A Sickening Plot
Boss Characters:
Hugh
Hugh is an alien that looks very human. He cleansed his home planet from evil, and he came to the Earth to do the same. He uses a dark helmet that covers his body with armor that increases his strength and gives him access to futuristic weapons that appear by thought. When Hugh was 16, he captured a dangerous criminal named Gull (this original adventure of Hugh can be read here: https://theprose.com/post/389825/the-pit ). Now 30 years old, Hugh has spent the past 14 years building a worldwide network of heroes powered by the same helmet technology as himself. Hugh has even created an alternate world called the Reflection Dimension, a safe place to keep the most dangerous criminals. The inhabitants of the Reflection Dimension all have food, shelter, and digital entertainment needs supplied, and their only means of escape is to pass a test to show that they have truly given up their evil ways. If they are able to do this, they are also cleared of all criminal charges (The first tale of the Reflection Dimension can be read here: https://theprose.com/post/382631/redemption-in-another-dimension ).
Leftover
Originally Prince Lenny Overature of the country of Prosperity, Lenny was next in line to become the king. However, his true desire was to join his idol Hugh’s hero network. King Overature allowed him to apply for Hugh’s team, while secretly contacting Hugh requesting that his application be declined. Hugh appeared to Lenny shortly after and began interviewing him for the opportunity to become a new recruit. This turned out to be a trick, as this Hugh was really the king’s trusted advisor Bill. Bill stole Lenny’s features, leaving Lenny’s body as a dark silhouette. Plotting to pose as Lenny and become king, Bill’s plans were foiled when Hugh’s associate Mirk came on the scene and sent Bill to the Reflection Dimension, assuming that Bill would return reformed. This did not go according to plan, and Lenny vowed revenge on Hugh and his organization, taking the name Leftover. Leftover plans to build his own team that will eliminate Hugh’s group, and do what he feels will be a better job in being heroes. (Leftover’s complete origin story can be read here: https://theprose.com/post/403057/the-prince-s-year-end-goals-destiny-beyond-the-throne )
*****
“It’s been a while since we’ve gone on a mission together. Are you ready, brother?”
“I sure am!” Mirk responded to his brother Tam enthusiastically. “I’m not sure why Hugh is responding to a call about an alley cat though.”
“Because the cat is making people unusually ill.” Tam replied. “At the very least, it should be an easier mission than that trapmaster Hall.” (This previous adventure can be read here: https://theprose.com/post/383782/hallway-of-peril )
“True story.” Mirk said, as they began walking into the alley of the downtown city their assignment led them to. The alley stretched for what seemed like miles. Undeterred, Mirk and Tam began their search for the mysterious feline.
The two heroes heard a hiss behind them, and they turned around and saw a gray, feral cat. Per their boss Hugh’s protocol, Mirk and Tam wore dark helmets that provided full body armor, and they had stun laser guns they could make appear in their hands by thought. Before anything could be done, the cat lunged at Tam and bit his shoulder.
“OWWWWW!” Tam cried out. “That cat bit right through my armor!”
“Are you ok?” Mirk asked his brother in a concerned tone.
“Not really....” Tam replied, feeling queasy. Tam removed his helmet, and his body armor vanished, leaving him in a t-shirt and jeans. Tam then hunched over and began vomiting out kitty litter.
“TAM, WHAT IS GOING ON?” Mirk screamed in shock. He pulled himself together, then put his hand on Tam’s shoulder as kitty litter continued to pour out of Tam’s mouth. “Did you eat kitty litter before we came here?”
“Of.... course.... not....” Tam managed to say, still feeling sick. “The.... cat....”
The cat then lunged at Mirk and bit his ankle.
“OWWWW!” Mirk screamed in pain. He then felt sick to his stomach as well, and removed his helmet, leaving him in civilian clothes. Mirk then began vomiting kitty litter too.
The cat hissed again, and the two ill heroes felt helpless. They had no strength, no protection, and they were still spewing kitty litter out of their systems. What was the deal with this cat?
Suddenly another armored figure appeared on the scene. His armor was similar to what Mirk and Tam were previously covered in, but his helmet was yellow with a toothy smile painted on it.
“Don’t worry friends, I will help you!” The figure said in a friendly voice that sounded like it could belong to nobility. A laser gun appeared in the figure’s hand, and a blast took the cat down. At that point, Mirk and Tam’s sickness stopped.
“The cat is unconscious now.” The figure told Mirk and Tam. “You guys work for Hugh, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Tam replied, relieved that he was no longer throwing up kitty litter, but still feeling weak. “And you?”
“I’m Larry, at your service!” The figure responded happily. “I work for a new, up and coming hero organization. Why don’t you take the cat back to Hugh? You guys probably have some great scientists that can figure out why it is making people vomit kitty litter from its bites!”
“Yeah, we’ll do that, thanks Larry.” Mirk said, exhausted but grateful. He put his helmet back on, and armor recovered his body. Mirk then summoned a laser gun that could transfer anyone blasted by it safely back to their base. He blasted the cat, Tam, and then himself, leaving Larry alone.
Larry removed his helmet, and the armor disappeared, revealing a dark silhouette. “You can come out now Doctor Sic.” The figure said in a tone that was no longer friendly, but menacing.
A man in his early 30s ventured out from behind a dumpster. He was dressed in a fancy suit. “Well Leftover, how did you like my demonstration?”
“Very nice.” Leftover answered sinisterly. “So if I am understanding right, you gave the cat a temporary toxin that would cause anyone bit by it to vomit kitty litter? And by the time the cat and those boys return to their boss, the toxin will no longer be in any of their systems?”
“You are correct.” Dr. Sic replied. “That is but one of the toxins I have developed. Those fools are now back at their base with an ordinary cat, with no way to trace their previous illness back to us. If you don’t mind me asking, you could have easily eliminated them just now. Why didn’t you?”
“All part of my long term plan.” Leftover replied, laughing. “Those two will have to report back to their boss that they only completed their mission because of another hero. Hugh will learn that there is another organization that can handle the job better than his own people. Once I have completely obliterated their reputation, then I will enjoy finishing them off.”
“A fascinating strategy.” Dr. Sic replied. “So have I proven that my services would be an asset to your team?”
“I will be blunt with you doctor.” Leftover responded. “I am looking for a scientist that can mass produce the helmet I used today when I operated as Larry. However, your toxin skills are quite lovely, and I feel they will definitely come in handy in the future. So yes, if you are willing, I can and will utilize your scientific expertise.”
“I accept, and I look forward to contributing to your vision.” Doctor Sic replied. “Those weak heroes couldn’t handle the kitty litter, my next toxin will be far more painful!”
The two villains cackled, then exited the scene. The deep alley was then vacant and silent once again.