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thecountoflondonfansite · 5 months ago

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Dr. Two Brains expected a raised eyebrow or an amused expression from Jenkins, maybe even a sympathetic one. He didn’t expect the man to have a somber, almost apprehensive look. “What’s wrong?” Two Brains immediately asked with urgency and concern in his voice. Jenkins let out a sigh. “Patricia looked up as much as she could about Edward Hyde. You were right in that his crimes are mundane. He mainly committed thievery and vandalism. One of his crimes wasn’t so…mundane.” Dr. Two Brains' concern and worry grew. “What do you mean?” He asked in a low, serious tone. Jenkins took out the device and showed the mad scientist what he and the four found. “Some time ago there was a fire that broke out in the home of the Carew family who were very wealthy. The head of the family, Sir Danvers Carew suffered heavy third degree burns. He barely made it out alive. He’s still being treated at the hospital. Police reported finding a broken cane at the scene of the crime. It matched the cane…that Edward Hyde was known…for carrying around.” Jenkins explained albeit a bit hesitantly. Dr. Two Brains had a grim and enraged expression. “That slimy little weasel.” He grumbled. He should have known something was off from the guy’s manic grin. This type of crime was against the villain code in the EVA. They were allowed to cause destruction yes, but they couldn’t kill anyone unless it was self defense. Two Brains clenched his fists before letting out a sigh. He could be angry later, right now he had more important matters to deal with. “Is Becky awake yet?” Two Brains asked in a calmer tone. Jenkins nodded. “Yeah she woke up a while ago. We fixed her something to eat and she is watching Pretty Princess with Hugh right now.” The mad scientist gave a relieved and happy smile at hearing that his little girl was well rested and renourished. His expression once again became serious as a thought crossed his mind. “Jenkins, neither you nor the four are to mention anything about this to anyone else. Especially Becky. I don’t want her to worry about another Miss Power or Athena. You got that.” Two Brains dictated. Jenkins nodded. “I definitely understand. I also want to mention that Patricia is still going to investigate the Carew Mansion fire. She thinks there might be more to the case than what is just published.” Dr. Two Brains understood Patricia’s reasons and nodded in approval. “Okay with that out of the way, I’m going to check on my daughter now. Hopefully I’ll be in a better mindset before my date on Friday afternoon.” Jenkins proceeded to nod in affirmation at Two Brains’ plans before his eyes widened at a surprising revelation. “Wait, you're going on a date?” Jenkins asked in a shocked tone. Henry finally got back home feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Hyde stayed late at the motel chatting with the other villains before a majority of them had to head back home. The blonde male was bummed that Dr. Two Brains left before he could chat with him. He tried to catch him at his lair again but the henchmen said their boss was probably at home right now. Henry had to once again remind his counterpart that they couldn’t visit Two Brains’ home because it would be suspicious. So Hyde reluctantly gave control back to Henry. Henry could still feel Hyde’s giddiness as the man was elated about having a chance to become a villain and join others in committing crimes and chaos. Jekyll meanwhile was still worried about getting caught especially since he heard that there was a superhero. This ‘Amazo Guy’ was most likely an adult male who wouldn’t be easily duped by Hyde’s silver tongue. “Is your mind still reeling from hearing how Whiskers feels about ye Jekyll.” Hyde taunted from within their mind. Henry let out a groan as he recalled how Hyde kept to his character and would constantly tease about Two Brains’ vocal feelings for the teacher whenever they were out of earshot. It was irritating and humiliating for Henry. @unhingedexperimenter

(You can tag me on my tgs side blog. I also apologize but I know a few Scottish words. So to anyone reading this I apologize for the inaccuracy.) Becky Boxleitner noticed a change in the atmosphere as she and her pet monkey Bob walked into the sixth grade classroom. All of the students were excitedly chatting with one another. Becky and Bob exchanged confused looks at the scene. 'What is going on?' They both thought. Becky walked to where her friends Violet Heaslip, Rose Franklin, and Todd Scoops Ming were sitting, also joining in the excited yet low volume chattering. "Hey guys what's going on?" Becky asked her friends. They each turned their heads to greet their friend. "Hey Becky guess what, we're getting a new teacher for our class!" Scoops exclaimed. Becky looked surprised at the announcement. Bob also mimicked her facial expression. "Wait really? What happened to Miss Davis?" Becky asked, wondering what happened to their old teacher. It was just a week only into the new school year so a sudden teacher exchange was a complete shock to Becky especially since there were no announcements about it beforehand. "Miss Davis had to move back home because of a family emergency." Rose Franklin answered. "The principal had to scramble to find a new teacher to fill in for our class. It was all last minute stuff." Becky nodded in understanding of her friends' answers. It was a nice perk to be friends who were upcoming reporters. Soon the final bell rang which indicated for every student to take their seats. Becky took her place beside her best friend Violet and Bob plopped down next to her. Soon a man who looked to be in his mid 30s walked in and towards the desk. He had curly brown air, an arched nose, and reddish brown eyes. He wore a tan button-down shirt with a red vest as well as brown slacks and dark suede shoes. The man gave a pleasant and warm smile to all the students there. "Hello my name is Dr. Henry Jekyll and I will be your teacher for the school year." Becky and the other kids ears perked up as they took note of the man's accent. Even Tobey became slightly interested in his new teacher. None of them were sure where their new teacher was from. Dr. Jekyll gave a light chuckle as if he could sense their growing curiosity about him. He lightly clapped his hands together to gain their undivided attention and focus. "Well since this is my first time teaching here, why don't we all play a little game so we can all get better acquainted with each other. Here's what to do. One at a time, say your name and share a wee bit about yourself. Likes, family, interests and all that. I'll go first to show ya what ah mean. Again. My name is Dr. Henry Jekyll. I was born in Glasgow but ah moved to London where I attended university. I have a five year old wee lassie or daughter named Amber. I enjoy chemistry and reading on occasions. Now who would like to go next?" @unhingedexperimenter

Of course Tobey had taken the opportunity to place attention on himself and to have a reason to boast about himself. “My name is Tobey McCallister the third and I will be the most intelligent student you'll meet here.” The others had rolled their eyes, used to this kind of behavior from their peers. Becky seemed to be the most annoyed by it. Having been forced to put up with his destructive tantrums in the past. Henry smiled just as warmly as before. Unbothered by the obnoxious behavior that the boy had been displaying. Tobey had been going on about himself for a good few minutes before the teacher finally spoke up. “Ahem, yes. Thank you for that Mr. McCallister. Would anyone else like to tell me a bit about themselves as well?” No one could tell that behind the facade, Dr. Henry Jekyll was becoming more irritated by the moment. Not by the child but by the pest that refused to leave him be. Scoffing within his head at what they just heard. He didn't share the disembodied voice's opinion but wanted to give the other children a chance to introduce themselves as well. To the others' shock, Tobey seemed to have taken this well. Quickly going back to his desk with no issues. Becky was relieved at that. Soon the other children had started to introduce themselves to their new teacher with little to no issues. He seemed genuinely nice enough to her. This new teacher didn't seem like most of the adults within this city. Some she had to define words repeatedly for. Dr. Jekyll knew what he was teaching and knew his vocabulary. It was Violet who had brought Becky out from her own thoughts, calling her name. Waving a hand in front of her face. “Becky?” The girl smiled in an embarrassed manner. “Huh? Yes?” Violet smiled, patient with her best friend. “Why don't you introduce yourself now? Nearly everybody else already did.” She had given a surprised expression. Becky hadn't realized that she was so lost within her thoughts until then. She stood up and began speaking. “My name is Becky Boxleitner and I also like libraries,reading and Pretty Princess.” The presence that was grating at the teacher's nerves had deemed this too dull to enjoy. Leaving Dr. Jekyll be to his teaching. Well, getting to know his students. He was happy to see that they were engaged in these activities that were meant to break the ice. Though one student in particular had caught his attention the most. Becky. While she did seem rather bright, there was something strange about her behavior at times. Pausing whatever she was doing at the time to listen in on something. Thinking it went unnoticed. Even once looking alarmed and she made an excuse to go to the bathroom. He had allowed it. Feeling that it would've been better to have let her. It seemed…oddly familiar. As if he had seen that behavior somewhere before but couldn't figure out exactly where from. When the school day was finally over, Becky had gone to go home like the others. Dr. Jekyll had of course stayed behind to set more things up within his new classroom. Making a plan on exactly what he'll actually start teaching the next day. Though, the grating voice had returned to be a thorn in his side. “Come on. Leave this boring stuff alone. Leave it until tomorrow. I've been pent up for far too long. Let's have some fun.” This had earned an eye roll and a loud huff from the teacher. ��No, I've got to get this done now. You will have enough time tonight. Just be patient until then.” A shadowy figure formed in front of Dr. Jekyll. A frown on its face. “But this is so extremely dull. I want to stretch my legs. I want to make myself known already.” Dr. Jekyll glared. “And that is precisely why I'm so hesitant to let you out so soon. At least let us get acclimated to our surroundings first.” The figure let out an annoyed groan. “You know you want this as much as I do. Otherwise you'd never have any actual fun in the sad and pathetic life you call yours.”

@thecountoflondonfansite

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zacekova · 7 years ago

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Everything’s Fine (Really) FINAL CHAPTER

We are finally here, y’all. At the end. It only took a year and a half. Cue my deep sigh of relief.

First

Shirayuki was staring with vacant eyes at her computer, swearing that any second she would drag herself away from mulling over memories of looming heat and soft lips and start working. But it had been forty-two-and-a-half minutes and she had yet to follow through; things were looking grim for her to-do list.

The ringing of her work phone succeeded, at least, in drawing her attention away from the blank document on her screen. Shirayuki reached over and plucked the headset from her desk. “Hello?”

The answering voice was familiar but unexpected; he never used the phone system when he needed something from her, always made the trek from his office to the lab even for the smallest of things. I like to visit. And usually I need the break. He sounded calm, but with an undercurrent of excitement. “Hey, it’s Zen.”

“Hey,” Shirayuki said. “Do you need something?”

“Yeah. I just got a call from Obi, he says he’s got the evidence we need to solve the case and he’s bringing it in. Could you meet me in conference room four?”

Shirayuki hummed an agreement. “Yeah, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Did Obi say how he got the information?” she asked, suspicion churning in her gut. It was only last night that he’d shown up at her door, injured and bleeding.

“No, but I’m sure he’ll explain it all,” Zen said. “I don’t want a huge crowd for this, so don’t tell anyone else he’s coming yet. We’ll catch them all up on the details later.”

Shirayuki hummed again, gathering up the few documents she thought Zen might want to reference while they went over the evidence. “Sure thing.” She hung up the phone and shut down her computer, stopping on her way out of the lab to let Yuzuri and Ryuu know she was going to talk to Zen.

Zen, Mitsuhide, and Kiki were in the conference room already, Zen at the head of the table with Kiki to his right while Mitsuhide paced up and down the length of the room, drumming his fingers on his folded arms. At first glance, Kiki was her usual stoic self but she kept stealing glimpses at the clock up on the wall and clicking the pen she had poised over her notebook. Zen, in contrast, looked completely relaxed, slouched in his seat with his head tipped toward the ceiling and a serene smile on his face. It seemed he had faith in the validity of Obi’s claim and was now just relieved that the hardest part of this case was over. All that was left was the cleanup.

Shirayuki went to take the empty seat next to Kiki, pulling herself up to the edge of the table just as the door swung open and Obi came in. His cheeks were flushed, eyes alight with excitement and nervousness in equal portions and the rapid rise and fall of his shoulders reminded Shirayuki of the night before, of a single, quick kiss with the force of a thousand. Her face heated, feeling the ghosts of strong fingers on her hip and the warmth of soft lips, and her breath stuttered in her chest. She could stay calm through this. She could.

Zen rose from his chair, meeting Obi half-way and smiling. “I hear you have something for me.”

Obi nodded, mouth twisted in a grimace even while his eyes shined with excitement. “It’s Umihebi, my boss. I was called in last night to stand guard outside of one of her meetings. I didn’t know who else was there, didn’t recognize anyone who came in, but I had a feeling this was more important than the usual so I turned on the listening device you gave me.” Obi reached into his pocket and pulled something out, holding it out to Zen. “She didn’t think she had anything to hide so she wasn’t exactly subtle. I already checked the recording - it’s clear as crystal, there’s no way she’s getting away free.”

Zen held out his hand and Obi dropped a thumb drive into his palm. Zen’s fingers curled around it and he brought his hand up to tap his fist against his chin. “Thank you, Obi.”

Obi grinned, shrugging. “Just make good use of it, Master.”

Zen’s answering grin was all teeth. “Oh we will. I expect our role in this thing to be wrapped up within the week, aside from the court hearing.” He turned and handed the drive over to Mitsuhide. “Take this to Higata and let Shidan know that we should have our evidence in the next couple of hours. I’m sure he’ll want to inform the Captain right away and get started on drawing up all the warrants we’re going to need.”

Mitsuhide’s brow quirked. “You know full well that they can’t write any warrants until the evidence has actually been examined.”

Shirayuki covered her mouth to muffle her snickering, though Kiki made no attempt to hide her smirk.

Zen batted him away with mock-irritation. “Yeah, yeah, just get going.”

“Aye aye, sir,” Mitsuhide said, grinning, and trotted off toward the lab.

There was a brief moment of silence before Obi chuckled from where he was standing off to the side. He seemed nervous, suddenly avoiding everyone’s gaze and clutching his shoulder like he always did when he was uncomfortable. “Well, I guess that’s my cue,” he said. When no one commented right away, likely confused as to what he meant, he turned to leave.

“You know,” Zen called out, trailing off.

Obi looked over his shoulder.

“You did good on this Obi. Really good.” He paused and when Obi’s only response was to turn a little more and shrug, Zen smiled. “Would you like to do this kind of thing permanently?”

Obi shrugged again and grinned. “It certainly was fun, Master, but I don’t think there will be many mafia lords left in the city to take down.”

Zen shrugged. “That’s true, but that’s not really what I meant. Undercover investigators don’t get the best pay in the world but it’s probably not any worse than what you’re making now.”

Shirayuki’s eyes widened and she turned to take in Obi’s expression.

He was frowning, brows knit. “You can’t blame me for you career choices, Master.”

Zen laughed, rocking his weight onto one leg and bracing a hand on his hip. “I’m offering you a job, Obi.”

Obi gaped, eyes wide. “Why?”

Zen’s eyes were sparkling, giddy amusement radiating from him in happy waves. “Like I said, you did good on this. And I imagine it was pretty risky getting this,” he said, waving the thumb drive around, “without getting caught, especially considering the bandages I can see peeking out of your shirt.”

Obi looked away, one of his hands making an aborted move toward a particularly nasty cut Shirayuki knew wrapped around his shoulder, and shook his head. “It’s fine, Master, nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”

Shirayuki cringed, sickened at the very idea of it, but didn’t comment. If Obi didn’t want anyone else to know the details of exactly what he had endured to get the information then she wasn’t going to out him. It wasn’t her story to tell.

Zen was shaking his head, smiling. “Regardless, this whole assignment was dangerous to you and you were under no obligation to risk your own safety like you did last night. But you did and that matters to me.” Zen shrugged. “You’ve earned my trust.”

Obi was staring, eyes wide in surprise, but Zen just barrelled on, either oblivious or too excited to stop once he’d started.

“I’d really like you to be on the team permanently, even if it’s only as an informant. The Captain agreed that you’ve done enough to warrant a position if you want it. And after today, I’m sure he’ll even be willing to negotiate on your pay, if income is going to be an issue.”

