Working on my sidestep from fallen hero. want to draw the puppet too when I get to it. Gotta finish herald and Ortega too

Herald and Ortega sketch I need to fix Ortega’s eyes to look more tired and less mean.

Zoomed in wip when herald flew mc up to the rooftop. I always pictured him with short hair but wiki said his hair was a bit longer. I don’t hate it ❤️

Herald ❤️ Depending how the rest of book 2 goes he’ll probably be my favorite. (Sorry Ortega)

Ortega portrait sketch. this is my first time drawing a more older mature character I tried. I’m torn between him and Herald.. which I’m sketching now lol.

Daniel (Herald) and Lila (Sidestep) for @gingerbreton! They’re so sweet and cute, but Fallen Hero is so mean to them all the time

Retribution is something else

Local lesbian finally washes her hair

So uh…. Fallen Hero huh…..

Closure

Not sure why I never published this here on Tumblr but I just did on AO3, so here it is too.
This fic = Chargestep+Steel+tears.

(Tragic anniversary)
Also. Very spoilery!

—————————————————–
Yet another anniversary of the tragic past, and friends gather seeking closure together.

“It’s almost time,” Ortega says checking his watch.
“I was thinking, maybe I should just stay here?”
“Nonsense, you have to come, that’s the whole point!”
“I don’t do well in crowds.”

“I promise, I’ll be right next to you the whole time.”
You frown. Of course, he anticipated you’d be chickening out right now.
“It’ll be weird.”
“It’ll be even weirder if you’re not there”
You sigh heavily. This isn’t working.
“Who else is coming?”
“Everyone. But we don’t have to talk to them”
You look away at that, but he caresses your cheek, pulling you back to face him
“Don’t do this Cyrus. If you don’t come we both know you’re going to feel like shit afterward”
“Ha… what If I go and I end up feeling like shit anyway?”
“Then you can blame it on me!” he smiles softly, looking at you. His other hand squeezes on your shoulder, coming closer until your foreheads touch.
He’s got you. He knows if he makes you smile, you won’t be able to say no.
Emotions are stupid.
“… and If it’s really bad we can just leave. You can give me one of those “I told you so” speeches”
“It feels like I’m on the other end of those lately.”
“I know. I miss them!”
“You don’t!” you smile, conceding defeat.
“Sometimes I can be bad too” he grins
“You’re not good or bad, you’re just … incorrigible”
“And that’s how you like it”
“Fine. I’ll go. And I’ll try not to blame you when I feel like shit”
“Wow really?”
“Really”
“It’s the right thing to do. It’ll help you heal… It helped me”
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll see.”
“Just trust me on this”
“Oh I trust you, but you seem to forget I’m just a coward”
“Not a coward” He whispers in your ear, still holding you
“It was in our names, Ric. You’re the guy that Charges, I’m the one that just Sidesteps”
“Well one of us has to dodge the incoming train, right?” he snorts, letting go. “That’s how it always worked”
“Not always” comes your reply, harsher than you intended.
“Hey. Look at me,” he says straightening your shoulders. “It’ll be fine. You’re strong. The strongest person I know” He looks confident as he says it.
He’s good at telling lies like that.
…………………….

“Over here,” Ortega says, but your legs aren’t responding properly. He takes your hand when he notices you’re not following, and that does the trick, as so many of your handlers learned when trying to get you to do things you didn’t want to.

You may not want to, but you agreed to do it, and now you can’t turn back, because he said you’re strong and you’re a fool that’s ashamed to prove him wrong. Feels too much like being Sidestep again.

Your shields are so tight around you that it hurts and it’s not even enough.
Shields can’t help you on a night of grief and goodbyes. The crowd’s thoughts are all too familiar, and you don’t want to let them inside

They can’t possibly want to feel these things either, so you can only ask yourself why are they doing this. Why are they gathering together like this? Why come out and share on each other’s misery? They trained you to understand humans but they’re still one big mystery.

“… how is this supposed to help again?” you ask Ortega because he’s the one who got you into this madness.
“You’re doing fine,” he says encouragingly. You don’t manage an answer, as all you can hear are your shields cracking and bending under pressure, like the hull of the submarine in the movie you saw, the one that went far too deep.
Maybe you won’t come back to the surface either.

“Here,” he says after stepping on a seemingly random spot. “How are you doing?” he asks giving you a clinical look. You don’t reply, but it seems your expression is answer enough, and so he embraces you, letting you bury your face in his chest.
Can you hide there?
It’s not as stupid a plan as it sounds… his static does numb the pressure from one side at least if you’re close enough.
Something that he knows. A secret you confessed once, during a party Sidestep had to be present in, to help catch a murderous shapeshifter.
Not that he can wrap you up entirely, but it’s better than nothing.

“It’ll be ok. It’s ok” he repeats.
Maybe he’s right.
Maybe if you can just hold your shields for long enough, you can make it through this whole ‘Vigil’ thing, until it’s over.
You can do this.
You peek into the crowd again, and the pressure comes right back as soon as you move your head away from him.

“Just keep close to me,” you ask, hoping he won’t think you’re just being dramatic.

“Not going anywhere” he reassures you “As promised”
It takes some effort, but the shields seem to be holding for the moment…

The speaker is saying something to the crowd, and the words start sounding clearer once you’re confident enough inside your fortress.

”…because it’s important that we showcase all the good, and that we can stand together tonight. That we are still strong and that we can be better, that we will not forget. I wish my daughter Jill could be here to see us…” she breaks in tears, and the wave of resulting emotions is like a battering ram, tearing your shields apart.

Listening was a mistake, it just puts you in sync with everybody else, and now there’s nothing between you and them… Ortega tightens his embrace, behind your back, arms around you looking over your shoulder, but he could be a hundred miles away for all it matters now.
The castle is breached.
Each speaker’s words hold power over the crowd. The power to evoke images that hurt… hurt so much…

“… and eight years ago, our son Louis was taken from us…” another speaker says on the stand. “There were no answers, no explanation, no nothing. And I thought I had reached the end of the line. I couldn’t believe it when they told me what he did. What others did around him. And I would not accept it. I would not believe it. He would have never done it… I denied it. I started looking for answers at the bottom of a bottle. I couldn’t get out of my bed…”

It’s overwhelming. Familiar grief. The same loss.
Many of those present lost loved ones that day. He goes on until he can’t, and another one takes his place.

