Author's Note: I managed to get over 100 (106) followers and almost 90 (84)favorites in less than two weeks, this is nothing short of amazing and unprecedented for me.
I sincerely thank everyone who is supporting me and reading this story.
I promise to commit to this story and do a great job.
Responses to comments:
RedBurningDragon: Holmes if he became immortal would end the story even before it could begin in earnest.
So Holmes is not a True Guardian, perhaps calling him a Pseudo-Guardian or a Prototype-Guardian would be more accurate.
The Light is a paracausal force that has existed since before the beginning of time and space.
It is fundamentally driven to increase the complexity and diversity of entities in the universe, and in particular to encourage the growth of new life forms.
Light emanates from the Traveler, but is not produced exclusively by it.
All living beings and all places possess some Light, perhaps as a soul, since the spark of life is Light itself.
Holmes thanks to the Phantom managed to perceive the Light and use it, but with few obvious effects.
For only the true Guardians are the rare few able to wield the Light as a weapon.
Holmes can delve into the use of Light, but he will never be a True Guardian unless greater steps are taken.
You may be wondering why Holmes cannot be a True Guardian.
For my personal point of view, it's partly because all Guardians died before they got their awakened Light.
The resurrection process infuses a fraction of the Light of the Traveler, making their bodies a kind of divine undead, the process overloading the cells of their bodies with the divine Light of the Traveler to the point that their most basic needs have become null and void.
Holmes is alive and possesses normal Light but he is asleep, so he does not possess the same level of charge as a True Guardian.
It takes a special person to use the Light and not burn out in the process.
The Light can empower Holmes, but not regulating it can also be dangerous if not handled with care.
For all intents and purposes, unless their Light becomes powerful enough to affect more than just his body, he will just be a human with a lot of raw potential.
If he can learn and cultivate his potential, a lasting process, he will gain some of Destiny's Space Magic tricks, but immortality is out of reach, but he can gain some form of longevity.
Kaiya Azure: The Celestial Forge is a tool that offers its owner a vast number of skills, powers, knowledge and technologies. Keeping out some pieces of technology for you can use them as powers for a disposable identity can be done. Not often, but having a bomber alter ego or mercenary alter ego can be useful the some situations.
Kitsune Obsessed Freak: There were some problems, I published the chapter around 12 midnight, so I accidentally published the chapter in the wrong language.
The current number of votes for Holmes' Ghost are:
Altair (3)
Clank (1)
Ratchet (1)
Soundwave (0)
Shockwave (0)
Chapter 5: His name is Iron-Star. Part 1.
POV Harold Holmes
Infinite, the big moment for my debut is finally here.
It's been two days since I got Ghost, a full week since my explosive show, two weeks since I got to Worm.
In this short time I've managed to make several advances in my heroic program, all the preparations for my first patrol are done.
Honestly, I think I've put more effort into fixing the Hebert house, as well as helping Taylor and Danny, more Taylor than damage, all Worm fans know that Taylor a needs a mentally and morally capable friend, with no ulterior motives behind his friendship ...
Can I fit into this category?
I've declared myself crazy several times in the past two weeks, beat up two teenage girls (mentally compromised bitches) and tossed a school in the air, making it look like the Nazis were the real culprits. I am friends/figure big brother with Taylor because I don't want to witness the birth Khepri ...
I don't cover my own invented standards either about what kind of friend Taylor needs.
But what can I do, Taylor not to many choices of who to make friends.
XXX Entering a zone that exists in Holmes' mind, known as Zone H3 XXX
A Reality Show is being held, reminiscent of programs to help young people find a girlfriend/wife or something similar to the wheel of fortune.
Taylor stands center stage with an introduction that looks like Nicolas Cage and his assistant is Cat Valentine/ Ariana Grande, dressed in a red princess gown.
" Taylor Hebert, welcome to the H3 Zone's most beloved Reality Show, Who will be your friend! " Shouted Nicolas Cage into his microphone as the viewers applauded.
" Here are the rules you have three options to choose from, each option is final and you will be forced to be with that person for the rest of your life, which would be about two years if things don't change." Said Nicolas Cage, introducing the rules of this weird TV contest.
" Here are your three options, Taylor Hebert:
Option number one, Emma Barnes, mentally deranged, traitorous, her strong point her beauty and silver tongue, weak point her fragile mental stability. If you choose her, you will be abused until she gains powers or most likely die in a locker full of shit and bio-waste."
Emma greets Taylor with a crowbar and a mentally unstable look reminiscent of a Yandere.
Cat Valentine/Ariana Grande hides behind Taylor in fear.
