What Happened in Corvallis

[Blaze1616 he/him]

 

"Thank you," he muttered the words, accepting the cup of coffee from his secretary. Raising the cup to his mouth, he took a deep breath, allowing the stench of bean to fill his nose and lungs, his eyes closing from sheer pleasure. He recalled a study from prior to Calamity that said the smell was the largest factor of why people enjoy coffee. Silently agreeing, he took a large swig of the hot liquid. Broadcast loved his coffee.

 

The screen in front of him was showing one of the station's programs, and it was time to show the Rainmaker ad again. He'd already seen it about eight times, so when it started he got up from his chair and headed towards the window which Blossom had been looking out of mere hours ago.

 

The rain was still coming down, the clouds overhead not even moving in the wind of the day. Looking down to the ground, he watched as people bustled, vanillas and Epics. From this height, he couldn't tell them apart, their mannerisms not observable to his eyes this far away.

 

Taking another drink, he felt his leg buzzing. Reaching into his pocket, he looked at the mobile for a long few seconds. He'd made a reputation for himself, he couldn't very well answer on the first buzz. Unless it was Rainmaker, of course, but he had programmed his mobile to buzz a different pattern should she call. This was not Rainmaker, but Jumpdrive.

 

He picked up after the fourth buzz had finished. Only Queens got picked up after three. He took one more sip of coffee before smiling, "What can I do for Jumpdrive today?"

 

Jumpdrive didn't answer, instead noises of a fight coming through. Gunshots included. "Um, hello? Jumpdrive?"

 

"Headshot!" The exclamation came through the mobile loud and clear. Broadcast's first thought was that Jumpdrive was playing a video game, but the gun shots sounded so real, and the patter of rain coming through the receiver told him otherwise.

 

Hearing the audio jumble as Jumpdrive lifted his mobile back to his face, Broadcast started, "I see you've decided to try actually living a lif-"

 

"Broadcast!, I need help here!" Jumpdrive's voice was somewhat panicked, adrenaline clearly coursing through the Epic's veins.

 

Broadcast let out an audible sigh, "And where would 'here' be?" He allowed a touch of annoyance to fill his voice. Of course, Broadcast knew where Jumpdrive was. He could tell which direction, and how far away, the signal was coming from. Allowing for satellite connection, and Broadcast could figure that Jumpdrive was somewhere around SW Third Street. But just simply knowing was no fun. Plus, even if Jumpdrive was in danger, he had a prime invincibility with the firewall of his. It was okay to have a bit of fun.

 

It certainly livened up his job.

 

 

Buttercup watched the security feed once more. Reports of more attacks were coming through as well. It was too much. First the energy Epic last night, then Insight, then these Ghoul attacks, and finally this new High Epic. Buttercup's thoughts were racing as her frustration grew.

 

What does he want? Why is he here? Why even come to Corvallis at all? Why not take over some other city elsewhere? Ugh, well I'm not getting anywhere just watching this, I need to do something.

 

She looked up at the lieutenant, who was patiently awaiting instructions. "Send some men to go deal with these new attacks. I'll intervene if I have to, whether there's too many or someone rather important is being attacked. Otherwise I'm dealing with this guy," she pointed at the screen.

 

"My lady, don't you need some form of back up? He's a High Epic." The man seemed earnest, not intending the inherent insult in his words.

 

Buttercup shook her head, "No, we don't need to waste men on this. I've got someone else in mind." The man looked somewhat puzzled, but nodded and moved to do as he was told. Good and obedient. 

 

Buttercup settled her nerves, taking a few deep breaths. Pulling out her mobile, she dialed Broadcast. Fully expecting to sit for a few seconds as Broadcast did whatever it was he always did to make her wait, she was surprised when the busy tone rang through. Closing the mobile, she considered just sending him a text, but decided it was better to wait a few moments before trying to call one more time. 

 

I knew I should've written her number down, rather than just giving her Broadcast's.

[Blackhoof]

 

 

Iconoclast smiled as he waved goodbye to the last gifted servant, sending her off to cause more chaos. The defeated Epic lay in a leather chair, tied securely.

Now it was just him and her.

He turned to the Epic, moving but not struggling in her restraints. She could easily escape them, but he had warned her about using her powers. And like all Epics when faced with a hopeless situation against a superior force, she relented.

"Now, it is time to discuss your part in this." Iconoclast began. "How do you feel about this city?"

She looked confused for a second before replying. "I... It is a paradise. I have... Well, had an army of slaves and servants. All the luxuries of a pre-Calamity lifestyle. What more could I ask for?"

Iconoclast leaned in closer. "How about... Freedom."
"...freedom, sir?"
"Freedom! You are trapped here, with the Queens controlling all you do. They give all, and apparently, given Euphoria's disappearance, they can take all. This is a system doomed to collapse. Don't you want to be at the forefront of it all? Wade through the blood of tyrants as you take your due? You, my dear, can help me bring down this city, and you can be free. No-one truly owns what has been given to them. Only in force is true ownership found."

She looked thoughtful. "Very well, I will help you. But if the Queens catch me, I will claim you forced me."

Iconoclast cut her bonds with a flick of a talon and smiled. "My friend, I would not have it any other way."

Edited December 9, 2015 by Blackhoof

[Mashadar Mistborn he/him]

The vanillas were interrupting her reading. The screams from outside, which had previously been at the perfect distance for a background to her reading, were becoming louder and closer. Gelliton decided that she had to do something to quiet the uproar. Reluctantly rising from her chair, she set the book down and strode to the window. What she saw was not what she had expected; instead of one of her neighbors disciplining her servants, she saw a scared-looking man surrounded by a crowd of bestial once-men. As she watched, he touched a servant who had tried to flee from the nearest house. Within a few seconds, the servant' s expression went from terrified to blank to feral. Realizing that the man in the center of the once-men was either an epic, or judging by his bedraggled state, a gifted human, Gelliton began to draft a transparent pool of gel, warily watching the man.

As she watched, one of the neighboring epics, a strength epic named Atlas, came out and threw one of the creatures into a tree with an audible snap. The leader turned towards him, as did many of the creatures. The man wore a look of intense concentration for a second and then the creatures, to a man charged at Atlas. The epic went down under a tide of once-men, and while he managed to kill a few, he was quickly killed. The creatures crowded around the epic and began to bite off chunks of his flesh.

Prepared, and having seen quite enough, Gelliton shot three tendrils through her window, unpacking the man in the heart with one and in the legs with the others, to slow him if he had healing. The precaution seemed unnecessary,as he fell over, apparently dead. She broke the rest of the window with her gel and made a ramp to the ground. She then dissolved the ramp into spears, impaling the once-men and leaving them dead on the ground.

Gelliton surveyed the mess before her and decided that a view like that would not do. She pulled out her mobile, and sent a text to Buttercup, saying that she had witnessed a man with the ability to strip higher function from humans attacking the area around her house. After requesting a clean-up for the mess in her front yard, she asked for a new window,explaining that it had been damaged in the attack. Changing into a clean dress, she had ordered the bloody one burned, Gelliton returned to her reading, wondering what new distraction the day would offer.

[Mestiv he/him]

 

Fortunately for Summer, the house to which she was headed wasn't far from Drainer's lair. Actually, it was almost right next to her shared quarters. It was a rather big house, certainly better looking that Drainer's. She wondered if envy about a house was the reason she was sent to spy on that Argon guy, but it didn't seem likely. From her master's reaction, it was obvious that those two Epics knew each other and they weren't in good relations. 

 

For most of the time on her way there, she thought about how will she take a photo of this new Epic without being noticed. Many male Epics probably wouldn't mind if a you girl wanted to take a picture of them, however, if this guy wasn't like that, asking him for a photo would be like a suicide. Snapping a picture while he's not paying attention seemed like the best way to do it. She'll just have to be patient and ready to use the occasion. So let's say the picture is taken... then what? She's supposed to stay there, pretending to be a servant girl assigned to him. What if he's an even worse sadist and pervert that Drainer? Everything was possible with Epics. His power set didn't look ominous at all, especially this cake creation power, but she was worried anyway.

 

Her thoughts continued to race as she joined the group gathered outside Argon's house. She immediately noticed the tension in the air around them.

 

"We work for ten hours every day and have to live in overcrowded houses, sharing beds and not having any privacy, while some stupid Epics just come to this town and they get a house like this for nothing! I don't know how could we stand this just couple days ago!" One of the servants whined while others agreed with him.

 

"We sure do deserve better treatment!"

 

"I hope this new Epic get's murdered just like Firefly!"

 

"I'm not gonna clean this house unless he makes me!"

 

The grumbling continued while they all waited for Argon's arrival. Despite the general discontent and slightly rebellious moods none of them dared to enter the house before it's new owner arrived.

[18th Shard he/him]

Collab between 18th Shard and Blaze1616: This Color is Blaze.

       

Jumpdrive sighed. Broadcast was, as usual, being a pain. “I’m at SW Third Street. There is a bunch of ghouls attacking here, and I think some vanillas are going to be eaten.”

 

Broadcast’s heart skipped a beat. More ghouls. They were popping up everywhere, seemingly faster than they could be dealt with. How could the city defeat something that was propagating so quickly?

 

Broadcast took a swig of his coffee, the heat soothing his pulse, but attitude was needed to soothe his agitation. “I see...and you’re not stopping them? I don’t see how I’m supposed to help.”

