoria. GasMask and SparkPlug were somewhere behind her. She was not always sure where they were, but it was a part of their job to always know where she was and to stay close, so she never thought about it much.

 

The crowd looked defeated. They had lost their happiness, lost their sunshine to this drizzle, and lost some of their own. The police had not initially been recieved well, but a few deaths had put the humans in their place. Bubbles was actually a little surprised that the humans among the police force had yet to turn on them. Buttercup had insisted allowing vanillas into the force would be okay, though, as their fear that the man standing next to them could be an Epic would keep them in line. She had been proven correct, and even Blossom had commended her for it. Humans were so predictable.

 

Predictable enough, even, that when the crowd began to rustle to her right, Bubbles knew what was coming. She watched as people were being shoved aside by some unseen force, and was shocked as two humans lept from the crowd, tackling an officer each, and began clawing at their faces. She blinked once, heard Buttercup say "Go!" and turned to leave.

 

Behind her the massive police gathering ungulated as the bodies sprang into action. She was quickly enveloped by the sea of officers that were there to serve as back up. At some point her arm was grabbed, and she looked to see GasMask guiding her through the mass of people. Her bubble hadn't materialized, so she knew the hand hadn't been a threat, but she still felt relief at recognizing the Epic. SparkPlug was next to him, and the three quickly threw a pink jacket over the one she was already wearing, and hid her hair under a cap. As they emerged from the scrambling bodies, Bubbles was put into an SUV with tinted windows, and the three of them drove off to the bunker.

 

 

"Go!" Buttercup said to Bubbles as the humans began to fight the police. Turning back to the fighting, Buttercup allowed herself to be surrounded by the hundreds of officers that had been stationed behind the Queens. Once she could no longer see through the bodies, Buttercup ripped the hoodie and jeans off, leaving her in a black undershirt and some sweat pants. Bubbles would have to forgive her for destroying one of the many hoodies she owned.

 

Rising into the air above the bodies, Buttercup looked to Rainmaker. The Queen might be a High Epic, but that didn't keep Buttercup from supplying guards. Not that they were much needed, nor did Rainmaker particularly like being guarded, but Buttercup still wanted them in the vicinity just in case. Seeing that Rainmaker was fine and had some back up, Buttercup glanced to Cornucopia to see her guards springing into action as well. Good, that meant she could put some vanillas in their place.

 

She moved slowly though the air, landing near a police officer who was falling limp beneath the savage attack of a human. Buttercup was surprised to see the humans performing such barbaric actions, but like all animals who acted out, she knew to put them down. The human that had just killed the officer bit a chunk out of the dead man's face, then looked up at Buttercup. It growled as it stood up, barring its teeth as it hunched over, and screamed as it lept at her. Buttercup only smiled. "You want to act like dogs?" She pulled her arm back and unleashed a punch into the creature's face. The bones crunched beneath the force, and Buttercup left the dead human nearly headless, the face now an unrecognizable hunk of flesh.

 

Looking around, she noticed that some humans were acting just as savage as the last one, and others weren't. She burst into a run at another human, unleashing a kick that left the crumpled head bobbing like a bobble head. "Then let me put you down like dogs!" she bellowed in rage as she released her furry upon the crowd, focusing on the more barbaric vanillas.

 

The things fought with a ferocity that Buttercup had never seen in humans. There were a fair number of them, but they were almost all dead now. The normal acting vanillas were still fighting, but their fervor was evaporating quickly as the police beat them down.

 

As Buttercup's boot crushed the last of the savage humans, the crowd was pretty much under control again. She looked around, trying to get a sense for the damage done. From the looks of things, only vanillas had died. She knew she had lost a few officers, but such was life. She began walking through the police, just waiting for someone to act out of line again. She'd allow Rainmaker to address the crowd, rather than bothering with such a task herself. Blossom always got annoyed when she stepped into the PR realm.

