Don't Fear Despair

**Date Started:** October 15th, 2021
**Date Completed:** Ongoing
**Next Roleplay:** N/A
**Users Involved:** User:MohmohMoh, User:Starving Skeleton
**Setting:** New York City
**Characters Involved**:
* **Heroes**: Bellator
* **Villains**: Rift Killer

## A Man of Despair

Men were celebrating around the city, women laughing as they were reminiscing about their pasts together, children playing with their toys and quirks. It was nothing but a regular day in NYC. Sitting on the edge on top of a building was Toby, his long dark blue hair waving with the wind, his cloak just like his hair waving. He had an ice cold gaze watching over the city as he saw the happiness, few of the people were dressed as heroes. Truly despicable, heroes which gives a false sense of hope. He raised his right arm as he pushed his legs towards the building, Forcing himself forward. Plummeting towards the ground he waved with his right arm in front of him, opening a Rift. Falling into his rift Toby smirked. He could view the outside world, Yet they couldn’t perceive him. Unable to interact with each other in the slightest.

He landed on the ground inside of his Rift dimension, walking around the city for a bit. Taking in the sight of people filled with joy. They were all under the impression that they were safe thanks to the heroes, yet it couldn’t be further from the truth. Forcing open a rift in front of him, Toby walked out into the real world. His cloak waved behind him as he walked, his smile gave off an off putting feeling causing those who saw it to get a feeling of despair. He silently picked up his phone, reading a text from someone he didn’t know.

Toby walked forward to a woman who had the looks of a fox due to her quirk. The woman was enjoying a cup of tea on a bench, unknowing that Toby was behind her. Grabbing a hold of her shoulder she shivered, slowly turning around she was met with his empty and cold gaze. He spoke, “Where’s the nearest bank? I seem to be unable to find it.” Her heart rate picked up in speed as she nervously stuttered, “Ta.. Take a.. Take a left. Folllllowed up by a rrright, then straaaaight.” Nodding he let go, heading towards the direction she had provided.

The building came into view. His smirk grew wide as he walked closer. Standing in front of the doors he opened a rift in front of him, walking into it. Inside the rift the outside world looked like a far away place with a light blue tint given to it. He couldn’t see past fifteen meters. It didn’t matter to him how far he could see, inside his rift he and only he existed. He was the singular entity capable of entering. He walked through the front doors of the bank, two guards were standing inside with guns. Each guarding one side of the bank, subtle yet efficient method. Walking up to the guard on the far side of the bank, Toby stood behind him. Nobody knew of his presence yet. That was until he opened a small rift in the same height as the guard's throat. Extending his hands around the guards throat Toby ripped it open before taking his hands back into the rift, closing it behind him. People shouted in fear as they saw the guard’s sudden death. The alarms went off, nearby heroes would be able to hear it and make a move. Though it would be too late, Toby continued to slaughter people inside. They were laying on their stomachs unknowing what had struck them. A few had managed to run outside in panic, alerting nearby people of what was going on.

Lastly only one of the male workers remained, Toby opened a rift in front of him. As Toby walked forward the man stumbled backwards before falling. Giving off a fake smile Toby demanded, “You’re no longer a public banker, you’re my private banker now. Open up the vault.” In retaliation the man shouted, “DON’T UNDERESTIMATE ME BASTARD!” His hands started lighting up before sending out what appeared to be a weak laser, penetrating through Toby’s left tricep. A grimm look was built upon Toby’s face, grabbing hold of the banker's hair he started unleashing a series of punches onto his face. He shouted for it to stop, begging for his life though it fell on deaf ears. The man was barely alive as Toby stopped, gurgling on his own blood. “So, you’re going to open the fucking vault, Or your pathetic life filled with hope from the heroes will end.” Nodding, the man opened the vault reluctantly.

He kept his promise, letting the man live. Toby is a man of many things, a liar is far from one of them. Stepping away from him he walked towards the vault.