"Option number two, Lisa aka Tattletale, sex slave to a pedophile snake, innate manipulator, loves tight fitting clothes, possesses a foxy smile and can shoot a gun. Her strong point her silver tongue and her Thinker powers, her weaknesses she can not shut her mouth and all her choices led to more bad luck and criminal acts.
If you choose her, we read Worm we know how it ends for you, a bullet to the head."
Tattletale in her tight fitting costume, waves to Taylor, behind her are caricatures of Lung, Kaiser, Coil, Jack Slash and Sion.
Cat Valentine/Ariana Grande swoons with fear, on stage comes Sam Puckett/Jennette McCurdy, dressed as a biker bad girl, come to pick up/protect her redheaded friend.
"Option number three, a 21/22 year old adult male inside the body of a British teenager. His strengths possess Celestial Forge and knowledge of the future, the body of a prince charming and money from the Holmes family. Weak point paranoia, knowledge of the future can get himself killed while trying to call him and security will be targeted by Simurgh and/or Mannequin."
Harold Holmes embarrassed by the spotlight, tries to smile as Koragg and his Phantom support him from the stands, using large colorful signs with writing on them:
"He is the man who rides me every night! "
"He is my Guardian! "
" Taylor, who do you choose as your friend !" Nicolas Cage asked, handing the microphone to Taylor.
" I can run off with Sam and Cat instead, I think I'm risking less with the two of them." Proposed Taylor, watching as Sam is trying to wake Cat up using several slaps.
"That could work, we're in a twilight zone created by a fanboy reading stories where Cat gets engaged to me, Tori or Jade. So if you want to take Lisa and/or Amy, and move to Hollywood with me and Cat, it can be done. But stay away from my meat. " Sam said, pulling his infamous weapon, a sock full of butter.
" Or not ..." Taylor muttered, slightly startled by Sam and his sock full of butter.
" We'll be right back after commercial breaks." Communicated Nicolas Cage, smiling at the rooms.
XXX Returning to reality XXX
My mind is a strange place filled with sitcoms, soap operas, serial cop shows and Yuri fanfiction about Nickelodeon actresses.
In the last 48 hours, I've gotten five gifts, the first being a Hangar to hold vehicles and more, a very useful thing because I have a hunch that my Garage won't be able to hold any more vehicles in the future.
My last car, a vintage car, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda convertible with a 426 Hemi and manual transmission, the same type of car that Coop used to create the head of his giant robot.
Megas XLR, my first giant robot cartoon, followed by Transformers Energon, the cartoon is about a distant future, humanity finds itself losing a war against a race of aliens known as Glorft.
Only one hope remains: a stolen prototype Glorft battle robot, converted into the Mechanized Earth Guard Attack System (MEGAS).
Humanity knows it can't stop the Glorft now, so it decides to send MEGAS into the past to turn the tide of the war, but a mistake accidentally pushes the mecha too far into the past. MEGAS sits in a landfill in Jersey City for seventy years - until a large, jovial cog and video game fanatic named Coop discovers him.
Coop repairs the robot, but also makes some modifications, such as replacing the mecha's wrecked and absent head with a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda and running the mech's systems with various video game controls.
He renames it XLR - " Xtra Large Robot" - but as he shows it off to his friend Jamie, who should show up but soldier, mechanical expert and all-around Action Girl Kiva Andru, who has traveled from the future to claim the modified robot from her in the first place.
Coop's modifications, however, have made him the only person who can pilot MEGAS - and that sucks for Kiva, because a band of Glorft soldiers, led by the tyrannical Warmaster Gorrath, have followed her back in time to take MEGAS back for themselves. Coop, Kiva and, to a lesser extent, Jamie find themselves having to fight against the Glorft, along with countless other threats to Earth; too bad they usually do as much damage to Earth as the threats themselves.
The rational part of my brain wants to turn this vintage car into an assault vehicle straight out of a Mad Max movie, which would be easy enough, because my second gift was the knowledge to upgrade cars in more esoteric Mad Max-style ways.
But my heart says don't do it, keep this car intact until it's time for the Mecha.
So I left my future giant robot head in the garage, anxiously awaiting the day I get my own Megas.
The remaining three gifts allowed me to finish my final touches on my costume and gear.
Repair Savvy allowed me to increase my maintenance speed, reducing several hours of upgrades and maintenance into a matter of minutes.
The last two gifts were cosmetic upgrades to give my gear a theme and make it look better and more refined. Followed by the benefit of upgrading my personal gear, making it smaller and lighter.
Repair Savvy and Loaded Up did a great job of finishing my finishing touches ahead of schedule.
Two things happened today that gave me the green light:
One, Danny went to the docks to discuss something important, he'll probably stay late.
Two, Taylor decided to travel to the library to study, I asked if I could help her, she declined, saying she needs to do it on her own.