“…and I couldn’t believe the things she was saying. She was happy. We were going to get married! She had just achieved her degree. I tried to stop her… and then I felt it too… and I… I opened the window and…” This one has to be helped off the stand as he breaks, recalling the painful memory. He doesn’t say it, but you know what happened and so does everyone else who lived through it.
She jumped. He didn’t.
So it’s up to him to speak because she can’t.
He’s crying. You’re crying. Ortega holds you tight but standing in his shadow is not enough to protect you from the sun.
The speaker…He’s like you. Eight years ago, he felt that filthy mind creep inside his, and it wanted him to end it all… and he wanted it too, but he lived in the end. He survived while losing someone so important to him… lost it all. You’re in his mind and you’re feeling his grief, and he’s just as broken. You need to get out… need to get out…

“I can’t do this” you whimper
“Yes, you can. It’ll help”
“How does it help?” you ask in disbelief. Why gather to feel all this pain?
“I don’t know. It just does” he whispers.

The pressure is reaching a crescendo that you can’t possibly manage. Not with broken shields and their thoughts invading your own as they please…

You need to go… you need to…

Candles?
Candles begin lighting up everywhere, as far as your eyes can see.
Ortega searches in his pocket and lights one as well, holding it in front of you.
They all raise their candles, and the speaker goes silent, the pressure is unbearable…
You brace against Ortega, preparing for the worst yet to come.

But the pressure is lifted instead then, leaving you looking around, surprised.
Everyone’s closed their eyes, holding their candles, their thoughts spent in messages, and goodbyes to their loved ones. Wishing them well. Asking them to look over the family. Promising justice. Promising to never stop looking for answers. Telling them they wish they were here. Or knowing they are…

Something cracks in you, and it’s not your shields. Something you didn’t know was there, and it doesn’t hurt. It should have cracked long ago.

There are many like you here. People who felt the truth of that horror within them.
People who wished they were gone and not have to wake up each morning, but they still came all the way to be up here, to raise a candle with others.
Looking for hope.
You can see the struggle. Long months and years spent fighting to get better. To be whole. To move on.

Another crack. This one brings a warm feeling to your stomach, and then you’re crying too, along with them, holding Ortega’s hands as he raises the candle.

“It used to be two candles” he explains “But now I have you back”
You’re not sure how to respond to this. He’s been doing this every year?

“Want to say goodbye?” he whispers “Now’s the time”
You nod, finally understanding what is it you came to do here.

It feels stupid, talking to someone you saw die before your eyes… but not in here. Not with so many people gathered for this exact reason. They all understand.
So you let Themmie know you’re sorry. Let them know that you still remember. That you’ll never forget. That you’re happy they let you call them your friend.

You notice when you open your eyes once more.

The tall figure, with the candle in front of you, he’s looking your way.
Steel. No, not Steel. Chen.
He looks at you, with an expression you’ve not seen him wear before. Guilty.
Seven times he came to these events with Ortega, always a lier, and now the truth is out, and he’s nothing more than an outsider.
You were so angry at him.
You couldn’t forget how Ortega chose to help him and not you while you were alone in that awful room?

But it’s different now.
Your anger seems so petty and hollow now, drowning into the sea of survivors.
So small. So insignificant… These are friends.
Friends who have been pulling each other out of this void, and now that you’re alive, does that mean Steel has to pay the price of the lies he told to get Ortega back together?
Unless…

“It’s ok, you don’t need to talk to…” Ortega starts talking as Steel turns to walk away, ashamed.

But your feet have already made the decision, breaking from Ortega’s arms, you walk the distance towards Chen, pulling at his shoulder.

He turns around, surprised. Surprised that you’d approach after you left at the park… after the HQ… after the fight with Ricardo…

“Cyrus. I didn’t mean to run into…” he starts.
“I know” you cut him off. “It doesn’t matter. Come”

You bring him back towards Ortega, who looks confused, and Chen follows, reluctantly, not daring to look into his friend’s eyes. Not after the argument. Ortega frowns, before looking at you…

A final crack and you take the candle from Ortega’s hands, putting it on the floor with the others, with the pictures and flowers of Themmie and yourself, surrounded by countless other departed. You let go and return to them finally knowing what needs to be done.

You’re bad at hugging, but you embrace both of them pulling them together.
It gets really -really- awkward for a moment as you’re the only one holding your arms, and Chen looks so surprised that for a moment you fear that he’s going to pull back, but Ortega finally relents and wraps arms around both of you, as does the Marshall.

That’s when the organizers start gathering the candles, placing them into the base of the fire balloons, releasing them into the sky above.

———————

The beach is quiet tonight, and the waves hit gently against the coast, reflecting the city lights and the moon.

Hurried footsteps approach, and you don’t have to turn since the familiar static is there.

“There you are!” he says panting. “You didn’t tell me you were leaving”

“I had to. You were talking to Steel and Owl showed up”
“Right… Can’t let her recognize you”
“I don’t care if she recognizes me, I just want to keep my nose intact”.
He snorts, rubbing your shoulder. “It’s been years.”
“Not taking any chances with her”.
He adjusts to your pace, walking by the rocks. It’s dangerous to walk here at night, the rocks are sharp, and there’s no one around if you fall, but this area has enough light with the nearby hotels being renovated. That’s probably how he found you.

