I've made hints and allusions to Destiny Knight's origin in some of my other posts here. I figured it was a good idea to just write a story to enlighten the masses, so to speak. So I hope you all enjoy it. Also, I find that the only way I'll get better is through feedback. I look forward to your comments.
July 31, 3987
The pad on the ground chirped to signal a solid hit as the hologram faded. Ian Harris smiled to himself as he wheeled the sword back up from his over head chop to sweep his sword through a collection of holograms to his left. The sensor pads all chirped in sequence as the holograms faded, signaling that they were defeated. He moved from "enemy" to holographic "enemy", linking his attacks as well as he could. He knew that the effort it took to wield the sword of a knight would be lessened if he slid his powerarmor on, but he found it better exercise to practice with out it.
He spun around as he reached the end of the line and looked frantically for the enemies to reform, but nothing happened. He furrowed his brow, wondering why his workout was cut short. He faced the control stand and saw the smiling face of his teacher and mentor, Sir Tanheuser. "I knew that I'd find you here. Every day, without fail, my pupil Ian is on the Training Yard, facing down the most horrible of simulated foes." With that he places his hands on Ian's shoulders. "This is why I know you'll make me proud one day."
Ian bowed his head. "I only hope I can live up to your confidence, m'lord."
Sir Tanheuser smiled. "I have no doubt. But I must ask you, don't you have something else to do right about now?" Ian's eyes flew open and he fumbled with the Timekeeper on his wrist. "By the Heroes, what time is it?" he shouted at it, almost demanding it to tell him. A cool mechanical voice reported back to him: "The current time in New Paragon City is 11:49 on July 31, 3987."
Ian looked up at his master, worry etched on every line of his face. "I'm going to miss my own ceremony!" he cried as he turned to run from the Yard. He slid the sword back onto the sheath on his back. Even though it was made of a moly-carbon honeycomb held together by polymers, it still hung low from its weight. He frantically tried to gather his things up. "I'm going to be so late, even if I run there."
Sir Tanheuser's smile never faded as his student rushed frantically to get himself together. "Not to worry, Ian. I knew this might happen. I have arranged for a transport outside. You can rest easy knowing that we'll be there in plenty of time." Ian turned to face his master, noticably relieved, "Why didn't you say so?"
The transport he had gotten was one of the flatbed trucks that Ian had become used to seeing around town as New Paragon City was being rebuilt out of the ashes of Old Paragon City. He threw his armor and the rest of his things into the back of the truck and hopped up as Sir Tannheuser rode in front with his driver: a man wearing the blue and white jumpsuit of the PCTA. As Ian sat in the back of the truck, he slid on the armor a piece at a time. As he did, his mind drifted back to what led up to this ceremony.
It was about 5 years ago that a supergroup, known only as "The Nine", stood before the Old Paragon City Council and told them of the visions that Lady Destiny had been having. In the past, her visions had led to some impressive arrests and helped the city avert some disasters before they happened. This time her vision was more severe. She had seen the city reduced to rubble; the entire population destroyed. She even saw the sky filled with Rikti craft. She didn't know when the attack was coming but it was going to wipe Paragon City off the map.
The council was not moved, however. The mayor and the rest of the council were confident that the Rikti could be repelled like they were before. After all, the City of Heroes had boasted a population of nearly 2.5 Million heroes now. Maybe the stories of the First Rikti War had been exaggerated over the millenia since it had happened. Maybe the Mayor had underestimated Lady Destiny's visions. Whatever the reason for it, the council voted down the evacuation proposal that The Nine had brought before it.
Luckily, Lady Destiny's story got out to the population and some officials in the Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works agreed to offer their support, regardless of City Hall's ruling. By the end of that year, The Nine was ready to evacuate about 15% of the population with the help of those departments and some reserve members of the Freedom Phalanx.
No one had ever thought of the sewers as a refuge, but for nearly 18 months, "The Refugees" as they came to be known later, lived in what was once the most dangerous part of the city. It would not have been possible without The Nine and their coordiantion with the heroes to clear out an area for the evacuees. The Nine was confident they were prepared: there was enough edible food from food stores; there were vehicles and building materials; they even found a way to keep a small optical disk collection that had Paragon City's history to that point.
