Valorverse-Rain Arcadia, free from Hate, but not his Pain.

[True Grave]

Listen to Rain's theme while you read?

Rain Arcadia stands in an open field in Paris, France. His eyes are sad in a remorseful way. Tears silently fall from his eyes and down his cheeks. There is a small, sad smile turning up the corners of his mouth. His posture and body language is strong. He is resigned to death.

His hair is brown and short. His eyes are a warm brown. His height is 5'8". His weight is 150 pounds. His build is average with little fat or muscle. His skin tone is pale Caucasian. His appearance is so unremarkable as to be forgettable.

That would be the case if his purple Soul Aura wasn't surging around him. He is Soul Screaming, tapping into his most deeply held belief. Free of Hate, it is 'I must pay for my murders with my life'. His Soul Energy is directly tied to his negative emotions. Ironically, he is most powerful under the mindset of righteous sadness. His Soul Energy is rising without end.

His Soul Aura is getting so powerful that he can't avoid disturbing the earth. Shockwaves are emanating from him. They alone could kill a normal human by stopping their heart through shock. The gods, Old and New, take notice. Will you come to the Universe of Gods and fight us? We welcome you.

But Rain does not have that ambition. He wants to die, but who can kill him? He stands and waits for his executioner.

"I'm sorry, Scott. Use your fist of justice to avenge the innocent souls that I have murdered."

The more his power is resisted, the greater it grows, so who...who could possibly kill him?

 

[True Grave]

Rain Arcadia is 25 years old. He wears an unfitted black graphic T-shirt, baggy blue jeans, and worn out tennis shoes. He dresses like a kid because he was never taught by his debilitated mother or dead father how to dress like a grown man. No one in his neighborhood or school cared to reach out and he never went to them due to embarrassment and shame. All of his other family was dead and neither his mother nor he had any friends. Given that his powers can only be activated by negative emotions, it seemed his destiny to become Hate.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Lithuel's theme while you read?

What if Lithuel had only been knocked out by Hate and confronted Pain for a rematch?


Lithuel winged into the air, passing through the hole Rain blew in the wall to escape. He used Soul Energy to increase his speed further and rapidly caught up with Rain. Rain turned around and fired multiple energy blasts at his pursuer. Lithuel slalomed around them while charging angelic Soul Energy into his right arm. It solidified around his right arm and he threw a right straight aimed at Rain’s nose. Rain’s Soul Aura hardened in response to the threat, stopping it cold.

The halfling held his ground, not pushing forward or giving an inch. Looking into Rain’s eyes, they were completely different from the deeply unsettling eyes of Hate. These eyes were the complete opposite. They didn’t want to kill but invited death. Lithuel felt sympathy rather than fear. The only word that came to mind when looking into his eyes was Pain.

“You know, motherfucker, we don’t have to fight. You can surrender and we can work something out, you know?”

Rain closed his eyes and smiled softly before hanging and shaking his head.

“I must die in order to atone for my mass murder. That is justice!”

“It doesn’t have to be!”

Pain raised his head and looked into Lithuel’s eyes with resignation and conviction.

“It does,” he said in a strong voice.

Free of doubt but full of sadness, Pain’s power exploded and rose without end. Lithuel solidified both angel and demonic power on his arms before punching Pain’s Soul Aura rapidly in order to gain ground. As he pushed forward, it hardened and resisted without limit. Pain’s power was operating in direct opposition to his wishes and without his direct control.

The only way to break through was for Lithuel to Soul Scream. Tapping into his hatred of oppression, his angelic Soul Energy rose without limit. It was catching up to Pain’s Soul Energy Level but was still far behind. He punched through the Soul Aura faster, but then started punching just to hold his ground rather than move forward.

“RAIN!!!” he screamed from the bottom of his soul.

Lithuel’s caring reached Pain and injected some happiness into him against his will.

The faltering sadness was the opening he needed. Lithuel rapidly punched through Pain’s Soul Aura while grunting in exertion. With nothing standing between them, Lithuel threw his right arm back and it solidified with all of his angelic Soul Energy.

“There is another way!!!”

As he screamed these words, Lithuel delivered a body uppercut to the solar plexus of Pain with everything he had. The breaking of the sound barrier and the shockwave occurred just as Pain folded around his fist.

Lithuel’s Soul Aura disappeared. After pulling his fist back, Rain face planted into the grass. Involuntary survival instinct had caused his head to turn to the side, so Lithuel checked his pulse. It was strong, so Rain would be fine when he woke up. Lithuel collapsed on his ass, sweating and panting.

“You’re definitely going back into that storage tank, you crazy bastard,” he said with a smile in his voice.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Spirit Rider's theme while you read?

