Seeing Clearly (A Manticore Story - Oneshot)

This story came at me all at once, shortly after I got back from HeroCon. I think it was partly inspired by me meeting Sean Michael Dornan-Fish for the first time. It may have just been my imagination, but even when he was laughing, I was struck by... I don't know... the gravitas in his eyes. Between that, and remembering how much I liked the portrayal of Manticore in Troy Hickman's "Smoke and Mirrors," it made enough of an impression on me to take a crack at writing this.

The woman in the story, btw, is my signature character from Triumph... and those who've met her in-game (or know her storyline from my writings elsewhere) will probably understand why she makes an appearance here.

Apologies in advance to Sean for both what I did to his character, and any offense he might take to my above comment.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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SEEING CLEARLY

"Good job, Phalanx..." Statesman looked around in satisfaction at what was left of a large group of Vahzilok, now lying in crumpled heaps on the grass in Perez Park. "I hate to think of what would have happened once they'd really gotten started."

A few feet away, Sister Psyche was massaging her temples and making a face. "Just for the record, Statesman, that is the LAST time I go roaming around the mind of an Eidolon. Ugh, I feel like I just went swimming in that sludge around Crey's Folly."

"It was for a good cause, though," Synapse chimed in as he zoomed among the fallen Vahzilok, making sure to disable the last of the bombs that the Embalmed were so fond of carrying around. "If you hadn't gotten all of them so confused that they didn't know what to attack, this would have taken a lot longer."

Positron glanced up from where he was studying one of the bombs that Synapse had already disabled. "True... and I don't know about you guys, but I can't remember the last time I've seen THIS many Vahz working together. They must have been planning this for a while." He looked over at the sewer entry that ran under the towering War Walls into Skyway City. "And I'm surprised - I wouldn't have credited them with either the intelligence or the ambition to take down a War Wall."

"Well, whatever the reason, we'll find it," Statesman assured him. "Once the last of these are dealt with, we'll head back to HQ and see what we can turn up."

Sister Psyche, however, had turned to look at the fifth member of the Phalanx, who was standing off to one side, watching the lake.

"Manticore? You okay?" She could have just as easily gone into his mind to find out what was bothering him, but she was curious if he'd actually come out and tell her. However, the Phalanx's archer stayed quiet, still moodily watching the water, and she moved a bit closer. "Justin?"

"I'm fine, Shalice," he said quietly. "Listen, I... I'll just meet up with you guys a bit later, okay?"

Even though he'd spoken softly, the others turned to look at him.

"What's the matter, Manti? You look like you could use a beer or twenty. I'll join you, especially if you're buying," Synapse said cheerfully, but Manticore shook his head.

"Not right now, man... maybe later."

Even with his helmet on, Positron still managed to look doubtful. "Well... if you're sure you're okay..." But after a few more reassurances from Manticore, the Phalanx took off, Sister Psyche leaving last.



For a little while, Manticore continued to stand where he was, then he found himself walking down toward the lake shoreline, and the remains of a boathouse that stood at the water's edge. Once it had been a popular hangout spot, but between the occasional influx of Clockwork, Vahz, Lost, and Hydra, few people ever came here unless they absolutely had to.

To his surprise, though, the dockhouse was completely deserted. No Vahzilok, no Hydra, no Lost... nothing. Then he blinked and looked again. Standing on the boathouse roof was a figure in black, calmly watching the water.

Then the figure turned toward him and he saw it was actually a woman.

She studied him for a moment, then gave him a slight smile and a half-wave, then went back to looking at the water.

"Mind if I join you?" Manticore found himself asking.

She looked at him again. "Not at all."

A quick teleport later and he was standing on the roof beside her. Up close, he guessed that she was probably in her early thirties, with unruly chestnut hair and a wry, cheerful smile. She wore black robes and combat boots, black fingerless gloves, and sunglasses. But at her throat was a silver clasp in the shape of a cross, which matched the insignia over her heart.

"You're a... priest?" he blurted out in surprise.

