Blazion

Heroes Reborn: Year Six (OPEN)

That's a cute fuckin bee

Heroes Reborn: Year Six (OPEN)

GM post claim. Ignore this.

Heroes Reborn - A DCAU Roleplay (Always open!)

Lights flashed high above in the sky as two great beings met again and again in a cacophony of sound and violence. Across the nation eyes turned upward, across the world people tuned in to the shaky news coverage amidst the rest of the world’s carnage. Amongst the creatures of myth, amongst the Titans, amongst the Gods themselves, a single fight came to a point for the fate of them all.

The plan was made.

The stage was set.

Finally...the execution.

The appearance of the portal behind Eris had drawn her eye for a mere nanosecond, but that had been all Lady Arcana required. Her fist collided with with jaw of the goddess of discord, knocking her back towards the oblivion that awaited her.

Then a roar split the air.

Like little more than mosquitos, Lady Arcana and Eris were knocked from the sky by the descending bulk of a creature so large, so great, that Cronus was a mere insect. Beneath them, the six heroes that worked with such synchronization were knocked away like bowling pins, scattering across the ground. Another roar, shaking the very foundation of earth itself as the latest God joined the fight, a God of such immense power that it was weaved into its very name!

“GODZILLA!” Came the cry as the creature leapt hundreds of feet in the air and descended once more. Roaaar! Not even the great Justice League could-

“Hey dweeb, you’re going to break your toys.” Godzilla paused mid air, the painted eyes gleaming in the artificial light from above. The plastic Tank figure with real jumping action spun in place on the playmat, his six companions knocked to all four corners of the soft green material. “Besides, Godzilla was never in that fight.”

“Well, if he was he would’ve won!” Was the childish reply as the young child stuck his tongue out, crossing his arms and sulking.

“What? Yeah right,” The older girl leaned over from his position on the couch, grabbing one of the plastic figures with a tiny trident. “For one, Aquaman would’ve known long before he reached the shore of any giant lizard, and in this fight the Justice League were against actual Gods and not just overgrown reptiles-”

“Kids!” The siblings immediately went quiet and lifted their heads at the call, meeting the gaze of their father. He offered a chuckle and a shake of his head, kneeling down to collect the rest of the toys. Grim, Lady Arcana, Vine Stalker, Velocity, and Emerald Knight joined their plastic companion - and Godzilla - in the box of toys nearby. “Come on now, we’re meeting your mother at the parade and I don’t want to be late.”

“Yes Dad.” Came the reply in stereo as the two children sprung up, moving to collect their jackets and make last second preparations.

“... Godzilla would’ve totally won,” The little boy added on in a whisper to his older sister, who merely rolled her eyes and blew a puff of air at the boy - freezing his blonde bangs into little icicles.

”DAD!”

All across the world similar scenes played out as families gathered for the celebrations. Parades, open-air reenactments, in the countries where the sun had already set - fireworks! Merchants hocked their wares, from Justice League figures to little flags of smaller heroes closer to home. The shaky video footage posted nearly five years ago of the final confrontation between the Goddess of Discord and the seven most known heroes in the world hit an all time high, as viewer after viewer flocked to relive the battle that had formed the equally famous group - the Justice League!

So much had changed since then. So many new powers. New threats. New opportunities. The world was in so many ways unrecognizable from the scared, paranoid populace that once looked so distrustfully on those with these abilities. It wasn’t perfect by any means, there was still so much danger in the world.

Death.

Crime.

Branches of police specifically made to combat those with powers. Criminals who could stop others with a fist, with a thought, with so many abilities they couldn’t all be listed.

Yet through it all there were always those willing to fight back. From the streets to the very Gods themselves. From the space station high above, branded with the familiar “JL” that marked its occupants, to the powerless person who only stepped in since it was the right thing to do, and everyone in between.

From the trenchcoat detectives, to the tech geniuses, to the police, to the teenagers just wetting their feet with their newfound abilities.

And in this era, it was a new time. A time of Heroes Reborn.

Join us in the new Heroes Reborn thread, coming soon for Year Five!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Government Sanctioned Superheroes

The cat was speaking. It was speaking! Amazement should’ve been the emotion any other person would feel, yet instead panic thrummed through Valora’s veins, in time with the pounding of her heart like a beating drum. Every time the creature spoke her slitted grey eye could only see the hint of white from his teeth, sharp and evolved to kill. The graceful movements of a predator, the easy confidence of a killer. She couldn’t even register what he was saying as all the blonde could focus on was how every single nerve in her body screamed danger!

Some part of her recognized that Silas was speaking, trying to garner her attention or perhaps even draw the cat-creature away. The major part of her didn’t care. She had to escape, but to put her back to the ‘Onyx’ was inviting doom. Feeling cornered, trapped, a low hiss built up in her chest, bubbling on her already choking breaths.