 

 

The place erupted as the police and the humans began to fight. Blossom was not one for combat, so she flew up onto the roof of a nearby building, content to just watch the action, having no doubt that her sister would regain control of the situation. She made a mental note of how some of the humans seemed more feral than the others. It was very odd, and she hoped Buttercup would have the smarts to keep one alive for investigation. As Buttercup went into full Epic mode, Blossom knew such a thing were impossible. She didn't much blame Buttercup, though. She knew the thrills of using her powers with no reservations. The thoughts of how she could simply kill another group of people, because why not?

 

As the fighting stopped, Blossom took flight again. She was head of Corvallis Public Relations, might as well provide her services to Rainmaker when they were useful.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Blaze1616

[mail-mi he/him]

The first rain Naomi had seen in months fell over a dismal crowd.

The people around her looked down at their feet, a few tears meeting the ground as if they were part of the rain. They took our happiness... the crowd whispered silently. They stopped giving us our joy...

Naomi had never been a bad servant. She remembered absolutely loving being a helpful servant, happy with her lot in life.

Until two hours ago.

Then, suddenly, her happiness was ripped from her. And, suddenly, she realized she'd never actually been happy. She got mad. Who were they to take charge of her? To order her around? To treat her like some slave?!

Others had started to riot. Naomi didn't join them. She was too busy trying to figure out her own emotions. But now?

Now, she was ready.

There were two crowds gathered in the field. One of the rioters, surrounded by Queen Buttercup's police forces, and one of the other people. Naomi was in the second, but she wasn't cowed.

She was going to start a revolution.

"What have they done to us?" She started with a whisper, but got louder as she spoke. "They have given us happiness, but they took it away. They have controlled us with Euphoria's false joy, and they want to see if we will stay in their grasp when it is gone. Well, let's show them!"

She heard a few murmured "yes"es through the crowd. She continued: "Let's show them what happens when they take our happiness away! Give us our happiness, or we will revolt! Freedom or joy! Freedom or joy!"

Some in the crowd picked up her chant. Slowly, it spread, until they could be heard over the rioters. Naomi forced her way up to the crowd and looked at "Queen" Rainmaker in the eye. Let's see what you do when your servants are done serving, Naomi thought at the Queens. Let's see what you do when your perfect Epic paradise is destroyed.

Behind her, the chant grew louder and louder. "Freedom or joy! Freedom or joy!"

Edited April 20, 2015 by mail-mi

[Voidus]

Cornucopia sighed as a ripple of violence broke through the crowd, a single attack at one point in the crowd soon spread out, the entire crowd throwing themselves at the security forces. Knowing what was going to happen next Cornucopia resigned herself to her fate as a stampede of security officers surrounded the Queens, herself included.

This is exactly why I don't like leaving the Arboretum.

She watched as two of the three sister-Queens jumped into the air, a twinge of envy at their ease of movement ran through her before being shaken off.

Lifting her dress off the ground slightly, it's formerly pristine white stained with the dirt of a day spent in her gardens, Cornucopia gestured to her guards to make enough room for her to see through, she could feel her plants even without her sense of sight but not well enough to direct their growth.

Rainmaker had fortunately held the rally in an area surrounded by her plants and while most were filled with everyday items and foodstock for the citizens of Corvallis, Cornucopia had given all of her gardens the ability to be defended, as her gaze swept the grounds of the field roots pulled out from the ground, revealing a hidden payload. Grenades were the most numerous, although there were dozens buried Cornucopia unleashed only a half a dozen into the air above the rioting crowds. Meant to alarm more than harm they were followed by tear gas, bringing dozens of the rioters to their knees as they coughed and rubbed at their faces.

This is really more of Rainmakers pleasure, let her keep herself happy by hurling lightning bolts at them and killing them. Well maybe not happy, less furious I suppose.
 

Keeping up a steady barrage of tear gas and flashbangs, Cornucopia kept a sizable portion of the crowd incapacitated, though she was unable to aim at anything nearer the front lest she hit the police forces. But then, Buttercup would probably take care of that, wading straight into the riot and punching everything she could see until everything was settled.

