Nemesis
Faction: Hero
Archetype: Blaster
Specialty: Archery
The Obsidian Arrow
Donnia Marks walked down the dark street when a hand grabbed her and yanked her into an alley. The Hellion pulled her close and laughed at her frightened expression. He began teasing her with his knife. He reached as if to stab her, but instead cut the handle of her purse. He made a break for it and stopped all of a sudden. As he fell down, Donnia noticed an arrow was stuck in the thief's heart. A dark figure slowly levitated down to the dead man. Donnia thought her luck couldn't get any worse, now she was being attacked by a super villain! He reached down for her purse then turned to her. As he walked forward she almost cried out in fear. When he raised his hand she feared he would strike her down but instead, he gave her the purse. She opened her eyes to say thank him. but the mysterious hero had disappeared. That is the way of The Obsidian Arrow.
Faction: Villain
Archetype: Stalker
Specialty: Assassination
The Ruby Blade
Donnia Marks walked through the streets once more. It had been a week since her mugging and being saved by that mysterious hero. She almost laughed when another Hellion tried to take her new purse. She stopped laughing when he told her he was a good friend of the other gangster who died mugging her. He cut her wrist and she cried out in pain. He laughed, kicked her to the ground, than ran out of the alley with the purse. At the mouth of the alley, his silhouette jerked to the side and cried out in pain. Donnia opened her eyes and saw what she though was yet another silent savior. He picked up her purse then started moving towards her. She smiled and stood up to greet him. But then she looked into his eyes and she didn't see the kindness she saw in the hero. She saw a cold hate-filled look, and she started to run away. He teleported in front of her with his sword pointed straight out. Donnia ran right into it. The killer watched her shocked expression as he yanked out his blade and she fell to the ground. He turned to walk away but then had an idea. He grabbed a black arrow from a slit in his cape and put it into the sword wound. It was time he had some fun.
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Gotta keep moving. Cant stop now they're right behind me! The Obsidian Arrow flew low through the alleys. Then rising to the rooftops to hide behind air vents as his much faster pursuers passed him overhead. For some reason he was being chased by Longbow!
I need to get over to my contact and see what this is all about he thought. He jumped down and ran into the sewer entrance. He looked around and made sure there were no Vahzilok to try to take him apart... again. He kept running, trying to ignore the disgusting water. He found the right manhole and climbed up. A quick run through a back-alley and he found he who needed to see...
As The Obsidian Arrow left the sewers, he didn't notice a dark figure smirking from a nearby rooftop.
"It looks like my plan is working excellently. I'll let these Longbow fools wear him out and then he will feel my blade."
He heard the flap of a cape and made himself invisible. When he saw it was a Longbow Scrapper he decided one less pursuer wouldn't matter. He faded from sight, then reappeared a moment later atop the do-gooder. The Ruby Blade drove him towards the ground and leapt off just before the hero crashed. Blade heard a loud crunch and was satisfied... for now.
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Technically his contact found him. As the knife pressed up against his throat, Obsidian tossed the weapons wielder over his shoulder into a pile of trashcans.
"Stan what are you doing?" the hero asked.
"Oh come on Arrow, you know how dangerous it is out here. Super villains are everywhere these day and, let's face it, you don't look a whole lot like a hero."
The hero looked down at his costume. It was black, except for the jagged blue around his eyes and mouth, and the lightning bolt on his arms and legs, the boots and gloves spiked. The two arm bolts were connected by a bulls-eye on his chest that seemed to complete the image somehow.
Arrow shrugged and said, "I need you to tell me who planted that arrow."
"How come they're coming after you? That coulda been anyone's arrow," Stan asked.
"Apparently you haven't seen my arrows up close." He pulled an arrowhead out of a pouch on his belt and pressed on the sides. When he did the shaft sprung out. The head was black, and the wood had a polished shine. "All of my arrowheads are made out of obsidian. I get a steady supply from a provider off shore. He has no idea why I'm buying it and he doesn't ask. I don't normally have time to retrieve the arrows so the cops have plenty of them stashed in their evidence room."
"So did you do it?"
"What do you think?"
"Your right. Ok so what do you need?
" I need names. Give me every possible lead you have."
What could he say? It was just too easy. He thought maybe he would take down just one, and then try to find where Obsidian was headed. Blade stuck his katana out into the street and watched a Longbow speedster run straight through it. He actually went a whole seven blocks before the top half slid off. The bottom stopped four blocks after that.
Another flyer? He teleported above the hero, sword pointed down, and impaled the unfortunate fighter. He watched the body fall and wondered how these amateurs could ever enter a supposedly elite group of heroes.
Back to business, he figured. He set off to find his prey, but not before putting an endurance sapper on a teleporters back.
