AN: Where this is originally posted on Sufficient Velocity there are multiple spoilered images meant to act as a slideshow. I'll do my best to translate that to text for the FF version of this story, but to get the full impact I highly recommend reading the original for maximum Kratos. Again, there's loads of additional content there to include up to date chapters, PRT Threat Ratings, canon lore omakes, fan omakes, as well as an expanded timeline that updates periodically with worldbuilding.
Anyway, onwards with the story :3
1.03 Interlude (Emily Piggot)
"Director. Behemoth is now on the move with subject Despoina. From the recorded conversation it appears as if they are making for the family restaurant, Fugly Bob's." The tinkertech earbud transmits Armsmaster's voice directly into my ear as I look over the documentation Hannah had prepared in advance all through the morning for the coming meeting.
He pauses for a long moment and the communications band wrapped around Mouse Protector's throat audibly records her timely swallow.
"Do we pursue?"
"Negative Armsmaster. We were only there with information to placate Behemoth and limit the fallout. As planned we have teams ready to move to cordon off the areas when he makes his move. What of Despoina's father? Was he receptive?"
"Ullr and his wife have likewise left the building and seem to be on their way home. While implications were made that we would be glad to have Despoina as part of the Wards program, we agreed on no further discussion until Despoina herself was addressed by Ullr after she has fully recovered." Armsmaster coughs to himself before continuing. "We will likely not have a concrete answer until the criminal portion of the ABB is dismantled as an organization. It appears that the Chief Director's recollections of his youthful trial by fire were not fanciful tales if Behemoth's recounting of Ullr's first outing as a parahuman is any indication."
Yes. Having met Chief Director Atreus Kratosson myself I know how he can spin even the most mundane story into a fanciful adventure straight out of a Brother's Grimm fairytale. Despite him being a powerful parahuman who has lived since nearly a century before the calendar changed, he acts more like a manchild stuck in his early twenties.
Dear God. What does it say I'd rather my irritating and annoying Boss would've been the one to visit Brockton rather than his sensible and quiet father?
I glance at my screen currently displaying the PRT's current threat assessment regarding Kratos Tispartis.
Name: Kratos Tispartis, Kratos of Sparta
Codename: Behemoth, Greek God of War
Classification : Mover 6, Shaker 9, Brute 10, Breaker 10, Tinker 0 (9), Blaster 9, Thinker 6, Striker 16, Stranger 1
Disposition: Independant Hero (?)
Location: Wiseman, Alaska
General information: Behemoth is a parahuman born 350-340 BC in the ancient Greek city state of Sparta (Think Tank Proven). He is a figure from greek myth erroneously known as the personification of power. In truth he was known as the God of War usurping the position from the previous parahuman known as Ares. Our investigations conclude that he is the son of the parahuman Zeus and a human woman named Callisto. He has lived for over two millennia and has traveled throughout the world battling other ancient parahumans and biotinker creations during several historical events before fading from history until recently to do battle with the Endbringer Behemoth upon its arrival in New York on March 26th, 1994.
The parahuman Behemoth dispatched his namesake within an hour of arrival before agreeing to an interview by his son, then NY Deputy Director of the PRT Atreus Kratosson. The revelation of Behemoth's origins caused a fire in the historical and parahuman community causing further turmoil as written history and the 'recent' discovery of parahumans was overturned.
Behemoth continues to participate in Endbringer fights with dozens of Thinkers ruling that his presence alone has caused the rate of their attacks to slow despite the increased rate new Endbringers are showing themselves. He has thus far been instrumental in minimizing total deaths as in every battle he has appeared he has either personally killed or forcibly driven off Endbringer after Endbringer without the assistance of Scion.
Endbringer Kills:
Behemoth
Leviathan? (Unconfirmed. Core Damaged. Vanished after Kyushu sinking.)
Khonsu
Bohu
Kraken
Bahamut
Personality: Behemoth is quiet and wishes to be left alone. Those who have spoken with him at length note that he has a deep philosophical side and believes in the separation between ancient parahumans and the current age of humanity to include modern day parahumans. He is slow to anger and otherwise harmless to the average person unless he is actively antagonized upon which he will respond with debilitating violence that requires extended treatment in a medical facility.
Powers:
Mover 6: His enhanced physiology allows Behemoth to move at speeds upwards of 85 mph, leap multiple stories, and has been known to be able to 'double jump' or even glide vast distances with ancient tinkertech wings. Walls do not tend to be an impediment to his movement.
Shaker 9: Has shown the ability to channel multiple destructive elements including lightning, hurricane force winds, fire, and includes other esoteric effects such as pulling out what can only be described as souls out of the bodies of his enemies. What is more several of his weapons have shown to have their own Shaker effects to cleave or smash aside obstacles. Upon death, creatures in his immediate area will also drop glowing orbs that seem to empower Behemoth.
