Well following on from my first story some months ago
Clicky i thought it time to write the next part, delaing with how Pyrotorch came to be a hero in paragon city. I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to creative writing so any constutive feebaack is welcome. Hope you enjoy it.
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"Ahh another beautiful day in this fair city" thought Prince Kiros Nandelu as he stepped from the monorail car and began the short walk across Galaxy city to Freedom Corps headquarters.
"One can only hope that the day will remain as lovely", mused the Prince as he considered his role as One of Paragon cities new here liaison officers, he had always considered himself honoured to give assistance to the heroes setting out on their journey to bring peace to the city, but his heart was saddened by those that succeed and so often fell by the wayside.
Lost in his thought s the prince did not see the ragged figure staggering at some speed down the road in his direction. The figure clad form head to toe in ragged garments ran as best as he could, almost as if the very hounds of hell were chasing at his ankles.
"Got to get away, got to find help." The stranger repeated to himself almost as a mantra of desperation. Suddenly two dim flashes of light appeared behind the figure and for a brief moment two barely identifiably figures could be seen almost as soon as they appeared they appeared they were gone again and all that remained was two small projectiles arcing through the air towards the stranger.
The Prince was suddenly brought forth from his thoughts as a figure fell heavily against him. Reacting on instinct the prince reached out to catch the figure. "Please you have to help me, I cant get away from them" mumbled the stranger as he slowly lapsed into unconsciousness.
Looking down on the stranger the Prince could see the flow of blood through his clothing turning the already dark and grimy rags a deep crimson colour and although he could not make out any features within the shadows of the strangers hood he could swear that the figures eye burned with an unnatural light.
Acting quickly the prince removed one of the Medi transport wristlets given to new heroes from his brief case and quickly attaching it to the strangers wrist he activated it whisking the stranger away to the hospital. As he began to brush himself down and consider the strange turn of events the prince felt a strange breeze pass him and a voice saying almost in a whisper "MH tango loose, eagles returning to the nest" and then nothing. Feeling distinctly unsettled by this turn of events the Prince quickly set of for his office.
Try as he might Prince Kiros Nandelu could not settle into his work, his thoughts continually turning to the strange events of the morning. As the prince was again struggling to make sense of the events of the morning his train of thought was derailed by the ringing of his phone.
"Err hello is that Prince Kiros Nandelu? This is Dr Harvey Williams over at Galaxy city hospital"
"Ahh hello there doctor, what can I do for you"
"We had a patient arrive with us a little earlier today, an unregistered individual who arrived by the medical transporter system and I was wondering if you may be able to spare some time to come down to the hospital and take a look? The system records show the transport bracelet ID as one held by your office"
"Good heavens that must be the man from this morning! I'll be with you as soon as I can doctor"
"Good, good I shall look forward to it then I'll inform recep.." At that moment a roaring sound almost like a huge bonfire could be heard in the background "Damn not again, I'm Sorry Prince I really must go, I'll speak to you soon"
The prince hurriedly returned the phone to its cradle and sped out of the door towards the Hospital a thousand questions running through his mind.
As the final jet of the extinguisher died away Dr Williams looked across the room at his patient, Although life in a Paragon city medical city was without doubt a varied life with no end of aliens, mutants, cyborgs and heaven knows what else passing through the hospital on a regular basis, the individual on the bed was certainly different to almost all the patients he could recall treating.
"Nurse, I think it best if we dispense with further bed covers for now thank you, I doubt the hospitals budget can stand the further strain, " said Dr Williams as a young nurse careful removed the smouldering remains from the patient's bed.
The Doctor looked on at his patient, trying to fathom some explanation for the fellows appearance and the searing flames that sporadically burst forth from his body scorching his surrounds but curiously leaving his clothes intact. The doctors paper burbled into life dragging him from his thoughts, "I see the Prince has arrived, excellent" thought the Doctor as he left the room and marched down to his office.
"Thank you for coming so quickly Prince Nandelu"
"Please, it is my pleasure and do call me Kiros"
"Certainly Kiros, well as I said to you on the phone the patient arrived here thanks to one of your office's transport bracelets and I wondered what light you may be able to shed on this for me, I must say that this is one of the most unique individuals I have yet to encounter"
The prince recounted the events of that morning as the doctor listened in rapt fascination.
"I see" said the doctor "well that appears to raise more questions than it answers it really does, let me show you information we have been able to gather so far, here take a look at the file"
Patient file: John Doe Unknown male individual.
Preliminary examination: Patient is male aged approximately mid to late twenties (although this is largely speculation see later in the report) height 5' 11". The patients skin is a deep red tone across the majority of the body, however the patients face and portions of the upper body consist of a fractured almost chitinous material punctuated with what appear to be veins of a viscous bright yellow material
Patient condition: Subject admitted with multiple puncture wounds to the back and severe bruising to the majority of the torso and lower body. Further examination reveals that whilst the puncture wounds are recent injuries the remainder of the injuries vary in age form a few days to several months. The attached x-rays also show that some 60% of the skeleton shows signs of broken bones in varying stages of repair. On admission the patient was 'wearing' metal gauntlets, further examination show these to in fact be prosthetic hands grafted to the patients arms with a level of surgical skill unknown of to current medical science.
