2/17/11 - Evening
Max kept his breath steady in front of Brad and James. He had to.
"What's your plan, Max?" James asked. "Joker called Kaiser out."
"Nothing. Whoever this Joker is, they're nothing." Steady. Breath in. Breath out. He can't lose control now. "All he's done is attack the grunts, no-names. No capes have ever been hit. I don't see why this matters."
The three met up in the afternoon on the same day the cards rained from the sky. They needed to decide what to do next.
"Is that how it looks?" Brad asked. "He has been harassing us for a month, and now he's targeting you. Is that not enough to hammer down the nail that's sticking out?"
"Do you doubt me?"
"No, but it's a clear escalation in targets," Brad answered. "At this point, it's clear he's a Stranger. Even if he doesn't get you, should he survive, it would show weakness within us."
Max hummed in agreement. Brad continued to impress him; despite his disposition for violence, he always had a way with words.
"That is true. He must be punished for even thinking about targeting me. No, more than just punished; he must be made an example," he commanded. "Hookwolf will take point. Menja and Fenja will continue by my side. Kreig will stay nearby as well. Victor and Stormtiger, they are to keep an eye around the area. Everyone else, follow protocols. Make sure to follow our Master/Stranger protocols. On the surface, we'll be doing our normal things, as always. However, we'll keep an eye out for this Joker. Kill on sight, but keep his body as intact as possible. We'll parade him tomorrow."
"And you?" James asked.
"Nothing. His calling card won't move me. What else could be a stronger show of power than ignoring him?"
Meeting adjourned, the two left to prepare for Joker's attack.
He continued to 'work' in his office. However, he couldn't focus. His mind kept going back to his calling card. He didn't mention that he received his own card, a different one.
'Max Anders, or Kaiser, the great sinner of pride. Your mistaken vanity has led you to terrorize people of different walks of life, so long as they don't appear the same as you. Not only that, you don't truly care about the words you spout, seeing the very people you lead as nothing but tools. Your tyranny ends today. Thus, I have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth. From, the Phantom Thief, Joker.'
Rereading it made him crumple it again. Rereading it made him flair up even more. Joker knew him. Joker broke the unwritten rules, and yet, he didn't use it on the publicized cards. Why do this at all? Was he afraid of other capes attacking him? Then why use his name at all?
He could his heartbeat as he kept his breathing steady again. He already asked this same set of questions before, and he would put himself into a spiral. Joker acted in a nonsensical manner. Perhaps there is no need to think deeper than-
Kayden. He could feel her getting closer. He swiveled around and saw her flying outside.
Breathe steadily. Relax his body. Clasp his hands in front of him. Hide the card into his sleeve. Smile at her and squint the corners of his eyes just a bit.
Now, just the waiting game.
She glared at him. He smiled back in amusement.
She knocked once. When she tried to knock again, he used his powers to unlock the windows.
Keep his body in control as Kayden moved her way into the office. He had a feeling she would come by today, but why did it have to be now? He was in the middle of ruminating about his calling card.
"Kayden. It's been a while," he greeted her, now unpowered. He turned to his computer to type, and he used his powers to adjust the light in the office.
"Max. Thank you for the light."
"You're fine, I take it?"
"I'm fine."
"And our daughter?"
"Aster's well." He knew already, and he knew Theo was with her right now, too. "Theo's babysitting her tonight."
"I know. He called a little earlier to ask if he could spend the night. I told him that was fine. It'll do him good to spend time with you and Aster. Some female influences in his life," he said as he typed before stopping to focus on Kayden, leaning back on his chair. "So, what can I do for you?"
"I saw the card, and I know what comes next."
"Do you doubt that I can protect myself?"
Again. Again. AGAIN. AGAIN.
Again, someone doubted his ability to keep himself safe against this Joker. One more thing to add on Joker's list of things to answer for.
Breath. In. Out.
"No, but I'm worried this might connect to Aster."
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. How would this connect to Aster? It's not like he'd go to prison. He won't let it happen.
"This won't be connected to you nor Aster. I will keep my end of the deal. If you're really worried, join my team, and serve as my second-in-command again. I'm mobilizing everyone tonight. Once we catch him, I will make an example of him."
"And what if he's white?"
"It will not change," he answered. As much as she tried to deny her own responsibility in her own outlook, no matter how much she tried to separate herself from the Empire, she was a Nazi, through and through. "It doesn't matter who Joker is; he will answer for his mistakes."
"Max..."
"I will not yield this, Kayden. He has chosen to target me, and no one gets away with it."
He could feel the card in his sleeve. Despite being held by his powers in his sleeve, he could feel it burning him.
-.-
2/17/11 - Night
Ren stretched in his attic, the one above the cafe. He made both the attic and cafe similar to the one back in Tokyo, even if the dimensions were completely different. Still, as Ryuji would say, as long as the vibe is there, it's as close as home he could get.
He sighed in frustration as he finished his stretches, slowly bringing his limbs to rest. Home. He ended up in another world, one with a very different modern history. He didn't regret saving Maruki when the crystal platform crumbled, but he expected to at least land in his world or reality. But, here he was, in another world playing House.