Maybe this means Taylor's clingy phase is over, I at least have that we realized I need personal time. If we go into the realm of the ridiculous it may be that my further enhancement in terms of beauty has overloaded Taylor's hormones ...
Putting aside this line of thinking that only brings problems and moral dilemmas.
Taylor and Danny think I've been in the attic working on the first volume of my Dead Space novel, which has been finished for a couple of days along with volume two and three.
The gifts of the Celestial Forge are trickster skills, but I'm not complaining, months of work in just over a week, William Shakespeare would die of envy.
I'm actually in the bathroom of the luxury hotel where I stayed with Taylor, exactly one week ago.
The Cosmic Key upgrade is too useful, I only have to go through two doors and I'm in the rich part of town, which would normally be a half hour drive, I make it in less than two minutes.
When I painted the walls of the house, I placed some spy gadgets in some corners of the house and a silent security system. So I can observe what's going on around the Hebert house from here, too.
Maybe it's paranoia, but as they say better safe than sorry, so I placed a tracking system in Danny's car, as well as some simple tracking magic on Taylor and Danny's glasses.
If they get close to the house, I can easily get into the Star-Forge, through the Dimensional Door and into the attic before Hebert can get into the neighborhood.
Clearly I'm paranoid, but I could have created an edible chip and put it in the lasagna so the tracking devices would be inside them, I'm not so intrusive.
XXX
My room, room 221B is located on the twenty-third floor, my neighbors are a single mother and her twin sons.
Thanks to the pass from Toaruverse, the entire room remains rented in my name and no one asks questions.
The Manager himself a man named Moseby even offered me VIP treatment.
Very helpful to get 24 hour room-service, although I still don't understand the warning of strange careful twins.
My room is a luxury room, with everything included, more of a room and apartment.
I have a small living room with a nice chair and a very large TV, a well-stocked kitchen, a master bedroom, a very luxurious bathroom, and a balcony with a gorgeous view.
I've managed to make it look like I live in this apartment or frequent it by filling the closet with some of my clothes, artist projects on the desk, and putting a ton of yogurt and puddings in the fridge.
Locking the door to room 221B and putting down the blinds, I sit down on the queen size bed.
Oddly enough I can still smell Taylor imprinted in the sheets, Tay-Tay takes great care of her hair, judging by the smell of her pillow I can tell she's using a quality conditioner.
My intellect enhancements make me notice details I wouldn't normally see and make me sound like some kind of Stalker.
But the heightened senses can't explain why I can smell Taylor after a week when she only slept one night here.
Apparently the rumors about the maid named Muriel are true, there is a good-for-nothing old maid in this fine hotel.
On the one hand it means that no one will put a paw in my business, on the other hand I have to do you know just the cleaning, as if it's not enough for me to clean the Hebert house almost every day.
" Ghost, the area is safe you can come out !" I stated out loud as I sit cross legged on the queen size bed.
" Good days Guardian, what do we have planned today ?
Do we fix one of your machines ?
Do we design a new gadget or combat weapon ?
Do we put some touches back on your hero costume ?
Do we work on one of your art projects, if so, I'm thinking EDI needs to have more screen moments, she's the artificial intelligence of the Normandy SR-2, she's a supporting character with a lot of potential." Said my little metal friend, proposing some of the activities he has been doing over the past few days.
My Ghost seems to be a fan of the Science Fiction genre, probably because he comes from a world chock full of science fiction combined with strange magical space powers.
This makes me wonder, does Ironman in his spare time read either Batman or Megaman comics?
I can already imagine seeing Tony Stark reading a Batman comic, then start commenting on the dark knight's choices:
"Too much black hurts, bat boy."
" For a rich Playboy, you can't entertain women."
" You waste your money with your bat-themed gadgets, why don't you buy upgraded armor !"
" You are too serious and melancholic, have a drink and enjoy yourself."
Trying and failing to smile and giggle at my strange idea for a moment.
I put my head down and focus, Ghost and I, we've bonded quite well over the last 48 hours, it's probably something magical or the result of being mentally synchronized, I honestly don't care.
I've gotten a nice, unassuming, easy to hide accomplice that doesn't require food or special needs.
I have yet to decide on an official name for my mechanical accomplice, I'm thinking of giving him a civilian name and a heroic name.
His civilian name will definitely be Clank, after the famous little robot featured in the Ratchet & Clank video game series, I miss playing as Ratchet with the PSP, the world of Worm is bad when it comes to video games.
His hero name is not decided yet, I'm opting between Soundwave and Altair.
