The Loyal Villain

Ridgemere – Ridgemere Docks

A melancholy symphony poured down on the cobbles – each tap a reminder. Of my ignorant years when life was a series of fairytales. Of the day comfort ended and corrupted blood was forever tainted by my sins. Of my first day in Grentis when love led me to believe in futures. Of every mission. Of him.

Always him.

The drops grew heavier, pounding on my shoulders until my mind grew just as cold, leaving each memory to meld into something muddled. Something easy to stuff deep down and ignore. They were always there, entwined within me. Easy to spot within my mournful expression. There was pain in my past, built on constant disappointment and unescapable loyalty. I was a villain, and a villain’s story is always tragic.

Understand that I wasn’t purposely punishing myself with the miserable weather. This was all his fault. He was the one who just had to take on another crappy job during a dreary day. And because I was tied to him, it was also my job. I was the third official member of the group known as Terrocorp – an unlicenced organisation established several years ago. I wasn’t one of the original members. I was a girl Terrodyne found in the woods, instantly branded as evil by my power. And that was fine. Sure, we were villains, and like all of our kind, we were trying to rise to greatness. Trying to be the best. Yet what I personally yearned for was simplicity. Possibly because so much of my life was far from easy.

He brought us to Ridgemere docks – a terribly grey and dishevelled place, although the discoloured bricks that made up the tight terraced housing were far sturdier than the rest of the city. Ridgemere was considered the pit of villainous cities, though almost all of them weren’t exactly in a welcoming state. Even the top of the chain, Grentis, had a dark side of town that even the strongest of villains never dared to linger. Of course, Ridgemere was not our home by choice. It was a temporary base for our operations. Eventually we would have an office in Grentis. That was the dream. Our team goal. All we needed was the funds. A lot more. Hence the shit job ahead of us. According to Terrodyne, this one was a real payout and possibly the last we would need. Not like last time – the once glorified job of untold riches. Or that time before – the one that was meant to give us a chance of early retirement. No, this promise was a real one. And Terrodyne was known for keeping his promises.

My pace slowed as the sea air swept the bitter torrent over again, drenching any crevasse that had somehow managed to escape the rain. It brought me to a standstill as I contemplated what was ahead and what had already transpired. Three years. Three years of unwavering loyalty. Three years of partnership. Of staying at his side without hesitance. I still felt that way. There was a part of me that was willing to face whatever he asked of me, but there was a part that had weakened. That humane soul of mine that I thought to be long dead. My body could easily shut its eyes, but the heart always felt too much. It warned me that I was prone to rewriting the truth before me. Of pretending that everything was fine. This job was an important one, said to have been given to us from Raiderstein – arguably the top syndicate in Ridgemere. Good money, and perhaps it was enough for it to be the end of such misery. But would it be enough for Terrodyne, and could I be sure that I knew his true goals?

Just as his image cleared from my mind, I heard the tang of his manufactured metallic voice. “Scar, you’re slipping behind.” It echoed inside my head. A firm warning and a command, sweetened with the hint of slight persuasion. I looked up, and there he was, hovering inches over the cobbles like a deity. A slimline jumpsuit bathed in the same grey as the clouds, hooded and concealed with his mask. Like everyone else, I had never seen his true face. Only the faint image of his bright blue eyes, piercing through my being – exposing all that became my identity. He had a way of weakening me to submission, all without the use of his ability. At least, I hoped that was the case.

“I know, I’m-”

He came closer, sending a shiver throughout my skin as my words turned to a mere whisper. I couldn’t bear to look at him, fearing that faceless figure he always became during missions. Something inhuman, moulded to metal and just as cold within. I knew there was something real inside, but it became harder to believe with the mask at the forefront. My fingers longed to wrap over the inset filters. To pry it away and smash the visor underneath my heel. So many times, I had been tempted to try. I could force him to my reality, but I was too afraid to take that step. Afraid of the trouble it might spark and that he would forever reject me.

As if he could read my doubts – which he certainly might have – Terrodyne spoke, “Remember what I said. Put your fears aside and focus on your gift. You’re strong, you just need to believe it.”

Unfortunately, his words weren’t meant to encourage me towards his mask’s destruction. They were for the mission. “I know,” I stammered, face souring as the breeze wafted the stench of rotten fish towards us. “I just… have a bad feeling about all this.”