"Nun. Yeah, I know," she said with a grin at the look of embarrassment he'd not been able to hide. "Most people don't expect to find a nun fighting crime."

That was for sure, he thought, then he realized she was talking to him.

"You're Manticore, aren't you? From the Freedom Phalanx?"

"Yeah."

She held out a hand. "Sister Johanna."

"So do you always stand around on rooftops in dangerous parts of the city?"

"Isn't that part of the job description? Heroes perching on building rooftops, or lurking behind gargoyles, waiting to spring down on unwary criminals..."

"Either that or you've been reading too many comic books," he said wryly, and she chuckled.

"Maybe so. I just go where I'm needed." Her own smile faded slightly. "I actually got here just in time to see you guys take out those Vahzilok. Not often you see them in a group that big."

"Mmmm... we're wondering about that ourselves."

"Well, I'd offer to help, but I doubt that the Phalanx needs help from the likes of me." There was no self-pity in her voice, just a matter-of-fact statement. She paused, then lifted her eyes to meet his directly. "You seem troubled, though. Wanna talk about it?"

"Confessing to a nun?" he remarked with a half-laugh, half-snort. "Sorry, not my gig."

"Suit yourself," she shrugged, then carefully sat, drew her knees up to her chest, and went back to watching the sunlight on the water.

For a few moments, Manticore remained standing, looking down at her, then he sat down beside her.

"Okay, then, tell me something. Why do you do what you do?"

"Is that a question about why I'm a nun, or about why I fight crime?"

"The latter."

"Well... to be honest... it's all I have. And because it's one of the few things I can do that makes a difference in the world."

"Says you. Don't you ever get discouraged? You keep putting scum behind bars but there's always more scum where they came from." His words came out in a rush, angrier than he'd intended them to be.

"Maybe so. But would it really be any better to do nothing?"

He hadn't expected that. "No, but... but damn it, sometimes I wonder if what I do makes a difference."

For several long moments, she didn't speak, but only sat and looked at him, and Manticore was disconcertingly reminded of Sister Psyche doing the same thing. He briefly wondered if she could also read his thoughts, and hoped that she couldn't - hanging around one mentalist was uncomfortable enough.

Then she asked, "You got a few minutes?"

He gave her a startled look. "Yeah, what for?"

"The Gospel according to Sister Johanna. Follow me."



About ten minutes later, he found himself standing in Kings Row, in one of the worst sections of town. Refuse and filth was piled high along the sidewalks and alleyways, Skulls members were everywhere painting graffiti on walls, stealing purses, or boosting cars, and passing citizens walked with their heads down. Suddenly and uncomfortably reminded of the time that he and Citadel had been confronted with the dismal conditions in the zone, Manticore looked away, but no matter where he turned, the same squalor and despair was before him.

"Why here?" he asked her in a low voice, not looking at the Sister.

"This place haunts you, doesn't it," she replied softly, her eyes intent on his face. "The pain... the despair... the guilt..."

He turned his face away, but even in the grimy, cracked windowpane of an abandoned storefront, he could still see the hopelessness all around him.

"Stop it," he whispered, but his voice lacked its usual bravado and conviction.

"It's not about the criminals... it's about the people they hurt... the lives they destroy..."

"Stop it..."

"You do all that you can, but to you, it's never enough..."

"Stop..." His voice was barely audible this time.

"And when you're all alone, in the darkest hours of the night, you wish you could just give up... then that way no one would look to you in hope, expecting you to save them."

This time he couldn't even answer, and Manticore felt himself start to shake. He half-staggered down an alleyway, but his legs gave out and he sank down on a nearby set of steps, his face in his hands.

He didn't know how she knew, and he didn't think he wanted to know, but everything she'd said was true. Despite the cheerful, know-it-all manner, a deeply-buried streak of insecurity lay hidden within him, one that he thought he'd managed to overcome until the night the Circle of Thorns had trapped him in his own worst nightmares. He had money, talent, everything - but all alone in the night, when compared to living legends like Statesman and Psyche, Manticore believed himself to be nothing special. And even after Sister Psyche and the others had saved him from his own despair, and even after redoubling his efforts to make a difference in the world... the nightmare was still there... waiting.

