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[COLOR=GOLDENROD][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]M A R V I L L E,   O K L A H O M A:[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][COLOR=LIGHTSLATEGRAY][B]S A T U R D A Y,   J U N E   3 0 [SUP]T H[/SUP],   2 0 1 8 - 0 4 : 3 7 p m   |   D O W N T O W N[/B][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=GOLDENROD]"There you are Ma'am, I'm sure Mr. Cuddles will be right as rain in no time at all."[/color] Dr. Blake Donaldson said as he gently passed the obese cat over the examination table to the frail old lady in front of him.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"But please, do try to limit Mr. Cuddles' treats to three per day,"[/color] Blake added with a smile.

[color=silver]"I'm so sorry Doctor Donaldson, ever since my husband's passed away, I've just been lonely and the Mr. Cuddles here has been my only solace."[/color] The woman remarked, her voice cracking slightly as she continued. [color=silver]"And if I don't give Mr. Cuddles treats, he won't come to me. The darn cat always did like Ted more."[/color]

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"Well, I can suggest a few other ways to attract the cat-"[/color] Blake began only to be cut off mid-sentence as a deafening crash echoed from outside on Marville's main street. It was quickly followed by the familiar whine of sirens as the Sheriff's department moved onto the scene.

[color=silver]"What in tarnation!"[/color] Mrs. Henderson exclaimed as Blake held up a hand for her to stay put as he moved out of the examination room and into the lobby where he could get a better view of whatever was happening outside.

[color=silver]"Doctor Donaldson, I'm sure the Sheriff's department can handle whatever it is."[/color] The elderly lady added as Blake turned back to look at her.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"That's what I'm afraid of."[/color] He retorted as his eyes searched the street for the old Crown Victoria. It didn't take much effort to pick the black and tan car out of the usual traffic that ran up and down Main Street, even less since its lights were reflecting red and blue off the front of the First National Bank across the street. Standing behind the passenger door with her gun drawn, was none other than the woman that Blake had been hoping not to see.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][i]Barbara![/i][/color]

Barbara Norris, his college girlfriend, and common-law partner, the pair had been together for nearly five years now and there was no one in this world who knew Blake better than she did. But her choice of career wasn't exactly something Blake found desirable, his only relief being the staggering lack of violent crime in Marville.

At least until recently.

All over the world, individuals with what could only be described as superpowers, the stuff of old Captain America comic books, had begun to appear and caused what he personally considered to be a disaster. People with that kind of power, relatively unchecked, it was like they weren't held to any sort of responsibility and Blake could only imagine it was going to end in death for far too many people.

[color=darkslateblue]"COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!"[/color] 

The sound of Sheriff Lamb's voice broke Blake's internal monologue as he looked up to see the figure of a large man in the doorway of the bank. As he stepped into the light, Blake felt a small sense of dread run down his spine as he realized the mutant threat had finally come to Marville. The man's skin appeared metallic in the daylight, shiny and reflective as the high sun beat down on it. In one hand was a large duffle bag, overstuff with wads of cash, no doubt from within the vault of the bank. n the other hand was a crudely made flail, something you'd see an art student try to throw together in shop class back in high-school.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"Wait, I know him,"[/color] Blake muttered aloud. [COLOR=GOLDENROD]"That's-"[/color]

[color=darkslateblue]"CARL CREEL, PUT THE WEAPON DOWN AND YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!"[/color] Lamb continued to issue orders as Blake's former classmate maintained his steady path towards the cruiser. By now, Blake was hardly the only bystander the incident had attracted. After all, the most exciting thing to happen in Marville in the last month was when the local diner, Donar's, tried adding a vegan option to the menu.

Suddenly a collective scream came from the gathered crowd as Creel moved, the flail flying through the air, smashing against the hood of the cruiser as Lamb and Barbara opened fire. Gunshots ricocheted off of Creel's skin, bouncing into the crowd as screams grew louder, accentuated by the cries of pain.

Horrified as he looked around at the chaos, Blake had never felt so powerless in his entire life. At least, not until he saw the flail turn towards Barbara. The sound of metal on metal echoed in his ears as time seemingly froze around him. He watched helplessly as the flail crashed against the door of the cruiser, the force throwing Barbara backward. The impact as she hit the ground echoing in Blake's ears as he charged forward. Watching the gun slide from her grasp, Blake suddenly found himself standing between Barbara and Creel as the other man smiled.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"Crusher!"[/color] Blake roared. [COLOR=GOLDENROD]"That's enough, no one has to die today."[/color]

[color=slategray]"You do,"[/color] Creel replied, a smile on his face as Blake stared back at him defiantly. [color=slategray]"God offered me a gift, it came at one price. That I kill you."[/color] 

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"We had our rivalry in high-school Creel, but that was ten years ago. You need to let it go."[/color] Blake replied, his eyes watching the ball and chain dragging behind the man.

