No.302
>Date: March 3rd, 2017
>Location: Sanctuary City
>The bustling streets of Sanctuary City are absolutely full, as is typical of a Friday evening. Near bumper to bumper traffic, and packed sidewalks are a common during this time as everyone rushes to eat, drink or party the week's worries away.
>A group of young looking men move through the packed streets, rudely bumping through anyone in their way while they laugh to themselves. The members of the group itself appear fairly typical, non really standing out appearance wise - save for one individual, who has an almost pinkish shade of red hair.
"I'm tellin' you man."
>One of the more plain looking guys places his elbow on the red haired man's shoulder.
"This place is the shit. I can't go anywhere else anymore. It's just too good."
>The red haired man smiles.
"Yeah. You've been talking about it non stop about it all week. Hopefully it lives up to the hype."
>Arriving at their destination, the first thing the group sees is a massive line, as well as a giant neon sign saying "The Star Light Lounge".
"Shit. Look at the size of that line. It'll be sunrise by the time we get to the doors."
>The group curses amongst themselves thinking of what to do. Suddenly, a guy in the back says:
"Hey! Michael! Think you can do something about it?"
>The red haired man turns to look at his group mate.
"What? Like cause a distraction so we can slip in?"
"Yeah!"
>Michael thinks about it for a few moments before shrugging.
"Yeah, ok."
No.303
>>302>One of the boys in the group smacks Michael on the back. "Thanks man."
>Michael gives the boy a grin, and turns his attention towards the large line. His eyes quickly shimmer and glow with a red shine, as he activates his ability.
>Without warning a near-by fire hydrant bursts open, spraying water all over the crowd. Reacting, the line breaks up as everyone runs to avoid getting wet. "Hah! Did you see the look on their faces!"
>The group of boys laugh. After a few moments one of them turns to look at Michael again and says: "Better do something else too. The door's still being blocked."
>Without a word Michael's eyes shine again, causing the bouncer's shirt to spontaneously combust. In a panic the man begins pulling his shirt off, running towards the water still shooting out of the ground to try and put it out. "
Go go go!"
>With everyone finally distracted and out of the way, the group hurry their way towards the entrance - slipping in just in time for the bouncer to put the fire out. No.304
>>303>Finally inside, the group is greeted by a barrage of flashing lights, booming music and cramped crowds. Shocked by the sheer size of the building, one of the boys tries shouting over the music:"Holy shit! This place is huge!"
"What!?"
"I said it's huge here!"
"Oh! Yeah! It goes underground!"
"Huh!?"
"I said it goes underground!"
>Taking a few steps forward, the boys manage to squeeze their way through - realizing that they're on the top level of several underground floors.
>The source of the music comes from a stage at the center of the very bottom floor, with the occasional speaker placed around the area for additional sound coverage. "Alright! Where's the bar!?"
>One of the boys starts scanning the area - before spotting a counter with equally flashy lighting in the distance."There!"
"What!?"
"I said over there!"
No.305
>>304>A while later…
>A glass smashes into the floor, shattering into a million pieces. The group cheer, having spent the past few hours drinking."Hehl yeh!"
>One of the guys drunkenly shouts, before downing a shot of their own. Near by, Michael puts his arm around a woman's shoulder. Clearly drunk, he says:"Hey babe… wanna see a cool trick? Watch this."
>He hiccups, and then raises his hand into the air, causing his eyes to flicker red. The shattered glass on the floor suddenly stitches itself back together into it's original shape - only to explode into even smaller pieces."Yeahhhhh!!!!"
>Now turning his attention towards a stranger at the other side of the room, his eyes flicker again - causing the stranger to suddenly spit out their drink and start yelling as their mouth is burnt by scorching hot liquid."Haha! I didn't even mean to do that! Woo!"
>Michael bends over laughing. Meanwhile the girl begins looking uncomfortable, inching a little bit away from him in their seat."Yeah. Great. Maybe you've had too mu-"
"Don't… don't tell me I've had too much. I haven't… haven't blacked out yet. Now check this out…"
>Without warning all the glass in the room shatters at once, drenching the room with alcohol. People yell and scream, with some even being injured by the broken glass."Woooo!"