Brute 10: While he can be hurt out of his Breaker state, Behemoth's maximum strength is favorably comparable to that of Alexandria smashing into an Endbringer at full speed. His longevity can be attributed to his regeneration ability that brings him back to full health after a short moment of concentration.
Breaker 10: Taking the form of flames erupting from Behemoth's body, he gains exceptionally increased strength, speed, and is all but invulnerable in this state. It is unknown how long he can maintain this form.
Tinker 0 (9): While it does not seem that he has any ability to manufacture tinkertech on his own, Behemoth carries with him an astonishing array of esoteric weaponry that seemingly needs little to no repair and are capable of effects that match or exceed that of modern tinkertech weaponry and armor.
Blaster 9: Stemming more from his equipment, Behemoth's array of Blaster powers include being able to turn opponents into stone, hurling bolts of photons with similar composition to what is theorized to make up stars, and more.
Thinker 6: It is unknown whether Behemoth truly has a Thinker rating, however his multiple lifetimes worth of combat experience makes him thus far unbeatable in personal combat. Enough so that many Combat Thinkers are unable to put up a fight.
Striker 16: Endbringer cores are the most durable materials known to mankind as they are so dense that they break the laws of physics. Behemoth is able to reach and destroy these cores with his weapons and once with his bare hands.
Stranger 1: While it is impossible to miss Behemoth when he is walking down the street, this rating was given only because he has been able to stay hidden from the world for at least several hundred years without being noticed.
Recommended Strategies : Do not approach. Do not attempt conversation. Do not engage.
Right. That.
I have to bite down on the urge to go for the bottle of brandy hidden under my desk as I reply and attempt to keep the growing migraine under control.
"I see. Good work Armsmaster, Mouse Protector. Send myself and the Thinker department a copy of the conversation and we'll go over it once more when you arrive." I nod towards Miss Militia and towards the rest of the Protectorate members not in the know who arrive followed by the entirety of the Wards. "We will continue this conversation when you return, Piggot out."
The urge to sigh, grumble, and take the day off to hit the gym for a few hours grows as I see the Wards fidgeting and grumbling about being pulled out of whatever activities they were conducting on the weekend. More when I see the obviously hungover forms of Triumph, Velocity, and Assault who is weakly groaning and waving away a grinning Battery.
Ethan's whimpers in the face of his wife flicking his temple as it remains burrowed in his arms brings enough good humor to my horrifying day that I'm able to crush down the temptation of cutting and running to take a seat at the head of the desk.
"Thank you all for arriving so promptly. Now that we are all here we can begin the meeting. Miss Militia?"
"Director." The Protectorate team leader of Brockton Bay nods her head professionally and turns to the holographic display in the middle of the table. "As all of you are aware, there was a parahuman battle that took place at the docks between an… 'unknown' parahuman and Lung where the enforcer of the ABB was sent fleeing back to his territory."
"Sent flying you mean?" Assault just barely manages to keep from grunting at the elbow Battery so kindly pushes into his side as he leans up from his formerly pathetic position and places his jaw in his hands playfully. "I hear ol' girl took one from her old man's books and knocked Lung back into Asiatown like he did with Crawler way back when."
At this Hannah sighs to herself and points at the upraised hand of Carlos when he raises his hand as several of the Protectorate members in the know grinned and chuckled.
I have to hide my own at the memory of Ullr, who while not matching the victories of his grandfather, has more than a few notable accomplishments to his name.
I'd probably be dead and buried along with the rest of Ellisburg if not.
"So we know who this mystery parahuman is?" Aegis asks putting his hand down, glancing around the table with a raised brow.
The scarf wearing woman nods, swiping a hand across the holographic display to the next slide, showing the Capebook profile picture of a certain local celebrity.
The results from most of the Wards are rather immediate and expected given that they go to school with her in Arcadia.
"TAYLOR!?"
Various voices alternatively shout or mumble in disbelief (Aegis), shock (Vista), dumbfounded realization (Kid Win), a smug eyeroll (Shadow Stalker), a grumbling exchange of money (Gallant), and a facepalm (Clock- Dennis).
"Told ya it was her." Shadow Stalker laughs, smugly grinning with her mask and hood resting on top of her head as she counts several twenty dollar bills.
"Yeah, yeah, stuff it Sophia." Gallant grunts, tossing his empty wallet onto the table. "Uuuugh… how!? You don't even go to school with her!"
"So? You know we hang out Feelz boy. You get brought over by Glory on girls nights enough to know."
I raise an eyebrow at the exchange, glancing at Hannah who nods with a small smile uncovered by the star spangled bandana pulled down around her neck.
My newest (hopefully soon to be second newest) Ward's been making friends.