Such an inelegant method of fighting. Cornucopia lamented.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Voidus

[Comatose he/him]

 

As chaos broke out, Rainmaker rose into the air, her skin blazing to life with rage, lighting her immediate surroundings as if it were day.  Her people truly dared to riot in her presence?  The fact that they defied her at all was angering enough.  The fact that the did so in front of her could not be forgiven.  

 

She hung silently in the air as Buttercup dealt with the threat.  Rainmaker would talk to her and the attacked officers later to determine what they thought had caused the sudden attack.  It was strange, to see people attacking both the police, as well as each other.  From her vantage point, Rainmaker could see the movements of the attackers seemed chaotic, without any discernible pattern.  As the attack was put down, she turned to the young woman who was shouting at her.  

 

So that's what it feels like to be shouted at. Rainmaker had not been shouted at, except perhaps, out of adoration, for a long time.  I don't like being shouted at... 

 

"Freedom or Joy!" the crowd chanted, "Freedom or Joy!"  The woman who had started the inane chant worked her way to the front of the crowd, staring Rainmaker directly in the face.  How dare she!  As Cornucopia continued to batter the crowd into submission with her grenades, Rainmaker found herself unable to tear herself away from the defiant face that stared up at her.  

 

"Tonedeath," she spoke quietly into her mobile, so that the crowd would not hear above all the tumult.  Thunder echoed loudly in the distance, responding to her rage.  "Amplify my voice, and mute the crowd.  This nonsense has gone on long enough."  

 

Rainmaker raised her arms dramatically, and battered the entire crowd with a torrent of rain and an icy wind, drenching them in sleet and snow.  When she was done, she returned the rain to a light drizzle, and rose higher into the air, motioning for the other queens to stand down.  It was a shame Bubbles would not be here, but perhaps it was better to have her safe.  The other Queens had shown off their powers.  Now it was Rainmaker's turn.  

 

"Citizens of Corvallis," her voice boomed, echoing throughout the unnaturally silent night.  "Look at yourselves, acting like spoiled children who have been denied a sweet.  The other Queens and I have worked hard to create this utopia for you; a place with plenty of food and supplies to go around, where no one needs to be unhappy.  We have given you safety from the outside world, ruled by less generous epics who would kill you all without missing a beat."  Rainmaker's skin continued to shine, brighter and brighter, as her anger grew. For what they were putting her through, she should kill them all and be done with it.  Patience she told herself.  If she was ever going to be ready to rule a larger city, she would need to learn to temper her rage.  Humans might be infuriating, but they did have their uses.  

 

"Two weeks ago," Rainmaker continued, her voice remaining strong.  Sometimes, when she spoke like this in front of a crowd, she was reminded of the look her husband would sometimes get in his eye when whipping an electoral district into a frenzy.  "Attackers came to our city, intending to put an end to your beloved Euphoria.  Luckily, I was able to stop them both.  They are dead now, and anyone who is found to have aided them, or who aids someone like them in the future, will soon follow."  Rainmaker paused for effect, letting her words echo off into the night.  "Though it was averted, the attackers have not left our city unscathed.  After giving so much to this community, Euphoria was distraught over this heinous attempt on her life.  Her past two weeks have been plagued by paranoia, fear, and nightmares.  She dreams of the people she loves turning against her and trying to destroy her."  Rainmaker scanned the crowd, watching the effect of her words sink in.  She avoided the gaze of the woman in front.  Her time would come.  

 

"You all know what Euphoria's power has given this city, and what it has given all of you individually.  She gave you happiness in a world of fear and destruction.  And now, that happiness is gone.  Until she feels safe again, Euphoria will not allow any within this city to enjoy the warm embrace of her powers.  The attackers from two weeks ago have broken her trust in you, the people of Corvallis, and your behavior today has done little to win it back.  In fact, because of your complete failure today, your punishment shall extend beyond merely being cut off from Euphoria.  Tomorrow, I will test your spirits by blanketing the entire city and our fields in a downpour.  Smile through the day, and perform your work with care, and you will be rewarded.  Resistance or complaints will be met with harsher discipline."

 

Thunder rumbled ominously, closer now, and Rainmaker allowed the winds to start picking up speed.  "As I said before, we Queens have tried to be kind to you, but apparently your reward our kindness with disrespect.  And now, you will bear the consequences."  