>Michael yells, throwing his hands in the air preparing to use his ability more and more. No.306
>>305>Elsewhere…
>A bell rings as a dejected looking Orion exits a small bookstore. He pulls out his phone, grumbling to himself."
Website said they had it… I came all this way for nothin'."
>Now walking down the street, Orion continues to look at his phone - scrolling away with his thumb while he casually manages to avoid colliding with other people despite being distracted.
>Suddenly, he stops - narrowing his eyes at his phone. He stares for several seconds before rapidly typing something in an annoyed hurry.
>After a few moments he lets out a huff, and then puts his phone back in his pocket. Just before crossing the street he stops in his tracks - watching as an MRD cruiser whizzes by. Orion's eyes dart left and right, before focusing on the vehicle - now in the distance.{"Finally. May as well go see what's happening."}
>Orion quickly crosses the street, eyeing a near-by alley. After taking a few moments to make sure nobody is paying attention, Orion quickly turns down the alley - seemingly disappearing into the shadows themselves.
>Moments later the armored vigilante Omnius comes flying out the alley, running across the windows of a building as he curves into a turn towards the MRD cruiser.
>Leaping off the side of the building, Omnius's body takes flight again, effortlessly catching up to the vehicle. No.309
>>308"You guys okay?"
>Rattled but uninjured, one of the men shakily begin climbing out of the car. "Y-Yeah. Fine. Thanks for the assist."
"I can take it from here, you should get to a safe place."
>Climbing out of the vehicle as well, the other man protests."No. This is for law enforcement only. While I appreciate your help, it doesn't change the fact that you are a vigilante and not an officer of the la-"
>Before the man can continue to speak, the metal of the vehicle suddenly stretches out - about to strike the man, only for Omnius to pull him out of the way and then kick the vehicle down the street. "…Damn it. Fine."
>The officer points at Omnius. "There's nothing we can personally do. So you can help. Just this once."
"Sure. Whatever you say."
>Omnius rolls his eyes behind his helmet, before turning his back to the MRD officers. "Okay, go. Hurry up."
No.310
>>309"Hrggg…"
>The long haired man lets out a low growl. Watching as the MRD Officers retreat back."Sorry, Metal Man or whatever your name is. I'm here to kick your ass."
>Omnius leaps forwards, only for various metal strips to be remotely torn from the environment and shot towards him like massive darts.
>Not bothering to avoid them, Omnius continues heading forward, smashing and remotely throwing away the projectiles. The criminal man grits his teeth, cursing under his breath. "Screw off you costumed loser!"
>Several of the man's piercings suddenly fly off of his body - stretching and pushing together to form a shield against Omnius's strike in just in time.
>The man tumbles backward, dropping his metal shield to the ground as he rolls across the pavement. Omnius scoffs, before using his own power to rip the shield in half and throw it's pieces to the side. "That stretching thing you can do is kind of cool. Bet you can make a lot of things with it. Too bad you had to bump into me."
>Having picked himself off the ground, the man eyes Omnius for several moments, before breaking into a sadistic smile. "I think you're the one who's ran into the wrong person, dumbass."
"Wha-"
>Before Omnius can finish speaking, the metal parts of his suit suddenly stretch inward - forming several large spikes. The spikes stop just as they barely pierce Omnius's body - being held back by his own power."Gk!"
No.311
>>310>Gritting his teeth, Orion curses to himself. "Fuuuckk!"
>He begins pulling the metal out of his body and shaping it back into it's regular form. Now angered, Omnius suddenly pulls the criminal man towards him remotely, before catching him by the throat."Let's see how you like it, fucker."
>The man's piercings are suddenly ripped from his body - creating several small but bloody holes. The metal is stretched and distorted, albeit in a less natural looking way than the criminal's work.
>Now taking on the shape of several spikes, they fly towards the man - only to stop just moments before piercing his body. Holding them in place, Orion grinds his teeth - trying to calm down."
Keep it together… he's just some dumbass who's probably mad because he ran out of coke or something…"
>The needle-like objects are flung away, and Omnius drops the man to the floor - only to quickly kneel down and punch him in the face, knocking him out.
