Disclaimer: Cryptic Studios owns the rights to City of Heroes, a massive multiplayer online game. Used here without permission. Information on who owns each individual character can be found at the bottom of the document. . .
In a way, I've got a hard time with this story being told at all. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story. Cute stupid little story. But I guess it's my story, maybe even more than it's Wilde's story.
Maybe it's both our stories, but it's a lot more than just a story to me. As you've probably figured out by now, I was a member of the Skulls during the events you'll see soon. By now, you've seen Wilde's about to join us. You might even realize what a stupid move it is. Having grown up in King's Row, were the next part of this story takes place, I can relate to stupid mistakes.
You'd probably like to know a little about me, but I don't care. I'm not in the mood to give my my life's story. I had a pretty good life- here's some of the highlights. (Or lowlights.) I was born early 1982, only child. Still am an only child. Life was great. Dad didn't make a lot, but he made due with what he had. Yeah, it's cliche, but it's true. Dad worked as a construction worker - mostly with steel. Mom had a part time job at a corner grocery store when I was younger, but was more of a stay at home momma.
I think things really went down when she sprang her heel trying to get away from some gang, so I had to start doing more tasks myself around the house. A lot more running to the store, too. I was about thirteen at this time, and- since my powers had just started to appear- pretty temperamental. Then they started showing up.
The Skulls were trying to push their way in King's Row back then, and the Hellions were right there to fight them, along with about two dozen other groups. Didn't know the names of most of them. They messed with me a few times, but I put them in their place, easy. After all, my mutant powers let me take a lot of abuse.
Looking back, it's hard to not see it as a setup. They tossed me a few easy prey to take out- back then, I wouldn't even think of taking another life- and led me to think I was invincible. Then about six of them jumped me one night.. Dragged me off to 'extract revenge.' Then, the funniest thing happened and the Skulls showed up to save me.
That's a big part of the reason I ended up with these claws. I'd been with them maybe all of three years by the time Wilde came into my life. By that point, it seemed like I'd spent most of my life with them. Probably due to the drugs they got me hooked on. It was a dark period of my life.. I don't expect people will forgive me for what I've done.
I just hope they'll bear in mind the circumstances that brought me to this point. Thank you for giving me time to explain myself.
Enjoy the story. I didn't.
My characters: Wilde Tanke Other players' characters: authoresse of the story (Jennifer Delong)
City of Heroes NPCs and areas: Skulls, King's Row, Hellions