City of Heroes
The Brotherhood of Justice
Author's Note: See the bottom for a special Author's note after reading this issue.
Disclaimer: I don't own City of Heroes, just a half eaten bowl of cereal and a badger.
Issue 13: Men of Power
The night air was quiet over Skyway City, until two figures appeared on opposing skyscrapers. One of the men wore a green hooded cloak and held a mystic staff high, the diamond on it's tip gleamed and brought more light to the darkness. He wore splendid white robes, glowing with pale blue runes of protection while he continued to mutter another incantation. He looked young, perhaps only thirty but the man's green eyes told of a great expanse of knowledge beyond his years. His face was lined, the result of years of adopting a look of concentration as he poured over books. A thin beard covered his jaw, chestnut brown.
Opposite from him, the other man seemed a direct opposite. With a hooded cloak that was the color of dried blood and robes as black as pitch. He held a dagger made of obsidian that seemed to draw the darkness to it. His robes bore crimson runes that brought further pain to his foes when an attack struck. He did not ready another spell, for there was no need. They had been battling for days now, and the white robed magician was coming to the end of his strength. "What's the matter old friend? Finding the path you chose to be.. limiting? You should have known better Shaiden."
Shaiden narrowed his eyes which briefly glowed with a golden light. "You may be correct Mire. However I was shown the right way long ago, and you should have followed with me rather then becoming the lackey that you have!" With that shout the man unleashed a blast of golden energy that gained in mass as it neared his foe.
The opposing spell user merely chuckled and made a quick series of cutting motions with his dagger. Arcane light trailed in the very air where the blade's tip traveled and a pentagram appeared. It flew forward to collide with Shaiden's attack and held it at bay until the blast dissipated. While the air was still fresh with the crackle of magical power Mire pointed his dagger at Shaiden and uttered one word. "Duskathium."
A blaze of fire shot from the dagger and before Shaiden could rally a defense it pierced the right side of his chest. He gasped, faltered as his staff clattered to the tarmac and fell to one knee. Shaiden realized that the battle was over, that Mire had once again reduced him to a quivering mass of exhaustion. Yet he could not allow his former ally and brother by vow this victory. The reasons behind this latest attack were below even Mire. Quickly Shaiden began to mumble the appropriate words and took up his staff, using it to stand as blood stained the front of his robes. The blood glowed, and then created a shining red dart that lanced out at Mire.
Caught by suprise, the villain barely deflected the blood dart in time. His glowing violet eyes were drawn to the dart as it slowly melted into blood once more on the roof. "Dark magic from you Shaiden? I would have thought you too..." He trailed off upon looking back up and seeing that he was alone. Beneath the black scarf that covered his mouth the dark mage scowled and cursed his own arrogance. Shaiden had used his own weakened state to play on the confidence that came from believing this would be the final conflict. Evidently that fool had just prolonged the fight a while longer. No matter, he had prepared for an event such as this. Mire slipped his hand into the long sleeve of the robe and took out a small crystal.
Slowly he began to recite the words of power, moving the gem in front of his eyes and began to focus his considerable will power on it. The crystal would be able to locate Shaiden, but with Paragon City and it's vast supply of magical heroes or otherwise, it would take a good while. That was fine, for Mire knew the war was his and he had only need to claim his prize.
The sun was high, signaling that it was almost noon or right at it. Though for Cinder the difference wasn't much. Not to mention she had a few other things on her mind while she scoped out the people walking around on the sidewalks just below the two floor building Cinder was resting on. Eden had, in the disguise of a Freedom Corps lawyer, gone to represent the Bard at the small trial held for striking the robot Adam XXV. Despite Eden's best efforts the Bard still had to serve a minor sentence of at least two weeks. It had everyone at the base a little nervous over the situation. Would Adam push the rest of them into the same situation? Adam had been hit twice more by other heroes, and like wise they were now under going trial. Requests were in work to have that law repealed, but the political system was slow to act.
"So remind me. Why are we in Skyway City without hitting any of the stores again?" Cinder asked, feeling the concrete barrier rub against her chin as she let her eyes raise up to view the skyline.
Of the other two with her, one bothered to respond. "Eden said a demon's portal was going to open and to not leave for at least a day. She said this was the most likely place we could stop it." Sentry replied with she flipped open the side of her left gauntlet to bring up a small touch pad screen. A series of electronic beeps came from it as her fingers pushed the appropriate keys. "We only have about six hours left. Just be patient and thankful that the owners are okay with us using their bathroom if need be."
