All Along the Watchtower
The early morning sun was just starting to pour over the rooftops of Viletown. For a rare moment, the celestial glow cast across the city almost made it seem at peace. A dark figure darted through the sky, leaping from building to building. His morning routine was meant to be little more than a simple patrol. Even at his worst, the criminal overlord of Viletown seemed to despise the early morning. In a way, it worried the wandering hero. Should the Descendant of Jaaku ever change his pattern, the city would likely be unable to react.
Akio touched down near the dilapidated city park. There were few trees that had managed to survive the brutal onslaught of the Powerpunk Girls. What remained were scrawny, damaged things that fought simply to survive. With a sigh, Akio approached the nearest tree and rested his palm against it. A warm magic surged from within him, spreading through the bark. His frown became a smile as the tree began to grow again.
"There, friend. You shall continue to grace this place with your beauty for another day," He patted the tree and began to head toward the next one. He paused, cocking his head in confusion. He turned slowly, his gaze stopping on the water fountain in the middle of the park.
It was a small fountain, but a beautiful one. Made with pristine white marble, it seemed to continuously survive the worst the town's villains rained down around it. In the center was an angel, hands clasped in front of her chest, as the water flowed down her face like tears into the pool below. The water was incredibly clean, Akio noticed.
He approached the fountain, warily glancing back over his shoulder. Something seemed different about the park that morning. Something about this fountain, this concrete angel, kept him from relaxing. He paused and narrowed his eyes. There was no one else around, but he wasn't alone.
When Akio turned back to the fountain, he wasn't surprised to see some...thing standing in the water. The creature was strange, though with a certain queer beauty to it. Its skin was sharp blue, its hands were strange, lobster-like claws. With a frown on its pretty face, its piercing orange eyes scanning the statue closely, it gently ran its claw across the statues cheek. A crack, one that Akio hadn't noticed before, was suddenly repaired.
The creature turned to him and gave him a small, but polite smile, and bowed its head, "My apologies, Mister Akio, I have been meaning to meet with you for some time now, but, alas, it could not be until this moment. That's simply how things have worked out," the creature, its voice low, but feminine, with the tone of a teacher who would suffer no nonsense, explained.
Stepping carefully, the creature walked to the edge of the fountain. It turned its piercing eyes toward Akio and offered its claw, "It's rude to not offer your hand to a lady,"
Akio flushed and hurried over, bowing and taking her hand. He helped her step carefully out of the fountain. She brushed her practical business skirt off and smoothed the wrinkles out of her neatly pressed blouse. Clearing her throat, she thanked him and began to walk.
"Please, follow me, we have much we need to discuss before the sun rises. I have a strict schedule to adhere to and, in spite of a certain degree of respect, I cannot allow you to dally," the creature snapped her claw and turned, her stare like daggers. "Come along, Mister Akio," she commanded. Akio nodded and sheepishly fell into step behind her.
She was quick, taking long, confident strides. In mere seconds, it seemed, the two had crossed back into the town and entered a cafe just as it opened. The owner glanced up and quickly bowed, offering the creature to take her "usual spot." The creature gave him a polite smile and her thanks. She led Akio to the back of the cafe and motioned for him to sit across from her.
They sat down, and in seconds the owner placed a fresh cup of black coffee in front of the creature. She glanced up at him, furrowing her brow, "Steven, you have run this shop for six and a half years. I have been a patron from day one. I expect better service from you. You've not even looked at my guest," she chided.
The owner swallowed, "M-My apologies, Ma'am. Yes sir, what can I get you?" he asked, turning to Akio. The hero shook his head, offering his thanks but declining any beverage. The creature across from him pursed her lips, now fixing Akio with her glare.
"And you, Mister Akio, it is very impolite to turn down your hostess's offer," she explained.
Akio cleared his throat, "It is quite alright, I have no desire for food or refreshment at this time. I don't mean to be rude, but you seem to know my name. I am, unfortunately, not familiar with yourself, Miss..?"
"Her," she introduced herself, offering him her claw once more. Akio awkwardly shook her claw, noticing the frown still on her lips, "That is what I have been designated, it will suffice to avoid confusion and misunderstanding," She took a sip of her coffee and set it down. Folding her claws and resting them on her lap, she fixed Akio with another stare.
He was beginning to grow weary of that constant judgmental look in her eyes.
"Miss Her, then. It is my honor to make your acquaintance. You seem to be someone held in high esteem, it is shocking we've not met before now," Akio offered a polite bow.
"We've not yet met, Mister Akio, because it was not yet time for us to. I have a schedule, one I intend to adhere to at all costs. Everything happens when it happens for a reason. Your arrival to Viletown, the presence of Plutonium…" for the first time, Her's professional, haughty demeanor broke and a venomous frown found its way to her lips, "Even the birth of those wretched, awful, horrible little beasts!" she hissed, her voice rising several octaves with each word.
