When Villains Cry

Shadows Play In Light

Silent Girl staggered into her home.  Ripping off her goggles and mask, she stumbled over to her freezer, she removed her Salisbury steak and chucked it into the microwave.  Hitting three minutes, she leaned against her kitchen counter.  Shifting her back as she tried to work the knots out of her back.

When I get out of prison, I'm gonna show you some of the things I learned here. Silent Girl. a voice inside her head jeered, I am sure you would love them.

Silent girl sighed.  Ignoring the thought-speak, she drummed her hands against her counter.  Her mouth watering at the scent of that Salisbury steak goodness.  Thinking a moment, she grabbed a beer out of her fridge. It was a locally brewed stout that had been infused with coffee.  She hummed in anticipation. 

Heh, ignoring me?   I know you can hear me.  I know the rules behind your powers.

Silent girl frowned, her ex was ruining her dinner.  Honestly, years of vaugue threats and promises of vengeance became old after the first month.

You know word spreads, even into the hole they have me locked up in.  I wonder what Poet and Arcane would think if they knew the real you?  As I know you.  What about those friends of yours?  Wonder how'd they react.

Silent Girl snorted, You really want to do this, huh?  Just remember you asked for this.

Like you can stand a threat to me.  After all, I was the one that gave you that name.  Don't think I didn't catch the reference.  I'm the nightmare that spurs you on.  But to me, you'll always be my scared little Mary.

Silent Girl Laughed, her raspy wheeze echoing into her empty apartment.  

Mary hasn't existed since I showed up.  You never knew me, just made me think you did.  That I could never be anything without you.

Cracking open her beer, she took a quick swig.  Letting the pleasantly bitter taste roll over her tongue she pondered her next response.  Placing the can on the counter she walked into her bathroom.  Glaring into her mirror, she removed her black turtleneck.  Across her throat, a jagged scar marred her otherwise flawless skin. 

Smiling nastily, she sent a pulse of energy down the shared connection.

What the hell? he exclaimed, since when could you do that, b***h?

I have learned to do quite a few things, Aroan.  Perhaps I should show you, Silent girl mocked, you don't know me as well as you think you do.

Pouring the images of her combat training down the link, she showed her ex what she had learned and introduced him to her new friends.

I am going to give you this chance.  When you get out Aroan, she replied,  be on your best behavior.  Our link goes both ways and I will be watching.  Step out of line and I will make sure that you are returned to the hole you crawled out of.  Behave and I will leave you be.  Everyone has the right to try to be better.  But if you fall back into your old habits I want you to remember one simple thing.  I am Silent Girl and I guard all those without a voice.  You that took mine would do well to fear me.

Silence reigned in her apartment, her personal tormenter retreated back to his jail cell.  The beeping of her Microwave summoned her to dinner.  Silent girl smiled, then went to enjoy her meal in peace and quiet

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Shadows gathered, a swirling vortex of abyssal darkness forming in the corner of the forsaken apartment.  Rotten food the only witness to the horrors crawling out of the portal.

"All I'm saying is that Force Awakens was a good homage to the original trilogy and a good start to a new trilogy.  The Last Jedi sucked and The Rise Of Skywalker was mediocre.  Honestly, Rey was underutilized in favor of making her a flawless protagonist.  I wish we could've seen more of Finn and Poe's dynamic while also exploring a possible romance between Finn and Rey.  I will not belittle the Rose character because I found her a better character than Rey."

Barrow-wight looked down on Brick, his tirade fading into the darkness of their apartment.  Her silent glare, causing the broad-shouldered man to wilt.

"I think you will be sleeping on the couch tonight," she informed him, "I like all nine of those movies for different reasons.  Why can't you respect that?  Why must you seek to tell me I'm wrong?  Why must you always do so?  I and others are allowed our opinions.  Whether or not we agree with you."

Slipping away from him, she closed the door to their bedroom.  Silence echoed within their living space.

Brick sighed, "You're right Barrow, I shouldn't be so stubborn," he said to the closed door, "I just feel strongly about everything and sometimes I forget how I can sound.  I never meant to disparage your opinion.  I love you."

Slinking back to the couch, Brick grabbed blankets along the way.  Pillows soon joined him on his pilgrimage.

"Honestly, I've been saying those words pretty frequently," He criticized himself, "yet I keep turning things into an argument.  What is wrong with me?  I need to fix this or I might lose her."