Shirayuki looked over at Kiki, surprised to find her smiling; she must have already known Zen would offer him a job. She turned back to see Obi still staring at Zen in surprise, only just beginning to comprehend exactly what he was being offered, and a tentative smile pushed at his cheeks.

“Are you sure it’s okay to give me a job like it’s nothing?” he asked, eyes twinkling with amusement but the lines of his face were still uncertain, cautious.

Zen scoffed. “You act like Captain Lugis was easy to convince.” His expression turned serious. “I put in the effort because Shirayuki trusts you and I trust Shirayuki. I happen to think I’m a pretty good judge of character and I know everyone on my team is too. I’m choosing to believe in that. To believe in you.”

They both fell silent, eyes boring into each other, searching.

Obi broke the silence. “Master, if you keep looking at me like that I’ll think you have ulterior motives.”

Zen sputtered and Kiki muffled a laugh behind her hand. He turned his face away, cheeks red, but continued on. “If you do decide to take up the offer, stop by my office and we’ll hammer out the details, yeah?”

Obi nodded mutely staring after Zen as he left the room.

Kiki stood up, giving Shirayuki’s shoulder a friendly nudge and Obi a perfunctory nod as she left too, shutting the door with a soft click and a pointed look.

Damn. Were they really that obvious?

Obi was standing frozen in place, lost in his head, but at the sound of the door closing he seemed to shake himself and dropped into the nearest chair with a weary huff, resting his forehead to the table. “I can’t handle this.”

Shirayuki chuckled. “Zen can be a bit overwhelming at first. You’ll get used to how he sweeps everyone along with him eventually.”

Obi sighed, rolling his head so his cheek rested against the veneer. One of his dangling hands came up to scratch his nose and he mumbled something that sound like “he’d be stealing my heart, too, if it hadn’t been already.”

Shirayuki flushed. “...What did you say?”

Obi whipped his head up, heat flooding his face and hands braced against the armrests of his chair. “Uhh. You heard that?”

Shirayuki nodded, tongue heavy in her mouth and sluggish to find words.

Obi’s chuckle was strained, awkward, and he palmed the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes. “How about you just… forget I said that. I tend to... exaggerate. And I think that was a bit premature, anway.” When Shirayuki nodded again, he breathed out a sigh of relief, offering her a shy smile. “I did say I wanted to talk to you about all of this again, though, didn’t I?”

“‘All of this?’” Shirayuki asked, certain by now that she wasn’t misreading things but still needing to hear it out loud.

Obi nodded. “This thing between us,” he said. “And what we want to do about it.” He dropped his hands into his lap, the muscles in his biceps flexing like he was clenching his fists.

The sudden realization that Obi was just as nervous about all of this as she was despite how confident he always came across, made Shirayuki huff out a laugh, the strings of tension inside her snapping in two. “I like you,” she blurted. “I really like you, Obi.”

His eyes widened, shock written all over his face for a beat, two beats, and then his features softened, a warm, happy smile taking over. “Yeah, I— Me too, Miss. I’d like this to be something more official.”

Shirayuki’s heart was pounding as she crept a hand across the table to brush over Obi’s where he’d set them down again, fingertips resting on the rough skin of his knuckles. “Official?”

“I want to date you,” he said, a touch of his earlier nervousness creeping back into the lines around his mouth and eyes. “I want you to be my- my girlfriend.”

And somehow, despite him not having said so, Shirayuki had the thought that what he was asking for was not something he had probably ever had before. He had experience, had years of flirting and sex and dating, but what he was asking for now was a relationship. Had he ever had something like that before?

Shirayuki pushed back her seat, stalking around the table under Obi’s wide eyes and bent over to push her lips against his, waiting patiently for him to get with the program and kiss her back.

He did, finally, and they traded soft, gentle kisses, Shirayuki’s hands braced on Obi’s chair and one of his hands coming up to curl a finger under her chin.

Shirayuki pulled away after a moment when both of them were breathing just a touch faster and their cheeks warm. “I’d like that,” she said. “I’d like that very much.”

Obi beamed, opening his mouth to reply when the door to the conference room flew up and Zen walked in.

“Shirayuki, I wanted to ask you about-” he stopped, eyes alighting on their position and widening. “Uhh.”

Obi shoved himself away so hard the wheeled chair carried him all the way to the wall, knocking against it with a thud that almost knocked him out of his seat, and Shirayuki bolted upright, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Zen’s gaze flicked between the two of them, considering, though his expression stayed neutral. “Um. I just wanted to remind you to finish that report you owe me.”

Shirayuki nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll get it to you before the end of the day.”

Zen nodded back, gaze flicking between them again and expression slowly morphing into a grin, but he kept his mouth shut and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

Obi slithered to the floor, boneless and weary, and groaned. “He’s going to tease us about this forever.”

Shirayuki’s heart warmed at that, the idea of forever spilling from Obi’s lips a tantalizing prospect no matter how much it was said in jest. “You’d have to stick around forever for that,” she said.

Obi grinned up at her, the weight of a heartfelt, eager promise in his eyes. “Oh, I plan to, Shirayuki. You’re not getting rid of me now.”

That was fine. That was very fine, indeed.

#obiyuki #csi au #fic tag #ans #I’m DONE #FINISHED #I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE #thank you #all of you #for sticking with this until the end #i would not have blamed you for giving up long ago #i hope you’ve enjoyed my little experiment with things i know nothing about #there’s a reason i’m not a crime investigator or a scientist

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longitudinalwaveme · 3 years ago

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Barry Allen Video Game Proposal

Important Disclaimer: I am not a video game designer or regular video game player and my knowledge of the mechanics of game play is thus fairly limited. This is more of a plot proposal for a video game than anything else. While I will be selecting bosses and creating hypothetical side missions, there won’t be any detailed descriptions of how the playable characters will work. That being said, should someone with a broader understanding of video game mechanics wish to offer suggestions, I will gladly add their ideas to the proposal.

Now...onto the plot! (After the cut)

The main playable character for this game will be Barry Allen, the second Flash. Jay Garrick and Wally West (as Kid Flash) will be playable characters in some of the side missions. (Wally will also get his own game where he’ll be the main playable character. The plot of that game will be its own post.) Iris Allen will be a main supporting character, and Dexter Myles (the curator of the Flash Museum), and Nora and Henry Allen (both alive) will also appear in somewhat smaller roles. Patty Spivot, a somewhat younger Fred Chyre (to set up his bigger role in Wally’s game), and Captain Darryl Frye will show up at CCPD.

Eobard Thawne (Professor Zoom the Reverse-Flash) is actually not going to be one of the antagonists for this game. Neither is Gorilla Grodd. Both are great villains, but both of them are the sort of villain to become the primary antagonist in whatever plot they show up in. Since neither is the primary main boss that I have in mind, I decided to exclude them. Guys like Evan and Axel also won’t appear as they wouldn’t have debuted in the time that this game is taking place.

After an opening cutscene that establishes Barry Allen, his wife Iris, and his dual role as both Flash and a police scientist, there will be a tutorial/intro mission with Rainbow Raider as the boss. The level will take place in an art museum (of course), and Barry will have to fight his way through the emotionally-manipulated crowd before fighting Rainbow Raider. This fight will let the player get used to whatever combat style Barry uses; as such, it will be less difficult than subsequent levels. However, Rainbow Raider still won’t be treated as a complete joke. The Rainbow Raider’s not too bright, and he will be played mostly for comedy, but he’s very powerful and his boss fight will reflect that.

After defeating Rainbow Raider and taking him to jail, Barry arrives late to the CCPD and is chewed out by Captain Frye for his lack of punctuality. After the cutscene ends, the player will be able to walk around the department building, chat with coworkers (notably Fred Chyre), and do some CSI work with Patty Spivot. Eventually, Barry will be called to investigate a potential crime scene; this will lead into another cutscene.

Roscoe Dillon, alias the Top, has been found dead in a hotel room. Most of the police force isn’t particularly upset about Roscoe’s demise; Chryre comments that he was “crazy even for a Rogue”. Barry replies that, Rogue or not, Roscoe deserves justice if he was murdered. The player will get to analyze the room and the body for signs of foul play, but there’s no evidence of a struggle and his system is free from poison. Barry will also discover that Roscoe’s tops are nowhere to be found. The player can also uncover a photograph of Roscoe--not costumed--with a blonde woman, but Barry won’t focus too much on that at this point in the game.

When then get another cutscene. This one will begin with Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Weather Wizard, Heat Wave, the Trickster (James Jesse), Pied Piper, and Mirror Master (Sam Scudder) playing cards in their latest hideout. Suddenly, a young woman in a glitzy light orange skating outfit and a mask bursts into their hideout via one of the windows.

“I’m the Golden Glider! The Top is dead, and you’re going to help me avenge him!” The Rogues (sans Cold and Pied Piper) laugh, having no reason to believe he claims, and Digger hits on her creepily. The woman responds by throwing one of Roscoe’s tops at him. The top releases some knockout gas and Digger faceplants into the table. Lisa then proves the Top’s death by pulling out a tape recording of what she describes as his last will and testament. In the video, Roscoe tells the other Rogues that he recently developed telekinetic powers. These powers enabled him to go on a crime spree that even the Flash was unable to stop...but they came at a cost. The Flash’s super speed sent Roscoe’s brain into overdrive. His brain was overheating, and he managed to figure out that he would die within a few days. As such, he sent for his beloved girlfriend; the two spent his last hours together. Roscoe demands that the other Rogues avenge his death by humiliating or outright killing the Scarlet Speedster. The woman then removes her mask.

“What do you say, big brother? Will you help my avenge my beloved Roscoe, or do I have to do it myself?” Cold tells his sister that of course they’ll avenge Roscoe...but she should stay out of it. Roscoe wouldn’t have wanted her to get involved in a life of crime. But Lisa insists that she will be a part of the scheme. “I’ll make the Flash suffer as I have suffered! And if you get in my way....you’ll regret it.” Len gives in and the two concoct a plan that involves the Flash running a gauntlet of all of the Rogues. Each one will commit a spectacular crime, one after the next, and gradually wear the Flash down until he’ll be too tired to defeat them as a group. Sam will serve as the group’s “get-out-of-jail free card” should anyone get captured, and with any luck, they’ll be able to steal a bunch of money and valuables as well.

After this long cutscene, the player will get to play as Barry in his role as a police scientist a bit more. He’ll learn from the coroner that Roscoe died of an aneurysm and he’ll also run the fingerprints he found at the hotel room where the Top died to see if he can figure out who stole the tops. The fingerprints don’t match those of any of the criminals in the CCPD’s database. Before Barry can run more tests, however, his phone rings. It’s his mother, reminding him that they’re coming over to his house for dinner that evening. Barry chats amicably with her and then hangs up the phone. Then the police receive news that Captain Boomerang is attacking W.W. Wiggins’ toy company. Barry promptly goes into action as the Flash.

For this level, Barry will have to fight his way to the top floor of W.W. Wiggins’ office building, where Boomerang is holding Wiggins hostage as he loots the company safe. Normally, this would be relatively simple for Barry, but the building is full of employees and Digger’s henchmen, who wear his signature hat and fight (rather poorly) with his boomerangs. However, many of them also wield guns and some of them will threaten employees or use them as hostages if the Flash gets too close. Throughout the level, Boomerang will yell at his henchmen for their inability to properly throw boomerangs, they way they anger the Flash by endangering civilians, and their preference for using guns over his weapon of choice. Boomerang will of course be the boss of the level, and he’ll throw all sorts of boomerangs at the Flash. When he is defeated, Flash then puts him in jail...but as soon as he’s gone, Digger grins, well aware that Sam will soon free him.

The player will then be allowed to control Barry (in story terms this segment happens four or five hours after Boomerang is defeated) and examine the home he shares with Iris, but this sequence will only last a few minutes before Barry’s phone rings again and he learns that his parents were in a car accident on their way to his house. His mother managed to escape with only a broken arm, but his father flatlined for a few seconds before the CPR provided by the young driver of the other car brought him back. He seems to be doing better now, but he has a sprained ankle, and both he and Nora will have to stay at the hospital for a few days to ensure that they’re all right. Barry and Iris rush to the hospital; Barry invites both of his parents to stay at his house while they recover and they agree. Barry then confides to Iris that he’s a bit nervous about having his father stay with him. He loves his father, but he’s well aware that Henry has always been somewhat critical of him. Iris reassures him that she’ll support him and that she’s sure that things will improve between them if he tells his dad how he feels.

After this cutscene ends, the story will pick up a few days later. The player will control Barry as he uses his super speed to prepare a guest room for his parents and then as he has to use it more subtly as he helps them move in. The player will have to be careful to avoid tipping his parents off to his super speed. After they’ve been settled in, Iris leaves for work. In a cutscene, Barry has a heart-to-heart chat with his father; he’s thrilled when Henry tells Barry how proud of his son he is. Their chat is interrupted by a news report of Heat Wave setting fire to the Flash Museum. The cutscene ends as Barry rushes into action.

In this level, Barry has to stop Heat Wave from burning down the Flash Museum. Heat Wave doesn’t have henchmen; instead, Barry has to save people and Jay Garrick‘s exhibit from the flames. One of the people who needs to be saved from the museum is Dexter Miles, the museum's curator, who also narrates much of the level with Shakespearean turns of phrase. This level will naturally be full of Easter eggs and references to events in the Flash comics. Heat Wave is of course the boss of the level; he’ll use his flamethrower in a number of creative ways over the course of the fight and might even melt the Flash’s boots to the floor at one point in the battle. After Barry defeats him, he’ll as Rory why he attacked the Museum. Heat Wave will reply by telling Barry that the Top was his friend. He didn’t really want to set fire to the museum...but he didn’t want to ignore the Top’s dying request to avenge his death either. Barry is confused. The Top died of natural causes. What is there to revenge? Before Heat Wave can answer, a top spins into the room and creates a small explosion; Barry manages to save both himself and Heat Wave but the latter is knocked unconscious. Still puzzled but with no way to answer his question, Barry takes Heat Wave to jail.

A few days later (in-story), the player will once again play as Barry in his lab. He manages to match the fingerprints that were found in the hotel room where the Top died to Lisa Snart....Captain Cold’s younger sister. She is an Olympic-level ice skater and has no criminal record. Further research suggests that she recently quit her ice skating team and dropped off the record. But what on Earth was she doing in the Top’s hotel room? And how is he going to find her? However, before he can ponder this too much, Patty Spivot brings in another case from him to examine. Solving the mysteries around the Top’s death isn’t a particularly high priority for the CCPD, so Barry puts his work on the case aside.

Barry meets Iris and his parents for lunch in a cutscene. This is mostly just a scene of fleshing out the dynamic between Barry and Iris, but at one point Barry asks his parents how they’re doing. Henry’s response: “Under the circumstances, quite well. You might even say that I’m in tip-top shape.” Barry does notice the oddity of the comment but writes off his concern as the result of excessive focus on the Top’s death. After lunch, everyone returns to Barry’s home. Iris gets a phone call from her newspaper. Captain Cold is robbing a bank and they want her on the scene to report. Barry then tells his parents that he’s needed at CCPD HQ and then runs into action as the Flash. End cutscene.

In this level, Captain Cold has frozen the entrance to the bank completely solid. All the entrances are iced over and the streets around the building are covered in ice slicks. Further, the exceptionally low temperatures slow the Flash down considerably. The player will have to figure out how to get Barry inside the building while also avoiding the traps that Cold has set up around the bank, such as falling icicles, attacks from thugs he’s hired, and absolute zero cold fields that will stop the Flash completely for several seconds. Once the player gets inside, they will need to free all the frozen customers and bank tellers before moving on; further, the inside of the building will also be filled with traps. Once you finally get to Cold (who’s inside the vault), he then serves as the boss for the level. However, you don’t capture him once you wear his health bar down. Instead, he manages to trip the Flash up one last time in a cutscene. He does the classic “ice slick on the floor” move and the Flash slides into a wall and falls unconscious, allowing him to escape (albeit without the cash he wanted).