 

 

“Well, seeing as I have no offensive powers and my uh… marksmanship skills are somewhat subpar, maybe you could get someone over here to help?!” Jumpdrive spun as another ghoul darted out behind him. It lunged for him, his Firewall activating at stopping it in its tracks. It’s? Is it still gendered? he mused, then decided people’s lives were slightly more important right now. Stupid people, getting in the way of my learning. “Maybe see if Queen Buttercup is available at all? Or Blossom? Really almost anyone. I'd even be fine if you got Atrophy here, as long as he stopped the sparking things.” Language. I'm really annoyed now aren't I? ‘Your pulse is several tens faster than average, and signs of adrenaline are abundant,’ Locator notified him. Sparks. Okay, terrified for my life is probably closer to the truth. How would my Firewall react if I have a heart attack? If under immense stress, cardiac rupture is possible. Focus, Jumpdrive. The ghoul tried to dodge around him. Another ghoul burst out of the building. ‘They appear to be coming from inside.’ Locator pulled up an audio clip from right before the attacks had begun. ‘And this sound could possibly be screams. Perhaps the Epic responsible is inside.’ Jumpdrive jogged toward the doorway.

 

Broadcast rolled his eyes. He’d forgotten that Jumpdrive had no offensive powers, much like himself. Hearing more commotion across the line, his chest briefly panged with pity. “All right, I’ll get in touch with Queen Buttercup and ask her to send some help.” He immediately hung up, and took a moment to sip his coffee.

 

Moving to dial Buttercup’s number, his phone began buzzing before he could start. His eyes darted over the caller I.D., a small smile rising to his lips as he read “Queen Buttercup” silently. He took another sip before answering, waiting the mandatory three buzzes.

“Ah, just the Queen I was wanting to talk to!”

Edited January 21, 2016 by 18th Shard

[Mestiv he/him]

 

Summer walked around the house, looking for a place away from the small crowd. She wanted some peace and quiet before risking her life, pretending to be a member of staff in the house of her owners enemy. If this Argon had any mind reading abilities, she was practically dead already (the sheet that Drainer gave her didn't say anything about those, but you can never know with these Epics...). If not, she'll be dead as soon as he finds out she sends reports to some other Epic or someone from the staff mentions that she's not assigned to his house by the government. There were so many things that could go wrong, she just needed some place to calm down and relax for a moment. The backyard seemed like a good place to check.

 

She sat down on an old wooden bench inside a gazebo. Her heart slowing down as she focused on the nice scenery around her. Nature took over what was once a neatly cut garden and now it was more like a meadow in a forest with flowers, weeds and bushes. Despite the terrible weather she relaxed, sitting under a roof, with warm clothes, she didn't mind some rain and humidity. For a moment she felt like if the world wasn't a devastated place, ruled by hungry for power humans with super powers, but something calmer, nicer...

 

Meow.

 

Summer looked around looking for the source of the sound, not sure if she even heard anything. She hardly ever saw any animals in the city and she suspected it might be Queen Cornucopia's doing. After all she was so obsessed with her plants, she may consider any animals a threat to her preciouses. Or maybe it was because of this strange Epic, who deluded herself that she was some kind of a princess? She could summon animals or something like that...

 

Meow.

 

She crouched near a shrubbery and saw a pair of bright yellow eyes staring at her. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness bellow the plant, she saw a black kitten. The only parts of it that weren't made of pure darkness were it's eyes and a single white whisker.

 

Meow.

 

Now that she could focus on the sounds the kitten made, it sounded a bit miserable. From what she could see, the cat was skinny and weak. She wasn't sure if it wasn't her imagination, but she felt like if it was looking at her with plea for help in it's eyes.

 

Without thinking twice, she went back to the front of the house. This Argon guy still didn't arrive and his staff was wandering around, apparently bored of their whining and complaining. Many years have passed since the last can of cat food left a factory in the Fractured States, but fortunately Corvallis provided supplies for kitchens, including raw meat, currently stored in styrofoam container with ice. She managed to steal a small piece of it while pretending she was counting all the food containers.

 

When she returned to the shrubbery the cat was still there. She cut off a little piece of meat using her pocket knife and held it in her hand to warm it. Then she threw it carefully in front of the kitten. After a quick sniff the kitten ate it and started to look around for more. She repeated the process many times, until the cat was no longer interested in food. Instead, the little ball of darkness slowly walked toward her and rubbed her hand with it's cheek, purring quietly. She rubbed it back. It seemed that Summer has found a new friend in Corvallis.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Mestiv

[CarolaDavar she/her]

Shatter Shot glanced around Corvallis. This place was quite new to her, but it seemed better than where she'd been before. Now, her goal was to find a nice place here where nobody, human or Epic, would bother her; Which would mean finding a place high enough so humans wouldn't bug her, but low enough so other Epics didn't bother to notice her unless they were careful. But, how could she possibly find a place? Who to ask for help? She would watch for a day or two, then decide. She slipped into the shadows to hide unil she found a way.

She glanced around again, making sure she hadn't been seen. She kept her hand on her gun, her other hand in her pocket in case she needed to replace her bullets, and started on her way through her new city.

[Blaze1616 he/him]

 

"Ah, just the Queen I was wanting to talk to!" Broadcast's voice rang through her mobile. Buttercup snorted, but didn't get on his case. "I apologize for taking so long to answer, I was just getting off a call from Jumpdrive," the Epic said, his voice teasing.

 

"No matter," Buttercup said, "I need you to do me a favor. News of a new high Epic entering town has come to my attention. I'd like to approach him myself, but I want some backup should things go south. There's an Epic living near Walnut and 13th named Kenshin. Please forward to her the message I've just sent to your mobile."

 

Broadcast didn't reply for a moment, Buttercup assumed he was checking the message she had sent. "Mm, of course. And in return I have some information for you. Jumpdrive called to inform me that he's run into some of those creatures down near SW 3rd Street."

 

"All right. I'll handle the situation there before heading over to Kenshin's. If she responds yes, please also send a convoy over to pick us up from her place. If she responds no, send me a message so I don't waste my time."

 

"Of course, my liege."

 

Buttercup hung up, letting his remark rile her emotions but not giving him the satisfaction of a response. Taking to the skies, she flew south at a quick pace. SW 3rd Street, also known as Pacific Highway, was near her house, just across the Marys River. It took her a few minutes, and as she approached she slowed down, keeping her eyes open for the commotion. Gunshots announced the location. 

 

Zipping over, she saw a handful of dead bodies, and Jumpdrive holding the gun, heading into a building. Eyeing the bodies, she noted they seemed to be coming from inside the structure. 

 

She crashed through a window, landing on her feet in a room with about fifteen of the creatures, though only one of them registered any surprise at her entrance. She didn't have time to think about that now, however, and she set to work. Fists and feet went flying, her muscles tightening with each connecting blow. The sounds of bones crunching, meat squishing, and blood splashing rang in her ears. 

 

Before she knew it, she had dropped almost all of them in the room, and the one that had been surprised at her entrance was cowering in a corner behind two more of the savages, Buttercup having blocked the exit. She eyed him like a predator, the rage in her chest boiling, but she wasn't quite done. Stepping forward, the two animals guarding the man were growling, readying themselves to pounce.

 

Another step, and she growled back. Their eyes were hollow, nothing human left in them. They bared their teeth, pointed monstrosities that dripped with drool.

 

Yet another step, and they charged. One leaped into the air, achieving inhuman heights as it flew over its companion, who was running full speed toward her. Buttercup shifted her weight to her back foot, reaching up and grabbing the one right out of the air, using its momentum to spin her around a full 360 degrees, throwing the creature at the cognizant human still cowering in the corner. She then accepted the full brunt of the tackle that had come her way.

 

She grappled on the ground with the thing, its teeth sinking into her arm. She let out a howl of pain, her fist connecting with its temple over and over until it let go. Throwing it off of her, she stood up and pinned it to the wall, her hand jabbing its neck to crush its windpipe, and she released it to suffocate on its own, turning her attention to the one now rising from the heap it had landed in, the human underneath still recovering.

 

It leaped at her again, but Buttercup was done playing around. She spun, delivering a roundhouse kick that could bring down a building right to the creature's head. The satisfying crunch of skull was like that of church bells on a Sunday afternoon to her ears. Buttercup stood, a bloodied mess, staring right into the eyes of the only other living creature in the room, more than a dozen bodies laying around her. 

 

He trembled under her gaze, a frightened gurgle escaping his lips as she approached. Buttercup bent over, and lifted him off the ground by his collar. "You..." she trailed off as she ran her eyes up and down his body, "You are not the Epic from this morning." 

 

"E-Epic?" His voice was feeble, terrified.

 

Buttercup squinted at the man, his eyes fully human. He might not be one of those things, but that doesn't mean he's not been gifted in some means. Her thoughts drifted back to the sports fields the night before, where a specific human had been gifted enhanced abilities. "What's your name?"

 

"T-Tim! Tim Jones, my Queen!" Buttercup shook him, getting frustrated with the stuttering. He squeaked at the shaking.

 

"And why were those last two guarding you, Tim?" This was getting more and more suspicious.

 

"Th-They weren't! They were attacking me, when s-some guy outside the window attracted their attention. Then some g-gunshots rang off before you came in through the window. They were going to eat m-me!"

 

Buttercup took a moment to think it over. Better to be safe than sorry. She threw him to the ground, his body crumbling as if he had no strength to stand, his trembling visible. "Tim, if you're telling the truth, then I'm truly sorry." She lifted her boot, and crushed his head beneath it. A high pitched cry escaped his lips before his head crumpled like paper. 

 

"Well, maybe not," she sighed, wiping the gore from her shoe onto the floor. Turning toward the door, she exited into a hallway, looking for the Epic she had come to rescue. She called out, "Jumpdrive?!"

