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Heroic History Lesson: Final Exam
By: Sobocribe, Rsobo67@verizon.net
Server: Protector
Talos Island, in a back alley of the New Sparta
neighborhood a young hero is coming to realize his grim situation. The
security level 2 Science Scrapper finds himself mentorless and
surrounded by Tsoo Enforcers. Bruiser Cruiser thinks back and quickly
recaps the events that have led him to his predicament. Cruiser was
approached by Shadowknife, a level 20 Natural Blaster, wondering if he
was interested in some hunting of the Tsoo. Cruiser being a low
security level quickly jumped at the chance to be mentored by a much
more experienced hero. After the necessary clearance calls were made to
City Hall, the duo was off on patrol.
The two stumbled across a kidnapping plan in Steel
Canyon. As the mission progressed, the two came to realize that the
kidnap victim was the young daughter of Mel “The Sell”
Torrino, who has ties to the Family. The heroes pursued the mission,
which led to Talos Island. Cruiser remembers yelling out some corny
taunt and the battle was on.
Shadowknife took out the Tsoo Sorcerer with some
well placed arrows. Bruiser Cruiser went hand to hand with a Tiger
Enforcer and came out on top. This victory galvanized Cruiser’s
nerves and he charged into the group of Tsoo. He remembers his mentor
telling him to hold back as Cruiser took down the Eagle Enforcer that
was holding the girl. A cocky smile crossed his face as Cruiser steered
the girl towards freedom. Just as the girl was clear of the fighting is
when things went array. Shadowknife was defending himself with his bow
as a second group of Enforcers entered the fray.
“Stay hidden here,” orders Bruiser
Cruiser to the girl as he charges in to help his mentor. The melee is
fierce but one sided. Shadowknife is knocked out by a vicious
roundhouse kick from a Yellow Ink Man. Shaken by the defeat of his
mentor Cruiser starts to loose his focus.
After a serious beating by the hands of the Tsoo
Bruiser Cruiser is facing his grim reality. Cruiser thinks back to what
was covered in class this semester in what makes a hero. He looks over
his shoulder and sees his path out of the alley clear. He then catches
movement from behind the trash dumpster. Cruiser locks eyes with the
terrified young girl and thoughts of that lesson cross his mind again.
“What makes a hero a hero,”
thinks Bruiser Cruiser, his final decision is made as he squares his
shoulders and stares defiantly at the Crane Enforcer standing across
from him.
“You with to end this like your mentor, there
is honor in you. Though you can not hope to win. Your right arm is
broken, my shuriken is imbedded in your left shoulder. Your one eye
swollen shut and your are bleeding from your nose and both lips, yet
you ready your stance to fight. I will honor you by finishing you
quickly and painlessly as possible.”
“Do your worse. Run Kami, run until you find
safety!” yells out Cruiser as the Crane Enforcer charges at him.
Suddenly a fist the size of Rhode Island shoots past Cruiser and
connects with the face of the Tsoo Enforcer.
A huge Tanker is making short work of the Tsoo as a
Controller is rounding up the deserters of the fight. After the fight
the heroes approach the bloodied and bruised Scrapper. Bruiser Cruiser
is very relieved to see that Kami, the kidnapped girl has found safety
in the arms of a red haired hero. Cruiser collapses to his knees
knowing that she is no longer in danger.
“Whoa son! Catch him Howitzer!” the
Tanker grabs Cruiser as he sinks into unconsciousness. The last thing
Bruiser Cruiser hears is “We better get him to Golden
Fleece.”
As he comes to Cruiser realizes that he is in a bed
of some type. The style of the room and the furniture is that of the
1700s, which startles him a bit. A young dark haired woman dressed in
what can only be described as a thigh high cut toga with a small cape
enters the room.