What if Eric Coverdale/Spirit Rider had gotten to Pain first?


Spirit Rider summoned his motorcycle with a wave of his hand and quickly mounted it before shooting quickly through the hole in the wall made by Rain's escape. His Soul Energy augmented his speed and he raced through the air in a blur of green. Rain turned around and fired multiple energy blasts at his pursuer. Spirit Rider slalomed around them while charging green Soul Energy into his motorcycle. It solidified around his motorcycle and he attempted to ram Rain in the face. Rain's Soul Aura hardened in response to the threat, stopping it cold.

Rider cooly regarded Rain.

"What happened with you and Scott? You two seemed to be vibing well."

Rain smiled sadly.

"I don't really know who you are, but if you fight for justice, you must kill me. It is the only way to atone for my murders."

Rider shook his head.

"No can do, amigo. The boss frowns on killing mortals."

Rain's eyes never left his nor did his sad smile ever waver.

"I guess I'll have to force you to. That is all I can do now."

Rider sighed in annoyance.

"I guess if you won't surrender..."

He extended his right palm, turned the palm up, and flared up with a green Soul Aura as he gathered all of the wind and oxygen within their surroundings into his palm. Pain began grasping his throat with both hands as he choked. His Soul Aura stopped expanding but held firm and solid.

"Well, shit," Rider said as he realized that he needed to work fast before Rain suffocated to death.

Rider began Soul Screaming, tapping into his most deeply held core belief. His green Soul Aura exploded out of him with intensity and force. Rider twisted the throttle of his motorcycle and rammed Rain's Soul Aura at full speed. He carved through it until the Soul Aura itself began intensely resisting him. Rider realized that it was time to hold absolutely nothing back.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"

Rider's short black hair stood on end. An F-5 tornado was unleashed in all of its violent and intense power. Rider thrust his right arm forward with the palm out, which turned the F-5 tornado into a wind tunnel that relentlessly traveled forward. The tornado fused with his Soul Aura and drilled through Pain's Soul Aura before sending him tumbling around in a circle. Rider hurriedly calmed the storm, using the gentle breeze to set him softly on the ground. After returning oxygen to him, he rode over to check on him.

Rider checked the pulse of the unconscious Rain. It was strong and he was breathing evenly. He gave Rain a relieved smile.

"You stubborn bastard."

He picked Rain up by the shirt and slung him over the back of his bike. Rider then twisted the throttle, slowly turning around to take him back to the Shadowgreen storage tank.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Shell Shock’s theme while you read?

What if Nick Baker/Shell Shock had gotten to Pain first?

Nick flared up with his white Soul Aura and shot through the hole made by Rain during his escape. His Soul Energy augmented his speed as he raced through the air in a blur of white. Rain turned around and fired multiple purple Soul Energy blasts at his pursuer. Nick slalomed around the blasts while charging up a Soul Energy blast in his right hand. When he was close enough, Nick took aim at Rain’s chest and extended his right hand with the palm outward toward it. A white energy blast beam shot forward, but was stopped dead by Rain’s purple Soul Aura, which hardened in response to the threat.

Nick pushed his arm forward, determined to break through. His blue eyes flashed with fury.

"You're going to pay for killing Lithuel!"

Pain just looked at him with a sad smile.

"Yes, I should pay for all of the mass murder that I committed. Take my life, and serve justice!"

Pain's remorse blunted Nick's anger. His will to kill slackened as he eased up on the blast.

"You regret killing Lithuel?"

"I regret all of the lives that I have taken in my madness. If I could bring them back, I would. Since I have taken lives, it is only right that my life be taken, as well."

No longer angry, Nick remembered his oath to Team Firestar. They were forbidden to kill anyone that died permanently. Rain was due his day in court and that would take place on Zenefo, since he was an Omega-class mutant who had murdered outside of his own dimension as well as within it. It would be up to them to decide the proper course of justice.

"Stand down, Rain. A court of law will decide if you should die for your crimes or not."

Rain closed his eyes, hung his head, and shook it.

"I deserve to die right here. I will force you to kill me."

Rain's purple Soul Aura expanded, pushing Nick back and causing him to dig trails of dirt with his feet. Nick put his palm heels together and fired a more powerful blast beam, a technique called the Shell Cannon, into the dome. It was taking a lot of his Soul Energy just to halt the dome.

Nick poured all of his base power into the Shell Cannon, drilling a path through Rain's Soul Aura dome. The dome began to actively resist him. Nick grinned.

"Got some fight in ya, huh? Come on!"

Nick opened up with even more power, stepping forward and blasting the dome with a bigger and more powerful Shell Cannon.

