The Phantoms

Chapter 3

RXIII's POV

I look up into the night sky as I lay underneath a tree in the forest. The moon and stars are all looking beautiful and peaceful. The grass feels soft and the cold air is ever so relaxing. I want to just kick back and get lost in my thoughts. Speaking of thoughts...

"How the fuck did I get here?"

Several hours ago

I tried to sit comfortably in my chair as two men in uniform strapped me to the armrests and placed a metallic helmet on my head. For whatever reason, this helmet had a bunch of wires connected to it that lead to some sort of electric generator. I didn't pay much attention because some man with a deep, loud voice started talking.

"Here we have a man who has been found guilty of murdering a family of five. In addition to this crime, it has been discovered that he also was behind the bank heist two years ago, started the gang rivalry between the Buds and Cripes, and is the reason that the local retirement home blew up a month ago. What do you have to say for yourself?"

I sat there in complete silence until I realized that he was talking to me. "You forgot to mention that I kicked a puppy last Tuesday."

The entire room sighed.

"AND you kicked a puppy," said the prosecutor with a tone of annoyance. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

I stared him straight into his eyes and said what might have been my final words. "The aristocrats."

This time, half the rooms sighed while some face-palmed.

"Just hit the switch," said the prosecutor with irritation.

Having acknowledged the situation, I closed my eyes and flashed the biggest grin of my life. Almost all I could hear was the sound of electricity as it flowed through the wires and entered my skull. I could just barely hear the commotion happening in the room as my execution was commencing.

"More power!"

"But we're already near the limit, sir."

"I don't care. This man is a criminal who must be brought to justice."

"I didn't know you were so righteous, sir."

"I'm not. This guy's just very annoying."

"Well fuck you too," I mumbled to myself.

The entirety of the room sounded as if it were in utter chaos as I heard people yelling and running. I would have opened my eyes by now, but I like to be surprised. I assumed that the power was at maximum because the lackey started complaining about how the dial is already turned up to eleven. Why would they even make a dial that that stops at eleven? Whatever. I stopped hearing voices as what sounded like an explosion caused the roof to collapse. I decided to open my eyes for what seemed like the first time in a couple of paragraphs.

Around me was what looked like the ruins of an abandoned building. The walls were covered in ash, the chairs were broken and scattered across the room, and the lights were all shattered. The room would be pitch black if not for the hole in the ceiling. Oh yeah. Did I not mention the hole in the ceiling? I'm pretty sure I implied it was there. Regardless, I got up out of my chair and took off the now broken metal helmet. As I tried to walk out the door, a squad of guards appeared before me with guns in hand.

"Freeze!"

"Put your hands in the air!"

"Get back to you cell!"

I stood there, lifting only one hand to my face. Visible sparks were jumping between my very fingertips. I saw it. And so could they.

A clear sense of alarm appeared on their faces. "Stop whatever you're doing, and come with us," ordered one of the guards.

"How's about, 'no'?" I replied while giving my fingers a little snap. A large burst of blue-ish energy came from my hand and struck the guards. They flew off and hit the wall, only to be left on the floor unconscious.

I continued out the door and through the building, shrugging off anybody trying to get in my way. The power felt good. Never before did I have this much electricity run through my veins. Getting the electric chair had to have been my greatest idea yet. I'm going to have to thank the man who caught me when I get the chance.

With an outstretched arm and an open palm, I blasted open the front gates. Before me was a vast forest with trees in every direction. I heard wolves howling and even saw a few mice scampering across the ground. I simply walked forward never looking back.

Back to the Present

"And that readers, is the story of how the fuck I got here."

Now what was I thinking about earlier? Oh right. The moon is ever so beautiful. The stars shine so brightly. In fact, I think I see a shooting star right now. I wish for some friends. Some super-powered friends. They could help me beat up my enemies. Or maybe not. I'd settle for some normal friends. God I'm lonely. Wait...

"Is that star getting bigger?"

*BOOM*

"Well, shit. Luckily for me, it landed somewhere that direction," I state, pointing off towards who knows where. "I guess that's my signal to get back to the city." Getting up from my comfortable seat, I notice the color of my outfit. "I aughta get me some new duds when I get there; this orange jumpsuit is just not my style."

One long walk later

I enter downtown and begin walking down the sidewalk. People are giving me funny stares on account of my orange jumpsuit. It's as if these people have never seen an escapee before. I continue on my little stroll until I reach the local B.L.Ink clothing store. Once again, I received funny looks. 'Fuck this jumpsuit,' I think to myself. Looking around, I finally find something that suits my style. Inside the fitting room, I change into a pair of black jeans, a plain white T-shirt, a black hoodie-vest, and slip on some black and white sneakers. Using my magic touch, I remove of those lousy tags that trigger the store alarms. Leaving that stupid jumpsuit behind, I try to walk out the door as a clerk catches me.

"E-e-excuse me sir, y-y-you haven't p-paid for any of t-t-those," he says with a stutter so bad, I could only respond with a Poker Face.

"I know," I reply in complete monotone.

"Well, w-would you p-p-please follow me to th-the cash register?"

"No."

"O-okay then...." The man lowers his head and walks way.

I proceed out the front door and stop to turn around. "I almost feel sorry for the guy." Noticing a little boy walking down the sidewalk with a toy car in his hand, I kneel over to give him a pat on the head. "Hey kid, wanna see a flying car?" The kid nods ecstatically. "Check this out."

I get up and stare out into the road with the boy by my side. As a car drives past us, I stretch out my arm and open my palm. The blue energy bursts out once again, this time in a way that covers the car in a blue aura. As I raise my arm, the car does too. The boy is staring in complete awe as the driver has a face the screams fear. I turn around and do a motion as if I were throwing a baseball. The car followed suit. It flew right through the glass windows of the store and wrecked everything and everyone in its path. Even that dude with the stuttering problem. I said 'almost', didn't I?

Next to me, the kid just stood there. His expression is that of amazement, fear, and confusion. I place my hand on his shoulder and tell him, "Listen kid, when they ask, just call me Mr. Rogers." I lift up my hand to give him one more pat on the head before walking away.

About one block from the B.L.Ink clothing store, I hear sirens and the screeching of tires. I put on my hood and place my hands into my pockets.

"I am Roy Raiden Robert Rald Ricardo Richardson XIII. With these powers bestowed upon to me, I will get revenge on those who made me who I am." I stop in my tracks. I look up towards the giant skyscraper looming over the city. Pointing my finger at its direction, I announce, "Better Living Ink., I'm coming for you. But first, I'm going to start a commotion. And maybe stop talking to myself."

God I'm lonely.