The former name belongs to Megatron's right-hand man, an extremely intelligent and surveillance-savvy communications officer feared by almost everyone, to the point that Starscream kept trying to tiptoe around him/get his approval while trying to usurp Megatron. Also, according to one of the background novels, Soundwave almost beat Megatron in gladiatorial combat. Megatron.
The second name, comes from two characters I love:
Altair also known as Military Uniform Princess, the main antagonist of the anime series Re: Creators.
But the second character with this name is definitely better known and revered, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, the First Assassin of the world of Assassin's Creed.
For those who don't know, Altair is named after the brightest star in the eagle constellation. In some languages it can mean Eagle or He Who Flies.
I am again getting lost in my thoughts, having your thinking speed three times faster than average makes you lose the thread of your thoughts three times faster.
"Ghost, turn around and look at my desk, then at the wall." I said to my Ghost, pointing to my desk, filled with notes about the gangs of Brockton Bay, then the wall with a large map of the city on it.
" Guardian, by the looks of it I assume your preparations are done, let's go blow up something big and bad !?" Ghost asked, excited at the idea of getting some old classic action consisting of shooting, violence and explosions.
" Yes, we're playing caped crusader today, but first, let's check out the information gathered and inventory." I answered my Phantom's question, seeming to shine like a star from excitement, probably Altair will be his name at the end of this day.
" Here is what I have gathered so far." Ghost stated, projecting a holographic image on the wall, centering the map of the city.
My new accomplice turned out to be not only a great listener, but also a great hacker.
Using a trivial internet connection and social media lanyard, he managed to dig up a lot of information about Empire 88.
Mainly the location of the upgraded members of empire 88 and their normal lieutenants.
My knowledge of future events is a very powerful thing and I must use it wisely.
I know all the secret identities of the capes of this city.
If it were not for the unwritten rules I would have simultaneously struck all the enhanced criminals in the heart of their homes. But such a coordinated attack is currently not possible for me, even if I could do it, the consequences would be bad for me.
So I have to strike only when the criminals are inside their costumes.
But if I can't strike, I can observe and collect data.
Max Anders is the CEO of Medhall, but he is also Kaiser the leader of Empire 88. As much as he tries to separate his two lives behind a mask, it doesn't change the facts.
Medhall and Empire 88 are closely intertwined with each other, most of the high level executives are Cape or trusted lieutenants.
Ghost is keeping tabs on all of Max's public movements and Kaiser's appearances. The more time passes, the more information I get about Kaiser's operations.
Using the regular tactics of the Cape Protectorate doesn't work when the super-villains have had time to set up and create a solid foundation.
I need to understand everything about how Empire 88 works, who the big men are, who their supporters are, where their weapons and drug stashes are, how they launder money.
I'm not going to be a run-of-the-mill Superman who only reacts to threats, no, I'm taking a cue from Frank Castle aka Punisher, and Aiden Pearce also known as "The Vigilante" and "The Fox" by citizens and the media to handle this case/crime operation.
Gather information, learn how the whole enemy works, then strike fast and deadly.
" Guardian, we have discovered the civilian identities and place of residence of these members: Kaiser, Hookwolf, Krieg, Fenja, Menja, Crusader, Night, Fog, Alabaster, Stormtiger, Cricket, Victor, Othala, Rune.
By tracing their phones we have a vague idea of where they meet or what area they usually operate in.
Shall we bring out the big artillery and blow up the next Nazi meeting? " Ghost suggested, clearly he is not the tactical mastermind of this team.
I can't ask my mechanical accomplice to be good at everything, moral support, technical assistance and intelligence gathering are enough qualities for one person.
"No, it would be a reckless idiotic move to do so. A death of a thousand cuts at the surgical level will bring down the empire, not a burning chainsaw driven by a madman.
You have gathered so much information using public and limited means in 48 hours. Imagine what we can uncover if we continue to investigate and observe." I coldly and explicitly explained that we wouldn't be doing colossal shit. Fighting crime is serious work, you have to think things through before you act.
" But you promised we'd throw something up in the air." Ghost muttered, figuratively putting on a pout because he didn't have a real face.
" When a criminal comes out on the street we stop them like a classic reactive hero. We give the impression that we are 'normal heroes,' but we are actually plotting a Machiavellian plan to destroy them.
So which enhanced member of the Nazis is standing outside the Medhall offices." I explained how we are going to act and asked if there is a target for my new crystal-based technology from the world of Storm Hawks.
" Empire 88 activities seem to be increasing in the last few days, there is a good chance they will do something big ... Just in time, Brad Meadows aka Hookwolf just left Medhall, under the guise of going on a business appointment to talk about possibly hiring an image consultant for Medhall." Ghost said, showing the location of Hookwolf's cell phone is moving toward the park.
In addition, some mid- and low-level members have received messages to show up near the park.
