An Outsider

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG (Closed)

Dedonus said
I kind of feel sorry for Arachne because what is going to be happening in the next couple posts. :(Although her healing factor might be beneficial (or not beneficial mattering how you look at it).

If it's anything like whats gonna happen to Russel Skronsky then I feel bad for her too, though he doesn't have a healing factor to help him get through it.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG (Closed)

“What d'ya mean you're busy! This order is coming from on high, Mr Stone himself! Drop what you're doing and get over here!”

“Sorry Skronsky, sounds like it's your problem. I gotta hot date tonight with a college chick. She pays the bills modelling for f***s sake. I ain't skipping out on that to help your ugly ass.” The phone line beeps, signifying the end of the call.

Russel Skronsky looks at the phone in disbelief. He was, in a word, screwed. He'd gone through his entire phone book trying to enlist backup, and everyone was either busy or not picking up, and he sure as shit wasn't going back to Giovanni's place on his own, not while that psycho drifter could still be there. Therein lay the problem though, as Mr Stone was just as dangerous as any nutcase hobo, and if Russel didn't go back and get the money his boss was owed then Stone would have his guts for garters.

Skipping town was starting to look like the only viable option for him. He could run to New Jersey, he had family there that would hide him until all this blew over. After all, how long could Mr Stone hold a grudge for. Even as he thought it he felt his spirits sink. Stone would never let this go, the man had made a name for himself for being unforgiving. Russel would never be free of him.

He went into his kitchen, small, basic and almost surgically clean, completely unadorned by any personal touches. The bottle of cheap whiskey that he had been swigging from all night was sitting on the counter, an empty tumbler sitting next to it. He poured himself a generous measure and downed it in two swallows, wincing at the burning sensation. Afterwards he held the glass up to his eye, staring blearily at his reflection. His face seemed bloated and warped to him, but he couldn't decide if it was because he was well on his way to being pissed or the circular nature of the glass.

“God. . . You're pathetic Skronsky. Charlotte was right about you.” He spat at the tumbler, pity and self-loathing battling within him. He was so absorbed in self-flagellation that he didn't hear the squeak of the floorboards under the foot falls of an intruder, nor notice The Grim North's visage in the glass as he snuck open him. He wasn't aware anything was wrong until a thickly muscled arm encircled his neck, a scarred hand clamping down on his mouth in the same heartbeat, and by then it was far too late or Skronsky. He tried to struggle, but it was as useful as struggling against the coming winter, the grip he was in was so tight. He tried to scream, but he might of well as railed at an un-caring God, the hand on his mouth muffling all the sound to a weak mutter. He felt himself slipping from consciousness, and there was nothing he could do about it. His last thoughts were of what a pathetic end this was.

---

Didn't take me long to find Skronsky's place, not with Gio's directions. I got into his apartment building by buzzing his neighbours and telling them I was his brother from out west here to surprise him and asking if they'd let me in. People are so trusting when it's not their saftey thats in jearopady. After that it was an easy enough job to pick his locks and use the bolt cutters I got on the way to snip his saftey chain. He was that drunk he never even heard me come in. I knocked him out then before tying him to a chair, blindfolded and gagged o'course. He's just starting to come too now, which means the real work is about to begin.

Skronsky surprised me a bit, his home being neat and tidy. I was expecting a sty, but you know what they say about judging books. In fact his apartment is almost too clean, like it's a showroom in a furniture shop. I've placed him in his bedroom, it being the room the furthest away from his neighbours. It's an old building, good stone architecture, the sorta place that has natural soundproofing, but theres no point in taking in risks. Don't want one of his neighbours hearing too much and calling the cops before I'm finished.

My 'host' is starting to mumble into his gag now, telling me we better get this show on the road. I walk towards him slow, his head perking up at the sound of my approaching feet. I don't know what thoughts are going through his head, but I'm betting they ain't good ones. I put my hands on the side of his face, Skronsky trying to flinch backwards, but the binds hold him tight in place. I always was good at tying knots. I pull his blindfold down, but leave the gag, his eyes widening in terror when he sees my face. I step back, but keep my eyes on his, my facial expression carefully blank. I start speak, low and even. I want his attention on me and only me. He has to know that I'm the only thing that matters now, that and what I plan on doing.