Then he felt hands gently take hold of his wrists and lower them away from his face, and he looked up to see Johanna kneeling in front of him, her own eyes sad. Her hands folded around his as if in prayer.

"Don't give up hope, Justin," she whispered. "Don't give up."

"What if there is no hope?"

"You just have to know where to look for it." Then her eyes shifted to look past him, and he turned to see a familiar statue in front of the Kings Row tram station.

A statue of an elderly man, sitting comfortably on a bench, smiling in the fading rays of the setting sun. At his feet was a bronze plaque, its words long since carved into Manticore's memory.

"Heroes may die, but heroism never shall."

"We do what we can," she said softly, her eyes moving back to his. "No matter how little we might think it is, no matter how hopeless we might think it is... we do what we can."

Her eyes glanced back at the statue, and Manticore saw two giggling children climbing up onto the statue to sit in its lap.

"We do what we can," he repeated faintly, watching the children laughing as they pretended to be superheroes.

"You can't save everyone... but every life you do save, every life you touch for the better, even if it's just for a moment... it's a victory for the light. Let it go, Justin. Let it go."

He bowed his head, remembering Statesman saying the same thing when they'd rescued him from his nightmare...

"You've done fine, kid. Let it go."

Maybe this time, he could take those words to heart.

Then he turned back to the nun.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You called me 'Justin.' How'd you know my name?"

She gave him a knowing smile as she rose and turned to leave. But then she turned back, and like a magician, made a small calling card appear in her hand. "For the next time you need hope." She passed it to him, and then to his utter amazement, a golden figure eight appeared at her feet. She gave him a quick wave, then the glow from the sigil on the ground swept up her body, flared once, then vanished, and the Sister along with it.

Then Manticore glanced down at the card in his hand.

And his eyes widened as he saw SISTER JOHANNA SINCLAIR engraved in elegant script on the card.

"SON OF A B-"

THE END

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Cracking little story. It’s wonderful what you do with so few words and the balance between description and dialogue is perfect.

I’d offer something constructive, but it doesn’t need anything more IMO.

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Hey, great story.

I'm not an RPer by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I associate RPing ---> badgers ----> noobs in PvP----> complain on the forums about how PvP is "broken". So heh.

RPing doesn't suit my fancy but I do enjoy reading. And I enjoyed reading that. Real nice write up!


Edit : Do some villain stuff. You know you want too

---

Very nice job! And you know how I feel about stories with two characters talking. Can we get a screen shot of the character?

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Troy Hickman - So proud to have contributed to and played in this wonderful CoH universe

*scratches head*

That was well written, as always, but for some reason it just felt very off the way Manticore kinda broke down like that. What you had Manticore do was certainly right, I think, from what we know about him, but the way he collapsed and all just felt too...theatrical to me.

I'unno. *looks up* It strikes me that I shouldn't be complaining of something Hickman obviously approves of, but I so very rarely find things to dislike in stories in this forum.

---

Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.

Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.

NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.

[ QUOTE ]
Cracking little story. It’s wonderful what you do with so few words and the balance between description and dialogue is perfect.

I’d offer something constructive, but it doesn’t need anything more IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you very much! Do check out my other story, "The Course of Superhero Romance" (that one is a WIP).

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, great story.

I'm not an RPer by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I associate RPing ---> badgers ----> noobs in PvP----> complain on the forums about how PvP is "broken". So heh.

RPing doesn't suit my fancy but I do enjoy reading. And I enjoyed reading that. Real nice write up!

Edit : Do some villain stuff. You know you want too

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm working on a villain story, actually... I might do a one-shot for you, though - anyone in particular I should write about? (Like well known NPC)

And hey, my I-13 teaser featured a villain for once... I'm doing my best to promote redside content!