" Ghost, isn't the show of Parian, the city's famous rogue, taking place at the park today ?" I asked for confirmation for my guess, Hookwolf wants to recruit Parian or if he refuses take her off the board.
"Yes, it's the show must start in less than half an hour. Hookwolf and the goons are approaching in the area." Ghost stated, confirming my guess.
" It would be rude to be late to such a show. Ghost, prepare my best suit for this occasion."
After saying these words, Ghost's eye began to glow like a small star.
A moment later, my clothes are stored inside Ghost's inventory.
My little metallic friend is incredibly useful when it comes to hiding and carrying small items or making me change clothes in seconds.
Unaware that I am completely naked except for the two tattoos that are etched into my skin:
On my left wrist is a barcode, which can be used as an access key for some computer systems.
On my back is the Falna, this thing is currently just a simple record of my gifts. But when I do something dangerous, train or work on something intense, I gain "experience" and it raises my "stats".
Even though I can't "level up" yet, I'm pretty sure this stuff has made me twice as strong as when I was normal.
Maybe it doesn't sound unbelievable, but my normal is Olympic standard or almost as strong as Batman, multiply that by two, add a costume with magic crystals and Reinforcement magic, we get a level 2 or 3 Brute.
"Guardian, we're going on an adventure, aren't we." Ghost asked with ease and hope. I'm sure he enjoys this saving the world stuff more than I do.
Is it possible that Ghost represents my youthful and energetic self that has always dreamed of being a hero ?
"Yes, Altair let's go on an adventure, save a girl from a metal werewolf and her bandi friends."
" Altair, so you named me ... I like that." Said Ghost, smiling and "jumping" on the spot like a child. Clearly in this relationship he is Robin and I am Batman.
" Guardian, is there anything I can do for you ?" Ghost asked, sounding like he was about to cry tears of happiness.
" Put on my costume before Hookwolf can make a slaughter." I said in a sour tone, slightly annoyed that Altair isn't hurrying to put the costume on me.
" Sorry." Altair said, before working his magic and making the costume materialize on me.
" High-Tech mirror."
Ghost-Altair understanding my command did a quick scan of me with the costume on, then projected a three dimensional holographic image in front of me.
Altair is not only a magic bag but also the most advanced mirror in the world.
The costume is not a tight super-spy costume or a suit of armor enhanced with great mechanisms, it is something in between.
A slightly armored tech suit, but with various gadgets and upgrades.
The costume is mainly white with red as a secondary color.
I'm trying to take the theme of a technological super-doctor, which is why I took the colors of an ambulance, besides the fact that white and red make a good pair.
The suit is armored around the joints enough to protect but not hinder movement.
The main red protection is located on the spine and around the colo that goes to the throat and chest.
The costume makes me look slightly bigger and sturdier, making me 190 centimeters.
On the armored chest I engraved an alchemical circle in the shape of a star, this symbol I found it inside Doctor Strange's magic books, it is said that this symbol should bring good luck and protect from evil. To increase my chances I inserted a blue magic crystal of electricity into the tips of the star.
On my back is my RIG (Resource Integration Gear) from Dead Space, along with a quiver for arrows and a high-tech bow. The RIG also serves as an emergency pocket size in case I am separated from Altair here, with some weapons and supplies inside.
Around my waist is my utility/multifunctional belt with my hero gadgets inside. The belt is gold in color with some small bright blue colored parts, especially the pockets. Inspiring me from Batman on the buckle of my belt is the same symbol present on my chest.
If the belt was stolen from me, I prepared some surprise and some secret pockets to hide small tools or disassembled gadgets.
On my shoulders are two large crimson shoulder straps with some lightning crystals embedded in them.
From each shoulder strap comes a long strip of white cloth, with red medic crosses on it, these strips end in golden triangles with a single red stripe on the outside, while the inside remains completely red.
On my arms are the components/equipment needed to use Dead Space's offensive modules.
On the left arm is the stasis module, an additional piece of equipment for a RIG suit . The device is capable of producing temporary time dilation, causing objects to move at an extremely slow speed for a period of time.
I also wear a metal brassard on my left bicep, with the assassins symbol on it, a sort of backwards V, under it I placed the number one written in Roman style (I).
On the right arm is the Kinesis module, also known as GRIP or Telekinesis, is a small modular plug-in that looks like a thick grid heat sink designed to be used in conjunction with a Stasis module. The device is used to suspend and move objects, both heavy and light, via an artificial gravity field created by the module.
On the knuckles of my hands are engraved blue magic crystals, I would have opted for another type of crystal, such as those that increase power or counter high heat thermal attacks. But as long as my Esper powers grow in power, I have to use the blue crystals of electricity to increase my range.
