The beautiful palace of Ka’an Dorado sat in the middle of a bustling city. Colorful decorations and elaborate stalls of fruits lined the streets as the people happily went about their daily lives. The palace was ornate and designed with a lot of influence from ancient Mayan architecture.
Inside, the courtroom was loud as usual. Delegates that formed the Ka’an Dorado parliament were in a discussion about trade agreements and security issues. More than one was concerned about the potential of that shadow monster attacking their small country.
There was only one seat in the room, a throne that was as elegant as it was historical. It was an actual seat from one of the ancient Mayan ruins nearby. Decorated with gold and jewels, one man sat upon it in traditional garb denoting his place as prime minister. Everyone else stood around the columned room in suits and ties.
With a crack of sound from a stone hitting the arm of the throne, the Prime Minister called order to the room. The old man with wizened features spoke. “We have too many matters being talked about at once. First, Minister Bruno, please talk about security for Ka’an Dorado.”
A younger man in a blue suit stepped up and addressed the room. “We do not have any local meta-humans to protect our city. However, in a conference call with BADGE, I learned that, so far, this shadow monster has only attacked heroes. So, we might be safe. However, I have doubled all guards and asked that all shelters be stocked and prepared in case of an emergency.”
“Thank you, minister. Any questions?” The Prime Minister asked.
A luscious voice spoke from the far end of the room. “I have a question. Where’s the music?”
Everyone looked at each other and then turned their attention to the person standing in the back of the room.
The woman in black held a mask up to her face and smiled. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I’m fashionably late to this party, but it seems to have gotten off to a rotten start. Where’s the music?”
The Prime Minister said, “I don’t know who you are, but this is a closed session. If you want to address the court...”
“Court! How dull. What this room needs is glamour, fashion, style. And, thankfully, I’m here.” She opened her gloved arms and out of nowhere, the chords of Dance Macbre started playing while dozens of men and women, in elaborate black fashion, appeared.
Minister Bruno barked, “What is the meaning of this?”
The lady walked into the room in her usual strut while her little army spread out. She glanced around and the people began to look dazed, happy, even dancing a little to the music. “The meaning, my little man, is that I want a country to rule from, and this place is just right.”
He tapped his smartwatch. “Security to throne room...” He gagged when she grabbed his throat. “Now, now. Inviting guests to my party without my permission is a serious faux pa.”
He grabbed her arm and tried to twist it. Just then, one of her loyal minions hit him in the face and sent him to the floor.
She casually said, “Looks like you don’t want to play. Pity.” With a flick of her hand, a knife stuck into his throat and he bled to death.
Half the court was now dancing dreamily with each other or with the members of her minions. The rest were scared and trying to find a way out.
The Prime Minister stood from his throne. “Whoever you are, leave at once!” His eyes were not looking at her.
“Worship me!” She declared to the room and people fell under her spell. Either they joined in the festivities or simply turned silent. When she turned to the Prime Minister, he was unaffected by this, still resolved to remove her. “I see you are not like the others.” She mused.
“What are you doing? What’s happening?” He demanded.
“Oh, dear me.” She walked up to him. “It seems you’re strong willed and you have the minor advantage of blindness.”
“Yes. I’m blind. What of it?”
Danse Macabre came to a climax as she shoved a blade in his cut and felt him lean against her. She whispered in his ear. “My only true love once gouged his eye out just to break my spell. I have learned to deal with this minor inconvenience.”
Throwing his limp, old body to the ground, she sat upon his throne and then laughed at the dancing people. “Those who love me kill those who are simply entranced.”
Her World Corps minions handed out blades to the former leaders of this little nation. The court members who were joyfully dancing turned on their companions that were simply dazed. Scream after scream came as anyone who wasn’t dancing at this party became a corpse on the ground.
Nova took the tablet from Justin’s hand and then sneered, “Another coup in a small country. Happens all the time. We don’t intervene in such matters.”
“The last report I got was that everyone in their court was murdered.”
Nova huffed, “Petty tyrants are always blood thirsty. They’ve taken advantage of the unrest from the current situation to grab power. Defer the matter to the United Nations. This is more in their purview.”
“Understood. I’ll send this right away.”
Nova returned to his observation of the monitor while muttering about everyone using the BADGE emergency signal for everything.
Arx and Gar left one of the meeting rooms and walked down the steps to the floor where Nova paced. Chase said, “We have been in contact with all the Leagues and there has been no sign of the Shadow Krampus.”
Gar added, “The League in Paris is sticking together and asking permission to speak on behalf of BADGE for the local media.”
“Tell them they can speak with the media, but to be clear that BADGE is doing everything in our power to find and stop this threat.” Nova said.
“I’ll let them know.” Gar walked back up.
Sirens screamed, and lights blinked. One Robot stated, “Alert Class 1: Sighting of primary target in zone seventy five, sector eight.”
Nova said, “New Amsterdam? Put in on screen.”
The monitors all changed to show various footage from around the city of New Amsterdam. Some were local security cameras, some were news images, and a few were from BADGE official security monitoring stations. All angles showed one thing: a giant Shadow Krampus stomping down the street.
Arx asked, “Is it just me, or does this one look even bigger than the last?”
“I believe it is because of its target.” Nova said.
“Who?”
Nova pointed at the lower right monitor, which showed a scaly green human standing alone in an evacuated street. “The Local League is out on a mission surveying the area for rogue World Corps agents. The only hero left to keep an eye on New Amsterdam is Midgard.”
Arx groaned, “Oh, crap. There goes New Amsterdam.”
“Not if I can help it.” Nova grabbed a comm and clicked it. He punched in a special communication code and then yelled in it, “Don’t fight this, Midgard! That thing is not normal.”
“I DON’T TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU, I OBEY WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT!”
Nova yelled back, with the same rude attitude since that was just about the only thing Midgard respected. “YOU CAN’T WIN THIS! THE POWER LEVELS ARE OFF THE CHARTS!”
“SO ARE MINE...ESPECIALLY NOW!”
They watched the video feed as the massive Shadow Krampus turned a corner and glared down at the human sized Midgard. The scaly hero pulled out several vials of glowing liquids and downed them with a quick swig. His body instantly radiated a strange glow. He grew to an enormous size, bellowing laughter as he did.
“Are those enhancers?” Arx asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t think Midgard would ever use them. We designed those for the lower-powered heroes. They just boosted his power levels. The size growth is his own special abilities.” Nova clicked the comm back on. “MIDGARD! IF YOU INTEND ON THIS BATTLE, DO WHAT YOU CAN TO GET OUT OF THE CITY!”
Arx, Gar, and Nova all watched as Midgard met the Shadow Krampus with equal size and murderous intent in their eyes.
0 Comments