Last time, Mason Dean, known as the masked hero Vyper, learned a new danger had recently entered the city. Easily dispatching three others with little effort, Mason begins searching for answers as to the identity of this person.
For the record, I know who the person is. I originally came up with the idea from a dream I had years ago, when he scared the **** out of me. In fact, I'm using Mythic to recreate the scene. However, this time he won't be facing a scrawny human but someone with powers. I will however be setting up the situation ahead of time and seeing what happens from there.
Also, I decided after everything he went through, Vyper earned not 1 but 2 Hero Tokens last time. Let's hope he doesn't burn through them too fast.
A month later, Mason wandered through the mall. It was a quiet afternoon and he had finished classes for the day. Having healed from the battle against Wing Guard, he decided finally to go out and about.
(Q) Was the mall busy? (Likely, I mean, it is a mall) No, but barely.
Today, the mall was quiet, except for small clusters of people in various locations, whether in the food court or near stores. Walking along the second floor, Mason searched for the book store, figuring he deserved a little pampering in the form of a bag full of books.
"The attack on the noble labs of Wylltech ended on tragedy and tested the very security of the company"
The voice, over a loudspeaker, could be heard at the center of the mall.
"But I assure you, the company has taken all means within regulation to avoid future transgressions."
Curious about the speaker, Mason wandered along until he could looked down over the railing.
(Q) Is a large group of people listening? (Likely) Yes.
Several dozen people crowded the area to listen to the speaker. Some looked curious and attentive while others seemed genuinely disturbed. But all of them seemed captivated by the speaker.
Mason then noticed the speaker. An old man, with a crown of hair atop his head, and wearing a button down short, bow-tie, and dress pants. Despite seeming shorter than average, his voice boomed to the point where he might not have even needed the microphone.
Glancing around, Mason looked for a sign identifying the person.
(Q) Does Mason find a sign telling him the old man's identity? (Very Likely) X-Yes.
Mason then spotted the sign:
"Armand Ricker, PHD,
Philosopher of Technology."
He continued, "I understand some within Wylltech have suffered losses that could never be replaced, but they have been tended to and Wylltech has taken all available steps to aid these men, women, boys, and girls."
Mason rolled his eyes. Yeah, like you 'aided' my mother?
"Now some of you may fear the dangers of technology," Armand said, "and in some cases you probably should. Electronics, chemistry, quantum mechanics, these are treasures beyond one's wildest dreams, but only for the strong at heart."
Some people nodded, while others remained frozen in place.
"And therein lies the problem. All your life, you have been told that all men are created equal. However, I must inform you that this simply is not true. Human beings actually are a diverse species, and diversity breeds deviation in the balance of nature. This, by the way, is not a matter of race, gender or otherwise. Nature simply chooses the elite while science chooses the rest."
Mason shook his head. Great, another quack. Turning away, he decided to leave the mall.
"One day you shall see the results," Armand said, "and hopefully you shall embrace it. For even among those below the means of equality, life benefits those who embrace their natural path."
(Q) Is Mason near a mall exit? (50/50) No.
(Q) Are the parts of the mall not near the center busy? (Unlikely) X-No, Random Event.
(Random) "Emotions," "Strange."
(Q) Is Armand's voice having an effect on Mason? (Likely by the Random Event) No.
Mason could hear Armand's voice even as he walked away. It echoed along the walls and ceiling, though that could just be from the speakers. Still, he found the old man's voice unsettling. Spotting the hallway leading behind the mall stores and leading to the offices, he went through the doors and down the hallway. Finally the voice faded.
"Once humanity learns to blend organic life with science, those already above the measure of equality shall find an entirely new definition of superiority."
Mason froze. He shouldn't be able to hear the man's voice anymore. He sped up his pace.
(Q) Is there a corner of the hallway to turn on? (Likely) Yes.
Now, I'm going to make a roll here, specifically a Clash, but I'm not going to say what kind of Clash just yet. Let's just say Mason is using his Agility (0) to quicken his pace.
(Clash) Does Mason win the Clash? (0 Agility vs. ?) No.
Reaching the corner, Mason turned and quickened his pace. Then, behind him, he heard the doors from the mall to the doorway swing open.
And he heard Armand's voice again. "Nature is rather humorous. It deludes humanity in believing in balance when truly some beings exist in a state of superiority over others."
(Q) Is there another corner up ahead? (Likely, or rather hopefully) Yes.
Let's see if he makes it.
(Clash) Does Mason gain a lead on Armand? (0 Agility vs. ?) No - Random Event.
(Random) "Delay," "Distant."
In his rush, Mason tripped and fell to the ground. As he started to rise, he heard Armand's voice grow closer. It was no longer through a microphone and over a speaker, but just a normal voice. Yet the voice echoed off the floor, ceiling and walls.
"The question each member of humanity must ask itself is are you of the mundane stock?"
Reaching the corner, Armand turned and continued walking towards Mason. In his hand, he held what looked like a medallion that he flipped back and forth over his wrist.
Then his body shimmered and suddenly he appeared a few steps closer. He took a few more steps, but then he faded and again appeared closer to Mason.
"Or are you one of superiority." A slight smirk appeared on Armand's lips as he suddenly faded even closer.
Reaching his feet, Mason bolted around the corner.
(Q) Is the a door to the outside nearby? (Likely - like oh please, please!) X-No.
(Q) What about Alcoves? (Very Likely) Yes.
Mason looked around. At the far end of the hallway was another corner, not something he could reach in time. He did notice several doors to stores. He tried some of them but they were locked. He then managed to open one, but hearing the footsteps get closer, he got an idea. Spotting an alcove not far away, he threw the door open so that it would slam shut. Then he leaped into the alcove and turned invisible.
Let's see if this works. This time it's Mason's Heart +3 versus Armand's power.
(Clash) Does Mason evade Armand? (+3 vs. ? means ?) Yes.
Mason heard the footsteps walk past the alcove. They stopped at the door as Armand opened it and looked into the store. Footsteps then faded into the store and the door closed behind them. With a sigh of relief, Mason left the alcove and continued down the hallway.
(Q) Does Mason make it to the end of the hallway before Armand realizes the truth? (Likely) No.
Mason almost reached the end of the hallway when he heard the door behind him open.
"Those who embrace their roles in inferiority shall welcome their own treasures, even while as minute," Armand continued, with a voice that echoed again. "Those who do not - " And he shimmered and appeared much closer. "Those who do not, shall find their very spirits shattered," his voice suddenly growing low and sinister, "to pieces."
(Q) Around the corner, is there a door to the outside? (Likely) Yes.
Throwing all caution to the wind, Mason flew through the hallway to the door.
(Clash) Does Mason escape? (?) X-Yes.
Flying through the doorway, Mason turned invisible and took off into the air. As he flew away from the mall, he glanced back toward it. Armand exited the mall and took a few steps, shimmering into the parking lot. Stopping he slowly turned his head from right to left and then upward. A hint of a smile appeared on his face. Then he turned and walked back into the mall.
Mason flew home, where he showered, tried to eat, and flopped onto his couch. But even as he closed his eyes, the voice of Armand Ricker found its way up his spine, poking repeatedly into his brain.
So that's our new villain. You'll get to see more of him in the future. I'll post stats next time.
Not seeing an exit in sight, Mason
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