Gargoyleman: Fear
We say there is nothing to fear when fear is closing in
Farm Fresh Cat
Has anyone else got one of these in their fresh food delivery box? I don’t remember ordering one of these, although, it would be something new…
Heads up to new readers:
This story is part of a series. Luckily, you can read the whole Gargoyleman series for free!
…Time for this week’s story…
Gargoyleman: Fear
Breaking News! Jason Maverick rejects justice! Jason Maverick defunds heroes! Jason Maverick pulls Justice Guild funding, cites incompetence. Jason Maverick pulls hero funding amidst repairs. Justice Tower no longer Justice Guild HQ. The richest man in the world doesn’t believe in justice. Jason Maverick pulls funding, are villains to blame?
The headlines were on fire the day Gargoyleman snuck into Chief Jordan’s office through his window. It was on every news channel and the topic of every conversation. Jason Maverick had made a statement that morning, informing the world he was cutting ties with the Justice Guild. The world was in shock, and reporters harassed Justice Guild members across the globe for a comment. Justice Tower was under repair, and the Justice Guild had been using their secondary base in the meantime. However, it now seemed they would not be returning to the tower. With the world’s heroes wrapped up in a media storm, it was the perfect opportunity for Gargoyleman to operate unnoticed during the daylight.
Without exchanging words, they vanished from Chief Jordan’s office moments after Gargoyleman’s arrival, consumed by a swirl of light and color. They reappeared on a stage in front of an auditorium of empty chairs and tables. Chief Jordan recognized it as the Magic Manor. With entertainment ranging from comedy to music to magic, the establishment was renowned for putting on the best shows on the Eastern seaboard.
Soundless, a woman in high heels appeared before them as if out of thin air. She was a short brunette with big, beautiful green eyes, full lips, raven-black hair, and long, firm legs wrapped in sheer fishnets. Smiling at the two men, she eyed Gargoyleman up and down before giving him a wink. Somehow, her short golden skirt and black lace corset under a petite red and gold ringmaster’s jacket did not influence Gargoyleman’s disposition. No blush or smile, he simply nodded in salutation.
Moving gracefully, she ran her finger up Gargoyleman’s stomach, then placed her hand on his chest. Without the same flirtation, she placed her hand on Chief Jordan’s chest, then gently pushed the two men, taking a step forward with their step back. The world around them shifted again, now consumed by darkness. Despite the lack of light, they could see each other perfectly.
“We can talk now. Chief, this is Anastasia, proprietor of the Magic Manor. Anna, this is Police Chief Jordan,” Gargoyleman introduced.
“Yes, hi.” Chief Jordan cleared his throat. “I’ve heard of you, but I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you, Chief,” she spoke with a smooth, sultry voice.
Gargoyleman turned around and gestured ahead of him with one arm. “This is Carl. You know him as Night Flight.”
“Night Flight? Haven’t you been missing for weeks? Is this where you’ve been?” Chief Jordan hurried over to greet the unmasked hero sitting at a table with recording equipment and a chair on either side. “Police Chief Jordan.”
“I guess you can call me Carl.” He stood up to greet the Chief with a firm, respectful handshake. “Yeah, I’ve been here since the attack on Justice Tower. Gargoyleman and Anastasia have been keeping me safe.”
“Safe? From who?”
“You haven’t told him?” Carl asked Gargoyleman.
“That’s why we’re here. You’re going to tell him everything. We’re not staying in the shadows forever. Most of the villains the Justice Guild put away over the years have been released, and they’re coming for me. If I don’t make it, at least I’ve connected you three. You can carry on without me.”
“Hey, don’t go thinking you’re alone out there. If you need any help, my magic is at your disposal. You’ve got my number, call me day or night,” Anastasia said.
“Hold on, what do you mean they’ve been released? Why would the Justice Guild do that? Did you tell Jason Maverick? Is that why he cut ties? I guess that would explain why there’s been so much super crime lately.” Chief Jordan couldn’t contain his curiosity.
“It’s one of the reasons,” Gargoyleman said. “After Morpho’s gang attacked Justice Tower, the world mourned the loss of some of the world’s greatest heroes. I mourned the loss of the world I thought I lived in. Carl will fill you in. Call Anna’s name when you’re ready to go.”
Anastasia took Gargoyleman back to the Magic Manor. As soon as he returned, his police radio monitor turned back on, and Gargoyleman had his next task ahead of him. There was an active robbery happening at the Luna Bank downtown.
“Want a hand?” Anastasia offered, receiving an exasperated look from Gargoyleman. “Don’t worry, we can speak. I’ve got a little spell going.”
“I need you to stay safe. That means, you don’t help me publicly until I ask for it.”
Anastasia reached into her cleavage with two fingers and pulled out a long wand. She closed her eyes, swirled it in the air, then tapped Gargoyleman on the throat. “Call for my help any time. I’ll be there in an instant.”
“Thank you.” Gargoyleman tenderly grabbed her hand with the wand and took a breath, then gave her a weak smile. “I’ve got to go.”
“You’re starting to scare me. Please, don’t die out there.” Trying to conceal a frown, Anastasia shot him an apprehensive look, then tapped his chest with her wand. In the blink of an eye, he was standing atop the Magic Manor’s rooftop.
The bank wasn’t far, and Gargoyleman was there in less than two minutes. He burst through the bank lobby’s skylight and landed with thundering authority on the marble floor. Exiting the bank’s back office was a tall, burly man with sharp features and thin-framed glasses. Hair perfectly combed and wearing a brown suit, he carried himself with gravitas. He tossed a full trash bag off to the side and sighed at the sight of Gargoyleman.
