Short Change Hero
The hero groaned and slapped his forehead again, stalking around his dirty little lab. Why couldn't this mysterious stranger understand him? What did he need to do to prove his point? What evidence would he find sufficient to finally realize the certainty of what he had been told, that being that he was the last hope for this world in the face of the nigh unstoppable, invincible, indomitable force that was the Powerpunk Girls?
"Mister Jomo, I do not wish to interrupt, however, you have been speaking out loud," The hero, Akio, pointed out.
Jomo slid to a halt, rubbing the back of his head, "Ah, yes, my apologies Mister Ah-key-ho, I had meant to internalize my monologue, to keep it within my own head so that, there in my head, I could work out my thoughts and, in working them out, find the most succinct, specific, perfect way to inform you of that which you must be informed. That is," Jomo marched to the nearest console and plucked away at the keys.
"Um, it is pronounced Akio, Mister Jomo. And I understand your concern, however, I do not believe in such hasty action. The girls are strong, but they're not the real threat. The threat is the descendant of Jaaku,"
Akio sighed, trailing off as a video appeared on the screen. He cocked his head, surprised to see it showed the girls he'd met before causing incredible mischief! In the first video, they were cackling with sadistic glee as they tore through the city, pulling down walls, hurling cars, tearing down power lines!
"Oh my...that is so very dangerous! They could be shocked...and what if someone needs to phone for assistance? With the phone lines taken out, who knows what trouble could stir?" Akio mused, tapping his fingers against his chin.
Jomo sighed and nodded, "This is the fate of Viletown," the video flipped, now showing Jomo himself struggling to battle the girls. He had built a very impressive robot, but the girls tore through it like tissue paper and managed to beat the stuffing out of the hero quite handily, laughing all the way. "The Powerpunk Girls, Oppressor Plutonium's most devious, insidious, vicious and powerful creation. Their powers seem near unlimited. Without limit, there is no telling what they are capable of, and, being unable to pinpoint that which is their limit, I, along with those who, like me, are dedicated to the freedom, liberation and well being of Viletown, am unable to devise such a weapon or creation that could defeat, stop, or thwart their dastardly deeds," Jomo sighed, flipping to another video.
This one depicted another set of girls, very similar to the ones he'd fought before, "Once, an opportunity for change arrived on our doorstep. As if from nowhere, they appeared. With their help I was very nearly able to defeat them once and for all, to put an end to their evil, to at last put them behind bars!" The video depicting Jomo holding the girls at gunpoint suddenly changed, now showing him in a bloodied mess, his gun molten slag at his side.
"Oh...oh that seems very painful," Akio commented.
Jomo laughed mirthlessly, "Yes, quite painful, it hurt me, both physically and emotionally. The toll it took on my body was great, but the toll on my spirit even greater. Victory was handed to me, but even in the face of defeat, they were able to gather the power to overcome my last, final, ultimate chance to put them down. I was so close...I always get so close, only to fail…" he trailed off.
Akio watched as Berserk lit up the city street, giggling wickedly and fanning the flames. She blew another stream of fire at a citizen running by and laughed harder, "Such a gift, it's a shame to see her using it so irresponsibly,"
Jomo snorted, "Ah, yes, Powerpunk Berserk's fire breath...I nearly succeeded in using that 'gift' to defeat them. Her sisters do not share this ability, it is hers alone, a power only she possesses. It has caused much friction, strife...erm, jealousy in her sisters," Jomo began pacing once more. "Even with the wedge between them, they're simply too powerful to overcome. But you, you, Hero Atchikoo, you were able to defeat them! Quite easily! You are our last hope, our greatest ally, our savior! With your powers, you can surely defeat them for good!"
To Jomo's utter disappointment, Akio shook his head and bowed until his horns touched the ground. "I am sorry, Mister Jomo. I will not help you destroy them. They may be evil, but they are still children. The descendant of Jaaku is to blame here, I believe they can still be saved," He said his goodbyes, thanked Jomo for his hospitality and turned on his heel, vanishing with a flourish of his cape.