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*Panel shows a riot of civilians in front of the city hall. SPECTRE is not yet a hero.*
SPECTRE: Please everyone!
Calm down please!
CIVILIAN ONE: We don't want to be saved by your vigilantes!
CIVILIAN TWO: Are we training our children to send them to their deaths and call them heroes?! That's just wrong!
SPECTRE: Please calm down!
Our cities heroes are only trying to help you!
CIVILIAN THREE: We don't want their help!
CIVILIAN FOUR: They're just freaks the government's using as soldiers!
*OBSIDIAN makes their way through the crowd and to a place everyone can see them.*
OBSIDIAN: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!
CIVILIAN TWO: Oh dear god!
CIVILIAN FOUR: A villain!
OBSIDIAN: Now I would recommend that you all skedaddle. I have some business I need to attend to.
*The crowd all fearfully run away.*
Now we wait for The Actor.
MEANWHILE
*CREAMPUFF, who is not yet CREAMPUFF is heading towards her dance class when she sees THE ACTOR in civvies being suspiciously in a rush.*
CREAMPUFF: Hey Mars!
Where are you off too...?
*THE ACTOR doesn't notice CREAMPUFF and keeps running, CREAMPUFF, suspicious, follows unseen. THE ACTOR runs to the city hall and changes into their uniform before entering.*
THE ACTOR: Obsidian.
OBSIDIAN: Ah, you made it, hero!
I was starting to think you wouldn't show up.
THE ACTOR: Well of course I would show up.
I'm the one who needed to talk to you.
See STRIKE #0
OBSIDIAN: Oh yes, I remember.
Now, what was it that you wanted to discuss?
*CREAMPUFF catches up to THE ACTOR and hides behind a door and watches everything.*
CREAMPUFF: *Whispering, to self* Wait...
Thats The Actor and...
...Obsidian?
Where did Mars go?
THE ACTOR: You'll actually be surprised.
OBSIDIAN: Oh?
THE ACTOR: I want to recruit you. To reform you.
OBSIDIAN: Recruit me? Reform me?
THE ACTOR: Yes.
OBSIDIAN: Now, why would you even want to do that? Hm? Do you think I can really be trusted?
Hero, I'm the bad guy, in case you forgot.
THE ACTOR: Listen, Guy has gone missing.
I didn't have much connection with him after his retirement but I know he wasn't the most social person.
During his hero days you were who we fought against the most.
I don't know...
...I thought you would know something about him or where he might go after studying him for so long.
*Panel shows shock on both OBSIDIAN and CREAMPUFFs faces.*
OBSIDIAN: My...
CREAMPUFF: *Whispering, to self* Guy...is...gone...?
OBSIDIAN: Well...
...That is certainly some interesting news.
THE ACTOR: So...
...What do ya say?
OBSIDIAN: I don't think the public will be very happy if I were to play hero.
THE ACTOR: If you help me with a missing persons case as big as this I'll see what i can do about getting you pardoned.
OBSIDIAN: I doubt you'll do that.
You don't even trust me, do you?
THE ACTOR: I do trust you.
OBSIDIAN: Then prove it.
THE ACTOR: How about I make you a deal?
If you join me, I'll tell you who's behind the mask.
*OBSIDIAN smiles.*
OBSIDIAN: Alright, hero.
You've got yourself a deal.
*THE ACTOR and OBSIDIAN shake hands to seal the deal.*
OBSIDIAN: So now tell me, who are you?
*THE ACTOR slowly takes off their mask*
CREAMPUFF: *Gasp. Whispering, to self.* Oh my god...
The Actor is...
THE ACTOR: My name is...
CREAMPUFF AND THE ACTOR: Mars!
*CREAMPUFF was a little to loud and was heard by THE ACTOR catching their attention. THE ACTOR suddenly looks toward the door, CREAMPUFF covers her mouth in fear.*
THE ACTOR: I'm sorry, I thought I heard something.
OBSIDIAN: *In awe* ...Your beautiful.
THE ACTOR: Hm?
*THE ACTOR quickly turns back to face OBSIDIAN who is slowly reaching their arm towards THE ACTOR who takes a large step back.*
OBSIDIAN: I thought you trusted me.
*THE ACTOR leans forwards to show trust and OBSIDIAN tucks a few strands of hair behind THE ACTORs ears, holding their face.*
OBSIDIAN: Heh, I didn't know you had freckles...
...They're cute.
*THE ACTOR smiles. OBSIDIAN takes off their own mask and leans in for a kiss. THE ACTOR pulls away.*
THE ACTOR: Well, um uh. Good to know your on the team...
...I've got a uh, few more people to talk to so um I'll stay in touch...
*THE ACTOR puts both of their masks back on to hide the fact that they are currently a blushing mess as they head toward to window and pull out a grappling hook.*
OBSIDIAN: But...
THE ACTOR: Good bye!
*THE ACTOR grapples away. OBSIDIAN throws their mask down and sit on the windowsill.*
OBSIDIAN: Stupid!
Ugh! what is wrong with you that was a stupid move!
*CREAMPUFF looks back at her dance bag and thinks hard while staring at a dark blue crop top with a heart logo.*
LATER
*Panels show THE ACTOR arrive at a cabin house on the outskirts of town and an apartment door, both residents answer.*
THE ACTOR: Hello...
...V.
...Bug.
I am putting together a team to search for a missing persons and I am well aware of your abilities.
BLURRY FACE: My abilities? I-I don't know what your talking about...
...You must have the wrong person.
SPECTRE: Missing? Who's gone missing?
THE ACTOR: V, I am well aware that you have been following Guy and I for the past few years.
I know very well about the powers of your incense and crystals as well.
Guy has gone missing, I need your expertise to help find him.
SPECTRE: I'm not so sure if I'm the right person for this, don't get me wrong I would love to help but...
There is nothing special about me.
BLURRY FACE: And all this time I thought I was being sneaky.
Ok, I'll help!
THE ACTOR: Nonsense. I've heard about how you can calm a crowd and that you are incredibly handy with a computer.
We could use a tech expert on our team.
SPECTRE: Wow, thats really an honor...
...I would love to join you! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
THE ACTOR: Perfect!
*THE ACTOR hands them both a card.*
THE ACTOR: Meet me at this address on saturday next week at exactly 4:45.
Don't be late.
BLURRY FACE: Will do!
SPECTRE: Thank you! I'll be there!
LATER
*OBSIDIAN is stopped in an alleyway by CREAMPUFF in a makeshift uniform made from her dance clothes.*
OBSIDIAN: And who might you be?
CREAMPUFF: I'm no one.
But...
*CREAMPUFF threatenly leans in toward OBSIDIAN.*
CREAMPUFF: If you dare hurt Mars.
I'll kill you.
*OBSIDIAN nonchalantly pushes CREAMPUFF back with one hand.*
OBSIDIAN: Calm down, creampuff.
You got nothing to worry about.
*OBSIDIAN walks away.*
CREAMPUFF: Sure.
But I'll be watching.