My entire head is encased in a very sleek white tech helmet, designed with a knightly design combined with Optimus Prime in mind.
A large crimson cross-shaped visor is the most iconic part, along with golden antennas located on the sides of the head. These antennas are highly detailed and designed with multiple plates and layers of pieces on top of each other.
My jaw is covered by a plate affixed to my lower jaw, this plate is retractable to allow me to reveal my mouth, I just have to press a hidden button located on the left side of my head. This stuff I got it from Optimus Prime, I love the way here when before fighting his mouth is locked behind a plate.
" Altair from your perspective how do I look ? " I asked for my little metal friend's honest opinion.
" Guardian, you look like a first class Sorcerer-Hunter hybrid. We would do great things for this city and the rest of the world." Said Altair, fully confident in us, in me. Knowing that a person rests so much faith in me is a nice feeling, a little scary, but it remains nice.
" Now that we have a mission, a target and we are dressed what do we do? " Ghost asked, clearly hoping to hear a heroic and dynamic answer.
"Simple, we jump off the balcony without a second thought." I answered truthfully, going to the balcony of my apartment to jump from the 23rd floor.
" What!? " Altair shouted, looking at me as if I had lost my mind.
XXX
I am standing over the railing of the balcony on the twenty-third floor, from this height I can see the entire city.
" Guardian, you are as crazy as a Sorcerer fan of Osiris and as reckless as a Hunter disciple of Cayde-6 !" Shouts Altair, but I ignore him, this is an important moment for me and I must choose what to do.
" Altair, silence, just listen to me." I stated in a firm voice, then I look down, seeing the fall and the huge distance between the twenty-third floor and the sidewalk.
A shiver of fear and excitement fills my heart.
" I don't know what brought me here, a bored cosmic entity, a vengeful alien, or a greater force that I barely cover.
I've been given powers with so much potential that I'm afraid of myself.
Two days ago, I decided to be a hero for a variety of reasons considered by many as frivolous: A childhood dream, protecting a smile, responsibilities derived from my powers.
Now, I am faced with a one-way street, I go forward and can no longer back down, I stand firm and the fate of the world can be sealed and condemned.
I ask myself am I the right person to save the world ?
Did I earn these powers for a purpose or did I accidentally get them instead of Taylor ?
Are my actions truly my own or am I a mere puppet for the Celestial Forge ?" From up here, I let my doubts out loud, only Altair can hear my words.
" I just want a sign, to know that I am making the right choice." I asked, knowing what was coming.
The Celestial Forge lit up, giving me some useful gifts for my heroic career.
Gift number one, an additional beauty enhancement that highlights my muscles.
Gift number two, an aesthetic enhancement that allows me to achieve just about any gimmick or theme I choose to have, so as to give the effect I desire.
Gift number three, the knowledge of a researcher that allows me to take notes with ease and learn faster than the average person.
Gift number four, genius and knowledge in a specific branch of science that allows me to become a hero using only this expert knowledge.
Gift number five, some safety equipment for the lab that decreases the likelihood of experiencing accidents in the lab.
Gift number six, a dangerous chemical that is addictive, but can contend raw or superb shapeshifting abilities depending on the study and refinement of the formula.
Gift number seven, an interesting stuff, all my lab accidents will not bring me harm, on the contrary it will lead to new discoveries.
Gift number eight, will ensure that my actions will not be hindered by the police or at least be considered a necessary or secondary evil.
Gift number nine, social and physical enhancement to make me look like some sort of prince charming, noble aristocrat. As well as maximizing my beauty and elegance with every move. And handle high end parties with ease.
Gift number ten, the ability to hide my emotions and intentions for years and years without getting caught. I'm basically a great long-term undercover agent.
Gift number eleven, a radar to find criminals and a deductive and analytical mental enhancement to solve crimes, puzzles and riddles.
Gift number twelve, another social enhancement that gives me the air of a good doctor loved by everyone when they first meet me.
Gift number thirteen, a mental enhancement that but a two hundred IQ, increases my multitasking skills and an eidetic memory.
Thanks to the latest gift, I am no longer just a super-doctor, I am also a prodigy doctor with a complete understanding of all known medical knowledge in the world. Along with an alternative form of neon colored hair and a hairstyle that defies the laws of gravity.
All of these are very nice and useful gifts. The social advantages allow me to be popular and loved easily by people, the detective skills and intelligence increase make a great pair. With this set, I can do so much, destroying empire 88 will be a piece of cake with Sherlock Holmes powers.
"My dear Celestial Forge, this time I will not obey your whims.
I want to see who commands whom.
Am I your pawn or your champion ?
I cannot begin my path with this doubt in my mind and heart.
Time to take my first real leap of faith. Nothing is real, everything is permissible.