Wrapping himself within his blanket cocoon, he faced himself into the depths of the sofa.  Nestling uncomfortably, his snores soon broke the silence of the apartment.  Unseen, Barrow stepped out of the shadows, crossing the room, she stood over her sleeping love.  

"Why do I take everything so personally?  It was just a silly discussion.  I know how he can get.  He meant nothing by it.  I have never been this sensitive.  The other Gug-kin would scorn me for this.  More importantly, I might lose the first male that ever loved me.  That ever taught to understand me."

Taking a seat on the opposite recliner, she prepared to keep vigil over her mate throughout the night.  

"The least I can do is tend to his slumber, as that is not something I require.  Pleasant dreams, my darling.  No nightmares will bother you while I watch your rest."

Barrow settled in comfortably and soon the only sounds were Brick's snores as the night ticked onward.

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Torque ran through the city, her enemy close on her heels. Dodging to the left, she avoided the tendril snaking past her.

"Ha! Missed me," She Taunted, "Not gonna get me like that!"

Leaping upward, she pushed off a nearby wall.  Converting her momentum into a front flip, she changed direction midair.  Landing the flip, Torque dove down a nearby alleyway.  Slapping several blinking disks onto the walls, the daring detective rebounded off a dumpster to grab a low hanging fire escape.

"Time to get a better view on things," She snarked.

Scaling the side, she was soon racing upwards in leaps and bounds.  Several explosions behind her placed a fierce grin on her face.

"That will teach him to underestimate me." she snarked, "we'll see who has the last laugh."

Leaping onto the roof she scanned her environment, "It won't be long before he catches up though.  I will not underestimate him."

Torque moved forward slowly.  Scanning through her googles for heat signs, she removed several throwing discs from her belt.  A door slamming open signified that her pursuer had caught up.

"Heh, here he comes!"  She laughed.

Turning towards the noise, she watched as five faceless individuals moved through the door in eerie synchronicity.  Starting to spread out, they began to search for her.  A strange snuffling was heard as they moved.

"Guess, you found me!" Torque shouted, causing all her pursuers to look in her direction, "Here's your prize, catch!"

Throwing four of the discs at the mob, she placed another at the edge of the roof.  Not pausing to see the effect of her attack, she sprinted towards the ledge.  Triggering the disc herself, she used the extra momentum to launch her to the opposite roof.  Hitting it in pristine form, she rolled to absorb the impact.  Drawing her multi-club in one smooth move, she flicked it into staff mode as she came to her feet.

"TIME!" a familiar voice rang out, "the winner is Torque.   Simulation is done. Hivemind stand down."

Stepping out, Arcane congratulated Torque.

"Good job, young lady.  That was most impressive.  Using your erratic movements and knowledge of this course to both lure Hivemind into traps and evade him was truly gifted."

"Of course, Torque works harder than anyone on this team," Hivemind praised, "It was a pleasure to lose to you beautiful."

"Honey, you depend too much on those powers of yours," Torque sauntered over to the Delightful Doppelganger, "Means I get to pick our dinner date tonight."

Arcane chuckled, "She is correct, Hivemind, you need to have the skill to back your powers up.  You could be a one-man army with the right training.  Hit the showers you two.  I expect you both to be on time from now on.  No more tardies.  Also, I want both of you to take at least a week-long break from these extra classes.  I have no wish to see you push yourselves too hard.  Go have some fun.  Do young people things.  That's and order. One I will be checking in with Poet to make sure you followed."

Rippling himself out, Arcane left the two lovers to their night.

Hivemind shivered as he shook his head, "That is always so freaky. It's like he was never here."

Torque nodded, "It most certainly is.  Why don't we pick up Chinese and spend the night snuggled on the couch?  There's a new episode of Death Battle out.  Venom vs Crona.  It promises to be a good one.  Plus it might give you some ideas on how to catch me when we get a rematch."

Hivemind stared at his significant other, "Arcane says we have to rest for at least a week, he scares me enough as it is.  I have no wish to disobey him.  I am a shapeshifter, I have no desire to find out what he could turn me into."

Torque chuckled as she flicked the nose of her lover, "Never said that you had to disobey me.  This time off gives you a week to plan, trust me your gonna need it. Let us get that shower, I want to get back home and see what else you can turn into."