“How are you feeling there Bruiser Cruiser, is that
correct?” “Fine thanks, yeah that my superhero name. Where
am I? How did I get here?” “The guys happened to come
across your battle. You sure are one brave or foolish boy coming all
the way out here with your Security Level.” “A little of
both actually,”
Cruiser explains to Golden Fleece as she introduces herself as
the Healer who nursed him back to heath. Cruiser finds out that Kami
has been safely returned to her parents and the Family has promised a
reduction of criminal activity for one month not withholding the
payback against the Tsoo.
As Cruiser lays back in bed he hears other voices coming from the other room.
“Just like old times eh Sam?”
“Can’t say it didn’t feel good taking down the bad
guys again Nigel, it was good to be back out there.”
“That’s great to hear Sam, me and John here is looking to
put a super group together. You know, share all our experience we have
with the new generation.” “Yeah, we want to keep what
happened to the kid from happening to others.”
His curiosity piqued Cruiser slowly gets up out of
bed and works his way down the hall. He can’t shake the feeling
that one of the voices he heard is very familiar to him. Cruiser sneaks
around the corner of the room and spies two of the heroes. The Tanker
called Howitzer and the red haired Blaster who is called the Irish
Flame.
“Hey kid, come on in, feeling any better? You
sure look a whole lot better than the last time we saw ya,” Says
the Tanker. “I feel great, that Healer, Golden Fleece is a
miracle worker. My arm is even fully healed.” “Here sit
down,” says the Irish Flame.
“So what possessed you to take on all those
Tsoo by yourself?” asks Howitzer. Cruiser goes into the tale of
how he and Shadowknife came across the kidnapping and the end result of
the mission. Cruiser is a bit ashamed that he thought about running
when he saw a chance to get away. He also mentioned his class that
discussed hero ethics.
“So I decided win or loose I had to make sure Kami was safe, it was worth it.
The last voice Cruiser heard from before enters the
room. “I went to check on our houseguest and …” that
is when Cruiser gets the shock of his life.
“Professor Adamson?” “Roy Thomson!
What are you…” a look of surprise washes over the face of
the Controller. “So you know the young Bruiser Cruiser here eh
Sam?” asks Nigel.
“Yes he is one of my students.”
“Well it seems your class is well worth taking. Roy here took
your lesson to heart and saved a young girl today at the risk of his
own life.” Howitzer quickly brings Sam up to speed on Roy’s
adventure. “So is this why you fall asleep in class, night
patrols of campus, putting down the Skulls and Hellions? How did you
end up with powers?”
“Yeah doc been doing the night patrol since
the summer when I first came to Paragon City, as for the powers.”
Roy explains that he and his high school wrestling team were subjected
to some genetic experimentation by the coach.
“He wanted a winning season but ended up killing all the team but
me. I’m stronger and faster than a normal human. I felt like a
freak back home, all that changed though once I came here.”
“I see and Bruiser Cruiser, I hope you’re not the one
cruising for the bruising,” jokes Sam who is known as Whirlpool
in the hero community.
“So you see Sam, you’re needed more than ever in the
group.” “Hell you should lead up captain, just like old
times.” Sam silently contemplates all that has happened and a
lopsided smile creases his face.
A few hours later in Atlas Park Whirlpool strolls to
the Super Group Registration desk in city hall and files all the proper
forms and pays for the base registration. He is greeted by his friends
upon exiting the building. “It’s official. You are all now
proud members of the Paragon Privateers.” “Yahoo, I belong
to a real super group!” shouts out Roy excitedly. “Wait a
minute, what kind of name is Paragon Privateers?” That’s
when Roy notices the Ruby encrusted armbands of the Irish Flame.
“Wait a sec, wait a sec… Howitzer, as
in Howitzer cannon! And you’re a Gravity Controller? Wait a
sec...” stammers Roy as he paces around in a circle.
“Kid we got a lit to show you,” says John as he places his huge hand on Roy’s shoulder.
“That’s right, and a lot of secrets to keep, to be a mate
in the Privateers, ain’t that right captain?” “So
true Nigel, so true. Now lets get Roy’s real education started,
I’m not getting any younger here.” Laughter breaks out
among the group as they heady for the Yellow Line and home.