I will fly with my wings or I will plummet." I declared, spreading my arms wide, ready to jump in and take a leap of faith.
" Guardian ... " Altair asks, scared for me, it hurts me to see him like this, but I have to do this I can't afford to have any doubts.
" Call me Iron-Star! " With these words I jump towards the void. If nothing stops me I am a free man and can become a hero according to my personal beliefs. If something stops me, I am a slave and might as well die. Better to die as your own person instead of living to become a plaything for some mysterious cosmic force.
" Guardian !"
Continued ...
XXX
Benefits / Article Jumpchain obtained:
Hangar (Ace Combat)(100): Planes are fine when they're going through the air and facing enemies. But leaving them in the weather and out in the open when not in use? Well, that sounds really crass. You need a place to store your vehicles and planes when you're not busy destroying something that's not on your side, and that's what these establishments are for. It's not the fanciest thing in the world, but it will serve its purpose and make sure your vehicular slaughter vehicles are in optimal condition for their tasks. For an additional +50 CP, these hangar bays are also equipped with special clamps and harnesses to do refitting and refueling of any aircraft, much faster than they would if you used them by hand. For sea bases, this also means you have docks for boats and submarines.
It provides a WH attachment for aircraft, vehicles, boats, submarines. Very comprehensive storage space that also keeps stored vehicles in great condition.
Black Thumb (Mad Max Gauntlet) (100): You have the skills of an experienced mechanic, able to keep vehicles running even in the most inhospitable conditions. Repairing and tuning engines is your bread and butter, even while they're still running. You also have a knack for upgrading cars in more esoteric ways; hey, it takes skill to add so many spikes and not damage handling!
Repair Savvy (Outlaw Star)(100): Your mechanics skills are top-notch. Your weapons, armor, and personal equipment are all easy to repair, and maintaining them all takes minutes instead of hours.
Bling of War (Macross) (100): It's one thing to have a weapon or vehicle of mass destruction that can put an entire ground force or squadron to shame. It's another to make it look so damn good that your enemies wouldn't dare approach it if they had any sense. By purchasing this perk, you can design your gear to look much more stylish and carry a "theme" that you prefer. This can range from the clothes you wear, to the weapons you wield, to the vehicles you pilot into battle.
Loaded Up (Generic Cyberpunk)(200): It's not enough to have what you need locked up in the workshop, and even when you have time to prepare, you often have to pack light. You have a particular genius when it comes to building and working with tools, gadgets, weapons, armor, and other equipment on a personal scale. Whether it's cramming a set of computers that would take up an entire workstation into something a hacker can slap his arm for while flyhacking, or taking an ordinary gun and modifying it until it's more lethal and effective than most military weapons, you can to cram an amazing amount of effectiveness into easily portable packages. Your creativity, skill, and ingenuity seem to skyrocket when dealing with things of a size that would hinder anyone else. Bigger doesn't always mean better, sometimes it just means bulky.
+ Scientist (Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): You have pursued the goal of obtaining scientific knowledge, graduating with honors from a prestigious university. Although some of the technologies in Gotham seem rather retro, there are several companies or individuals who might be interested in hiring you to work on a variety of highly advanced projects, depending on your areas of expertise.
Timm Design (Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): Chiseled jaws, muscular physiques and incredible curves ... many people here are incredibly attractive! And if you plan to spend ten years here, you might as well play the part, right? Your body now looks "super" good, like it was designed by Bruce Timm himself.
Gimmick (Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): Vigilantes dressed as bats, criminals dressed as clowns ... well, might as well join the fun, right? You're able to pull off just about any gimmick or theme you choose to have, so as to give the effect you want. If you're a trickster and dress like a clown, people will be terrified because they know it's you; a hero dressed in scary black armor might have worn them for the same reason.
Researcher (Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): Part of being a trained scientist is doing your homework, so to speak; fortunately you're much more efficient than most. Finding the right information is never difficult (though more obscure knowledge might require some additional digging), and you're an expert at taking clear, accurate notes. You learn new things much faster than the average person.
Specialist [Cryogenics](Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): You have considerable experience in a scientific field, such as cryogenics or botany, and could be considered an expert in that field. Your knowledge might even allow you to become a decent hero or villain, if you had the time and resources. Or, you know, just a regular scientist. More esoteric fields of study, such as time manipulation, may not be chosen.
Lab Safety Equipment (Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): Lab coat, gloves, goggles. Although simple, these things seem to protect you from accidents in the lab much better than regular safety gear; although they don't prevent accidents, the accidents that do happen will harm you much less when you wear these things.