After the cutscene, the player will get to play as Iris. About a week has passed since the Cold fight, and Barry has asked her to investigate Lisa Snart since the department doesn’t seem to want him to spend any time on the Top’s case. Iris uses her talents as an investigative journalist to study Lisa’s history and see if it connects in any way to the Top. Through her research, she learns that the Top was frequently spotted in cities where Lisa’s ice skating company was performing. It’s as though he was following a family member...or a lover. That would explain why her fingerprints were in his hotel room, and where his tops went. Barry, who has been on the phone with Iris, suddenly tells her that he has to run. The Trickster has been spotted at a local traveling circus.

The player will then return to controlling Barry as he tries to capture the Trickster. James isn’t trying to steal anything or hurt anyone; he just wants to mess with Barry. He’s hired a number of the circus performers to help him put on a show, including a lion tamer, some clowns, a few acrobats, a strongman, and a sword swallower, all of whom Barry will have to battle. James, for his part, has cast himself as the ringmaster (complete with top hat and red coat). He spends most of the level treating the battles as though they’re circus acts; however, once Barry defeats his henchmen, he’ll fight him directly as the main boss of the level. He’ll use his airwalker shoes, his rubber chickens, sneezing powder, exploding whoopie cushions, and more. When Barry finally defeats him, James will cheerfully accept defeat...but when he starts to tell the Flash about how excited he is to see him fight the “newbie”, a top appears from seemingly nowhere and spews out a cloud of knockout gas. Once again, Barry is left with no one to question.

After the cutscene, the player will again gets to play as Barry Allen in his lab, where he will be told by Chyre that the Top’s costume has disappeared from the police’s evidence room. He wants to investigate this, but Chief Frye tells him that solving a recent string of potential serial killings is more important, and Barry agrees. The player will then do more CSI work, positively identifying the blood found at several recent murder scenes belongs to Dr. Michael Amar. (Murmur’s actual capture will be a side mission.) After Barry solves the case, there’s a cutscene where his phone rings. It’s his mother, and she’s worried about Henry. He seems odd; she says. Barry, however, feels that his relationship with his father has never been better, so he brushes off her concerns. “He’s probably just struggling to adjust to living in someone else’s house. Trust me, he’s the same great man he’s always been.” After he hangs up the phone, he’s promptly distracted by another alarm. The Pied Piper has broken into the Rathaway estate! Barry rushes into action as the Flash. End cutscene.

The Pied Piper is attempting to steal some of the valuable items in Rathaway manor so that he can sell them. He plans to give the money from the sale to the poor of Central City; Barry’s goal is to stop him. However, in order to do this, he has to find the Pied Piper in the labyrinthine manor, as well as avoid the hypnotized guards, Piper’s sonic traps, and all of the incredibly expensive and valuable things within the manor. Mr. and Mrs. Rathaway will be absolutely furious if anything is broken. Pied Piper is of course the final boss. When he is defeated, Barry asks him why the Rogues want revenge for Roscoe’s death. Piper replies by telling Barry that he’s not interested in revenge; he just went along with the plan in the hopes of being able to help the downtrodden. Barry then asks him if there’s a new Rogue. Before Piper can respond, yet another top appears. This one shoots out lasers, and Barry is forced to remove it from the premises before it can do damage to either the manor or anyone in it. By the time he returns, the Piper has vanished, and Barry is promptly shooed off of the estate by Mr. and Mrs. Rathaway, who seem strangely annoyed by his presence and far too eager to get him to leave. Barry reluctantly leaves, with not one but now two mysteries unsolved. (This second mystery will be resolved in a side mission.) End cutscene.

Barry is now convinced that the Rogues’ individual attacks are part of a larger plot against him---one that’s somehow connected to Roscoe’s death. He’s still not sure why they want revenge on him for the Top’s brain aneurysm or who the new Rogue is, but he does decide to go on the offensive. As the Flash, the player goes to visit the Rogues whom he’s sent to prison---only to find that they’ve escaped. Since the cells are totally intact, it’s clear Mirror Master must be responsible. This confirms the fact that the Rogues are indeed united in this scheme, but it also means that he’ll have to find one of the Rogues in order to question them. Barry promptly begins to search the city at super speed--and promptly discovers Mark Mardon sitting with an attractive young woman in a bar. Then another cutscene begins.

Upon seeing the Flash, Mardon starts complaining about how he’s busy right now and actually tells the Flash to come back when he’s not on a date. Barry asks the woman if she’s aware that Mardon is the Weather Wizard; she laughs. “Of course! My husband’s the mob boss you sent up the river a few months back, copper. I know every crook and thug in the underworld. Can you blame me for goin’ on a date with one of the handsome ones?” Mardon is less than thrilled to learn that his paramour is the wife of a mob boss and tells her that being her boytoy is not worth ending up six feet under when her husband finds out. He might be powerful, but even a god has to sleep sometimes. The woman promptly calls him a coward (and several other choice appelations) and storms out of the bar. Mardon, now in a rather foul mood, pulls out his Weather Wand. Barry is just stunned enough by the exchange that he just witnessed to allow Mardon to summon a windstorm that tears open the bar. End cutscene.

The player, as Barry Allen, has to act fast to save the bartender and the few patrons who were at the bar at 10 in the morning. He manages to get them all to safety and then returns to the bar, where Mardon has changed into his full Weather Wizard costume. Weather Wizard wasn’t planning to fight the Flash today, but after finding out that his date was a mob boss’s kept woman and then being insulted by her, he’s more than willing to work out his frustrations on Barry. During the fight, he’ll be throwing everything from lightning bolts to cars to hailstones at the Flash; Flash will also have to save nearby citizens from his rampage. When Barry finally defeats him, he tries to get Mardon to tell him what the Rogues are up to and who the new Rogue is...but before Mardon can say anything, another weaponized top appears. This is a variant on the knockout top the Golden Glider used earlier on Captain Boomerang, and Mardon promptly slumps into unconsciousness. Barry rushes Mardon to prison and then rushes back in the hopes of finding who threw the top. The player will be able to analyze the scene and discover that the top is being operated remotely...but before he can trace the signal, the top explodes. Barry only narrowly escapes the blast.

The next level begins with Barry at home with his father. They have another heart-to-heart chat; things get so personal that Barry actually reveals his secret identity to his father (the player will be control over how he displays his speed to his father). Henry reacts with the appropriate shock and joy. When Nora enters the room, Barry tells her too. She is equally surprised and proud of her son---but after she expresses her love for her superhero son, she asks Barry if they can speak alone. Barry agrees. Once they’re alone, Nora tells her son that something is very wrong with Henry. “He’s been sleeping on the couch...and when he looks at me, he seems annoyed. He always used to look at me with love. And a few weeks ago he started leaving the house when you were at work without telling me where he was going.” She thinks he’s having an affair. Barry is torn. He can tell his mother is very worried...but at the same time, this is the best his relationship with his father has ever been. He doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. However, he does agree to check things out. No sooner does he say this than he notices his father leaving the house and going to the car. Barry changes into the Flash and quietly follows his father as he drives into the city and to a very familiar hotel. With a growing sense of dread, Barry follows Henry into the hotel. (The player will need to remember to use their powers in order to avoid being detected.) Henry goes to the exact same room where the Top’s body was found...and there he’s met by a blonde woman whom he embraces. This woman is the same one from the photograph; the same one whose fingerprints were all over the hotel. Lisa Snart.

“Roscoe, honey...have you found a younger body yet?”

“No, sweetums. Not yet. But given what I’ve managed to learn from staying in this body, that’s a good thing. You see, it seems that Dr. Allen’s son is the Flash... the very man who tried to separate us from one another.” Lisa laughs.

“Perfect! What better way to get revenge on the Flash than to use his own father as a weapon against him?” Suddenly, Henry’s--the Top’s--eyes glow.

“We are not alone!” Lisa promptly grabs one of the weaponized tops throws it at Barry; forcing him to reveal himself. Once he does, a two-on-one boss fight begins, with Lisa and the Top both launching attacks at the Flash. Golden Glider has aerial attacks; slicing and kicking the Flash from above. She also has a lot of weaponized tops and her own weaponized gems that she can use; the Top has super speed and is telekinetic; he can also induce vertigo. However, the body he’s inhabiting is quite old, and Henry’s mind is fighting against Roscoe’s control. This weakens his powers. Eventually, Roscoe will come to the realization that they might well be defeated if he stays in this form (when he gets to 50% health) and he vacates Henry’ s body. Lisa screams (thinking Roscoe’s gone for good) and starts to sob; she attacks Barry again, but her grief makes her sloppy and Barry is able to defeat her and take her to jail. Barry and Henry have a heart-to-heart and Henry tells Barry that, while he hated being under Roscoe’s mental control, the things Roscoe told Barry while impersonating him--that he was proud of him and loved him--were the things he had wanted to say but had never quite known how to express. The two hug. End cutscene.

A few days later, Barry is again working at the CCPD when he learns that a body has disappeared from the morgue. The body belonged to a young man who died in a boating accident a few days ago, and strangely, there was no sign of a break-in. The body is just gone. The player controls Barry as he examines the room and finds fingerprints on the doornob. When he examines them, he learns that the fingerprints match those of the dead body! Before Barry can puzzle this out, however, he hears an alert. The Mirror Master has been sighted at a downtown jewelry store. The Flash rushes off to stop him.

When he arrives, the Mirror Master starts to move at impossible speeds. It’s a mirror construct, and it leads the Flash to a mirror maze, where Scudder launches his attack. The mirror maze is full of hundreds of duplicates of Scudder as well as twisted doppelgangers of the Flash himself; Scudder pops in and out of the mirrors to shoot a Flash with his Mirror Gun and then disappears when Flash gets too close. Flash can only defeat him by timing his speed just right; hitting Scudder when he pops out of the mirror to set up his shots. When Mirror Master s defeated, Barry takes him to jail.

After this point, there would be a bit of a breather--a cutscene where Barry spends time with his family and then a mission where he saves some cats from trees and generally runs around helping as many people as possible. He’d also figure out that Roscoe had stolen the corpse from the morgue so that it could be his new body.

Then there’d be a final boss fight where Barry would fight most or all of the Rogues at once (probably after they tried to break Golden Glider, Mirror Master, and Weather Wizard out of jail) and we’d get to see Roscoe make his full return, having altered his body in order to resemble his original one. He, Golden Glider, and Cold would probably be the last three standing. As the fight goes on and Roscoe starts to realize the full extent of his powers, he starts to display some delusions of grandeur---and also lets it slip that he thinks that he should lead the Rogues. Captain Cold would naturally object to this, and in spite of Golden Glider’s efforts, the two turn on each other. Flash, at this point, would be utterly exhausted; the fight between the two gives him time to recover. He then manages to defeat both of them and finally defeat the Rogues---though Golden Glider does manage to escape (albeit with the thought that perhaps the Rogues do need a new leader: her).

The game would then end with a cute Barry and Iris moment.

The side missions will be in their own post.

#flash comics #barry allen #flash rogues #long post.

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danganronpasurvivoraskblog · 2 years ago

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Izumi Kamukura [Beginning of Arc]

So...what’s the situation?

*Taka and Mondo arrive at the Future Foundation branch chief meeting room.

Believe me, I wouldn’t call you if it wasn’t important.

Thing is, I don’t see how it could be.

Seriously Chihiro Fujisaki, we have bigger things to worry about than the boy.

You haven’t heard what it is I have to say Munakata. You’ll want to hear this.

The boy?

You must be referring to Uchui Porosen. Correct?

Yes...I’m sorry, I know in truth, Munakata is right, and that I shouldn’t be focusing time on him...

But...it’s not like we’ve been given much opportunity to strike back against Zetsubou. I would rather waste my time doing something productive.

The way I see it, helping someone is never a waste of time.

However, I looked into Uchui’s history, and...I discovered some things that might be of interest.

If I could, I’d tell the whole Foundation this, but since there’s so few of us still lingering around...well, I don’t think I need to explain myself.

This is because of the outburst he had, right? Did you manage to find a reason for that?

You could say that.

Quit beating around the bush Miaya! What’s so important about it!?

Based on what I found, Uchui is a timid, easily swayed and often times kind individual, but...I always figured there was something dark inside him.

And...when I was able to take a close look at his family history...I realized where my gear feeling was coming from.

“Gear feeling?”

Well, I don’t exactly have guts, do I?

From the way it sounds, they weren’t particularly nice people. Uchui’s family, I mean.

No. They weren’t

*Miaya puts some papers and photos out on the desk.

I had to do a lot of investigative work over the last few weeks to get my hands on all of this. Without Kyoko or Shuichi around, it proved to be difficult. However, I was even able to get into contact with some of the victims...

Good God...!

*Taichi picks up and investigates the photos. They show very graphic experimental equipment, and horrific imagery of surgery and other mad science experiments.

This doesn’t make any sense. Doesn’t Uchui study theory-whatever? That doesn’t require to pick people apart!

Indeed. Are you sure these crimes are associated with that young man?

Uchui comes from a long line of researchers and scientists, all with their own unique field of expertise. Theoretical Physics is his own one.

But over the course of their experiments, this family is responsible for many scientific crimes. Obstruction of justice, torture, unlicensed surgery, child experimentation, kidnapping, manslaughter...I’ll let your mind come up with the rest.

I can’t believe this.

*Taka grabs the papers and crunches them up as he grips onto them tightly.

But Uchui is such a gentle soul. How could be have come from a group of heretics like this!?

Maybe that’s why he’s so fucked up. Maybe they did something to him...Or they did something that he couldn’t handle.

It still makes no sense. The Porosen’s are small business owners who are known to follow every regulation. They even came to the Future Foundation back in the day to check.

You know them Munakata?

Admittedly, not very well. But Juzo and Chisa were usually the ones who ran the safety procedures and checked the regulations.

But if that was the early days of the Future Foundation, Chisa Yukizome would already have become infected by despair by that time.

True, but Juzo wasn’t. And despite his problems, he was serious about combating despair and helping society on it’s way back up. He wouldn’t have slacked on his report.

That, and also science wasn’t the field the Porosen group delved in. They were more political and financial. I just can’t see them pulling something like this off under the Foundation’s nose.

Now, now. I never said that the Porosen’s were the one’s responsible for these crimes.

What? But you said that they did all this!

No...She said Uchui’s family. Not necessarily the Porosen’s...

Is he...Not actually one of the Porosen’s?

He is, and he isn’t...his Uncle married into the family and the rest took on the family name...But...

He was born...Kamukura...

He WHAT!?

*Munakata lurches to his feet.

Kamukura...!? You mean to say he is related to the Academy Founder!?

And all these crimes were committed by Izuru’s descendants!?

I...didn’t even know the founders descendants were still alive!?

I didn’t even know Izuru HAD kids!

It’s true. While I don’t know the exact generation Uchui is, Izuru Kamukura is his great great grandfather.

Izuru’s family had to go into hiding during the tragedy, but from what I uncovered, it didn’t work out.

Only two members of the Kamukura bloodline were left alive after the Tragedy died down. Uchui, obviously, and his Uncle, Ryuichi.