Rain's Soul Aura continued to resist him even more. Nick got a crazy look in his eyes and a maniacal grin on his face. He absolutely loved a good fight.

"Let's fucking go!"

Nick began Soul Screaming, tapping into his intense love both for freedom and a good fight. His short blonde hair rose up and his white Soul Aura surged like an inferno.

Nick laughed like a madman as his blast began ripping through Rain's Soul Aura like it was made of paper. But still it resisted and pushed him back.

"YOU'RE GOING TO SLEEP, MOTHERFUCKER!!!"

Nick unleashed 100% of his power and punched a hole through the purple Soul Aura to Rain himself. The Omega-class mutant shielded himself with his arms on pure survival instinct. Even so, the force of the blast knocked him off of his feet and sent him flying backward.

Nick stopped his Shell Cannon to fly over and check on Rain. He looked unconscious but Nick checked his pulse to be sure. It was strong, causing him to smile with relief.

"I guess you and Scott still have some talking to do."

He crouched down and grabbed both Rain's left leg and the front collar of his shirt in order to hoist him over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. Nick then flew back toward Shadowgreen to put Rain back in the storage tank.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Kenjiro Akiyama/Lone Wolf's Theme while you read?

What if Kenjiro Akiyama/Lone Wolf had gotten to Pain first?

Lone Wolf took off after Rain, leaping gracefully through the hole he knocked in the wall to escape. Hitting the ground running, his legs pumped hard as he nimbly dodged obstacles in the forest. Rain turned and fired several purple Soul Energy blasts at his pursuer. Lone Wolf took cover behind trees and rocks while continuing the pursuit. He finally chased Rain into an open field. Rain turned to Lone Wolf, a soft smile on his face and sadness in his eyes.

"I don't know who you are, but you must use your fist of justice to take my life. I must pay for my mass murder with my own life."

Lone Wolf's stony gaze softened slightly with kindness.

"If you have regret for what you have done, stand down. I'm sure a court of law will take your remorse into account before they judge you."

Rain sadly shook his head.

"I demand that you kill me on the spot."

"I refuse. That goes against my value system."

Rain regarded him with sadness.

"Then I will force you to kill me."

Filled with righteous sadness, his power exploded and his dome of purple Soul Energy began expanding rapidly.

Lone Wolf tried to halt its expansion, but it was to no avail.

"Rain! What you seek is not justice! Justice is determined by the law!"

Rain would not hear of it. Helpless to resist such overwhelming power, Lone Wolf was knocked off of his feet and thrown backward.

Lone Wolf crashed through a tree and barrel rolled along the ground. Face down on the ground, he struggled to raise his head as blackness obscured the corners of his vision.

"Rain..." he whispered.

He reached out in Rain's direction with his right arm before passing out. Rain's Soul Aura continued to expand as his power rose without limit. All the while, Rain lamented that this warrior of justice had not been powerful enough to kill him.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Marcus Trelawney/Existence's theme while you read?

What if Marcus Trelawney/Existence had gotten to Pain first?


Marcus extended his right hand with his palm out and his purple Soul Aura shone faintly. The wall that Rain had blown a hole in when he escaped was fixed thanks to Marcus' reality bending. He was able to further use this power to warp behind Rain in the field not far from the Shadowgreen penitentiary. Rain turned around and was surprised to see Marcus only five feet away.

"Seeking death won't allow you to atone for your mass murder. Atonement can only be done by the living, Rain."

Rain smiled at him sadly.

"The only true justice is for one such as you to put me down on the spot."

His dome of purple Soul Aura began to expand but Marcus stopped it dead with his reality bending.

"That is not justice. That is cowardice. If you truly wish to atone for what you have done, face the truth and move forward on a better path toward tomorrow."

Rain, knowing that Marcus was right, said nothing. Though he was willing to surrender, his Soul Energy would not abate. It would resist to the last for as long as Rain felt negative emotions.

"Very well. It seems that I must save you from yourself."

While holding Rain's Soul Aura in place with his right hand, he put his left hand to his head and focused his psychic power.

Marcus began Soul Screaming, his purple Soul Aura surging as his black hair stood on end.

I WILL NOT ALLOW THE POWERFUL TO OPPRESS THE POWERLESS!!!

His Soul Energy fused with his psychic power. Purple Soul Energy built up in his left hand, growing more intense by the second. He was objectively more powerful than Rain, so his endless power was outdistancing Rain's endless power. Extending his left hand with the palm out, he blasted the dome with a mix of Soul Energy and psychic power.

The purple blast beam drilled a path through Rain's Soul Aura dome before it was stopped by greater resistance.