He was so close.

Another voice in the ruckus, another body in front of her – taller than the cat, shorter than her. A hand on her arm. Valora’s eye darted left and right as though making sure the cat wasn’t sneaking around before finally settling on Alice. It helped to focus on her, pale fingers reaching out just for claws to dig into the other woman’s shirt. Some feral part of the shapeshifter just wanted to climb on top of her to get above everything and hiss at any threats.

She was being jostled into moving. Another hiss, interrupted this time by a hiccuping sob that caught in her throat and made it harder to breathe. There was a wall of light keeping the creature away, though Valora’s claws still dug in as Alice manoeuvred them by. Her gaze kept straying, wanting to keep the creature in her sight lest it attack, but one ear kept twitching hearing the voice of her Team Leader talking, soothing. Despite her hesitant steps and tense movements it was hard not to follow the promise of getting away.

Then the creature was gone, the doors closing with a resounding thump and Phoenix Dawn’s voice ringing in her ears. Valora let out a shuddering breath, feeling some of the tension easing out of her body with it. It wasn’t complete relief of the panic that assaulted her system, as her hands still shook and she could feel a cold sweat against her skin, a faintness in her head.

It was only when the shapeshifter managed to take a few gulping breaths of air that no longer felt constricting and limited did she look to Alice, and some of that alarm returned.

”I’m – I’m –“ Valora’s voice stuttered badly, worse than her usual fear response. She carefully drew her hands back, careful of the claws that had been digging in. She cast her hands that alarmed look, flexing her fingers only to wrap her arms around herself instead and drop her gaze. ”I’m sorry,” She finally managed in what was no more than a faint whisper.

The door opened once more, causing the French woman to flinch. A grey eye flicked up, spotting Silas as he, too, retreated. He seemed to hesitate on seeing her, but vacated none the less. Valora was grateful, feeling crowded and cowardly. None of the others had reacted so badly. Even if the thing was a predator.

The shapeshifter leaned against the wall, resting her weight against it as she slowly gained control over herself. The feline ears on either side of her head slowly unplastered from pressing into her hair, one of them flicking as she took in the noises still coming from the gym. All she wanted to do was hide in her room once more – Valora was lucky her Dampening Bracers were already put back on. Her panic could’ve led to so much worse otherwise, and in the gym full of other people... heroes though they may be, she could’ve easily hurt one of them had they hesitated at restraining a ‘friend’. It made her sick.

”I ...I should go.”

Year 1 (A Zombie Apocalypse RP)

Now, it could be said that Sam had a temper.

Sure, it seemed a little hard to invoke considering her usual chill demeanour, but it was there! Usually what sparked it to show to the others was being threatened, or just as understandably, the well-being of the group being threatened. Oh boy, she did not like either of these scenarios one bit. Of course considering the fact that her plants were very, very important to survival in times were food was scarce, it’s no surprise that they were included. Plus, you know, the whole naming them thing.

So it was pretty much inevitable that on finding out what Conrad did, Sam lost her shit.

There was some yelling, some hitting her car when it wouldn’t start up to chase him, some threatening to do some rather graphic things to Conrad, and she even began to march off into the woods to chase after him if necessary. Luckily she was talked down from that one. In any case, the result of Conrad leaving was why Sam was currently packing up her things.

No, she wasn’t going to leave the group like he did. Like some sort of bitch over not getting their way. Nope. Because of Con-fucking-rad their supply run schedule was pushed forward. The little stray didn't even turn out to be a half-bad addition, despite her youth - which was great, Sam hated dead weights. So here Sam was, up in her rafter ‘room’ gathering necessary supplies. Her AK-47 rifle was strapped across her back, for although without ammo it was a very threatening piece of equipment should they find other survivors. Her pistol loaded and extra ammo carefully stored. Clothing dry and warm, and her dufflebag emptied.

It hurt Sam every time she emptied the dufflebag of its contents, but it was necessary for now. As such the rather large pile of hundreds, thousands of dollars in various bundled of bills was pushed into a far corner of her rafter home, stashed away carefully. Sam couldn’t help but run her hand over it – the full one, touching the still fairly crisp notes with all her fingers. It was pretty much useless now, but at the same time she couldn’t help the delight that sparked inside her on seeing it. Maybe someday it’d be worth something again.

Either way, she wasn’t getting rid of it.

Yet with the dufflebag now emptied and waiting to be filled Sam finally hopped down from the ceiling, landing with a rather loud thud – uncaring if it bothered anyone. Whistling a jaunty tune she descended the steps, doing up her blonde, teal-tipped hair in a ponytail as she called out.

”You guys better be ready soon, I’m getting antsy about getting out of here!” The cheer in her voice was obvious, back to being her usual chill self. Mostly. Her gaze darkened as it passed over the window where ‘Abigail’ once rested, almost bristling like an angry animal.