However, a few years ago, Ryuichi was arrested on a defamation and embezzlement charge. The rest of his crimes were uncovered and documented shortly afterwards, which is how I was even able to find this out. However, something mysterious happened after his arrest. He was set to be transferred to an insane asylum, but when they entered the back of the vehicle he had been contained in...

Let me guess...the bastard escaped...

No Mondo...he had been murdered.

Huh!?

Right under the escorts noses? How!?

I don’t quite know, but they confirmed it had to have been a murder. The cause of death was a gunshot to the trachea, and there was nothing Ryuichi could have used to commit suicide.

My personal theory is that someone disguised themselves as an escort and did the deed with a silenced weapon, but that’s another thing entirely.

...So...on top of all these horrible experimentations, this is the same family legacy that founded the hellhole that was the old Hope’s Peak.

Now that I’m hearing it, I’m not even surprised anymore...

Yeah...My family have done some very immature things, but nothing on this level...If they had, I’d be plagued by nightmare and trauma too...

Miaya...I’m almost scared to ask, but...Did Uchui’s uncle ever do anything to him?

More than likely, yes. However...I don’t think that alone is the reason for Uchui’s trauma...

I was able to trace it down to one single event...And it’s related to a completely different member of the Kamukura bloodline.

And who would that be?

Izumi Kamukura...Uchui’s father.

What did HE do...?

...

*Miaya doesn’t answer. Instead, she just slides a paper across the table.

I’m sure you’ll recognize this.

!!??

*Munakata immediately recognizes the document Miaya hands over to them, and he snatches it.

Hey!

What is it!?

It’s...It couldn’t be...!

I was surprised myself...but I checked my sources more than several times. It’s unfortunately true.

What is it!? Spill dude!

It’s...

The Hope Cultivation Plan...! The Kamukura Project...!

!!!??

That’s...wait, isn’t that-!?

The project that turned Hajime into Izuru? The one that gave him his limitless Ultimate Talents? The very same!

So you’re telling me that Uchui’s old man had a hand in that project!?

I mean...he was a scientists with human experimentation on his record...

I’m afraid it’s worse than that...Izumi wasn’t merely a participant of the project...

He’s the one...who invented it.

Huh!?

Invented it!?

This document does indeed have his signature...

Miaya, where did you get this!?

I found it hidden away in an old archive of information salvaged from Hope’s Peak. I had to employ the Warriors of Hope’s help in order to track it down.

I wasn’t looking for it initially but...I suddenly got a gear feeling...Based on what I uncovered, Izumi was obsessed with his grandfather’s research into talent and human capabilities. His research notes indicated he wished to explore upon Izuru’s research, and create a perfect being.

As we know, he got that wish...He approached the steering committee of the school his grandfather had founded and...we know the rest of the story...

And the entire world crumbled as a result of that wish, and Junko Enoshima’s interference.

It’s unfair to say this, since I know full well if this way didn’t work, Junko Enoshima would have found an entirely new way to destroy the whole world...

But suffice to say, had this man and his fellow scientists not approached the steering committee with the idea, we might not be rescuing the world from the effects of the Tragedy, and Izuru Kamukura...a-as in the second Izuru Kamukura...wouldn’t have been born.

When we found this document, I discovered that it confirmed a few theories that I had had previously about the Kamukura Project, that we didn’t know for certain before.

I assume you’re referring to this one you highlighted.

*Munakata points to the book, which he puts on the table.

“The Hope’s Peak Headmaster brought forth the latest test subject, and I have a good feeling about this one. He’s a reserve course student named Hajime Hinata. Hopefully, all the previous experiments up until now would have been worth it.”

I...I did indeed hear that a few Reserve Course students lost their lives as a result of failed experimentation...Clearly, Hajime Hinata was not the first test subject, though he was the first successful one.

Miaya, I don’t like what you’re implying...! You’re not suggesting that Izumi...used his own son as a test subject, are you!?

The fuck...!?

I don’t know for certain. However, I honestly find it unlikely.

Oh...really? You don’t?

Izumi and Izuru both put great importance on the idea of High Schoolers being the ripe and easiest age to scout talent. After all, a High School student is young enough to still learn and develop, but old and mature enough to understand the importance of their abilities.

Uchui is 20 years of age right now. At the time the Kamukura Project happened, he would have only been 7.

And he wasn’t exactly a gifted child like Nagisa Shingetsu. He wouldn’t have been a good candidate.

However, I do still think Izumi may have used Uchui for other such tests involved with the project. A test for anesthesia, and a blood doner for instance.

This is sickening...No wonder he’s so broken...

Uchui...Why did you never tell anyone?

How could he? His family might just be the most evil criminals of our modern time. Izumi and Ryuichi are putting even Junko’s evil to the test.

I wouldn’t call it “evil.” It’s more of a misplaced ambition and unrelenting desire for knowledge and wisdom.

That same desire is what led Izuru to found Hope’s Peak academy. It makes sense his descendants would follow in his misguided example.

In a way, the Kamukura’s fit your definition of “geniuses” huh Taka?

I suppose they do.

Taka is right though. That kind of thing can corrupt even the most comforting of men. I won’t make assumptions, but I’d like to imagine some of their intentions were good to begin with...

So...All in all...Uchui is the son of the guy who made Izuru...

AND is the grandson of the REAL Izuru...

And he’s been sitting under our noses...how long?

Ever since 2016. He joined Hope’s Peak Academy that year.

But just like you Mondo, most of us didn’t even imagine Izuru had any kids. Much less one’s like this.

I’ve given you this information, and I think it’s best that I have a talk with Uchui about it.

I understand if he wants to refuse therapy, and I won’t force him to talk with me, but we at least need to tell him what we know. We can’t keep this knowledge secret from him.

However, I will of course, let you make the final decision on that, Chihiro.

...No, I agree with you.

But please, let ME talk to him. He trusts me, and knows I won’t do any harm.

I would still be wary if I were you Chihiro. With how bad his outburst was last time, we don’t quite know how Uchui might react if we confront him.

Fine. I’d like you all to come with me then, but please, I insist upon doing the talking.

#danganronpa survivor #danganronpa #danganronpa 1 #dr1 #danganronpa 3 #dr3 #danganronpa ultra despair girls #drae #kiyotaka ishimaru #mondo owada #chihiro fujisaki #miaya gekkogahara #kyosuke munakata #sakura ogami #taichi fujisaki #the monster in me arc

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isaidtheysaid · 2 years ago

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The Devotion of Suspect X

— Keigo Higashino

“... Sometimes, you could follow a mistaken route to a false treasure, and proving that it was false could be even harder than finding the real answer.”

A part of Detektif Galileo series (the tagline). But surely, the Detektif Galileo (Manabu Yukawa) himself isn't the star or spotlight of the book! In fact, l barely feel his presence throughout the book.

He's just there most of the time to give vague hints and talked in riddles which is typical detective stories characters.

“... Whether it’s more difficult to think of the solution to a problem yourself or to ascertain if someone else’s answer to the same problem is correct.”

Detective Galileo isn't an actual detective, rather he is a genius scientist who's often help his friend (the actual detective) in some cases and earn the nickname.

That being said, I don't really feel anything special or impressed about Manabu Yukawa yet, something I look for a detective mystery series. Maybe I chose the wrong book to gave me the impression.

Mostly, bc in this case the most interesting part about Yukawa is the fact he's in personal relationship with "the suspect X" and their dynamic help Yukawa's character. Which creates a personal conflict for Yukawa, even though I hardly care about it. Because they don't really convinced me about their relationship. They were hardly an old friend, like Yukawa describe, more like, an acquaintance.

Ishigami stopped. “So why are you telling me this?” Yukawa stopped as well and turned toward him. “Because I’m your friend. No other reason but that.”

I think, to sell the 'friends' narrative between Yukawa and Suspect X doesn't really work, when there's also another dear friend of Yukawa, a real one, Kusanagi the detective. Although, they did have a bond that quiet can't simply describe. As both bond over their own interests, and respect each other as a worthy acquaintance, ones that could understand them. But I don't feel enough reason for Yukawa to feel the way he is.

The only thing their relationship that looks important, because it's actually help help him a lot to solve the case (and I guess the twist and conclusion around the same time he did).

So, Yukawa failed to impress me as a character and as an investigator.

“... Now, I’m guessing you want to know why I ‘had a feeling,’ and all I can say is, it was a hunch. Call it intuition. I’m not sure that anyone who didn’t understand Ishigami pretty well would be able to pick up on it. You’re always talking about a detective’s intuition, aren’t you? It’s something like that.”

However, the charm of the book definitely the plot and its storytelling. Since it's Higashino's first mystery novel that I read, I don't know if it's his noticable writing style or not. The Devotion of Suspect X isn't the kind of murder investigation mystery 'who-dun-it' type. Rather, the reader knew pretty early on about the crime. So, the story telling the processes about the investigation and how the authority and our detective and protagonists could come to the conclusion about the case. It's a battle of geniuses between Yukawa and the Suspect X.

Although, there some mysteries left kept in the dark, so the reader could guess to uncovered and kept in the uncover and guessed. It's something that makes us wonder whether the detectives will succeed in solving the case or the suspect will could really outsmart them and get away with murder.

The plot and mystery itself isn't really complicated or groundbreaking. Someone who's familiar with murder mysteries, might've guessed the twists.

Like I said, the detective isn't really the vocal point of the storytelling. It's the Suspect X. The title describes his character well and heavy through. And he really is the character that make me want to read more.

All in all, like the title said, this is the story of devotion. About how far someones willing to do with their devotion, impressive and terrifying as it was. And somehow, ended in a ironic way.

“He hadn’t realized it was possible for anyone to devote himself so utterly to another. It was as impressive as it was terrifying.”

So, I guess, the series follow the case Kusanagi's cases with the hel Yukawa a.k.a the Detective Galileo. I don't know if it's the same with other books in this series, if Yukawa mostly jus being a side character. I definitely tried to read other books though.

So far, it's an okay book for me.

#book review #books #keigo higashino #the devotion of suspect x #murder mystery #murder mystery novel #mystery novel

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the-bed-gremlins-reading-list · 3 years ago

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Code Name: Oracle

This project is in the very early stages of development – everything here is highly variable as I keep working out the details. That said, please send in any questions you like about this project or Phoenix Knight! I’m saving anything to do with PK bugs and fixes until a later date since I’m going to take a break from writing it, but I’m still happy to answer questions about the RO’s and setting.

Summary: Life in Delphi City is pretty much like life anywhere – there’s problems, lots of them, but there’s good points too – maybe a bit fewer. But whatever your feelings are about it - it is home. It is also the city with the highest concentration of super villainy on the planet.

The Guardians are the local superhero team, made up of ‘Paths’ – the people with powers – that are on the side of what is good and right, and approved by the government. Their job is to take care of the villains with powers – and sometimes the ones just smart enough to build doomsday weapons. That kind of thing.

The stuff that’s way above your paygrade.

You might be one of the city’s most skilled detectives but you’re still just a detective. Your bad guys don’t have powers (usually). And messing with one that does ends in a world of pain – kidnapped and experimented on by a previously unknown mad scientist type you’re eventually rescued by a hydrokinetic path.

When your powers are discovered, you’re a chance for the Guardians to snatch up an in-house investigator - a part of the crime fighting process they’d previously been forced to rely on the police and other agencies for. And with people beginning to develop into Paths at previously unheard of rates for some unknown reason, Delphi City needs its Guardians to find the answer.

But now they have you. Formerly one of the best detectives in the city but now... after everything that’s happened, you don’t know what you are, but they have decided what they want you to be:

Their very own Oracle.

Features

An +18 rating, again, more for my own peace of mind than what I believe the content will actually be, but I ask that it’s respected.

Warnings: imprisonment, experimentation, police, injuries, genre-typical violence, more to be added.

Planned Features Include:

Customizable Skill Approach - What kind of detective were you known to be. Are you the sort of detective that is good with getting people to tell you what you need to know? Are you the sort that can chase down and catch and answer even if it has you sprinting across rooftops? Are you the sort that notices the details and can put them together? And is that still your style?

Customizable pronouns (with an option in the player menu to reset them as desired)

Decide why you joined the police in the first place. Also decide how you feel about your maverick big brother.

Four romance routes currently planned: Siren, Warren, Cal, and Victoria

Characters

The Detective – Gender Selectable - MC – A legacy cop, whose grandfather and father were both respected life-long officers, your family has a reputation in the DCPD - one that your older brother managed to thoroughly trash, or redeem, depending on who you ask while you were still on the beat. Your position is hard won but no one can deny your skills as an investigator, family name or no. But when your kidnapping results in the development of powers, making you a ‘Path’ you’re put into the Guardians, not as a costumed hero, but as an investigative specialist.

The Villain: “Siren” – Gender Selectable – RO - Without any evidence to prove that the mysterious Siren was a supervillain and not just a very clever criminal the detective and their partner were originally assigned to attempt to apprehend them – or, otherwise, gather enough evidence to make the Siren the Guardian’s problem and not the DCPD’s. Now you’re a Guardian and in the six months since that stakeout and it’s very much your job to catch them – but why are they being so damn helpful?

The Leader: Warren Hughes, “Commander Truth” – NB – RO – The Guardian’s telepathic leader, Warren is a strict person with high expectations for everyone around them, but perhaps the highest set for themself. You know Commander Truth best by their black-and-white-lightning bolt costume from the situations where the police have had to work with the Guardians. You definitely didn’t expect your brother’s best friend – and a vague shadow in your life since Adrian went to high school and first met Warren - to be the one under the mask.

The Rookie: Callum Lindsey, “Titan” – M – RO – The newest member of the Guardians, apart from you, Cal has only been in Delphi City for eight months. The blue-and-gold clad ferrokinetic path who can twist buildings out of shape with his abilities is not who you were expecting to be the team’s grinning cinnamon roll, but Cal is definitely the warmest welcome you get to the team.

The Protector: Victoria Aragorn, “Starlight” – F – RO – One of the longest serving Guardians, she joined the official superhero line-up at the same time that Commander Truth did. Though her abilities as a Path give her control over fire – and to a lesser degree light and warmth – she is most famous for her skilled usage of traditional martial weapons and unarmed combat forms. Before Victoria put in the red and black suit of Delphi City’s ‘Starlight’ she worked for the government doing the sort of things only a Path could. (A/N: Victoria’s code name might change later on, but right now I’m amused by the idea of Siren giving her hell over it via “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” so it’s what I’ve got for now.)

The Partner: Theresa ‘Tessa’ Graves – F – Tessa and you have been partners for two years now, and friends for longer than that. She was there on the stakeout the night when everything changed. Her injuries might have forced her to retire from police work but after everything you’ve been through together she’s definitely not retiring from being your best friend. No matter what your opinion on the matter actually is.

The Brother: Adrian – M – Your elder brother is the only family you have left these days, not that that feels all that new. He’s also the one responsible for ruining the family’s sterling reputation when his work uncovered a massive amount of corruption in the police related to bribes and deals made with the city’s supervillain community and he didn’t do the brass the courtesy of backing down quietly about it – instead handing the entirety of his evidence over to the Guardians to pursue and, what was safe to, over to reporters the same day that he handed in his resignation. He claims he’s much happier these days, working as a PI and writing what he reassures you is going to be ‘the worst novel of all time’.

The Doctor: Elis Mercy - M - The doctor in charge of looking after the Guardians, and because of your position and the circumstances around your kidnapping he’s also been your doctor since your rescue. In addition to being one of the only doctors in the city that specializes in caring for Empathic people, his own Path allows him to heal injuries. But just those of the trauma variety - broken bones, bruises, cuts and lacerations, not infections and not poisons. (A/N: The doc’s name is a stand-in, I’m not happy with it. So I’m going to keep fishing around for one that fits him.)