"I still have work tomorrow morning." James said on the phone as he walked down the street. White pods were embedded deep into his ear bovine ears, contrasting his ebony skin and crimson eyes. His white hair flowed behind him as his white mane covered his chest and back. He wore his usual outfit which comprised of a loose red robe and iron weights wrapped around his limbs. "But I'll head over after my workout....No I promise. I have everything planned....So we have dinner at that place you like, go for a walk and then-" He pulled out his phone from his back pocket, holding the small device between his massive fingers, and stared at the screen. His face scrunching into annoyance. On it was a message;

Downtown Manhattan Bank robbery in progress. Several dead.
"Yeah I got it...Okay. Nooooo don't...I'll call you back...I promise." James said. A click followed as he touched the red button and placed both his ear-pods and phone back into his pocket. The massive man was getting used to using these small contraptions despite his monstrous limbs.

*"I swear to god if this makes me late!"* James thought to himself. Veins bulged beneath his skin while muscles became prominent. He took a deep breath and brought his bag to a nearby deli, bending over to enter the establishment. Its patrons looked at the massive devil-man with eyes of awe and fear. Gazes he grew accustomed too. After all, those born with Mutant-type Quirks were often treated as separate citizens. Some called it a curse but James loved his abilities…even though his quirk made it even worst. How many children cried at the sight of someone who lived their life as an actual demon. But he still considered his quirk his greatest blessing. "Hold onto this and I got $150 bucks for you."

"Huh? Why should I?" The deli's owner asked. "You filthy mutants don't belong out here-" His face changed when James held up his hero license.

"I'd love to hear the rest of your political commentary...but I have business to attend too."

The trip would've took anyone else about half an hour. But not the brutal **Draconic Hero: Bellator**. The muscular fighter known for his warrior mentality and a monstrous prowess befitting his devilish attributes. A man training beneath the No. 4 hero himself. Even though some would call James new to this hero lifestyle, he managed to instill quite some fear into villains.

Although it came with endless news segments about the filthy mutants dirtying this city.

Each step became a thunderous push forward as his gigantic leg muscles launched him with enough force to easily bypass a speeding train. He would've pulverized nearby civilians if not for the slight leaps he made. The bank was surrounded by hundreds of onlookers barricaded by yellow tape. Police officers and more minor heroes performed crowd control while others discussed methods regarding dealing with the intruder.

"I-it's Bellator!" A woman screamed happily.

"He's with Singularity's group!" A man added.

"Everyone should get away!" Another added. "Nothing but death and destruction follows this man!"

"Ohhhhh but does this mean we're going to see Her Majesty?"

"What's going on?" Bellator said to who he thought to be the police officer in charge.

"The bank was under attack. Some villain just started appearing and tearing our officers apart." Bellator followed the officer's eyes, catching sight of said corpses. "Now he's inside doing whatever. Everyone we send in either comes back nearly dead or..."

"It's okay. I can handle it from here." Bellator responded with a cocky smile. "This is **LIGHTWEIGHT**!" His crimson eyes shined in the street's light while he took his signature pose, a double bicep flex.

Corpses created a guideline towards the vault. "Looks like people had one of two choices. Help or die." Bellator mumbled. His stomach churned at the smell of blood. Death brought queasiness. He wasn't like Maverick. James loved battle...cherished violence....but he didn't think death was its only outcome.

Eventually Bellator made his way to the main vault room.

"Look, I hate ATM fees too....But don't you think this is a bit excessive?"

A loud sigh could be heard, echoing over the nearly empty vault. Toby was crouching in the far end, nearly having emptied the vault. He had put most of the contents inside of his rift dimension. Standing up stretching his hands were visibly drenched in blood, shining underneath the ceilings chandeleur. Toby slowly turned around as a grin formed on his face, standing face to face with the hero he started to fill with anger despite having a grin on his face. In a sinister and deep voice he started speaking, "It's not about ATM's or the money, the money's just a bonus." Putting his right hand up while clenching it he continued, "Despair.. The last moments of the people I've killed today were filled with either despair or hope. They despaired once they realized no hero would save them in time, the others hoped that a hero would save them in time. Heroes bring a false sense of hope to them, a false sense of safety, a false sense of laws. It was never about heroes nor villains, it was always about strength and how either side use their strength. We're two sides of the same coin, you heroes use your quirks for others.. We villains use our quirks for ourselves. Villains can't be villains without heroes, the same could be said about heroes as they wouldn't exist without villains. Your side brings hope in the form of shining justice, my side brings despair in the form of a dark injustice. Atleast, that's how the masses view it. It shouldn't be a crime to use your quirk for your own good, that's why I seek to bring despair onto those who live under the false hope of heroes." While speaking Toby had started to form a small rift ball inside his clenched fist, having stalled long enough he threw it over his shoulder. This was his ability **Riftal Tether**, this move allowed him to tether any rift he would like to the ball. The rift which he choses to connect will be the only one capable of connecting, walking through this rift will teleport them to the tethered orb.