 

 

Broadcast scanned the message that Buttercup had sent him. It was concise and to the point, much like the Queen who had sent it.

 

Kenshin,

 

I know I haven't given you much time to think over my job offer, however a situation has come to my attention and I'd like your help. An unknown High Epic was caught on tape entering the city today. His collected information claims he's just a regular Epic though. I was hoping you would be willing to come with me to speak with him, see what this is all about.

 

If you'd like to join me, please respond "Yes". If not, please respond "No".

 

Thank you,

Queen Buttercup

 

He took a sip of his coffee before pressing the send button. Looking back out the window, he noticed the green streak of light in the sky. He let out a soft sigh, a little disappointed that his teasing hadn't gotten to her during the call.

 

[Clockwork he/him]

Chasmfiend hated applications, including the one he was answering right now. He had been lucky that the line quickly dissapated when he cqame on his beast. However, to become a citizen of Corvallis, he had to finish this application without killing the interviewer. She was very pretty, of course. It's what you expected when you were going to paradise.

"Are you an epic?"

"Yes, I am an epic."

"Name?"

"My name is Chasmfiend. And please speak in full sentences."

She rolled her eyes at that. "What is your pre-calamity name?"

"My name was once Darren Jarnot."

"Fourth question. What are your powers? You don't have to tell us everything, but it is recommended, as it establishes your usefulness and standing while in Corvallis."

"I will go ahead and tell everything. I can create and control this beast, as I'm guessing you guessed. I can split the ground to create canyons or chasms. I heal incredibly fast, and my touch increases the healing speed of others. Finally, I can enhance a material's properties, making them lighter, stronger, etcetera."

"Ah, now, my favorite question; what is you weakness?"

He glowered at her. "I am certain Rainmaker will find out soon enough. If she doesn't, then she doesn't deserve to rule."

"OK, then. A couple more questions, and you're free to enter."

He guessed that the questions that came next weren't unnecessary, just boring. It took all his willpower not to kill her, but it helped that she was beautiful. Helped him concentrate. Eventually, she was nearly finished, and was staring nervously and the very large blade he had taken out, and he seemed to be able to lift it like nothing.

She asked, "Will you work for the government?"

"For Rainmaker. No one else."

"Any other questions?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Ok, you may enter. Go to Tangent City Park. Rainmaker will explain everything, and you will receive your house keys, and shortly after that, some servants will come."

The video was a bit boring, and he was wanting to get on with his day. When it was finished, he went to retrieve his keys for his house. He didn't have a mobile, so they sent him a vanilla to show him the way.His house was quite far away, all the way near the center of Corvallis. Probably because he had volunteered to work with Rainmaker.

During the ride on the beast, they came across a vanilla who seemed beast-like, and tried to attack the beast's leg.

-No. Bring it up here.- He prompted the creature.

The fiend raised it onto it's head, where it sped towards him. His guide scrambled behind him. Chasmfiend grabbed it's face at arms length.

"So, what are you? You can't be healed? Okay. Bye."

He threw it off the side, where the creature ate it.

"Okay, sir, this is your house."

"Good. You may leave."

He scrambled away.

" Time to relax, Gemheart. Our journey is done. We will be able to rest for awhile."

This, of course, was false.

Edited January 30, 2016 by Chasmfiend

[Edgedancer he/him]

The conversation between Kenshin and the princess didn’t make much progress. Thus the small noise her mobile made as a message arrived on it did gave her a welcome break from the situation. She gave her apologies and read what turned out to be a text.

 

Kenshin,

 

I know I haven't given you much time to think over my job offer, however a situation has come to my attention and I'd like your help. An unknown High Epic was caught on tape entering the city today. His collected information claims he's just a regular Epic though. I was hoping you would be willing to come with me to speak with him, see what this is all about.

 

If you'd like to join me, please respond "Yes". If not, please respond "No".

 

Thank you,

 

Queen Buttercup

 

While the message was signed with queen Buttercup’s name, the number of the sender was the one Buttercup had given Kenshin to contact earlier. Did she have it relayed, because she herself didn’t have Kenshin’s number? It seemed likely.

 

Whatever the case actually was, the actual question was whether or not she wanted to take the offer. It would be a good occasion to see Buttercup in action, so she could form a better opinion about her and what kind of work she may have to do for her, if she decided to accept the job with security. Naturally, confronting a High Epic held a certain amount of risk, depending on how they protected themselves from harm and what offensive powers they had in addition.

 

Kenshin glanced over at her guest.

 

A chance to actually work and maybe have a little bit of sport didn’t sound bad right now.

 

Queen Buttercup,

 

Yes. It would be an honor to accompany you. Where should I meet you?

 

Sincerely,

 

Kenshin

 

With her response send, Kenshin turned back to her guest. “I apologize for the distraction,” Kenshin said. “It seems that something has come up and one of the Queens requested my aid. I hope you can understand that this is a matter I can’t delay. Still, even if I can’t stay with you, my abode is still open for you. You were searching for a bed were you not?”

 

Truth be told, offering her a chance to lay down in her bed was mostly to make up for simply stopping their conversation, which she normally would consider as a break of her responsibility as a host, and not because she had much care for the princess’ well-being but even if she wasn’t pleased at the thought of having her bubble around even more in her house and without supervision there wasn’t much damage she could actually do. The only things she cared for in this shell of a house were the ones she made herself and replacing them would be easy enough.

[The Swan Dragon he/him]

[insert ThunderSpear image here]

 

 

Whoa. I guess they didn't lie about how big that bubble was. ThunderSpear thought to himself, resting his spear on the ground. I'll try the checkpoint--certainly easier. He could see the rain within the city, and gloried in it. Almost there.

 

As he approached, ThunderSpear could see a small crowd of people waiting on the road outside of the bubble. Hmph. A line? Pathetic.

 

"...dropped in 10 ten minutes!" a voice called out.

 

Reaching the checkpoint, he pressed his hand to the bubble, channeling a burst of electricity into it, with barely a fizzle. Satisfied, he walked back over to the road. "Well? Are you going to let me in yet?"

 

A young man, clearly a weak epic, waited for him. "Sorry, but you have to answer a few questions first."

 

ThunderSpear rolled his eyes, twirling his spear. "Whatever. But make them fast."

 

"Do you mind being recorded?" the man asked.

 

"Sure." ThunderSpear sighed, leaning on his spear.

 

"I have to ask; are you an Epic?"

 

"Duh."

 

"Name?"

 

"ThunderSpear."

 

"Pre-Epic name?"

 

"Arge."

 

"Full pre-Epic name?"

 

ThunderSpear glared at him, his eyes boring into the far weaker epic.

 

"Uh...nevermind. What powers do you have?"

 

In response, ThunderSpear pointed off to the side, into the group of epics waiting behind him, and a blast of lightning shot out, ripping most of them apart, except for an epic who had some sort of blast resistance, though the shrapnel from other people still hurt him.

 

"Anything else?"

 

"Do I need anything else?"

 

"I guess not." the man said with a grin, betting on that being a joke. "Now...what is your weakness?"

 

"Pencils."

 

"Really? Most people don't actually answer that."

 

"Well, duh. Though I'd like to see you try to stab my armpit with a pencil."

 

"Alright...and last question. Would you be willing to work for the government?"

 

"I'm not planning on staying for very long. I'll help as long as it suits me."

 

"Alright. And our leader would like me to pass on that she doesn't like potential candidates being blown up."

 

"Whatever." ThunderSpear said, walking past where the bubble had been as it shimmered away.

Edited February 10, 2016 by Weirdpersonx

[18th Shard he/him]

Jumpdrive dodged another ghoul. These things were menaces. He heard Buttercup’s less than calm entry into the building, then the faint sound of crying and things breaking. The last ghoul in this apartment died to the third bullet to the face. He’d only missed four times out of the past eight, so his marksmanship was clearly improving. Finally, the noise stifled. Buttercup’s voice rang out. “Tim, if you're telling the truth, then I'm truly sorry." Excellent blackmail material. Not that I ever would, but you know. It's the thought that counts. He probably had blackmail on all the Queens, but he wasn't stupid enough to try. His Firewall was good, but starvation would still probably kill him. He hadn't tried, seemed like bad for his health. “Jumpdrive?” He breathed in to call Buttercup, but at that moment, a ghoul burst in, followed closely by a companion. Their eyes practically shouted insanity as they paused, noticing him. Sparks. He fired the gun. Click. ‘You are out of ammunition,’ Locator said. Sparking sparks. “Buttercup! Here. Quick!”

 

The wall crumbled inward, the wood and drywall splintering and powdering around Her Majesty’s overly dramatic entrance. I did ask for it. Then he saw the bigger problem. The roof of the building, this floor’s ceiling, was not going to hold up. Before he could speak, Buttercup punched a ghoul into the exterior wall. The ceiling collapsed, pulling the outer wall down with it, probably a ton or so of bricks, wood, and concrete falling down. Jumpdrive instinctively threw his hands up as his Firewall shimmered green, debris becoming ones and zeroes. Then the furniture from above fell down, encasing him inside the debris pile. The floor beneath him collapsed, and he fell, stopping as his Firewall caught him, but debris piled around him. The Firewall only blocked things that would hurt him, so everything just around him continued to build and entrap him. Then, after what seemed minutes, but really just about thirteen seconds, the debris had settled mostly, much of the dust on top of him. He sneezed, then looked around. He had almost enough room to swing his arms, and dust and insulation trickled past the stove top that had landed on a broken support beam. The fridge and granite countertop of the family that lived upstairs had blocked him into a corner. Outside the mound of debris, he could hear Buttercup killing a few more zombie citizens.