>Standing back up straight, Orion lets out an annoyed sigh. He takes a few moments to try to calm himself down - only to overhear the MRD officers chattering behind him. "More calls are coming in of Meta-Humans acting out and random acts of destruction being caused. Dispatch says it's most concentrated near the Star Light Lounge. So our pick up might be a little late."
>Without a word Omnius lets out a grunt, before suddenly leaping into the air and flying away. No.313
>>311>More and more chaos breaks out in the streets, the closer Omnius gets to the club. With infrastructure failing, people injured or fighting, vehicles acting in strange ways on their own and more.{"
Damn. I've never seen this much chaos in one place before. What the hell is happening?"}
>Reaching his destination, Omnius drops to the ground - barely slowing himself to a stop right as he touches the ground. "…Holy shit."
>The Star Light Lounge appears visibly cracked, with it's giant neon signs flickering on and off wildly in seemingly random patterns. Broken fire hydrants are embedded in concrete, as water floods the street, putting out a handful of the many fires.
>Despite it's dilapidated appearance, Omnius senses the presence of several dozen people still in the building. Underneath his helmet he furrows his brow, before beginning to step towards the building's entrance.
>An electric wire suddenly untangles itself, falling towards Orion. He quickly ducks out of the way, avoiding being electrocuted. Concerned but undeterred, he keeps walking. No.314
>>313>Flashing lights and brilliant colors reflect brightly off Omnius's visor, with the club's electrical system strangely still functioning. {"
This place is huge. It almost feels like it's bigger on the inside than the outside."}
>Just as Omnius takes another step, a chair is suddenly flung towards him. Feeling it's approach, he turns and catches it. {"
Nobody… there…"}
>Tossing the chair to the side, he gets ready to keep moving - only for the floor to begin rumbling. Before Orion can pinpoint the source, the floor suddenly collapses beneath him - dropping him down a level in the club's massive underground complex.
>He lands on his feet with a thud - immediately scanning the area around him. Feeling a presence near-by he starts to run forward.{"
There!")
No.318
>>314>He rounds the corner - sliding into a stop against the carpeted floor. A massive, hyper muscular man with deep red skin towers over him, standing amongst wreckage and unconscious bodies.
>Hearing Omnius arrive, the man slowly turns to look over his shoulder at him - his facing twisting in an almost inhuman rage. With a deep but gravely voice, the man says: "S-Stop i-it. Stay away from me!"
>Before Orion can say anything the man suddenly twist around - swiping his massive fist in Omnius's direction. Omnius takes a step back, narrowely avoiding being hit."STAY AWAY! ALL OF YOU!"
>The giant man clenches his head and jerks around for a few moments, screaming in anger. "STAY AWAYY!!!"
>Without warning the man leaps at Orion, striking at him. He quickly moves out of the way, countering with a punch to the left ribs - causing only some discomfort to the red man.{"Shit!"}
>The man twists and strikes at Omnius again - this time connecting the hit, sending him tumbling back and into the wall - cracking it."Ngh!"
>Omnius lets out a cough, and begins picking himself up. {"This guy's a wall of meat."}
>Omnius leaps towards the monster of a man, quickly swerving around his fist. Now hovering beside his head, he unleashes a flurry of punches - striking him repeatedly as fast and hard as he can. Feeling irritated, the red man swipes at Omnius.
>He misses, narrowly. No.319
>>318>Leaping backwards, swipes both arms downwards - causing piles of rubble and debris to violently crash into the red man. Feeling nothing but more anger, the man shouts:"STOP IT!"
>The force of his shout shakes the building, causing the walls and ceiling to rumble and crack. Orion shouts back."YOU HAVE TO STOP! BEFORE YOU CAUSE THE CEILING TO COLLAPSE ON THESE PEOPLE!"
>Being drowned out by the red man's yelling, Omnius sighs and then focuses his mind on the red man. The man continues yelling for several moments, before suddenly going silent - freezing up like a statue.
>Using his mental abilities, Omnius has managed to calm the red man - putting him in a state of suspended thought. He narrows his eyes slightly, and begins delving into the man's memories.
>This continues for several moments in silence - only for the giant to suddenly collapse forward, asleep.
>Relieved, Omnius thinks to himself: {"Okay. Now I know what's going on."}