Their subterranean life was interrupted only once. The Mayor came down to try and get The Nine and the other heroes they had attracted to commit to the city's defense. It was painfully obvious by then that Lady Destiny was right. It was too late to evacuate the city; the heroes would have to fight. Lady Destiny was saddened to see the city come to this, but she knew that these heroes would be needed in the aftermath to protect the citizens of New Paragon City.
The Rikti came in great numbers; their ships rained down fire on the city for nearly a week. The heroes fought bravely, but it was no use; the Rikti were too many. One could almost say that they wanted to avenge their loss so many years ago. When they were content that they had destroyed the city that had stymied them years ago, they left. They didn't move on to another city; they didn't attempt to populate the ruins. They just left. No one knows why, but their mark had been left, nevertheless.
Ian latched his gauntlet closed as he remembers living through those days. He remembered helping bury some heroes and citizens in the Tomb of Old Paragon City. That image melted away as he looked up and saw the statues of Atlas and Statesman come into view. Their rebuilding was progressing nicely. The scaffolding was dotted with workers and heroes doing what they could to speed the process. The transport screeched to a stop and Ian jumped down off the back.
Sir Tanheuser walked around and checked Ian's armor. He nodded and smiled at Ian, pleased to have such a good student. It was an even greater honor to have his student recieve his knighthood today. He patted him on the shoulder and turned to lead Ian into New City Hall. A crowd had gathered inside to watch the ceremony. Most of the superheroes were here, either out of curiousity, their love of The Nine, or general comraderie for these men and women that were being honored today.
The candidates were already lined up at the front of the room with their sponsoring Lords behind them. Ian looked up and down the line. He saw Sir Phillips of Skyway, Sir Mackenzie of Brickstown, Dame Wright of Galaxy City, Sir Yonkers of Kings Row, and some others that he didn't know. He fell in as the Atlas Park candidate and waited for The Nine to present themselves. He didn't have to wait long.
A great cheer came up from the crowd as The Nine entered the room. They walked to the dias in the rear of the room where light shone through a "natural skylight" in the dome of New City Hall. Ian didn't hear much of the ceremony. His eyes remained locked on Lady Destiny. She was the Lord.... well, Lady that had taken command of his old zone. She was the reason he joined the Knight Corps training program as soon as he could. He snapped out of his reverie when her heard his name: "Ian Harris of Atlas Park."
He walked up the dias and knelt before the Lords of Paragon. The Nine insisted they be called by their old Supergroup name, but a lot of the citizens were starting to refer to them by this new moniker. He didn't care what they were called. He was about to become a member of their most trusted lieutenants. Lady Destiny walked up to him. Ian's heart raced as this enchanting heroine stopped before him. She reached over his head and drew his sword from the sheath on his back. He looked up at her, but he didn't hear her words. He was too busy swearing to himself that he would do whatever he could to protect his Lady. He heard cheering and realized that he had been knighted. Lady Destiny stood before him, cradling his sword in her hands. He took it from her and slid it back in his sheath. He took the helmet that showed his postion and slid it down over his head. The HUD started up immediately and configured itself for his face and eye spacing. He was a real knight now.
He spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the celebration for him and his fellow knights. He had never shaken so many hands before in his life. As the revelry dwindled, he saw that Sir Tanheuser wanted to speak to him privately. "Meet me at the ruin of Portal Corp tomorrow, early," he said, sounding rather cryptic. He then turned and was lost back into the party.
Ian rose the next day and headed for Peregrine Island and the ruin of Portal Corp. He laughed out loud as he experienced anti-gravity for the first time. He soared over the city, finally getting a real idea of the size of New Paragon City. When he finally landed on Peregrine Island, he had been flying for nearly 20 minutes. He saw Sir Tanheuser standing by the Rings of Portal. The two shook hands and Sir Tanheuser led Ian to a platform amidst the wreckage of the buildings that housed some of the most progressive research in history. The platform began to sink into the floor and eventually came to rest somewhere in the lower levels of the old Portal Corp building. Sir Tanheuser finally broke the silence. "Now, I want you to know that I have the utmost faith in you and I know that you'll follow any order I give."
"Yes, of course, m'lord." Ian was getting worried what this all meant. Was there something that Sir Tanheuser wanted to tell him?
"I must ask you to never reveal what you are about to see." With that, the older knight flung open a heavy sliding door. Ian was nearly blinded as he stared into the light of an active portal! The fusing disks still wirled around it and room crackled with the energy it was kicking off.
