Chapter 2! I feel it could be better (especially the fights), but after having rewritten almost everything at least twice and tweaking it even more, I bring you chapter 2. 
Feedback is more then welcome, it's my first attempt at fiction.
Chapter 2 Mindgirl
Heres a phone number you can call if you have any questions or you feel strange, the woman behind the desk said. Thank you, I should be alright, Sylvana said with a smile as she took the number from her. The last two weeks shes been put under every kind of test imaginable. There were the IQ tests that showed her IQ higher then before it all started, but no other trace of side effects could be found. She hid the incident with the remote control from the doctors; all she wanted was to get out of that place and head home to her new life. The experiment had paid very well and she had looked trough several brochures of night schools while in the hospital. There was also the small matter that she now had special powers granted to her by the device set in her brain that she had to figure out. Overall the future looked bright.
You fool! bellowed the captain to a scrumpy looking sailor. Could you please tell me how in the world that barrel could fall in the water? He shrugged, Tell the shipper to make haste, we need to get out of here. With this the sailor ran off towards the cabin. The captain sighed, how did he end up in this, he wondered. He didnt want to smuggle nuclear waste out of Paragon City, of all places, but the Council agent had a very good point, several very good and pointy bullets in fact. As the ship sailed towards the horizon, the sea it left in its wake had an eerie glow to it. On a nearby beach Thomas Johnson was waxing his surfboard.
Crime fighting? Are you kidding me? Why on earth would you want to do that, doesnt this city have enough heroes? Cynthia looked at Sylvana with worry. Relax Cynth, I asked you here to help me design my costume. I went through the whole ordeal about whether or not I am going to do it already. I am going to do it and thats that. Now, check this out. Sylvana pointed to a pair of scissors and a piece of cloth on the other side of the room. They were slowly hovering towards the two of them. Cynthia let out a shriek what is going on here? Are you trying to freak me out? Sylvana had been training for the past few months and had a good control of her mental powers by now. Relax, like I said, Ive got it under control; Cynthia heard Sylvanas voice inside her head say. Sylvana just sat there smiling, shes spent the last few days planning this exact moment and it had to be perfect. She had placed objects they would need around the room, but she didnt have anybody to try her telepathic powers on. This was, besides a slumber party, the final test. Making people on the streets hear voices was fun and all, but you never knew how it would turn out. Last night was good; two Hellions were mugging a woman right outside her doorstep. By concentrating on the two of them, she could actually make them fight each other. Now enough playing around, we need a costume and a name, well I do, but you can help me pick one. After a night of arguments, cutting fabrics, and a particularly exciting incident where Sylvana discovered that she could draw all pigment from her hair if she just concentrated on it, they settled on Mindgirl, a blue-ish costume and bright white hair. Granted it was not the most exciting superhero name, but it covered the load.
Target: Acquired. Capture: alive. Objective: Mutant research, the alien said as he punched some buttons on the interface attached to his arm. A portal opened in the middle of the beach and several hideous looking small monkeys jumped through it. Thomas would have nothing of this, not now. The last few months have been educating. He had learned several things, for instance that the council were running a nuclear waste smuggling route past his beach. He also learned that surfing and wiping out in an ocean thats glowing green (which wasnt a play of light made by algae, but in fact a play of light made by said nuclear waste) does strange things to a body. But the most important lesson might be that people didnt quite accept bleu-skinned surfers in the way he wished they would. And now, to top things of, there were aliens on his beach. Dude, chill, I dont want no beef with any of you. Just let me surf. He looked around to gather the situation. There was the portal summoning alien, the hideous monkeys, his surfboard and, probably most important, there was him. As he readied himself he felt a battle cry was in order. COWABUNGA dude! he shouted as he raised his hands towards the monkeys. A terrible wind swept up around him, slamming the monkeys hard against the cliff behind them. Filthy Rikti, dont you know this beach is Locals Only!, he shouted over the roar of the wind. Reinforcements: arrived, said a Rikti as he stepped through the portal and fired a blast of energy. Thomas cried out as he was hit across the chest. Dude! Not cool, he said as he struggled to his feet and turned to face the new arrival which was falling headfirst into the sand. Thomas had completely missed the sound of gunfire coming from the gun a man in red spandex and sunglasses was holding. Radical! Thanks dude, he said as he turned quickly towards the portal summoning Rikti. A blast of electricity unleashed from his hands. Direct hit! The device on the Riktis hand shattered and the portal disappeared. Dude, behind you. The man in red looked behind him and quickly shot a round of bullets at the Rikti that was about to shoot him in the back. They looked around them as the dust slowly settled. That was an amazing job, said the man in red, I must say I was especially magnificent in that one, no time for autographs lad, got to dash, he said as he flew away. Thomas sat down and saw his board broken in two, all he could muster was a weak dude
Mindgirl looked over the city. Shes been patrolling this part of Steel Canyon for weeks now and it was pretty clear that the Outcasts were up to something; she just couldnt put her finger on it. She jumped to the next rooftop and smiled; finding out that she could use her levitation to some extend on her own body helped for getting around. Cynthia, is there anything about the Outcast on the police scanner? she asked the walky talky in her hand. Sorry Mindgirl. Nothing interesting about the Outcast on the radio. Her eyes caught some movement in the corner of her eye. Never mind, I think something is going on here. Mindgirl out.