The orb landed slightly behind him, despite not having much momentum it moved on it's own backwards. Toby had setup an escape route in case the hero was stronger then him, he would still need to buy time as the ball was traversing the floor with a slow momentum. Putting his right leg forward and his left leg behind him firmly into the ground he raised both of his fists. "I'll just assume you won't allow me to walk out of here like nothing happened."

"I'm glad you know." Bellator said. Despite the rather long philosophy lesson, the ebony hero showed nothing but a nonchalant grin. He didn't care about right or wrong. In every war, battle and disagreement in history, right or wrong changed depending on the perspective one took. Bellator learned that during his younger days as a hero. He'd swoop in and save someone from some *evil* villain...but later find out that horrible villain was nothing more than a desperate father trying to feed their children. Can their really be right and wrong in this world that exist within the greyest area?

A question which lead to him remembering how his parents raised him and his brother. Under a single idea. There are only those who are strong and others who are weak. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. Emotionally. One or the other. And those strong in one could protect those weaker in another. It's why James started his path in heroics while *he* embraced darkness. Why serve those who hated them?

"While I appreciate that little lesson you gave me...I don't care whether you're a villain or hero. You used your powers to hurt others. And that's why I'm taking you down!"

Bellator’s legs pushed deep into the earth, revealing his naturally explosive speed. His muscles far beyond other supernaturally gifted beings. He'd appear before Toby with his giant fist crashing down into a devastating haymaker.

Toby had been standing ready over the hero's next move, especially since he confirmed that he wouldn't let Toby walk out of there. Despite the fact that he was ready he didn't have time to react to the hero's sudden burst towards him, getting punched by James's fist straight onto the side of his jaw. Feeling the hit connect he was sent flying across the vault, crashing into the far sided wall causing a loud echoing explosion noise as a cloud of dust rose from the ground. A subtle dripping noise could be heard as Toby stood up, his jaw had been punched hard enough to cause the skin to open up resulting in blood.

Toby started channeling riftal energies into his right hand, forming a small unstable ball. Once ready he threw the ball which would explode in a similar fashion to a flashbang in order to stun the hero momentarily. Quickly turning away in order to not get stunned he noted the tether's location, it was around halfway of where it needed to be as it just started traveling through the wall.

And the flashbang worked, for Bellator was a hero sent to deal with what some would call the powerhouse villains. Monsters of brute strength and rampaging beast too powerful for tanks and modern artillery. But against those with more tactical abilities? Well, Bellator wasn't the brightest among America's heroes. He covered his eyes and looked away to avoid being blinded from the riftal powers.

*"Parlor tricks?"* Bellator contemplated. *"No. He wouldn't be able to cause* this *much damage in such a short amount of time."*

Bellator cracked his knuckles and pressed onwards. Slowly approaching Toby with a tired gaze. Fights like these...where it felt like a chase as opposed to an actual battle...it annoyed him. "If you're going to keep running, I'm going to keep beating you to a pulp...and if that's the case you might as well give up!" He roared as he charged once more. This time twisting his body into a furious twirl with his leg firing forth like a giant train. A kick carrying enough power to command the surrounding wind.