Renuyu (Batman: The Animated Series)(Free): Renuyu is a highly addictive "skin revitalizing cream" that actually melts the skin cells in the area applied, allowing the skin in the area where it is applied to be shaped to the user's specifications and allowing for a temporary, raw shifter. While Renuyu is responsible for giving Matt Hagen his superhuman abilities, transforming him into Clayface, the painful metamorphosis was the highly unlikely result of forcibly overdosing an entire container of Renuyu; it also continued the relaxing effect that caused Clayface's body to rapidly degenerate over time. His life was saved by pure chance when his body happened to pass over a pipe spewing unknown chemicals into the sea. As such, extreme caution or further experimentation with Renuyu is required for it to be used safely. You have several doses of Renuyu and the recipe to make more.
Accidental Breakthrough (Batman: The Animated Series)(100): Accidents are bound to happen in the lab, if not because of you, because of others. Fortunately, for you, these accidents don't tend to cause as much damage as before; in fact, they will often result in a new breakthrough in your research, or some other interesting discovery. An accident in your lab will never directly result in your death.
Friend of the Police (Batman: The Animated Series)(100): Vigilantism, even in a city threatened by supervillains, is still technically illegal; fortunately, the police and other law enforcement seem to look the other way when it comes to you, as long as you don't commit any serious crimes while fighting crime. Also, if you catch a wanted criminal or find evidence of a crime, the police will be able to use your work without the laws getting in the way.
+ Honor Student (Toaruverse)(100): You are one of the many students who have gone through the City Academy's Power Curriculum Program and acquired its Esper skill, as well as being enrolled in one of the city's many schools.
An Adequate Student (Toaruverse)(Free): In all the years you are enrolled and attended a prestigious school, you learn mannerisms that would often make almost anyone confused by someone of noble and high status. The way you speak and move projects the image of someone of noble and high status, while every move you make is instinctively calculated to maximize your assets and beauty. The violent attitudes and improper tendencies you make are overlooked in favor of your good qualities, and with this you can handle high status parties with ease.
Facade Mask (Toaruverse)(Free): Through experience or being born that way, you can hide your emotions and intentions from others as a certain someone. Only with pure skill can you put up a facade and create a personality that can make everyone believe that you are the real you, and you can even revert back to your original personality in a snap of your fingers. You can maintain this facade for years without losing your true self or personality without any problems and you can always remember the personalities you created and able to switch between them instantly.
Sense of Justice (Toaruverse)(100): You are a person who cannot stand by and let injustice or crimes go free. With this you have gained a supernatural ability to sense any crimes and injustice around you along with those who are planning to commit a crime. This also gives you an incredible deductive and analytical ability in solving crimes, puzzles and riddles. The more complex and difficult you solve, your deductive and analytical skills scale up to difficulty. Just seeing the crime scene yourself would allow you to guess what caused someone's death or accident, and as you become more experienced and tackle identical things, the sooner you would be able to predict and guess who the criminal is or solve puzzles and riddles instantly.
A Benevolent Doctor (Toaruverse)(100): Being benevolent through your actions or with your appearance as a certain doctor has a good feeling, especially if you are helping others. You have a way of getting others to let their guard down about you and they are unlikely to attack if you are not going to hurt them while you want to talk to them. People around you tend to be calm and understanding even if the topic of conversation or some event would normally agitate or anger them. Every person you meet for the first time always has the impression of your neighbor or a kind doctor that will last until you break it down or see yourself doing something extremely rude.
The Schools Ace (Toaruverse)(200): As many honor students at an elite prestigious school, you stand above the rest of any student at said school with an intellect equal to a genius with an IQ of two hundred. This also gives you multi-tasking skills that have no upper limit and able to learn skills and knowledge at a fast pace that would take another hundred years to master where you do in years along with getting an eidetic memory that would allow you to remember everything you ever did or experienced. This also includes the things you feel when you are asleep or unconscious.
Super High School Level [Ultimate Doctor] (Danganronpa)(400): Choose a hobby or skill within reasonable limits (fencing, oration, chess, etc.) Your talent with this skill is now as if you have trained for a lifetime while being naturally talented. Becoming an Ultimate Inventor would allow you to create incredible machines with nothing but raw materials and a couple of hours, while being the Ultimate Liar would allow you to weave entire false identities for yourself in seconds with no contradictions or ways to disprove them. This ability can affect your body as well as your mind, so the Ultimate Weightlifter would be at the pinnacle of human physical strength while the Ultimate Doctor would have a complete understanding of all the medical knowledge known in our world, with the ability to quickly grasp different medical situations in other contexts. Taking this advantage, you can also choose to change your appearance to suit your fellow Ultimate students by optionally giving yourself an unnatural hair color and choosing an impractical hairstyle that will always stay in place as long as you wish. This can become an alternate form if you prefer.