 

Rainmaker gestured dramatically at the woman who had started the chanting, who was promptly blown up off the ground, and suspended halfway between the ground and wear Rainmaker hovered by a constant wind.  

 

"Tonight, this woman encouraged you to ask me for freedom or joy.  Unfortunately, I must tell you that joy is not mine to give, it is yours to earn, and today you have all done a poor job of it.   Since you have spurned my kindness, now I will show you all what freedom means."  

 

Lightning arced down from the sky, creating a flash almost as bright as Rainmaker's own light.  The woman's mouth opened in pain as the energy coursed through her, ripping her body apart.  A moment later, the lifeless husk that remained dropped to the ground, charred and broken.  

 

Turning, Rainmaker turned again, calling down three more lightning bolts to strike randomly within the crowd of rioters.  Deafening thunder sounded.  Rainmaker almost wished that Tonedeath would stop muting the crowd for a moment, so she could hear their screams.  

 

"You have forsaken my kindness, and until you earn it back, you will learn to fear my wrath, and your friends and family will fear it too."  Rainmaker forced her light to fade, getting it down to a manageable level so that her expressions could be discerned by the crowd.  "I is my hope," she said with a radiant smile, "That we can move passed all this, and build a better and brighter Corvallis together.  I've done what I can.  Now, it is up to you.  With hard work, you can earn Euphoria's trust back, and our city can be whole again."

[Blackhoof]

 

 

As the rioters fought the police in a brutal melee, Iconoclast watched the Queens, eager to see how they would respond. Bubbles, in her blue hoodie, didn't seem to move much at first, which Iconoclast realised was a bit strange. He hadn't seen the police behindthe stage, dammit! They were more vigilant than he had thought. Burt why were they forming around Buttercup? Surely it was Bubbles who needed their protection more than-

 

Suddenly, "Bubbles" ripped off her hoodie and flew over the crowd, crashing into the rioters and throwing punches left and right. "What!?" Iconoclast growled, "She couldn't be- GRRRRRRAHLLL!" He realised what had happened- they had swapped outfits! Those cursed cheats! Vanillas nearby turned in alarm at his outburst, but he ignored them. Looking at the assembled Queens, some of which had moved or flown away, he could not see Bubbles. She was gone.

 

Turning, Iconoclast made like an arrow towards Buttercup. "If I cannot have Bubbles.... I will have her!" He thought to himself. Soon he saw her, destroying his Ghouls with her strength. No matter, he could make more. Explosions roared over his head, but he did not care, just tried to get in position somewhere in the crowd behind the Head of Security in Corvallis. Losing her would certainly be a blow to Rainmaker's control, if not as much of one as losing Bubbles. Then the crowd went silent. "Hmmm... Firefly didn't tell me about whatever Epic could do that." Iconoclast thought to himself. "I'm glad my Ghouls ate him."

 

Iconoclast looked up at Rainmaker as she began talking, idly wondering what it would feel like when he killed her. He enjoyed the challenge that High Epics posed. She turned into a cloud, apparently. "I wonder if I could vacuum her up?" He mused to himself, nearly giggling at the thought. He would need her weakness... which was never easy to obtain. He might have to just let her live.

 

"It is my hope," Rainmaker said with a large smile, "That we can move passed all this, and build a better and brighter Corvallis together.  I've done what I can.  Now, it is up to you.  With hard work, you can earn Euphoria's trust back, and our city can be whole again."

 

Iconoclast smiled, teeth subconsciously growing to points, and he grabbed a nearby vanillas on the shoulder. The city whole? Not on his watch. Channeling his power, he turned the vanilla, and gifted it a large amount of his healing factor and body alteration ability. He let go, and adopted a panicked expression, screaming out "He's an Epic!" before backing away and telepathically directing the new "Epic" to attack Buttercup. Luckily, the crowd was no longer silenced, and every nearby head turned to see the Ghoul, who instinctively grew pointed teeth, huge muscles and large claws, let out an inhuman roar and leap towards Buttercup.