"I will save you, child. Just hold on."

Marcus' eyes met Rain's as he unleashed 100% of his power. The blast beam punched through the dome and Rain's Soul Aura before striking him psychicly in the brain. Rain immediately went unconscious and face planted into the grass.

Marcus dissipated his power and calmly walked up to him, being able to sense from his brain waves that Rain was alive and well.

"You are ready to walk toward tomorrow, Rain Arcadia."

He picked Rain up by his leg and shirt collar to put him into a fireman's carry. Marcus then used his reality bending to warp back to Shadowgreen. This time, however, Rain would go to the prison infirmary, not the storage tank. Marcus tucked him into the hospital bed before taking a seat in a bedside chair, where he would wait patiently for Rain to awaken.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Sergio Gregori/Blood Wolf's theme while you read?

What if Sergio Gregori/Blood Wolf fought Pain?


When Rain Arcadia escaped from his storage tank, he broke the storage tank of Blood Wolf. Sergio face planted onto the floor, his athletic physique covered only by a pair of white briefs. Coming to, he realized that he was free and laughed triumphantly.

"Oh, yeah! Looks like I'm back in business, Lord Omega!"

Stepping outside, Sergio let loose his power.

Normally six feet tall, Sergio grew to seven feet tall. His smooth Caucasian skin became covered by black fur. His Russian-American features turned lupine. The werewolf transformation complete, his red eyes glowed intensely. Howling so intensely that it shook the entire world, the moon turned red and full. Blood Wolf's red Soul Aura surged intensely as his power rose without end.

Blood Wolf then unleashed his most terrifying ability. It was why he was kept in a medically-induced coma after losing to Team Firestar. Using a psychic link, he forcibly transformed every person he had ever bitten into a savage werewolf.

Come to me, my people!!!

From all over the world, his army of werewolves came to him in Shadowgreen. Their hive mind meant that whatever Blood Wolf knew, saw, or felt, they knew, saw, or felt.

Thousands of werewolves gathered around their Alpha, the supreme leader of the werewolf race.

"Yes, my people. Soon, the world will be ours!"

They all howled in unison and the entire planet shook once more. They became even stronger by being exposed to Blood Wolf's Soul Aura and bathing in his crimson moonlight. The Werewolf Champion of Omega was back at full strength and ready to conquer once more in Lord Omega's name.

But something was in his way. Looking over, he saw a dome of purple Soul Aura rush toward him. Blood Wolf put out a clawed hand to stop it, but the power was incredible! His army began pushing it back with numbers and supernatural strength. Blood Wolf followed them, his monstrous bipedal gate radiating absolute authority and power. His red Soul Aura grew more vibrant and intense by the minute.

He was able to lock eyes with an unremarkable young man who was nonetheless incredibly powerful. Rain regarded Blood Wolf with a sad look in his eyes.

"I don't know who you are, but you must use your fist of justice to stop me. I must pay for my mass murder!"

Blood Wolf laughed a guttural, horrible laugh.

"Do I really look like I care about justice?!"

After almost doubling over, Blood Wolf pointed a clawed finger at him.

"Foolish little mutant! Your power will be added to my army!"

His crimson eyes flashed, imbuing his army with Blood Magic enhanced claws. With the diluted power of an Old God, his army shredded the dome until they were stopped by its resistance. They parted ranks and Blood Wolf approached.

As he began Soul Screaming, his claws turned red and his muscles bulged.

"ALL OF HUMANITY SHALL BECOME WEREWOLVES!!!"

Blood Wolf cocked his arms back before shredding the dome in an 'X' fashion using both arms. The solidified Blood Magic on his claws broke through the dome by pure determination. His fangs solidified with Blood Magic and he sank them into Rain's shoulder. This pumped super-charged lycanthropy directly into Rain's bloodstream.

After withdrawing his fangs, Blood Wolf forcibly transformed Rain into a werewolf. With a scream, Rain was helpless to resist and became a seven foot tall werewolf. Unlike the others, though, his eyes were not red. His left eye was red and his right eye was purple. The entire army howled and Rain's Omega-class Soul Energy was shared with all of his new brothers and sisters, including Blood Wolf. The Werewolf race now had their own Omega-class mutant as part of the pack.

Blood Wolf laughed in triumph.

"With this, ultimate victory is mine!!!"

He continued laughing as Rain unleashed his dome until it enveloped the entire planet. Instead of destroying anything, it simply infected all humans with lycanthropy. Using his mental link, Blood Wolf forcibly transformed the entire human race into werewolves under his command. Blood Wolf was now the supreme Alpha of Earth One, and as final proof of his victory, he renamed the planet Lycanthropaea.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Rise's theme while you read?

