From Riches to Rags

Tania sat staring at her bis screen monitor in her office watching the news coverage of the hearings, "...As another day begins in the Hero Alliance Hearings the back of the courthouse was filled with acquitted heroes, observing in solidarity and support of there comrades yet to be placed before the Supreme Court..." a knock on her door broke her attention, "Come in!" Battle Phage came in and stood at attention, "I have an urgent report ma'am." She nodded, "Close the door." He did as she asked and Tania hit the button on her desk fogging the floor to ceiling windows looking over

the cubicles where the administration clerks and officers were tirelessly at work, well at least when she was around. Once the windows were fogged and she activated the bug disruptor, she gave Phage a hug, "Good to see you!" He smiled, "Good to see you too kiddo, but Shadow has just given us instructions."

Battle Phage admired his quasi-daughter, he found her alone on the streets as a teenager, doing anything to get food for the day, and now she is the key member of Shadow's plan. He raised her and they both saved each other, he was bitter and just about suicidal, and the dozens of bodies left in the wake of the fiery pain at the murder of his wife and children, couldn't stem the sorrow. He found this girl, about his daughter's age, dirty, high, and hollow inside just like he was. He knew

she wasn't his, but he couldn't help to see his Jessica in her, and so he fed her, clothed her, put her through rehab, and college. He became her father-figure, if not loved as a father by her, and though she said she loved him and called him dad. He couldn't yet accept he was worthy to be called father by this beautiful girl.

Not while revenge still burned in his heart, like a stain, an injustice yet righted. It kept him haunted and his heart hard, When my family's killer is lying lifeless at my feet, that is when I can put them in my past, and give them peace, he thought to himself as Tania waited patiently for Shadow's instructions, "Some villains are threatening to go off the program, Neo-G is placing the bread crumbs in front of our egg-heads in Intelligence. We are to ensure they don't see what they shouldn't and he wants your thoughts on the hearings."

Tania was her father's daughter, so to speak, and ousting a few trouble makers will prove to be excellent practice for her troops. The hearings however became a conflict to her sensibilities, "I'm not sure Dad, disbanding them is very satisfying, but a scattered and underground force is far more difficult to manage. We, in a sense, switched places with the Alliance, while we have a base of strength, they have the flexibility of a guerrilla force. We must keep the public apprehensive, at

the very least, toward the disbanded members to keep our position to inflict pressure on them." Phage nodded in agreement, "My thoughts exactly."

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My plan is proceeding exactly as I could've hoped, more or less, and Tania's suggestion of fueling public scorn toward the disbanded members is quite insightful. She truly is my star student. NEO-G is working on finding the dirt on our esteemed heroes. In the meantime, Tania and other bought and paid for members of congress will seed the public and congressional circles of the glories

of Tier-Zero and a push toward human dominance of man kind's protection.

Something the cowering masses should've done a long time ago, they are crippled, both intellectually and practically. Dependent on the whim of heroes they forget the first responder in any attack is you. While it's easy for us villains to torment the public, it stunts man kind's growth as a species. Our very being is defined by strife, and strength forged by pain and loss. So the rich grow fat on their wealth, the worker lazy, and the poor wallow in their want.

Cooperation is the product of many overcoming a problem, for example, you have 2 nations having to deal with the same conflict, such as the West versus Nazi Germany in World War 2, they put the irrelevant quarrels aside and join forces to overcome Hitler's threat. In doing so they develop bonds they otherwise won't have. If a superhero instead ends the conflict before it affects the other nations, would NATO or the UN exist today? Doubtful, because those bonds of cooperation would never have formed and the western nations would still be fighting amongst themselves over self-interest.

So has the Hero Alliance has done to the world, by solving the world's problems for the world, they cripple man kind's growth, their anthropological evolution. So mankind wallows in decant lives of self-absorption expecting masked heroes in leotards to solve their problems. Why learn to defend yourself if a hero could save me? Why fight at all, for anything, if earth's mightiest heroes solve it for me? Pitiful fools! But I however will teach them how vulnerable they all are! I shall rule, not by an iron fist, but by empowerment! And so they will love me, and call me master! Soon my day will come, the stage is just about set, and then I shall rise from anonymity and lead the final phase.

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Sakura marched into the courtroom, her hands in chains, and teary eyes behind her look of defiance. She was angry, her blood boiling from the insult and humiliation of being lead into this kangaroo court in chains, like some common criminal. Her head was high and she won't give those watching the satisfaction of seeing her break. Her eyes spotted Apollo, Fist, Sniper, and others standing in the back. Apollo smiled at her and gave a nod of support. She nodded back but dare not smile, she was fighting back her emotions, and she feared that if she opens a crack the dam will break.