#Code Name: Oracle #WIP2 #interactive fiction #very very very early development #I'm going to probably change the blog name soon to accommodate CNO a bit better #twine #(or rather it will be)

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jules-and-company · 4 years ago

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Okay so I had a thought while thinking about Criminal Case (the video game)

Do you all realize the sheer amount of FUCKING TRAUMA our MC had to endure in their life? Like :

Early Life

- okay we know absolutely nothing, but I don't think they're mentally stable in the whole place because 1. I do what I want and 2. No one works their asses off like that if it weren't for loss of parents because of crime/inferiority complex/superiority complex/workaholism/ to distract from depression

Criminal Case

- when Jones is poisonned they nearly lost their BFF (David Jones is my all time fave and I will die on this hill)

- when Tess Goodwin hypnotised Jones. I felt personally traumatized by this because I got so attached to my bby David so WHEN HE POINTS A FUCKING GUN AT YOU AND IS SECONDS AWAY FROM KILLING YOU YOU ARE NOT OKAY AFTERWARDS

- the suicide of Chief King. First death of someone MC cared about. Probably had blood all over them. I will forever cry about this.

- the horrible realization that Grimsborough is utterly rotten to the core. Is sad and doesn't help the trauma

- the explosion of a suspect (Donald Byrd). Would most likely result in PTSD for MC

- Even if Chief King had a sorta good reason to join the Crimson Order, it's still betrayal (trust issues?)

Pacific Bay

- when Fredo Mancini tried to blow himself up at court and Hannah shot him, I'm pretty fucking sure it reminded them of both Byrd's explosion and King's suicide

- the betrayal of Duncan Young. I'm sure, but that's just a headcanon, that MC thinks that's what King could have become if he went the wrong way

- Mind controlling definitely remembered them of Jones' hypnosis

- THE FUCKING BETRAYAL OF FRANK. I'M STILL NOT OVER THIS. HE WAS MY 2ND FAVE. MC MUST DEFINITELY LOST ALL TRUST THEY HAD IN THE WORLD WHEN THEY REALIZED EVEN THEIR CLOSEST FRIEND IN ALL PACIFIC BAY BETRAYED THEM.

- FRANK'S DEATH. PRETTY SIMPLE WHY DID YOU DO THIS. I FUCKING SOBBED SO HARD THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOUR FULL DAYS BEFORE BEING ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THIS SCENE. WHY. FUCK YOU. WHY. AND YOU BRING HIM BACK IN A MESSAGE SAYING HE'S SORRY THAT HE PROBABLY DOESN'T DESERVE MY FORGIVENESS BUT HE THOUGHT HE WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING. AND AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, YOU BRING HIM BACK AGAIN IN HOLOGRAM TO SAY GOODBYE ONCE MORE. FUCK THAT. FUCK YOU. FUCK ALL OF YOU. I'M NOT OKAY.

Save The World

- again, Lars' poisoning is another reminder of what happened to Jones

- Jack's shooting is another uno card added to the pile of MC's trauma

- the poison grenade = fucking PTSD from Byrd's suicide

- MICHELLE'S DEATH WAS SO VIOLENT AND SURPRISING IT STOLE AIR FROM MY LUNGS WHEN I SAW IT

- ARMAND'S DEATH. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT. WHY DID THEY KILL MY FUNKY SWISS HISTORIAN. AND HE DIED IN THE HOSPITAL, PEACEFULLY, BUT WE HAD TO FUCKING WATCH. FUCK.

Mysteries of the Past

- listen I didn't cry but Judge Takakura's death was pretty sad

- CHARLIE'S DEATH. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WITH MADDIE AND THEIR BABY LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER. AGAIN, WHY DID THEY KILL MY FUNKY SWISS SCIENTIST. THEY GOT THE GRANDSON AND THAT WAS FUCKING ENOUGH.

- not traumatic but I just wanted to say that I yelled a cry of victory when Justin Lawson died. Fucking bastard got just what he deserved.

The Conspiracy

- NATHAN'S DEATH WAS SUDDEN AND HORRIBLE. WHY DO THEY KEEP DOING THIS.

- RUPERT'S DEATH. WHY CAN'T THE FUNKY SCIENTISTS BE HAPPY. FUCK.

- listen I felt so bad for Jones when Zoe was the killer. Maybe MC was the comforting one after this because they know what betrayal feels like

- I felt bad for Tony Marconi's death. Italian version of Flambeau RIP

- MIA'S DEATH WHY. I'm sure MC was also traumatized because they saw a younger version of themselves in her

- ZOE'S DEATH AND THE FOLLOWING CASE. I LITERALLY CRIED FOR AN HOUR AT THE END OF THIS. DAVID JONES FUCKING ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AND WAS REFUSING HELP WHEN IN THE HOSPITAL ASKING TO DIE. WHEN WAS IT EVER OKAY TO EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT, PRETTY SIMPLE. WHEN. LISTEN IF I DON'T GET THE SERIOUS TALK BETWEEN JONES AND MC AFTER THAT I AM GOING TO WRITE IT MYSELF.

- RITA'S DEATH. WHEN WILL IT STOP. WHEN WILL IT FUCKING STOP.

I was really not okay with this season overall

So I haven't played the next two seasons but be sure I will make additions when I'll finish them

#criminal case #david jeremiah jones #FUCK PRETTY SIMPLE FOR BREAKING MY HEART

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adventures-in-a-world-of-fiction · 3 years ago

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I'm still annoyed about a plothole in a TV show I watched years ago. I can't remember the names of any of the characters but I remember being annoyed with the conclusion of a particular episode and every now and then I remember it and am annoyed all over again.

There was a TV show on the BBC called Crime Traveller about using time travel to solve crimes. The male protagonist was a detective in the Met Police and the female protagonist was a scientist working with the Met (presumably forensics because that would make sense, but I can't really remember). I'll call them MP and FP because I can't remember their names. In the first episode, MP learns that FP has a time machine and they start using it to go back in time to solve crimes. They can't stop the crimes from happening because the way time travel works in the show is that you can't change the past. If you go back in time and do something, it will turn out that that thing was always something that had happened, but they can go back and investigate and be there when the crime happened to figure things out. It's also established in this first episode that when they get back to the point in time they left from, they are effectively reset. So if they had an injury, it will be healed, and if they picked up an object and put it in their pocket, it won't be there anymore. This is used to teach MP that he can't use time travel to make money. There's a bit in the first episode where he makes a bet on a horse race that he knows the outcome to, but when he gets back to his correct point in time, the betting slip is gone so he can't claim the winnings.

However, in a later episode, he points out that there's a loophole to this, because any interactions they have with people not time travelling still happen and have an impact on the state of the world. He gets the winning lottery numbers and says that if he goes back in time, he can tell the numbers to her and then she can buy the ticket. She will still have it when he resets.

FP says that this isn't going to work because they can't change the past and she hasn't even seen him in the past day, let alone got the winning lottery numbers from him. They make a bet about it and he goes back in time. Through various plot reasons and coincidences, he never manages to be in the same room as her or get a message to her with the winning numbers. However, right before he needs to get back to the time machine, he scribbles the lottery numbers down and gives them to a different character to place the bet.

In the conclusion of the episode, it's revealed that the guy he gave the numbers to read the bit of paper upside down, and all the numbers were things like 12 and 8 that, when scribbled quickly, made as much sense upside down as the right way up. So MP got enough numbers right to get a small prize, but not enough to win the jackpot.

The narrative and the characters act like this proved FP right that he couldn't cheat the time travel mechanics to win money, but that's not what happened. He proved it would work. If any of the numbers had been something that didn't make sense upside down, the guy would have turned the paper the right way up and MP would have won the jackpot. He proved that it could work by winning anything at all. Sure, FP was right that he hadn't given the numbers to her, but there was nothing to stop them doing it again the next week and being a bit more organised about it this time. All they would need to do is arrange a drop off point and one of them would wait there at a specified time. The other would get the winning numbers and then travel back in time to make the appointment.

MP's loophole worked and I'm still annoyed, years later, that the narrative of the show acted like it didn't.

#Crime Traveller

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eggfruit · 4 years ago

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I'm havin thoughts here. I think that the Geek is a really good Sam and Max addition. The straightman/the voice of reason/the nag/whatever you wanna call it is a nice balance for the chaotic good vibe they have and it's def one way to turn tides and open branches for new jokes and such.

But. I think a Better balance for Sam and Max would be a down for anything kinda kid with a huge brain that usually has no thought for self-preservation or the sanctity of life. Like, a mad scientist in the making but without the cartoony ability to simply bounce back in the space of a scene.

You wanna get over a huge wall to open the gate from the other side but the only way is to throw your lightest member over? Sure! Chuck the kid, she's pumped! And then it's a hospital visit and some down time for a snapped ankle.

Want some kind of Something that'll make people leave so you can investigate a crime scene? Easy, the kid's got some kinda solution for that, no problem! Like, it causes 3rd degree burns and makes people infertile, but it clears out a room like nobody's business!

I think it'd make for a good dynamic. You've got some situations they're forced to be the adult and/or adjust plans in to keep this child alive(a kid's corpse on the property's bad for business), some where they have to go against their nature and actively avoid conflict, and others where they get to see their values and crazy reflected in her as she grows and changes. Not to mention the juicy Juicy drama of "But you never do that when it's just you guys! You don't trust me! I can be tough too!!" from Geeky who's too young to fully understand her own mortality. I like this much better than the nag, ya know?

#sam and max #just thinkin ya know?#lots of thought #i really don't like nag characters especially when they're girls so i'm trying to reshape into something i prefer #it's just for me so Who Cares uvu #and of course you also have the possibility of the roles shifting depending on circumstance #like okay dads you can't go and have a gunfight tonight i have school tomorrow :( who will drive me?#mmmmhmhmhmhm i'm entertaining myself so much you have no idea

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maxwell-grant · 4 years ago

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Your Top Five Pulp Heroes that you wish were better known? By Pulp Hero fans, I mean. Since pretty much all of them except Conan and Tarzan are fairly unknown.

It’s actually quite hard for me to narrow it down to just five, because I’m having to choose between characters that are my favorites that I wish were more well-known and appreciated (which is all of them), and characters that aren’t quite my favorites but I very much think should have achieved great popularity for a myriad of reasons. So instead I’m going to pick some of each. These are not necessarily ranked by their importance or my personal taste, just 5 characters I felt like highlighting in particular.

Honorable mentions goes to characters I already talked about prior and don’t want to repeat myself on. These aren’t “lesser” picks, just ones that I already talked about: Imaro (who in particular definitely feels like he could, and should be, a pop culture superstar if he was only more well-known), Kapitan Mors (who’s got a lot in common with one of my favorite fictional characters, Captain Nemo, but also has a lot of interesting things going on for him as his own character). Sar Dubnotal (a character that appeals a lot to me and I think should be included much more often in pulp hero team-ups). The Golden Amazon (again, definitely a character that feels like it’s just begging to have a pop culture breakout, even comic books rarely if ever have female supervillains this ruthless and over-the-top), The Mexican Fantomas (who absolutely deserves a better name than what I’m calling him here, because he’s incredibly awesome and leagues ahead of just being a knock-off). And of course my homeboy, The Grey Claw, whom I would consider Number One of the list if it wasn’t for the fact that his obscurity has left him untouched by copyright and I got plans of my own for the character that wouldn’t be possible if he was more well-known, so I guess I’m ultimately glad he’s obscure (even if I’m still bothered by how little he’s known).

Allright let’s go:

Number 5: Sheridan Doome

Sheridan Doome appeared in fifty-four stories and three novels from 1935 to 1943. As chief detective for U.S. Naval Intelligence, Lieutenant Commander Sheridan Doome’s job was a grim one. Whenever an extraordinary mystery or crime occurred in the fleet, on a naval base, or anywhere the navy worked to protect American interests, Doome was immediately dispatched to investigate it. Fear and dread would always precede Doome’s arrival in his special black airplane. For, in an explosion during WWI, he had been monstrously disfigured.

He was six feet two inches tall; had a chalk-white face and head. It appeared as though it had once been seared or burned. For eyes, he had only black blotches; glittering optics, that looked like small chunks of coal. His nose was long, the end of it squared off rudely. He had no lips, just a slit that was his mouth. His neck was long, as white and as bony as his face…. Sheridan Doome looked more like a robot than a human being. He was tall and ghastly; his uniform fitted him in a loose manner. Long arms hung at his sides; his face was a perfect blank. He had no control of his facial muscles; consequently, his countenance was always without expression, chalky and bony.

But behind the ugliness was a brilliant mind. Sheridan Doome always got his man. Before Sheridan Doome became a staple in the pages of The Shadow magazine, two Doome hardcover mysteries were written in the mid-1930’s by acclaimed hard-boiled author Steve Fisher (I Wake Up Screaming) and edited by his wife Edythe Seims (Dime Detective, G-8 and His Battle Aces). Age of Aces now brings you both books in one huge double novel, presented in a retro “flip book” style. This book is currently Out of Print.

I sadly don’t have any more information on the character other than this. The book is unavailable for me to acquire in any capacity, and the text above is taken from the Age of Aces website as well as Jess Nevins’s personal profile for the character. I’m not even sure if any of those 54 stories even exist anymore, since although he was published as a backup in Shadow Magazine, there doesn’t seem to be reprints of them anywhere, at least as far as I can find, and the original Shadow magazines have largely turned to dust by now.

A character who combines aspects of The Phantom of the Opera and The Shadow, whose adventures are set in a backdrop that can easily lead to ocean adventures? That’s like, what, three of my favorite things in the world combined. I really, really wish I could at least read the stories this character stars in, but as is, this description is all I can provide. Again, time really has been cruel to the pulp heroes.

Number 4: Harlan Dyce

This is another character I’ve only been able to learn about through Jess Nevins’s archives and have not been able to attain any further information on, which is sadly the case with a lot of pulp heroes that nowadays only seem to exist as footnotes in his Encyclopedia or records in libraries. I don’t post more about these characters because I really would just be copying the stuff he wrote without much to justify me quoting him verbatim, and I hate the idea of doing that.

I especially hate that in Harlan Dyce’s case though. Here’s his description

“Dyce had brains, taste, money, ambition, and a total lack of physical or spiritual fear. But—

“Dyce was thirty-three inches tall and weighed sixty pounds.

“That was all the world could ever hold against him. That was what had made the world, most of it, in all the countries of the world, stare at Harlan Dyce, billed in the big show as “General Midge.””

Harlan Dyce is a misanthropic and venomous private detective. He has an “amazingly handsome face,” and the aforementioned brains. But all anyone sees is his stature, and he hates that and turns his cold eyes and acid tongue on them.

The only person Dyce likes and gets along with (besides his dwarf wife, a former client) is his assistant, Nick Melchem, a six-foot tall former p.i.’s assistant with bleak eyes and a strong body. Melchem ignores Dyce’s stature and treats Dyce normally, which Dyce responds warmly to.

Dwarfs may be the single most maligned group of people depicted in pulp magazines, even more so than the Japanese in the war years or the Chinese during the peak of the Yellow Peril’s popularity. Evil dwarfs, murderous dwarfs, sexually depraved dwarfs, they are all loathsome, ugly cliches that are, sadly, the only instances you see of dwarf characters being represented at all, with the only ones who are awarded any measure of sympathy are doomed henchmen or tragic villains. Even outside of the pulps, the only other examples of heroic, protagonist dwarfs I can think off the top of my head are Puck from Marvel Comics and Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones.

