Tag: #42

Majesty

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Team: Skull Crushers

Unique: #42 – La Calavera: These Uniques are the strongest, physically, of any Unique Soul. A baseline, D-tier Calavera has the potential to shatter an Earth with little effort, once awakened. Though all Calaveras have immense strength, they also tend to have a secondary ability associated with their name. Zeros that birth a Calavera are compelled to give their child a name that warns of their ability. Calaveras also have several ways to increase their strength. They may align themselves with a Celestial’s court and share the group’s strength. Calaveras may also choose another Calavera to be their rival; this bond works like a mentorship. The strength of the weaker Calavera grows to match its rival the more time they spend around each other.

Tier: S+

Name: Majesty

AlterNet Character: Mjsty

Race: Earth Elemental – [Top Soil] – Character gains a Minor bonus to HP healed. Upgrades increase the bonus tier. Maximum tier adds regeneration over ¼ lap when using a healing Ability.

Soul: Unicorn – [Pure Magic] – Character gains a Minor chance to dispel a debuff from the Target when using a healing Ability. Upgrades increase chance. Maximum tier dispels a buff from Opponents when damaging with an Ability.

Class: Druid – [Druidic Stones] – Character may enhance any Zone in play with this addition. This enhancement cannot be destroyed independently from the Zone. Druidic Stones increase the cost of Opposing Abilities by one tier. Druidic Stones reduce the cost of Teammate Abilities by one tier. This Ability cannot be upgraded.

Spec: Regrowth – [Evergreen] – Character may Echo any healing Ability for ¾ cost once per lap. Upgrades reduce cost and cooldown. Maximum tier may Echo the ability once more for ¾ the original cost.

Favorite l.oadout: (can be changed during a pit stop)

Agility: [Dis ‘n’ Tangle] – 40MP – [Active, Movement, Nature] – Character applies Taunt and Moderately Slows the Target for ½ lap. The caster may choose a different Target to focus the Taunt onto. Upgrades increase duration and add damage. Maximum tier deals Major damage. Applies Deaf, Slow, and Taunt.

Charisma: [Soothing Presence] – Moderate MP reserved. [Aura, Druid, Nature, Passive] – Character generates a healing Aura. This Aura heals a Minor amount of HP for any Teammate within ¼ track of the caster. This Aura does not heal the caster. Heals every ¼ lap that the caster skates. Upgrades increase range and healing power. Maximum tier heals a Massive amount of HP for any teammate within ⅔ track of the caster. 

Dexterity: [Pocket Sand] – 15MP – [Active, Druid, Nature, Shadow magic] – Applies Blind to the target for ½ lap. Upgrades add damage. Maximum tier deals Moderate damage and adds Bleed. 

Intelligence: [Mana Tree] – 250MP – [Active, Druid, Nature] – Character plants a Mana Tree at the goal line. Teammates regain Major MP when completing a lap. Upgrades increase mana given to teammates. Maximum tier heals Major HP. 

Stamina: [Underbrush] – Moderate MP reserved. – [Armor, Druid, Nature, Passive] – Character has debuff Armor based on their Max HP. Armor refills every two laps. Debuffs must burn through the Armor first before affecting the Character. Upgrades increase efficiency and reduce cooldown. Maximum tier refills Armor every lap.

Strength: [Mudball] – 10MP – [Active, Druid, Earth Elemental, Nature] – Character may sling a Mudball at the target twice per lap. Mudball applies Minor Slow and Blind for ⅛ lap. Upgrades add damage and uses per lap. Maximum tier adds Poison. [Sync – Characters with an Elemental connection to the earth begin with this Racial Ability at level 2 (Moderate) and may level it up to 7 (Mythical) ] Mythical tier adds 


Flair: Peppermint Clover – This equipment automatically heals a random target on the track whenever a healing Ability is used with a Minor preference for teammates. Upgrades increase the chance of a Teammate being healed instead of an Opponent. Grants Armor if healing a Target at Max HP. Maximum tier adds Minor Armor to every heal triggered by this equipment. This equipment cannot be upgraded manually. It upgrades itself as it heals Teammates.

Physical Description:

Family:

Background:

Deer John (8-02-19)

Freshly Minted (8-04-19)

Majestic Smackdown (8-14-19)

Majestic Life (9-24-19)

Sour- Sweetened (8-07-21)

Parenthood: Majestic (8-15-21)

Sharp End (9-05-21)

Friendship Strikes (3-08-22)

Royal Encouragement (5-09-22)

Heroic Friendship (5-31-22)

Majestic Escape (6-29-22)

Flutter

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Team: Skullcrushers

Unique: #42 – La Calavera: These Uniques are the strongest, physically, of any Unique Soul. A baseline, D-tier Calavera has the potential to shatter an Earth with little effort, once awakened. Though all Calaveras have immense strength, they also tend to have a secondary ability associated with their name. Zeros that birth a Calavera are compelled to give their child a name that warns of their ability. Calaveras also have several ways to increase their strength. They may align themselves with a Celestial’s court and share the group’s strength. Calaveras may also choose another Calavera to be their rival; this bond works like a mentorship. The strength of the weaker Calavera grows to match its rival the more time they spend around each other.

Tier: S∞

Name: Flutter

Race: Fairy – [Beetle Armor] – Character gains one hand slot that may only equip Shields. Upgrades add more hands. Maximum tier grants a total of six Shield hands to the character. 