Oh, Conrad had better have gotten away, because he wouldn’t have a second chance.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Government Sanctioned Superheroes

It didn’t take long to get dried off, gills having faded to smooth skin once more, and redressed in the New Horizon issued suits for Tower-use. After the time spent in the pool, as well as her field doses from the Zookeeper encounter having settled to a manageable level, Valora was feeling much better about the day. Even descending to the cafeteria level where others mingled about as well didn’t seem as awful as usual, though the scent of one man’s cologne got caught up in her noes as she passed him. Egh.

It was while rubbing her nose to try and rid herself of the smell that Valora caught sight of the two men exiting the cafeteria in front of her, and like a deer in the headlights the shapeshifter felt herself freezing to the spot. A single grey eye darted between Joseiah and Ricardo, only relaxing minutely when the latter disappeared back into the cafeteria. The puzzled look that crossed the Frenchwoman's face was obvious before she finally focused back on Joseiah, offering him the slightest of smiles.

”Good afternoon, Joseiah,” She finally greeted. ”It is... ice to see you?” Yes, that was correct. Of course before Valora could even so much as get a response Ricardo was back before her. Strangely, despite his usual demeanour of being a storm of energy trapped in a man’s body he was oddly contained. When his head dropped Valora could only stare at him quizzically, one foot planted back as though to run and fingers nervously intertwined.

Was that... a cupcake?

”It is the cupcake of apology.”

It took a few seconds for Ricardo’s words to penetrate, but when they did Valora couldn’t help but melt. It was true that her insides still twisted and some part of her wanted to nervously fidget in front of the beast of a man, but as he continued to speak that soft smile came to her lips once more. Taking a careful step forward one hand reached out to take the cupcake, her other landing on his arm.

”Thank you, Ricardo. That is very sweet of you,” The shapeshifter murmured, before leaning in to kiss his cheek in thanks. It was a bit more uncommon to be so touchy in this country, but Valora could only hope he didn’t mind the expression of gratitude. A warmth had settled in her chest seeing his restraint in order to ‘right his wrongs’, so despite the fact she wasn’t actually looking forward to it...

”I ... will join you for training in a few minutes, if that is alright? I must eat first.” Stepping back from him, now cupping the cupcake in her own hands, Valora offered Ricardo and then Joseiah a slight nod of her head. ”I will see you both soon.”

It was only as she was entering the cafeteria that Valora tensed once more seeing the mass of people, and a slight sigh escaped her lips. What had she just agreed to?

---

As much as she wanted to draw her lunch out to delay the inevitable, it would’ve been extremely rude to do so after agreeing to join in on Ricardo’s training. It helped that the crowd of people seeking lunch in the cafeteria made Valora uneasy, not just because they were all evidently New Horizon employees. As such it was a short affair before the shapeshifter was taking the elevator back upstairs, rubbing her thumb against its opposite palm in a nervous gesture.

”Someone must’ve brought their pet in to the office today,” The thought absently passed through the blonde’s mind feeling the prick of her own unusually sharp nail against pale skin. It did nothing to comfort her, but at least she was safe in the knowledge that she had no business in the offices of the lower levels.

Valora hadn’t even reached the gym before Ricardo’s booming voice could already be heard. He was back to booming, of course, his words rattling clear through the hallway as he called for Draig. It didn’t help that the distorted echo of his words burst out of her comms, making her flinch and rub at her golden-furred ear.

It was simple enough to slip into the gymnasium with Phoenix Dawn’s presence encompassing so much, though Valora wasn’t proud to admit she nearly backed right back out seeing the small crowd that had gathered inside. Slowly she edged inside, her single uncovered eye darting about nervously. She didn’t think Ricardo’s training sessions were this popular, but even Alice had shown up! Were people this interested in that debilitating exercise routine he was describing?

Taking a shuddering breath and squaring her shoulders Valora gave a smile and tiny wave to Ricardo in greeting, and a nod to Joseiah.

”Good afternoon,” The Frenchwoman nearly whispered to her Team Leader, offering a weak smile as she slipped passed her. Valora was nearly sure her words were swallowed by the noise in the room. However the woman’s comment drew Valora’s newly slitted pupils up, settling on Elliot and Silas. Immediately her eyebrows furrowed seeing the way Elliot was ... well, it wasn’t flattering, but the way she hung off Silas. The blonde tilted her head, casting a questioning gaze to her friend, a silent question if he needed help.

That was when Valora first spotted him.

Black fur, a hint of white. Long ears – her own strangely elongated ones flattening into her hair. A flicking tail – thankfully she lacked that. Most pressing of all, however, were the claws and teeth. Valora’s nails dug into her palms, feeling her hands shaking as her tongue touched her teeth, sharp and capable of tearing through flesh easily.

