What
makes someone evil? Or more importantly for this story about aging superheroes
and villains; what made someone decide to use their powers for good or evil?
Some
of the villains in this story were already bad people when they were suddenly
given extraordinary abilities.
The
Rumbler for example was a two-bit thug who liked beating people up for money.
He was mean and gruff and people crossed to the other side of the street. When
the awakening changed his skin to living stone and made him almost indestructible
he used it to his advantage.
Some
villains though were ordinary people and turned bad when they got their powers.
Majesto
the Magician is one. He was just a nerdy little magician who was hired for
kid’s parties on the weekends and worked a nine to five job at a office supply
store. When he got his powers he even used them to do real magic tricks instead
of slight of hand and illusions. He didn’t turn bad until later.
During
Captain Atomic’s short retirement he often thought about villains like Majesto
who decided to use these awesome powers for evil. Captain Atomic thought about
them often and as he faced a few of them this last time he wished he could ask
them once and for all.
Captain
Atomic staggered out of the back of his farmhouse.
As
he stepped off the back porch a blast of red lightning destroyed the porch and
sent Captain Atomic flying toward a small group of villains who had gathered in
the darkness.
Standing
around the former hero of Atomic City were some of the most notorious villains
of said city. All but one, Majesto, had wicked smiles on their faces as Captain
Atomic struggled to his feet.
Crimson
Storm, the originator of the blast that destroyed the porch, stood next to his
partner in crime and twin brother, Frost.
Growing
up in the ghettos of old Atomic City the twins were already criminals when they
got their powers. They saw now reason to change their habits.
They
had never fought the namesake of Atomic City but thought it would be worth the
street rep to be among the group that killed him.
They
stood between two of the most psychotic of the villains of Atomic City.
On
the twins left, the fire from the engulfed house glinted off the pointed teeth
of the Crazed Cannibal. His lips snarled in a macabre blood stained smile. He
could not hold in his insane cackle as he gnawed on his scarred lips in
anticipation. He has wanted to eat the flesh of this super hero for so long he
couldn’t pass up the chance when he heard about the plan.
According
to rumors the Crazed Cannibal didn’t actually have any powers. He filed his teeth and sharpened his
nails to make himself more dangerous. The maniac was a real cannibal who found
an opportunity after the Awakening to live out his sick desire to eat human
flesh.
On
the twins’ right, was the mad professor, Peter Netrebov.
He
was the lucky villain who discovered where Captain Atomic had retired.
Weeks
of scouring the Internet and dark networks for any clue had been fruitless. And
then, by sheer luck, but he claims it was skill, he came across a random
comment to a post on a message board.
He
then sent out an army of his drones, the same that hovered high overhead, to
find the Captain.
His
baldhead was sweaty from the heat of the burning house but also anticipation of
the battle that was about to commence. He wanted to end the Captain ever since
the Captain destroyed his lab in Atomic City. Years of work had been lost. His
lovely robotics lab and all his creations turned to rubble.
Walking
up to the group was the ringleader of this whole horse and pony show, Mr. Dark.
Mr. Damian Rajnish aka Mr. Dark was the second richest man in Atomic City. He ran a multi-billion dollar
empire of technology and innovation.
Damian Rajnish was smart before the awakening and became smarter after. He was
also another who became evil after the awakening but Captain Atomic knew why so
he had no desire to ask him.
Mr.
Dark’s intelligence drove him insane but he hid it very well. Rajnish
Enterprise had poured millions into developing the city into a thriving
metropolis of technology. Everyone knew someone who worked for Rajnish.
As
Captain Atomic started to get up he was surprised to see Mr. Dark.
“John
Reese,” Mr. Dark said. “You have been a hard man to find. I had an entire floor
of my building scouring the globe for you.”
Mr.
Dark walked through the group of villains and stood before Captain Atomic.
“Hmmm,
seems like they could have been doing something more productive,” Captain
Atomic said.
“Mr.
Dark?” Majesto spoke up.
“All
in due time, Majesto.” Mr. Dark said.
In
a flash Mr. Dark grabbed Captain Atomic by the neck and lifted him off his feet.
The
Crazed Cannibal let out an insane laugh.
“John
Reese, if you haven’t figured it out yet, we are here to kill you.”
“I kind of figured,” Captain Atomic said.
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