Soul: Dragon – [Scaled Soul] – Increases innate defense of character by a Minor amount. All Abilities, Effects, and Equipment that boost Defense grant an additional Minor bonus. Upgrades increase the bonus. Maximum tier grants the character Immunity to Fire Abilities. This includes any support Abilities with a Fire component. [Sync – Characters played by Dragons begin with this Racial Ability at level 2 (Moderate) and may level it up to 7 (Mythical) ]

Class: Paladin – [Righteous Mission] – All debuff durations are reduced by a Minor amount. Upgrades reduce the duration by greater amounts. Maximum tier increases buff duration by a Moderate amount.

Spec: Fortress – [Wrath] – Character may not equip Weapons. Character absorbs and stores a Minor portion of incoming damage in their shields. Damage may accumulate until spent. Charge is lost at the end of the half. Wrath deals 75x absorbed damage to a single target or 35x absorbed damage to all targets in a cone up to ¼ track. Upgrades increase damage and range. Maximum tier tier may discharge the cone in two directions without losing efficacy.

Starting l.oadout: (can be changed during a pit stop)

Agility: [Inertia] – Moderate MP reserved – [Aura, Movement, Passive] – Character gains Minor bonus Armor for every 1 lap completed as long as they remain in forward motion. Upgrades increase bonus. Maximum tier gains armor for every 1/3 lap completed as long as they remain in motion.

Charisma: [Bolstering Presence] – Moderate MP reserved. – [Aura, Paladin, Passive] – Character’s teammates gain a Minor amount of this character’s Defense as bonus Armor. This Armor refills every time this character completes a lap. Upgrades increase bonus Armor and MP reserved. Maximum tier refills shields whenever the Target character completes a lap.

Dexterity: [Void Cloak] – Moderate MP reserved – [Armor, Shadow magic] – Character gains Spell Armor equal to any Armor they gain. Upgrades reduce Spell Armor lost to Spell damage Maximum tier absorbs one Spell once per lap without depleting Spell Armor. 

Intelligence: [Consecration] – 65MP – [Active, Elemental, Fire, Holy] – character unleashes a wave of energy ¼ track forward and ¼ behind. All Opponents caught will receive Major damage. Applies Knockdown. Applies Blind and Deaf for ½ lap. Upgrades increase damage, debuff chance and range. Maximum tier adds Major Fire Damage over ½ lap. 

Stamina: [Scale Armor] – 0MP – [Armor, Dragon, Passive] – Character gains a Minor Amount of Armor each lap. This Armor is cumulative. Upgrades increase Armor gained. Maximum tier heals HP for a Major amount when gaining Armor. [Sync – Characters played by Dragons begin with this Racial Ability at level 2 (Moderate) and may level it up to 7 (Mythical) ]

Strength: [Shield Bash] – 15MP [Active, Weapon skill] – Character may slam up to 2 shields into the target for Minor damage from each shield. Character may pay an additional 8MP per shield to add more. Each shield has a Minor chance to Stun for ⅛ lap. Upgrades increase damage, stun chance and duration. Maximum tier stacks stun duration cumulatively. 


Flair:  Donna Chang’s Menu – Once every five laps this Character may [Order Out] for a buff-granting meal. This requires one lap on the Dance track to consume. Upgrades reduce the cooldown. Maximum tier may order food for the whole team. This equipment may not be upgraded manually. It upgrades itself as laps are completed. Upgrades persist between game halves.

Physical Description: Long, flaming red hair. pale complexion, 8’8′, muscular frame.

Family: Fairy Father, Dragon Mother

Background:

Flutter Bye (1-09-18)

Outbreak

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Team: TBA

Unique: #42 – La Calavera: These Uniques are the strongest, physically, of any Unique Soul. A baseline, D-tier Calavera has the potential to shatter an Earth with little effort, once awakened. Though all Calaveras have immense strength, they also tend to have a secondary ability associated with their name. Zeros that birth a Calavera are compelled to give their child a name that warns of their ability. Calaveras also have several ways to increase their strength. They may align themselves with a Celestial’s court and share the group’s strength. Calaveras may also choose another Calavera to be their rival; this bond works like a mentorship. The strength of the weaker Calavera grows to match its rival the more time they spend around each other.

Tier: S+

Name: Outbreak

Login phrase: “Break Out!”

AlterNet Character: Outbrk

Race: Fairy (butterfly)

Soul: Vampire 

Class: Necromancer

Spec: Plaguebringer 

Favorite l.oadout: (can be changed during a pit stop)

Agility: TBA

Charisma: TBA

Dexterity:  TBA

Intelligence: TBA

Stamina: TBA

Strength: TBA

Flair: TBA

Physical Description: Average height, average build, bronze skin, neon-green hair.

Family: Outbreak was born to Zero parents.

Background: Outbreak reached her freshman year full of hatred for her name. More than that, she resented her parents that gave her that name. But, then she met Turbo, someone with an equally unusual name. They became fast friends and he told her about Toku-high. She took the the AlterNet quickly and started questing right away. As she met different Calaveras and used her abilities more, Outbreak began to appreciate her name.

She chose necromancer as her class and made friends to quest with. She even got help on quests she tried to solo.

