Jason Wiles's Story

Jackson sat, slumping against the wall of his apartment. After Boxer kid, whose name he learned was Tricky, had answered all his questions, he'd asked Jackson a few of his own. After telling him everything he knew about Brightside and attempting to answer his other questions, Tricky just up and left. Before he jumped from Jackson's window, he said, "Jeez, you don't know much of anything about this city, do you?" He was right. Jackson had so little intelligence on the city's inner workings it was almost laughable. As much as Jackson wasn't the thinking type, he should still have known a little. Running his hands through his hair, Jackson decided he was more of the observant and acting type. Putting it from his mind, Jackson jumped onto his bed and flicked on the small TV he'd bought with money he'd made from his job at the gym. He was watching for a bit when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. It was Kina. She sent him a text that read as follows, "Hi Jackson. Thanks for telling me this. Where are you? Do you need me?" Just as Jackson was about to reply, the TV switched channels. He was about to change back to Adventure Time(tm) when he noticed what was on the TV.

"Hello, we've interrupted your previously scheduled programming for an urgent report. My name is Lisa McMahon from Channel 5 News coming to you live from the Kirkcroft Museum of Natural History. Normally a safe learning ground for children, as well as a fantastic tourist attraction, the Museum today has been turned into a battle ground. A pair of villains have taken over the museum. Their intentions are currently unknown, however, we do know that they have made no attempt to release the civilians trapped inside. They are presumed dead. More on the subject as it develops, I'm Lisa McMahon, Channel 5 news." Jackson stood in shock. The outright audacity of this move was completely outrageous. Attacking children and the elderly in broad daylight? Jackson wouldn't stand for this. He grabbed the mask he'd flung onto his chair and pulled on his customary flak jacket. He texted Kina, "Have you seen the news? Huge break in at the Museum. The villains have taken the patrons captive and have probably killed them. I'm on my way over, meet me there. Further, if you have any super friends, bring them. The city's heroes need to start working together.

Wasting no more time, Jackson jumped from his second story window, using his right arm to brace the impact and shrug off the fall. After landing, he bolted to the Museum. "The innocent must be saved." Jackson thought. When he got there, Jackson was shocked. The place was swarmed with media coverage, but only a few police men were there to prevent people from going inside. The place should have been sealed off by the National Guard or the Army. There weren't even SWAT on scene. Jackson was furious. He was so sick of the super-powered villains of Kirkcroft doing as they pleased. Shouldering past an officer and ignoring orders to cease and desist, Jackson walked under the caution tape and started heading up the stairs. He was halfway up when he heard a scream. Someone had called after him. It was the reporter from Channel 5.

"Sir, you can't go in there, it's too dangerous! There are multiple villains inside, they'll kill you! Wait!"

Her concern had shaken Jackson momentarily, and when he looked up from his feet, every camera there was pointed straight at him. Though he was nervous, Jackson steeled himself. He knew what he had to do.

"Ma'am, I'm a hero. One of Kirkcroft's super-powered denizens, charged with the privilege of protecting and serving this city. I'm tired of these villains doing whatever they want whenever they want. This city is not their plaything, it belongs to the innocent civilians. My duty now becomes the right to defend these selfsame innocent from the nightmarish grip the villains seem to hold over Kirkcroft. I will create a tomorrow for the innocent. A tomorrow where they have control over their own destiny. I will not stop, I will not rest, and I will not back down. That's the way I roll. If there's an obstacle in my path I'll smash it down! If there's no path for me to follow I'll build one with my own hands! I have two things to say to the supers of Kirkcroft. To the Heroes: I'm disappointed in you. Why aren't you here? Won't you join me? Won't you help me defend this city? Finally, to the Villains: I am the Blood Claw. I am coming for you. I will not let you devour this city with your arrogance and greed. Just who the hell do you think I am?!"

At that, Jackson turned and ran the rest of the way up the stairs. There was no way everyone in Kirkcroft hadn't heard that particular speech. If the heroes were paying attention, so much the better. It was 2 vs 1 until Kina showed up, and Jackson wasn't looking forward to that. He had no idea what the villain's powers were. He had no idea who they were, and he was going into unfriendly territory blind. He might not live to regret this. Regardless, it was his duty. He couldn't back down, his pride demanded it. Bursting through the front door, Jackson was shocked to find the place nearly empty. It was almost eerie. Moving along, Jackson heard voices, two of them. Following them, he heard the whimpering of children and the elderly. Running at this point, he slammed through a door, finding the source of the noise. The two villains appeared to both be women, grinning wickedly, and absorbed in the slaughter of the innocent. There was no way Jackson could just abide by their actions, even if they were women.

"Excuse me," he said, getting their attention, "Why don't you two pick on someone your own size. Leave those people alone. I'll be your escort this evening."