Huh.
"Cut the chatter kids. Militia, you got more stuff to chew on?" Rory smirks with a grin as he playfully rubs Dennis' hair, pulling up his lion helmet over his head so the motion can't be returned.
"Dude! You're like, a year older than me!" Dennis growls, batting the older teen's hands off with both of his skinny arms.
"Ahem." Hannah clears her throat with a crinkle of her eyes before moving on. "Now normally we wouldn't be so open with Despoina's identity, we all know she waived her rights away and has been jumping rooftops in Brockton for years now. Much like her father, grandfather, and great grandfather."
Several heads tilt in response as more than a few Wards begin to do the math in their heads as do a few of the younger Protectorate members not in the know.
The next slide shows the image of Daniel Hebert, a grizzled and handsome middle aged man who wouldn't be out of place in Cosmopolitan's top ten most desirable gentlemen. The following information in comparison contains well known information about his PRT affiliated Hero persona by the name of Ullr.
The latest photo shows a picture of the man in a modernized cowboy costume that wouldn't look out of place in a fantasy western where the hero would 'wrastle' Graboids for fun.
…
Something he has apparently done in one of his 'monster hunts' across the United States during his day job as a contracted 'problem solver' regarding rogue ancient biotinker creations.
"That's… really odd isn't it? Isn't Mr. H like, in his forties?" Missy tilts her head, pointing up at the slide now showing Daniel Hebert's picture. "Powers only started appearing again in the mid eighties and older people don't usually trigger. Not that Mr. H looks like he's forty…"
"Excellent observation Vista, and you would be correct in most cases. However…" The olive skinned woman looks my way for confirmation and I nod.
The next slide is a picture of the Chief Director of the PRT both in and out of costume and the mood within the room quickly changes from piqued curiosity to something close to horrifically awed realization.
The next set of pictures shows the PRT's Chief Director, Loki Kratosson in his everyday business casual. A mild looking man wearing glasses and a sweater vest whose fiery red hair and facial tattoos are overshadowed by his soft smile.
The second picture however, shows the form of a significantly different man whose glowing eyes and hair flowing with eldritch power leaks a dangerous, carnal intensity.
Loki, arguably the most powerful parahuman employed by the PRT and much like his father before him, a mythical figure of legend who has shaped the course of history through his very existence.
"I don't have to explain who this person is, now do I?" Hannah chuckles to herself as the dots visibly begin to connect in several widening eyes and paling faces. "It isn't exactly a secret, but we don't advertise that Loki is Ullr's Father."
"Holy fucking shit." Sophia whispers, shakily bringing a finger up to point at the display while everyone else watches on in various states of amusement or broken voice boxes. "That means…"
One by one, Hannah slowly goes through the slides of various Endbringer battles Behemoth has been part of.
Bahamut: KIA
Kraken: KIA
Some he has killed.
Others. He has driven away time and again.
Titan: Active
Grootslang: Active
Hydra: Active
Iya: Active
Ra: Active
Until finally, there is only a single slide left. A photo of a living God who stands next to Scion.
Perhaps even above him.
Behemoth. Kratos of Sparta.
"It's as you say. Despoina's great grandfather is the Ancient Parahuman, Behemoth. Otherwise known as Kratos. The God of War." The PRT team leader says with a beaming smile followed by a picture of the ABB's territories that have been crossed out ahead of time.
"We're telling you this information now because after hearing that Despoina was recovering in the hospital from the aftermath of her battle with Lung, Behemoth is here." Miss Militia narrows her eyes, staring deeply in the eyes of the suddenly stilled Wards and younger Protectorate members, weapon changing several times at her side. "We'll be going over his capabilities shortly, but I don't think I need to tell you to stay out of his way while he's here on 'business' with the ABB-"
A long, drawn out scream emerges, centering on Sophia who quickly pulls out her her phone with a wary look at Hannah's weapon which has just transformed into an M240B machine gun.
I myself barely manage to hold my sigh in as several grins light up on the faces of my 'great heroes'.
"Sorry, forgot to turn it off…" Sophia grumbles with a cowed frown before her fingers freeze and her face pales. "Oh shit."
"Something wrong Stalker…?" Dean raises a surprised eyebrow before leaning in to see the message on her civilian phone and freezing himself.
?
Confusion appears on the maskless faces of all present when Dean robotically pulls the phone out from the unresisting fingers of the dark costumed teenager. Looking to see where this is going, nobody says anything when the armored empath turns the bluetooth on and waves the phone at the display…
Oh.
Messages from Fairy Tale
Hey
Tay's out of the hospital
We gonna get lunch at fuglys with her grandpa
U wanna come?
Grandpa Kray's really cool
Hey
U there?
I'll save you a seat
"... I get sick days on probation right?"