Outbreak discovered there weren’t many necromancers at the school and decided to get to know them for ideas on how to build her character. But, she just happens to make friends everywhere she goes. And, of course, she helps them on their quests too. She’s even helpful to strangers.

She’s never bored at school. And, she can never have too many friends. She’s understanding for those friends that need a little extra attention. She’s even kind to bullies.

Outbreak took a part time job for an excuse to see more of the multiverse. But she still finds time to quest for skills. She quickly learned her first loadout didn’t work quite right. So, she’s trying a different build.

Crushing Outbreak (3-24-22)

Royal Entertainment (4-06-22)

Bringing Outbreak In (4-09-22)

Playing with the Heart (4-15-22)

Outbreak of Interest (5-19-22)

Turbo

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Team: New Luchadoras

Unique: #42 – La Calavera: These Uniques are the strongest, physically, of any Unique Soul. A baseline, D-tier Calavera has the potential to shatter an Earth with little effort, once awakened. Though all Calaveras have immense strength, they also tend to have a secondary ability associated with their name. Zeros that birth a Calavera are compelled to give their child a name that warns of their ability. Calaveras also have several ways to increase their strength. They may align themselves with a Celestial’s court and share the group’s strength. Calaveras may also choose another Calavera to be their rival; this bond works like a mentorship. The strength of the weaker Calavera grows to match its rival the more time they spend around each other.

Tier: S

Name: Turbo

AlterNet Character: Turbo

Race: Human – [Drive to Improve] – Character may master a single Active Ability one grade higher than normal. This Ability cannot be upgraded.

Soul: Cyber – [Synchronicity] – Character is able to optimize every action. Reduces cost of every Ability by a Minor amount.

Class: Engineer  – [Project Lead] – May summon an additional Drone. (2) total.

Spec: Swarm monarch – [Monarch] – Engineer begins with One nano-colony each Half. Nano-colonies are used to interface directly with the nanos that operate the Derby Track. Each interaction consumes a portion of the colony. The colony will regenerate over time as long as at least 10% of the colony remains. This number can be manipulated with skills.

Favorite l.oadout: (can be changed during a pit stop)

Agility: [Jet Dash] – Uses jet thrusters to dash across ⅓ lap. Soul Sync- starts at lvl 2. ½ lap.

Charisma: [Medic Drone] – summons a Drone that gives the team a Minor regeneration Aura. 

Dexterity: [Mist Drone] – Summons a  Drone that Generates a mist visible only to the Opponents. Summons a Drone that reduces the Team’s visibility by a Minor amount.

Intelligence: [Scout Drone] – Summons a Drone that flies alongside the Caster and grants buffs to the team. Can see [Invisible]. Caster is Immune to [Blind].

Stamina: [Shield Drone] – summons a Drone that grants each teammate 3%HP as Armor.

Strength: [Plasma Turret] – character summons a star-channeling turret. Turret remains in place on the track. Turret may be attached to a Drone. Upgrades increase max number of turrets.

Flair: – Garage Key – Character gains access to all storage inventory and crafting surfaces during a pit stop. The character may craft freely during a pit stop. May only be used once per half. This equipment cannot be leveled up.

Physical Description:  Dark straight hair, short for his age, toffee colored skin. His tattoo is a brain with jet thrusters on the bottom of his left foot.

Family: Turbo has two Zero parents. And he’s spending more time away from them once he learned about the updates.

Background: Turbo always felt that he was meant for more. He managed to talk his parents into letting him attend a school for assassins; but, Principal Mundo sent him to the Nexus Academy instead. Once there, he hit it off with Riot and she asked him to join her team. And, he was there when Abby returned to the school after her kidnapping.

While getting into the flow of an AlterNet school, Emily asked Turbo to spice up the Halloween party taking place at the school. He realized he needed a more high-end workspace than he was using, and began looking at different labs. Then, during the event, he decided to quest for CyberRiot’s faction to get some gear and have a chance to work with Roger. His time with Roger helped him finalize the zombie nanos for Emily. While she was there, he invited her to an A.I.’s wedding for a member of CyberRiot.

After finishing the nanos, Turbo started a new project. It took some trial and error, but he finally found compatible parts. However, Chroma informed him that his zombie virus began spreading across universes.

While questing, he met Outbreak; another Calavera who had strong feelings about her name. Then, while helping a stranger, Turbo found someone else that needed urgent help. It took some coordination; but, Turbo was able to help. That’s how he met Chronos.

Even after meeting Chronos, Turbo continued working on his project. After acquiring some more resources from Ozone, he was able to finish it. It turned out to be a gift for Abby. Then, he returned to learning about Chronos. Now he’s started a new, more challenging project.

Timely Upgrade (2-04-22)

Turbo Focus (2-27-22)

Turbo Processing (3-16-22)

Toku-high: AlterNet Class

Jewel of a Memory (8-21-22)

Minerva

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Team: Skull Crushers

Unique: #42 – La Calavera: These Uniques are the strongest, physically, of any Unique Soul. A baseline, D-tier Calavera has the potential to shatter an Earth with little effort, once awakened. Though all Calaveras have immense strength, they also tend to have a secondary ability associated with their name. Zeros that birth a Calavera are compelled to give their child a name that warns of their ability. Calaveras also have several ways to increase their strength. They may align themselves with a Celestial’s court and share the group’s strength. Calaveras may also choose another Calavera to be their rival; this bond works like a mentorship. The strength of the weaker Calavera grows to match its rival the more time they spend around each other.