"Glad to see your up again Russel. I can call you Russel, eh? Surprised that I found you? You certainly look surprised, that and terrified sh**less." I begin to pull my jacket off, slowly. In these situations its best that you go slow and smooth. That way the victim knows that you got time, and your planning on using it on them. His eyes are darting round the room now, looking for a way out maybe, but they keep coming back to me.

"Don't mind me Russel, I'll just hang my jacket up over here. It was expensive see, and I really don't want to get your blood all over it. And make no mistake, you will be bleeding. You ain't got a choice in the matter." He's whimpering now. I start roll my shirt sleeves up.

"The only choice you've got is how much you're gonna bleed. You're gonna answer some questions for me. If you refuse to answer, or if I think you're lying, I'm gonna hurt you. Bad. Understand?" He chokes something into his gag, and I think he nods his head, hard to tell since he's tied to the chair. I think he gets the message though. Skronsky's got a iPod docking station in his room, his iPod lying next to it. I walk over and fire on some tunes. It'll help cover up the noise of his screaming. I spend a few minutes scrolling through his albums, finally settling on 'Stuck in the Middle with You' by Steelers Wheel. If you've ever seen Reservoir Dogs you'll know why. Skronsky certainly seems to understand it though, a dark patch spreading on the front of his jeans. I force myself to grin at him, my hand picking up the meat hammer I found in his kitchen.

"Just so you know I ain't kidding around I'm gonna start with this then ask my first question. Sound unfair? It is, almost as unfair as three thugs beating an old man bloody and raping his daughter." Russel should probably be straining to hear me over the music, but I reckon he's only got ears for me. I stalk towards him, that animal grin still painted on my face. I can't tell if I'm really forcing myself to do it now, or if I'm actually just so used to it that it's coming natural.

Gerry Rafferty is just starting to get a feeling that something ain't right when I smash the hammer into Skronsy's knee.

Seems like they can agree on that much.

Young Justice 2021

Siti said
@Lucian, Happy Birthday (last)!I've been holding off til more people get a chance to get their bit in. Didn't want to come stomping through with my ridiculous amount of free time.

I would just go for it Siti.

And yeah, they are cyborgs.

Young Justice 2021

Take the time you need KL, I'll keep herding the cats until your ready to return.

I'm twenty-three and Scottish, which means I can never turn down the offer of free beer, no matter where it comes from. Somehow, sometime, somewhere I WILL COLLECT THAT BEER!

Young Justice 2021

Looks good Lucian.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG (Closed)

Daaaamn it was busy here!

Young Justice 2021

Ok, so that's the kick off for the big showdown. Have at the foes as you wish guys, just don't treat them like pushovers. This section is gonna be far more fluid I.E. I wont be setting times for when I'm updating, purely because I hope I wont need to. Each players post should be them pushing forward to their individual objectives which for team one is the commissioners office and for team two is Clara Kendall. I'll control Kendall and introduce a few more 'named' villains mid way through the fight.

Any questions or objections, let me know. I am a benevolent overlord.

Young Justice 2021

"Ok, team one, time to move out." Growled Batman, his voice still little more than a husky whisper but no one had any trouble in hearing him. "You'll be taking the Sky-Cruiser to attack the precinct directly. Remember, you're there to distract Kendall's forces, to make her think that's where the full team is attacking in earnest. Hit them hard and make a lot of noise." Ditto split himself several times, sending a group of his doubles to ride along with team one.

Fenrir, Hellfire, Owlet, Frostbite, Shadowdancer, Brick and the dozen Ditto's wasted no time in hurrying to the hangar and piling onto the Sky-Cruiser. One of the Ditto's took the controls and the Cruiser leapt into the air, knifing across the sky and straight towards the Star City Police Department. Each member was alone with their thoughts, but they all held the shared knowledge of one thing. This was their most dangerous mission to date, and it would be a miracle if they walked away from it at all. Yet it was their job to see it through, and not a single one would back down.