‘She sounds occupied and you can't push your way out. Recommended course of action is to sit until she finishes. Cleanup teams are sure to find you,’ Locator’s calm voice suggested. “That’s … boring. I just have to find - there.” The broken beam on which the stove had landed was jagged. Jumpdrive threw himself toward the point, as if he was going to impale himself. His Firewall activated, beam vanishing. The stove fell and was also absorbed into the data streaming around him. A few more bricks and bits of the room fell into the glowing green field, but Jumpdrive ignored them. He stepped through the hole. Buttercup crouched just outside, the last ghoul flying up from a kick. “My Queen,” he said. “Thank you for coming. I…  uh… had a few problems with catching them all, so that’s worked out well, I guess.” Now that the adrenaline was starting to drain out, Jumpdrive felt a little queasy looking at all the blood and broken bodies around the building. And the smell.  Authors never mention how disgusting this is, he thought. “I think the Epic that caused this is gone, was gone before we even got here. I need to get back to the library and check some data feeds, change clothes, maybe have Michael check me for shock. Which is assuming he’s alive. I need to find that out, he was figuring out how to arrange the cameras downtown and I can't do that myself. Too much work. I’m rambling, aren't I? Probably stress induced, might be diversionary subconsciously to help ignore the blood. Sorry, I will get going then.” Jumpdrive started toward the library. Should I have bowed, or shook hands? Hers were kind of bloody, though. That seemed like an abrupt ending, hope she didn't think it was rude.

[The Swan Dragon he/him]

[insert ThunderSpear Picture Here]

 

Well, this place sure is big, ThunderSpear thought to himself. And that means plenty of stuff to find.

 

A large bridge seemed to rear out of the mist, and ThunderSpear checked his map.

 

Hmm...Harrison street bridge. Something big happened pretty recently here...probably epics fighting.

 

ThunderSpear continued on, wandering the streets of Corvallis.

 

After around an hour or so, he came across an elegant mansion.

 

Hmmm...Drainer? ThunderSpear snorted. Creative issues, much? Let's see what this rich dolt has.

 

ThunderSpear walked up, blasting the door when it refused to open.

 

Oo-la-la! Is that a library?! Oooh! And a sword!

 

ThunderSpear grabbed the sword, looking over it carefully, then with barely a tap broke it over his knee. Dang, with this much money you would think he'd have decent swords. Hopefully his library actually has something better than picture books.

 

On his way to the library, ThunderSpear saw something that instantly caught his eye--a diamond jewelry set.

 

Now that will go well with my spear, he thought to himself, grabbing a bracelet and slipping it over the shaft of his spear, sliding it up almost all the way. Perfect!

 

Satisfied, ThunderSpear walked out, in search of more to catch his eye.

[Blackhoof]

 

 

 

Iconoclast hummed quietly to himself as he stabbed clawed fingertips into his arm, drawing out copious amounts of blood. As he moved his hand to the wall, his fingertips morphed, becoming rounded once more, much more effective for the job he was using them for now. Writing.

 

In broad, messy strokes, he drew his own blood over and over, healing in seconds, but his blood remaining, until his scarlet message was displayed prominently on the wall, facing the front door. 

 

ICONOCLAST SAYS HELLO

 

He nodded in satisfaction, and licked the leftover blood off of his finger. Behind him, Slaughterine stood, an expression of disgust on her face. "Was that... really necessary? I mean.... I just had this wall painted...."

Iconoclast grinned at her. "My dear, of course it was necessary. This lets Rainmaker and Buttercup know my name. And I cannot bear to contend with someone who does not know my name. Who can imagine what they might be calling me? Do you think I have a codename? Or am I just "that Epic" to them? Well.... now they know."

 

Slaughterine did not look convinced, but she nodded all the same. "I... see. Can we go now? Surely the security forces have caught one of the humans by now, they will be coming here shortly." Iconoclast shook his head.

"No, no, not juuuuust yet. There is one more thing we need to do."

 

The elegant woman sighed and followed him and he briskly walked into the lounge-room. Staked to the wall through the leg on the opposite side was a ravening ghoul, who had recently been one of Slaughterine's favourite slaves. She frowned as Iconoclast approached the ghoul. "You owe me more servants. Pretty ones." Iconoclast stopped by the ghoul, and tsked. 

"No my lady, you have it all wrong! When we are done, you will be taking your own servants. They are not mine to gift.... but yours to take."

 

Slaughterine appreciated this, as Iconoclast reached out and casually broke the ghoul's neck. Her brow furrowed, "what was that for?"

"She needs to be dead, for my trick to work".

"What trick? You are being annoying."

"This trick, my friend. Get one of your dresses." Slaughterine rolled her eyes and scurried away. She returned quickly with a beautiful gown, embroidered and sequinned. Iconoclast nodded, and ripped the stake out of the ghoul, dropping it to the ground. "Now, dress up this ghoul. We are going to fake your death."

Slaughterine looked quizzical. "Will that work?"

"Most likely."

 

She shrugged and obeyed. When she was finished, Iconoclast knelt down, and began ripping into the ghoul, disfiguring its face and covering it in blood. With her hair and rough facial features similar to Slaughterine, it was a convincing trick. 

 

"And now my friend, let us go." Slaughterine nodded, and eagerly followed her ally out into the Corvallis streets.

[Comatose he/him]

 

Karima Foster studied her tray of appetizers with a critical eye.  Did that cucumber sandwich have an uneven edge?  Did that cube of glazed avocado have a bad spot?  Once she ascertained that the assorted delicacies were properly groomed and arranged, Karima removed her apron and untied her hair, running her fingers through the long dark waves until they were arranged to her liking.  Once her hair was in place, she took the bejeweled headdress from it's spot on the counter and placed it delicately on her head, completing the ensemble.  The ornate headdress matched her outfit, a sequined ensemble with a pristine white cape that would create shimmering rainbows when her skin glowed.  Karmia smiled at her reflection, trying to ignore the slight wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and around her mouth that were peeking out from behind her concealer.  

 

Her husband and his guest did not look up as she swept into the sitting room, despite her glimmering skin and impressive outfit.  Karima set her tray on the coffee table and sat down next to her husband, back straight and legs crossed primly at the ankles.  Her husband's guest, Karima's father, was wearing one of the expensive suits he chose when visiting his American business associates, instead of the more traditional garb he wore when dining with Saudi Arabian princes and politicians.  Karima watched with rapt attention as her father reached towards her tray.  His speech did not waver, but Karima did not hear his words, her thoughts consumed by the hand that hovered over the tray.  After what seemed like an eternity, his fingers darted down to pick  corner off of one of her perfect cucumber sandwiches.  He grimaced slightly as the tiny morsel touched his tongue, but did not stop talking until he paused to take a sip from his glass of bourbon.  

 

"Your wife is very beautiful, Congressman Foster.  I hope that her appearance compensates for her ineptitude as a hostess."  Karima's husband frowned, and then turned to stare at her.  

 

"What are you wearing?"  

 

Karima fidgeted, the tight ostentatious costume suddenly growing uncomfortable.  "It's for my speech later, to impress the newcomers."  Her voice came out as little more than a whisper.   Her husband's bright blue eyes twinkled with callous amusement and he let out a cold bark of laughter.  On the other side of the room, her father remained silent, but Karima could feel his cool, calculating gaze assessing her worth with unfeeling precision.  

 

"Now I've gone and upset you, haven't I?"  The voice that had been so cruel moments before bloomed with sudden warmth and affection.  "Darling, you know I didn't mean anything by it.  Let's not be cross with each other."  Karima relaxed slightly as her husband gave her knee a familiar squeeze.  Her moment of gratification quickly turned to terror as her husband's hand melted.

 

"Come now darling, let's kiss and make up, shall we?"  As he spoke, Karima watched with horror as his face began to melt as well.  His bright eyes and gleaming white teeth were quickly lost as his entire body blackened and liquefied.  Karima sat there, frozen, as her outfit and the sofa were stained black with oil.  Then, the sofa too began to dissolve, and with it, the entire room.  Karima thrashed in place, desperately trying to escape, or at least to keep her head above the rising tide of oil.  

 

Her father, standing on what seemed to be an island within the sea of oil, clucked his tongue.  "Such a waste," he said with a heavy sigh.  He seemed to be glowing slightly, lit from within by a fiery red light.  "But, sacrifices must be made."  

 

Karima opened her mouth to scream, but oil filled it instead.  

 

Brilliant lightning flashed across the dismal grey sky, accompanied by a powerful rumble of thunder as Rainmaker sat upright in bed.  She was panting and covered with a cold sweat.  

 

It was just a dream.  You have nothing to fear.  He cannot hurt you any more.  Once she had composed herself, Rainmaker rang the bell next to her bed, summoning a servant to her chambers.  The servant arrived, a concerned expression marring her normally placid smiling face.  No doubt Rainmaker had been screaming in her sleep, but her servants knew not to disturb her until they were summoned.  She could not help what they heard while she was sleeping, but at least she could avoid letting her slaves see their ruler shaking in terror.  

 

"Shall we start dressing you, Shining One?  Or would you like reports from your staff first?"  

 

Rainmaker shook her head, answering the slave's question in the negative while clearing the last of the mist from her mind.  "Neither.  Send for my masseuse.  I'll need a massage and a good long bath before I can even begin to deal with how incompetent everyone is being today."

[Blaze1616 he/him]

 

"Jumpdrive?!"

 

Her voice echoed in the hall for the briefest of moments before a small crashing sound, followed by the Epic's voice crying out, "Buttercup! Here. Quick!"