Seeing that the flashback worked Toby felt relieved, despite being a hero he could fall for such simple tricks. Though his moment of relief was short lived as the hero quickly regained his composure and started moving towards him. Toby's face grew a wide almost mocking grin as he stared at the hero. Raising his hands forward as if opening his arms up for a hug he spoke in a sinister tone, "Running? I haven't even started yet. You see I'm a man of liberties, if I choose to run there's not a goddam thing a B-classed hero such as yourself could do about it." Just as he had finished speaking, Bellator leapt towards him. The first and only hit so far that Bellator had landed was before Toby had realized how truly fast the hero was, however now that he knew it would be easier to deal with it.

Forming one orb in each hand Toby threw one towards Bellator’s face whilst throwing the other one underneath his kick. The one aimed at the hero's face was yet another one of the flashbang-like riftal balls whilst the other one was a **Riftal Tether**. Quickly opening a riftal tear underneath himself, Toby fell into the rift. This riftal opening was tethered to the orb which was behind Bullrush's leg, effectively teleporting Toby to behind the kick. Leaping towards Bellator he raised his right fist as he prepared to strike after the **rift bomb** had detonated. Toby aimed towards the same place which Belltor had struck him earlier.

Bellator covered his eyes to avoid the blinding light but didn't expect what followed. Giving Toby the prime chance to strike in vengeance. His face didn't move as the villain's face collided cleanly against his jaw. The behemoth hero's neck muscle tensed as he resisted the punch.

"This would've been enough for a *B-Ranked* hero." Belltor teased. He turned his face back. Toby wasn't as strong as Bellator but he did pack one helluva punch. And even worst, the villain accomplished something few could dream of; completely outmaneuvering the savage Draconic Hero. In the timespan of a flashing light, Bellator felt his leg swing all the way around as a shockwave collided against the surrounding wall. Nothing. Until Toby's fist slammed against his cheek.

Anyone else would've fell.

He brought his head down in a ferocious headbutt. "You sound like him, let's see if you can fight like him too!"

Toby moved his left arm in order to cover from the headbet, the sheer force packed behind Bellator’s headbut was enough to force Toby's hand back into his own head. Most of the power behind the headbut traveled through Toby's arm and onto his forehead as he felt his head getting rocketed. In retaliation he pushed himself off of Bellator with his left arm as he grew a grim look on his face.

"Who the fuck are you talking about?" he muttered in an agitated voice. His bright blue eyes sparkled in annoyance, reminiscent of a raging blue inferno. His forehead had cracked, crimson red blood slowly traveled along his chin before dripping onto the ground. "Fine... fine," Toby said as he drew back his and left arm to his right side. A dark blue ball started to form, spinning rapidly. His grim look grew more and more concentrated, his muscles tensed up as he stood without emotions focusing on the ball. Toby had used his hands to create many small rifts that spun which formed the ball. These rifts were directly connected to each other, anything that was touched by it would be forced into spinning. Say the rift ball would touch skin, the skin would twist violently ripping apart the structures underneath as it attempts to hold onto the body before getting ripped off.

Toby's grim look changed as he grew a confident smile. Standing upright with the ball in his right hand he walked forward, his eyes carrying a look which could pierce any soul and strick them with fear. He drew back his arm carrying the ball before darting towards Bellator, prepared to strike his chest with it.

**Rift Swirl**

Bellator pulled back from his headbutt to avoid killing the misguided villain. No matter how much he actively enjoyed battle, Bellator still prided himself as a hero. And the last thing this world needed to see was a Mutant violently pummeling a villain. Even if said villain just committed a massacre. Such is a world filled with misjudgment.

Her Majesty would've told Bellator to move. To dodge the incoming attack because she knew him better than anyone else. She was aware of Bellator’s biggest weakness. His pride. There's a saying in the Western Hero World. A phrase that's starting to spread like wildfire across the America's and even a little overseas.

**The warrior never backs down from a charge!**

And this was no different. He faced Toby without flinching. Charging forth as he pulled upon his own Devil King power which made carried him forth like a massive cannon. Every step crashing deep into concrete with a rumbling ferociousness. Aiming to collide with Toby and slam him through the countless walls that served as the bank's foundation.

**Red Charge!**

Blood fell from Bellator’s chest as he stumbled backward. A cavity torn into his chest as he kneeled. He coughed more blood onto the pool before him.