Tier: S+

Name: Minerva

AlterNet Character: Mnrva

Race: Sun Elemental – [Radiant Warmth] – Adds Minor HP heal at lap completion to any Aura. Upgrades add greater tiers and reserve MP. Maximum tier  has a Minor chance to heal when damage is taken.

Soul: Unicorn – [Radiant Magic] – Adds Minor MP gain at lap completion to any Aura. Upgrades add greater tiers and reserve MP. Maximum tier has a Minor chance to refund MP cost when using an Ability.

Class: Knight – [Self Sufficiency] – Character may Craft on the Skate track at the risk of interruption. Upgrades increase efficiency to reduce cost and crafting time. Maximum tier may not be interrupted.

Spec: Banner – [Banner Drone] – Automated drone that flies alongside the Character and displays a Banner for the team. Each Banner provides multiple Auras for the team. The drone increases the amount of Auras each teammate may use by 1. Upgrades increase Aura effectiveness. Maximum tier increases the amount of Auras each teammate may use by 2.

Favorite l.oadout: (can be changed during a pit stop)

Agility: [Balanced Movement] – Minor MP reserved. [Aura, Movement, Passive] – Character maintains an Aura that increases Stability by a Moderate amount. Reduces the chance of Knockdown and Interrupt. Upgrades gain greater Stability. Maximum tier grants immunity to Knockdown.

Charisma: [Banner of Sunlight] – Minor MP reserved. [Aura, Banner, Passive] – While this Banner is active, any Opposing Ability that obscures a character has reduced effectiveness. Upgrades grant greater reduction. At Maximum tier, Opponents cannot use invisibility.

Dexterity: [Aura’s Shadow] – Moderate MP reserved [Aura, Passive, Shadow magic] – Any Aura dispelled from the character retains its effect for the rest of the lap at a reduced effectiveness. Upgrades increase effectiveness. Maximum tier absorbs the Ability that dispels an Aura and grants the character the MP cost of the absorbed Ability. 

Intelligence: [MP Battery] -0MP [Elemental, Nature, Passive] – Character’s MP pool gains a Moderate bonus at Level up. Upgrades grant greater bonuses retroactively. Maximum tier refills Moderate MP every ½  lap.

Stamina: [Armorsmith] – [Crafting, Passive, Smith] – Character may use patterns to create items. Character may repair damaged armor. Upgrades unlock higher tier patterns. Maximum tier may use Legendary patterns.

Strength: [Flat Smack] – 25MP – [Active, Weapon skill] – Character smacks the target with the flat side of their sword. Deals Minor damage and dispels one buff from the Target. Upgrades deal more damage. Maximum tier dispels two buffs from the Target.


Flair:  Chrome Scale – Character is Immune to one random damage type each lap. If the character completes a lap without triggering Immunity, the character heals a Moderate amount of HP and MP. Upgrades heal for greater amounts. Maximum tier activates every lap, whether the Immunity is triggered or not.

Physical Description: Olive skin. Short, curly coffee-brown hair. 6’4″. Athletic.

Family: Chroma – adopted mother; Ruby – adopted sister; Ruin – Fiancé

Background: Minerva was accused of being a witch because of her supernatural strength. She was rescued by Chroma; she needed a Calavera to grow her own power and invited her to join the Chrome Court. Due to the events surrounding the Pineapple Cup, the Chrome Court picked up a bad reputation for a while. But, Minerva remained proud of her adopted family even when it caused trouble for her love life. After adjusting some settings on her dating profile, she met Ruin.

They clicked instantly and saw a movie instead of their first brawl. Though, their date was interrupted by Ballisea. After the interruption, Ballisea asked Minerva for a favor which led to meeting Frost. Then, she met back up with Ruin again to finish their date. When it was over, she met his derby team, the Green Tornados. Upon introductions, Minerva revealed she was with the Skull Crushers, An all-star derby team formed specifically to challenge the Green Tornados.

While waiting for the match, Minerva spent time with her sister, Ruby. While cleaning out a facility, they discovered Oren was still around; he was assumed dead after the match between SoundCrowd and the Conquistadors. Then some time later, Ruby asked Minerva to get Tim, after a meeting with Melody left her uneasy. Ruby decided to wake her mother up, but she wanted the afterlife taken care of first before Chroma could stop her. So, she sent Minerva to handle it in her place.

As a result of the Green Tornados winning the derby match, Minerva had permission to reveal the secrets of the Chrome Court to Ruin; but, his reaction was wholly unexpected. During a later meeting, Minerva stood by her sister’s decision to Chroma herself.

With the school year in gear, Minerva continued her daily life spending time with Ruby and dating Ruin. Then, things took a serious turn, and Ruin and Minerva announced their engagement. She wants to wear something special for her big day and asks for Chroma’s help. She’s also getting the materials she can get on her own; but, she always makes time to help.

Almost Ruined (2-05-22)

Scenery. Ruined. (2-09-22)

Bloody Cool (3-30-22)

Chrome Connection (4-10-22)

Fatal Faux pas (5-03-22)

Recording. Ruined.

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[WP] You are a part of a cult that believes the end of the world is near. Unlike most doomsday cults your group is made up of ex-scientists who discovered an ancient evil deep within the earth, and found that it was due to awaken in a few weeks time. from WritingPrompts

“To second chances,” Dr. Clark raised her glass of champagne.