Ian shouted over the noise of the portal. "How is it still active?!"
"Portal Corp had a fusion reactor buried somewhere beneath it. It can run for another 2000 years!" he responded as they drew closer. Sir Tanheuser turned around and waved his arms wildly, shouting, "OKAY! SHUT IT DOWN!!"
Ian turned around and saw Lady Destiny and Auqous, Lord of Talos Island walk out of a control room along with 3 men in white lab coats. Behind him the portal's power ebbed and eventually it shut down. Sir Tanheuser turned to Ian and spoke as their illustrious guests came down to join them. "Ian, this portal is special. We're not sure how it's able to, but this portal has been able to make a bridge to the past, not just other dimensions like those invented in the 21st century. What we're about to suggest may be a lot to ask of you, but I have faith that you'll agree to help us."
Ian watched his Lady approach and he felt an mix of apprehension and excitement. If she was involved, could it be so bad? He heard her speak finally as she drew close. "Ian, I know you have just become a Knight, but I must ask you to do something great for us. We need you to go through this portal to help get more people evacuated before the Rikti come back to finish this city. I'm not sure how you can, but you must find a way. You must decide quickly, the device will loose synchronization soon."
Ian thought about what she had just asked. He could save so many, or he could cause such a panic that the city may descend into rioting and lawlessness. This seemed like too big a job for him. She was right, he had been a Knight for less than 24 hours and this was a rather big task for one man.
Ian looked from one person to the next and nodded slowly. "I'll do it. So long as I can come back when I feel that I've done all I can."
Lady Destiny smiled. "We've thought of that. Doctor?" One of the men in lab coats walked forward with an odd bracelet device. He clamped it down on Ian's left wrist.
"That is a temporal anchor. No matter what you do in the past, you will be snapped back to this timeline when you're done. When you activate the band, you'll see that light turn red. You then have 20 minutes to get away from any living thing within 75 meters of you. I would suggest flying away with your anti-grav belt." With that, the doctor fell back in with his colleagues.
Sir Tanheuser stepped up behind him. "I'll get you into position." The old father figure led him out onto the platform and positioned Ian as close to center of the device as he could. "Ian, trust in yourself and your training. Uphold the tenets that you've embraced these last 5 years: chivalry, loyalty, nobility. Those ideals will guide you above all else." The two good friends embraced and Sir Tanheuser joined the others in the control room.
Ian shot them a thumbs-up when asked if he was ready. The machine slowly whirred to life and energy began coelescing around him. He felt himself being lifted up slightly as the portal began to form. Suddenly, an arc of lightning shot from the portal and blew a panel off the wall. He saw sparks and smoke from inside the control booth and the scientists running for the extinguishers. Ian was about to go an run for help when he felt himself getting lifted up and away from the scene. He wanted to shout, but he soon became enveloped in a scintillating field. He couldn't move at all. He wanted to see if Lady Destiny was alright. Before he knew it he saw a large block of asphault speeding at him. He tried to brace himself, but it was too late, he slammed into it hard. He picked himself up and looked around. The field was gone. In fact, so was the lab. He was standing in an alleyway behind some multi level apartment buidlings. His HUD was going frantic, trying to report all the errors and faults in his armor. He slowed the list and his heart sank as he saw the nearly every system in his powersuit was offline, including his anti-grav system. How was he supposed to accomplish anything if his suit didn't work. He had a moment of realization looked at his temporla anchor. It was still intact which was Ian's first good news so far. As he examined it, he was suprised to find it had a readout. Curious what it was for, he turned it on. His whole body nearly shut down when he saw the date: "August 12, 2004". How could he have been sent for far back in time? What good could he do now? He looked at the bracelet and thought about activating it.
But he paused. He remembered what happened just before he left. What if they couldn't send him back again? This was their one shot. He resolved to do whatever he could in the situation he was in. A scream reached his ears and he rounded the building to see a woman struggling to keep her purse from two gentlemen wearing red bandanas over their mouths. Without thinking, he ran down the alley, drawing his sword. "Unhand that purse, knave!!!" he roared as he lept into action.
----------------------------
I hope it wasn't too long for some of you. I didn't mean for it to be this long when I started, but I couldn't stop when I started. As I said at the beginning, I look forward to your comments.
Posted
Good story. Very well written. Good characterization.
