Splitting Apart
Reggie was fuming as the SWAT Van transported him. He should have been better, been able to defeat that drunk hero. He was the almighty Pop N' Crack after all! He chewed his lip. Then he frowned, what was going on? Where was he? He looked to the four officers in the back with him. Then he remembered again. Yes, that's right, He was Pop N' Crack! The world's greatest scientist and even greater visionary. He'd destroy the infernal buildings that were plaguing the planet, eating away at Mother Earth, and…
His musing was interrupted as the roof of the van made a soft thump noise. The officers immediately focused on it. Reggie couldn't help but join them. Was his memory failing him again? He didn't recall an accomplice.
"Driver, we've got a potential V-2-80 on the roof." One of the officers said to his radio.
"Acknowledged."
Suddenly the van's engine got louder. Reggie knew this to be an electrical field that encompassed the entire van. Surely whatever was on the roof would be gone now. Reggie leaned back against the rubber interior, shutting his eyes to get some rest. Then a sharp slicing sound jolted his eyes back open. The steel doors of the van flew off onto the freeway slamming into a following cop car's windshield. The four officers raised their rifles, standing and searching for the attacker with their gazes.
That's when she rose from the floor. Her red eyes glowing in the darkness as the moonlight silhouetted her shape. It was like watching something rise straight up from a pond. In her hand was a single long kitchen knife. Black smoke seemed to appear around her manifesting into several identical knives.
"Open Fi-" The officer was cut off as a sharp blade shot through his helmet deep into his skull. As the body dropped, the other three pulled back the triggers of their rifles. The noise nearly deafened Reggie as he held up his shackled arms as if to protect himself. The bullets ripped through the woman, wounds closing as fast as they came. She giggled, then laughed before running through the bullets. Reggie couldn't bear to watch as the psychotic woman painted the van with the officer's blood and limbs.
When the noise stopped, Reggie was tearing up. He heard the little splashes of her ruby red pumps stepping through the fresh puddles on the floor. Stepping right up to him. She tapped his shoulder gently, and after a moment's hesitation, he pulled his arms away to look at her. She wore a jean jacket over what was once a white dress. He assumed her shoes had originally been white as well. She was smiling at him with an almost kind expression. An expression that didn't meet her eyes. She stepped back, twirling the knife in one hand while her other played with the collar of her jacket.
"Reginald, right?" She asked.
"Y-yeah?" Reggie said with fear.
"Sorry about the mess." She giggled. "I just had to see you. Clarie thinks I should just let you go to prison, but come on, you shouldn't be there right? It's too dull."
"Dull?" Reggie asked. He couldn't understand what this woman meant. What was going on? Was she here to help him or something? Her tone suggested as much.
At his questions she frowned at him. "Well yeah. I mean think about it. If I waited till you were in prison, then I'd have to deal with some heroes when I kill you."
Reggie shuddered. Her tone, it was like she was explaining something obvious to a child. More horrifying, she said she was going to kill him. Immediately he stood, running to the opening ready to take his chances jumping out of a moving van on a 70 mile an hour freeway. As he leapt however, smoke wrapped around his waist and yanked him back in. Throwing him against the wall. He was shaking as he met her glowing red eyes. She didn't show false kindness anymore. She looked enraged.
"Oh no dear Reginald." She said, stalking up to him. "I'm afraid you're not escaping or killing yourself. You see, you burned down our house, our photos, our memories." She leaned in real close and Reggie started to cry. Her expression shifted, becoming almost pitying. She kissed his cheek and combed his hair with her fingers. "There there, it'll all be over in a few hours. It's only a bit of punishment. You can understand, right? You deserve to be punished." She pulled him close into a hug, wrapping her arms around him as she acted as if to soothe him. "It's alright Reginald. Clara's got you. You'll be a good little plaything right? I think it's not unreasonable to ask for you to hold 30 of my knives right?" Her hand traveled to his chest tracing it. "I think they could all fit right here. It would look very pretty. Like a nice vase."
Reggie sobbed into her chest as black smoke surrounded them, then they sank into the floor slowly, the environment changing. She was teleporting them he realized as they rose up from the ground of some empty warehouse.