Watch Torque strut away as he sputtered, Hivemind shock himself.

"I am so in love with that woman," He laughed as he ran to catch up.

Chatting as they left the obstacle course, the two made their way back to their home.  Happy and content in each other.

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Agent 1 watched the first janitor pick up the USB.  Rushing over to his computer, the hero checked it for viruses.  Seemingly satisfied, he scanned the contents.  

Agent 1 smiled as the Janitor paled, then grabbed his phone.  Watching lesser minds dance to their Master's plots was always a joy.

"This is Mesmerist, did you receive a gift in the mail?" he nodded, "Yes, I got one too."

Agent 1 frowned, this was too easy.  Without Poet life was so boring.  There was no challenge in stringing this i***t along.  Maybe this would not be such a joy after all.

"We need to get on top of this situation," Mesmerist continued, "The society must stand.  Something of this sort could damage things beyond repair.  It is already beyond any control I can exert, I fear we must resort to more stringent measures."

Agent 1 growled, this incompetent wasn't even trying to conceal things.  This was one of the two best cleaners the Hero Society produced?  Agent 1 spit, his derision clear.

"Yes, we shall meet in the usual place," Mesmerist confirmed, "No, I agree.  I don't think our illustrious leader needs to be informed. It will only lead to complications"

Agent 1 shook his head at the attempt at subterfuge.  Why would you not inform the head of your organization about this?  Especially when it was your job to fix these types of things.  If any of the henchman under him were this idiotic he'd schedule them for re-education immediately.  That or execution.

Mesmerist hung up his phone, still unaware of Agent 1's disdain.  Grabbing the USB, Mesmerist started preparing to leave.  Agent 1 shrugged, time to continue his mission.  Fading into the background, Agent 1 followed Mesmerist out his door.  Leaving no more evidence than a cold breeze.

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Agent 2 snorted, they hoped Agent 1 was having more fun.  His target had no security to speak of to prevent his entry.  Even now Agent 2 stood in the same room and breathed the same air as their target.  The USB was long since viewed and Agent 2's target sat completely still.  Then The phone rang out into the apartment.

"This is Psionic," Agent 2's target answered, "I did receive a gift in the mail, did someone show you such consideration too?"

Agent 2 pursed their lips, doing nothing, followed by such a flimsy code, and then cinched by a redundant question.  Such unprofessionalism.  Why did their master not rule this world already?

"I agree, more stringent measures are indeed needed.  I believe this falls more into my wheelhouse then yours.  Shall we meet in the usual place?" a pause, "Do we need to keep our leader updated?  I really just feel he'll overreact, we have this well under control."

Agent 2 slumped, this i***t was going to conceal something like this from their master.  Because that always ends so well for everyone involved.  Why did Poet have to be sent to her room like a misbehaving child?  She was the only interesting one in this lot, the rest were so boring.  No fun at all.  That's why the master didn't rule openly, it'd be boring.  Moving in the shadows was always more fun.  Least it was supposed to be.

"I am glad you agree," Psionic affirmed, "he does tend to complicate matters."

Agent 2 ground their teeth, they would be glad when this was over and Poet was once more in the game.  These players, quite frankly, f*****g sucked.  How had they managed to keep things quiet for so long?  Not an original thought between them.

Psionic replaced the phone on the receiver, then began gathering his things to leave.  Agent 2 shrugged, might as well get this over with.  Then they and Agent 1 can go back to playing with Poet.  They were sad that she seemed to think the master didn't hold her in such high esteem.  They and Agent 1 would have to fix that.  Following Psionic out into the night, Agent 2 looked forward to engaging with Poet once more.

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Psionic and Mesmerist shook hands as they entered the abandoned building.  Striding into the empty space, they settled into their respective chairs.

"We need to have a plan of attack on this," Psionic sighed, "I will find the one responsible, but you will need to keep the press looking the other way.  Put those brainwashed pawns of your to good work."

Mesmerist chuckled, "My agents will move as they should.  I will see to it.  They have already silenced that camerawoman.  She'll be lucky to get a job developing film at Walmart.  Honestly, it wasn't that hard.  Whatever Mastermind did disrupted the film on an atomic level.  Most of it had turned to slag, while still inside her camera.  Which made it easy to make her look incompetent."