[COLOR=slategray]"You had me kicked off the team, you little snitch! You ruined my chances at getting out of this town!"[/color]

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"You would have been caught doping the second you joined a college team, I did you a favour! I gave you a chance to find another path in life and this is what you chose!"[/color]

[COLOR=slategray]"SHUT. UP."[/color] Creel roared, the flail swinging around as it caught Blake straight in the chest. His body was suddenly lifted into the air, Barbara's cries echoing through his ears as the warm trickle of blood ran down his chin, his breathing strained as ribs felt like they imploded in on his chest. The dirty pavement did nothing to break his fall as Blake found himself crumpled on the ground of a nearby alley, toss away like the rest of the garbage in this town.

Grasping for air, Blake's eyes widened as an elderly man looked down on his. His clothes were tattered and tarnished, a wide-brimmed hat covering half his face as Blake noticed a scarred eye socket hiding before the shadow of the hat. His remaining eye, however, twinkled with a kindness, not unlike one would see in their own grandfather.

[COLOR=darkorchid][b]"I think it is time for you to get back in the fight my son."[/b][/color] The man said as he took a firm hold on Blake's hand, helping the younger man to his feet as a strange sensation washed over Blake's body. The dreams that had plagued him for nearly a decade suddenly bombarded his mind. The sky overhead darkened as thunder began to rumble and suddenly it was as though a fog had been lifted from Blake's mind.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"Father,"[/b][/color] Thor spoke for the first time in what felt like a millennium.

[COLOR=darkorchid][b]"Go forth my son, the people of Midgard need you."[/b][/color]

Lightning flashed as Thor emerged from the alley, his Asgardian armor appearing as he approached Crusher, catching the flail midair as it swung towards his beloved Barbara.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"I would have words with you, but it would seem that you are not in the mood for conversing,"[/b][/color] Thor yelled over the storm as Crusher looked at the strange man before him, completely bewildered. 

[COLOR=slategray]"Who... W-who the [i]hell[/i] are you!"[/color] He screamed as Thor ripped the flail from his hands.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"I am Thor, the Son of Odin, God of Thunder."[/b][/color] He declared. [COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"Heir to the Throne of Asgard, Protector of the Nine Realms, Björn of the North, the Lone Rider of the Storm, Lord of Battle, the fierce spirit and to my enemies the Terrible."[/b][/color]

[color=slategray]"Yeah well, [i]fuck[/i] you,"[/color] Creel snarled. [color=slategray]"I'm Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man, kicker of your [i]ass[/i], [i]douchebag[/i]."[/color]

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"The Absorbing Man?"[/b][/color] Thor raised an eyebrow. [COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"Are you a merchant of feminine hygiene products? Do you speak truly, are you fully absorbent?"[/b][/color]

A chuckle arose from the silent crowd as Creel's face twisted in rage. Charging forward, he raised a fist only for Thor to grasp his wrist, hoisting the man above his head and slamming Creel into the ground as the asphalt splintered and shattered beneath the force.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"Arise my foe, let us continute to do battle."[/b][/color] Thor taunted, motioning for Creel to approach with two fingers.

Scrambling to stand in the ever forming crater beneath him, Creel moved to charge Thor again only for the God of Thunder to step aside allowing Creel to awkward stumble past him. Roaring, the metal man turned and charged again, arms outstretched as Thor backhanded him across the face, tossing Creel aside like a ragdoll.

[color=slategray]"FIGHT ME!"[/color] Creel roared as he steadied himself again.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD][b]"If that be your final wish."[/b][/color] Thor smiled and charged Creel, leaping into the air as lighting swirled in the sky, meeting Thor's fist as he guided the bolt to Creel's face. A flash of light erupted upon impact and when it cleared, Thor stood triumphantly over his fallen foe. Creel's body slowly turning back to flesh and blood as he lost consciousness. Cheers exploded from the crowd as Thor bowed, leaping into the air as a gust of wind carried him over the rooftops, dropping him out of sight of the crowd. Dismissing his armor, Thor allowed himself to appear once again as Blake Donaldson.

Emerging from the alley, feigning his injuries, Thor stumbled forward, allowing himself to fall into the outstretched arms of Barbara Norris.

[color=steelblue]"I thought I had lost you."[/color] She stated a sigh of relief following her words. With a groan of agony, Thor replied in the guise of Blake.

[COLOR=GOLDENROD]"I think I'll leave the hero stuff to the professional from now on."[/color][/indent][/indent]