They were approaching the SCPD building now, a large ambitious building, designed by a young architect who thought he'd be leaving his mark on modern architecture.



The aesthetically pleasing building had taken a far more sinister appearance since the cyborg up-rising though, the several tiered balconies now playing host to massive plasma cannon turrets, the doors and windows guarded by rifle toting officers or large, 10 foot tall, rail gun wieldingcyber-mechs.

"We're nearing the DZ folks, you better get ready to disembark and kick some serious boss cause it looks like Kendall's got the welcoming committee out for us!" Yelled the Ditto at the wheel, the wind snatching the words from his mouth. The plasma fire that erupted from the cyborg officer's rifles explained the point pretty succinctly though. The Sky-Cruiser swerved wildly to avoid the oncoming blasts, most missing but a few lucky shots exploding against the side its side, the stink of molten metal filling the air.

"Now team, go!" commanded the Ditto double. Fenrir was the first out, though that might be more through his hatred for flying than his desire to close with the enemy. Either way he vaulted over the side of the Sky-Cruiser, snarling like a mad dog as he fell on top of one of the cyber-mechs, knife poised to lunge into the vulnerable wires at the exposed joints. Brick , Owlet and all but one of the Ditto's were hot on his heels, the Slider twisting as he leapt so that he landed shell first upon one of the cannon turrets, falling with all the force of a mortar. The cannon broke apart like a toy model, the alien warrior rolling lithely to his feet to attack the closet enemies with his sai. The Ditto's fell like a wave upon the cyborgs, attacking like a horde but their psychic link letting them act as a unit, while Owlet picked off any officers that got separated. The heroes were doing well, but it was obvious that the cyborg officers numbers would soon wear them down. Now it was time for the other heroes to get in on the action.

Back at the base team two waited anxiously until it was their turn to go on the offensive. Each were eager to get to grips with Kendall, but knew Batman would have his reasons for waiting. Five minutes past since team one left, then ten, then fifteen. Finally twenty minutes past, and Batman turned to Cyborg.

"It's time Vic, open the boom tube. Everyone, this is it. You'll be stepping through this portal straight into the hub of our enemies command center, the oval office itself. If you do this right there wont be a fight at all, but even if things don't go according to plan you'll be ready." The original Ditto, dressed now in proper battle attire, spoke up.

"It sounds like you're not coming with us."

"No Ditto. It's been made apparent to me that injuries I sustained getting here would make me a weakness on the field. You'll be leading this mission, with the Flash's help. Now move out." Cyborg's internal Mother Box technology had opened the portal by this point. Flash nodded to his two fellow Leaguers, he and Ditto then leading the teen heroes through.

---

"We're receiving reports that the team of sidekicks are attacking the Star City police headquarters, just as predicted Miss President."

"Good. Good. Our friends 'assets' are already on the way there, they will handle the children easily enough." Clara Kendall stood in her oval office, back to her staff while she gazed out of the window. Things were all going according to her plan. The League were putting up a fierce fight, and so was their assortment of rogues, but that was all well within her expectations. They would all fall with time, and then she would be in position to consolidate her power. At first the people would call her a tyrant, she was ready for that, but they would soon come to see she had their best interests at heart. For too long had America languished in chaos, had her cities played host to the destructive and ultimately futile battles between the heroes and villains. In her new world order their would be no room for such barbarism, not with her new peace-keeping forces protecting the citizenry. Yes, it was all going according to . . . .

Kendall's train of thought was disturbed when the Whitehouse suddenly began to shudder violently, her staff stumbling drunkenly while pictures fell from the walls. The sensation was over almost as quickly as it started, the vibrations that shook the historic building fading.

"What was that!" stammered her assistant, still unsteady on his feet. The president didn't answer, she was instead too fixated on what was happening outside her window.

"They. . . They're here."

---

Team two had stepped through the boom tube straight onto the lawns in front of the Whitehouse.