Agents 1 and 2 glanced at each other.  Their master would be most displeased.  Their lord had wanted her taken seriously.  They would have to make sure these two understood their mistaken defying the master's wishes.  The Agents grinned at each other.  Perhaps this would be fun after all.

"You know, it is impolite to eavesdrop," Psionic called out, "reveal yourselves and we can talk."

"Indeed," Mesmerist continued,  "Come out of the shadows and let us discuss a deal and be reasonable.  Let's keep this civilized.

Agent 1 and Agent 2 chuckled, this would definitely be fun. 

You Finally Noticed Us?  I Was Begining To Despair At Your Combined Idiocies.

Psionic and Mesmerist grabbed their heads, the words had been written retroactively into their memories.

Indeed 1, It Appears They Have Us!  Whatever Shall We Do?  We Are But Lowly Henchman!

Blood began to drip from their nose, Mesmerist fell to his knees.  His head spinning.

But They Are Still So Fragile, 2.  Master Will Be Sadly Disappointed.  

Psionic collapsed, his ears beginning to bleed.  Mesmerist called out soundlessly.  Still, the voices continued.

I Know 1, But Maybe We Can Salvage This.

The two heroes lay next to each other, eyes filling with blood as vertigo took hold of both of them.

And How Can We Do That 2?

Unable to fall into unconsciousness, the two heroes writhed on the floor.

Why Be Inflicting On Them What They Have Inflicted On Others, 1.  We'll Just Wipe Their Memories Of This Whole Thing And Force Them To Push It Down Into Their Subconscious.

Mesmerist and Psionic lied still, their eyes open in vacant terror.

That's Positively Poetic, 2.  I like it.

They began to stir, their eyes glassy and indistinct.

Its What I'm Here For 1.

Mesmerist and Psionic shook themselves.  

"What were we saying?" Mesmerist queried.

"About the Blackmail info," Psionic answered, "We need to plug that leak."

"Same as usual?" Mesmerist confirmed, "I locate the leak and you seal it?"

"Indeed," Psionic answered, "Let us both stick to what we happen to be good at."

The two men shook hands, then left to their duties.  The need to serve the greater good spring them on.

Agent 1 and Agent 2 smiled.  Their master would be happy.  The ball was rolling, and with a little nudging from the two, everything would be perfect.

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Elizabeth Ann Montague worked in her darkroom.  The only surviving negatives from her interaction with poet and mastermind developing in the vat.

"Easy does it," She muttered, "I've got one shot at this."

The final product rose to the surface, one photo out of a whole roll.  It showed Poet and Mastermind after the snap.  Poet fluster and angry but unafraid.  Mastermind unflinching and unapologetic.

"What I wouldn't give to be the meat in a Poet and Mastermind sandwich," She growled.

Setting the photo down, she smiled.  

"The only photo that shows what Mastermind looks like," She congratulated herself," but someone wants to discredit me.  This one is for my private collection."

Hanging the picture to dry, Elizabeth tapped her finger against her chin, "I wonder if Poet needs a friend.  Her getting benched was completely out of line."

Moving out of her darkroom, the young woman glanced in the mirror.  A chocolate-skinned woman with almond eyes stared back.  The constant demands of her profession had left her thinly well muscled.  Her clothes were comfortably functional and her skill with a camera had made her eyes sharp.

Admiring herself a moment more, she turned towards the rest of her house.

"Poet's home would be restricted information.  I would be better going to the Hero Society and Staking it out.  See if she shows up.  Her movements would be restricted too."

Pacing along her front hallway, Elisabeth continued her ruminations.

"And what possible excuse could I use for seeking Poet out?  That I think she's a snack is hardly appropriate.  Even me just wanting her as a friend would be suspect.  Mastermind singled me out.  Me coming forward now would be insanely suspicious."

Chewing on her nail, Elisabeth sought her solution.

"I know that Poet and Mastermind are the center of all this.  I am the observer swept along.  But how am I to observe if I can't get close to either of them."

Snorting her frustration, Elisabeth shook her head.  Glancing at her clock, she flushed at what time it was.

"Well, I am not going to get anything more done tonight," She yawned, "Starting fresh in the morning sounds good."

Ascending the steps to her bedroom, she discarded clothes.  Reaching her bed, she slipped inside.  Her breathing calmed, then she was off to dream land.  To dream of her twin crushes.