He froze, as if he was actually considering my intuition to be gospel, but then our missing team member boomed from the alley, “If we don’t get this shit over with soon, we’ll end up sleeping on the streets again.” Brutus. He was much like his chosen name. A buzzcut in a vest with the attitude of a thug, stature created through his gift. He wasn’t impervious, but he was resistant, especially when at his maximum bulk with biceps as big as his head. I had seen his weaker state only a few times before, and he had been completely unrecognisable. But for the most part, he was this brute of a being, blunt at the best of times and silent whenever I was close. Unless he was drunk.

Terrodyne gave one last look, leaving me with some final inspiration before returning to his bodyguard. “It’s nerves. Believe in yourself. You can do this.” His words felt hollow. I heard them, but I felt a slight need to shake my head. Those words weren’t meant for me. They were for someone stronger. Someone worthy whose blood wasn’t compromised by their past. But I couldn’t reject them – no matter how much I ached to do so. The last time I let my negativity surface, he made me perform my gift, over and over until I accepted the strength that he believed was inside me. Until he was satisfied. I showed my thanks and he moved to Brutus instead of searching my emotions for another opportunity to begin a lesson. He murmured something to him, relaying orders before flying up into the blooming violet sky. He was off to the rooftops, approaching a vague shadow that I might have missed if I hadn’t been following Terrodyne’s actions. I didn’t know the shadowed form, but I had an idea of which syndicate they belonged to. Raiderstein.

Begrudgingly, I took my place beside Brutus, taking my time with those final steps until his companionship was unavoidable. After a minute or so of awkward silence, I asked, “What’s going on?”

“Talking to the rep.”

“Right.” I knew that. Raiderstein always sent their nameless grunts to scout the area and relay instructions with work they outsource. I knew a little of our job. That we were bodyguards for a meeting going down in the warehouse – tasked to keep an eye on their recently acquired cargo. Their prediction was that the heroes from across the sea might try to take it back, and since the grunt was chatting for this long, those rumours held some weight.

I waited beside Brutus, counting down the seconds, only feeling relief when the faint outline of Terrodyne turned back to face us. He flew back over and the sour electronic voice began to give cold instruction. “Sounds like they are approaching soon. You’ll have to watch from that alley over there Brutus. Though… you’re going to stand out.” Brutus didn’t even blink at the comment. He had no care for surveillance. All he wanted to do was fight. “I will do what I can to ensure we have the element of surprise,” Terrodyne continued. “Just make sure you give me some time before you go barging in. I can’t focus my hold on them instantly, and gasses take time to deploy. Besides, you’ll only weaken yourself too if you get in the way.” He turned to me, tapping the edge of his mask. “As for you… I hate repeating myself, but stay behind Brutus. Once he’s out, bring out all you’ve got.”

No. There was a wrongness behind this order. From the division, the unexplained warning in my gut and the suggestion of my full cooperation. I had accepted the life of a villain and all the misdeeds that came with it. But not this. Not again. It might have been my only talent – my only worthy feature – but for once, I wanted a mission that didn’t require this of me. Let me block, or wield a portion of my gift meant to disrupt and distract. I could handle that. I liked to aid him like that. What I didn’t want, was the usual plan. “Can’t I stay with you? My powers would work better if I had a visual of the field.”

“No.” He pointed at the arch that signalled the entrance to the docks. “You need to be on the same level to blast them.”

“I’m not sure I can even-”

“Blast them Scarlet,” He commanded. “Brutus can’t be the only one fighting. He might seem impervious, but that immunity is his weakness. Leave him in a room fighting for days and he will eventually crumble. That’s why we need you as his backup.” He put his hand on my shoulders and continued, “This system works for all of us. It keeps us safe. Besides, you know how to protect yourself from danger. Out of all of us, you’re the last who should worry.” He gestured to himself. “Just look at me. One punch and I’m down. We all have our specialties, so lean into yours and be proud of it.”

“I’ll… do my best.” It was all I could reply, but Terrodyne knew it was nothing more than a lie.

# # #

That day in Grentis was clear in my memory. The two of us had arrived in the city hours before and although the sun was beginning to illuminate my new world, I didn’t feel like I belonged in it. Probably because I wasn’t born in it. I knew of Grentis – that it was one of the largest and highly populated cities in the world. But numbers didn’t mean much on paper. Seeing all those people, rushing with clear destination and no care for their fellow villains, was just so startling. At every disturbance, I found myself grasping onto Terrodyne against his wishes. He could have pried me away from him. He certainly would have if I had done it years later. But he didn’t.

He guided my trembling limbs towards the metro. He let me motion closer to him as we took in the stench of piss. He forced a meaningless conversation with me to ensure that the babbling man wouldn’t take his hallucinogenic caused aggression out on me as he had on others. His gloved hand wrapped around my waist when I foolishly glanced for too long at an eccentrically dressed group – one that I later learned was good at recruiting for meagre pay. Terrodyne supported me throughout the trip, but not due to a sense of care or romantic feelings. It was because I belonged to him.