“To second chances,” the gathered scientists raised their own glasses to the toast.

“I hope we get one,” Dr. Clark added quietly to herself before she emptied the glass in one chug. Then, she put on a smile and nodded at the group. The brightest minds on Earth gathered in a cave seven miles below the surface. The most powerful weapons they could create, two solar cannons, were pointed at the center of the cave.

Their target was a bald, broad-shouldered pale man that sat on a stone throne. His eyes were open but he hadn’t moved or even breathed in the past month. A message carved into the side of the throne informed them of the exact time the figure would wake up, 12:00p.m. It also included some helpful advice. Most notably: “Don’t be on Earth when he wakes up.” The message also told the scientists that the hairless figure was a powerful creature of the night. With nothing else to work with, Dr. Clark decided he was a vampire based solely on the tattoo atop its head. It was a large bat skull with fangs and a blood-red number 42.

His discovery raised impossible questions. Where did he get such a professional tattoo a million years ago? How did they count to 42? Who sealed him for a million years? How did they know what calendar would be in use, to predict the exact date and time? But, Dr. Clark needed to prioritize survival above all else. She only had a month and called in every favor and contact she had.

Once the group was formed they tried everything from priests to garlic to end the threat. Nothing affected the figure. They couldn’t penetrate his skin with silver bullets, much less wood. Desperation forced the scientists to conceive a way to store and fire concentrated sunlight. Unfortunately, they only managed to complete them on the day of awakening. The cannons were untested and Dr. Clark decided not risk them misfiring and destroying themselves. She hoped she could somehow reason with the figure, using the cannons for intimidation.

“Lights on,” Dr. Clark said. Immediately the dozen industrial UV lights surrounding the cave flickered on. She hoped they weakened the figure, even if they couldn’t tell. She was also banking on him being weak after a million-year hibernation. “Close the doors,” she said.

“Why are you staying?,” her assistant, Mike, said. He tilted his head towards the exit where the rest of the scientists were filing out. “Why not try talking to him from the control room?” Dr. Clark shook her head with a faint, sad smile.

“I’m in charge, I get to be selfish,” she said. “I’m not convinced those doors will slow him down, much less stop him from getting to the control room. If I can’t reason with him…,” she shrugged. “…I won’t have to deal with even a second of guilt for failing you.” Dr. Clark gave Mike a gentle shove towards the half-closed doors. “Hurry up, they’re waiting for you,” she said. Mike gave her a hug, then dashed out the door.

Dr. Clark sighed to herself and sat on a chair between the solar cannons. 10 feet in front of the seated figure. She stared at her watch for two minutes while counting down. With ten seconds left she focused on him.

Despite feeling ready for anything, Dr. Clark jumped in her seat when the cave filled with the sudden sound of the figure inhaling deeply. He exhaled with force, then loudly filled his lungs again, then, he laughed.

“I’ll tell ya, doc,” he said. His eyes focused on Dr. Clark; his chest was heaving with deep breaths. “I didn’t need to breathe… but I missed the hell out of it,” he chuckled. He leaned back on his stone throne and smiled at her while still enjoying heavy use of his lungs.

Dr. Clark was shocked he spoke English, and seemed to know who she was.

“Who are you?” she asked. She practiced a series of questions in several languages; but, English made things easier.

“Name’s Ruin,” he said with a slight forward tilt of his head. “Pleased to meet you, Doc Clark.”

“How’d you know my name?” Dr. Clark was thankful for English; that wasn’t a question she prepared.

“I didn’t need to breathe because my body was time-locked,” Ruin said. “But, my eyes, ears, and mind still worked; she made sure I could reflect on my actions. You finding me was the first light I saw in a million years. And it’s been fun watching you all scurry around trying to kill me,” he chuckled.

“Who froze you in time? Why?”

“Vanilla,” a new voice startled Dr. Clark again. She suddenly realized a young man stood next to her. She glanced at the doors but they were still closed. The new stranger wore a white suit with an orange tie. He stared down at Dr. Clark through rounded spectacles. “Her name was Vanilla,” he said, then faced Ruin.

“Do I know you?” Ruin asked the man. He shook his head.

“I’m here in Vanilla’s place; and, I’m impressed she’s…,” the suited stranger gestured at Dr. Clark. “…still alive. You’ve been free for a whole minute.” Ruin shrugged.

“You’ll have to thank Vanilla for me. I really appreciate getting the time to think.” The stranger nodded.

“That’s enough for probation at least. Though, I’ll be keeping an eye on you. Where to?” he asked. Ruin stood from his throne and walked towards them. Dr. Clark tensed, but she tried to keep her wits about her. It sounded like he had plenty of time to kill her already if he wanted to.

“I want a nice vacation. In the woods, I miss nature,” he said. The stranger raised his hand and a pitch-black portal appeared between Ruin and Dr. Clark.

“Good luck, doc,” Ruin said. He nodded at her, then disappeared into the portal. The darkness swallowed him, then disappeared.

“Who are you?” Dr. Clark asked. “Where’d he go?”

“I’m Billy,” he added a curt bow to his introduction. “He went to another Earth.” Billy smiled, then another black portal opened next to him.