[ QUOTE ]
Very nice job! And you know how I feel about stories with two characters talking. Can we get a screen shot of the character?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, Troy, I don't know how you feel about stories like that. *sheepish grin*

And if you'll give me a bit... I think I can manage a rather nifty screenshot...

In fact...

http://www.zazaza.net/cohuploads/Sis...dManticore.jpg

[ QUOTE ]
*scratches head*

That was well written, as always, but for some reason it just felt very off the way Manticore kinda broke down like that. What you had Manticore do was certainly right, I think, from what we know about him, but the way he collapsed and all just felt too...theatrical to me.

I'unno. *looks up* It strikes me that I shouldn't be complaining of something Hickman obviously approves of, but I so very rarely find things to dislike in stories in this forum.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was surprised, too, which is why I think his story/comic made such an impression on me. The sight of Manticore on his knees, nearly in tears, scrabbling in the dirt trying to make something grow, made a hell of an impression on me.

But hey, I know not everyone will like my stuff - I at least appreciate the honest and constructive criticism. It's far more useful than "u suk".

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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[ QUOTE ]
Actually, Troy, I don't know how you feel about stories like that. *sheepish grin*


[/ QUOTE ]


If that's true, it means you haven't read Common Grounds, which would break my heart.

(Buries head in hands...weeps like a widder woman)

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Troy Hickman - So proud to have contributed to and played in this wonderful CoH universe

[ QUOTE ]
It strikes me that I shouldn't be complaining of something Hickman obviously approves of

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it's probably your best bet, as I so rarely know what the hell I'm talking about.

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Troy Hickman - So proud to have contributed to and played in this wonderful CoH universe

Okay, okay, I will go read Common Grounds.

Which sounds like a really generic coffee...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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A sovereign experience of Common Grounds. *envies Samuraiko*

---

Of course I have to FIND said book first.

I wonder if I can nab it at Bookman's...

And Troy, what'd you think of the screenshot?

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

---

Any decent bookstore can order it if they don't carry it. It's a "graphic novel", or at least that's the section of the store you'd find it in. The book is really a collection of the individual issues of the comic, which would technically make it an anthology, I suppose.

---

[ QUOTE ]
I'm working on a villain story, actually... I might do a one-shot for you, though - anyone in particular I should write about? (Like well known NPC)

And hey, my I-13 teaser featured a villain for once... I'm doing my best to promote redside content!

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome! Can't wait to see this villain story

Well known NPC? First one that comes to mind is Scirocco or Ghost Widow.

---

Oooooooooh. Or Scirocco AND Ghost Widow.

Now I have something to do tomorrow while bored at work.

In the meantime, you can always read "The Course of Superhero Romance"...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

---

[ QUOTE ]
Oooooooooh. Or Scirocco AND Ghost Widow.

Now I have something to do tomorrow while bored at work.

In the meantime, you can always read "The Course of Superhero Romance"...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds awesome!

First time I read Scirocco's description in RV I was like "Wow, that's cool!"

Imad Malak was not always an evil man. Evil came to him from without. He was traveling in the deep desert near the Baka Valley deep in the Middle East. There he discovered an ancient tomb and stumbled inside. The tomb was that of a long-dead desert hero, and contained several objects of power including the bottle of the djinn Serafina. Also within was the hero's scimitar that granted the wielder incredible powers. Malak took the sword and donned the mantle of Scirocco. Unfortunately, he fell under a curse and was driven to commit acts of great evil. He sold the other objects off to the highest bidder, the bottle ending up with the Circle of Thorns. Once a hero of the people, he is now a dark stain on their proud heritage. Imad wishes nothing more than to find some way to rid himself of the curse and find redemption.

---

[ QUOTE ]
Of course I have to FIND said book first.

I wonder if I can nab it at Bookman's...

And Troy, what'd you think of the screenshot?

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely LOVED the screenshot. Really added to it.