She was lead to the defense table and the Judge looked up at her, "Jasmine Kato, a.k.a. Sakura. You have a colorful file miss Kato, orphaned at age twelve due to gang violence in the slums of Hong Kong, petty thief and scam artist until age 16 where you were adopted by a mercenary group, and trained in various ninja arts and tactics in the assassination. You participated in various missions, using seduction and specializing in the assassination of difficult targets until you were caught attempting to murder a Chinese envoy to the G5 summit in Geneva.

"Before you could be tried the Hero Alliance brought you under their protection. Somehow the hero Zeus convinced the ambassador to drop the charges against miss Kato, publicly the attempt on his life was covered up, and you entered the rank and file of the mighty Hero Alliance. Is there anything you wish to say in your defense?" Anger welled up inside her, "Yes, your honor, I have saved you and the whole world countless times! I deserve more than this mockery of justice you

call a court!" The judge looked cooly at her, "So you don't deny the charges against you?"

"What charges? All I was never leveed charges, you recite my biography of a life I left behind and expect me to defend myself? It's not the business of the court to cast judgment on my life when those acts are beyond the statuette of limitations and no official charges leveed!" The court was stunned, "The actions of this court for the last week are not only unconstitutional, but illegal, violating the civil rights of myself and every other citizen put before this kangaroo court!" A cheer went up from the audience, but the judge had a smile on his smug face.

"Very passionate miss Kato, however you are not a citizen of the United States, UN resolution 7642B, the charter by which the Hero Alliance was established states, the members being of extraordinary skill or possessing extraordinary power shall be citizens of the global collective, bettering mankind beyond national identity or allegiance. So miss Kato, the only rights you have are the ones I, and this kangaroo court, gives you." Sakura was crushed, she slumped down in her chair as whispers replaced the cheerful mood in the courtroom, "However you are correct in one respect, this court has not leveed charges against you, yet."

He shuffled some papers as the courtroom became deathly quiet, "Your passion is admirable, and your actions since you became a member of the Hero Alliance your actions have been extemporary. My charter given by the UN must respect your human rights miss Kato, your past actions can not be held in account as it's beyond the scope of this hearing, and in 10 years of service, you haven't

returned to your old ways. However, your protected status goes the way of the Alliance itself, meaning your Japanese citizenship is reestablished, with all the rights due.

"The purpose of these hearings is not to past judgment, though judgment has been passed to some who abused the trust given to them, but to reestablish your rights as a citizen of your home country. A fact you would've realized if you asked for the transcripts of previous hearings miss Kato. The UN is doing its part to facilitate your renaturalization as a private citizen, no more."

"Then why did you announce to the world my life story?"

"Context, nothing more."

"Context!?"

"Yes, miss Kato, the ruling of this court is that no charges will be filed, you are to be released, and all accounts and property will be unfrozen and returned. All protections and exemptions granted under the disbanded Hero Alliance are null and void, and your Japanese citizenship is to be immediately reinstated. Case adjured."

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Shadow sat in his command and control center watching the news feeds and gauging the public mood, which is quite amusing, the whole planet seem to revel in the disbanding of the Hero Alliance. Without their exemptions and privileges, they must abide by the laws of the countries they are in, which cripples them completely, without jurisdiction, and with no authority, the once-mighty heroes either go underground or retire. Some undoubtedly have contacts in law enforcement and might even get hired, but they are still bound by a justice system that has been compromised morally and logistically, marred by mountains of paperwork and red tape working for a system directed by corrupt politicians and a fickle public. As I gain control of the system, so do I control the heroes orphaned from their white tower.

Yes, the conversion of the Hall of Heroes into a museum is going nicely as well, as the dorms and all but one garage are repurposed to restaurants and office space. The exclusive training halls will become gym facilities for paying tenets. The legacy of the site will remain, of course, I'm not one to bury history, but the path of humility is a violent one wrote with pain and sacrifice. Some however have to learn their place by uses of the rod.

Saber Claw, a mid-level villain, has yet to learn patience and is making himself a nail to be hammered. Impulsive and reckless Saber put my plans in jeopardy, all because he wants to attack Apollo when he's weak, the fool knows nothing. A wounded animal is the most vicious, and so is Apollo. He's wallowing in drink and despair, broken and is effectively meaningless, but if that fool attacks he'll be emboldened maybe even repurpose himself. That can not be allowed to happen!

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Apollo and Sakura sat in a booth in Marci's bar, both were quiet as they drank, and the tears still moist in Sakura's eyes. She looked at him, "So what do we do now?" she asked, Apollo place a hand on hers, "We'll be fine, I still have contacts, we can go somewhere quiet. Like Colorado." he said trying to be reassuring. She looks indignant, "And what, pretend nothing happened?!"