A few stops later, we reached the U.V.A – the underground villain alliance. As the name suggested, it was a small boxy office located at the famous metro stop, right next to the massive steps that led up to Grentis’ Syndicate Row. A place that consisted of the tallest skyscrapers out of all the villainous cities, not far from Atwood tower. Like all who visited the U.V.A, we suffered a four hour wait in the dry and dated room, only to painfully watch the clerk type each letter twelve seconds a time with a spell of uncouth hacking every minute. Eventually, I got my villain’s licence.

Name: Scarlet Favre. Alias: Scarlet. Syndicate: Terrocorp (Unlicenced). Powers: Energy Absorber. Residency: None. Legacy: None. Nemesis: None.

Almost all of it was bullshit, yet… it was technically the truth. My life was summed up with these stats. A name I was willing to keep, even if I didn’t deserve it. A syndicate that would never be considered as real. Powers so strange and disturbing that we sugar coated them to simple energy absorption. A home of ashes. A legacy unknown. And a nemesis… well time sure as hell fixed that one.

From that moment, my life was reborn. I was Scarlet, a member of Terrocorp, sworn to aid Terrodyne. I was the energy absorber, tasked to use this skill and never question it. Our goal was to create a new home, and this licence was the first step towards it. This was my beginning. My origin. Yet, the day was so insignificant compared to everything else. The truth is that my life was never about those pivotal grand moments. I remembered and respected the quiet times more. Those small meaningless occurrences that seem like nothing at the time. They ended up snowballing into something far more momentous. They were the true making of my new life.

# # #

Brutus’ shoulders choked the little light that flickered from the old brittle streetlamps, keeping me in eternal darkness as I hid my smaller body behind his. I didn’t fear the dark, but I wouldn’t call it a comfort either. Those shadows had a way of disturbing my insides, leaving a temptation that strummed deep to my core. Leaving an echo within my mind. It was a light whisper, like an old friend with warm arms, embracing me at a time when I was weakest. But within that cosy fantasy was a hint of ferocity. A craving, and I knew exactly what for.

Whenever I stilled for too long, or was in a more susceptible position for misery, I heard those suggestions. Dark thoughts too natural for my liking. Before me was Brutus, stiff in stance with his back before me. Open to easy assault. He was one full of distrust, always disgusted by my presence. If he did address me, it was without looking in my direction. Rarely by name. He had his use, but then… what use was he really? Did we need him? Would Terrodyne care if there was an accident? I stared at the docks for a little too long, picturing his lifeless limbs going down to the bottom. It was glorious. It sickened me. Fortunately, a disturbance brought me from that devilish trance. There was the cut of an engine, footsteps with the hint of murmured voices. Then, screams. Terrodyne had begun.

The rule was to give him one minute to do his work, but only twenty seconds in, Brutus charged. He rounded the corner and swung forward at the masked group, head mashing the next assailant in view. The heroes who weren’t busy under Terrodyne’s control raced towards him, their calls shaking their allies from the hysteria they were under. An echo of dismay tsked in my mind as Terrodyne communicated, “Back the idiot up!” I hated when he did that. When he forced his thoughts into my mind against my will, just as he did with his enemies. Still, it was an order. One I wouldn’t refuse, no matter how I felt. Terrodyne was counting on me and I had to please him, even if it meant using my own power. After all, I made a promise and I intended to keep my side of our deal.

One step forward. Hands outstretched. The innocent hero in my sights. That darkness crept over my skin again, seducing the shadows within my blood. It might have seemed like a simple act to those around, but I saw the truth. I felt that essence creep from my veins, misting the area with vibrant poisonous smoke. The ripples searched for the target, smoke stretching through the cobbles, taking on a thicker form. Then at once, the mist sunk inside of him.

He writhed in pain as I felt his making flow from his blood and into mine. It never took long. A few seconds of a pure connection and then… death. He dropped. Stiff. Eyes turned into a solid black as they stared at the sky. It was the mark my powers left when their soul had been taken. Of course, death was the easy part. I could take as much as I wanted in a matter of moments. If I tried, I could drop millions without much effort. But it was the recoil that held me back. A half second for the world around me. A lifetime for my mind.