_____________________________________
Matthew grimaced as he looked at the TV. The news was blowing up about a villain's escape. Pop N' Crack. He'd never met the villain himself, but Pop N' Crack was a repeat offender who was extremely unstable. He had been surprised to learn that The Every-Man had been responsible for Pop N' Crack's arrest. It was certainly a more active role than usual, and the repairs? That was almost frightening to see. However, all of that had been pushed aside for the SWAT van that had been attacked while transporting Pop N' Crack from Chicago Powered Holding to Metropolitan Correctional. He felt around his chest. He was nearly completely healed. Still Karmen would insist he rest a bit longer. He couldn't help feeling antsy laying in bed. That's when Karmen entered the room. She kept her usual professionalism as she walked up beside his bed. In her hand was a folder, she dropped it on his lap.
"What's this?" Matthew asked.
"An idea I had." Karmen said. "Something to help investigate Joshua."
Matthew rolled his eyes before picking up the folder. On the front it said, Chicago Superhero Group Initiative. That's when it clicked. "You want me to make a team."
"I think this city could certainly use one. Seattle has the Wardens, New York the Magic Five, and even Los Angeles has the Angels." Karmen explained. "Chicago has had some rough years, I think a hero team is what it needs."
Matthew grimaced. "Maybe." He opened the folder. On the front was a document with a picture of Lady Astra and some woman on a farm with information along the side.
Hero: Lady Astra
Speculated Identity: Shelbie Anderson
She has been observed using extreme feats of strength, and flight comparable to an SR-71 Blackbird. She is often seen saving animals as well. Speculated to be an environmentalist, but has not made any public statements.
Matthew leaned back flipping the page.
Hero: Ralia
Identity: Ralia
She is capable of manipulating sand, and is believed to be Immortal. Being over 4000 years old, her true family origin is known by few, and has not been made public. She is often reclusive, remaining in her museum and only involving herself in conflicts directly related to her. In the past however it is noted she was documented as a soldier in 17 different countries in different time periods. The last war she was documented to have participated in was WWII on the side of the Allies.
Matthew raised a brow. "Immortal?"
Karmen nodded. "It's unconfirmed."
"Huh… alright." He flipped the page and rolled his eyes. "No. Cat Saint is more concerned about saving cats than people." He flips again. "No." He flipped through several more with disappointment before finally reaching the last page.
Hero: The Every-Man
Identity: Jack Taylor
He is capable of using any three powers of his choice at any given time, and swapping them out as he pleases. The son of supervillains Bone King and Firespray, he has chosen to be away from his family legacy. While not outright seeking heroics, when in the vicinity of a crime, he acts. He is especially prominent in the Riverdale Projects taking down gang activity and general violence. He has also been spotted frequenting the home of Jemma Turner.
Matthew tilted his head slightly. "I didn't know he was related to supervillains. Is this all public information?"
"No." Karmen denied. "It's my personal findings. I've investigated each candidate thoroughly using the computer systems vast tools."
Matthew thought about it. "Bone King and Firespray… they sound familiar."
"I'd hope so." Karmen said with narrowed eyes. "They were the orchestrators of the New York Massacre creating a death toll of over 2000."
Matthew reeled. "2000? You're joking, right?"
Karmen shook her head.
"Damn. That's…" Matthew set the files down. "Do we even trust him with a background like that?"
Karmen nodded. "He'd be perfect for the team sir. I have no doubts about his good nature."
Matthew looked over at the files again, then sighed. "So how are we going about this? Calling up a meeting or…"
"We will meet them all face to face." Karmen said. "Individually. For Jack I recommend offering him a spot on the team as a paid job which he could use to pay the bills of his girlfriend's house."
Matthew took a moment to think it over, then nodded. "Fine, but only because I trust your instincts on things like this. I'll offer Jack a chance."
_____________________________________
Clara closed her eyes letting the feeling of Reggie sink in her soul. She opened her eyes to his body, strung up with 30 knives carefully placed inside him. It was a wonderful display of revenge, she thought. She took a breath feeling a sliver of him now a part of her, then she turned.
In the room she saw a bit of clutter, and decided to see if her dear Reggie was comfortable with her. She waved her hand at a book, and in an instant it exploded. Clara's smile widened. Inside, Clarie sobbed for Reggie. Couldn't that stupid girl understand that he was a part of them now? Revenge had been sweet, but his powers would now serve them. The girl could've been more grateful.