“So you hugged Chen”.
“Yeah. As did you,” you say, before jumping on top of the largest stone in here, sitting on the edge
“I did,” he says, adding little else.
“I figured… If there’s someone to blame for this, then it’s not Marshall Steel.”
“Uhu,” he says balancing on an edged stone, before jumping onto the large one you’re sitting on.
“This was … powerful. You were right about coming there”
“I know. I would’ve brought you last year but…”
“But I was busy preparing my armor to beat you all up, I know. And I’m sorry.”
“It’s in the past”
“Like everything else,” you say, looking at the waves reflecting the light from the buildings, at the lingering fog above them, looking like an imitation of the nanoswarm…
“I still can’t believe he lied to me for so many years” he finally lets it out.
“I know. But he’s your friend. And he’s sorry”
“And you think that’s enough?” he asks, betraying some of the anger.
“I’ve lied a lot more than him. And he would have fucked up your life if he had spoken up…”
“That wasn’t his choice to make, was it?”
“Hey I was furious too… but perhaps he did the right thing, don’t you think? All things considered…”
He takes a long, deep breath as you say that, going silent, before sitting down beside you, looking at the water below.
Too stubborn, but you made your case.
“Never expected you’d be the one standing up for Steel”
“These are definitely interesting times, don’t you think?” you say, trying not to smile too much as you lean on his shoulder, letting him draw you closer, as he watches the waves go.

Your gaze goes higher, into the skies where some of the balloons are still floating under the clouds with your candles and your goodbyes.

—————————————-
My Fanfiction:https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/181692759294/my-fanfiction-for-fallen-heroDISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and the setting of the Fallen Hero: Rebirth and upcoming Fallen Hero: Retribution games written by Malin Riden. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the Fallen Hero world. These stories are a work of my imagination, and I do not ascribe them to the official story canon. These works are intended for entertainment outside the official storyline owned by the author. I am not profiting financially from the creation of these stories, and thank the author for his wonderful game/s, without which these works would not exist.

To save a princess

Cyrus’ mind is still processing the kiss when he receives an unexpected call for aid.
________________________

When Nati first showed you her “Princess” animated movie collection, you didn’t quite grasp the scope of the impact the children’s fairytales would have on your psyche. There was a reason the Farm didn’t let you see them.

“This makes no sense at all!” you protest again, still held in Ricardo’s firm arms, the corny green dress holding on to your body in ways you couldn’t anticipate.

“Does it have to?” he asks, pulling you closer, kissing you once more, as the impossible animals continue singing the song that’s coming from nowhere.

You let go, overwhelmed at first, before coming back to your senses and pushing him back.

“No! We can’t do this, I’m not like you!”

“But you want to, am I right?” he says, and you’re shocked to see the exposed tattoos on your arms banishing as he does.

“What is happening?”

“A true kiss can break the spell.” He explains, smug and patronizing as if it was the most normal thing in the world, to see your markings banish completely.

“There is no spell you idiot, it’s just me! You can’t just kiss someone and …”

———————

—BEEEEEEEP—

“…what…?” you mumble opening your eyes.

You’re no longer in a castle, the psychotic dragon, the dancing furniture, and all those cursed animals are gone, and Prince Ricardo Ortega isn’t holding or kissing you anymore. There’s no dress, but just the sheets you’ve made a mess with around your body. And the tattoos, they’re still on you.

“The hell…” you groan, as the beeping rings again.
The annoying communicator keeps going. It must be Ortega, wanting to meet again.

You decided you’d cut communications after the Psychopathor thing, and have been only answering in emojis, trying to make them confusing. They don’t mean much, but his mind will fill in the gaps with something that makes sense to him. A trick the farm taught you.

It might be rude if he figures it out, but It’s not like you can just go back as if nothing happened, and the stupid dream is all the proof you need that you can’t be trusted near that human.

Not after he kissed you.

The excuse takes form in your mind as you pick up the device, flipping it open. It’s for the best, he’ll just have to find someone else to spend time with for the time being, at least until…

“Oh.” you let out as you read the message.

Why does it feel so disappointing to realize it wasn’t Ortega after all? Why does it make you angry?

“Shit, am I being embarrassing again?” you ask the empty room. At least there are no handlers or teammates to make fun of you this time.

“Alright… let’s see what they want,” you say, pushing the button to open the new message and read the text.

“Hello. This is Anathema here. I know I haven’t called you before, and we haven’t really talked much, and I know you’re totally going to say no and It’s ok if you do, not like you owe me anything, and you’re probably mad I wasn’t around for the Psychopthor fight and you got hurt and maybe it was my fault or something, but anyway, and like, you don’t have to respond or anything if you don’t want to and if you don’t I’ll understand and you’re probably reading my mind right now and this is stupid but I sort of need to ask for a favor from you so if you want, call me. Or don’t. It’s fine either way. Oh, and good day to you.”

“The fuck…?” you say out loud, re-reading the words a few times, finally understanding that they want to … ask you for something? Is that it?

“What do you need?” you type back.

——–
My Fanfiction:https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/181692759294/my-fanfiction-for-fallen-heroDISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and the setting of the Fallen Hero: Rebirth and upcoming Fallen Hero: Retribution games written by Malin Riden. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the Fallen Hero world. These stories are a work of my imagination, and I do not ascribe them to the official story canon. These works are intended for entertainment outside the official storyline owned by the author. I am not profiting financially from the creation of these stories, and thank the author for his wonderful game/s, without which these works would not exist.

NEVER

In the aftermath of the battle with Psyschopathor, Ashfall enters the scene to save the day and enrage Ortega. Cyrus walks away, still shocked by Ortega’s kiss.

——————————

“What are you doing?” you manage to ask for some sort of explanation to this.

“What does it look like I’m doing?
Words have always abandoned you every time someone decided they wanted to learn what your lips tasted like and today is not the exception.

Why does this keep happening? You know perfectly well what happened the last time a human kissed you, and yet you’re not pulling back, because some stupid part of you wants this, ever since he ‘taught you how to smoke’ properly in that alley…

Stupid and careless, tossing caution into the wind.

It won’t end well now, you know that, but…

…but he saved you. Psychopathor was about to kill you and he saved you… and this kiss is different. Delicate? Gentle? Something you’ve never felt.

Are you deluding yourself? Is this how humans kiss each other?

He’s holding you in his arms, and you feel yourself drift away. Your arm holds onto his shoulder, pulling closer to him while it lasts, even when you know it has to stop.

