[center][h1][color=Green]Mantis[/color]-Downtown Denver[/h1][/center]


     The sun dipped below the Rocky Mountains; shops closed, people took the rush hour highways home. Wherever that was to them. Though villians, heroes and normies all called Colorado home, there seemed to be no urgency. People went on like whole countries wouldn't cease to exist on the whims of some demigod like abominations. What did life mean to them? [i][color=Green]"I for one won't stand idly by, I will make a difference no matter how small."[/color][/i]
     As I walk through the downtown streets, I see shady figures darting into alleys. Drug peddlers giving samples of their product. Prostitutes being payed so their STD ridden pimps can afford another shot of heroine. The disorder, chaos and [i]pure evil[/i] I see all around myself only emboldens me to do something about it. These newfound powers of mine will surely be tested. 
     I continue walking and I notice a poor woman no older than 19 being manhandled by five thugs. She is a brunette with long hair and good proportions. Unfortunate for her. She would be better off average and alive rather than beautiful and sold into slavery. She resists,but they are quickly overwhelming her laughing as they shove her. I cross the street and make my way towards them. As I approach one of the men notices me and yells,"You tryin' to pick a fight with us?!" He pulls out a knife and waves it threateningly. Not wearing my "costume" only a Kevlar jacket  I decide that fighting may not be the best option. I reply to him,[i][color=Green]"Wouldn't you fellas like to go out for some drinks instead of ruining a pretty girl's night? No money you may say? Don't worry first shot's on me." [/color][/i] I say grinning. The man is startled at my boldness and his other "homies" turn to look. One of them is now holding the girl by the arms. She looks terrified. 
     "We'd rather have both," another says, with a particularly large scar that stretches from his left ear all the way to his eye. The other men laugh at his attempt at humor. He continues,"How much you got on ya?" 
     Now's the time to test these abilities. I focus long and hard at the knife thug and try to impart the thought,[i][color=green]"He seems alright, I should give the girl to him and turn myself into the cops for the many crimes I've committed."[/color][/i] After a brief pause he gets a look of bewilderment on his face and then shakes it off. "That was weird," he says aloud. He starts moving towards me knife in hand. That didn't go the way I'd hoped. I still have some work to do..
     I wait a moment completely still, as he is the first to reach me. Then I implant in him,[i][color=green]"I'll stab him in the throat, the bloodier the better."[/color][/i]He smiles maniacally. In anticipation of his stab to my throat, I duck below. The knife sails over my head and I immediately straight punch his groin. Before he has time to react I stand back up, disarm and trip him in one fluid motion. As he falls to the ground I stomp his head in. The other three continue to advance though they seem much more hesitant now. The fourth still holds on to the girl. She looks like she had just seen her knight in kevlar armor. Not wanting to disappoint, I assume a defensive stance with the knife in hand. I attempt to impart in them feelings of terror. It seems to work on some of them. Two stop advancing and the other turns his head confused by their actions. Now's my chance. I rush him with the knife, but rather than shank him I simply bring the handle down hard on his head. He falls over unconscious. The two who stopped moving put their hands up and book it out of there to the nearest alley. 
     [i][color=Green]"That is expected of rats,"[/color][/i] I think to myself. The final thug lets the girl go and follows his group down the alleyway. There's not much loyalty with these ones. I take my phone out and dial the cops. After explaining the situation I turn toward the girl and hang up. She is scared to say the least, but her eyes have the fire of hope in them. 
     [i][color=Green]"It's going to be alright,"[/color][/i] I reassure her,[i][color=Green]"If you come with me I can take you somewhere safe."[/color][/i] I extend my hand and she takes it gratefully. I then lead her towards a more tame part of town. Over the course of our travel I learn her name is Alexis and she was just getting off work when she was harassed. She points me towards her apartment and when we arrive she thanks me. She writes down on a piece of paper her number and hands it to me. I smile and take the paper. I have no real intention of calling her, but being polite goes a long way.. or so I've heard. I wave her goodbye and head back into the night, invigorated by my newfound powers. Where else am I needed?