Akio blinked, shocked by the sudden change in her behavior. He cleared his throat, tapping his fingers on the table, "I take it you're referring to the Powerpunk Girls?"
"Who else could I be speaking of? Who else in this world is so...uncouth, vile, and nasty? Will you stop that, it's very rude!" She barked, her claw shooting out and slapping his hands.
He pulled his hands back, looking like a kicked puppy.
Her took another drink and sighed, "My apologies, those awful girls bring out the worst in me. Yes, I am speaking of the Powerpunk Girls. Which brings me to our meeting. I am here to inform you that you will destroy these girls to preserve the peace in this world," she explained, as if it was already decided upon.
Akio shook his head, "I regret to inform you, Miss Her, I will not be destroying the Powerpunk Girls. They are simply children, corrupted by the Descendant of Jaaku. I believe they can still be saved from his darkness,"
He jumped when Her began to tap her claw on the side of her cup, "I'm afraid I do not understand, Mister Akio. You are a hero, as such, it is your duty, your obligation, your role to do away with evil. This world cannot abide wickedness, those who would shun peace and kindness and goodness for the sake of their own selfish gain." she explained, her lips pulled tight and her voice carefully controlled. He could just make out the anger bubbling beneath her words.
"I understand, but I disagree. I believe no one is beyond saving. I know these girls have good in them, and I believe-"
"YOU KNOW NOTHING!" Her suddenly exclaimed, rising from her seat so quickly she nearly toppled her mug. The cafe owner started toward them, but Her waved him off and returned to her seat. Crossing her legs and clearing her throat, she took another drink. "Mister Akio, I have tried for two years to reign these vicious little creatures in. I have used every ounce of my patience and power to explain goodness, kindness, and proper etiquette to them. They are unteachable. They are monsters who ruin the balance, the order of this world. You, as a hero, are obligated to use your power to rid this world of such a horrid infestation of wickedness!"
Now Her was on a tangent, tapping her mug rapidly as the words came from her lips faster and faster, "This world was built on a simple principle. The principle that everything has a purpose, everything has a reason. There is logic and rationality behind everything that has happened, is happening and will happen. Creatures of disorder and violence such as those rotten girls and their terrible creator are at the core of all trouble in this world. That is their role, to upset balance and goodness. And that is why there are heroes! It is the role of heroes to reign in evil, to keep it bound and crushed beneath the boot of civility and order! That is your role, Mister Akio! That is why you have come here, and that is what you will do!" she took a long, deep breath and a small sip of her coffee.
Clearing her throat, Her smoothed her hair out, "I hope you can understand. This is not a request, Mister Akio. This is your destiny. You are a hero, it is your role, your duty to crush evil,"
"You are mistaken, Miss Her. I did not come to destroy these girls. I came to end the reign of the Descendant of Jaaku. I will do this, and I will save these girls without taking a life. Every life is precious, and everyone deserves a second chance." Akio explained, shaking his head.
"That is not your decision to make! It is your duty to stop them!" Her retorted.
"I disagree. However, I respect your beliefs, though I cannot follow them. You seem a creature of great power, why can you not put a stop to them yourself?" Akio asked. The world around them seemed to bend and contour to the shape and will of this creature. The city froze when they walked through the streets. The stone bent to her will. This cafe owner seemed to revere her.
She was getting angry again. Pushing her coffee cup back, she folded her claws on her lap and fixed him with a piercing glare. It was like she was peeking into his soul, "That is not my role. I am the facilitator. I oversee the order and balance in this world. When something arises to upset it, I find those who have been chosen, those destined to change it, and lead them along that path. You are the one who can stop them. That is your role!"
"I regret to disappoint you, but I will not destroy the Powerpunk Girls," Akio informed her, rising from his seat. He bowed, thanking her for her company and turned to leave.
"Mister Akio," He paused, turning to face her once more, "You do understand what they are, do you not? They were created from your very essence. Now, perhaps you can confront them. Now, you have the power to destroy them. They will become stronger. One day soon, they will become more than even you can fight. That is their destiny: to destroy you. If you do not act, they will succeed,"
Akio turned away again, sighing. He lifted his head and spoke, after a moment's hesitation, "Perhaps, that is why they were created. But, I believe they can still choose their own destiny. I will not give up on them, I will give them that choice,"
"And if they choose to destroy you?" Her shot back.
Akio smiled sadly, "Then I will be at peace, knowing they were given the chance to choose," Without looking back, Akio thanked the cafe owner and slipped outside. The city was starting to wake up. Without a glance back, he leaped toward the nearest building, quickly scaling the wall and disappearing along the rooftops.