What if Rise fought Pain?


Rise looked around, confused to suddenly find himself outside Shadowgreen on Earth One. A familiar voice suddenly spoke to him telepathically.

Sorry to suddenly yank you from your own dimension, Rise. But Team Firestar is fighting Conqueror and you were the only option left.

Rise smiled softly.

I suppose Zenefo signed off on this, Firestar?

Indeed they did. You must save Rain Arcadia from himself.

Who?

Just walk toward the purple dome you see in the distance. All will become clear.

The telepathic connection cut off and Rise shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, here we go, I guess."

Rise was six feet tall and walked with an easy gait. He was wearing a plain brown robe that did little to hide his emaciated body. Living in a post-apocalyptic dimension wasn't good for one's nutrition or physique, after all. His short brown hair, brown eyes, and Caucasian skin made him fairly average looking in Europe or the United States. Rise was anything but average, though, as he was the most powerful Omega-class mutant in existence.

Rise drew his power from the ghosts of those slain in war. They were drawn to him like metal is drawn to a magnet. Every man, woman, and child slain by war wanted to be avenged. They would protect Rise, kill in his name, and even add their strength onto his. It was impossible to calculate how many souls across two dimensions were allied with Rise, but it was greater than billions. One person with the literal strength of billions and protected by an unkillable army made Rise a terrifying opponent for anyone to fight.

Rise reached the dome and stared into the eyes of another Omega-class mutant who was unremarkable in appearance, though definitely better fed. Rain looked into Rise's eyes with sadness.

"I don't know who you are, but you must use your fist of justice to slay me on this spot. I must pay for my mass murders."

"You're a mass murderer?" Rise asked in surprise.

Rain nodded in response.

Once the surprise wore off, Rise was confused.

"You don't seem evil, though. You seem remorseful."

"I am. My life must be taken as punishment for taking theirs."

Rise would ordinarily agree with that, but it just seemed wrong to him to kill a remorseful man.

"Why not use your power for good and spend your life in atonement instead? You dying doesn't help anything that I can see."

"I don't deserve to live after taking so many lives."

Rise didn't really know what to say to that. What someone 'deserved' was usually subjective, not objective. Rain hung his head.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"No," Rise replied with a shake of his head.

"I see. I'll just have to force you to, then."

Rain's dome of purple Soul Energy began expanding rapidly. Rise had to think fast.

Rain is not evil, so my technique Army of Ghosts: Kill The Oppressors won't work on him. I'll have to use my other technique.

Opening his arms wide, he took in the army of blue, transparent ghosts that were all around him.

"Army of Ghosts: Become As One With Me!"

Billions upon billions of ghosts swarmed into his body. When they had all entered, his eyes glowed a ghostly blue and an aura of blue steam wafted off of him.

With no difficulty whatsoever, Rise walked through Rain's Soul Aura dome and up to Rain himself. He then gave Rain a gentle tap on the forehead using his right index finger and he crumpled to the ground, where he lay there unconscious.

What should I do with Rain now, Firestar?

Take him to the Shadowgreen prison infirmary. Then you can go home.

Alright, then.

Rise picked up Rain with one hand and slung him over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. He walked casually back to Shadowgreen before finding the penitentiary. He tucked him in to an infirmary bed and an orange Fire Path opened next to him.

Thank you for your help, Rise.

Anytime.

Rise then walked through the Fire Path back to his own dimension and it closed behind him.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to King Adolphus/Honor/Liberator's theme while you read?

What if King Adolphus/Honor/Liberator fought Pain?


King Adolphus was hot in pursuit of a fugitive from the Kasha City penitentiary. He was wearing his red and gold Armor of Honor in order to protect himself. It had been difficult to capture the Omega-class mutant known as Rain Arcadia the first time. He was possessed by hatred and lashing out, forcing Liberator to use his Fist of Honor in order to render him unconscious. His wife, Enjela, with her bottomless inner beauty, had telepathically spoken to Rain. Everything was going fine until Rain decided that he needed to die in order to atone for the mass murder of his entire home planet of Cresta.

Liberator could see Rain just ahead of him. When he turned and fired purple Soul Energy blast beams at him, Liberator hardened his blue Soul Aura to shield himself. He continued following him until he reached an open field. Rain stared at him with a sad look in his eyes.

"King Adolphus, you must use your Fist of Honor to slay me. I must pay for the mass murder of Cresta."

Liberator needed to know more information, so he telepathically reached out to Enjela.

My love, what happened with Rain? Why does he wish to die?

