Return of the Wicked Sickness

The Fight Night of Destiny

The Alta Heroes are on the walk of their lives as they all stick together looking for him in the orange-clear lighted hallways. Fearmeister, on the other hand, stays in the shadows. He licks his lips and taps his fingers together as if his villainous ego wasn't big enough. He moves forward toward his latest targets. Fearmeister looms near Jayden, noting his stoicism never fading. His eyes go to another face. Asori. Quite a strong gal as she is... for now. Ashley, Shadow Bird, and Aubrey. They're nothing too special yet. Fearmeister's excitement can barely be contained. It's been so long since he's had a challenge. The cops? Canon fodder. That's why his rooms will deal with them. The Macabre? If they come back, maybe they can start their game over. Of course, that's if they're still willing to fight. Fearmeister gives a light chuckle to unnerve the team. Instead of unnerving them, the team turns left and right. No sign in sight. No claw marks. Just a hallway with darkness and Fearmeister propaganda, the latter of which Shadow Bird and Asori hate the most. So pompous and boring. It's not anything they haven't seen before. Jayden and the others care not for his props yet they're not nearly as spiteful towards them as the former two. Ashley looks to Asori. Still alive. The others are alive too. That's what matters. Instinctively, Asori and Ashley give more light to the place around them. Asori's orb sees a flash which stops her dead in her tracks. Everyone else does too. Giving light to one side and then the other, Asori turns around. Ashley turns from her. She too sees nothing. Tensing up, the group sticks closer together, Ashley and Asori's lights still in their hands. Fearmeister suddenly jumps but Aubrey is quick to dodge it with her speed. However, it's soon countered by Fearmeister lunging from above only for Asori's superior agility to counter it with a double introduction from her swords to his claws. Disappearing with a snicker, Alta Heroes Jayden and company stand tall. Still together. Fearmeister comes from here, an attack Aubrey barely misses, and then there, Asori doing a backflip to avoid the stabbing. Ashley goes behind her and Jayden while Shadow Bird goes near Aubrey. All of them look in various directions. In this endless hallway filled with shadows, anything is possible. They look up. They look left and right. Asori even looks down. Nothing. They keep walking together. Ashley doesn't show it, but she's scared herself. Her fears are for the team, of course. She doesn't wanna lose them. If she did, she isn't worthy to be an Alta Hero. Ashley instinctively goes left and right again. Even up in the sky. No. No sign. Jayden's worried too yet he's more so relieved they're all together. No fighting. No doubt. Nothing. The team keeps up their walk. Only silence is afoot. It seems like forever that this walk goes on until the dreaded demon laughs. No one jumps. The team only stays alert. With all the horror films they've seen, lowering their guard is a surefire way of getting killed, and they aren't planning on dying here. They stand together, the Alta Heroes surveying the area. Their weapons are drawn. No words. No music. Very little light. Asori looks here and there. Jayden, Ashley, and Shadow Bird stare into the abyss, never blinking. Aubrey just stands with her team caring little for constantly looking over her shoulder right now. All that matters is standing where she is. Who knows? Maybe an attack from behind them will get caught in her grip. Footsteps break all their thoughts as they stare hard at the footsteps in front of them. Shadow Bird wishes he had detective mode right now. But... he'll think of this as like a Scarecrow nightmare section. After all, these two are pretty damn good at deception... at the moment. Jayden, on the other hand, isn't afraid, just a little worried. If anything, this feels like a Freddy Krueger dream sequence save for it just being them and him. Fearmeister gives out yet another chuckle. Figured. These kids are just what he expected. And they know he's there, yet the Alta Heroes aren't afraid and that's so good. It'll make this all the while when he does make 'em run for the hills.
"Hello, hello, hello," A voice speaks. One of dreading cruelty. The Alta Heroes still stare him down.
"If it isn't," Fearmeister emerges from the shadows "the Alta Heroes." The Alta Heroes continue their stare.
"Fearmeister," Jayden says to him, stoically. He laughs. But without warning, for the final time, he lunges as Asori who, just as alert as recorded in this situation, ducks as his pounce still lands Fearmeister on his feet. Just wanted to double check.
"You know who we are?" Jayden seriously asks the moment their eyes lock. Asori looks even more serious. She swears, if this guy tries it one more time...
"I know your names," Fearmeister says with glee.
"What's your game, Fearmeister?!" Asori shouts with emotion.
Fearmeister responds, "Oh, I'm just here to have fun. Get to know you guys better." Fearmeister raises an eyebrow suggestively. Asori stands tall yet she is internally creeped out.
"What about you guys? Why'd you come here with the cops?" Fearmeister asks with sarcasm and pride mixed in one tone of voice. The cops aren't gonna last long against what he's got cooked for them. The Alta Heroes say nothing. Fearmeister only continues to smile. Villainously.