"Ugh Bat's? Boom tube didn't work. We're not in the oval office." stated the Flash, contacting the Dark Knight through the two-way quantum communications device in his mask.

"Kendall must have installed a distortion field over the Whitehouse. You'll have to get to her the old fashioned way." Responded Batman. As the two spoke the steps in front of the Whitehouse began to fill with more cyborg officers and cyber-mechs, Kendall's personal security. The enemy began to line up their shots. A grin broke the Flash's face.

"Well team, we better make this fast!" And with that the speedster shot of in a scarlet blur, rocketing towards the first of the cyborgs and taking them out with a high-speed clothesline. Seconds later the yard exploded in plasma fire, some of the officers aiming at the Flash, but most headed straight for the team. Ditto took a step forward, gesturing his team forward.

"Let's do this guys!"

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG (Closed)

Jilly wont stop thanking me, can hardly finish gushing out one 'thank you' before starting on the next, and all I can think is I didn't do nothing worth thanking. All I did is that thing I can't seem to stop doing, that thing that's sure to see me burn in hell one day, that thing that I know is so inherently wrong and yet always feels so right. All I did was hurt people, and it ain't over yet. Sure as shit others like the wee group I gave a seeing to will come, eager to rip retribution outta Jilly and her Pa, Giovanni. The bad guys will come, and they'll hurt this innocent family all the worse, because I was daft enough to get involved. Don't need the Great Song to see that one coming.

I'm slouched on the De Luca's couch, De Luca being Jilly's surname, in their apartment located above their diner, trying not to think about how badly I've f****d things up for these people. My eyes search the room, for the hundredth time, in a vain attempt to get my mind offa my failings. I take in the photos that line the walls, Jilly and her Pa laughing in happier times, strangers who I take to be aunts, uncles, cousins. Must be nice coming from a close knit family like this. No sign of a Mrs De Luca though, but I know enough about the P's and Q's to stop myself asking about her. Candles of all types line the flat surfaces, their light giving a warm and flickering light to the place.

I can hear Giovanni walking up the stairs now, finally done speaking to the cops. He said he'd cover for me, tell the law that I'd already done a runner just so long as I kept quiet upstairs, yet I still feel like he's bringing judgement for my crimes with him. It's like I'm awaiting my own hanging and each tramp of his feet coming up those stairs is a bell tolling noon. The door to the apartment opens and there he stands. I push myself to my feet, not quite sure what happens next. Jilly falls quiet quick. I miss her chatter already.

Mr De Luca near stumbles into the room, the nights excitement must be making his limbs feel like lead. He falls into the couch and releases a long sigh, halfway between pleasure and pain. A moment passes as he sits there with eyes closed, just recouping before throwing himself into again, before his pale blue eyes flicker open. He pats the seat next to him, instructing me to sit. I don't need telling twice.

“Jilly, fetch your papa and our guest some coffee please.” The girl looks like she wants to stay and see what goes down, but she goes to the kitchen without complaint, leaving me and Giovanni to our own devices. He sits silent again, but his eyes are open this time and I can near see the thoughts working behind those blue orbs. He's working out what he wants to say and how he wants to say it. I don't feel like rushing the issue myself, so I give him all the time he needs. Finally he takes a deep breath, and I know he's ready.

“I told the police it was a masked vigilante who saved us, that he left pursuing the third man and has not returned.” he opens. I grunt my approval, say something about how there's enough of them in Haven now for that to be believable.

“I didn't think you would want to be involved with the police. You strike me as a man who does not enjoy the scrutiny of the authorities.” I can't do anything but agree. It's not like he's wrong.

“In fact it is my belief that you were once a man like those that assaulted my daughter and I today.” I feel my face freeze. So, Gio's the observant type. He's sure figured me out quick. But what he's planning on doing with that knowledge, that's the question. Maybe he's got Johnny Law sneaking up the stairs and surrounding the building, stalling me until the boys in blue are ready to pounce. Somehow I doubt it though. He's seen just a slice of what I can do, but I reckon he's smart enough to know that trying to trap me would end badly for everyone involved. No, he's wanting something else.