 

The noise had come from the next room over. Her eyes darted down the hall to find the door a good 20 feet away. That'll take too long. She turned her head to look at the wall directly in front of her, and sucked in air.

 

She burst forward, crashing in, and then through, the wall. She could feel the wall give way as she passed through, but she also slammed through something a bit more sturdy. Sparks, she thought as she took out the support beam, That is not going to end well. 

 

Mid jump, fully through the wall, Buttercup opened her eyes, dust and wood filling the air, and two ghouls were gearing up to attack Jumpdrive. Making use of her momentum, she kept her flight alive until her fist rocketed into a ghoul, its skull crunching as its body soared into the opposite wall, blasting through it. Buttercup's eyes immediately fell on the missing support beam that the thing had no doubt taken out. "Now that's just bad-"

 

The ceiling collapsed. She glanced over to Jumpdrive as his Prime Invincibility activated. How she wished she had received one of those. Alas, she had not, and so she threw herself to the ground, covering her head and heart as best she could with her body. She could heal from anything other than a fatal injury to her heart or brain.

 

It all happened in the span of only a few seconds, and the moment Buttercup stopped feeling the weight of new objects landing on her, she burst up from her prone position. A sharp twinge brought her attention to a piece of wood impaling her right leg. Grimacing, she yanked it out, holding the bloody thing as she noticed the other ghoul dead beneath the rubble. Turning to look to Jumpdrive, she noticed a large hole in the floor.

 

Flying down, she couldn't see the Epic, but did see another few ghouls approaching the wreckage. Setting to work, dispatching them was quick. As she planted her foot in the last one's jaw, movement behind her notified her of Jumpdrive's presence. She opened her mouth to apologize for the ceiling collapsing, but the man was blabbering. Something about a man named Michael, then a library, and then Jumpdrive just started walking away. Buttercup just watched him walk away for a brief moment. "No...problem?" she said to no one in particular before notifying some of the security force of the conflict, then taking flight. 

 

Checking for messages from Broadcast during the trip, she saw that Kenshin had agreed to help. Good. The flight didn't take long, and as Buttercup landed she noted how the mess from that morning was essentially nonexistent, most of the security force gone, leaving GOOD's helpers to their cleaning. Further inspection showed that GOOD herself was not around. Buttercup let out a sigh of relief as she approached Kenshin's home, knocking on the front door.

[Clockwork he/him]

Chasmfiend sat bolt upright just as thunder crashed, covered in cold sweat, and looked at the clock to his left. 2:48.
And felt a sword stab straight through his side.

 

He cursed, and looked over. There was a vanilla standing a few feet to his right. It had a strange stance, more beastial than human. He pulled the sword out of his side, grabbed the vanilla by the neck, lifted it up, and rammed the sword up through its stomach into its head.

 

He then looked out the window, and saw the corpse of his beast. A vanilla was on top of it. It sprinted forward, but Chasmfiend cut it in half with the sword. Why are they attacking me? And why do they look... demented... Three more broke through the door. He kicked on into the wall, breaking it's spine, then crushed the other two's heads. He finally checked the clock again. 3:02... 3:03. Good... Have at them, Gemheart. He heard a sound like screeching metal, then one that sounded like loud thunder. Gemheart was back. Nice to have you. Kill the Demented. Then come to the center, Corvallis. It's not far, and  I'll be there. If I can't sleep, then I'll work. If they have anything for me to do. As he walked out his door, the beast was being barraged by several Demented and Epics, who obviously were scared of him.

 

"Sir! Sir! Help!" A lower Epic rushed forward.

 

"Why would I help you?" He replied. He couldn't fathom helping those he didn't need to, not without a reward.

 

"B-because the vanillas... they're attacking!!"

 

"So I noticed. Ok, I will." He turned as if to kill the Demented, by swiftly turned back and cut the Epic's legs off with the sword that had once, not long ago, been hanging on his wall. "You no longer have to run from them. After all... you can't." He went back to walk while calling back, "Don't get in my way!"

[Elithanathile he/him]

 

I stepped out into thin air from a window of void, through which was what seemed to be the kind of throne room that you would find in an evil villains lair. Which it was in a way, but we were the good guys here. Right, anyway, I'd just stepped out of a portal I'd placed earlier that day while walking through the city. It was about five miles above a certain abandoned apartment building that the evil epic killers were rumored to be hiding in; plotting something dastardly, like taking over the city. And since the rumors were from Seef, they were always correct.

Falchion had been here a while, and he happened to like the city. Nobody made fun of his swords after the first dozen people he'd punished for it. He certainly wasn't going to let the city get taken over by any evil masterminds. Besides Seef. He was an evil mastermind on Falchion's team, so it was all okay. Oh wait, scratch that, a good mastermind on Falchion's team. There, much better. Back to falling to my death. Or at least something that would be death if I wasn't the coolest epic ever. Which I was. So no worries there.

I canceled out the portals I'd used to get here, as I had no use for them anymore, and concentrated of falling to my awesomeness. As opposed to death, which I'd already used. Variety is the spice of everything after all. I relaxed and decided to wait. I loved skydiving, as the wind swept past me at what seemed to be the speed of sound, watching everything slowly growing larger, as I prepared for my entrance. As I neared the roof, I righted myself in midair, waited a few seconds, and then threw my arms out to the sides in a dramatic gesture. I was absorbed into a portal which opened beneath my feet, and which redirected me at an upwards angle slightly closer to the ground. As I sailed higher, gravity began to take control after a while, but I still had plenty of momentum, and created a maze of portals that redirected me every which way in a pattern, but to bystanders, it would look like it was at random. After my momentum had slowed down, I removed the portals except one beneath me, and linked it to a portal that was about ten feet above the roof of the building. I dropped through, and quickly reached into my jeans pockets with my hands, pulling them out to land in a crouch on the roof with my hands touching. The impact didn't hurt, as a portal had popped up beneath me and taken the brunt of the damage, but it was enough to disperse the chalk dust I'd held in my hands across the roof in a billowing white cloud. I had no doubt I looked awesome right then.

Sadly, it seemed there was nobody to see it. On top of a random abandoned apartment building in the middle of town, during midnight. I'd have to talk to some later, and tell more vanillas to hang out on roofs just in case I happened to skydive onto them. Hopefully this group of wannabe villains at least had some cameras up here. I would probably ask for the footage. I'd never actually been able to see how my entrance actually looked from someone else's perspective, and this would be a good opportunity. I wiped the chalk dust on my hands onto my jeans, and walked to the door leading from the roof, opening it with a bang.

***

That lasted all of about two seconds, as gunfire ripped up the stairwell towards me. I guess this meant they had cameras. I whipped out twin butterfly swords, Mors and Thanatos, and deflected a couple of the bullets, the impact pushing against my arms, but not enough to reduce my performance. This was mostly a mixture of luck and guessing where they'd shoot. I'd gotten shot at by machines for months to figure out how to do this, even if it was mainly just for how cool it looked. The trick mostly relied on moving my swords to where I was being shot, just in time to deflect or redirect the bullet, shifting it's vector to somewhere else. I'd heard of people slicing bullets in half with the blade, but then you just have two sections of metal moving at you at high speeds, and that seems like a step down to me. The remainder of the bullets that I couldn't divert were sucked into the miniature portals that popped up in front of me, absorbing the projectiles. The gunfire stopped, and I heard cursing from farther down the stairwell, but it was still dark enough that I couldn't make much out. I used a portal to redirect moonlight downwards, as I sheathed my swords, now with a few choice dents in them, before almost lazily pulling out and throwing a kunai at top speed towards the wall. Lazily. Cool people can do that. It never reached the wall though, as it found its way to a portal recently spawned there, which spat it out at the bottom, past a corner I couldn't see. This was followed by a *sthunk* sound, some gurgling, and the audible sound of a dead body falling down about three flights of steps. And if whoever it was wasn't dead by the kunai, they certainly would be by the time they reached the bottom. I heard someone scream “Thomas!” and run down the steps, followed by another set of footsteps. I waited for them to finish leaving, and then reached over and flicked on the light switch, which proceeded to illuminate the stairwell in a flickering florescent light, which also showed some red splotches on one wall of it. I continued downwards.

 

***

This time, I was able to make it all the way down to a landing on the seventh floor, to where streaks of blood ran down the floor of the hall as if a dead body had been dragged. Which it had. They hadn't even left the kunai. How rude. I would want that back at some point. Hopefully they would say something like 'over my dead body!' and I could do exactly that. Usually when that happened, it was some hero protecting something, but here, they were the villains, and I was getting something. So I mostly wanted them to say it for the irony of it all.

I sighed and followed the all too obvious trail, trying to resist the impulse to pull out a magnifying glass and act like a detective looking for clues. The only reason I didn't was that I didn't have one. Maybe I should start carrying one. I'll have to add that to the list of props to bring, including sunglasses, a crown, and a walking cane. I'd look like the king of old detective spies. Which actually sounds pretty cool, now that I think about it. Hmmm... I continued down the hall, reaching a door that the trail led to. It was locked, and the trail seemed to stop there. How odd. What could have happened to it? Usually, trails only stopped when there was water to lose footprints or a scent. But judging by my amazing detective skills, the body was... right behind this door!