"That's great and all, but just what are we supposed to be waiting for? A ton of stuff happens in Paragon. How will we know that it's the right thing to go after and not end up on a wild goose chase?" Cinder pointed out while she now focused on finger walking he hand around the ledge, pretending it was a daredevil as she got the hand close to the very edge. "I mean, a flaming deer screaming anti-easter slogans is sorta normal in this city. So how are we gonna know for sure, ya know?"
Finally the third member of the group was roused from his stupor. Tempest sat up a little more and coughed, opening the lower part of his helmet to yawn into his hand. "Just be patient Cinder. The life of a hero isn't all high action and explosions. After that street work with the Clockwork aren't you more then ready for a little rest?"
"That was a week ago and we haven't fought any cool villains and don't say Hellions count! I was taking those guys down when I first started out on my own." Cinder muttered the last part, feeling that sometimes they forgot that she was a part of the team to. Not just some little girl wanting to tag along. She was sixteen after all!
"Hey, where are you going?" Sentry asked when she noticed Cinder standing up and walking for the fire escape.
"For a walk. You guys can stay up here like roof decorations, I can go kick something's butt before I explode." With that she left Billy Young and Betty Taylor to their own devices.
Betty moved to follow after her but at a shake of the head from Billy she stopped. "Let her go. Maggie isn't used to working with us yet. She ran solo for the longest time, then went with Breakneck and Blue Samurai. It's a big step from a three person group to a nine person team with it's own base. Her friends are fitting in well, and so is Necrose but Maggie's still a little green. Give her time and she'll come around."
"If you say so. Aren't we supposed to be more careful? Especially if the portal opens up and that demon or whatever it is comes through from the astral plane. Eden wasn't sure how strong it would be, just that we needed at least three of us to put it down for the count." Sentry replied with turning and walking to the opposite end of the roof to find a better place out of the sun.
Just as she'd gotten comfortable a blazing red tear in the air appeared and began to widen with a loose spiral. Out of the swirling energies a monstrous demon, nearly eight feet tall landed on the roof and let loose a roar at the startled heroes. The thing was purple skinned, wearing only a tattered brown loincloth and wrist manacles with the remains of some links of chain to them. It's eyes were wide, empty fields of white and it's mouth was filled with at least three rows of teeth. It had grossly colossal horns, nearly to the point of being ridiculous with their twisting, chaotic shape that ultimately ended with the points straight up. "Finally! I am free from my imprisonment! No one shall ever mock the name of Sarces, Lord of Agony ever..." It was then the demon noticed Tempest standing up, and Sentry joining him.
While the demon seemed just as stunned to find them, Tempest was rather calm. "Not sure if that's our demon but he stole my color scheme." The wings snapped out of his bracers and with a quick snap of the wrists a single bolt of lightning struck Sarces in the chest, hurling the screaming monster into the alley below. "Let's get him! If we hit him quick enough we might win with just the two of us." With that electricity crackled along Tempest's gauntlets and he flew off the roof after the demon. Sentry was just a second behind, thrusters releasing fire in their wake.
----
Cinder hadn't heard the commotion caused by the demon's arrival. For when she'd felt her feet hit the pavement below she took off at a light jog. She didn't have a real destination in mind and was just looking forward to a refreshing run around the neighborhood. The day hadn't started off very well for her. Getting up early enough to beat the sun never agreed with her. By nature Maggie Devlin was not a morning person and had nearly fried that freaky girl Widow when she was being shook awake for the mission.
Twenty minutes later, and three muggers Cinder was feeling a little more upbeat on the day. She was just passing through beneath the train stop when a flash of red caught her eye. The girl had just turned around in time enough to throw up a quick barrier of flames to halt a blast of power. Unfortunately the attack wasn't completely stopped, the fire only made it detonate in a explosion of smoke and embers that scorched every body part of hers not covered by her clothes. An instant later a second blast collided with her stomach, doubling her over the crimson light. Cinder dug her heels in, tried to fight it but ultimately she was sent backwards through the air into the side of a water line. Pain kept her plastered to the cement for a second until gravity tugged her upper body forward. The girl stumbled forward and fell, barely managing to catch herself on her hands. "What.. what was that?"
The approach of heavy boots caused Cinder to look up and come face to face with Mire. She tried to stand so she could fight back, but all the strength in her seemed to have abandoned her. Leaving the young hero a trembling mass at the mercy of the dark spell caster. "Hello little one. I wasn't aware you were a hero.. your kind normally wears flashier costumes. Not something your mommy can sew up in six minutes."