“And here I was, thinking all the heroes might be too busy with today’s news to show up,” the man said with a Southern gentleman’s accent.
“Don’t worry, Fearmonger. I’ve got another cell for you to rot in,” Gargoyleman’s deep, gravely voice rumbled across the spacious room.
“Worry? I’m not worried. Worry is a subset of fear, and fear is my forte.” Fearmonger reached an arm out and fired a cloud of smoke at Gargoyleman. Gargoyleman dodged and rolled back onto his feet. Facing Fearmonger again, Gargoyleman was wearing a gas mask he had deftly pulled from a pouch on his belt, his movements concealed by his cape.
Gargoyleman fired a trio of ninja stars at Fearmonger from the mechanism on his arm. One after another, they stabbed into his arm and chest. Fearmonger cried out in pain and cursed Gargoyleman, who paced across the extravagant bank lobby.
“Give it up, Fearmonger. It’s over.”
“I’m a psychiatrist, not a fighter. That’s why I brought a fighter,” Fearmonger said with a sinister smile.
Alarmed, Gargoyleman stopped and checked his surroundings for someone sneaking up on him, but there was nobody there. Smoke emanated from beneath Fearmonger’s suit and curled around behind him into the hall from which he had emerged.
Ground rumbling, walls shaking, a heartbeat before everything got out of control, Gargoyleman knew what was coming. As if a truck burst through the rear wall leading into the vault, the wall exploded. Standing in the dusty aftermath was an eight-foot-tall behemoth made of tight, bulging muscles. Wearing a steel knight’s helmet and spandex sports attire, the giant dusted himself off and lumbered toward Gargoyleman.
“Muscle Mountain, take care of this nuisance for me, will you?” Fearmonger pulled the ninja stars out of his body.
The giant muscle man charged at Gargoyleman like a runaway train. Gargoyleman narrowly avoided being bashed into oblivion and fired ninja stars from his arm compartment. They stabbed into Muscle Mountain’s calves, but missed his Achilles tendon. Gargoyleman quickly pulled a metal tube from his belt, but a gunshot rang out and sent it flying out of his hand. From the sidelines, Fearmonger was making things difficult.
Muscle Mountain thrashed wildly, trying to smash Gargoyleman like a bug. Using his cape for deception like a bullfighter, Gargoyleman’s zero-g belt gave him the mobility he needed to stay ahead of the damage, but Muscle Mountain was relentless. Like an angry zombie, he roared and grunted, far less eloquent than Gargoyleman was accustomed to from him. After a wild punch, Gargoyleman jumped over him, hooking his neck to put him in a headlock. He activated the heating mechanism on his arm. Muscle Mountain screamed in pain and fell to his knees. He then reached behind himself and grabbed Gargoyleman’s body, lifting him into the air. Even with the assistance of his suit, he didn’t have the strength to hold steady, and the giant flung him across the room.
Smashing into the wall like a meteor, Gargoyleman cracked the marble, leaving a crater in his wake. Chunks of marble dinged against the tile floor as they rained down around him. Still in agony, Muscle Mountain’s neck was red and sizzling hot. Even from the other side of the room, Gargoyleman could smell burning hair and flesh. Reeling from the throw, Gargoyleman noticed his face mask had fallen off and was lying next to him. When he tried to put it back on, the latch was broken.
A mist surrounded Gargoyleman, and the world became distorted. The ceiling stretched infinitely higher, and the walls warped and twisted. He looked back to see Fearmonger laughing, his voice sinking as deep as the darkest depths of hell. His eyes glowed red, body wreathed in fiery shadow. Muscle Mountain grew even larger, his helmet became demonic, and he roared like a dragon.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets pelted Gargoyleman. Although mostly covered in armor, one pierced the crook of his arm and another, his waist. Fearmonger’s marksmanship would be a problem if this contributed. Before he could react, Muscle Mountain charged at him. Gargoyleman ran up the wall to dodge and fired one of his last three ninja stars at Fearmonger. Muscle Mountain smashed through the wall into the alley outside. Gargoyleman hallucinated malicious creatures grabbing and scratching him. The pain felt real. Their cackles were deafening.
Gargoyleman reminded himself that none of it was real, even as his heart raced and sweat drenched his body beneath his suit. He stepped into the alley after Muscle Mountain. It was the middle of the day, but outside, the world was dark. The sun was black, and the brick walls dripped with blood. Muscle Mountain shook his head after bashing it into the next building, groggily getting to one knee. Gargoyleman stood over Muscle Mountain’s leg and aimed at his Achilles again, firing his last two ninja stars. One of them found their mark, and Muscle Mountain cried out in pain again. Gargoyleman dug his taser into the colossal villain’s neck, but it did little. Muscle Mountain elbowed him away and then limped after him.
Rolling with it, Gargoyleman was on his feet as quickly as he had been tossed away. He fumbled to pull another metal cartridge from his belt and attach it to his other arm compartment. Muscle Mountain was on top of him already, and Gargoyleman tripped over something the hallucinations had obscured from his vision as he jumped back to dodge. Muscle Mountain missed with his attack, but now stood over Gargoyleman with both arms in the air. In one motion, Gargoyleman fired the cartridge into Muscle Mountain’s neck and pressed a button on his belt.
Muscle Mountain paused, his body sinking as artificial fatigue set in. With one last burst of energy, he brought his arms down and smashed Gargoyleman through the pavement.
Gargoyleman’s body fell into the sewer. His belt kept him from falling into the water, and instead hovered over it. Muscle Mountain’s arm dangled through the hole. In his last moments of consciousness, Gargoyleman weakly kicked off of it and floated away into the darkness.
:)