"Fuck."

His smirk wouldn't last for long as he felt James's attack pull through despite being weakened by the impact of his **Rift Swirl**. Thanks to his own attack forcing James to pull back Toby managed to survive as he was sent flying. Blood spewed from his mouth as he soared backwards, his lungs pushed together by extreme force as he made impact with the first concrete wall. Despite the thickness of the wall it only served to slow him down before striking the next wall. A crater was left in the image of his body, truly the bull's charge was to be feared. Most if not everyone would've died by it's full force. It was truly blind luck that James was forced to pull back thanks to Toby's own attack. Rubble fell on top of him as his eyes whitened for a second as he fell unconcious. It took him a few seconds to regain his conciousness just to be greeted by an intense gasp for air. His lungs had yet to recover as he fell forward, crawling on his hands and legs while struggling to breathe. A sudden burst of air started to fill his lungs just to be expelled by an intense coughing. Holding his hand in front of his mouth he felt a warm liquid drip from his lips. His chest was in an intense pain, least four ribs broken paired with his back being pounded open by the hard concrete. Slowly a pool of his blood started to form underneath him between the rubble.

Toby was the first person to ever stop Bellator’s charge. And to survive on top of that? But his greatest accomplishment had to be the split second where Bellator thought he saw death staring deep into his eyes.

That’s right. Anyone else’s chest would’ve been ripped to shreds. Impossible to repair due to the complexity of space time dancing around one another in the villain’s palm. If not for the countless layers of thick muscle protecting Bellator, this could’ve been his last day as a hero. Even Komic’s annoying power might’ve proved useless.

Bellator breathed. He held onto the hole in his chest and coughed. He felt his body working. A supernatural healing factor thanks to his mutated body. Cuts and scars took minutes and deeper wounds, hours. But life threatening injuries like this took longer and greatly hindered his performance.

“Unless you can stand up…you’re under arrest.” Bellator managed in a grunt while crawling at Toby.

Toby was panting heavily from his injuries, though each pant was cut short as the immense pain he felt forced him to stop. The fact that his ribs had been broken had worsened the case further. Much like Bellator was crawling, Toby was on all four as well. Yet his arms and legs collapsed on him over and over as he struggled to get up. Sitting up he leaned towards the wall behind him, painting it with his blood.

The rift veins which coursed through him started to glow as he stared at Bellator who made his way towards him. A **Rift Swirl** started to form on the top of his left palm, yet it was dismissed into thin air as he coughed violently. In order to use his quirk Rift, Toby had to tense his muscles, tensing his muscles in their current state caused them to give in. He'd still have some time before Bellator to reach him as there was quite some distant between them.

”W-who do you serve?” Bellator asked with each crawl. He felt his cardiac muscles work to repair themselves so he kept from reaching too far. But still moved forward with dedication. “and why did you kill those people…”

In such a situation, both of them can be forgiven for not noticing a very small circle floating through the air, about the size of an eye. In fact, through said floating circle, an eye is meekly peeking through and observing the scenario. She had been given the task to watch over Toby in case things go south and get him out.

The floating circle inches closer towards the blue-haired man, with the purple eye gazing through it. She has a job to do, but she can’t help but feel nervous. Mainly because of the hero who is with them. She needs to be fast, stay calm… But that’s the most difficult part.

“*Uwaa… Oh goodness, oh goodness, this is dangerous! I just need to grab him, pull him in and it’s done with, yeah… But, what if that hero grabs me before I can react? I won’t be able to escape if that happens. Aaagh! I need to be more safe!*”

Emika Ryoumi is nervously thinking to herself. She isn’t a combatant and not too strong physically. So getting grabbed is out of the question. There is no other way to save Toby then. The small circle, which is actually a portal created by her quirk, expands and flies to Toby’s head. Scooping him up, alongside any debris around him. Not the cleanest way to save someone, but the fastest.

With Toby gone as the portal quite literally has swallowed him up, it instantly collapses in on itself, closing for good, with Toby successfully transported through it. Uniting him with Emika, who had been hiding inside of a public bathroom, hundreds of feet away. She is lucky that she was able to find him by searching remotely. But their fight did kick up some dust.