Edited April 25, 2015 by Blackhoof

[TheSilverDragon he/him]

Converter sat in a high-back chair that she had one of her human slaves move out of her house, because she was getting bored of her house. It was a lot more exciting to execute criminals outside, she had decided that morning, and promptly had her human slaves move her “court” outside. She now lounged in her chair, plucking grapes from a platter that a trembling human held for her. She looked out across the crowd she had commanded to assemble and could see the terror in their eyes. They were there to see her put down a man that dared talk back to her. The man in question was standing in front of her, with two of her guards holding their guns at his head.
“Do you know why you’re here?” Converter lazily asked the man in front of her. The man just stood there, looking defiantly at her. Who does this human think he is? Converter wondered. I am more powerful than this normal. He should be groveling before me, not standing defiantly before me. The air around her began to shimmer as more heat began to escape in response to her rising anger.
"Give me your gun," She ordered one of her guards. The burly man tossed Converter his assault rifle, and drew his pistol. She caught the gun and then pointed it at the man. She could see the terror in his eyes as he began to see that he was going to die. Punny human. Converter thought. She weighed the gun in her hand, and then tossed it, not back at the guard, but to the prisoner in front of her. The man fumbled with the gun in surprise, almost dropping it, but managed to hold onto it in the end.
“Shoot me,” Converter ordered. The man raised in eyebrows in shock as if to say “You want me to shoot you?” He shrugged and then raised the gun and shot her.
The bullet had barely even touched her before she had stripped it of its kinetic energy, stopping it dead. The bullet fell into her lap and then bounced into the grass.
“Shoot me again,” she said. The man happily obliged, letting out a torrent of bullets. Each one he shot was stopped before it could do any real harm. A small pile of spent shells formed at her feet. The man soon realized that he wasn't getting anywhere, and stopped shooting. He stood there, gun hanging limply from one of his hands, a look of pure horror on his face as he began to see the inevitability of his death. He took a deep breath and gave one final shot, but not from the gun.
“You’re just like all the other epics. Lazy, mean, and a coward!” He shouted at her, but then fell silent. How dare he talk like that to me, she fumed. I am clearly his superior, I can kill anyone I want, but he can’t even scratch me. Who the Sparks does this slontze think he is?
Converter rose from her chair and walked towards the man, leaving a trail of blackened footprints in her wake. The man tried to run, but Converter used some of the kinetic energy she had absorbed to jump in front of him. The man raised the gun and tried to hit her across the face with the but of it, only to have it be stopped as soon as it touched her. Spark’n slontze. She thought as she reached out and touched his arm. She sucked out all of his heat, freezing the terrified look on to his face for the rest of time.
“Let this be an example to all of you.” She yelled to the humans gathered around her. “You can do nothing. You can’t fight me. You can’t run from me. You are nothing.” Converter swept her eyes over the crowd, enjoying how they cringed as she looked at them, fearful of what she might do. What she didn't see was a woman behind her pull out a small pistol and shoot her in the back.
Converter felt a jolt as the bullet pierced her skin, and puncturing her heart. She fell to her knees as darkness began to descend. He last thoughts was Fools before her body erupted as all of her stored energy bursted out once she was dead.

* * *

Converter’s body formed from a small explosion in the city of Corvallis, not that she knew that. She opened her eyes, only to realize that she was twenty feet off the ground. She looked down and saw a small group of humans surrounded by what looked like police in full riot gear. She didn't have much time to think about that as the ground rushed to giver a warm welcome. Converter reoriented herself so her feet pointed downwards, and before she hit the ground, she absorbed all of her own kinetic energy. Dropping the last couple of inches, she was met with a full out riot.
Screams and shouts, humans fighting each other, the police, everywhere mass confusion. The only sense of cohesion was a single phrase, “Freedom or Joy!” A small canister came to a stop her her feet, and then began to spew out some sort of gas. As soon it touched her face, her eyes began to sting, and tears ran down her face. Spark’n tear gas. She thought as she sent some kinetic energy into the gas, pushing it away from her face. She tried to look around, but was unable to see anything because of the tears that were still streaming down her face.
Suddenly the crowd stopped chanting, like someone had hit an off switch. Out of the quietness came the voice of someone, talking about some incident that had happened in the past, and how the people should work hard to gain their happiness back. Converter blinked away the last of her tears and looked around to see the source of the speech. Looking up, she saw a woman, who could only be an epic, floating above the crowd. Converter sat back to see what the epic would do about the riot, I’ll help out if she needs it she thought to herself, thinking about how she would go about it.

