A Future Without Heroes (A Future Paragon Story)
By
BlueBattler,
Posted on: 2009-01-10 17:28 in Roleplaying
Fascinating.
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Fascinating.
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What he said.
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.
BlueBattler your stories should come with a warning label " may cause whiplash by taking you somewhere you didn't expect by the end of the first sentence"
I love it man keep it up.
Master Gabriel
By the way you started a story about BlueBattler after he lost his hero of the city status. I can't find that thread. Don't suppose you could help a fan out and add a link in a response.
After a hasty breakfast, Cole stepped out of his tower and took to the sky.
Im glad that the Aeon Domes keep the air so clear around Grandville, Cole thought to himself as he flew towards his destination. I may be able to survive Outside, but that doesnt mean that I like it!
Suddenly, the air was filled with the sound of sirens.
Remembering Justines words, Cole flew towards the source of the alarm. Cant be rebels, he told himself. They wouldnt darenot in the heart of Grandville!
Soon, the cause of the alarm became readily apparent:
The Flier!
The Arachnos Flier was a symbol of his fathers power: for more than a century it had flown the skies of Grandville, keeping watch on any menace to the capital city of the Rogue Islands. Cole had not actually seen it in combat inside Grandville throughout his entire life, but he had always felt a little safer knowing it was there to protect his fathers city.
Now
now the Flier flew erratically, great clouds of black smoke coming from its mighty engines. Not an aerodynamic craft by any means, it would plummet like a stone as soon as the engines conked out.
The pilot apparently knew the threat his ship posed to the city, for he was flying towards the Gutter where nothing of any great importance would be destroyed if it should fall. Coles eyesso much better than a normal manscould make out the desperate men and women struggling to get out of the way of the ship before it came crashing down on their heads.
No! Hundreds will be killed! I have to stop this!
Without a second thought, Cole hurled himself through the sky like a missile. Reaching the belly of the giant airship, he grabbed hold and began fighting against the pull of gravity, trying desperately to slow its descent. It was heavyRecluses eyes! It was heavy!
But he could not let it fall. He would not let it fall!
Slowly
oh so slowly
the great ship slowed its descent. Gently, he lowered it to land outside the Westin Phipps Memorial Home for the Indigent. The ragged crowd outside the ship stared at him in amazement, unable to comprehend their lives had been saved.
And then they began to cheer.
The Commander of the Flier stepped outside his ship and saluted Cole. Your Highness! Thank you for your assistance! He stared at the cheering crowd. Shall I silence the rabble so that we can speak?
What? Cole was taken aback, momentarily. Accompanying his father, he had often received public adulation before, but this was
different. This crowd was lively, jubilant
unafraid?
And somehow, this seemed both familiar and proper.
No! Leave them alone! He looked sharply at the Commander, his eyes blazing with electrical fury.
Yes, my Prince! I meant no offense! The Commander actually flinched.
With an effort, Cole controlled himself. What happened? Why did the Flier fail?
I suspect sabotage, Your Highness. I would like to personally question my crew myself to find the traitor.
I imagine that Father will wish to have a full and proper investigation, Commander. Cole knew quite well that the Commander would be fortunate to come out of this affair alive, let alone retain his rank, but it was not his place to tell the fool his days of giving orders were done. Cole had more important matters to attend to.
I must go now. Do not allow anyone to approach the Flier until an Arbiter gives the word, Cole told the Commander. If we are fortunate, this may give us the key we need to find the traitors in our midst once and for all!
And with that, Cole took to the air once more.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
When Stefan Richter won, he created an ash heap of the world. Stefan knew that he was not the man to rebuild the world.
Marcus Cole was.
But Marcus was dead. (In the story it would have been at the hands of Recluse).
So more than 100 years after the death of Marcus Cole, Stefan would have cloned a son for himself using Stateman's DNA. Cole Richter would gradually discover his true origins and ally himself with the rebels to put an end to his father's reign ...
Exactly as Stefan intended.
Justine was the great granddaughter of Sister Psyche and Manticore, and a secret member of the rebels. An aged Shalice would have revealed the true origins of Cole Richter to the boy.
Other things I wanted to show:
Scirroco still lived, albeit greatly aged. His curse would not permit death to end his suffering.
Arachnos endured, so too did Ghost Widow.
Black Scorpion would have gradually replaced all his organic parts with cybernetic replacements so by Col Richter's time he would just be a robot that thought he had once been a man.
Mako and Barracuda would be long dead, but their granddaughter Lady Mako would be a Patron. She would be new to the title, deeply in love with Cole, and resentful of his relationship with Justine. She would have the potential to go either way in terms of hero or villain and I never got around to deciding which.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
Cole Richter awoke screaming.
Cole! Cole, baby! Wake up! Its Justine! Youre safe! Youre safe! Its just a dream! Youre having the dream again!
Cole gasped and took a long shuddering breath. Justine?
Im here, baby. Im here. Its okay. Its okay.
Cole opened his eyes and stared at the beautiful redhead. I didnt hurt you, did I? He held up his hands that blazed with electrical energynot the blood red lightning of his Mu teachers, but rather an azure hue that was almost white. You really shouldnt stay here when I fall asleep. Who knows what might happen?
Night Widows like to live dangerously, love. Justine gave him that same slow sensual smile that he had fallen in love with last summer. You should know that by now.
Cole laughed and turned his head away as she got out of bed and headed to her uniform.
My, what a gentleman.
Chivalry has nothing to do with it, baby. Cole got out of his side of the bed and reached for his own clothing. Im supposed to meet with Scirocco right after breakfast, and I cant afford to be late again. Father has a certain tolerance for my appetites, but he hates it when I fail to live up to my responsibilities.
And I suppose that I should be going as well. I may be the best Night Widow around
You certainly arent the most modest one.
How many other Widows do you know who have attained my rank at nineteen?
Strength is rewarded in Arachnos, not seniority, Cole said in a mock serious tone.
As I was saying, and Cole could tell she was glaring at him even though he hadnt yet turned around. I may be the best Night Widow around, but I cant afford to shirk my responsibilities either. I have patrol duty tonight. The Arbiters are concerned that the Paragon Rebels may yet try to disrupt the bicentennial of your fathers ascension to power.
Ill never understand them, Cole said. He checked himself out in the mirror. He wasnt particularly tall, but his lean body was trim and muscular. He wore the black and red colors of Arachnos, but his clothing was made of the finest silk rather than the black armor of a Soldier of Arachnos. With his strength and resistance to harm, he didnt need the protection. Father has brought peace and prosperity to a war ravaged world. This would be a dead planet if not for the tireless work of Lord Recluse. Why on Earth would anyone have a problem with what he has done?
There are some things that are more important than prosperity, Cole, Justine said in an odd tone of voice.
He glanced at her curiously. Justine?
The redhead smiled at him gently. You wouldnt understand, love. She walked over and kissed him gently on the lips. Will I be able to see you tonight?
I think so. Father wants to have dinner with me, but I should be able to meet with you afterwards.
Ill be counting the minutes. She slipped her helmet on and headed for the door. Cole?
Yes?
Even after all this time, youve never told me. Just what do you dream about that causes you to wake up screaming?
Its the strangest thing. Cole turned and looked at her with strangely haunted eyes. I see the face of my fatherand hes laughing.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links