Emika holds onto Toby, embracing him into her bosom. She is sweating and gasping for air harder than he is. The one thing that Emika truly fears is physically strong people who just need to get a hold of her once to basically render her defenseless.

“Haaa… Haaa.. Oh… Oh that was scary. Sorry I had to scoop you up like that. I couldn’t risk sticking my arm out. What if that brute grabbed me and pulled me through? We both would’ve been done for.”

Toby couldn't help but smirk as Bellator's questions aimed at him. A glimt of excitement filled the corner of his eyes as he answered with a question of his own,"Why I killed them? Better yet, why didn't you save them?" Suddenly he found himself getting picked up by a portal. Despite being embraced by Emika's chest, Toby couldn't stay concious for long. Bellators hit took more than just a toll on his body, ribs were either shattered or broken to pieces. His organs had been sent rocketing from the impact against the concrete walls, all of this combined was too much for his body to handle. It was his sense of survival and instincts that had kept him awake as adrenaline brewed in his veins. Being safe from the pro hero his body could finally relax, sending him into a deep slumber to recover it's strength.

Bellator was about to launch himself at Toby. How dare this brat mock him after what he did! But a burning pain erupted from his chest. A incinerating sensation as his chest continued to heal itself. A moment where he realized that Toby *would've* killed him had it been anyone else. The thought of losing her...

He kneeled down. His eyes locked on the closing portal. The villain got away.

## The Strings

“Yes. Yes. Of course.” The well-dressed man said as he sat on his giant chair while leaning forward on an even larger mahogany desk. All position before a massive window that stretched across an entire wall. The beautiful New York City skyline shined in the sun's radiance. "And the insurance policy is yours as well as an added bonus." His southern drawl created a contrast between this billionaire's headquarters and his humble beginnings.

"Hey, like my grandmother used ta say, if the alligator bites than it musta been hungry." He said with a slight chuckle. "Either way its done. Lemme get off and I'll handle ta last part of our little operation."

"Oh nonononono." The man continued. "You know I love when our *kind* wins." He picked up a metallic plaque that had only two words on it. **Scott Beauregard**. "Well. Don't you worry about it. I'll jump right on it. My pleasure and have a blessed day."

*Click.*

Scott picked up his cellphone and pressed 1. A ring. “Police Commissioner Johns. Those names I sent to you earlier….get rid of em.” An answer.

*Click.*

“You know, these dangerous games almost got that poor boy killed.” The seductive, glasses wearing woman said. Her hair tied in a bun to reveal her pale face colored lightly by blush and lipstick. She sat comfortably on the couch with a martini in her hand.

“Almost got killed?" Scott chuckled. "Why I gave him the greatest bonus anyone could’e given. The Draconian Hero: Bellator. A name earned due to his power. Why, some say ain’t a villain alive that’s ever brought him to his knees…and yet that lil Toby had him crawling. Something our own Mad Dawg couldn’t accomplish.” Scott smiled.

"Still, I'm sure you could've made those clients disappear without him-"

"Now Kathleen, I'm not one to avoid conflict." Scott started. "But I can't let you sit here and accuse me of wasting resources and endangering lives for simple gain"

Kathleen put her drink back on the table and looked at Scott.

"Those clients go missing and it looks like a ransom. Like someone wanted to get rich quick or or get vengeance or something. Even if they left ta horrible note denouncing quirklessness and all that jazz-it'd look like the ravings of a madman." Scott got up and started towards the door. Stopping just before Kathleen.

"History is fascinating. We've created endless stories and narratives from ancient scrolls and pots found in run down temples. When you learn the power of narrative is when you'll finally stand besides me." Scott smiled. His steps echoing in Kathleen's silence as he disappeared down a elevator.

The television was mumbling in the background as the nurses walked past Tobi's room. His injuries had healed since his fight against the pro-hero James. Staring onto the roof of the room he was frustrated, a pro-hero had left him on the brink of death as his lungs had been punctured from his broken ribcage. Clenching the cover his was laying under he waited patiently.