"B.. Bite me you dress wearing freak." She spat back at him, with some effort managing to actually spit in his direction. With a burst of strength Cinder at least wasn't resting on her hands anymore. They now hung at her sides as useless as logs. "Villains usually wear something manlier. Not something their mommy goes to sunday school in."
Mire's eyes flared and he pointed the dagger at Cinder, sending out another shot of arcane power that threw her back against the water line again. However this time she was kept there. "Cheeky little brat aren't you? No matter.. you will aid my search greatly." Another twist of the wrist locked Cinder's jaw, making certain she could not speak further. Once that was finished Mire turned and spoke a few words of magic beneath his breath. When he spoke aloud his voice was magically amplified, echoing throughout Skyway City. "Shaiden. Reveal yourself or this precious little brat will pay for your cowardice. You have ten seconds to come to me old friend."
Beads of sweat formed on Cinder's forehead as she tried to force her way out of the enchantment but it was a futile effort. Whatever power the mage held was ancient, beyond mortal effort to resist. Fire crackled and sputtered at her fingertips but that was as far as she got before her body just gave out. By that point the man in the robes had reached the count of eight and was pointing the dagger squarely at her chest. A bead of read had started to form on the tip, gathering in strength. "I grow weary of waiting!"
"Very well Mire. You have me." With a flutter of a heavy cloak Shaiden appeared, feeble still from the wound Mire had inflicted on him hours earlier. It had been closed somewhat, perhaps an amatuer healer had seen to him but had not been able to finish the job before Mire had called him out. "Let the child go and let us settle this like it was meant to be."
Mire smirked beneath his robe's collar and then with a gesture released the holding spell he'd had in place. As Cinder fell flat on her face he spoke another quick series of incantations that fired out a lash of fire towards Shaiden. The opposing mage spun his staff with a flourish, releasing a glow from the diamond focus at it's tip and then swung for the fire lash, when they connected the fire turned to ice and fell. The second the ice shattered Mire was inches from Shaiden, thrusting the dagger forward for his stomach. Shaiden was equally quick, with a gesture a barrier sprang up and repelled the blade and Mire along with it several yards away. A moment's break from the action finally saw Shaiden stumble back, gasping at the expended blood loss without rest.
The villain's eyes narrowed in pleasure and he raised the dagger to prepare the killing blow when a bolt of fire slammed against his shoulder. Numerous artifacts kept Mire relatively safe from the ravages of natural things like fire. However the force of the blow still staggered him. "What..? You!" Turning, Mire was able to dodge another bolt thrown by Cinder who'd just gotten to her feet. "Pestering child! Stay out of something that has nothing to do with you!" He thrust the dagger at her, catching the girl with a levitation spell and sent her flying into a support beam for the train rail. Before she could adjust to it, Mire directed her to go into the side of the station itself, shattering a window and sending her out of sight. "Now. Where were we?"
Shaiden was ashen faced, nearly weak to the point of passing out. Grasping his staff, the mage stood up and hardened himself for the next crucial manuevers. "You had no right harming the girl, she does not understand what she is facing like I do. What you plan to do.. devouring the essence of a demon appearing here today is sick even for you." The last words were spoken like a bitter curse. He flung out a hand that sent a wave of green magic that Mire slashed through with a simple slice of the dagger. Shaiden grimaced. He was too weary to fight evenly with Mire any longer! "Well old friend.. you have gained great power, but there is one thing you have not been granted in choosing your dark and lonely path."
"What is that? You were wrong when you said that taking the mantal of Zel Fala was a road to ruin. You were wrong when you said forging this dagger would only hinder me!" Mire screeched, tired of Shaiden's repeated warnings against things that had only brought him the highest degree of power. He struck out with the dagger and sent a blast of magical fire so immense it was as though a train was screaming towards Shaiden. The wounded hero however did not try to avoid it, he merely smiled and bowed his head.
The flames devoured Shaiden, hiding him from sight. Mire screamed and continued to keep up the stream before at long last feeling the strain on his will power. The fire stopped but Shaiden stood unharmed within a mental shield. Mire's eyes widened and then he uttered an incantation. It revealed the barrier was not of his foe's making, rather from an outside source. "What is this?"