"So, how do you think you'll stop me?" Fearmeister says with his claws in hand.
"Simple," Every one of the Alta Heroes stands firm in their fighting positions while Jayden speaks. "We just will." Aubrey lunges at the monster. He sidesteps and delivers a powerful kick to her temple only for her to duck and sweep him under his feet. Fearmeister is pinned down only for him to disappear before Aubrey lands a blow to him. Asori counters a quick impalement with her swords as she and Jayden attack him. The swordplay is fierce and forceful. Two scissor kicks from the kids in the Jediish gear and black and yellow later, and Fearmeister meets a fireball which he counters with an orb of fear. Shadow Bird roundhouses him in his eye before Jayden and Asori continue their dance with him. Asori is elegant yet sharp whilst Jayden is quick and focused. Fearmeister roundhouses Jayden, Asori, Shadow Bird, and Aubrey with an aura-induced power-up. Only Ashley remains standing. Ashley gives him a double blast of fire before following the ducked attack with a charging two piece combo as well as sweeping him off his feet with equal speed. The redhead gives him more blows before Fearmeister smacks her away with a punch. Jayden jump kicks him in the face. Again, he goes to the ground. Rolling out of the way of a double punch from Ashley and Aubrey, Fearmeister exchanges swordplay with Asori and Jayden before Shadow Bird receives a sucker punch and Aubrey gets an elbow. Ashley holds him back with her strong arms as Asori gives him a scissor kick and Jayden a side kick. Headbutting Ashley twice, one from behind and the other in front of her, Fearmeister throws her to Aubrey who quickly tries to save her. Dodging Asori's formal two-swords combo, Fearmeister switches from claw to kama combat, the leader of the team blocking it effortlessly. Asori jumps backward away from a kick from Fearmeister before Fearmeister and Jayden go at it. Fearmeister, when they duel, can barely get through Jayden's defense. On the contrary, Jayden can't get a good blow on his opponent's body. No cuts. No punches. No scars. This goes on for a while before Jayden soon goes for a slice to Fearmeister's leg only for a stomach kick which knocks Jayden back. Fearmeister appears behind him. However, before he could unleash a kama combo, Jayden quickly saves himself with a block. Asori jumps back in before Jayden and Fearmeister can keep fighting. A while of fighting goes by before Fearmeister pauses. Jayden and the other heroes pause too. A heavy sigh session goes on with Fearmeister deep in thought. Fearmeister is impressed, for they've got it in them. He's had tons of fun so far. But, right now, they're not as good as the Macabre, at least for now. The Alta Heroes stand together, refusing to give him an opening. Shadow Bird's mind races from thought to thought. This guy is good, especially when compared to the villains he fought back on Earth. Aubrey's eyes are as fiery as Ashley's flames. Her fists tighten, Aubrey refusing to take her eyes off Fearmeister. A pause of the heroes and villain staring down at each other comes and goes. It ends when a rumble in the building. Even Fearmeister doesn't expect it. Quickly, Aubrey jumps at the tingle of a putrid aura. It goes back to him. Its host. Taking a breath, Fearmeister's eyes widen but only slightly. No, it can't be. Dennis runs like hell dodging monster after monster. Not a single one touches him. For if a stronger monster tries to crush his head, Dennis quickly goes for his sensitive areas, shooting it in the head. For the faster ones, Dennis uses agility. And the rest get a sturdy blow to each sensitive area. He runs in a fast and steady manner. After two more monsters go down with a double kick, Dennis arises from his kneeling position. Trusting his smarts, Dennis kicks down a door. Seeing no threats, Dennis goes to Nathan's chair, seeing him only gagged and tied up.
"Hold on, Nathan," Dennis says softly. The man of the law looks at the lock. Seeing something, he pulls on it. It feels tough. It feels frightening, but he isn't scared. With his strength, he gets it ripped off, Dennis freeing Nathan instantly after going to his ankles.
"Dennis!" Nathan yelps with joy. He gives him a bear hug and a big cheek kiss.
"How are you?!" Nathan says, enthusiastically.
"Good," Dennis says with a chuckle. Nathan then runs out of the room. Dennis looks here and there. After what he's seen, he doesn't blame him. He leaves this malicious dedication to Fearmeister victims and goes to help prevent more losses.
"Mmm," Fearmeister grunts with annoyance. He can never stand the guy. Oh, Dennis.
"Why are you doing this, Fearmeister?" Jayden asks, snapping Fearmeister out of his thoughts.
"What?" Fearmeister says, confused.
"I mean, why are you Fearmeister?" Jayden asks. Aubrey and Ashley look at him in confusion. Asori and Shadow Bird, meanwhile, have an idea of what he's doing.