“You ain't far from the truth there. Only difference between me and those boys is I was worse.” I answer him, more to fill the space between him getting to between points than any other reason.

“And being a man who knows their minds and how they think, would you say that this is the end of it?”

And there it is. Giovanni realises just how bad I've f****d him. He knows that those boys mighta hurt him earlier, him and Jilly too, but that woulda been the end of it. Beat a man and he can pay you later. Now that I've gone and got involved though, it's gonna be worse. Their boss, this Stone character, he probably already knows what's happened, and he'll be spitting mad.

“No sir,” I answer “I'm feart that this is just the start of something worse. Those boys took a kicking tonight, and that wont look good on their headman. He'll have to make an example of you, or other folk he extorts might start getting the idea to stand up to you. My guess is that more lads of his will come knocking soon, and they wont be gentle. You'll be lucky if they stop at killing you.” I stop there. I could say more but the more I spoke the paler Giovanni got, ended up looking a bit like an albino. He swallows down his fear and his apprehension, getting a bit of color back in his cheeks. My respect for him grows.

“And what would you suggest we do? I know where Russel Skronsky lives, the man who got away. Do you think if we called the police it wouldn't be to late to stop them.” There's a tremble to his voice, but there's an edge of steel there too. I'm betting he's thinking of Jilly. Giovanni strikes me as they type that would do whatever it takes to protect his daughter. An suddenly I realize, I would too. Mr Stone will probably hound these people until he gets what he wants from them. It'll take some damn dark work to save them from him, and who better suited to it than me? I got them into this mess, I'm gonna be the one to get them out.

“You? You do nothing cept tell me where Russel lives. I'm gonna have a wee talk with him and his boss, this Mr Stone, sort this all out for ya.” The relief that Giovanni feels at that is almost palpable, and I realize this is probably what he was angling for all along, trying to fight fire with fire as it were. Or maybe its more like using a monster to hunt monsters. But I can see an edge to him, like he's worried of what the consequences of his actions might be. He leans in close, conspiratorially close, and whispers in my ear.

“What will you do?”

“Maybe better you don't know that.” I answer.

An uncomfortable pause, Giovanni's mind probably racing as he goes through all the various scenarios as to how I might be dealing with Stone and his men. Like I said, better he doesn't know. I ask him where Skronsky lives. Turn's out Leather-Jackets only a few blocks away. We fall silent again after that, it only being broken when Jilly returns with the coffee. Giovanni wraps his hands around his cup like he's trying to drain the warmth from it, while I near down mine in two swallows. I got work to do after all, and it ain't gonna wait for me to finish my coffee. I get to my feet, an eager spring to my step. Even after all this time I still look forward to the work, at the prospect of hurting folk. Da always said No one can deny the call in their blood boy, and the call in ours is violence. Damn if he ain't right again.

“Are you leaving Caine?” Asks Jilly. She looks sad at the prospect and I'm reinforced by the knowledge that I'm doing this to keep her safe.

“Aye Jilly, I've got things to do tonight.” I make for the door. I've got a grip on the handle when Giovanni calls.

“You must return here when you are done Mr MacFondoir. We have a room you can stay in until you're ready.”

I turn to look at him, my heart lifting when I see there ain't no deception in his face. He means it, there really is a space here for me. Giovanni's seen me for who I am, a mad dog, yet he's willing to take a chance on me. Might be he's doing it cause he feels obligated, but hell if it doesn't mean something to me despite that. I'm more determined than ever to protect these two, to prove to Mr De Luca that I'm worth his consideration. Tonight's work is still gonna be dark, no arguing with that, but it feels like I can see a light shining bright at the end of this tunnel.

“I think I'll take you up on that sir.” I reply. Jilly beams that smile of her's again, and even Giovanni cracks a little grin. A return them one of my own, then step outta the door.

Time to go clean up my mess, starting with Russel Skronsky.

Young Justice 2021

Ouch.