Four men stepped out of the door in the alley below. Time to shake it up a bit tonight boys, the man with red tainted skin said to the others. Little to Mindgirls knowledge she wasnt the only one watching the quartet below. High above huge wings flapped up and down, the owner of them had patiently watching the door for hours on end and was now taking an interest in the proceedings below.
Mindgirl smirked as she reached out the minds of the four below.
Where should we start tonight? The bank, the jeweller?, the one in charge said. He looked around in surprise, his three accomplishes were standing frozen in place. At this point Mindgirl jumped down into the alleyway. Didnt I tell you Outcasts to stop kicking up dust in my part of town? she said to the man. Come now little girl, how can we possibly take you and your parlour tricks seriously, he said as his hands caught fire, you are nothing but a mask wannabe after all. He suddenly leaped up to a fire escape as his hands shot several bolts of fire towards Mindgirl, who dodged them quickly and reached out to his mind.
behind you
The Outcast looked behind him and fired three bolts into the nothingness behind him, as he turned around he saw the ground rapidly moving away from him and after hovering in the air for a second coming back to him with a vengeance. He hit the ground hard and lost his consciousness.
Boss? the other three had shaken the hold Mindgirl had on them and gathered their bearings. Their boss was down, some new, young hero was standing in the middle of the alley. Alone. Kid, you shouldnt have done that one of them said as one of the others ripped a piece of pavement from underneath him and raised it high above his head. Not yet!, Mindgirl thought. She reached out to the mind of one of the other two who drew his gun and aimed it at the one with the pavement above his head. But it was all too littleto late, at this instance the piece of pavement was hurled towards Mindgirl hitting her right on her head, the hold on the one with the gun was broken and Mindgirl hit the wall behind her. She felt a throbbing pain in her head as everything around her started to go cold. The air in front of her was filled with what seemed like ash. Did the boss wake up? Then she realised it was snow and it was centred on the three Outcasts in front of her. Dont worry dude! Well help, a voice on the other side of the alley said, Divinely, anytime youre ready would be good. Suddenly the air in the alley seemed filled with bullets. The winged form above went into a headfirst dive towards the alley shooting several rounds around the Outcasts, then when she was in range she concentrated on the air around them trapping them all in a block of solid ice. Mindgirl blacked out.
When she awoke she saw a police car driving away in the distance. Dude?, Mindgirl opened her eyes, Excellent youve woken up. How are you feeling? Mindgirl considered this as she looked around the alley. In front of her a blue man in red swimming trunks with yellow flames on them, behind him stood a woman with two bony wings. My head hurts, she said. Bummer, but no worries itll pass. My name is Cowabunga and this here is Divinely Patient. This your first run? No, well, yes, well, Im still pretty new to it all. The names Mindgirl.
When I first started thinking about the backstory of Sylvana ideas started racing through my head, like "why doesn't she have a alias, what's her connection to Gonzo, how did she get her powers." While I was playing these questions got anwsers, new questions popped up and so on. Yesterday at work I had a bit of extra time and started writing that which has already shaped in my head. At some point I was out of the extra time to realise I reached a perfect spot to end chapter 1. I figured I would leave it for a while, then rewrite most of it, leave it again and rewrite again. Then my connection dropped for most of last night, I rewrote. Checked it again this morning and was quite content with it, replaced a few words but decided it was, as they say, a final version. I changed DRAFT to DEF to make the word document look more proffesional and well, here it is. So far I've got general ideas for what should be in chapter 2 and 3, but as they are now they're just covering time between chapter 1 and 4. I got most of chapter 4 worked out in my head. At the end of chapter 4, the full origin story of these two characters should be complete. Depending on how much I've been bitten by the writing bug and how many idea's I've got in the time while writing this, there might be more.
Chapter 1 Origins
Wasnt that the best gig ever? asked Cynthia as they left the club in Kings Row. Sylvanas gaze was fixed on the folder in her hands yeah sure was she muttered. She suddenly looked up Say, these medical experiments, you reckon theyre safe? I mean... its good money and since my brother left you know. Cynthia looked at Sylvana with worry, youre serious about this? Come on Syl, youve heard the stories. Dont be silly, being a waitress isnt such a horrible job is it? Yeah I guess, she replied as she pocketed the folder. In fact she has heard the stories; in a city like Paragon City it was hard not to. Every hero out there had their own origin story and many of them started with an innocent experiment. She wandered how many of these experiments didnt result in a super powered being. Not everybody can be so lucky as to be stung by a radioactive scorpion and live to tell about it. It was just a silly thought, never mind. See you Wednesday, she said as they reached her house. Get some sleep and clear your head of those silly thoughts and remember youre buying Wednesday, Cynthia replied with a smile as she headed down the street.