"Friends, something you failed to concern yourself with apparently." Shaiden said with a wider smile while Eden, Necrose, Blue Samurai, Breakneck, and Widow appeared before him in a flash of teleports. With some room to breath the mage slumped down to one knee and recollected himself while Eden set about healing him again with a magical orb, garnered from Shaiden's own library. "Thank you fair lady for aiding me. However shall I repay this debt I owe?"
The Fallen Saint's eyes glowed for just a moment and a secretive smile came to her black painted lips. "I can think of a way, but we have more pressing matters at the moment. Brotherhood, attack!" The last command she said on turning toward her team and setting up the pace of the battle. With a quick surge of her gravity control she made Mire slam down to one knee. The dark mage wouldn't be outdone, for exhausted as he was a quick few words broke Eden's power and Mire stood once again. "He has been battling Shaiden for days now. Our opportunity to defeat him is extremely high. Do not give him an inch." As the rest of the team charged Eden continued to tend to Shaiden.
Widow flashed in and out of sight, teleporting short distances until she was right before the villian. She kicked up, but Mire caught her foot and sent her flying to the ground with a blast of fire from the dagger. Breakneck dashed in, catching Mire with a chaingun speed combination of punches that were mostly buffered by Mire's enchantments but they still had the effect of wearing him down. Cursing, Mire froze him to the spot with a gesture and brought his dagger up to block a slash of Blue Samurai's katana. While the samurai was occupied with trying to honorably win the struggle Mire shoved his hand into the samurai's chest and sent him skyward with a burst of power. Remembering there was one more Mire looked back down after watching Blue Samurai's ascent. Necrose swung, and Mire ducked out of the way, allowing the wooden post behind him to be broken in two from the force of her punch. With a massive effort Mire sent Necrose flying headfirst into the distant wall with a blaze of fire.
"You speak so highly of yourself and these allies Shaiden. Yet, you ally yourself with children and the undead. Not to mention a boy who can not even come up with his own identity and a would be samurai." Mire smirked and supressed the urge to breath deep. He'd just taken down an entire team with little effort and no more pain then a split lip from Breakneck. The realization was pleasing enough to put him back in good humor. "So tell me. Who would you summon now? A fairy, or let me guess.. a pony?" Mire's humor faded when he saw the undead woman standing back up. That blow should have killed her, no matter. He would just.. Mire's eyes flew open wide as the woman turned around. His reaction was mirrored in the Brotherhood, those aware enough to observe the change.
Blood the color of black sludge was pouring over Necrose's face from the gash she'd gotten by slamming into the wall. Her eyes had lose the pupils, rendering them dead white. The orbs lacked any traces of humanity unlike Eden's however and her teeth had become barred in a snarl akin to a rabid animal. Fists clenched, Necrose let loose an unholy scream as she started running towards Mire again, ignoring the blasts he sent in defense. Some missed, but others solidly hit her, blowing a hole in one shoulder and drawing bloody wounds in other places were contact was made. Pain had no hold on the woman.
Mire cursed and tried to stab her in a last ditch effort at defense just as she came within striking distance. An out thrust hand caught the blade head on and it ripped straight through down to the hilt with a spray of blood. Instead of trying to dislodge the weapon, Necrose twisted her hand, using her own bones to force it from Mire's grasp and she leveled him with an almighty punch. Had the enchantments not been active his head would have been torn clean from his shoulders. Still, crack of a broken jaw and a few loose teeth were not a pleasant realization for the man just as he passed out. Necrose stood over him, chest heaving before she turned her eyes on her worried team mates. With a hoarse scream she turned, flinging the dagger away and started for them now.
Eden turned just then to see what was happening and opened a wormhole beneath Necrose's feet. Caught off guard, the undead woman fell into the spiraling vortex with a ragged scream. Then with a flick of the wrist the wormhole was closed. With that taken care of the Fallen Saint helped Shaiden stand. "There. You appear to be healed enough to manage on your own. It appears there is more to one of our team then I had first thought.." She trailed off as the Brotherhood gathered around to hear what she had to say. "Necrose is a very civil woman as you've all seen at the base. However it appears that when she's injured seriously enough rage takes a hold of her, effectively rendering her in a beserk state. The effect of it you have just witnessed. Increased endurance, little sense of pain, and the inability to tell friend from foe."
"That may very well be.. but what will we do with her now?" Breakneck asked before zipping up the stairs to pick up a bloody and injured Cinder who'd just staggered out of the train station. Within five seconds he was back, Cinder cradled in his arms. "Tell me there's a way to reverse it. We can't just leave her in there."