Her pupils dilated to slits.

”C...Ca...” The word stuttered and whimpered against her tongue which felt clumsy and heavy. Valora’s back hit the wall with a small thump as she attempted to back track to the door without actually turning her back to the five foot feline creature. What was it?! Why was it here?!

When Valora half-tripped over her own feet, catching herself on the wall a panicked hiss escaped her lips before dissolving into a pathetic, choking half-whimper. Her flight or response was in full swing, screaming in her mind. Escape, leave, danger!

Why was no one else weirded out by this?!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Government Sanctioned Superheroes

@Delta44

Sorry, I already called dibs on Sydney. :P

Your Friendly Neighborhood Government Sanctioned Superheroes

It had been a long day. Well, start of a day, considering it was just about lunch time. That wasn’t a very comforting thought.

At least Valora finally had time to herself again. After transforming to a creature that was several times her weight she was starving and ended up eating everything that didn’t need cooking in her apartment’s fridge. Yet just as pressing was the settling her nerves. As such, the shifter found herself in the Tower’s recreational swimming pool, predicting correctly that she would be alone. Despite the presence of the dampening bracelets she was still able to do partial transformations of her own free will, which is why Valora was now sitting at the bottom of the body of water, gills working away at her neck and webbed fingers around her legs.

It wasn’t ideal, and if it were anywhere but a controlled swimming pool she wouldn’t be comfortable with this at all lest something be lurking in the water. Yet here she was, using the powers she hated so much to get some time to herself. Sure, she could’ve gone to her apartment, but that’s where people would look first if they were seeking her out – this at least bought Valora a few minutes more if someone wanted her.

She just needed to calm down and recollect her thoughts.

After Phoenix Dawn’s decimation of the ... hellephant, had he called it? Well, once the last of the mechanical creatures had been dispatched the shapeshifter had scampered out and, on seeing that Dawn looked only mildly scraped up, went to rally with her squad leader. Valora... may have rambled a bit at Victory, but she was worried! After seeing her getting blasted not once, but twice with those cannons, she thought Victory was in serious trouble! She should’ve done something more – surely the weight of a polar bear could’ve broken the cannon by jumping from that creature’s back...?

Of course, no matter how much she lamented over it, it wouldn’t change the fact that it happened.

And then there was the lion. Not a mechanical one, but a real – if odd looking – lion made of flesh and bones, with teeth and claws. Even though minutes before it had been a man in an equally odd outfit the presence of the predator had locked Valora up. When one of the New Horizon handlers suggested actually seeking out the man – the creature it sent a shiver down her spine and a spike of fear down her throat. It was really no surprise that her Injector had gave the signal she had reached her maximum allotted dose of its payload in such a short amount of time.

It was really kind of sad. Something that was reflected in the eyes of the Doctor who had checked her over on returning to the tower, as was usual after every mission. The Injector was refilled and recalibrated, and the usual questions asked of her. What had her so frightened this time – jaws crushing around Ka’van’s shield, Jane being flung into the mouth of the mechanical beast, a lion too close for comfort - how did she feel after being under the chemical calming agent, did she feel any more confident after another successful mission under her belt?

The Injector was usually good at keeping Valora calm throughout the entirety of a mission, but the fact that the mechanical creations had the visage of beasts as well as the appearance of that man-tiger... well, the Doctor had informed her that her phobia was still crippling her ability to perform. As if she wasn’t already aware.

A sigh escaped Valora’s lips, bubbles emerging with the motion to dart upwards and break the surface of the pool. Valora’s single grey eye followed them before she rose a pale, webbed hand to rub at her face. Yes, she was very aware of that fact. Now that she was no longer in battle or haunted by the thought of confronting creatures, the remains of the Injector’s chemicals had her surprisingly calm, though a slight twist of anxiety still remained in her chest. With her own fear, and then worry, then the check up she hadn’t even gotten to check on the other members of Team Omicron before they returned – as was her usual habit. She was a worrier.

Maybe now would be a good time to do so. Well, if they didn’t mind Valora dropping in anyway – she tried not to bother anyone outside the missions. Yet the more she thought of it – Sydney nearly impaled, the giant mechanical bird stalking Miles – the more that spark of worry gnawed at her.

Finally Valora uncurled from her position, twisting in the water to glide to the surface. Check ups, right... and maybe she’d check the cafeteria first, as even after her fridge’s decimation she could still use more energy.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Government Sanctioned Superheroes

Not relevant to anything, but good painting choice for Silas @Prosaic. I have the same image as one of my rotating desktop backgrounds!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Government Sanctioned Superheroes

Oof, Zoey's on point too!

I still need to write a relationship chart for Valora. Pretty sure Phoenix Dawn's section is just going to be "pls no"