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As the teleporter fell to his death, The Obsidian Arrow was flying to a very bad part of town. Now in Paragon City, there isn't really a good side of town either. It's just that this place was worse than the rest. Why? Because it was the home of the Black Spade, a club where almost every villain hung out. From lowly Hellions to the back rooms where Malta members made deals with the Carnival of Shadows. A hero could easily get killed in there. Good thing Arrow wasn't going in as a hero.
A Skull walked in and sat down at the bar. He didn't seem very comfortable in it and kept tugging on it like it didn't fit right.
The man he had sat down next to was a Joseph Mariche, an Underboss with the Family who had some connections to the Rogue Isles. Rumor was that his cousin's best friend was Emil Marcone. Whether this is true or not, Mariche knew a lot about the going-ons of the villains in the city.
The Skull whispered the password "Statesman wets the bed" into Mariche's ear doing his best not to laugh at how crooks deal with getting beaten all the time by the hero.
Joseph looked at him and yanked off the Death's Head mask showing a face he recognized all too well.
"What the hell are you doing? We don't like you goody-goodies here!"
He gave me the wrong password! Im gonna have to remember to pay Stan back.
"I need information. And if you don't give it to me I'd be happy to tell Nemesis who's been giving Black Scorpion information on his armor improvements."
Joseph gulped and after a few seconds of thinking said, "You play dirty you know that?"
Obsidian chuckled and asked, "Someone framed me for the death of a woman last night, one who I had saved the week before. I want to know who, why, and where can I find him."
"Bu-bu-but that guy would chop me to pieces!"
"Youre a villain, so its not my problem," he said with a shrug. And as he did so he pulled out a grenade-tipped arrow.
"Are you insane? You'll blow the whole joint to pieces!"
Obsidian started to pull on the ring on the grenade and Joseph finally cracked.
"Wait! Wait hold on.... there's no need to go all suicidal. I'll.... I'll tell you what you want to know. This guy is classified as a Stalker. A sneaky guy who specializes in, literally, stabbing you in the back. He has a red sword hard as a rock. Some say it's actually carved from a huge ruby. If that's true, whoever he is, he must be loaded."
"Thanks," Obsidian said. He handed Joseph the rubber grenade and walked out doing his best not to laugh at the stream of courses coming from Joseph's mouth.
The Black Spade. I'm almost impressed, thought The Ruby Blade. He hadn't thought his prey would start off with such a good lead. And his instincts told him who gave the hero his information. He figured if the hero was smart he'd check his supergroup's base for information on the wealthy people in Paragon City and the Rogue Isles. He saw him activate a teleporter on his arm and the assassin decided his guess was correct. He also saw a nervous looking man in a white suit walking out of the club. Blade took out a dagger. He concentrated on the man's chest and threw. He heard the thud and the man's surprised gasp from across the street. Satisfied, Blade went to his own lair so he could see the files Obsidian was checking and plan his next move.
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The Obsidian Arrow found what he was looking for. He ran into the Base Portal at the heels of the Blyde Square statue.
Once inside the Buttkickers of the Fantastic base, he quickly turned on his Cloaking Device. Now this could get more difficult. Good thing I watched Johnny test the security system, Arrow thought. He flew over the infrared sensors and took extreme caution around the turrets.
When he finally came to the bedrooms he got nervous. He stopped to listen, trying to tell if anyone was awake. He heard snoring. Loud snoring. Ok, I know Jack's asleep. He listened harder and heard flames accompanied by thuds. Ok, Burning's doing target practice. Good. He needs it.
Figuring that noise would cover his footsteps, he kept going. At the kitchen he saw Johnny Velocity scarfing down all the food in the fridge. So thats who ate my pizza!
He kept moving and found what he needed, the Super Computer. He activated it and typed in the Supergroup password. When he was in, he had access to all of the files he'd need. Only problem was.... he had no idea where, or how, to begin.
He was about to randomly start pressing buttons when he heard someone say, "Don't move." Obsidian put his hands up and turned around seeing Hyper-Man standing with his arm aimed straight at him. He was a hero completely encased in golden armor, his black visor completely hiding his face. His arm was coursing with energy, ready to launch a blast that would blow a hole through Arrow.
"I don't want to believe that you killed that woman. I don't want to, but I will shoot if you try to make a break for it. And trust me. I don't miss often."
"Ok just calm down, Hyp. Look me in the eyes. I did not kill her."
"Alright. If you say you didn't, then I'll believe you. Now, what exactly are you doing to my computer?" asked Hyper as he lowered his arm.
"I wanna find the guy who did kill her. Problem is... I dont have a clue to what I'm doing."
"Move over"
Hyper-Man typed rapidly on the computer pulling up three programs: one with a list of all the data on the murder case, one with a search program for Paragon City residents, and another for the Rogue Isles.