The Fallen Saint reguarded Breakneck with a pensive stare. Long enough for the speedster to find it most uncomforting to meet her gaze before he looked away. "She will come back to her senses in time. How long that may be I am not certain, but I will create a special holding area for her in the base when these incidents occur." After saying that she turned to the fallen Mire with a smile, though like all other things Eden did it was deliberate without genuine emotion behind it. "Shaiden asked for assistance in this matter. Tempest, Sentry, and Cinder were supposed to defeat the demon when it appeared, negating Mire's goals. However it seems like everything worked out for the best now."
The team was oblivious to the villain who'd been dismissed as unconscious, Mire's hand gripped the dagger and waited for the moment to strike.
----
"Die weakling mortals, taste the wrath of flames that seer the very souls of- umph!" The demon Sarces was cut off by Sentry delivering an uppercut that sent him out of the alley way and through a chain link fence. Snorting and shaking his head, the monster let loose another attempted tirade. "Foul wench, you dare touch the prince of pain? The Lord of-" A blast of lightning from Tempest sent Sarces flying even further back.
"You would think he'd be tougher but all he does is try to tell us how boned we are for smacking him around!" Sentry complained before landing a right hook across Sarces's jaw as he opened his mouth to spout another self aggrandizing statement. She pistoned three more fists across the demon's face and ended with a knee lift with a blaze of her thrusters to send it directly against Sarces's face. The self called Lord of Agony staggered back yet again. "Though she might have something there. We haven't managed to keep this motor mouth down yet." She punctuated her statement with a repulsor blast into Sarces's chest that sent the demon back another few steps.
"Less talking. Keep him from speaking." Tempest replied, having thoroughly gotten sick of the demon's non-stop yammering. He added his own strikes of lightning when Sentry was clear of the target.
Sarces snarled, and raised his fists. "Enough! I will not simply abide being made sport of by such tiny-" Sentry and Tempest doubled their fists up, charged with energy and lightning respectively and slammed them upward into the Lord of Agony's jaw, sending him clear over the building they'd worked him to across the construction yard. He landed with a ground shuddering impact and drew a few sounds of suprised voices. Blinking, the demon stood up to find himself facing the rest of the Brotherhood of Justice. They were caught flat footed, much like he was at that moment. With a flexing of muscles the Lord of Agony started to speak. "Puny mortals, fear me! Sarces, the Lord of-" A blazing pain shot through his chest. Confused as his power began to leave, the demon looked down at the bloodied dagger protruding from the right side. "What is..?"
"Sarces, your power and essence is no longer yours." Mire spoke with a bloody smile as his jaw knitted itself. He twisted the blade, causing a bellow to come from Sarces. "You are no where near as powerful as I'd hoped but it shall do to get me away from these pests and their pet zombie!" The final dregs of the demon's essence entered the dagger just as the body changed into a pile of sand at Mire's feet. With that complete, eyes ablaze with new power the mage smirked. "You have won the day this time Shaiden, my quest for this demon was a waste of time. I will return another time for you..." Before the Brotherhood could react Mire had vanished, leaving behind only a pile of sand.
At that time Tempest and Sentry arrived. After an initial glance at the area and coming up blank as to where the demon went, the pair landed. "Eden, did the demon we were chasing come through here?"
"He did. However, we failed in preventing Mire from taking his essence." The Fallen Saint replied while she passed her gaze over the sand pile with a small frown. However it did not last as her attention turned to Shaiden, the same secretive smile appeared. "Brotherhood, in exchange for our aid may I introduce our newest member. A dear friend of mine from long ago, his name is Shaiden. A master of the arcane energies and a most useful addition. Especially for what I have in mind."
"Really? What is it?" Sentry asked after studying Shaiden and taking note of the staff.
Eden continued to look at Shaiden, a coy raise of the brow. "You asked how you could repay me friend. Here is how, we need to divide the team into two squads. To better manage our resources, you shall be in charge of a team we set up here in Skyway City." She paused and trailed off into thought as the Brotherhood looked amongst themselves, wondering what would be the results of such a thing. "As for what three I shall leave you in command of I am not certain yet.."
Special Author's Note
This is an updated author's note. Some of my few readers that are still around may notice I got rid of my Brotherhood Ultimate story. That is because I have decided to just come back to the story that helped me get out there and what not.
So the next time you see an update it will be the start of Volume 2!