"Oh. Oh..." Fearmeister says, cleared up inside.
"Heh heh heh. Simple, it's 'cause I want to," Fearmeister says with conviction.
Jayden responds with, "Are you sure? That can't be the only reason why." Jayden's friends have many things click in their minds. Ashley can't help herself when this reason comes into her mind.
"Yeah, what did Fic-City do to you?" Ashley asks the fiend. After all, all bullies like him came from terrible parts of life, right? That's where she was. Shadow Bird too agrees with Jayden's move. Not only will this give them more info on dealing with him, but this will also give them better tools for understanding him. After all, most villains come from broken dreams and shattered lives, right? The Joker, to him, is kinda a mixed bag and that's saying a lot.
"Nothing," Fearmeister says, the Alta Heroes' attention back to him, just how he likes it.
"It's my home and my playground too. This," The team looks around before going back to him. "is my life." The team, especially Jayden and Asori, feel the pride emanating from his being. That can't be all he is, right? More rumbles and shaking go on with firefights heard from the de-soundproofed environment.
"What in-" Fearmeister teleports from the scene. The Alta Heroes follow the brightly lit area behind them.
"You good?!" Dennis asks after fires from his gun as he looks at Nathan. Nathan nods to him in confidence not as strong as Dennis' yet he's still got it where it counts. His persistence in the firefight is where he's strongest now. He's protecting Dennis. He's an officer of MCPD for a reason. To protect. That's why he fires. Quickly yet not as efficiently like the others. He shoots where Dennis doesn't see it. An explosive bolt comes towards Dennis during the firefight only for it to get interrupted by a single big shot. It combusts into thin air. Allen gives a nod, his and Peter's bolt hittin' it just right.
"Come on!" Dennis says with pride. He leads the charge where the men in blue fight with versatility, skill, and perseverance. Peter gets the most kills out of them due to his natural slim reflexes and multi-martial art skills. A swipe on two monsters here and a triple headshot there ended the threat.
"Good," Dennis says with determination.
"Nathan," Allen says.
"Allen," Nathan says. The two fist bump.
"Oh. Thank goodness you're here, Allen," Nathan says, getting a laugh from all save for Peter.
"How'd you get out?" Nathan says as they all take off running.
"I'm just that guy," Allen says boldly. The girls meet up having not found the last two yet. Fearmeister suddenly appears.
"Freeze, Fearmeister!" Dennis barks.
"Heh heh heh," Fearmeister laughs only for him to lunge at the group of officers. The girls barely get out of the way of his attacks. But Marcy and Kaylee get some blood on them from a cut there and a black eye here. Peter and Dennis fight him but Fearmeister appears behind him and the two men dodge the attack effortlessly. Nathan gets his clock cleaned which knocks him out in a fraction of a second.
"Shit!" Kaylee shouts after nearly getting shot by a newly freed Damian and Jerry. Jerry's stylish yet smooth fighting complements Damian's acrobatic and funky fighting. The kicks, to their credit, do impress the villain, but none of their kicks plus their punches land on Fearmeister. Their guns are cut in half too. Fearmeister nearly impales the two only for Allen to sneak attack him. Allen is, however, thrown to the ground as a result. A kick to the two aforementioned cops' faces each happens next. Then the rest of the cops are blitzed to the wall in separate directions. Now it's Dennis vs. Fearmeister... for at least two minutes. Despite Dennis countering each of his strikes through evading and blocking, Fearmeister kicks and throws Dennis around till he is on the ground. Before the monster can kill these people, Jayden yet again kicks at Fearmeister only for him to block the jump kick. Not making that mistake twice. Jayden jumps and delivers a punch to the monster's face making him step back in shock. Asori charges at the monster only for Fearmeister to block her double-sword strike. He then slashes her left sword clean in half. Discarding the weapon, Asori gives it her all, no worry in her fighting stance. The two work perfectly as back in their first round. Yet Fearmeister gives it his best too. Paying close attention, Fearmeister gives a cut to Jayden's dominant shoulder and a headbutt to Asori. Asori grunts in pain yet gets up. She's not giving up. Aubrey is thrown to her only for Asori to grab her thanks to her aurafied energy. Asori and Aubrey's speed is performed with equally great stride. When seen by a conscious Jerry and Damian, they can't help their impression. Aubrey's speed is better than Damian's. Asori's precision is just as good as Jerry's. Especially with the swordplay. Ashley's strength catches Fearmeister off guard. On the ground, Fearmeister gets three punches. Fearmeister disappears only for Ashley to headbutt him from behind. Fearmeister yet again disappears only for Asori to dodge his attack. The fighting goes on for a few more minutes. Although worried for his safety, even Kaylee can't help being impressed by Shadow Bird's taekwondo practicality. Including his fists being great compliments to Jayden's feet. Since Jayden and his friends are with Shadow Bird, her fears are lessened. No ground is given to either side before the battle ends. Jayden manages to catch his body dragging on the ground with his feet and fist shortly after Fearmeister had thrown him.