He explained his past to me, how his father committed suicide and his mother was bedridden before dying of natural causes. He was othered by the people of Cresta. When his mother died, he became possessed by a rage born of both hatred and self-loathing.

Ah, yes, the being known as Hate. It was regrettable that I had to use such force on him. Your conversation with him seemed to be going well. What happened?

When we got to the topic of his genocide of Cresta, the guilt overwhelmed him. He pushed me out of his mind and took off.

Liberator sighed in sadness.

I will defeat him and bring him back alive. We will take greater precautions to help Rain this time.

Be careful, my love. I don't want to see either of you badly hurt.

I promise to be careful.

The telepathic conversation with his wife ended and he telepathically reached out to Firestar.

Firestar, I need some advice on how to fight Rain Arcadia.

You'll need to Soul Scream in order to get your Fist of Honor past his dome of Soul Energy. Remember your vow to fight for the freedom of your people.

The telepathic conversation ended and Adolphus consulted Honor with a telepathic conversation.

You ready to do this, partner?

Of course. I have your back 100%.

Liberator returned his attention to Rain.

"Killing you is not the answer. Surrender and we will work something out."

Rain hung and shook his head.

"I don't deserve to live after all the lives I have taken. If you will not kill me, I will force you to."

Rain's purple Soul Aura began expanding rapidly. Liberator took a Boxing stance and began charging blue Soul Energy into his right arm. Once it solidified, he spun around in a 360 degree motion before throwing a right straight at the dome.

Fist of Honor!!!

Liberator's punch drilled through the dome before being stopped by the dome's resistance. As instructed by Firestar, he began Soul Screaming, unleashing 100% of his power. His blue Soul Aura surged.

"YOU WON'T OPPRESS MY PEOPLE!!!"

With a mighty scream, Liberator pierced the dome and Rain's Soul Aura before the Fist of Honor directly struck his nose. Rain corkscrewed through the air before crashing through a mountainside located miles away.

Liberator flared up with his blue Soul Aura and flew over to check on Rain. His pulse was strong and he was unconscious.

Gonna need some advice here, Firestar. How do we hold this guy?

I will arrange for you to travel to Shadowgreen on Earth One, where you can borrow a pair of Power Nullification Handcuffs. Theoretically, they should hold him.

Liberator arched an eyebrow.

Theoretically?

They were designed for regular mutants. I'm not sure how effective they'll be on Omega-class mutants like Rain.

Better than nothing, I guess.

Liberator picked Rain up by his leg and arm before hoisting him up into a fireman's carry.

He carried Rain back to the royal palace in Kasha City and tucked him into the bed in the royal bedchamber. Enjela watched over Rain while Adolphus went through a Fire Path to borrow the special handcuffs from Shadowgreen. Once he returned, he slapped the cuffs on Rain's wrists.

Firestar said these should help.

Then let us try this again.

Enjela closed her eyes and entered Rain's mind in order to have another telepathic conversation with him.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Chief Vizharr/Jukei/Conqueror's theme while you read?

What if Chief Vizharr/Jukei/Conqueror fought Pain?


Having defeated Firestar and his team, Conqueror unleashed the technique Anti-Personnel Destruction, which killed and disintegrated every human being on Earth One. His Grymwar people now occupied Earth One and were going to live there. The resources of the planet would serve his people well. It would also make an excellent base from which to launch more conquering raids. Every living being would bend the knee to Conqueror and his patron god Omega. Those that refused would die.

Conqueror landed in New York City, intending to take a victory lap of his foes' former city.

This is glorious, isn't it, Jukei? Team Firestar is dead and gone. Firestar himself will be kept in a permanent sleep by Omega. It is only a matter of time until all serve Omega under my boot.

Yes, and it will be especially glorious to purge Kash-Volt of those weaklings who thought they could resist us.

Conqueror swaggered confidently through the streets of New York City. Outside of his armor, he was seven feet tall, built like a world champion body builder, and covered in yellow scaly skin with black lizard eyes. He was currently clad from head to toe in his Armor of Jukei, which was white and silver. The most powerful man on the planet was holding back, since his full power made him a Destroyer, a god of destruction that was classified as a New God. Destroyers were only allowed to walk the Multiverse of Mortals if they powered down to levels below a Destroyer, though that still put them as being among the most powerful of mortals, like Omega-class mutants. They were the only real impediments left to his conquering of all existence.

Conqueror was walking down the street when he suddenly sensed incredibly high Soul Energy far to the north.

Holy shit! Jukei, are you feeling that?!

You bet your ass I am! I've locked onto it, so let's go get him!

Conqueror was almost positive that Soul Energy was coming from an Omega-class mutant, but he decided to consult Omega to be sure.