"Ok what do you know?" Hyper asked.
"Not much, just that he's classified as a Stalker and has a sword made out of a large ruby."
Hyper-Man whistled as he typed in a few things on each search. "Experts thought the wound on the woman looked like a sword wound not an arrow, but the police had already filed the report and requested Longbow teams."
"Figures," said Arrow.
"For the Rogue Isles theres no records on a RICH sword wielder. Plenty in Paragon City. If it was made out of a ruby though...." Hyper typed in a few more searches then hit another button. A sheet of names began to print.
"These are jewelers who have the skill and the materials to make something like a sword from something as expensive as rubies."
"Why can't you look up what they've sold in the last few years? Be nice if we could narrow it down.
"Do you think theyd want heroes to be able to find records of their deals with murderers?" When Hyper didn't get an answer he turned around. "Arrow?"
He was gone.
Atop the head of the statue in Blyde Square, The Ruby Blade watched his enemy leave the Base Portal. He looked like he knew where he needed to go. The assassin was glad to know that the fight would be coming soon. He was ready to kill this most amusing prey. He left, but not before throwing a ticking bomb down to the heroes training with Valkyrie and getting an "important" mission from Positron.
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"Geez. Sixteen different jewelers and I've got NOTHING!"
Obsidian Arrow sat down on the curb, in his civvies, wondering what to do. None of the jewelers had ever made a sword, or sold enough rubies to anyone for them to make their own.
He was about to walk away when a shuriken hit the wall behind him. It had a note stuck to it. He took the note and read the message. It said 'Ready to end your pain?' He flipped the note over and saw an address.
He was ready.
A menacing figure slid back into the alleys shadows. He had traps to set before the fight began. But first, he needed to pick up a special package from the Circle of Thorns.
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"Well, this is the place. Time to teach this guy what happens when you mess with me."
The Obsidian Arrow opened the warehouse door revealing a large open space.
"At least he won't be able to hide."
All around him a deep, echoing voice said, "Wrong."
Obsidian noticed the voice was being amplified from a speaker system set up all over the warehouse. "Show yourself!"
When he didnt get an answer he pulled out his bow, and nocked and fired several arrows, hitting each speaker except one.
Theatrics, he muttered.
He moved forward, another arrow ready. He went several steps before stepping on a pad, setting off the first trap. A spike slammed up and The Obsidian Arrow lept to the side, only scraping his leg.
The voice in the speakers chuckled at that, making Arrow so mad he almost took out the last one.
He got up and, limping, moved on. He needed to find where the assassin was hiding. Then he got an idea.
He grabbed a flash-bang arrow and launched it up into the rafters, then quickly launched a second flaming arrow at his target.
As the arrow went off, a man fell to the ground, slightly dazed. The fire arrow set off the sprinkler system so that he wouldn't be able to speed away without slipping.
"Good, good," said Ruby. "But not good enough!"
He charged sword extended, then stopped moving, allowing himself to slide along the wet floor. Arrow dodged by a hair and kicked Blade in the back, sending him face first, to skip across the floor to the other end of the warehouse.
As the villain rose the hero slid as well, nocking another arrow. Blade looked up, ready to attack again when he saw the arrow aimed straight at his heart. He raised his hands and said, "Now, now, no need for that." Then he waved his right hand, and suddenly, he was gone."
"Show yourself!" Obsidian said.
"As you wish," the assassin said as he plunged his sword deep into the heros chest. "This game is over."
All Arrow could do was fall to the ground. The assassins strike was so sudden, he couldn't even reach his medi-porter. He was going to die...
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Except that something happened no one in that warehouse had counted on.
There was a crash through the window and eight people burst into the warehouse. Hyper-Man, Jack Power, Violet Tigress, Java Juggernaut, Chris Lancelot, Burning Brawler, Johnny Velocity, and Otsob were the rescue team. When they saw their friend on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood there was fire in their eyes. Brawler surged with angry heat, turning the water on the floor to steam.
"It's a good thing I prepared for such unfair odds." Blade pulled out a blood-red gem with a streak of white through the center.
"Ooooh shiny. What are you gonna do? Chuck it at me? I'd be out of the way in a snap," challenged Johnny, a hero in a red and black spandex outfit with goggles.
"Not good, that gems magic! Itll make the user godlike!" said Burning, a hero in a green costume with black flames on his arms, legs, cape and a fireball on his chest, with a hood that covered his face except for his glowing eyes.
"God or not I can take him," said the blue and yellowed-armored Jack Power.
Really? the villain said, and hit Jack with an uppercut, knocking him up out of the window the team had come in through.
"You shouldnt've done that, Chris warned. Just as he said that Jack came leaping through the window and brought both hands down on the villains head.
Blade didn't even flinch.