I forwent the handle, and just kicked the whole door in. Being a hero was nice. I got to kick in doors, and somebody else got to pay for them! Or not, as this building was technically abandoned. I faced the room, and began my speech. “Halt! Accept you were in the wrong, and promise to stop destroying this city! Then I will give you the punishment you deserve. Your antics are disturbing the citizens peace and-” I noticed that I was talking to an empty room. Besides the dead body in the corner, but those tend not to count. It's annoying when that happens. I decided to erase that footage when I found it. Nobody needed to know about this. I noticed an open window, and leaned out, looking down just to almost get a bullet to the face from the people actually climbing down the side. The bullet was absorbed by a portal that automatically popped up, but it still blocked my vision. I pulled myself back into the room, and backed up a couple steps. I drew a pair of Sai this time, held them in a reverse grip, and then ran and jumped out the window. This should be fun.

***

I'd heard about someone dropping out of a helicopter to kill someone before, but this was the closest I could get to it for now. I'd have to find a helicopter first, not to mention someone to kill. That last one should be easy though. As I dropped out, I ignored the bullets going over my head, as I heard a gasp from the would be escapees. I fell next to one of them, and swept my blades sharply across my body, trisecting one of the climbers, before falling too fast to catch the other one. I heard another scream from the one surviving one. This group wasn't very professional, was it. I mean, you just don't scream every time someone dies. It's bad form, and really annoys whoever is trying to kill you. In this case me. I actually wished I'd killed the screamer first, as it would have made this job a lot easier in my opinion.

As I dropped to the earth, I created a portal that linked to another one on a building adjacent to this one. I dropped through headfirst, now aimed like a torpedo of awesomeness at the remaining resistance member. This time, I was able to stab her in the back while she looked down at the ground. Yes, it was female. I'd figured that much out from the screams. Boys yelled, girls screamed. Okay, fine. Boys occasionally screamed too. Often when I was killing them, but usually, it was the girls screaming. She gasped, which was only marginally better than a scream, coming from her, and let go, falling to the ground in a heap of internal bleeding and broken bones. I dropped next to her, my portal absorbing the damage, and watched as she tried to struggle up through the pain. She didn't quite make it, and settled for trying to pull a gun on me with her remaining good arm. My Sai quickly pinned that arm to the ground, the pain making her release the gun as she screamed. Not that I cared either way, really, as it couldn't hurt me. It just seemed irresponsible to let someone like this hold a gun. They might try shooting some civilians or something! Madmen, every one. That's what they were. After all, they had to be to try and kill me.

With her last breath, she tried to act defiant, but it's hard to do that while crying so hard you can barely speak. As she tried, I heard three dull thumps and some squishy sounds as something fell to the ground behind me. Her eyes widened, and she finally managed to speak. “At least... our sacrifice... will leave... your friend... dead!” She snarled. Which is very hard to do through all that pain, and I mentally applauded her for managing it.

I cocked my head to the side in mild confusion. “You mean Seef?” She looked confused. I clarified for her ignorance. “Seef. CF. Cannon Fodder. You guys were aiming for him right? And you guys were the distraction so I was out of the base while you took him out.” I shook my head sadly. “I almost pity your friends. They have no idea who they are dealing with.” I leaned in conspiratorially. “He's kinda twisted. And cruel. He enjoys playing with his food.” I winked at her. “But don't worry, he's on my team, so he's a good guy. And don't worry, you'll be joining them soon.” I dropped a small package from my belt, and it started beeping softly. Her eyes grew wide with horror, as she realized what it was. I grinned jovially at her. “Don't worry, I won't let you die like that!” Thanatos took her to the afterlife. I flicked the blade to the right in a sharp motion to clean the blade, sheathed him, and started to walk through a newly conjured portal back to the lair. “After all, I'm the good guy here.” Soon after I left, the bomb went off, and the city was missing yet another block of housing. Someone should probably fix that.

***

An hour later, I realized, “Sparks! I forgot the footage!” I hope nobody ever sees that. I also forgot my Kunai, but in my defense, I was busy falling out of windows, killing people, blowing up buildings, and in general, being awesome.

 

Edited for pic and to fix canon-y issues.

 

Edited again for there to be a need for less bullet-deflecting in the post.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Bridge Boy

[Paranoid King he/him]

Backstory stuff:

Ketchum, Idaho, 1 year ago:

“We sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course it is. I always have good ideas.”

“We decided two weeks back that we'd be making a run on his base. He's an easy target, and he undoubtedly knows Falchion's weakness.”

The team of four lay concealed on a small hill overlooking Cannon Fodder's base. From their position, they could see where two guards stood outside the main door.

Nick, the team leader, made up his mind. “If you don't want to come, we can go without you. This is an in-and out operation.”

Without waiting for an answer, he stood, readying a blowgun. Placing it to his mouth, he puffed sharply, and a small dart flew towards the guard on the right. The guard stood, looking perplexed for a moment, then puffed into light smoke, which immediately dissipated. The other guard whipped a small handgun from his side and began firing on their position. One blowdart later, that guard was down too.

“See? Easy. Now are you coming or not?”

“I don't know. They look like they could deal quite a bit of damage before they go down.”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Nick started down the slope. He had hardly taken two steps before a hand caught him by the arm.

“I didn't say I wasn't coming, did I?”

Nick smiled.

***

Outside the Main door, the group halted. Nick pulled a small pin from his pocket. “Now is as good a time to test as any.” He stuck himself in the finger with his pin and a small drop of blood oozed out. He looked around to see the others doing the same.

“I hate doing this,” complained Emma. “Ow.”

“It is not as bad as it could be,” suggested Greg. “Only a drop of blood needs to come out to prove you human. Ha, before you joined, one epic made us chop off hands at the wrist.”

“WHAT?”

“Ha, I kid.”

Nick rolled his eyes, gesturing for silence as he lead the group within the building. The corridors were dimly lit, and pipes protruded from the walls, leaving them with an ominous feel. Consulting his map, he led the team down the first passage on the right, then reached for a large wooden door. Just before he touched it, he heard voices conversing on the other side. Ducking into a depression left by the pipes, he gestured for the others to do the same. Two guards emerged, passing by the team hidden in the shadows. Nick readied his knife, stabbing one of the guards as Greg did the same to the one on the other side. They froze for a moment, then simultaneously said “Poof,” and dissolved into smoke. Drawing his blowgun, Nick dove into the room.

***

The room was impressively large for being built underground. Unlike the rest of the complex, it was brightly lit. On the far side sat a fancy stone throne with a dozen guards surrounding it. A figure sat in the chair. Nick readied his blowgun as the others pulled out their ranged weapons of choice. In less than 30 seconds, all the guards were down. Striding closer to the throne, Nick called out to the figure.

“Your game is up. You have no prime invincibilities, and no guards. You have no advantages over us. Give us the information we need, or you will die.”

Without moving, the man responded. “Not to be contrary,” Iron bars slammed down over the door they had entered through. “But I believe that you have walked right into my trap.”

Without hesitating, Nick leapt forward and slashed at the man. Or rather, at the manequin sitting where the man should have. A loudspeaker underneath the chair laughed, and Nick retreated to the rest of his group. “He's working with Falchion. Look for a portal!” Scanning the room, he heard Amos call that he had found something. In the ceiling was a small dark oval. Grabbing the handgun from Amos, Nick emptied the chamber into the portal and was rewarded with cries of pain from the loudspeaker. In a moment, a voice dripping with sarcasm was heard.

“Ow, you hit me in the eye. Good thing I have regeneration and super strength. A minion will come to relieve you of your weapons in a moment. If you submit quietly, you will not be harmed.”

 

Cannon Fodder returned to his seat, which was now a bit more chipped than he would like. Honestly. Had they not thought that he would see them readying the gun at him? So predictable. White smoke coalesced next to him, forming into a figure wearing a doctor's coat and carrying a small rubber mallet. “Enter room 17, Attack Leader,” he instructed it, gesturing towards two posters on the wall, one with a map of the complex and another with labelled pictures of the group members. The figure came to life, marching out of the room. It likely wouldn't do any damage to the group, but it would distract them long enough for his mole to update the group's status. He could imagine it now: “Trapped in Cannon Fodder's Lair. He is so awesome. We can't beat him. Situation is dire.”

Other epics mostly seemed to care about terrorizing vanillas. He didn't have that addiction, likely due to the minions he could create and destroy at any time. Even though he could only give them five words of instruction, they were surprisingly versatile. No, his goal was the challenge. The thrill of outsmarting others.

A portal activated on the wall behind him, and an epic stepped through it.

“Back from your mission already, Falchion?”

“I see you finally convinced a group to invade. Was it as satisfying as you hoped?”

“So-so. They moved exactly as planned. I had hoped for a few more bursts of improvisation. They were barely equipped, and they didn't go down a single side corridor. I need to find a more confident group.”

“I'm not sure you'll find anything like that from vanillas.”

“What are you suggesting? That I go up against a group of epics? Unlike you, I have no prime invincibilities.”

“Many epics do very well without invincibilities. Oregon has entire cities full of them.”

“Is that so? Then I suppose you are up to the task of picking out a suitable city in Oregon for me to move into?”

“We're . . . Moving?”

“This fortress is more like a bunker than a castle, don't you think? I've always wanted a castle. Preferably one that will crumble to rubble if I die.”

“...I take it that means yes? Sweet. More people to share the glory of myself with! I can't wait to see some action.”

“Then it's settled. You infiltrate the city of your choice, I'll have 50 minions ready to move through and fortify your position. I'll see if I can find a suitable earth epic to lay the foundation for my castle. If all goes well, I'll be along in half a week.”

“And that group down there?”

Cannon Fodder turned back to the viewscreen to see the group hiding next to the barred door. He hit a button in his control panel, and the bars lifted. His minion charged in and was immediately turned to smoke. So much for that. The adventurers dashed out the door, waving their weapons wildly.

“Them? Assuming your mission went as planned, they'll have a nasty surprise waiting for them when they return to their base.”