“Are you really ok?” he asks, worried “For a moment I thought I had fucked up and that you…”

“I’m alright, It’s nothing. It’s not even broken…” You interrupt, gasping as you receive a wave of despair from the victims around your crushes your shields. “The landslide! There are people trapped, we have to help them!”

“Mierda!” he is startled, and let’s go without warning, making you scramble not to hit your head against the rubble. “I don’t see them, how are we going to find them?” he asks, trying to pierce through the dust cloud and devastation that surrounds you.

“Leave that to me,” you say, pulling down your mask quickly.

“Can you even walk?”

“I’ll have to” you answer, standing up with his help and taking a few steps just to see if you can. The pain is about what you expected, but you can still do it, which means there’s work to be done, so you pull your mask back down.

“There! A woman!” you point to a nearby spot, and he immediately sets to work on it, digging with both hands, pushing heavy pieces or rubble and wreckage away.

“Where is he?” Steel barges in, ready for combat, armor smoking but somehow reactivated. “The Psycho is out” You explain, “We need to help the survivors!”

A single nod and he immediately starts helping the Marshal. Between the two of them, they manage to dig her out, still alive.

“There’s more” you mumble, trying to focus.

“How many? Where?”

“Everywhere! A lot of them a lot”

Victims in every direction… which one do you help first?

“Someone’s coming” you blink, noticing the new presence as you scan. “There!”

“Once again the Marshal bites more than he can chew!” the newcomer says, hopping down next to you. “Look at the mess you’ve made, Charge!”

“Who are you?” you ask, confused.

“Yopu can call me Ashfall” he winks “I’m here to take down the old monster and all that jazz. So if you gents would point me towards him, I’ll do what the Marshal keeps failing to and…oh, shit” His speech is interrupted as he notices Psychopathor, passed out, his armor still smoking on the ground.

“Psychopathor ya está jodido.” Charge yells. “Stop being a pendejo and help us rescue the victims already!”

“Victims? Did you ruin everything again, Ricardo?” Ashfall asks taking a second look around.

“Enough. People are buried. If you are going to help it needs to happen now.” Steel interrupts their showdown.

“Alright alright! I’ll do it… geez. Where are they? I can’t just…”

“There’s one right there” you point at the nearest one.

“Eh? And how does he know?”

“He just knows,” Steel says in a tone that leaves no room for questions. “So do your thing already.”

“Fiiine… I’ll do my ‘thing’ since you ask so nicely.” he says, mumbling some curses against the rangers.

He raises his hand… and the mud and ash on the ground trembles, becoming almost liquid and running to the sides, freeing an injured PharmaCore Soldier underneath.

“My ‘thing’ he calls it.” Ashfall scoffs as Charge and Steel pull the man out, making sure he’s still breathing

“Another one there… and there.” you start pointing them out, and he nods, using his power (power over dirt? Ash? Mud?) to free each and every one. Steel and Charge take turns to take them to safety, joined by the soldiers and locals alike, suddenly joining forces. You’re already freeing the tenth victim when you hear the ambulances approaching in the distance.

It seems impossible, but no one dies. Thanks to Ashfall, all you need to do is scan, point, and a human is saved. Almost too easy.

“We make a good team” he smiles, releasing one of the guardians. “Want to come work with me? You’d be more than second fiddle with me, unlike with that guy”. Ashfall says pointing at Ortega with his thumb.

“Thanks, but I like where I am right now…” you say, trying not to get distracted and not miss anyone that needs help.

“Really? I’ve seen your work, you’re too good to be in his shadow all your life!”

“Don’t you even think about stealing my Sidekick!” Charge says as he carries a furious Aegis towards the ambulances.

“What makes him YOURS?” Ashfall asks. “Besides, you let him get his leg messed up.”

“I’m warning you!” He replies, infuriated.

“Seriously, thanks, but I’m not looking to jump ship,” you say

“Really? Pisses me off… you’re too good to be working with these losers.”

You manage to untangle yourself from Ashfall with an excuse, helping one of the victims come back to his senses because he’s asking too many questions.

Reporters have gathered already, taking pictures of the three of you working along with first responders, civilians, and the Pharmacore forces. The Guardians are utterly furious as the pictures have Ashfall and Charge digging their whole team out off the ground. Looking into their minds, it’s clear they’re, humiliated at having their rivals save them from Psychopathor’s plot.

The Guardians walk towards one of the standing buildings, out of sight as the reporters ask them if the mayor sent them to help kick people out of their homes for PharmaCore instead of fighting Psychopathor.

Charge approaches you as the reporters move back towards you, now that the last survivor is rescued.

“Hey, I think this is all going to end well… we just need to have a small press conference to explain what happened, so you have to leave. Slip through the back while I talk to them” Ortega says, pulling you to the side.

“I knew it! You know, you’re real scum, Charge! I won’t stand here and let you steal Sidestep’s cover, you ass! You want all the fame while he walks away with a fucked up leg?” Ashfall jumps in front of you.

“Get off my face, right now!” Charge threatens.

“It’s ok” you smile weakly. “I don’t like interviews anyways”.

“Shit, you can’t let his scumbag get away with this!” Ashfall protests. “You helped take down the villain as much as he did, you don’t owe him shit!”

“Seriously, It’s better this way!” you say, starting to walk away as Ashfall keeps arguing with Ortega.

Reporters flock towards Charge and Ashfall like a pack of Vultures, but you’re a good distance away by then, enough for your stealth aura to keep you from being focused on.

Without all the enemies and danger in front of you, it’s only a few moments for you to walk away and head back to your…

Oh.

You don’t have a home anymore… the landslide washed the building away like a house of cards, along with several others.

Looking back, the damage is catastrophic. Even if they were humiliated, PharmaCore or someone like them will likely take the neighborhood anyways since many blocks have become unlivable now. You fought everyone and everything, but that didn’t prevent the damage…

Did you make any difference at all?

Yes.

Yes, you did.

“No one died” you try to convince yourself. “That’s got to count for something”

Still, a lot of people are homeless.