Brawler gave an I told you so shrug.
Hyper decided they needed to act fast. "Ok everyone, attack at once. Hit him with your best."
They all rushed in Burning, Hyper, and the armored Java using their most powerful moves, and Jack, Chris, and Otsob taking a stomp-clap combo while Violet created illusory heroes and Johnny rushed in, clawing with vicious speed.
He took it all with hardly a scratch. He lifted his foot and stomped it on the ground, making a crater in the floor and sending everyone flying. Some recovered by hovering and others, like Violet, landed with cat-like reflexes.
They all stood in his way but he had a specific target. The girl would be first. He knocked everyone else aside, then shoved the purple-furred Violet down onto the floor.
He bent down with an evil look in his eye. She shuddered from his gaze but before he could do anything to her a super-charged fist broke his nose
There stood Java his eyes crackling with hate.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!!!!! He screamed in rage and hammered Ruby with his fists that crackled with purple and blue lightning. He smashed his fists into the villains face and, to everyones surprise, Blade was bleeding.
The only one who wasn't moving to aid Javas rage-filled assault was Otsob. He ran over to Obsidian Arrow and hurriedly gave him a reviving pill.
Arrow coughed blood for a minute but nodded his thanks. When he stopped he noticed Java and said, "Whoa. What's up with him?"
He didn't get an answer. Otsob rushed in to help Java before Blade recovered. They all rushed in. Fire raged, fists smashed, energy and electricity crackled.
Arrow got up and pulled up his bow. He had a special arrow just for this. He had it enchanted by Burning weeks ago when he had to investigate a section of Orenbega. He pulled the arrow as far back as he could, then let it fly.
It whizzed through the air with blue sparks flying and struck the villain on the side. But it didnt stop. It went completely through and the villain howled in pain and rage.
He whirled around, fists out, to knock everyone away.
No one fell.
Wha-what have you done?
Just made this game a little more interesting.
Ruby growled and waved his hand in a wide arc. Only Burning realized he was casting a spell, but before he could warn the others, it took affect.
This was not an offensive spell though; it showed the person what they wanted the most. It was meant to distract the enemy in tough situations.
Hyper-Man was walking along the street, and he wasnt trapped inside his suit, no devices needed to keep the energies that forced him to be contained in his armor. No one was staring or cowering, no villains jumping him just because he was a hero.
Jack was watching the news at the base; they just announced that the Tsoo had finally disbanded
.
Violet was playing with the worlds largest ball of yarn.
Java had in front of him, a cup of the best coffee in the world, one that appealed to every positive taste bud on the human tongue, and even Kheldian, tongue.
Jack wasnt the only one watching the news back at the base. Chris was there to and just barely heard the next news report over Jacks cheering. The newscaster announced that there had been a large crime bust breaking down the biggest of the bad. The major players in the Rogue Isles, Paragon City, and all the dictators who sought war for profit, had gathered together to make foolproof plans for world domination (and think to themselves how to stab each other in the back.) But an elite Strike Team of heroes assaulted the meeting and took everyone prisoner, or was killed. The money in all of the meetings members bank accounts was used to help the poor, ending world hunger.
Burning Brawler was in a gigantic library, filled with books of power and lore.
Johnny Velocity had a pizza, but not just any pizza. It was so big it took him five seconds to super-speed across.
Otsob was standing in a Council base that was in flames. The leaders of the Council at his feet, blood pooling around them, his father avenged.
What Obsidian Arrow saw wasnt an illusion though, what he saw was real. He grabbed the sharpest arrow in his quiver, and pulled it further back than he has ever been able to before. He saw his target, The Ruby Blade, who was laughing at Johnnys eating Burnings cape, Jack cheering at an invisible TV, Javas drooling, and Violet rolling Hyper around.
Blade went to look at Arrow to figure out his fantasy, but it suddenly became very clear. It became very clear when he had an arrow through his head. Then nothing was clear, and finally it all went black
Three weeks later, Hypers scratch wounds had cleared up and Jack came out of denial that the Tsoo were still around. Violet gave up on re-making that yarn ball, but Java still searched for the coffees recipe. Chris continued his attempts to round up the higher level gang members, but it always ended in their escape. Burning had his cape repaired, but wouldnt tell the Tailor how it got shredded in the first place, and Otsob searched harder than he normally did for much longer than three weeks for the Council leaders, wanting to fulfill his illusion. He came close, but instead of their deaths they were sent to the Ziggurat only to be broken out a month after that.
The Obsidian Arrow was free to roam the streets without being chased, two weeks after the fight. When the police searched the warehouse the body was gone but the sword was left behind. After the investigation was closed, the Kickers took it as a trophy and hung it in the vault.
The sword mysteriously disappeared a week later
The End?