Sylvana opened the door slowly. Mom? she ventured to the empty room. She knew her mother wouldnt be home yet. It was only 10 and ever since her brother left they both had to keep two jobs just to keep their heads above water. She wished she could afford to be as carefree as Cynthia. She took the folder out of her pocket and dialled the phone.
Gonzo looked around him. Hes woken up in strange places before, but this was the first time he woke up in a comfortable bed in the middle of something that looked and sounded a high-tech lab. Hello? he asked nobody in particular. The last thing he could remember was the aftermath of the fight he won. There were drinks and girls, oh what lovely girls were hanging at his lips for his every word. He mustve hooked up with one of them. He ventured a look around him again; it certainly looked like a lab. Who cares what it looks like, which door is the exit, this is a little weird for my taste. The sound of a door sliding open behind him filled the room.
Ah good morning, glad youve woken up, said a very male voice Im terribly sorry about having to drag you here like this. But you were quite unconscious from the drinks when I finally had a chance to talk to you. This seemed the only way. The only way? A phone call would suffice! Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here? Where are my clothes? the voice laughed. You still have whats left of your clothes on, that was quite a nasty fight you had gotten yourself into. As to whom I am and where you are. I am Dr. Meglamigrane and you are in my house. As to why; I saw a business opportunity I couldnt resist and could very well not be discussed over the phone. The idea alone! My dear boy, with my brain and your muscle I see a bright future for the both of us. If you would follow me, I shall explain as to what I am talking about over some breakfast.
You must realise; its not just a matter of taking some pills and telling us how you feel. There will be surgery involved and we will have to keep you here for a couple of weeks for observation, the woman behind the desk told her. Funny, she was older then Sylvana, but looked a lot happier. How about the payment? That will be fully taken care of; it will all be transferred to your mothers account even if anything unforeseen happens. You mean if I die? If you will just fill out these liability forms and these forms, you can come in first thing tomorrow. She did mean if I die, I might die from this. Then again; this is the only way to get out of it. No more working to keep our heads above water. Its the first good thing thatll happen to us since dads death. I might even be able to go back to school. She considered these options as she filled out the forms and handed them to the woman. Guess Ill see you tomorrow then.
Gonzo looked at the machine again. So, if I put on this thing Ill be stronger? And then what? Then there will be no stopping us. We could do anything! I know several brokers around the rogue isles who can set us up for some good work. I even have a contact within Arachnos who might have the odd job for us. Gonzo considered this; he ventured to the Rogue Isles for opportunities like this, but this doctor seemed quite mad. So, whats the catch? It doesnt come off, does it? Ill be stuck with that suit on my body. Its all rather scientific and boring, but it boils down to this. This machine attaches the circuitry to your body. Then the protection shell covers the circuitry to ensure that it wont attach itself to your nerve ends and all that nasty stuff. Do you really want me all to explain the whole process again? No not really, just answer me this; why arent you putting it on? Because the suit does not grant actual strength; that has to be supplied by the wearer. The suit provides you with electric armour and an array of electrical attacks. I, as you can see, am quite fragile and have other qualities to bring to the venture. And I can take it off when I want to? Meglamigrane sighed, Yes. Really, do you think I would make a super powered suit, tell you you can take it off and lie about it? Do I look stupid? You would get mad. You would get mad and be super powered and Ill be here to feel just how super powered you are. Gonzo considered this for a moment. Youve got a point there, he said as he stepped into the machine. Fire it up!
Good morning miss Salvato, how are you feeling today? Sylvana slowly opened her eyes; it felt as if her head was about to explode. There are several degrees of headache; this one felt like it would give a whole new meaning to the word migraine. My head hurts, she said. Weve attached several neuro enhancers to your brain, all with their own energy source that will be quite hard to deplete. If it works it will do wonderful things for science and medicine, a stroke would be as bad as having a cold. Just think... You did what? the doctor sighed, nobody wants to hear about the scientific implications of their actions after major surgery. The pain should be gone soon enough, after that well just see what side effects there are. Try to get some sleep Sylvana closed her eyes again. She just wanted to sleep.
When she opened them again the room was quiet. The pain was gone, that much was true but everything looked different; like there was a whole new spectrum of colours available to colour the world around her. By the light from her window it looked like it was still early in the morning and nothing much seemed to be going on around her room. There was a television set in her room she wondered where the remote control would be. Slowly her eyes trailed across the room searching for it, only to see it lying on a table on the other side of the room. She reached out for it and considered getting up to get it, wondering what was on and if getting up after surgery was really the best idea right now. When she looked at the remote again she saw that it was floating between the table and her hand, but dropped to the floor the moment she noticed. She looked around the room again startled and noticed there was nobody there. Slowly she peered over the edge of her bed at the remote on the ground. After staring at it for a while she reached out to it again, in a fluid motion it soared through the air in her hand.