As for being too long, nah, if you want too long check out the backstory I've been writing for The Core Being. ;-) Anyway good job and happy hunting. Don't forget to Kill Skuls.
I've made hints and allusions to Destiny Knight's origin in some of my other posts here. I figured it was a good idea to just write a story to enlighten the masses, so to speak. So I hope you all enjoy it. Also, I find that the only way I'll get better is through feedback. I look forward to your comments.
July 31, 3987
The pad on the ground chirped to signal a solid hit as the hologram faded. Ian Harris smiled to himself as he wheeled the sword back up from his over head chop to sweep his sword through a collection of holograms to his left. The sensor pads all chirped in sequence as the holograms faded, signaling that they were defeated. He moved from "enemy" to holographic "enemy", linking his attacks as well as he could. He knew that the effort it took to wield the sword of a knight would be lessened if he slid his powerarmor on, but he found it better exercise to practice with out it.
He spun around as he reached the end of the line and looked frantically for the enemies to reform, but nothing happened. He furrowed his brow, wondering why his workout was cut short. He faced the control stand and saw the smiling face of his teacher and mentor, Sir Tanheuser. "I knew that I'd find you here. Every day, without fail, my pupil Ian is on the Training Yard, facing down the most horrible of simulated foes." With that he places his hands on Ian's shoulders. "This is why I know you'll make me proud one day."
Ian bowed his head. "I only hope I can live up to your confidence, m'lord."
Sir Tanheuser smiled. "I have no doubt. But I must ask you, don't you have something else to do right about now?" Ian's eyes flew open and he fumbled with the Timekeeper on his wrist. "By the Heroes, what time is it?" he shouted at it, almost demanding it to tell him. A cool mechanical voice reported back to him: "The current time in New Paragon City is 11:49 on July 31, 3987."
Ian looked up at his master, worry etched on every line of his face. "I'm going to miss my own ceremony!" he cried as he turned to run from the Yard. He slid the sword back onto the sheath on his back. Even though it was made of a moly-carbon honeycomb held together by polymers, it still hung low from its weight. He frantically tried to gather his things up. "I'm going to be so late, even if I run there."
Sir Tanheuser's smile never faded as his student rushed frantically to get himself together. "Not to worry, Ian. I knew this might happen. I have arranged for a transport outside. You can rest easy knowing that we'll be there in plenty of time." Ian turned to face his master, noticably relieved, "Why didn't you say so?"
The transport he had gotten was one of the flatbed trucks that Ian had become used to seeing around town as New Paragon City was being rebuilt out of the ashes of Old Paragon City. He threw his armor and the rest of his things into the back of the truck and hopped up as Sir Tannheuser rode in front with his driver: a man wearing the blue and white jumpsuit of the PCTA. As Ian sat in the back of the truck, he slid on the armor a piece at a time. As he did, his mind drifted back to what led up to this ceremony.
It was about 5 years ago that a supergroup, known only as "The Nine", stood before the Old Paragon City Council and told them of the visions that Lady Destiny had been having. In the past, her visions had led to some impressive arrests and helped the city avert some disasters before they happened. This time her vision was more severe. She had seen the city reduced to rubble; the entire population destroyed. She even saw the sky filled with Rikti craft. She didn't know when the attack was coming but it was going to wipe Paragon City off the map.
The council was not moved, however. The mayor and the rest of the council were confident that the Rikti could be repelled like they were before. After all, the City of Heroes had boasted a population of nearly 2.5 Million heroes now. Maybe the stories of the First Rikti War had been exaggerated over the millenia since it had happened. Maybe the Mayor had underestimated Lady Destiny's visions. Whatever the reason for it, the council voted down the evacuation proposal that The Nine had brought before it.
Luckily, Lady Destiny's story got out to the population and some officials in the Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works agreed to offer their support, regardless of City Hall's ruling. By the end of that year, The Nine was ready to evacuate about 15% of the population with the help of those departments and some reserve members of the Freedom Phalanx.
No one had ever thought of the sewers as a refuge, but for nearly 18 months, "The Refugees" as they came to be known later, lived in what was once the most dangerous part of the city. It would not have been possible without The Nine and their coordiantion with the heroes to clear out an area for the evacuees. The Nine was confident they were prepared: there was enough edible food from food stores; there were vehicles and building materials; they even found a way to keep a small optical disk collection that had Paragon City's history to that point.