He'd have to thank his luck for having a hero find him rather than a gang member or worse, a villain. That's why Assault gets free coffee when he comes around. Just a cup a day, of course. If he let Assault have more than that, Armsmaster and Piggot might just abuse it to get the entire PRT free coffee.
Hell, Assault helped set him up with a cafe and the attic when he really liked his coffee. The deal meant he owed Assault money, but his popularity in the area and the apparent patron of a hero meant he had a constant stream of clients, even if it wasn't a lot. It wasn't like Mister Donuts busy, but definitely more than Leblanc.
He peered outside his attic, and the entire city was silent. No citizen was on the streets, too afraid of the Empire. It was deathly silent outside, as if waiting for something to drop.
A peek at the PHO on his laptop showed the exact opposite. While it wasn't exactly blowing like before, there were constant notifications and new threads. Users often pinged him tonight, asking for any updates on Kaiser while clearly Empire-leaning accounts often gave death threats. He was glad he turned the sound off for notifications; otherwise, he wouldn't have any peace and quiet. Outside of those pinging him, there were constant updates on Empire movement. They were out on the streets in their territory, making a scene of themselves. PRT heroes were apparently sighted to be in the territory borders, making sure things were contained as they could be.
Counting his gear, he made sure he had enough of the elemental bombs and healing items for himself. His model toys were in pristine condition. At least he managed to keep these when coming over.
...Did Assault think bad of him when he found his guns, and it turned out they were fake? What did he think of him?
He shook his head. He'll keep those thoughts for a slow day.
His equipment is in perfect condition. He had enough items for an onslaught. He was completely awake.
Joker flared his power, and the world around him flashed before settling.
Outside his attic, the streets were still completely empty. However, the atmosphere, once silent in waiting, now pounded on him. It reflected everyone's anticipation for what could happen.
Do or die, Kaiser's going down tonight.
"It's showtime."
-.-
2/17/11 - Night
One moment he was fine, sipping on finely aged wine. He wasn't so drunk he couldn't fight. He drank just enough to mellow out the anger he felt whenever he thought about Joker.
The next moment, his head pounded.
Memories of his actions, about his own thoughts when overlooking his subordinates.
A massive wave of guilt washed over him.
How could he destroy the lives of so many people? How could he think of people as mere tools, steppingstones for his own power and wealth?
It was terrible.
How could he use Nessa and Jessica like that? They were supposed to be family, yet he abused their trust when he lost Kayden.
He took advantage of Kayden, of her teenage love for him, and molded her into the perfect woman for him. He turned her into a hateful racist, one who would spread the ideology, with or without him.
Hell, Theo… He used him as a bargaining chip, a way to control others. Did he even think of him as a son? A person?
He had to repent, to make up for what he did. He had to do better.
-.-
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In: Boards ► Joker Targets Kaiser ► In: Boards ► United States ► New England ► New Hampshire ► Brockton Bay ► General
Nod
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
Is anyone watching Uber and Leet's livestream?
I think I just saw Kaiser surrender to Armsmaster
bothad
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
Holy shit, Kaiser's teaming up with Armsmaster to stop Purity
wtf is going on
Thatdude
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
Did the change of heart actually get Kaiser? It's the PRT and Kaiser against the Empire capes now
Brocktonite03 (Veteran Member)
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
The PRT beat the Empire! Fucking finally!
Did anyone catch what Kaiser was saying to Purity?
AllSeeingEye
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
I think he was trying to get Purity to stop too, something about how he started Purity as she is now
White Fairy (Veteran Member)
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
That sounds like Kaiser had a change of heart, right? Please tell me it worked...
AllSeeingEye
Replied On Feb 18th 2011:
I think it did. Joker got him
-.-
2/18 - After Midnight
Colin could only narrow his eyes and frown at what he was seeing. His prize was right in front of him, ready for him to take him in.
"Like I said, I'm surrendering," Kaiser said, his hands up, "but with conditions, ones I'd rather talk about privately."
His earpiece crackled to life. "Armsmaster, what's the situation?" Aegis asked.
"...Kaiser has surrendered, Console. I repeat, Kaiser has surrendered. I'm taking him in."
"...Joker really did do it..."
And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? This isn't the PRT's victory. This isn't his victory. No, after that stunt earlier in the day, this was Joker's victory.
And it stung him to his core.
His detection system blared, and he jumped back as lasers separated him and Kaiser.
"KAISER!" Purity shrieked.
"Don't you dare, Purity!" Kaiser roared back, and swords erupted from the ground to counter Purity's lasers. "I need to do this!"
"I won't let you-!"
Purity exploded, and she was shot down from the skies by Miss Militia.
"I'll cover our backs," Kaiser said. "We need to get out of here!"
Lasers hit the wall of swords again as Purity came back, as if nothing happened.
"Kaiser, I won't let you just walk away!"
"That's not your choice to make, Purity! I'm sorry for putting you in this path, but I promise I'll do better!"
His swords met her lasers once more, but this time, the lasers won. When Purity hovered over the area where she'd seen Kaiser last, he was gone, along with the PRT capes.
Armsmaster could hear her screaming, his bike bringing him far from the fight. He could hear Console calling for every PRT cape to retreat. Behind him, Kaiser held on so he wouldn't fly away from the speeds Armsmaster was going.