“Wait!” Dr. Clark jumped to her feet. “What’s going on? Who’s Vanilla?” Billy gave her a smile.

“She was the best,” he said. Then, Dr. Clark blinked. When she opened her eyes she was alone in the cave.

“Whoa! Where’d he go? Did we fail?” Mike’s voice over the speakers startled Dr. Clark. Once she got her bearings she started walking towards the exit hoping it would be open soon.

“I don’t know, we’ll have to check the video frame by frame.”

“What video?” Mike asked as she heard movement on the other side of the doors.

“OH MY GOD!” she shouted. “DON’T TELL ME YOU DIDN’T RECORD THAT!?

“Record what?” Mike asked. “He disappeared at 12 instead of waking up.”

“What?” Dr. Clark glanced at her watch. 12:00:31 p.m.

Buying Restraint

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[WP] For 20 years, your spa resort in the middle of the city has remained untouched amidst the chaos of battle between superheroes and villans. This is because your ability, as the spa owner, levels the playing field. You nullify everyone else’s powers, creating a neutral ground for both parties. from WritingPrompts

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Sharp. I’m Restraint,” the tan young man in a black suit shook Ms. Sharp’s hand before gesturing at the pair of seats in front of his desk for her and her assistant. “What can I do for you?” Restraint asked. He returned to his own seat as Ms. Sharp sat down; her assistant remained standing.

“I’m here to tell you what I can do for you,” Ms. Sharp replied. “You have a decently successful business here but it can be more.” Restraint was used to fending off business ideas from people that have no clue how to run a business. Everyone was eager to tell him how to make more money off the Supers that visited his spa anywhere he was. At least Ms. Sharp had the courtesy to make an appointment.

“Alright,” Restraint nodded. He let a short sigh escape then continued. “Go ahead and tell me how I can be making more money.” Ms. Sharp smiled at him.

“I’m sure everyone in this room knows you’re not doing this for the money,” she said. Restraint was surprised. He glanced at Ms. Sharp’s dark-haired assistant and she gave him a slight nod. Every other idea he’d heard was intended to boost his profits. “As I said, I want to help you make your business into more. To reach further and help more people than you already are.”

“That takes money…,” Restraint said. He was actually hoping she meant what she said. But, he did not want to let her know how close she hit to home. The only reason he ran the spa was to help people in his own way. He had the strength to be a superhero, not to mention his ability to nullify powers. But to him, it was more important to create an island of peace than to suit up and fight villains.

His spa was in the center of town and every year its influence grew a little larger. Heroes and villains were more civilized the closer they were to Restraint’s spa and he hoped that’d cover the whole city eventually. It surprised him when Ms. Sharp shook her head in response to his comment.

“It takes resources,” she said. “Money is just the middleman, I have all the resources you’d need.”

“And you have a plan to use those resources?” Restraint asked. “I doubt you’re giving them to me just like that.” Ms. Sharp nodded.

“You’re aware that alternate universes exist?” Ms. Sharp asked. Restraint nodded and chuckled.

“Yeah, we get a few travelers through here sometimes. Why?”

“I run a multiversal corporation named Sharp Development,” she said. “While we offer a wide variety of products and services, I still need to address the Super sector. Unfortunately, my knowledge and contacts in that area are thin at the moment, which brought me to you,” she said.

“Okay, you’re here,” Restraint said. “What’s your plan?”

“Simple as can be,” Ms. Sharp replied. “We’ll start off simple by having sign-up sheets available in the locker rooms. Once we get enough interest I’ll host a presentation laying out the whole thing. I’m envisioning a service that allows clients from other universes to hire Supers.”

“You think Supers want to get hired to help with honey-do lists and bodyguarding?” Restraint asked. 

“I think that Supers would like the chance to use their abilities freely without risking their lives. I also think they’d like to travel and see other universes. If the local Supers are off in different universes they won’t have much time to cause trouble here,” Ms. Sharp said. Restraint had to admit he liked that idea the most.

“Okay,” Restraint nodded again. “I’m willing to give you a shot, what’s the next step?” He was surprised when Ms. Sharp’s assistant stepped forward with a red clipboard that she wasn’t holding a second ago. The clipboard only had one sheet.

“I just need a couple of things, first a signature,” Ms. Sharp said.

“What’s this?” Restraint asked. He was curious to see where her idea led, but he wasn’t ready to sign a formal contract.

“This is just giving us permission to distribute flyers in your business,” she smiled. “You’re not committing to anything else yet.”

“Oh, okay,” Restraint nodded then signed his name. “And the other thing?”

“This isn’t a requirement as much as it is advice,” Ms. Sharp said as she stood. Her assistant collected the clipboard. “This isn’t true for everyone, but it is for you. Get a tattoo. It will change your life,” she said. He watched her assistant wiggle her fingers at the air, then a tall black portal opened. “And make sure it has your favorite number, 42, on it,” Ms. Sharp added before she stepped into the portal and disappeared.

Sharp Restraint

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[WP] Superheroes are real, but not fighting big cosmic threats or even criminals. Instead, they have a company where they rent themselves as bodyguards. from WritingPrompts

“Restraint? That’s a boring hero name,” Charlie couldn’t help but comment as he shook the young man’s hand. Although, he couldn’t deny Restraint fit his name perfectly. Restraint appeared to be in his young 20s. He had a healthy tan and wore a perfectly tailored black suit with a white tie. A pair of round, red-rimmed glasses drew attention to his hazel eyes.