"You really are something, I'll give you that," Fearmeister admits. He then licks his lips under his mask. As the building begins to crumble, the villain gives the team yet another test post-their brilliant tie-styled fight with him. Yeah, it was a tie.
"Until next time, Alta Heroes!" Fearmeister gleefully says as he disappears with foreboding laughter. The building crumbles around all of the heroes. A ceiling part comes crashing toward Kaylee only for Shadow Bird to shoot his grapple to her. Kaylee grabs the line and she knocks him down by accident upon being pulled to her. Ashley catches them both.
"Come on!" Dennis yelps with the rest following suit. Fearmeister can't help himself as he adds a bit of flare to this fearsome collapse. Disappearing from sight, Asori's dumbfounded look stops her in her tracks as debris falls towards a group with Dennis and another with Jerry. Asori tries to find which one to save first. Her mind races. She tries focusing her power, yet Asori can't, for her fear grips her tight. She doesn't want anyone to die. Which group should she save first? If Dennis dies, the police will take a heavy blow in leadership, but if Jerry dies, then another man in the force dies. Either one isn't good. Without more thinking, Asori goes for Dennis, her aura focused enough to blast that said debris in half. The rest keep running with Ashley and Aubrey managing to save Jerry's squad. Asori breathes with relief. Thank God for Ashley's fire and Aubrey's speed. Jerry smoothly dodges a spear with Damian double jumping over one that sticks out of the ground. Kaylee fiercely and quickly shoots down a few monsters with Allen finishing two off with a stealthy double neck snap. Dennis and Peter fire a collective round of shops with the others following suit. Fearmeister keeps an eye on them, growing frustrated that none of the pigs are fried... Fried... Of course! With a sudden appearance, Fearmeister summons a fireball of fear to the group. Asori and Ashley, instinctively, fire at the demonic wave. The pressure is on with Asori's powers dampening. Asori looks to the men and women of the law. They're all people. All with families. Aspirations. No. Asori goes back towards the fire ahead. She's afraid of losing her friends. Afraid of messing things up and letting Fearmeister. She needs to protect them. She wants to live her life without fear and have others do the same. Those two emotions mix as a shield comes out of her aura magically. Fearmeister, not stopping the assault, is taken aback. So are Jerry, Jayden, Ashley, and especially Dennis. Ashley, upon looking back at Fearmeister, sees him vulnerable. Ashley blasts back harder than before just as Fearmeister finds his focus. Barely able to hold on, Fearmeister is forced to fall back, disappearing. The group continue their drive to survive with no one giving up. Even Aline and Nathan despite their fear at every turn. Ashley throws a fireball at the exit with Aubrey quickly kicking the door down. All exit the building with the people on top barely managing to get off the roof and onto their helicopter. Without a second thought, the helicopter speeds off, Fearmeister quickly fading back into the darkness. Peering out, a smile reaches his face, it quickly vanishing when he sees the results of his scheme. Everyone's alive...
"Everyone ok?!" Jayden shouts. Some coughs ring out the environment shortly after the building's crumbling, but everyone is happy and safe. Kaylee looks at Shadow Bird. He looks at her.
"Yeah!" Aubrey says with a smile. Everyone else is smiling, even Allen and Jerry. Nathan and Aline smile the brightest due to how lucky they are to be alive. The people exchange high fives and fist bumps as they shout and gleefully speak.
"Very well done, guys!" Nathan says ever so optimistically.
"Well done," Shadow Bird says as he's holding out a hand up for a high five. Kaylee is left conflicted. On one hand, Shadow Bird and the others got put in danger as well as him kinda giving her attitude. On the other, he and his team did what they could to help them out of that jam. Plus, Fearmeister luring them into those traps are of no fault of Shadow Bird, and she does like the kid so far. Fine. She'll indulge him. The two high five, the group talking more afterwards.
"Nice work, everyone!" Dennis says as the talk continues positively. Fearmeister still glares at them. He can't believe this. He can't. Fearmeister had it all planned out. The cops dying. How they'd die. How the Alta Heroes and him would play their game. Ok, for that part, it went differently than he expected, but that was the only good part of his scheme. Still... Those kids shouldn't have been that good. They aren't the Macabre, after all. Fearmeister shakes his head. He can't think right now. He needs to get his head clear. Fearmeister looks to the group one more time, still resentful of this setback thanks to these five Passionate Paragons.
"This isn't over, Alta Heroes!" Fearmeister growls as he vanishes into the darkness. This won't be the end. It won't.