I was in his place. His childhood, accompanied by a small dog that loved its blue rubber ball. Years later, I felt the death of his brother shake his outlook on the world, driving him to fight any injustice he encountered. It was me that day when he awoke to his heroic gifts, surprised that we could transform into that dog long dead. Then came our first fight against a real villain. The meeting of a female teammate we grew to love. I saw the worry she felt when we were assigned the Ridgemere job and the final look in her eyes… just as I...

I was back.

All those precious memories had been decimated. Devoured. That hero was dead on the ground and my eyes found the woman reaching out for him. She was foaming at the mouth, coughing up blood and bile. Terrodyne had unleashed his own hell and provided her a gruesome end far too unfair. But she wasn’t the only one breathing in his poisonous gas. The ash clouds grew, spreading over the vicinity until my own throat wished to heave. This wasn’t the plan.

Though a part of me longed to curse Terrodyne for this kind of betrayal, the truth was that it was hardly unexpected of him. Heroes might say that such action is inexcusable, but Terrodyne had trained us to become accustomed to his tricks. Somewhat. It might seem cruel to lock your teammates up with lethal poisons and mind melting infusions, but the fact is, we would be useless to him if we hadn’t gone through that training. Terrodyne had the skill and the right to use it. Yes, it clogged my throat and made my organs wish to surge from my body, but it was only temporary. Besides, the dose wore off quickly outdoors, especially if you were out of the main blast vicinity.

Moments later, I found the strength to stand against the fumes and ignore the pain inside my lungs. Terrodyne’s voice echoed in my mind, “Scar, what are you doing?” Choking to death because of your bloody gas! As the thought came out, I silenced it. Terrodyne had explained his powers to me once, but I wasn’t exactly in the right frame of mind to take it all in. That and I doubted he was completely forthcoming. For all I knew, he had access to every passing thought, and the last thing I needed was to be punished over something I had no control over. Before I could construct a real reply, his voice boomed again, “Not a lot, are you? Blast them.”

I knew what he wanted. For me to empty the sin and let my blood flow. To let the demons within me be freed. When I first met Terrodyne, I tried to explain my ability. I tried to make him understand it. But no one believed in demons. They hadn’t seen what I had. To them, abilities were genetic anomalies. Something hidden inside, waiting for the opportunity to surface. But I was sure that mine had been manufactured. Mine was mixed with something unnatural.

Obey or contain? It was my decision, but only for a second. That was all fate would allow. A crazed goon came in close, swiping at imaginary assailants. With a quick command, I called to the depths. The ground opened up, raising a wall of withering thorns. I made them thrust forward, right through his skull. One problem down, but the scene around me was becoming uncomfortable. Overloaded with blood. My heart thrummed with it, racing to take more. Seep it back through my veins. I could feel the mist inhale it, then loom around a body that still held life. A hero with his hands around one of the boxes, wrestling with the remainder of his strength as he held back the urge to puke.

That one.

I pierced the side of my wrist against the protruding metal that was pinned along the cuff of my leather jacket. My blood was free. Every ounce around submitted, growing into thick globs that melted into the shadows. It worked on its own, taking no orders as it flew, seeking all targets. The drops fell down like bombs, connecting to their insides and detonating at will. A blast accidently hit Brutus. One flew up towards Terrodyne. But, most importantly, the rest of our opponents took their suffering. Over and over until all were dead or dying. My wrist dripped. All thought weakened as the demon took over.

Let them all die. Every single bastard on the damn planet. Fuck all life.

The freedom was exhilarating. A rush of entertainment, destruction and satisfaction. My true calling. Unfortunately, the bleeding stopped too soon. The haze of darkened blood faded from the streets and I let out a gasp of breath, returning to sanity. My next view was of bodies. I only planned for one. Not all. Once again, I had taken everything. All this destruction with no discrimination. I should have cared to look for Brutus – who had actually been in the radius of my attack – but my body rushed towards Terrodyne’s last location. I couldn’t bear to consider it. The possibility of his death at my hands. My eyes traced every inch of the rooftop, looking for the slightest familiarity. He wasn’t there.

“Good work.” A flood of relief washed over as his voice came through in my mind. There was a hint of movement from the slope of tiles just out of view, and I caught a glimpse of his mask as it rose to the sky. “See what you can do when you try. The moron is fine too in case you care. He’s bundled up behind those barrels.”

I didn’t bother to turn and look. We both knew I only cared for his safety. From the moment I met Terrodyne, I swore I would follow him through anything, and he promised I would never hurt again. I kept my side. He didn’t. But that never stopped me from falling in love with him. In fact, it was that love that prevented him from ever keeping the promise. The more I felt for him, the more it hurt, and that was because Terrodyne was incapable of returning that love. Like every good villain, Terrodyne had no heart.