Toxicology results: Patients blood shows non-haemoglobin based structure (possible non earth origin, further analysis is not possible at this time as the apparent temperature of the blood was sufficient to severely damage the lab equipment, however we were able to isolate a number of substances in the blood stream, most notably.
Large quantities of Curare a deadly poison, this chemical is present in sufficient quantities to kill an African elephant 3 times over, however it appears to be almost entirely ineffective on the patients system.
Non-organic micro particles, not possible at present time to discern the composition of these particles or indeed why they were present in the individuals system, samples have been sent to D.A.T.A. for further study
Blood sample dispatched to D.A.T.A for cross-referencing with non-human blood database
Personal notes admitting Doctor Harvey Williams:
In addition to the notes made above the patients body appears to be maintaining a temperature far above that of a normal human, indeed several nurses were scalded when first trying to treat the patient. Curiously the patient appears to be capable of repeated spontaneous combustion, which although it appears of no detriment to himself is causing considerable distress to the hospital fixtures.
"Quite a baffling report doctor, however I'm not sure of what use I can be to you as you know my work is limited to dealing with mutations"
"Indeed, Kiros I'm well aware of this, perhaps this report from D.A.T.A will shed some light on why I sought your assistance"
Sample delta x-ray 17 unknown particulates and presumed non-terran blood sample.
Cross referencing of the patients blood with our data banks revealed no direct correlation, however sample shows many startling similarities with blood samples taken form refuges from dimension omicron delta 7 the resident s of this dimension [details removed security level insufficient] the differences in the blood sample are postulated to be as a result of a mutant gene, however this situation appear exacerbated by the presence of the particulates.
Non organic particulates, under electron microscope inspection, the particles were revealed as nanites of an extremely sophisticated and unknown design, whilst their exact function cannot be determined it is apparent that they are enacting with the patients DNA and appear to be steadily altering the genome, the intended outcome of this restructuring is not possible to comprehend at this time.
In conclusion it appears that this individual is a non-terran mutant, whose condition is being altered by an as yet unknown source, preliminary findings indicate genome restructuring is not likely to pose a threat to the patients life, however continued monitoring of the situation is recommended.
"I see" mouthed Prince Kiros as he struggled to comprehend the information presented to him, "Well you are quite correct this does appear to place the patient in my field, what can I do to help doctor?"
"For now nothing Kiros, whilst the patients injuries are severe by human standards it appears his body is recovering quite well, however I hope you might be able to talk to the patient when he regains consciousness and perhaps we can remove some of the mystery or at the very least help this young man find his place in the world."
Over the weeks that followed, Prince Kiros spent much of his time at the young mans bedside, He learnt that the man knew his name to be Joseph but that he could recall little of his past, vague memories of pain and heat were all that apparently remained of his youth. OF his more recent history Joseph seemed able to recall almost nothing, although form the look in his eyes the prince felt almost certain that Joseph was hiding something.
Gradually as Joseph regained his health it became clear that he was capable of some control over his bodies combustion and working with the prince Joseph learned to slowly control the fires and even project them from his body as a stream of flame.
On one morning in early September Joseph and Prince Kiros were strolling through Galaxy city. "I want you to come with me Joseph, I've something to show you that may help you find some answers and maybe do some good in this world, please come with me"
Prince Kiros led Joseph into the freedom corps building and into his office.
"As you know we have talked many times of Paragon city and the heroes who fight for justice within it, Joseph with you abilities I am sure you could join there ranks and bring light into the dark places, what do you think?"
"I don't know" Stammered Joseph. "I feel some urge to do good things almost as if I have some great evil in my past to put right, but look at me Kiros" Joseph removed the hood he habitually wore" I am an abomination, how can I go out there, people will fear me"
"Joseph, there is no need to fear, you will find that the people of this city are open to anyone person regardless of physical features, here take these"
Prince Kiros passed the young man a black shirt emblazoned with a blue and red comet symbol, I also thought you might find these handy, they are experimental grenades, non fatal I assure you but they should severely hamper any opponents movement. So what do you say?"
"I'll try Kiros, though I fear the reaction I will receive, if you have faith then that is enough for me"
"Excellent I knew you would agree, I've taken the liberty of completing your hero registration details, here is you license and the first task I would like you to carry out"
"Pyrotorch? What a strange choice for a name, although I can see it may be quite fitting, Thank you Kiros I hope I can repay the faith in me you have shown."
Pausing to change into his new shirt and replace the hood over his face Joseph read the briefing Kiros had given him. "A missing sewer worker? Well let's see what we shall see."
With that thought on his mind Joseph ran out into the city reborn as the hero Pyrotorch and ready to bring light to the dark places.
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