I’m not gonna say Harlan Dyce is great representation because I’m not a little person and can never make that kind of claim for a group I’m not a part of, but Harlan Dyce may be the first time I’ve ever seen a dwarf character in pulp fiction who was not a villain or a murderous goon or a victim, but an actual person and a heroic protagonist, and that definitely counts for something. I’m not sure how popular this character was or could be if someone picked up the concept and ran with it (and I’m pretty sure he’s public domain), but I definitely think this is a character that should exist and should be popular.

Hell, this character has Peter Dinklage written all over it, give it to him. Maybe then he will get to play a smart, fearless, cynical, misanthropic but good-natured and heroic character in something where he actually gets to keep these traits until the show ends.

Number 3: Audaz, O Demolidor

Audaz is a Brazilian character who was created and published by Gazetinha, the same publishers of Grey Claw as well as properties exported from elsewhere like Superman and Popeye, and much like The Grey Claw, he is also completely unknown even here. I’ll get to Audaz more in-depth sometime but here I’m going to provide a quick summary:

Audaz, The Demolisher is a gigantic crime-fighting robot controlled and piloted by the brilliant scientist Dr. Blum, his close friend Gregor and the child prodigy Jacques Ennes, who pilot the giant robot from a massive laboratory inside it's head rather than a cockpit. He takes on a variety of ordinary human criminals, mad scientists, supervillains and invading armies, towering over skyscrapers and grappling with jets.

Audaz was created in 1939 by illustrator Messias de Melo, a year before Quality Comics's Bozo the Iron Man and 5 years before Ryuichi Yokoyama's Kagaku Senshi, and decades before the debut of Mazinger Z. Although he is not the first giant robot of science fiction, he is the first heroic giant robot piloted by human pilots, and thus the first true example of "mecha" fiction.

Number 2: Emilia the Ragdoll

This is another Brazilian character, although nowhere near as obscure as Audaz as even a cursory Google search can show. Although Brazil did not have a “pulp era” in the same way the US had, we’ve long gotten past the point of sticking to it as a definitive rule, and I’m including Emilia as a pulp hero because she’s a 1920s fantasy literature character who was created under a publishing company that released pulp stories, because she doesn’t quite belong in the mold of fantasy literature characters she takes after, and because I like her and if I was putting a bunch of pulp heroes together in the same story, I would definitely include Emilia in it. It’s not like she really has anywhere else to go, now that she’s public domain and she’s outlasted her franchise.

As you can tell by the above image, Emilia’s had a lot of variations over the years and that’s because the work she was created for, Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (Yellow Woodpecker Ranch/Farm), has become a major bedrock of Brazilian fantasy literature, one of the only works created here that you can find substantial information about in English if you go looking for it. Here’s some descriptions of Emilia’s character:

Emília is a rag doll described as "clumsy" or "ugly", resembling a "witch" that was handmade by Aunt Nastácia, the ranch's cook, for the little girl Lúcia, out of an old skirt. After Lucia takes her on an adventure and the doll is given a dose of magic pills, Emília suddenly started talking, and would never stop henceforth.

Emilia has a rough, antagonistic personality, and an independent, free-spirited and anarchist behaviour. She is rogue, rebellious, stubborn, rough and intensely determined at anything she sets her mind on, eager to take off on just about any adventure. She is often immature and behaves like a curious and arrogant child, always wanting to be the center of attention.

She is extremely opinionated even when she constantly and confidently mispronounces words and expressions. Her attitude often gets her into trouble, and she very often has to fight against the villains who attack her home on the Yellow Woodpecker Farm and mistreat her friends.

In the stories, Emilia often takes the role of a heroine who travels through different realms and dimensions, as the books include not only figures from Brazilian and worldwide folklore, but also several characters both real and fictional, such as Hercules, King Arthur, Don Quixote, Thumbelina, Da Vinci, Shirley Temple, Captain Hook, Santos Dumont and Baron von Munchausen.

She's fought scorpions and martians and nymph hordes, her arch-enemy is an alligator witch, she rescued an angel from the Milky Way and tried to teach it how to become a human, and once shrunk the entire population of Earth to try and talk the president of the United States into ending war forever.

To little surprise, she has become the most popular character and the series’s mascot.

It’s a little strange to consider Emilia underrated considering she is one of the most famous original characters of Brazilian literature, but hardly anyone outside of Brazil even knows who she is, and regardless of the quality of the original stories (and Monteiro Lobato’s views on race that tar much of his reputation), Emilia definitely feels to me like a character that should be a lot more popular globally.

She is the only character from Yellow Woodpecker Ranch that has transcended the original stories, since she was always the most popular character and there’s been a couple of stories written about her that usually separate her from the ranch and just set her out on the world by herself. The latest story about this character has been a series called The Return of Emilia, that’s about her stepping out of the books in 2050 and discovering a Brazil that’s been ruined by social and ecological devastation, and traveling back in time via a flying scooter in order to try and prevent this calamity.

Now that she’s public domain, I definitely think there’s some great stories that can be told with the character that just about anyone could get to, and I definitely think she’s a character that deserves more appreciation. Anything goes in stories starring her and it’s that kind of free-for-all freedom that I think can benefit future takes on pulp heroes. I would be very happy to place Emilia among them.

Oh yeah, and there was one time she kicked Popeye's ass by tricking him with a can of mouldy cabbage instead of spinach, making him sick and then beating him, which possibly puts her as one of the all-time badasses of fiction, except she would be pissed at not being number one and likely embark on a quest to beat everyone else just to prove she could, because that’s how Emilia rolls.

Number 1: Luna Bartendale, from The Undying Monster (1922)

Not necessarily my favorite of the bunch, but one who sort of epitomizes what you asked, a character who is both incredibly obscure and incredibly underrated in every sense. Despite the book being somewhat known, mainly thanks to the movie, the character is so obscure that I don’t even have an illustration of her to display here, not even fan art, just one of the book’s covers that I think best conveys it. Luckily, the book is also available freely online, so you can all go check it out here. The movie adaptation does not feature the character of Luna Bartendale which makes it pointless to talk about.

To not spoil it too much, The Undying Monster is a very fascinating book, ahead of it’s time in quite a few ways. You expect it to just be a detective story centered around a werewolf cursed, except the subtitle of the book is “The Fifth Dimension” and then it goes to talk about dimensions of thought and post-WWI trauma and love and hypnotic regression that travels through time and ancient runes and Norse mythology. It’s not exactly an easy book to get through in one setting, but I’d recommend it much the same if only because it’s got supersensitive psychic sleuth Luna Bartendale, literature’s first female occult detective, and she’s an incredible character who absolutely feels like she should have become a literary icon.

She lives in London but is world-renowned for her many good deeds. She is a small, pretty woman, with curly blonde hair, dark eyebrows and a high-bridged nose, and a slight build. She has a voice described as a light soprano that "does not make much noise but carries a long way".

Petite, bedimpled and golden curled, Luna is completely in charge of events, dominating every scene that she appears in with her welcoming disposition and cleverness.

Bartendale has various psychic powers, including mind reading. She is well-versed in psychic and occult lore, is a “supersensitive” psychic, and has a “Sixth Sense” which allows her to trace things and people through both the Fourth and the Fifth Dimension. (The Fifth Dimension is “the Dimension that surrounds and pervades the Fourth–known as the Supernatural”).

Her extensive knowledge of occult rites and practices puts John Silence, Carnacki and Miles Pennoyer to shame, and she beats them all with her "super-sensitive" gift of being able to psychically connect with troubled souls and hypnotize them.

She uses a divining rod for various tasks, including psychic detection and tracking, and distinguishing between benevolent and malevolent forces. She has various (undefined) powerful psychic defenses, can carry on seances, and can even cure a person of “wehrwolfism.” And she can always rely on her massive, intelligent dog Roska for help.

Luna sadly doesn’t show up in the book as often as I’d hoped, but everything about this character is so delightful. In a lot od ways she hardly feels like a pulp hero, at least the ones I usually talk about. She feels like a lost protagonist from an incredibly successful kid’s adventure series where a kind and eccentric detective witch and her giant dog go around solving occult mysteries and encountering all sorts of weird supernatural beings while counseling and helping people, like Ms Frizzle meets Hilda. Like this character is just waiting for Cartoon Saloon to make a film about her.

Its not so much “this character should/could be popular but it’s clear why that didn’t pan out”, it’s more me being confused as “why the hell isn’t she super popular? This character should have had a franchise ages ago, holy shit put her in everything””

#pulp heroes #pulp fiction #answer tag #sheridan doome #harlan dyce #audaz #boneca emilia #luna bartendale

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sirowsky · 4 years ago

Text

The Flowers Always Know

Description: When a mad scientist uses you as an experiment while you’re on holiday, the Heroics only just manage to save you. And in your recovery you become very close to the leader of the group.

(Slow burn)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Language, buried trauma, mentions of tortured and murdered children, furious Marcus.

Link to Masterlist

Comment: We learn a bit more history on the Heroics as a whole, and something Reader’s been supressing, that leads to some new developments concerning her powers.

(Again I apologise for the crossover GIF, but really Narcos just has the best ones. Also, let me know if it’s yours and I’ll credit you!)

Chapter 39

Wisconsin was getting cold this time of year, and you were frustrated. Verity had really outdone himself this time. He’d positioned himself right smack in the middle of suburbia, on Barbara Lane, in De Pere, Green bay, forcing you to take twice as many safety precautions as usual, before you could see him.

You’d asked Marcus after the first time you’d met the truth-seeker, if it wouldn’t be less dangerous and more inconspicuous for him to come to you, instead of you having to travel all over the country to find him. But Marcus had explained that he had adapted a lifestyle that meant that he was never in one place for more than two days, in order to stay ahead of any team that HQ might send out to investigate his energy-signature.

He rarely used his ability to the extent that the new and more powerful sensors could detect it, but on the few occasions when he had, he’d found himself having company some time later. Their response time varied depending on where in the country he was, and whenever he was closer to the west coast, his temporary lodgings were always significantly shorter.

Allen had been quiet for most of the journey, deep in his thoughts, but when you started getting close to your destination, the old man started talking.

“I built most of HQ, you know. The Heroic organisation.”

“Yeah, you were one of the founders, right? One of the first non-powered people to suggest that supers might need help to become actual heroes. You got them to talk to one another, start building relationships, creating the friendships that would ultimately turn them into a team.”

“It was almost impossible to get those knuckleheads to coincide. There were only four of them back then, and they all wanted the glory and heroism to themselves, fighting for the spotlight every chance they got. We really thought our efforts weren’t gonna do anything.”

“What changed it around?”

“Anita Moreno.”

“Hah… of course she did.”

“When she came along, young and determined and confident, she elbowed out their failing attempts at leadership by actually taking charge, and making them listen to reason. By way of a beat-down if necessary.”

“That, I can believe. And I’d have loved to see it.”

“She was fearless of their powers and their masculinity, their macho-bullshit. And before long, she had them training to improve their skillsets, studying the politics of the world, saying that if they were gonna insist on meddling in other cultures, then it was also their responsibility to understand what the hell they were meddling with.”

“And that’s where you took the opportunity, I’m guessing?”

“I reached out to Anita, offering financial support in creating a training-facility for the supers, a kind of recreational area, where they could play with their abilities, test themselves against each other, without risking harm to anyone. She really liked the idea, and asked me to find out if anyone else would be interested in helping them, and over time, that’s how the Heroics were born.”

“And now it’s been tainted.”

“I don’t know that it hasn’t been completely destroyed already.”

“Henry, the organisation can never be destroyed, not as long someone’s around to fight back. And you’d better believe we are.”

“What have you brought me today, Rainbow?”

A little while later, you finally stepped into the house, and Verity’s energy hit you. Since he knew you couldn’t use your power to greet him anymore, he called to you from the kitchen and you guided Allen there.

The poor man was already pale.

“Someone I really hope you’re about to tell me I can trust.”

“A founder… this is a first. Your heart is filled with love, for your family, mostly, but that also makes you susceptible to great fear. Right now, you fear what will be left of your legacy once this mess is made public. You fear that the Heroics will be shut down, and that your life’s work will go down in history as nothing but a failed experiment. You love your creation, it gives you great pride, but you fear it too. The power it’s accumulated, and how the politics have gotten more and more in control of it. But you are innocent of any crime or conspiracy. You are, at heart, a good man.”

Allen looked like he might vomit, so you helped him to sit down and brought him a glass of water.

“Who are you?”

Verity never answered that question, no matter who was asking, so you sat down next to Henry to explain.

“He’s a very special super, that you can never mention to anyone. If you do, he’ll disappear, and we’ll have no way of knowing who’s trustworthy or not.”

“He can tell the truth? I never even spoke…”

“Verity sees the truth, like a web around people. I don’t know exactly how it works, but he can see everything, past and present. Every lie and every truth of your entire existence.”

“Incredible. And really unnerving.”

“Yes, but worth it. Thanks to him we have over 120 trusted operatives working for us all over the world, and that’s not including the Heroics.”

“That’s… impressive. But I fear this enemy is going to need much greater numbers than that, to be defeated.”

“Maybe. But 89 of those operatives are supers, and that evens the odds significantly.”

“What? But… we scan for people with abilities all over the world, we would know if that many existed.”

“Not if they’d been hiding their powers. We figured that anyone who was on the Heroics radar, would most likely be on SIC’s as well, so we focused entirely on reaching out to those that we knew were hidden. And in that process, we uncovered a whole community of powered people that want nothing to do with the fame or recognition, and once they understood the stakes, they all agreed to help us. And they, in turn, are reaching out to their friends, normal and super, to join the fight. Our numbers grow every day, Henry. We can beat these assholes; we just need a little more time.”

Verity’s energy focusing on you, broke your concentration, and you turned to look at him.

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure. Something… something in your memories.”

“If it’s my memory then why can’t you see it clearly?”

“It’s been hidden. It’s a memory you can’t see yourself.”

Your skin crawled and your heartbeat picked up, in an involuntary response to any kind of mention of your time with the mad doctor. Verity noticed.

“A painful memory. Something you don’t want to remember.”

“I don’t want to remember any of it, V.”

“Tubes, wires, machines, syringes. Your body remembers. Your cells do.”

“Pain… so much pain, your nerves remember all of it. You fought him. You bit him twice, escaped your bindings once, almost got out. He punished you for that by pouring battery-acid on your feet. He was so confident that his experiment would work that he didn’t care how much damage he caused you in the process.”

Lost in his search into your mind, Verity slowly started moving towards you, centring all his power on you, desperate to uncover everything that was hidden. You weren’t sure if he was even aware of how overbearing he was in that moment. How threatening.

He had never come across a truth he couldn’t see before, and it made him obsessive and ruthless in his pursuit of it. A part of you knew that, but your reptile brain was overcome with a sense of danger, and you backed away from him, but he followed you.

“V… please, stop.”

He didn’t even hear you.

“You’re hiding from me. I can feel the memory so clearly, wrapped in a bubble I can’t penetrate. I need to know what it is.”

He was pushing so much of his energy into your mind to try and break that bubble, that you started feeling unnaturally heavy. Your body suddenly felt like it was moving through liquid, meeting so much resistance that it exhausted you just to take a single step.

You collapsed to the floor, struggling to breathe, and still he didn’t let up. He towered over you, and somewhere in the background you heard Allen trying to reason with him, but then a splitting pain shot through your head, and you passed out.

“You stay the fuck away from me, V!”

You woke up lying on the sofa in the living room, your head still throbbing and the light burning your eyes. But from what little you could make out, Verity was sitting on a chair right next to you, and it made the bear inside you wake up with full force.

You launched yourself at him, placing a hard fist at his solar plexus, and when he involuntarily crunched forwards, his face had a very abrupt meeting with your elbow.