“I’m no hero, just the representative,” Restraint replied. “So…,” Restraint sat down in front of Charlie’s large oak desk. “…what kind of hero are you looking for, and for what purpose?” Restraint asked.

“What for?” Charlie asked. He walked around his desk and sat in a high-back leather chair. “I need a bodyguard for my daughter. I thought that was the extent of your services, what else do you offer?”

“Almost anything; Supers, like people, have a variety of interests. Sharp Development can find a Super willing to help you with anything you want to accomplish. Although, we do limit clients to one Super per contract period,” Restraint said. “How long would you like your daughter protected?”

“Forever, obviously,” Charlie laughed. “Or, at least as long as I can afford it.” Restraint tilted his head at Charlie with slight interest.

“There is a way to get a Super assigned to you on a permanent basis,” he said. “And, it wouldn’t count as a timed contract, so you’d still be able to hire Supers for temporary jobs.” Charlie sat up straighter, then leaned forward over the desk.

“You can really protect her permanently?” he asked. Restraint nodded.

“Sharp Development accepts souls as currency. However, since you only have the one, it can buy you nearly anything.”

“You’re serious?” Charlie asked. The question was directed both at Restraint and himself. He couldn’t believe he was seriously considering selling his soul. “If I sell you my soul, my daughter gets a Super to protect her for the rest of her life?” Restraint gave a curt nod.

“Can I get a permanent Super and a timed contract?” Charlie asked with a grin. “It’s the only soul I’ve got,” he said.

“Sure,” Restraint nodded again. This time, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “The maximum contract is only three years; Sharp Development will own your soul forever.”

Inviting Sun

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[WP] You are being put on trial during the Salem witch trials after being accused of witchcraft. You plead innocent but nobody wants to believe you. Suddenly, a glowing figure enters the room and helps your case. from WritingPrompts

Minerva’s heart sank with the gavel bang. The court ruled her a witch and in an instant, the gathered townsfolk rushed at her like a rabid mob.

“BURN THE WITCH!” Minerva’s own mother yelled. The young woman couldn’t blame her though; she saw the pain in her mother’s eyes. She knew she was only doing it to take the blame off herself for birthing a witch at all. Not that Minerva was actually a witch. The accusation only came because she proved herself to be stronger than any man in the village.

It was a festive day full of friendly competitions; Minerva won them all easily. The mayor’s ego was particularly bruised when Minerva bested his son in a wrestling competition.

“She has unnatural strength! It’s magic!” he shouted. That was all it took to get her on trial. A trial presided over by the Mayor himself; she never stood a chance. Then, almost as quickly as it began, the ruckus died down. A brilliant, almost warm glow entered the room. Everyone, now quiet, sat down again and turned to face the newcomer. Minerva noted the crowd seemed relaxed and guessed they felt like she did; ready to nap on a beach on a warm sunny day.

“This woman is no witch,” the stranger said. She was tall, lean, and ghostly pale.  Her hair shimmered like polished metal as did her eyes.

“And you are, Ms.?” The mayor asked. His question came in a far more polite tone than Minerva had ever heard from him in her 20 years. It only made it stranger that he was addressing a woman. The rest of the townsfolk seemed content to sit quietly and bask in her warm glow.

“You may call me Chroma,” the woman replied. She continued walking towards the witness stand at an easy pace.

“And how are you sure that she’s not a witch?” the mayor asked. Chroma smiled at him, she was now directly in front of Minerva.

“Because I am,” she replied. Minerva’s eyes went in fear for the woman. She expected the crowd to rush Chroma just as ferociously as they did her; but, no one moved. The mayor only nodded his head.

“I see,” he replied. “Though, that doesn’t necessarily exclude her from being one. Witches belong to covens. How do you explain her magical strength?” Minerva was amazed that the mayor’s argument came out so peacefully. She knew it was due to Chromas glow, and she did not doubt for a minute that the woman was definitely a witch.

“What’s to explain?” Chroma shrugged. “Your boys are just weak; they should get more exercise.”

“Hmmm,” the mayor nodded again. “I suppose they have been getting lazy.”

“It’s a beautiful day outside, why is everyone in here?” Chroma asked. Minerva felt the sudden urge to run outside, but Chroma placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her steady. Another bang of the gavel drew everyone’s attention.

“Not a witch. Case closed. Let’s get back to the festival,” the mayor said. The townsfolk all stood calmly, then filed out of the courtroom. The moment Chroma and Minerva were alone, Chroma’s golden, sunny glow dimmed and Minerva’s head felt clearer.

“Are you okay?” Chroma asked her. Minerva nodded.

“Yes, thank you. Who are you? Why is a witch helping me?” 

“I’m not a witch exactly. I do use magic, but it’s not witchcraft,” Chroma replied with a smile. Minerva couldn’t help but stare into her mirror-like eyes. They were polished enough that Minerva was looking into her own green eyes.

“I helped you with the hope of convincing you to help me,” Chroma replied. Minerva nodded immediately; she was beyond grateful at this point.

“Whatever it is, if I can help you, I will,” Minerva replied. Chroma smiled. A tall black portal opened next to Minerva and Chroma nodded at it.