Just like you.

You’re not sure where you’re going, so you just keep walking. As you pass through an electronic’s store, you notice several people standing next to an electronics shop, watching the  TV sets showing the Marshal is giving his version of the events on the live news.

You can’t help running the tip of your finger over your lips, before shaking your head and walking away into the night.

This can’t happen ever again.

———
My Fanfiction:https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/181692759294/my-fanfiction-for-fallen-heroDISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and the setting of the Fallen Hero: Rebirth and upcoming Fallen Hero: Retribution games written by Malin Riden. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the Fallen Hero world. These stories are a work of my imagination, and I do not ascribe them to the official story canon. These works are intended for entertainment outside the official storyline owned by the author. I am not profiting financially from the creation of these stories, and thank the author for his wonderful game/s, without which these works would not exist.

Mudslide

Having decided where his path lies, Sidestep faces the corporate forces, ready to pay the price.
Husk’s complex plot unfolds, dooming many of Los Diablos well-known heroes, starting a familiar scene.
Vernon Brown takes some of the best pictures of his career.

I’m just going to write one more and finish this series, I can’t really keep calling it “Sidestep Origins” anymore after this!

—————

PharmaCore’s forces are holding the line at the base of the tallest of the mounds of dirt and rubble that loom over the ruined suburb, large enough to be almost a hills on their own right. You’ve learned to stay away from them since pieces of rubble and mid can slide off without warning.

Your target is right there in the open, surrounded by her subordinates trying their best to explain it’s not their fault things aren’t working out. Not going spectacular for them, and Aegis looks pissed.

You can’t help feeling dirty about going against PharmaCore, but you’ve already made your mind and sabotage is a game you mastered earlier in your training.

All the bulldozers burning but one, a simple trick done by shoving flaming rags on their gas pipes. Soon after, and while they were shocked by your distraction, the trucks of people they’ve arrested had their locks cut, causing a massive riot of angered civilians who want their homes back. Most of the corporate soldiers are trying to hold them back with a wall of riot shields, but even from her safe position Aegis still had to block a few well-aimed rocks hurled at her using her shield boost.

Must be nice, being able to ward off harm with just a thought. Inconvenient too if you’re her enemy, but you’ve got it figured out already, or at least you hope so.

Joining the exposed wires for the sixth time does the trick, and the bulldozer’s engine comes to life.

“Alright, this is it.” You mutter to yourself, hopping behind the wheel and pressing hard on the accelerator, and pulling a lever to aim the blades low.

“Hey, Aegis! I heard you like bulldozing people’s homes! Wanna know how that feels?”

“Wha…-?” She turns to look at the mechanical blade of the dozer, lifting dirt on its approach, aimed right at her. You see the green aura of her shield come up and…

…you catch her! You hear a curse as the blades lift her up, shielded and all, rolling her and burying her into the dirt as the blade keeps piling it up on top of her, pushing several feet before you jump off the vehicle.

You had concerns that she would dodge since even at top speed the dozer isn’t much faster than a bike, but the surprise factor did the trick. Now you have the tiger by its tail, and there’s no letting go.

The dirt pile flashes with green energy as her shield expands and then explodes, sending dirt and rubble everywhere. Aegis emerges with an enraged growl aimed at you.

“IT WAS YOU! … Did the Marshal send you?”

“Nope, just me. Had to take a look at your work before deciding If I was going to kick your ass.”

“You, kick my ass? Don’t make me laugh. That was your last mistake, kid, you’re dead meat!” she says lounging at you.

“No, I’m Sidestep!” you reply, and then quickly roll to the side, just out of her reach, aiming your gun to shoot twice.

You can hear the crowd cheering in the distance, as they see the enemy leader getting shot at, and the soldier’s shield wall starts to collapse front he renewed efforts. It seems you were correct, and the crowd only needed a sign to charge forward.

Her shield deflects both blasts, of course, you know you can’t really hurt her like this, but that’s not the goal.

“Sneaky bastard!” she curses, not wasting time to throw hands at your face, but you know where they’re coming and it’s easy to evade with some boxer moves, her punches coming inches short each time while you barely move from your spot. She overreaches, coming out of balance, giving you time to step back and zap again at her shiel, causing a few cracks on its green surface.

Fighting a telepath can be frustrating, and since you can’t win, being frustrating is the best you can do.

Your enemy roars, extending her arms and letting her shield grow bright. You’ve seen this before in a video, she is going to set it to explode to try and blast you away. Anticipating just that, you cover yourself with your arms while steading your feet to meet the blast. It pushes you back, and your feet leave a trail on the dirt until you end up tripping on an old pipe that makes you lose balance.

Shit.

She’s on top of you before you can blink sending a boot against your face that you manage to evade by rolling to the side. Now if you could just stand quick enough, you can regain distance and…

Her hand takes a firm grip of your ankle before you can escape, pulling you back through the dirt in one swift movement, lifting and tossing you like a rag-doll against the mound’s rubble.

Your body impacts the mound chest first, the suit taking the brunt of the damage, but still, you are left out of air, as your attacker’s footsteps close in.

“I’m going to enjoy pummeling you to a pulp, you little shit.”

You turn towards her, trying to aim your gun, managing two more shots, before it’s kicked out of your hand, her boot pushing your chest down.

“Hnnh… The crowd… it’s going to rip you to pieces if you stay.” You speak, trying to fill back your lungs against the pressure of the added weight.

“What?” she chuckles looking at the crowd as they push. “Not going to happen. I called reinforcements already. The Mayor is sending the City Guardians to impose order. You think those people will want to stand against them? I’m honestly hoping they do”

The Guardians are an Enhanced team that answers only to the Mayor, probably just as strong as the rangers are. That means you lost. You lost and she’s going to capture you… and then everyone will know what you are.

You knew it was stupid, but you wanted to play the hero.

Of course, it wasn’t going to last you always knew that. Now you’re going to be recycled for sure.

“And you wanted to be a ranger?” you ask, glaring at her. “You’re just a thug, taking people’s homes at gunpoint. You’re no better than the villains.”