And Michelle, if you can't find CG (and if you can't, tell your LCS to get with the program), you can currently buy it off Amazon for ten bucks (that's a third off the cover price) with free shipping on the order if it's over $25 (which works out nicely for folks who DON'T have the CoH comics, as you can get the collection of those plus CG for exactly $25!)

And if you want to read stuff from it before you buy a copy, let me know and I'll find the exact link from the Top Cow site where they give away a freebie story or two (sorry, feeling too lazy even to shamelessly plug this morning).

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Troy Hickman - So proud to have contributed to and played in this wonderful CoH universe

[ QUOTE ]
Any decent bookstore can order it if they don't carry it. It's a "graphic novel", or at least that's the section of the store you'd find it in. The book is really a collection of the individual issues of the comic, which would technically make it an anthology, I suppose.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, that's what it was (one of the Eisner Awards it was up for was "Best Anthology," in fact). And technically it's a trade paperback (I think they generally use "graphic novel" for new material these days, don't they? I dunno. I still call 'em "funnybooks").

---

Troy Hickman - So proud to have contributed to and played in this wonderful CoH universe

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Of course I have to FIND said book first.

I wonder if I can nab it at Bookman's...

And Troy, what'd you think of the screenshot?

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely LOVED the screenshot. Really added to it.

And Michelle, if you can't find CG (and if you can't, tell your LCS to get with the program), you can currently buy it off Amazon for ten bucks (that's a third off the cover price) with free shipping on the order if it's over $25 (which works out nicely for folks who DON'T have the CoH comics, as you can get the collection of those plus CG for exactly $25!)

And if you want to read stuff from it before you buy a copy, let me know and I'll find the exact link from the Top Cow site where they give away a freebie story or two (sorry, feeling too lazy even to shamelessly plug this morning).

[/ QUOTE ]

*smirks* I love demoediting. I did another shot of Manticore and Sister Jo standing on either side of Cyrus' statue, but didn't post that one.

Yes, I already do have the CoH comics collection, but I'll swing out to Bookman's later on today and see if I can score a copy of your graphic novel. More stuff to read...

And I think I know what I'll be writing for Alpha_Zulu's villain story... will post it later today when I get home from work. And I need to finish the next chapter of the Positron/Tava story... so much writing, so little time!

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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*blink*

Somehow I completely missed that screenshot link. And heh, yeah, always nice to have pictures to go along with the words. So how about you put up the second one too?

I've always approved of things involving Cyrus.

...and now I have an idea for something. >_> *goes off to scribble*

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Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.

Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.

NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.

*calls out after Khell*

Don't forget to post it!

And Alpha, I'm still working on your story. I know the plot, I'm just wavering b/w whose POV to use.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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Bah, fine. But only cause you asked. Though the way things are going I think I'm going to end up stuck and will have to post anyway to provoke people into giving me more ideas.

<_< Also it's totally going to be a copy of this story, but with different people and hopefully something completely new.

I am so unoriginal. *le sob*

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Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.

Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.

NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.

You should see my FanFiction.net account - sometimes I wonder if I'm writing the same story with different characters, sometimes.

And even if you're copying me, post it.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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...you have a Fanfiction account?

DO TELL.

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Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.

Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.

NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.

Heh. I have a fanfiction account too, but no coh stories on it.

I have to admit I'd love for a redname to comment to me on some of my stories ...

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My COX Fanfiction:


Blue's Assembled Story Links

[ QUOTE ]
...you have a Fanfiction account?

DO TELL.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.fanfiction.net/~samuraiko

I have one or two other COH related stories on there, plus almost 100 other stories. (The other COH related story, as opposed to FILK, is "Faith, Hope, and a Few Unlikely Superpowers.")

Many of my stories feature the intrepid Sister Johanna Sinclair in her original incarnation.

[ QUOTE ]
Heh. I have a fanfiction account too, but no coh stories on it.

I have to admit I'd love for a redname to comment to me on some of my stories ...

[/ QUOTE ]

While part of me would love for Posi and/or Manticore to comment... there is a much, much, MUCH larger part of me dreading that they would ever do so, for fear of what they'd say.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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