"of course not! Jas, what else can we do? We have no jurisdiction, no protection, and the media is making the people despise us." She pulled her hand away, "We can fight! Do something to stop this madness!"

"Jas-"

"No! Mike, they stole our lives, our job, our purpose. I love helping people, I love fighting villains, and without that... I can't go back to flipping burgers for stuck up tourists." She pleaded grabbing on to his hands, "I know you, and drinking your life away in Marci's bar is something you can't do forever." He looked into her eyes, seeing her determination brought a glimmer of hope, but he couldn't believe in hope right now.

All-day the news showing people's pent up frustration turn to open rage and contempt to the heroes who once protected them from the very evil they're now embracing. "You didn't know me from before, this is who I am Jasmine, a drunk who got his powers by being drunk on the job and getting a dozen people killed. I should be dead, but the Alliance saved me, sealed my records, and I played the part of hero out of obligation. I'm no hero, not really, but hey it was a good run! I made some good friends, and a good family, while it lasted."

"That's a lie" Sakura's gaze bored into his eyes, Apollo laughed, "Believe that if you want babe bu-"

"Shut up! You said your bullshit now it's my turn! I can't believe the man I know, I love, did what I saw him do out of obligation. You saved lives, sacrificed everything for a cause, for justice. Maybe it started as an obligation, or a way to atone for your demons. My life wasn't so cherry either jack-ass and crawling into a damn bottle won't stop those demons, it'll only fuel them, and I know pain and death and loss. And I won't stand by and watch you destroy yourself over some self-pity bullshit!"

The front door exploded inward, the half-drunk patrons screamed and dashed for cover, as Saber Claw walked in. "Apollo! I will have my revenge!" he shouted with a predatory look in his eyes. Sakura ignored the scene and Apollo sat in their booth sipping his drink, "Keeep it down Saber, you're ruining my mood." Apollo said irritated by the interruption. Saber marched over to their booth, "You will pay for what you did to me! I'll-"

"Oh shut up, I couldn't give a rat's ass for your need for revenge."

Saber fumed and slashed the table in half with his tri-blade gauntlet, "I'll fillet you for that insult!" Apollo stood, unsteady by his alcohol intake, "You want revenge Saber brain! Take it! I don't give a shit!" Sakura looked shocked, "Apollo!" she said in desperation, but he ignored her, "I don't care anymore! Yes, I ruined your life as a fracking criminal, boo fracking hoo!" Apollo grabbed Saber's

gauntlets and aimed their tips at his throat, "Go ahead! I deserve it right!" Saber was dumbfounded and just gapped at Apollo, "Do it you coward! This is what you have been chasing me for all these years right? Do it." The two stood, posed in inaction, Saber was confused, "What game are you playing at Apollo?" Saber asked, still unsure of what to do.

Apollo lends forward till the razor tips of Saber's claws drew a drop of blood, "No games Saber. I know you were there when I got my powers, and that you saw your love die in the accident I caused. I knew her, she was brilliant, and was a good friend. Don't you see it? I don't have a purpose any longer. Only my demons, only the souls of Rebecca, Daniel, Ben, Trevoski, Mary, Jacob, Flinn, Tomas, Karen, and Marcus haunting my dreams. Do it, and maybe they'll be at peace. Do it!" Saber froze, his mind barely comprehending the sight. His nemesis, the one who killed his Rebecca, his one and only love. Yet he felt no anger, nor the righteous cause that drove him to seek this man's death for decades. In Apollo's eyes was pain and hopelessness and he could only pity him.

Saber retracted the claws back into the gauntlet, "No, I can not. In my ignorance and pain, I never thought of the pain I felt was also your own." Apollo threw his glass which shattered harmlessly on Saber's mask, "Coward!" Sakura embraced him, "Michael stop." She pleaded, her tears streaming down her face, "Please my love, stop. For me." Apollo breathed heavily, his eyes still wild, as Saber

turned to walk away. "Don't throw your life away for imaginary demons Apollo, if you knew my Rebecca, you know she wouldn't want that. She admired you and told me that they were working on something great for the world. She wouldn't want to see you like this, nor me." Apollo came to his senses at that, for a fleeting second he remembered the true memory of his late lab assistant and snapped him from his madness.

"No Saber, she wouldn't want that at all." Saber turned and removed his mask, "It's Damien, and we are enemies no longer." He smiled, "I know what really happened with the Alliance raid, it was-" Damien was hit by a stun bolt and slammed into the ground as a platoon of Tier Zero troops flooded into the room, "Everyone down! Now!" a trooper said as Sakura and Apollo got down on the ground beside Damien. The man's mouth struggled to move as the steel pronged, grenade sized stunner kept zapping him, but he managed to mouth 'Shadow' before three TZ troops grabbed and restrained him.