Their subterranean life was interrupted only once. The Mayor came down to try and get The Nine and the other heroes they had attracted to commit to the city's defense. It was painfully obvious by then that Lady Destiny was right. It was too late to evacuate the city; the heroes would have to fight. Lady Destiny was saddened to see the city come to this, but she knew that these heroes would be needed in the aftermath to protect the citizens of New Paragon City.
The Rikti came in great numbers; their ships rained down fire on the city for nearly a week. The heroes fought bravely, but it was no use; the Rikti were too many. One could almost say that they wanted to avenge their loss so many years ago. When they were content that they had destroyed the city that had stymied them years ago, they left. They didn't move on to another city; they didn't attempt to populate the ruins. They just left. No one knows why, but their mark had been left, nevertheless.
Ian latched his gauntlet closed as he remembers living through those days. He remembered helping bury some heroes and citizens in the Tomb of Old Paragon City. That image melted away as he looked up and saw the statues of Atlas and Statesman come into view. Their rebuilding was progressing nicely. The scaffolding was dotted with workers and heroes doing what they could to speed the process. The transport screeched to a stop and Ian jumped down off the back.
Sir Tanheuser walked around and checked Ian's armor. He nodded and smiled at Ian, pleased to have such a good student. It was an even greater honor to have his student recieve his knighthood today. He patted him on the shoulder and turned to lead Ian into New City Hall. A crowd had gathered inside to watch the ceremony. Most of the superheroes were here, either out of curiousity, their love of The Nine, or general comraderie for these men and women that were being honored today.
The candidates were already lined up at the front of the room with their sponsoring Lords behind them. Ian looked up and down the line. He saw Sir Phillips of Skyway, Sir Mackenzie of Brickstown, Dame Wright of Galaxy City, Sir Yonkers of Kings Row, and some others that he didn't know. He fell in as the Atlas Park candidate and waited for The Nine to present themselves. He didn't have to wait long.
A great cheer came up from the crowd as The Nine entered the room. They walked to the dias in the rear of the room where light shone through a "natural skylight" in the dome of New City Hall. Ian didn't hear much of the ceremony. His eyes remained locked on Lady Destiny. She was the Lord.... well, Lady that had taken command of his old zone. She was the reason he joined the Knight Corps training program as soon as he could. He snapped out of his reverie when her heard his name: "Ian Harris of Atlas Park."
He walked up the dias and knelt before the Lords of Paragon. The Nine insisted they be called by their old Supergroup name, but a lot of the citizens were starting to refer to them by this new moniker. He didn't care what they were called. He was about to become a member of their most trusted lieutenants. Lady Destiny walked up to him. Ian's heart raced as this enchanting heroine stopped before him. She reached over his head and drew his sword from the sheath on his back. He looked up at her, but he didn't hear her words. He was too busy swearing to himself that he would do whatever he could to protect his Lady. He heard cheering and realized that he had been knighted. Lady Destiny stood before him, cradling his sword in her hands. He took it from her and slid it back in his sheath. He took the helmet that showed his postion and slid it down over his head. The HUD started up immediately and configured itself for his face and eye spacing. He was a real knight now.
He spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the celebration for him and his fellow knights. He had never shaken so many hands before in his life. As the revelry dwindled, he saw that Sir Tanheuser wanted to speak to him privately. "Meet me at the ruin of Portal Corp tomorrow, early," he said, sounding rather cryptic. He then turned and was lost back into the party.
Ian rose the next day and headed for Peregrine Island and the ruin of Portal Corp. He laughed out loud as he experienced anti-gravity for the first time. He soared over the city, finally getting a real idea of the size of New Paragon City. When he finally landed on Peregrine Island, he had been flying for nearly 20 minutes. He saw Sir Tanheuser standing by the Rings of Portal. The two shook hands and Sir Tanheuser led Ian to a platform amidst the wreckage of the buildings that housed some of the most progressive research in history. The platform began to sink into the floor and eventually came to rest somewhere in the lower levels of the old Portal Corp building. Sir Tanheuser finally broke the silence. "Now, I want you to know that I have the utmost faith in you and I know that you'll follow any order I give."
"Yes, of course, m'lord." Ian was getting worried what this all meant. Was there something that Sir Tanheuser wanted to tell him?
"I must ask you to never reveal what you are about to see." With that, the older knight flung open a heavy sliding door. Ian was nearly blinded as he stared into the light of an active portal! The fusing disks still wirled around it and room crackled with the energy it was kicking off.
