Fables and Falsehoods [OC's]

[Introduction]

["Phantom Thread I"--Jonny Greenwood (from the Phantom Thread soundtrack)]

The New York Times; New York City, NY; October 31st, 2010

"...The business district of  New York City was evacuated earlier this day when the first reports of a possible terrorist attack began to circulate. Approximately ten minutes to the strike of seven in the afternoon, dark, impossible clouds filled the city skyline, followed by loud screeches Outnumbered and out-gunned, the NYPD stood before the army with little chance of success and no hope for survival. However, by the rise of the sun the next day, against all odds, it was the team that looked upon the ruin they had made of the invading force. Eight forty-seven the following morning, our enemy had been vanquished and the Nation's heroes were still standing strong. The world is indebted to these brave men and women. Sixty-eight members of the force died on this day..."

The Wall Street Journal; New York City, NY; December 5th, 2015

"...There is life beyond Earth, there is magic, and it is hostile. Attacked by unknown...creatures, born of magic, for the second time in the last ten years, the world once again owes its continued existence to the bravery of the team the NYPD. The fight left all of New York City as well as several neighboring cities in shambles. Buildings are nearly unrecognizable as such, homes are lost beneath magical weaponry and bodies of the dead, and it is estimated to take several decades to rebuild the city to its previous brilliance. Due to the work of the NYPD, however, potential casualties were greatly reduced. Defeating the enemy in the confinements of the grand city localized the destruction and saved, possibly, millions of lives. One city is a small price to pay for the lives were saved on this next, terrible day..."

Boston Times; Boston, MA, September 21st, 2017

"...Earth has been put on the supernatural map, finally, having been invaded once more and victorious, but this time, with devastating consequences. The smoke cleared this September evening to reveal the Boston police force with the slain supernatural army at their feet, but, to the horror of civilians worldwide, few members standing--only seven percent of those who fought. The efforts of the BPD have ensured the safety of our people once more, but with another city fallen, and more frequent, small attacks (one happening every other week, roughly, in cities across the world, how much longer can our heroes protect us? How much longer can we protect ourselves...?"

[One week later, the Boston Times updated this piece from "one happening every other week" to "one happening every week".]

The New York Times; New York City, New York; October 30th, 2019

"...Chaos. Absolute, utter, chaos. Ten seventeen this morning the NYPD, as well as the U.S. Secret Service, and the Department of Defense, fought their last battle against the forces of the paranormal. Still recovering from the loss they suffered only four years earlier, as well as the constant, smaller battles occurring almost every other day, the teams were outmatched by the oncoming waves of creatures. Victory cost more than several lives this battle, it cost everything. The world is in shock. For the first time ever we are completely vulnerable. The world's military forces have fallen.