She pushes down harder, asphyxiating you.

“These people are worthless, Sidestep. They’re parasites and outcasts that contribute nothing. Only idiots like you refuse to see that!”

“You can’t do this…” you gasp

“The companies own this piece of land kid. They can do whatever they want to anyone they want, and I’m going to be a part of that!”

You see figures landing behind her.

It’s the Guardians, so she wasn’t bluffing. Half of their team are fliers and didn’t waste time showing up.

There are two more figures landing to the side… not Guardians. It’s…

“Any last words?”

“Yes… look behind you…”

“Pathetic” She cackles, raising a fist engulfed in green energy to crush your skull.

“Told ya.” You gasp, as Charge’s foot connects with her face, sending her spinning to the side. Then Steel follows it up with a kick to her chest, sending straight into the mud.

“You ok?” Charge says, quickly pulling you back on your feet

“Had it under… control.” you groan.

“Get ready,” Steel says “This is going to get ugly.”

“Help!” Aegis she asks, as the Guardians surround her. “They’re attacking me!”

You stand on a defensive stance, as the Guardian’s captain approaches, looking at Aegis, then at Charge.

“Stop, Guardians! We are not here to fight you. You and I know Hood made an agreement with all the companies so that the forced resettlements would stop. We are just here to make sure that agreement stands.”

None of them stop, and you can see them readying their powers and weapons.

The Guardian’s Captain takes a step forward, theatrically wrapped in her cape.

“We work for the Mayor,” She says. “And Hood has been buried for a while. The three of you can’t fight us. Leave, or we will make you leave.”

“Not a chance” Charge replies, his body pulsing with electricity.

Even with help, there’s no way to win against all of the guardians and Aegis but you’re not going to give up now.

Instead, you focus on expanding your mind, preparing to support Charge.

———————-

“You promised and delivered. Guardian and Rangers, all the ducks are lined up. ” Psychopathor said over the radio in his helmet. “Almost time for my big entrance.”

“You get what you pay for,” Husk snorted from the other end, still using Linda Goodman’s voice.

“Are you keeping Linda Goodman? We could have more jobs for her and she’s a perfect mole.”

“Can’t keep her shape if there’s nothing to feed on. I drained too much, she’s almost another husk for the police to find now, stashed at her apartment.”

“Pitty. But it’s time. Detonate in ten seconds”

“Counting” Husk replied.

———————-

You had barely started your attempts at infiltrating their minds when a loud crack makes everyone’s head turn.

You can’t help look up as well, wondering if it’s one of the guardian’s powers… but it’s coming from the rubble mount. The entire hill is trembling, as is the ground under your feet…

“MUDSLIDE!” Steel yells, and you can barely understand what’s going on, as he pulls both you and Ortega back with his modded reflexes and armor thrusters. It’s only then that you understand that the top of the hill is coming down, a wave of mud and rubble coming hard and fast, washing the Guardians over like ants.

“We have to help them!” you gasp, but Steel won’t let go.

“Nothing we can do for them, we’ll die if we stay,” he says, aiming his thrusters low, and getting the three of you airborne and out of the way of the mudslide.

“Everyone, get back!” Ortega yells to the crowd below. The people stampede their way back as the wave advances toppling some of the lower buildings and engulfing PharmaCore soldiers standing in its way. Miraculously, it stops short of reaching the point of the clash between both factions.

“I’ll try to land there” Steel announces, aiming for the roof of one of the surviving buildings.

“I can track the survivors,” you say quickly, starting a scan.

You can’t feel that many, and it’s not looking good. Did all of the Guardians just…

…there is someone else.

Someone about to shoot you!

“WATCH OUT!” you yell, trying to make sense, but it’s too late. A white blast explodes, and you find yourself in freefall. It’s a combination of sheer luck with some skill that allows you to roll and avoid the brunt of the impact.

Charge lands on his feet next to you, while Steel hits the ground heavily, his armor smoking as he stands up, pointing all of his guns at the unknown attacker.

Your eyes follow the green trail of energy of the weapon that attacked you… a plasma weapon.

“Rangers! Been waiting a long time for this!” It’s Psychopathor, wearing a full armor suit, much bulkier than the one he had last time. A giant plasma cannon sits at the back, and you can feel some sort of telepathic presence around it.

———————————————————–

Vernon cursed as the miniature camera ran out of battle again, interrupting his recording of Psychopathor entering the field.

The building he had used as a hiding spot was solid and had withstood the mudslide for the most part, even if the facade had been utterly destroyed.

He cursed again as he tried to make his way out through the demolished front of one of the ground-level apartments, hearing the explosions.

“You’re missing the action Verny” he sighed, finally finding a way out through a crack in the wall.

There was desolation outside, and he had to look through his belongings for proper googles because of the dust cloud. People were asking for help, and he did stop to help a couple of them on their feet as he continued walking towards the battle. He could see the green explosions now, closer.

“Shit!” he muttered. Too close, he could feel the heat of the last one.

Psychopathor kept laughing as he blasted away.

“How do you like my new armor, Charge?”

“Loving it! Can hardly wait to run you over with a truck again!” the response came from the side, and a green blast immediately followed as Psychopathor tried to shoot him down again.

“Stay back!” a hand reached out to pull at his feet, and he turned to see Sergeant Steel, half-buried in the mud, with his armor powered down, still flaming with green flames. “This is no place for civilians”

“You’re the one who should stay back pal,” he said, helping put down the fire by kicking some dirt over it.

“Thanks, for that… but I’m serious. You’re going to get blasted.”

Vernon shrugged. “We chose dangerous lives”

He stood and kept on walking, taking cover behind an old car. He could see Charge and Sidestep, taking cover themselves behind another vehicle, as Psychopathor loomed tall in the middle of the flames.

The stupid camera kept giving him the “Low Battery” message every time he tried to engage in video recording, so he turned to pictures instead.

He aimed it, just in time to see Sidestep spring out of his hiding place, circling around Psychopathor.

“There you are, you little shit!” he cackles, sending blast after blast against him.