Ian shouted over the noise of the portal. "How is it still active?!"
"Portal Corp had a fusion reactor buried somewhere beneath it. It can run for another 2000 years!" he responded as they drew closer. Sir Tanheuser turned around and waved his arms wildly, shouting, "OKAY! SHUT IT DOWN!!"
Ian turned around and saw Lady Destiny and Auqous, Lord of Talos Island walk out of a control room along with 3 men in white lab coats. Behind him the portal's power ebbed and eventually it shut down. Sir Tanheuser turned to Ian and spoke as their illustrious guests came down to join them. "Ian, this portal is special. We're not sure how it's able to, but this portal has been able to make a bridge to the past, not just other dimensions like those invented in the 21st century. What we're about to suggest may be a lot to ask of you, but I have faith that you'll agree to help us."
Ian watched his Lady approach and he felt an mix of apprehension and excitement. If she was involved, could it be so bad? He heard her speak finally as she drew close. "Ian, I know you have just become a Knight, but I must ask you to do something great for us. We need you to go through this portal to help get more people evacuated before the Rikti come back to finish this city. I'm not sure how you can, but you must find a way. You must decide quickly, the device will loose synchronization soon."
Ian thought about what she had just asked. He could save so many, or he could cause such a panic that the city may descend into rioting and lawlessness. This seemed like too big a job for him. She was right, he had been a Knight for less than 24 hours and this was a rather big task for one man.
Ian looked from one person to the next and nodded slowly. "I'll do it. So long as I can come back when I feel that I've done all I can."
Lady Destiny smiled. "We've thought of that. Doctor?" One of the men in lab coats walked forward with an odd bracelet device. He clamped it down on Ian's left wrist.
"That is a temporal anchor. No matter what you do in the past, you will be snapped back to this timeline when you're done. When you activate the band, you'll see that light turn red. You then have 20 minutes to get away from any living thing within 75 meters of you. I would suggest flying away with your anti-grav belt." With that, the doctor fell back in with his colleagues.
Sir Tanheuser stepped up behind him. "I'll get you into position." The old father figure led him out onto the platform and positioned Ian as close to center of the device as he could. "Ian, trust in yourself and your training. Uphold the tenets that you've embraced these last 5 years: chivalry, loyalty, nobility. Those ideals will guide you above all else." The two good friends embraced and Sir Tanheuser joined the others in the control room.
Ian shot them a thumbs-up when asked if he was ready. The machine slowly whirred to life and energy began coelescing around him. He felt himself being lifted up slightly as the portal began to form. Suddenly, an arc of lightning shot from the portal and blew a panel off the wall. He saw sparks and smoke from inside the control booth and the scientists running for the extinguishers. Ian was about to go an run for help when he felt himself getting lifted up and away from the scene. He wanted to shout, but he soon became enveloped in a scintillating field. He couldn't move at all. He wanted to see if Lady Destiny was alright. Before he knew it he saw a large block of asphault speeding at him. He tried to brace himself, but it was too late, he slammed into it hard. He picked himself up and looked around. The field was gone. In fact, so was the lab. He was standing in an alleyway behind some multi level apartment buidlings. His HUD was going frantic, trying to report all the errors and faults in his armor. He slowed the list and his heart sank as he saw the nearly every system in his powersuit was offline, including his anti-grav system. How was he supposed to accomplish anything if his suit didn't work. He had a moment of realization looked at his temporla anchor. It was still intact which was Ian's first good news so far. As he examined it, he was suprised to find it had a readout. Curious what it was for, he turned it on. His whole body nearly shut down when he saw the date: "August 12, 2004". How could he have been sent for far back in time? What good could he do now? He looked at the bracelet and thought about activating it.
But he paused. He remembered what happened just before he left. What if they couldn't send him back again? This was their one shot. He resolved to do whatever he could in the situation he was in. A scream reached his ears and he rounded the building to see a woman struggling to keep her purse from two gentlemen wearing red bandanas over their mouths. Without thinking, he ran down the alley, drawing his sword. "Unhand that purse, knave!!!" he roared as he lept into action.
----------------------------
I hope it wasn't too long for some of you. I didn't mean for it to be this long when I started, but I couldn't stop when I started. As I said at the beginning, I look forward to your comments.