Lord Omega, is an Omega-class mutant present on Earth One right now?

There is. Let me tap into the Divine Databank and I'll give you all of his information.

Two minutes later, Omega had given him everything on Rain Arcadia.

Thank you, Lord Omega. I'll go deal with him now.

Conqueror flared up with black Soul Energy and flew toward Rain's Soul Energy in the distance. Once he saw the dome of purple Soul Energy in front of him, he landed in front of it. Rain gave him a sad look.

"I don't know who you are, but you must use your fist of justice to slay me. I must pay for my mass murders."

Conqueror laughed loudly and derisively at Rain.

"I don't have a 'fist of justice', and I'm a mass murderer myself. I've probably killed more people than you have, kid. I don't give a fuck about justice or the lives of others."

His black Soul Aura began surging.

"I'd be happy to kill you. Unless, of course, you're willing to bend the knee to my Lord Omega?"

Rain closed his eyes, hung his head, and shook it.

"I simply wish to die."

Conqueror grinned sadistically behind his helmet.

"I was hoping you would say that. I will take your life."

Rain lit up with joy and the dome disappeared.

Conqueror began charging black Soul Energy into his right arm. Once it solidified, he curled his arm. Since this was an Omega-class mutant, he decided to Soul Scream and unleash the maximum mortal amount of Soul Energy. His black Soul Aura intensely surged.

"DIE!!!"

He unleashed the technique Anti-Personnel Destruction.

The shockwave of energy spread in the shape of a donut and completely disintegrated Rain before ending. Once the dust cleared, Conqueror lowered his arm and grinned.

"Well, that takes care of that. A shame. He could have been useful."

Conqueror turned and laughed as he walked back to New York City.

 

[True Grave]

Listen to Julie Jameson/Siren's theme song while you read?

What if Julie Jameson/Siren fought Pain?


Julie was sitting in her room at the Shadowgreen Institute brushing her long red hair when a telepathic message from Firestar disturbed her thoughts.

Julie, forgive me for bothering you on your day off, but we have an emergency. With Team Firestar and Rise off dealing with Conqueror, you are the only one I can turn to.

Julie put her hairbrush down and her game face on.

I'm always available to help. What do you need?

An Omega-class mutant named Rain Arcadia has arrived on Earth One. He wishes to die.

Julie quirked an eyebrow.

Okaaay. Why does he wish to die?

He committed a genocide on his home planet of Cresta and now wishes to pay for that with his life.

Julie sucked in a breath.

What the fuck? This guy murdered his whole planet and you want me to save HIM?!

He was possessed by a hatred caused by a hard life. He was genuinely out of his mind.

Julie processed this, feeling mixed emotions.

Rain needs to be brought to justice, not killed. His remorseful nature leads me to believe that simply killing him would be a waste. I want you to make him see that.

Julie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. This was a big job for her and she wasn't sure that she could handle it.

I can ask someone else if you would rather not do this.

No, no, wait, Firestar! I'm sorry. It's just that I'm not used to the moral lines being so muddy.

I know that, Julie. But if you're going to be a member of Team Firestar someday, you'll have to handle all situations, simple and complicated. You might as well start now.

The telepathic conversation ended and Julie put her game face back on. She was dressed comfortably in a white T-shirt and panties since she had planned to spend the day relaxing. Even so, if she wanted to be part of Team Firestar someday, she had to accept that answering the call came before anything else.

I won't let Uncle Alan down. I'll prove I'm ready for this.

She traded her comfy tee for a white bra, put on her Shadow Force uniform, and tied her long red hair up into a ponytail.

Okay, Firestar. I'm ready.

An orange Fire Path opened next to her and she walked through it. She found herself in a field outside of Shadowgreen with a dome of purple Soul Energy visible some distance off. The pain she could feel radiating off of it made tears fall from her eyes before she registered any emotion. The emotion she could feel from Rain himself almost knocked her to her knees.

Such pain...It's so deep and heartbreaking...I've never felt such naked pain...

Julie had to fortify herself emotionally to move forward. If she gave in to her own emotions, she could help no one.

Uncle Marcus...I won't forget what you taught me...

Every one of her six uncles in Team Firestar would approach Rain with confidence. Now was the time to apply their teachings.

Julie approached Rain and was surprised by his ordinary appearance. She had expected someone so powerful to look extraordinary. When he looked so sadly into her eyes, she felt like she was punched in the gut. That small smile made him look kind of handsome. It was hard to imagine this young man committing a genocide. Harder still to reconcile this ordinary looking young man having this extraordinary level of power.

Rain fixed her with a sad look.