He fell backwards, toppling the chair over and breaking it as he hit the floor, bleeding from his nose and cheek-bone.

Allen rushed into the room from the kitchen, holding a pack of ice he’d apparently been getting for you. You wobbled over to him and swiped it from his hands to put against your right temple, while Verity slowly got to his knees.

“I saw it. The memory you were hiding, I was able to break your defence the moment before you lost consciousness.”

“I don’t care.”

“He did it in front of you. He strapped children into that chair, and made you watch as he drained them. He made you watch their strength gradually leave them as the pain got to be too much. You saw the faces of at least nine of them, wordlessly begging you for help.”

“I trapped those memories away for a reason, you asshole. Just because you need the truth like a fucking addict, doesn’t mean I do!”

The images came to you as he voiced them. You remembered those faces, fifteen of them, actually. You remembered their pain, and how much you wished that you could have borne it for them. How gladly you’d have sacrificed yourself for them, if you could have.

That was why your powers had manifested into what they did. That was why you couldn’t heal yourself, because in that time and place, you truly didn’t care if you died.

You slumped against the nearest wall and slowly allowed yourself to sink to the floor. Your head was still throbbing, and you were beyond angry.

“You do need to know this.”

“You don’t get to decide that for me! You don’t get to torture me, V, that’s what the fucking bad guys do!!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, that is as close to a god damned lie as you’ve ever gotten! You don’t give a shit if your powers hurt me, as long as you get your fucking truth. If you’re sorry about anything, it’s that I’m not grateful for your efforts. Go ahead, tell me I’m wrong!”

He didn’t speak. He just sat there, looking as unbothered about everything as he always did.

“Allen, get me the hell out of here.”

“Hermosa? What’s wrong?”

You took a cab from the airport, and fell asleep about halfway home. The driver had a calm and rhythmic manner that soothed you, and he was listening to John Williams play the Concierto de Aranjuez, with the soft guitar notes making your frayed mind drift away to a warm and sunny Spain.

He woke you by gently announcing that you’d arrived at your destination, and you paid him and thanked him for his kindness, before getting out and walking towards the gate in the fence. Your legs felt like lead.

You could hear Marcus and Missy through the front door as you approached it, ingulfed in playing some boardgame, and you stopped and just listened to them for a while, leaning heavily against the door.

Your darling Missy, the same age as several of those children. But alive and happy and such a wonderful person already.

And Marcus. Your reason for living. The one that saved you, and kept saving you, despite the darkness that accompanied you.

You hadn’t kept your word about checking in with him, so when you texted him while you were waiting at the airport in Green Bay, he’d been furious at first, wanting to know why he hadn’t heard from you in almost five hours. But he’d quickly calmed as you’d simply reminded him that since he was hearing from you now, you were obviously okay, and you’d tell him everything when you saw him.

But now, standing behind that door, you didn’t want to tell him. You didn’t want to talk about it, and you didn’t want to burden him with knowing it. But you also knew that he’d see it on your face the moment you walked in. You were too tired and in too much pain still, to even try and keep up any appearances.

You took a breath, and walked inside. Marcus was on his feet the moment the door swung open, and he swept you into a tight hug as soon as he got to you, but the mildness of your response immediately had him worried.

“Could you just keep your voice down a bit, please. My head’s killing me.”

“Where you in a fight?”

He looked closer at you upon hearing that, and he realised that you were actually in terrible shape. He swept you up into his arms and carried you to the bedroom, while asking Missy to come and help him prepare a bath for you.

She went straight to the bathroom and turned on the taps, and you could hear her going into the cabinets to pull out fresh towels.

In the meantime, Marcus was helping you out of your clothes, and noticed a big black bruise on your elbow.

“No… just felt cornered.”

“By who?”

“...Verity.”

His whole posture changed, and you could feel a sudden rage emanating from him.

“Tell me what he did.”

“I’m too tired right now…”

“Querida, look at me. Tell me.”

“He… broke into the memories I’d hidden… the one’s he couldn’t see before.”

“The one’s Prince had altered?”

“No… the one’s I buried. The one’s that were too horrible… He forced them out, and now my head feels like it’s breaking apart.”

“Why would he hurt you like that?”

He picked you up again and moved you into the bathroom. Missy only stayed until the tub was full and she could close the taps, and then she hugged you gently and slipped out of the room.

Marcus took the last of your clothes off before lowering you into the warm water, and when you asked him to join you, he did, holding you close and softly stroking your skin under the water.

“He can’t stand lies, and apparently that applies to secrets as well. He just had to know; consequences be damned.”

“He’ll regret that tomorrow.”

“Don’t bother. He won’t admit to any wrong-doing. And we still need him.”

“I don’t give a fuck. The only reason I agreed to let you go was because I thought you’d be safe with him.”

“I don’t have anymore secrets for him to try and uncover now. So, technically I will be, from now on. Not that I ever wanna see him again.”

“You won’t have to. I’ll deal with him.”

“We’re still at war, honey. We’re gonna have to do a lot of things we’d rather not.”

“Fuck the war, I’ll turn my back on the whole damned thing and take you to live with the fucking penguins if that’s what it takes. I’m so tired of seeing you in pain!”

“Oh, please, keep your voice down…”

“Sorry.”

You sat in silence for a while, as the warm water started to open up your capillaries, easing your headache a bit.

“Are you gonna tell me?”

You knew what he was asking, and you really wanted to say no, but you also knew that you needed to tell him.

“Prince made me… he made me watch.”

The tears burned in your eyes, and you tried to chase the memories away, to lock them back into that little bubble where they couldn’t hurt you. But it was too late.

“Watch what?”

You didn’t want to say it out loud. It felt as though that would somehow solidify the images into reality, making them truly inescapable. He could feel your resistance, and tried to soothe you with his current, but it wasn’t enough this time.

“The… ch-children. He made me… watch them die.”

“Oh, my god…”

The next morning you felt better. The headache had eased with some real sleep and you were starting to feel human again. Marcus was right next to you, his arms securely wrapped around you while he slept, but he stirred the moment you did. It was still early enough that your monday alarms hadn’t gone off yet.

You felt him swallow repeatedly against the bile and grief that surged up in his throat as he realised what you were saying. He’d seen the lab. The extraction chair. And the freshest bodies that Prince hadn’t had time to get rid off before they found his lair. He’d seen how much pain they’d been in as they died, evident in their faces even after death.

He didn’t say anything else, and you didn’t need him to, you just needed him to hold you, and he did.

“Good morning, hermosa. Did you sleep okay?”

“Morning. Yeah, actually I did.”

“No bad dreams?”

“I think my headache might have made that impossible. It’s gone now, though.”

“Good. How do you feel about breakfast?”

“I’m looking forward to it. I still haven’t eaten in our kitchen yet.”

“Right. Eggs and toast?”

“Please.”

You went about your morning toilet and wash, before heading out to the kitchen together. Missy was already at the island, having cereal and flipping through a schoolbook, and since Marcus was already pulling out the frying pan to get started on the eggs, you sat down with her, before the school bus would get there.

“Morning, angel. Test today?”

“Yup. Maths. I got it, though.”

“Oh, I believe that, you’re good at maths. Break a leg anyway.”

“Thanks, alma. I’m aiming for top scores.”

“I like your aim.”

“Don’t worry, preciosa, her protection is in place.”

Marcus had just sat down a plate in front of you when the bus honked, and Missy ran out the door while shouting she loved both of you.

You kept staring at the closed door after she’d disappeared through it, and Marcus knew what you were thinking.

“I know, but after yesterday… I just feel a bit more protective than usual.”

“That’s entirely understandable, but please try not to stress over it. You have another one to protect as well.”

“Right… Sorry.”

“Don’t apologise, just breathe and eat calmly.”

“So, Allen got the all clear, I assume. Does that mean he’s in?”

You dug into the food and it was delicious. So much better than the airport food you’d eaten all day yesterday, even though it was just scrambled eggs and perfectly roasted toast, with those tomatoes on the side, that he’d promised you the day before.

Marcus let you finish before he started talking again.

“Yeah, he’s gonna coordinate for us at HQ, so we can keep our attention on the rest of the country, and world.”

“Is he okay?”

“Shaken, for numerous reasons, but determined to get his lives work back in order. He told me about the early days, and how he and your mom whipped the first supers into heroes.”

“Really? Mom doesn’t talk about those days much. She’s told me a lot about my father, but not that much about herself.”

“Well, she seems to have been a tour de force all her life, from what Allen described. And after what you’ve told me about your dad, I can see why he would’ve fallen for her. They were a good match.”

“She always says that the best thing about him was how good he was at driving her up the walls, because it forced her to really look at him.”

“I see what she means.”

“I don’t drive you up the walls. Do I?”

“Mostly just in the mornings, when you know I’m not susceptible to ‘fun’, but other than that, you’re pretty well behaved.”

“Oh, no, the mornings don’t count.”

“And why the hell not?”

“Because your morning mood is way too amusing not to take advantage of.”

“Hey! That is so not fair, I can’t help it that my brain just won’t start on all cylinders at once. And, for the record, this is the second morning in a row that I haven’t been cranky first thing.”

His whole face lit up in a dazzling smile at that.

“Wow. That’s more than just a record, babe, that’s almost worthy of a mention on CNN.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Sorry to interrupt.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?! How could you do that to her?! I have always been your friend, protected you, guided you, helped you any way I could… and you almost kill my wife!!”

A voice came from the living room, and with the way the house was designed, about half of that space was visible from the kitchen, while the other half was hidden behind the dining room.

He didn’t need to step into view from behind the wall that separated the two areas, for either of you to know who it was. The truth-seeker had a very recognisable tone and rhythm of speech. But when he did appear, you couldn’t help yourself from getting out of your chair and taking a few steps back towards the kitchen counter, needing as much space between you as possible.

Marcus, on the other hand, turned positively feral. He rushed Verity and wrestled him to the floor, while screaming at him.

“I would never have let her come to any harm.”

You’d never seen him angry like this. Usually he internalised it, afraid to let it loose because of what his powers might do, but this was more than anger. He felt betrayed by one of his oldest friends, and it enraged him in a way that didn’t even involve his powers.

He had Verity pinned on the floor and was sitting on top of him with his hands around his neck, every muscle in his body was tensed to the breaking-point and there where visible veins pulsing in his face, neck and arms.

“Are you seriously fucking lying to me right now?! You did harm her, you ignorant piece of shit! Just because she’s the strongest fucking person you’ve ever met, doesn’t mean you can’t hurt her! She could barely even walk!”

“But she’s not damaged. Her mind is intact.”

“I don’t believe this…I don’t fucking believe it!”

He got off of Verity and dragged him up to standing before shoving him down on the nearest chair, still keeping himself in between you and the trespasser. He paced in front of him while he continued to rail at him.

“Are you seriously telling me, that you don’t know the difference between physically harming someone, and hurting them? How is that even possible, with all the crap you went through as a kid? How do you not know the difference?!”

“It was a memory. Hiding them away only ever hurts you, I was trying to help her.”

“Did you see the fucking memory?!”

“Yes.”

“Tell me exactly how seeing those faces for the rest of her life is gonna help her!”

“It already has.”

His eyes shifted to yours, and you instinctively tried to back away further.

“That memory has already made you understand why you have the powers you do.”

His energy flowed through you, and it made you feel sick. You closed your eyes in a useless attempt to keep him out, but you felt him explore your mind again, bringing those images to the forefront of your thoughts.

“Seeing their suffering solidified everything that you are. Through all his torture and experiments, all you wanted was to live. But for them… you wanted to die. You wanted to exchange your life for theirs. That’s your true strength – your armour and your weapon. Look at their faces, Rain. See them and know who you are.”

“You think that just because you know the truth, you understand everything? Do you think you know how this feels? Do you think you have any idea how much this hurts me? Do you not even see how you’re manipulating me?”

Your blood suddenly boiled with fury. Who was he to command your thoughts? To impose his perspective on you? This man that had hurt you so badly, only to uncover a truth he had no right to.

The entire house shook as your powers awoke with a vengeance. You snapped your eyes back open just as Marcus turned back to look at you, realising what was happening.

But you loved this house, you weren’t gonna put a single fucking dent on it.

Reaching into that special place inside of you, where you’d learned you could find that sparkling dust, you drew it out and gathered it in large quantities on the floor in front of Verity. Then you allowed your mind to fill with the images of those innocent children, in their dying moments, and transferred those images into the dust.

Fifteen lifelike sculptures appeared in the sparkles, perfect re-creations of the dead and long forgotten sacrifices, that Verity had never met, never known, and yet felt he had the right to use like string-puppets.

He had the audacity to smile at your creations.

His smile faded as you spoke, but he made no attempt to apologise.

“You’re using my pain to force my hand. You know that my powers hurt me, and you force me to use them anyway. And for what? To try and prove you were right?”

“No. If anything, my efforts should tell you exactly how much we need your powers in this war. You asked me to help you win it. That’s all I’m doing.”

“And if our baby dies because of it, that’s just another sacrifice for the greater good?!”

The sculptures collapsed into mere piles on the floor, and you glared at him furiously, daring him to answer you.

“I don’t believe your baby will be harmed by your abilities.”

“Your beliefs are of no fucking relevance to me. Tell me if you would care… at all… if another child had to die in order for us to win this war?”

He paused, but not to consider his answer, only how you would react to it.

“No. I wouldn’t care. Wars kill people, of all ages, it doesn’t discriminate. Many more will die before it’s over, and if we’re going to be outraged over each and every one of them, then we won’t have time to fight.”

Marcus closed his eyes and bowed his head.

“That’s not the point, V. The point is that we only win if we still care. If we stop caring about life and suffering, then we might as well join the assholes. Can’t you see that?”

“I haven’t lived like you have, Marcus. Caring has never been a luxury I’ve been able to enjoy. I have nothing. No possessions, no family, one person I would call a friend, and whom, despite my best efforts, I do care about.”

“Then it should matter to you whether or not my family is safe and well.”

“It does, and they are. When I say that I don’t believe that your wife’s powers will harm your child, I’m not just guessing. I can see your powers, Rain, the core of them. And while they do damage you a little bit every time you use them, I don’t believe that that damage actually harms you. I believe it slowly changes you.”

“Changes me… Why? Into what?”

“I couldn’t say for sure, but I don’t think it’s that kind of change. I think it’s simply trying to make you stronger, physically. As in, superhumanly strong. Invincible. And if anyone’s body could – it’d be yours.”

Authors’ Note: I love criticism, please don’t be shy to let me know if there’s anything you like/don’t like/have questions about.

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#marcus moreno #marcus moreno x reader #marcus moreno fic #we can be heroes #we can be heroes fic #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction

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iris-westallen1 · 4 years ago

Text

The Happiest Day Of Our Life

‘’Well today was the worst day ever’’ iris said as she dove right on the couch. Barry just sat there staring at his beautiful wife so mesmerized he didn’t even realize she was talking to him but he couldn’t help it he was married to the most gorgeous woman on the planet he still doesn’t know how he got this lucky to have her in his life… ‘’ BARRY!!’’ he was immediately withdrawn from his thought blushing and rubbing his neck a habit he had formed since he was little. ‘’ are you even listening to me’’ iris said with a slightly annoyed face mixed with concern.

‘’ sorry honey but it’s your fault I wasn’t paying attention’’ Barry cheekily replied.

‘Look at him looking so smug with that cocky smile ugh I could just slap him and fuck him at the same time, gosh why is he so hot making my ovaries explode’’ iris thought to herself.