“Welcome to the Chrome Court. You’re going to help me save the multiverse,” Chroma then stepped into the void and disappeared. Minerva heard her voice from the other side. “Come along, Calavera.”

Super & Unique

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[WP] You’re a doctor seeing a farmer’s young son for his first visit. “This won’t hurt a bit” you say as you prepare a simple blood test. You say that to everyone, but this time it’s true: the needle breaks against his skin without leaving a mark. from WritingPrompts

“We should leave,” Joshua said. The nurse had only been out of the room for a moment before he suggested it.

“Nonsense,” his wife replied without looking at him. Her focus rested entirely on the wiggling bundle in her lap. A fair-skinned, dark-haired baby boy giggled at her various faces. “We need to get our boy taken care of.”

“Something isn’t right, Mary,” Joshua said. “The nurse looked surprised when she gave him his first shot,” he said. “You saw how fast she excused herself.”

“It’s a doctor’s office, dear. Things come up,” Mary replied while still making the boy giggle.

She was supposed to give him more than one,” Joshua added. “What if he’s not… normal,” Joshua asked. That did get Mary’s attention. She looked at her husband with stern eyes.

“Our boy is perfect,” she said. “The nurse said she’d be back in a moment; maybe she went to get the rest of the vaccines.” The baby’s giggles died down without Mary’s attention, but they began again as soon she was locked onto his sparkling blue eyes. Joshua sighed and leaned closer to Mary’s ear.

“Honey…,” he said. “I know we’re going to love him no matter what, but you have to consider the fact that we found him in a crater in a field. Maybe something happened when she gave him the shot.”

“If something out of the ordinary happened, don’t you think she would have shown it a bit more?” Mary asked. “She didn’t even blink, she injected him, then set the needle down and excused herself.” Mary paused for a moment after that and tilted her head slightly; she looked up from the baby again.

“She didn’t dispose of it properly…,” Mary realized. Joshua stood and walked to the small cart the nurse left behind. He picked up the plunger and examined it; the needle only extended a fraction of what he expected, he held it out to his wife.

“It’s broken,” she said plainly. Then she looked down at the baby’s leg and realized the nurse left without applying a bandaid. “Maybe we should,-” Mary’s suggestion was interrupted by a knock on the door. It swung open to let in a tall, lean, aqua-haired woman in a white coat.

“Mr. and Mrs. Clark, my name is Dr. Mundo,” the woman smiled at them, then she looked down at the baby in Mary’s lap.

“Oh my, it looks like you’re going to have your hands full with this one,” she said. Mundo tilted her head slightly, as if she noticed something, then he gave Mary and Joshua a more thorough appraisal.

“Where did you find him?” she asked.

“He’s my son!” Mary said. Her voice only carried slight traces of annoyance and anger; but, they were enough to interrupt the baby’s giggles. Dr. Mundo shook her head.

“Not biologically,” she said. The Clarks stood to leave, but Dr. Mundo continued. “I’m not trying to take him away from you, but if you’re going to raise him, there’s a lot you need to know. To give you the right information, I need the right information from you,” she said.

“Why?” Joshua asked. He realized that seemed vague and clarified. “Why aren’t you trying to take him away from us?”

“The simple answer is, he’s not from this Earth,” she said. “I’m not sure how he got here. If his real parents ever come looking for him, that’s for you and them to work out. Until then, I know you’ll give him a good home.”

“What do you mean he’s not from Earth?” Mary asked. Both parents sat down again; they seemed to trust the doctor a bit more.

“Oh, he’s from Earth. Just not this one. Alternate universes exist and this little cutie seems to be from one of those.”

“How do you know… any of this? You just walked in,” Joshua asked. A broad smile took over Dr. Mundo’s face.

“I’m so glad you asked,” she said.

“I’ll get to that answer eventually. First, let’s talk about your baby, have you named him yet?”

“Constance,” both parents replied simultaneously; to their surprise. Things happened so fast, they hadn’t had any time to discuss names. They had a library of names to choose from; they often discussed children in the past. Before they gave up. However, Constance was not on any of their lists.

“It’s a beautiful name,” Dr. Mundo said. “So, let’s get started. Your son is what’s known as a ‘Unique Soul’. I mentioned alternate universes earlier; you should know that a ‘Unique Soul’ does not have a counterpart in any other universe. In all of infinity, there is only one child like your son.” Both parents smiled at that extra bit of information.

Dr. Mundo was about to say more when a sudden knock struck the door. The same nurse that tried to give Constance a vaccine peeked in but now her white uniform was covered with a growing green sludge.

“Dr., I’m sorry. Fae emergency,” she said. Dr. Mundo nodded, then turned her attention back to the Clarks.

“I’m sorry, something’s come up. But, we really should continue this. Please make an appointment on your way out,” Dr. Mundo turned to leave the room, but paused in the doorway.

“You should know that Unique Souls often attract each other. Now that he’s part of your life, you should be prepared for lots of unexpected things. If anything out of the ordinary happens before our next meeting; here’s the important stuff. Your son is Unique Soul #42, La Calavera. Even at his age right now, he’s the strongest person on this Earth. On top of that, he’s also a Super with the ability to fly.” She turned away again, leaving them semi-confused. But, to their surprise, she paused again after a step.”And, one final piece of advice until our next meeting. If you ever meet anyone named Dana Sharp; or someone claiming to be from Sharp Development. Do not trust them under any circumstances.”