Walking over to another of the portals he used as cameras, he watched them charge through the wrong corridor, triggering a trapdoor which dropped them into a pit filled with minions.

“Or at least, where their base used to be.”

Falchion pulled out some sunglasses, trying to look cool, while Cannon Fodder settled for an evil smile.

 

Edit: Fixed time

Edited March 11, 2016 by Paranoid King

[Vikro he/him]

Pillowfight floated through the forests of Oregon on his way to the city of Corvallis, enjoying the fresh air while riding on his real sized panda pillow pet. This is much better than Los Angeles. Maybe I should just stay out here. But no, he couldn't do that. He needed to find a new mom. After having one for his entire life, it was weird to be alone. Besides, he's barely been able to get any food while traveling, living off of what he'd been able to beg off of passing normals, and he had had to pretend to be normal to get that much. He’d learned that early on, after a group of normals attacked him after finding out he was special. Some people just didn't understand what it was like to be special.
He continued towards Corvallis, but he stopped when he heard a branch snap. He looked down and saw a small group of three kids. They glared at him.
“Hey!” They shouted at him. “Are you an Epic!?”
Pillowfight became slightly puzzled. Had his mom called him that before?
“I think so.” He hesitatingly replied, still not sure what an Epic was. The kids glared harder at his response. Looking at each other, they nodded.
“For our parents!” They shouted, drawing knives and charging at Pillowfight.
Pillowfight floated a bit higher, out of their range, making the kids frustrated. He was going to respond when one of the kids threw a knife at him. Barely avoiding it, he became angry.
“I don't know what your problem is, but you're going to pay!”
Pillowfight quickly flew over to a tree and touched it, turning it into a giant alligator pillow pet. The kids faces barely had time to smile before the pillow smashed into one of them, slamming the boy into a tree. Pillowfight withdrew the pillow, and the young boy’s friends could see their lifeless friends body lying on the ground, his spine broken.
They began to run in terror, but Pillowfight didn’t let them escape, quickly finishing the other two as he had the first. He looked at the bodies.
“And that, is why you don’t mess with special people.”
Turning around, he continued towards Corvallis and the mother he knew was waiting there. Edited March 8, 2016 by Vikro

[Mestiv he/him]

 

Summer sat on a bench in Argon's garden with a black kitten on her lap. It purred quietly as she stroke it's back, still waiting for the Epic to arrive. Suddenly, the phone she received from Drainer ringed, making the kitten jump up in fear and run to hide under a shrubbery. Summer get a little scared by the signal too, she wasn't used to using mobile phones as she didn't have one, just like most of non-Epic population of Corvallis.

 

"Hello?" she said, holding up the device and hoping she answered the call correctly.

 

"Summer! When you were leaving my house, did you see anyone suspicious?!" Drainer's voice was so loud it caused her to flinch.

 

"I'm sorry sir, but I didn't see anyone... Did something happen?" she asked, glad that she didn't have to be anywhere near her master at the moment. 

 

"Yes! Something happened! Someone broke the door to my house, broke a sword from my collection like if it was a wooden stick and took the diamond bracelet from it's display in the library! I swear, if I get my hands on that insolent bastard I'll..." the rant went on, while Summer tried to recall if she saw anyone suspicious on her way, but she couldn't remember anyone who looked like an Epic... After all it was obvious it was another Epics doing, no Vanilla would be stupid enough to steal in Corvallis. "...and then he'll be sorry he came to this town!" the monologue came to an end and Drainer stopped to catch his breath. Summer waited patiently, not sure if the conversation was over or not.

 

"So, anyway, did you find the house you were supposed to? Did you see Argon?" he regained his composure.

 

"I've found the place, sir, but Argon is not here. Other servants are still waiting for him. I guess he must have got lost or something..."

 

"Hmpf, what an idiot! He can't find the way to his home... All right, stay there and let me know as soon as you'll be able to take a photo of him. After that wait for further instructions." after those words he hang up, not waiting for any response.

 

"Ha! Suit you well, you slontze! Hope this thief takes all your stupid precious toys!" Summer hissed after making sure her mobile terminated the connection. She put the device back in her pocket and looked around to find the kitten she was playing with. She found it playing with some leaves near her bench. "Now, what shall I call you, little one? How about.... Henry?"

[TheSilverDragon he/him]

 

For quite a while, Converter had sat in her small prison, chained to the ground, patiently waiting for something to happen. Well, not that patiently. To pass the time, Converter created an electrical potential between her hands, and then discharging it, imagining that the space between her hands where the lightning arced was Rainmaker’s head. Sparking Rainmaker, leaving me here like this. When I get my hands on that idiot of an Epic... she let that thought trail off, dreaming of all the way she could slowly mutilate and kill Rainmaker. Decapitation, drawn and quartering, burning, electrocution, suffocation, exsanguination, Converter had so many options at her disposal.

 

From what Converter could gather her prison was made out of metallic sheets bolted together with snow and ice wedged between them which made with for some amazing insulating. The insulation would have been nice, except for the fact that it was so sparking cold in there. To counter this, Converter made an insulating barrier around herself by absorbing the kinetic energy of the air, locking them in place. This meant that Converter was stuck in one position, and even the most comfortablest positions can get uncomfortable rather quickly is held for a prolonged amount of time.

 

After about six hours, Converter began to get extremely annoyed. She couldn’t get enough energy to do anything useful, and it was sparking annoying. Also, there was no food, which made Converter extremely hungry.  They dare lock me up! She thought angrily. The pathetic Epics, they should fight me, not lock me up and starve me to death.

 

Converter released her barrier of air and stood up, her chains rattling, and she looked up to the small slit in her prison where the her minders looked in occasionally. The frozen air making it hard to breath.

 

“Cowards!” she yelled. “You claim to be Epic, but you act like a normal.” As she taunted the guards, she absorbed the heat from her chains, what little was left, causing bit of frost to form on the already cold metal.

 

Converter waited a  while, listening for the shouts of outrage from the guards. Absolute silence fell on her ears. Not a single sound. The  guards were sparking ignoring her.

 

They dare ignore me, she thought angrily, electricity arcing along the chains as her anger let loose the energy she was storing. I, Converter, the most powerful Epic, and they are ignoring me. Ignorant normals. Not worthy of the title Epic.She sat back down, chains rattling in a constant reminder of her position.

 

After her brief outburst, Converter sat in the middle of her now almost stifling iglue prison impatiently waiting for Rainmaker to come and challenge her. Converter’s wish was granted a few hours later, as she heard the muffled voice of Rainmaker.

 

“Met's gif mish omer wif muiffly, shall me?” What is she talking about? Converter wondered. Is Rainmaker finally going to fight me? Converter clambered to her feet, and faced the direction of the pathetic Epic's direction.

 

Converter stood there, getting ready to show the “Queen” her place, but nothing happened. Other than Rainmaker speaking a bit more, Converter could make it out, nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. Not even one insult from the fake Queen of Corvallis. This just shows the incompetence of Rainmaker.

 

After a couple minutes, Converter could faintly hear the sounds of someone leaving, and after that, silence. Even more silent than normal. It sounded like someone had put a large foam pad on top of her prison, putting even the steady sound of rain on the metal sheets. Odd, Converter thought, did they really think that a bit more insulation would help after cooling the whole place, fools.

 

She sat back down, since now it was obvious that Rainmaker was still too a coward to fight Converter . The chained Epic sat in board silence, kept frustratingly in her prison.

 

After a hour of sitting there, Converter started to notice that she was getting light headed. Sparking slontzes, as what Rainmaker was doing clicked. I hate that sparking Epic, and I will kill her. And with that final thought, Converter let all the energy she still had out in a small explosion, destroying her body.

Converter opened her eyes, and saw a very frightened little girl, looking at her with utter shock in her eyes.

Edited March 11, 2016 by TheSilverDragon

[Voidus]

Cornucopia wandered through one of the city gardens, this one was designed for pleasure rather than practicality, it's location near to Rainmaker had meant she could garden properly here without having to worry about whether a branch would be strong enough to support a canister of fuel. Here she had simply been allowed to create.

It was still nothing compared to the Arboretum but it was one of the little paradises she had created in the city proper, somewhere she could relax when circumstances kept her here.

Rainmaker it seemed had retired some time ago, which meant anything requiring her attention directly wasn't likely to arise but with these attacks she just couldn't be sure. And if there was one thing she loathed it was finally getting comfortable in the arboretum only then to have to immediately leave again.

A nearby rosebud seemed to wilt slightly as her emotions vented through her abilities but a quick glance at it restored it to proper blooming health.

A rush of footsteps sounded behind her as someone ran forwards before skidding to a halt on the gravel path.

"My lady-" A male voice began.

She didn't even bother turning around, simply cutting him off while she continued tending the garden.

"If you are here to simply give some news and leave then you can leave your information with someone else." She said. "Because the next person who interrupts me without a very good reason is going to find an elm tree where their larynx used to be."

The messenger paused, not willing to speak but he also didn't retreat.

She sighed as she continued to feel his presence tainting the garden.

"Leave the message with my attendant." She said, gesturing to a more well-dressed servant nearby. "She'll decide if I need to bother with it yet."

The feet snapped together briefly before walking towards her attendant and having a hushed conversation.

Cornucopia looked up at the sky, wondering how long this day would drag on. She sighed again, a rustling of leaves throughout the garden seeming to echo the sentiment.