‘’ you know honey cocky is not a good look on you’’ said a smiling iris

‘’oh, you love it and me’’

‘’ well, I supposed that is true’’ iris slaps his knee as she get’s up from where she was laying on the couch to come snuggle into Barry’s side ‘’ hmmm I missed you today’’ iris said as she coos into Barry

‘’ babe I am sorry your day didn’t go as you wanted it to.’’ Barry strokes her arm and side ‘’ do you want to tell me what was going on’’

‘’ I know it might sound petty or whatever but its team citizen if I can even call it that Kamilla’s gone and Allegra she’s never there she’s always at star labs and I get that she ha powers and whatever but I would like her to take her job more seriously and not for her personal gain, I feel bad for what happened to her cousin I seriously geniounly do but the only time you hear her talk about the citizen is if she needs something from us and its making me seriously regret promoting her.’’ Iris took a deep breath she knows how this might sound and it might just be her hormones but she is seriously tired of Allegra’s behavior.

Barry saw how distressed his wife was about this so he decided not to say anything until she has gotten it all out her chest.

After taking a deep breath iris continued ‘’ so today I was in the office getting ready to go investigate karma, Kramer whatever the fuck her name is and I find myself missing and employee so I called her just to learn she is hanging around frost and Caitlin for what reason I do not know I’m her mentor not them I’m not paying her to hang out with them and I was just like you know what its fine so I just left her and went about my way to go investigate Kramer in doing that surprise surprise my dad is investigating her with Cecil when I was the one who brought this case to him and he brushed me off like it was nothing. And that’s another thing I am so fed up with my dad.’’ At this point iris is bawling her eyes and all Barry wants to do it take that pain away from her.

‘’ my dad hasn’t been acting like my dad for a while now and it took me getting stuck in a mirror to realize it. You know he never once asked me how I was doing when I came out of the mirror, he just brushed it aside like I wasn’t gone for 3 months he could at least show some emotions.’’ Her voice was cracking at this point ‘’ h- ho- how I- is it * sniff sniff* that his more of a father to you than he is to meeeeeeee’’ her chest and shoulder moving frantically.

Barry finally goes in soothing her ‘’ I am so so sorry you feel this way, how long have you been holding this in and I didn’t even notice, I am so sorry baby, just let it all out’’ Barry said as he rubs his hands in soothing circles on her back ‘’ just let it out I’m here’’

When she is calm enough she continues ‘’ I just feel so neglected as a daughter by him and Cecil Cecil doesn’t even try to bond with me, she’s been with my dad for so long and I don’t even know anything about her and when we do talk she always uses her powers to invade my privacy and when she does that she can’t even be subtle about it she always has to my extra and do to much’’ by this time iris is finished crying now what she feels is rage towards these people. ‘’ she is literally everywhere when there was still a team citizen was still a thing she became our ‘lawyer’ and no one even asked her to no offence to her but she suck as a lawyer’’ Barry starts laughing and nodding his head because it the truth. ‘’ I’m serious hahaha but it’s funny though but seriously I don’t even know why we hired her as your lawyer for your trial she couldn’t even win it she had to use ralph pretend to be devoe for her to win and I thought she was the best Caitlin and frost are dumb to hire her as a lawyer she couldn’t even win their case and if she cant win any of our case what is her use at star labs her powers are useless there no offense she could be home with Jenna and speaking of Jenna it sucks that we never see her they never talk about her unless its to say they are talking to their babysitter so instead of her to go take care of her child she’d over here acting like a child and sticking her nose in everyone’s business. I am so sick of her.’’ Barry just sat there looking at iris and after hearing all she said he can’t help but see the truth in what she’s saying, how could he have been so blind to this. As he continues to rub her back iris gathers even more courage to finally let this all off her chest ‘’ after cisco left the one person at star labs besides you I could stand was gone he was my sunshine twin he would always try to cheer me up when we lost Nora and even when I lost you to the speed force he was always there for me and I miss him and I miss Kamilla because she understood me we where becoming close friends before we got stuck in the mirror together and now we have an unbreakable bond because of that experience and now she’s gone too not only did I lose my best worker but I lost my best friend too. All of a sudden Iris seemed to get angrier Barry didn’t know why but his about to.

‘’ Caitlin and frost’’ she said their names with as much annoyance as she could muster up ‘’ they are the biggest entitled people I have ever met before frost was a thing it was the way Caitlin always looked at me like I was beneath her or something like she couldn’t get rid of me fast enough then frost came and bitch tried to kill me because she wanted dick and some other issues I had never did anything to her never spoke to her but all of a sudden she wants to kill me why I have no idea and what pisses me of is the way we just forgive her just because she did the right thing in the end and blasted Savitar she came to h.r funeral and she left to go find herself or whatever you went into the speed force and she abandoned me, Wally, cisco, and dad to fend of the bad guys on our own. Then Caitlin came up in her in her high horse to bring you out of the speed force like she’s been here all along, then she lost frost with the whole devoe thing Caitlin literally put your life and gypsy’s life in danger all because she wanted frost back and despite my better judgment I went up to her during the baby shower we threw for Cecile to offer up my help to find the bitch frost for her and she was just snarky with me saying no she will find her I just gave up on that hoe what still confusing is how she can perform all this surgery’s she’s doing since she hasn’t done them since med school like isn’t she a bio scientist or whatever like how did she become team doctor she literally has no experience in that field all she does is just stitch you up with pretty much all of us can do now and she acts like she has the most important job there dragging Allegra and Cecile along with her.’’ Iris shakes her head ‘’ you know what’s do funny’’ iris asked Barry ‘’ what’’ Barry genuinely curious ‘’ that whole frost trial and how Caitlin was like we have to get her out she’s my sister, since when though, anyways they arrested frost for a crime that she actually committed its not like she didn’t commit them she literally tried to kill me and she wanted her to go Scot free when you went to prison for a crime you actually didn’t commit it just pissed me of and instead of dumb bitch to just take the cure she volunteered her self for life in prison thinking she was doing sum, I might not like Kramer but what she did to frost was not a bad thing she all she did was try to make frost take responsibility for her actions. But she never does like always she literally gets out of prison after like two days.’’

‘’ and another thing that pisses me off is the way they treat Chester that boy is so sweet and deserves to be treated with kindness so that why it irritates and makes me so angry to hear that Caitlin was yelling at him for getting hit even sue warned Allegra not to pursue after her cousin but she did anyways and brought her to star labs without our permission knowing she’s a dangerous criminal when her and Allegra get into it she blast Chester who was just there to bring them snacks and somehow Caitlin made it Chester’s fault? Like how does that even make sense. I am just sick and tired of all of this. I am supposed to be happy right now basking in love with my husband trying to conceive our daughter and we can’t even have the privacy of knowing if were pregnant or not because of Cecile invading your thoughts once again the negative result you got was meant to be shared with me not her and I know this is wrong but I am glad that the test came negative because it would be so unfair of her to know that I am pregnant before I know all because she’s nosy.’’ Iris finally finished her rant with a deep breath, she looks up at Barry and all she finds in his eyes are adoration, understanding, anger, disappointment, and love.

‘’what?’’ iris asked

‘’ you are the strongest person that I know’’ Barry whispers to her ‘’I don’t know how you let this in for this long because one thing I know for sure is that I certainly would have burst long ago.’’

‘’ I am so sorry that you’ve had to keep this all in for this long’’ Barry said caressing her cheeks ‘’ and I’m sorry If you felt like you couldn’t tell me, thank you for bringing it to my attention and after listening to you things need to change for one our personal life needs to stop being discussed at star labs where everyone can hear and the second is that Caitlin needs to not be our doctor and she is certainly not going to be delivering our baby and most importantly we need to set boundaries for Cecile’’

‘’ thank you, babe, for listening to me and letting me get this rant of my chest, I feel so much lighter.’’

‘’ its my job iris there is no need to thank me I will always be on your side ALWAYS.’’

#westallen #fanfic #fanfiction #iris west #barry x iris #barry allen #marriage #rant #popular

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mst3kproject · 4 years ago

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The Astral Factor

This movie has a great deal to offer the MSTie. It was written by Arthur C. Pierce, who did the same job on The Human Duplicators, and it can boast the presences of Leslie Parrish of The Giant Spider Invasion, Frank Ashmore of Parts: the Clonus Horror, and Rayford Barnes from Mitchell. The premise is ludicrous but presented with a perfectly straight face, and the whole thing just oozes 70’s-ness.

Roger Sands is a man of many talents, the most important of which for our purposes is his ability to become invisible in a shower of disco sparkles. This allows him to escape from prison, argue with his mother’s ghost (who apparently throws bangin’ parties in the afterlife) and go on a killing spree. The cops know who they’re hunting because he’s left fingerprints all over the place, but they have no idea how he’s moving around unseen. Fortunately, the prison psychologist knows some psychics who might be able to help them out… but will they be in time to save the various celebrities Sands is stalking, women who remind him of his own neglectful mother?

The main impression one gets from The Astral Factor is that it’s a parade of clichés. The first victim is killed in a bubble bath. Chuck the detective gets dragged out of bed to come investigate the case, which makes his girlfriend pout because she was hoping for sex. The killer is obsessed with his mother. Dogs and birds can sense Sands’ presence when he’s invisible. Chuck’s girlfriend is a terrible cook. That sort of thing. None of this needs to kill a movie, of course… clichés become clichés because they work.

Much worse for the movie is that it isn’t very interested in its characters. Sands’ backstory is that his mother was a movie star who thought it would ruin her career if it came out that she’d been briefly married and pregnant at the age of seventeen. She therefore distanced herself from him, leaving him feeling unwanted and invisible (insert giant blinking neon sign that says METAPHOR) until he finally got fed up and strangled her. This isn’t a bad setup for a movie’s serial killer, but the narrative doesn’t do much with it. Sands has a list of women he wants to murder, but we never find out what makes them good potential victims beyond simply being famous blondes. Surely there should be some moment of recognition, some sin they’ve each committed against their own families, but apparently ‘famous and blonde’ should be enough.

Opposed to Sands is, of course, Chuck the detective. He comes across as kind of a jerk but he does seem to love his empty-headed girlfriend Candy. I think his arc is meant to be that he starts off skeptical of the paranormal but is eventually forced to believe, but this is pretty badly mishandled – when the prison psychiatrist talks about Sands’ interest in psychic phenomena, Chuck seems bored rather than disbelieving, and when a man demonstrates telekinesis in front of him, he accepts it but looks entirely unimpressed. He never seems to be really affected by the phenomena he encounters. Instead of a man whose worldview is shaken to the core, Chuck appears to be merely annoyed that this is yet another thing he has to deal with.

The other possible arc Chuck has is that Candy suggests he get a job with ‘normal hours’ so that she no longer has to make coffee for his co-workers when they come to tell him about a murder in the middle of the night. He says he’ll think about it, but there’s no follow-up.

Finally, there’s Christine, the potential victim that we’re supposed to get attached to and worry about. She’s a spoiled trophy wife who hangs around in her mansion drinking while her husband, who lost all interest in her once she turned thirty, is out of town. The problem with her is that she doesn’t have much by way of a personality. In one scene she’s grateful for the cops protecting her, in the next she’s telling them to piss off and let her go shopping in peace, and then suddenly she’s sobbing in her room. Are these supposed to be mood swings? It feels more like neither the writers nor the actress cared enough to figure out who she is.

I guess that brings us to the movie’s misogyny, which is as rich and gooey as the inside of a lava cake but does not taste like chocolate. First of all, Sands’ problems are said to be his mother’s fault – she abandoned him, leaving him no choice but to murder women who remind him of her! The prison psychologist specifically absolves Sands of responsibility for his own crimes. He cannot be reformed, he cannot be helped, he must be locked up because his mother’s selfishness (more interested in her own career than in raising her son) destroyed his mind. Never mind that there are people with neglectful or even abusive parents who don’t grow up to be serial killers.

The women Sands kills are celebrities – models, dancers, actresses, socialites – because they remind him of his fame-obsessed mother. But as I previously mentioned, they’re not really all that like her. We don’t see any signs of any of them having families they neglect. The only one who even seems to have a husband is Christine and it’s him who neglects her. Perhaps the point is supposed to be that Sands has misjudged them, but we don’t see any signs of them being better than his mother in this respect, either. Most of them seem to have avoided children in order to focus on their careers. Perhaps in the mind of a male writer in the 70’s, this is itself a sin.

Certainly the movie is not interested in these women as characters. I’ve already discussed Christine, but there are others. The first one comes home, takes a bath, and dies. The second one is working on a painting when her dog runs off – she chases it, and she and the dog both die. The third is the dancer at her rehearsal. She has the creeps for no reason, does her rehearsal, and dies. The emphasis is always on their bodies: they’re sexy, then they’re dead. The sequence with the dancer is particularly weird, with her male partner representing the devil dressed in some kind of bondage getup.

The most frustrating thing about The Astral Factor, though, is that it really doesn’t know what to do with its premise. It keeps bringing up interesting ideas about what a psychic murderer might be able to do, and then just drops them.

The opening scene, in which Sands escapes from jail after telekinetically beating up his cellmate with furniture, seems to promise us a much more exciting movie than we get. After escaping, Sands visits the cemetery and his heart-to-heart with ghost mom is interrupted by a security guard. Sands uses his powers to push the guy into an open grave and bury him alive! I wanted to see more of this kind of thing, but after that Sands seems to forget he can do anything besides the ‘becoming invisible’ thing. Later victims are either beaten or strangled, as if they were killed by some loser who doesn’t have any psychic powers. Perhaps he has to strangle the women because that’s how he killed his mother, but he does the same thing to bodyguards and boyfriends when we know he has more creative means at his disposal.

The rest of the movie is also at odds with the title, which suggested this would be a movie in which Sands sits in jail the whole time, astral-projecting himself into his victims’ homes to strangle them. This idea is discussed, but it is in no way what happens so I’m not sure why they brought it up. There are a couple of reasonably effective scenes, as when it’s implied that Sands is invisible inside his first victim’s apartment but we can’t be absolutely sure until he starts interacting with objects. The bit where the dancer is strangled onstage and people don’t intervene because they think it’s part of the show… that’s another cliché but it works all right.

The Astral Factor also has no interest in how psychic powers work. They’re shown to require great concentration for the guy demonstrating them at the institute, but Sands seems to throw things around effortlessly. Why is that? Where did he get these powers? Just by reading about them? Can anybody learn to do this or just certain people? If the latter, what makes Sands special?

In trying to catch his invisible killer, Chuck shows very little creativity. I can think of a bunch of ways to try to thwart an invisible man. What about filling a room with mist or smoke? What about scattering flour on the floor to show his footprints? What about physical tripwires? None of these are ever suggested. Nor does anybody ever come up with the idea of fighting back psychically. If anybody can learn these powers, that could have been a cool thing for Chuck to have to do – not only come to terms with the fact that this exists, but having to figure out how to do it himself! Or if only special people can do it, why not hire one of those psychics the scientists were working with? If a parrot knows there’s an invisible man there, surely another psychic could figure it out!

The way they do eventually catch Sands is by having Christine speak to him as if she is his mother, which prompts him to reply, and the sound of his voice tells the cops where to aim their guns. This works, but it’s not nearly as interesting as some of the other possibilities and does not reveal anything new about Sands himself.

Watching people get ‘strangled’ by something invisible is always fun, and The Astral Factor has a couple of really funny special effects (I especially like the cellmate pretending to be in a fight with his mattress), but mostly the movie is a disappointment. It had potential to be way scarier and way more fun if it were willing to explore its premise a little more deeply, but all it really wants to show us is blonde women getting killed.

#mst3k #reviews #episodes that never were #the astral factor #70s

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