True to his name, Sidestep evades each one, and Vernon can’t help cursing again that he’s just getting pictures and not actual footage.

Charge is nowhere to be seen, and the younger hero takes cover from the blasts behind a car… but it quickly proves to be a mistake as a new blast hits the gas tank, causing an explosion, tossing him to the side. The burning car spins in the air, falls and then rolls, trapping Sidestep’s leg against the ground.

Sidestep doesn’t scream in pain, nor does he seem to pass out, just frantically trying to free himself, as Psychopathor laughs, approaching him.

Nothing that Vernon can do but keep snapping pictures. Chronicle the heroe’s death at the hands of the old monster…

The villain’s cannon powers up, ready to hit Sidestep at point-blank range… before he is hit by a lightning blast from behind, Charge stabbing his armor with a techno-blade, before sending a blinding zap against the opening.

Psychopathor gurgles something unintelligible, his cannon shooting and blasting the only surviving tree in the vicinity. He just stands there for a brief moment, before falling heavily, on top of Sidestep.

Vernon sighs in relief, taking more pictures, as Charge pushes the unconscious enemy to the side, pulling the wreckage of Sidestep.

Snap. Snap. Snap.

There is still dust in the air, making the pictures blurry, but he won’t stop.

Charge kneeling by Sidestep’s side.

Snap.

Checking on his leg…

Snap.

Gently taking off his mask. The face underneath almost makes him jump… until he realizes it¿s far too young to be the one that had kept him awake at night for so many years.

Far too young to be him.

Snap.

They keep looking at each other…

Snap.

And then Charge leans over and kisses Sidestep. Didn’t see that one coming.

Snap.

———
My Fanfiction:https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/181692759294/my-fanfiction-for-fallen-heroDISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and the setting of the Fallen Hero: Rebirth and upcoming Fallen Hero: Retribution games written by Malin Riden. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the Fallen Hero world. These stories are a work of my imagination, and I do not ascribe them to the official story canon. These works are intended for entertainment outside the official storyline owned by the author. I am not profiting financially from the creation of these stories, and thank the author for his wonderful game/s, without which these works would not exist.

somewillwin:

I just missed my girl Cynthia ✨

WB Cynthia

Broken Mirror

Unexpected allies help Cyrus overcome the last obstacle before coming face to face with his enemy, but nothing could prepare him for what he’ll find there.

A sewage tunnel. That’s where Husk disappeared in. 

The rangers are held off, and you’re the only one that managed to keep up, so it’s up to you. 

You take a step into the revolting waters and feel relieved that the suit is suitably insulated, your foot doesn’t even feel wet. 

But the stench… A few steps and you have to take your hand to cover your mouth. Can you actually do this when all you want is to run off and throw up? Husk’s mind begins to fade into the distance. You can never get the best reads from them, and as they move, it gets even harder. 

How are you supposed to follow them? How did the rangers do it last time? Maybe they had special masks or something…

 You let out another scan, frustrated that they’re getting away, and of course, they’re no longer there. Gone, while you are being held back by a stupid smell. 

But the scan doesn’t come back empty. There are many presences down here…

Rats.

Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds. 

They’re everywhere, keeping clear of you…

And they aren’t phased off by the smell. 

Your trainers and handlers would never approve, but you have no other choice… so you dive into their little minds, trying to meld their perspective with yours. 

And as you do, the tunnel changes. No, it doesn’t change, that’s not it. You are the one who changes. The smell isn’t as threatening… it’s not as noticeable, fading into the background.

Another step forward, and another, and soon you’re making progress. 

You lost Husk, but the rats know well which way they went, and they gatherer at your feet, joining as you walk on. They know the tunnels better than your enemy, and they guide you towards their lair. 

The rat leads you through a collapsed opening that leads out of the sewer itself, and into another set of tunnels… a ruined building’s basement? 

Only a few turns and Husk’s mind starts firing up again.

The familiar sensation in it strikes you once more. You can never access the core memories… it’s someohow protected, in a way that’s difficult to describe. And they are unaffected by the stench, in a way few could stand. 

The rats spy for you, and one of them can see them now, in an abandoned storage room that seems to be their actual lair. Through a rat’s eyes, you can see them changing, turning back into themself…

Blue skin. Orange tattoos. 

The rats scatter, rushing away as you lose all focus, the connection fading away in an instant. 

It’s hard to even think now. 

Husk is a Regene, and you don’t know what are you supposed to do next. 

————————————————

“I don’t know how you do it at this point.”

“Got lucky” Husk replied, as he stashed clothes in the suitcase. “The rangers chased me over half the town, then cornered me, but Riley junior came at them with the police thinking the rangers were chasing her right hand, and the exploding home was hard to explain for them.”

“The LDPD? I wouldn’t have thought that’d be enough to stop Charge.”

“Wasn’t, but I only needed a moment to run into a crowd and change into someone else.”

“Starting to think you’ve got some deal with the devil going on.”

“Well my mother is the devil so you might be onto something” Husk let out a nervous laugh. “I’m hiding now, what’s the word on what happened afterward?”

“It’s hell up there. My little birds tell me a dozen government agencies got involved, from the CIA to the Special Directive.”

Husk cursed silently at their mention.  Of course, they would show up.

“Exactly how many people did you piss off?” she asked.

“Too many. I’m sorry. I got stupid and careless today, all for a few bucks… I know Linda was our best chance of figuring where Ted is.”

“It’s ok. She was already becoming a dead-end anyway. I’ll just find a new corporate fuck for you to kidnap and bodysnatch. Someone who has better access”

“Always up for a new role here, you know that.  But we talked for too long, this cellphone is going into the fire and I’ve got to move. I’ll call you once I find a new place.”
“Be careful Husky.”

“Always,” they said, tossing the data-rod stack onto the briefcase before slamming it shut and walking into the dark tunnels. 

The stolen PharmaCore files were worth a fortune and they weren’t done with them yet. 

The tunnels that went through Los Diablos had been their friend for decades now. It was a good place to keep their victims out of sight. They’d be found years later as lifeless mummified husks by whoever dared venture into the underworld. Husk’s fame as one of the worst boogeymen was well deserved.