[Comatose he/him]

 

Euphoria awoke from one nightmare and returned to the one she was currently living in.  Gingerly, she manouvered herself into a seated position, taking care not to aggravate the dozens of cuts and bruises Insight had afflicted her with the previous night.  "I don't want to kill you, Euphoria." Insight had said,  "I want to hurt you.  I want to hurt you really bad."  Euphoria shivered, more at the memory of the sound of his voice than at any of the pain he had afflicted her with.  The physical pain had been intense, but fleeting.  Her waking up alive meant that Insight wasn't done with her yet, and that thought was far more damaging than any physical hurt he could inflict on her.  

 

As she groggily blinked the sleep from her eyes, Euphoria finally began to assess her surroundings.  Someone, either Insight or an underlying, had replaced her tattered blazer with a large hooded sweatshirt.  The hood was pulled tight, leaving only Euphoria's eyes, nose, and mouth exposed, and she could feel the strings tied behind her neck.  The overly long sleeves of the garment were tied in knots, trapping her hands within.  Her wrists, she found, were tied behind her back, while her feet, stuffed into overly large wool socks, were also tied together with good quality rope.  

 

Insight's assault on her, both verbal and physical, and lasted for what seemed like hours before he allowed her to fall unconscious.  Euphoria wasn't sure how much time had passed, but in that time he had obviously moved her.  Wherever she was was pitch black, but the floor beneath her felt like dirt.  Was she underground?  It was difficult to tell. She had managed to sit up without too much trouble, but that seemed to be the extent of her range before her movement was halted by some other restraints.  Insight, it would seem, was not taking any chances.  

 

A shuffling sound came from nearby, and Euphoria fell over as she recoiled.  A light flickered on, temporarily blinding Euphoria, and then revealing an elderly Asian woman, staring at her with large frightened eyes.   

 

"Where am I?"  It appeared they were in some sort of rounded cave.  The chamber was vaguely egg shaped, and no matter how she turned Euphoria could not spot any entrances.  A small cot and an assortment of personal possessions, including a portable camping lamp, lay clustered on the far side of the chamber, behind the old woman.  "Who are you?"  

 

The woman's eyes widened slightly, and she began speaking rapidly in what sounded like Chinese.  After a few failed attempts to communicate, Euphoria fell silent.  Insight, it seemed, was too paranoid to sleep in her vicinity or to leave her unattended, but was taking no chances that she might turn his servants against him.  Euphoria was reasonably certain the woman must be an Epic of some sort, and confirmed it when her powers had no effect on her.  What were her powers, and were there reasons besides the obvious language barrier that Insight had chosen her to guard Euphoria?  

 

Once Euphoria quieted down, the woman seemed content to ignore her, though she did not go back to sleep.  Instead, she sat down on the cot and began to read a book by the light of the camping lamp.  How long had Insight kept this woman down here while he prepared this prison?  In the dim light, Euphoria could just barely make out a small shelf containing what looked like bathroom supplies next to a hole in the ground in the centre of the room, and a camping cooler and a large jug of water closer to the woman's sleeping area.  The floor of the room was not flat, but sloped, curving downwards to where the latrine was.  Euphoria was restrained to her side of the room by two ropes, one attached to the restraints around her hands, the other at her feet, which were fastened to tenting pegs in the ground.  Euphoria tried in vain to gain some leverage, but she could not maneuver enough to pull either peg out.  

 

Why even bother?  It seemed obvious that the cave, or whatever it was, was only accessible to an epic like Insight with the power to become intangible.  Even if she could escape her restraints, she would still be trapped, and even if she could somehow use her powers on the old woman, who knees if she could do anything to help.  For all Euphoria knew, the woman was as much a prisoner as she was.  A prisoner who obviously had instructions to keep an eye on her while pretending to ignore her if she caused any trouble.  

 

Euphoria breathed slowly in and out, trying to stop herself from panicking.  A tightness in her abdomen told her she would need to use the washroom soon.  She tried to inform her guard of the request, but the woman merely shouted something in her language and turned back to her book.  The latrine, it seemed, had not been dug for Euphoria to use.  Euphoria shook her head, trying not to think about what that would mean for her continued stay in her prison.  

 

I can't give up.  If she did nothing to help herself, that would just be letting Insight win.  There had to be a way out of this mess, she just needed to find it.  Hadn't she spent the last few years of her life imagining every possible thing that could go wrong for her?  While this specific scenario had never crossed her mind, she had thought about what she would do if kidnapped before.  She could use those pieces of plans--that preparation--to her advantage.  

 

Insight currently had all the power.  He knew what his plan was and Euphoria didn't, he could move freely while Euphoria was restrained, and he had the power to keep Euphoria restrained or to set her free.  What she needed was an angle or some sort of leverage she could use to change her position and create an opportunity to escape from Insight.  

 

He's scared of me.  The precautions he had put in place revealed that, no matter how in control of the situation he seemed, he was very paranoid that Euphoria would still find a way to get the better of him.  He also had a bigger plan for her, though she did not know if it had to do with his continued revenge or if he had something else in mind.  If she could figure out more about his motivations, perhaps she could find a way to manipulate him.  

 

Unfortunately, that also meant that she would have to wait for Insight to show up before she could acquire the information she needed to make more definitive plans.  At the same time, Euphoria could not help but feel a rising fear within her at the thought of her captor's return.  

[Edgedancer he/him]

Collab from Comatose, Blaze and Edgedancer

 

There wasn’t much preparation, if any, Kenshin had to make. Her powers would supply her with most anything she could need on this mission and she preferred the agility offered by moving only with light gear. Because of that there wasn’t much for Kenshin to actually do, as she awaited the arrival of Queen Buttercup.

 

For Calamity’s mercy it was only a short wait until she could hear a knock on her door, cutting time short enough that there was no need to further host the princess.

 

Kenshin promptly opened the door and did indeed find Queen Buttercup. “Welcome, Queen Buttercup,” Kenshin said with a polite nod. “Is there anything I can offer you before we head out? Although, I still have another… guest, so it may be best if we leave without disturbing her.”

 

“Now,” the Princess said aloud to her birds after Kenshin left to check on the door.  “Perhaps now I can get a start on that lovely little nap I’ve been looking forward to.  Do you think I’ll have sweet dreams?”  The birds chirruped in response, but deep inside the Princess knew they were lying, and that her dreams would be anything but sleep.  She did everything she could to make her days lovely and wonderful, and yet her nights continued to be haunted by the most frightening of nightmares.  

At the sound of Queen Buttercup’s voice at the door, the Princess sprung from the couch, eager to be distracted from thoughts of nightmares and things better left unsaid.  

“Hello, Queen Buttercup!

How do you do?

I’m doing fine,

Now that I’ve seen you!”

Happy to be singing again, the Princess began to sway back and forth in a whismical manner, while her birds fluttered around her, keeping time with their little bird voices.  

“You protect our city.

You fight what is wrong.

You’re clever, you’re pretty,

And powerful and strong.”  

Behind Queen Buttercup, two of the worker poked their heads in, responding to the song.  

“Can she beat back all the ghouls?”

“Can she find our missing Queen?”

“There is something more important every body neeeeeeeeeeeeds!”  The Princess laughed delightedly as her band stepped up outside and began to play.  

“Queen Buttercup gives safety.

She makes our days seem bright.

She protects all the citizens with her

Strength and speed and flight.

At times when we are worried,

frightened or distressed,

Queen Buttercup will save the day.

That’s why she is the best!”

The Princess through out her arms dramatically as she held the last note.  “Queen Buttercup!  How wonderful to see you!  I do hope you are having a simply marvelous day, despite all this dreary rain.”

 

Buttercup could feel the tingling sensation of goosebumps on her neck. The realization that Princess G.O.O.D. was in Kenshin’s home did not please Buttercup. Not at all. The moment was slightly redeemed through the fact that the song was in appreciation of her efforts to keep the city safe, an appreciation she knew she wouldn’t get from Rainmaker, or mostly anyone else for that matter, but the idea that any response she offered would be in song filled her with dread.

The song came to a close, and Buttercup knew she needed to respond. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She closed her mouth momentarily, looking to the ground to prepare herself. It was an odd feeling, having the words you were trying to say distort into a song. Her brain would try to say a very specific phrase, and yet her mouth and vocal chords would alter it completely into a song.

She collected her thoughts, lifted her head, and spoke. “Thank you for that, Princess G.O.O.D., it is always a pleasure to see you.” Buttercup felt extremely relieved that she hadn’t sang, the lie passing through her teeth not bothering her at all. Apparently G.O.O.D.’s powers only worked some of the time.

“Unfortunately, Kenshin and I have business elsewhere. A potential security issue has come to my attention, so if you would excuse us, we really must go.” An SUV had pulled up, ready to take them away. Buttercup made eye contact with Kenshin, silently pleading with her to leave as soon as possible. “And thank you for the offer, but I am not in need of anything other than your services. We really should go as soon as we can.”

Despite what Kenshin may have wanted to think, she had to admit that the princess’ musical number was rather impressive. The song caused Kenshin to wonder, if the princess took time out of her every morning simply to prepare a musical number for whatever seemed topical that day and teach her servants the appropriate cues. Certainly it wouldn’t be beyond her particular brand of strangeness.

 

Praising the woman working to defend the city was another improvement on the otherworldly mindset she displayed thus far. Almost Kenshin gave in to the impulse to hum along or tap her foot to the music but she ultimately held back. The impulse alone was enough to vexed her deep down in the part that wanted to be in control and technically she was already on a job.

 

Queen Buttercup seemed to share Kenshin’s own desire to skip hospitalities and get away from the princess. “As you wish Queen Buttercup,” Kenshin said. She gave Genevieve another quick goodbye and headed for the SUV that had pulled up, where she held one of the doors open for the queen.