Edited April 22, 2015 by TheSilverDragon

[The Honey Badger he/him]

        As the demonstration began Tonedeath and Larry stood at the same spots they had two weeks previous. A quick scan of the crowd revealed how much of an effect the lack of Euphoria was causing to the people. They appeared to have forgotten their previous selves, and quite frankly most appeared mentally imbalanced. Both Larry and Tonedeath were dressed in the armor normally worn by the police crews. Epics usually never stooped to the level of wearing armor but Tonedeath, although he tried not to show it, was always on edge. A simple well placed rock could slay him, and he did not like it.

       A voice began calling out from the crowd, “Freedom or Joy, Freedom or Joy”, and it quickly spread. Within seconds the entire crowd was chanting it. Tonedeath had rarely seen the vanillas like this, it seemed they were without logical thought. Then the attack came, numerous people in the crowd began to attack the lines of police like wild beasts, the shock of the assault almost drove the lines apart, but Buttercup rallied and the berserk fighters began to lose the battle.

       “Should I take a few shots,” Larry inquired, rifle in hand.

“No, you might hit some friendlies, and Buttercup seems to be handling it well. Stay ready though.”

An order crackled over his mobile “Tonedeath, Amplify my voice, and mute the crowd. This nonsense has gone on long enough,” commanded Rainmaker.  He was quick to oblige.

       “Freedom or …….” The affect was almost comical, their lips moving with no noises coming out. Then Rainmaker spoke, “Citizens of Corvallis, Look at yourselves, acting like spoiled children who have been denied a sweet.” As Rainmaker went on, the crowd’s fervor began to disperse. The combination of the slow drizzle, the sudden powerlessness, and an angry high epic tended to quell most crowds. “As I said before, we Queens have tried to be kind to you, but apparently your reward our kindness with disrespect.  And now, you will bear the consequences," boomed Rainmaker. She singled out the woman who had begun the chant. A lightning bolt arced down from the sky, it took little guess work to see who was the target. Larry turned away as three more lightning bolts came down. He felt pity towards these people, he was like them, but he had the protection of an Epic. And he had never felt the touch of Euphoria. Rainmaker continued for a little while “…With hard work, you can earn Euphoria's trust back, and our city can be whole again."

       The crowd looked utterly cowed until a voice cried out, “He's an Epic!” As a man seemed to grow bestial and made a mad dash towards Buttercup. Tonedeath pulled out his pistol and took a shot in the general direction of the beast. Tonedeath missed the thing by a mile, the bullet whizzing off. But that wasn’t the point. As the bullet sped along Tonedeath dampened the sound waves on the edges, near the Queens, but amplified them in the direction of the beast. Tonedeath didn’t amplify them full strength as that would have serious affects for everybody, but it was loud and focused enough to stun the thing for a second. And a second was all the Queens needed. 

Edited May 23, 2015 by The Honey Badger

[Comatose he/him]

 

Rainmaker whirled to face the new threat, who was apparently an epic.  The man in question had a bestial appearance, and as far as Rainmaker knew, was not among the epics she had approved to be in the city.  Even if he was an approved citizen, even epics shouldn't be allowed to defy Rainmaker in her moment of glory.  Especially not one's that looked like that.  

 

Rainmaker gestured, causing winds to blow in multiple directions at once, pinning the beast like epic in place, and scattering the crowd around him so that they would not get in the way.  Then, she lifted him from the crowd with more gusts of wind, sending him shooting high into the air.  Let's see if you can fly, little epic.  Once he reached a suitable height, Rainmaker let him drop, ready to send down hail and lightning if she needed to.