"I don't know who you are, but you must use your fist of justice to slay me on the spot. I deserve to pay for the lives I have taken with my own."

Julie calmed her emotions and displayed her genuine curiosity.

"I can't imagine you committing a genocide. Why did you do it?"

Rain shook his head.

"It doesn't matter."

Siren frowned.

"Yes, it does! I want to know! I will keep pestering you until you tell me."

When her eyes didn't leave Rain's, he realized that she wasn't joking. He blew out a sigh.

"When I was born, my father had already killed himself. My mother was bedridden. From a young age, I took care of her. I loved her tremendously."

Julie nodded for him to go on. He sounded like a caring son to her.

"I didn't realize until later on in life how abnormal that situation is. Normal children hang out with their friends and build lives for themselves. They build relationships that last a lifetime. I was ostracized from my society, as was my mother."

Julie felt sorry for him.

"No one tried to help?"

"No, they didn't. I did oddjobs for cash and bought supplies with it. I was kicked and lightly beaten while doing so."

Julie was appalled by the cruelty of a society that would do that to a young man just trying to take care of his sick mother.

"I'm so sorry."

Rain brushed that off, as he was too far gone to accept sympathy now.

"I internalized their hatred of me and hated myself. After my mother died, I unleashed all of my anger and wiped out everyone else on Cresta. I became possessed by my hatred. Now that I am in my right mind again, I realize that I must pay for my genocide."

Julie processed all of this in silence. After five minutes, she had gathered her thoughts to speak again.

"You should let a court of law decide your fate. Even for a crime of this magnitude, I feel that there were extenuating circumstances in this situation."

Rain vehemently shook his head.

"I want to die."

Siren bit back her frustration.

"I don't want you to die. You feel bad about what you did, right? Then you should atone for it."

Rain shook his head.

"I want to die."

Siren finally snapped.

"Well, I'm not going to kill you, you selfish prick!"

She clapped her hands to her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment. A moment later, Siren opened her eyes and slowly slid her hands down to her chin.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean for it to come out that way."

Rain seemed unfazed by any of her words. He just looked at her with deep sadness.

"If you won't kill me, I will make you kill me."

His purple Soul Energy dome began rapidly expanding. Siren had to immediately put her game face on. She put her hands to her forehead and closed her eyes in order to focus her psychic energy on the dome.

Siren tried to keep it from expanding but its volume of Soul Energy almost knocked her off of her feet. She flared up with her white Soul Aura, the extra bolstering helping to slow its expansion. She used up all of her base power, but Siren knew that she couldn't hold it for long.

Dammit! I can't believe this guy is so fucking strong!

She was sweating profusely as panic crept into her mind.

Calm yourself, Siren.

Julie's eyes opened in surprise.

Firestar?

You can win this. Stay calm.

Julie took a deep breath to dispel the panic building within her mind.

This guy is so much stronger than me, Firestar. I don't think I can win!

You can. You just have to Soul Scream. Marcus taught you how, didn't he?

Julie's eyes widened.

That's right! I forgot about that!

There's your answer. Save him from himself, Julie.

Julie nodded in confirmation before closing her eyes and thinking of her most deeply held core belief. Once she believed in it with all of her being, 100% of her power was unleashed.

Her white Soul Aura surged intensely. Reaching out with her right arm, she focused her telekinetic grip on his throat. With her Soul Screaming, her Soul Energy fused with her psychic power. This drilled a white path of Soul Energy through the purple dome.

YOU WON'T OPPRESS THE PEOPLE!!!

Her telekinetic grip broke through the dome and Rain's Soul Aura as she psychicly grabbed him by the throat.

By cutting off his oxygen completely, Julie caused Rain's Soul Energy dome to become unstable. It flickered rapidly and disappeared completely once Rain lost consciousness. Siren released him and he crumpled to the ground like a bag of wet sand. Siren hurried over to him, checking his pulse and breathing. They were both strong and she smiled with relief.

What should I do with him now, Firestar?

Take him to the Shadowgreen prison infirmary. Have a pair of power nullification cuffs on hand. Once he wakes up, try to have a conversation with him.

On it, boss.

Siren levitated Rain and walked while doing so all the way back to the infirmary. She tucked him in to the infirmary bed and draped the cuffs over the bed bar within easy reach.

As Rain laid there asleep, Julie studied his face. She smiled to herself.

"You know, Rain, you're kind of cute. If you can move past this 'I want to die' phase of yours, then I wouldn't mind having coffee with you sometime."

She brushed some brown hair out of his face. She then folded her hands in her lap, smiled at him, and waited patiently for Rain to wake up.