Left, left, and then straight ahead, and finally, they reached the point where the tunnel forked in several directions. Where to go next? They’ could be under the downtown plaza in no time, but perhaps they should instead go the…

“Stop”

Reflexes take over, and the free hand goes for the holster, pulling the gun, and sending three shots in the dark in the voice’s general direction. 

Silence. And then it speaks again, coming from nowhere and everywhere at once. “You missed.”

“Who’s there!?” Husk yelled, taking a step back, gun aimed onto the dark end of the tunnels different tunnels, still refusing to let go of the briefcase. Running would be the smart thing to do. Let them have it. 

“I know what you are”

“Oh yeah? Why don’t you get closer and tell me about it?”
“I’m close enough already.” The voice came again, closer. Unnerving. Husk fired again, hoping they got him this time. 

“How many bullets are in that gun? I’m trying to figure out the model…”
“Listen, moron, If you know what’s what, then you know everyone who’s ever come after me is six feet under so you better turn tail before I find you!” 

“I know you’re a Regene.”

Husk swallowed. “The fuck is a Regene?” they replied.

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you I already know you are one.”

“Fuck you! I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Please, I swear I just want to talk to you.”

“Oh, and why could that be?” Husk asked, sarcastically. 

“Because I’m one too.”

“What?” 

And there he was. Standing right on the flooded path that connected with the sewers. Sidestep.

Two more shots. 

“HA! I’ve got you now! Idiot… you think you can mess with…”

The words died in their throat, as they realized there was no one there anymore. 

Sidestep had banished. An Illusion?

“Nice tricks kid but you won’t get away next time.”

“It’s not a trick. I told you, I’m a Regene too.”

“What difference does it make? If that was true it’d just mean they sent you after me.”
“NO!” Sidestep cried out, the word coming from every one of the tunnels at once. “No, they didn’t. I got away. I swear.”

“You must be braindead if you think I’m going to buy a story like that…”

“But you got away. Is it that hard to believe I did too?”
“WHAT DO YOU WANT?!” 

“I just want to know why…”

“Why what?”

“Why are you doing this?” 

“The fuck do you mean?”
And again he appeared, out of thin air. Standing almost too close, looking straight at them. 

“Why the killing?. So many people… Why are you a villain… why are you… they … they told me you torture your victims… Steal their lives…”

Husk couldn’t help the laughter at that, and it was even funnier as Sidestep posture told them it was pissing them off. 

“What’s funny about it?” 

“You are. You say you’re a Regene and you’re asking me that? If what you say it’s true, then you’re a fucking clown, wearing that ranger. A clown and a traitor.”

“I’m not a traitor! You’re the traitor, you’re a killer, and a villain! That’s not what we were made for!! That’s not our mission” 

Oh boy, he sounded furious. Husk stopped laughing, raising the gun, aimed straight at Sidestep’s head.

“All humans are shit, you idiot. They made me a killer so that’s what I do and I’m damn good at it. I could never be something else! And you… why would you join with them?”

“You’re the one working for Psychopathor yourself!” 

“The Psychos and I share a goal, killing as many rich fucks as we can for what they did to us. They fucked me over in their labs for years until I managed to get out, and I’ve been bringing payback one corporate shit at a time for years. 

“But how…”

“No. My turn to ask questions. If they didn’t send you then how did YOU get out? How did you escape? Did you kill your handler?”

“N… no… we just got separated and… and… I didn’t go back?”

“Fuck you! That’s cant be true…”

“No, it is! I swear. I just…” 

“STAY BACK!” Husk yelled as the other Regene took a step over. 

“Alright…” 

“So what’s your goal?”

“Goal?” 

“Yeah. Why did you join those spandex idiots? What’s your plan with this?”

“I… I…”

“You don’t even know?”

“I’m helping. I’m being useful, I’m doing what I was made for!” 

“Oh… I see. I think I get it now.”

“You do?”

“Yes. You’re batshit crazy, you think you can be a hero and you don’t have a clue about what you’re doing.”

“I know what I’m doing!”

“How old are you?

Sidestep babbled an answer. 

“Your REAL age, not the lies they wanted us to tell, you moron!” 

The younger regene stood silent and then answered again. Reluctantly. Husk sighed at the answer.  

“You’re a fucking baby.”

“I’m NOT A BABY!” 

“You’ve barely finished your training… How many missions have you been on before this?”

“…”

“Alright. I get it, you’re too young and you don’t know any better. So I’ll give you one chance then. Join me”

“What?” 

“Join me. We can go out of here and figure things out. If it wasn’t just me, then maybe we can do some real damage… maybe we have a hope of…”

“No. I’m not joining you. I’m not a killer! I don’t kidnap people… I don’t replace them and live their lives as you do! It’s wrong!”

“Oh please…”

“Stop, and come with me, we can figure things out… we can…”

“I’m done talking” Husk groaned, pulling the trigger again. 

Sidestep banished again, but this time they were ready, shooting again, slightly to the left. 

“Aahhh!” the hero reappeared, holding their left arm where the bullet grazed their suit. 

“Mental manipulation, huh? Took me a while to figure out, there had to be a way for you to always tell who I am. Still, you shouldn’t show off like that kid. It can get you killed!” they said, pulling the trigger once more.

——–My Fanfiction:https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/181692759294/my-fanfiction-for-fallen-heroDISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and the setting of the Fallen Hero: Rebirth and upcoming Fallen Hero: Retribution games written by Malin Riden. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the Fallen Hero world. These stories are a work of my imagination, and I do not ascribe them to the official story canon. These works are intended for entertainment outside the official storyline owned by the author. I am not profiting financially from the creation of these stories, and thank the author for his wonderful game/s, without which these works would not exist.

#FHR#Sideste#Anathema#Fallen Hero Rebirth#fhr#trying to be cool#trying hard#Trying really really hard#Making new friends

“Mon chéri?”

Oh? You’re gonna kiss me?? Not if I kiss you first