A Man of Singular Talent - Rumble and Spark
by Mephisto Pegari
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The protagonist of the below story is a man gifted with the ability to control the minds and bodies of others, with some limitations. He is also a terrible person.
Credit goes to doorknob22, my invaluable proofreader. Seek out his game "Vae Victis - Khan: Conquer, Ravish, Breed" in places I am not allowed to link to here.
As always feedback is welcome.
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All characters and events are fictional. Many are illegal, immoral and/or impossible. Never try this in real life. You do not have mental powers.
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Superheroes are getting to be a problem. Or more precisely, the popularity of superheroes in the public imagination is a problem. When someone develops abilities they used to be afraid of them. Now, they decide to put on a colorful costume and 'fight crime' (whatever that means). At least it makes them easier to spot.
One town in particular has been sprouting superheroes (and their less common but equally ludicrous cousin, supervillains) - a third-rate sinkhole called 'Freeburg'. A few days spent having conversations with local and federal law enforcement personnel (who immediately afterwards forget ever meeting me) reveals the source to be some illegal experimentation with latent abilities which got out of hand. Fortunately for me the local superheroes had already destroyed the research, for which they have the thanks of all peace-loving mind-controlling paranoiacs. By which I mean me.
I express my gratitude by stripping the remaining superheroes of their abilities; a lucky delve into a police officer's mind reveals the identity of one, which leads me to the others. Not unusual for them to group together but in this case the main heroes are all related.
The superheroes had just scored a big win, executing a man who had made their lives miserable for some time. Meaning their guard was down. A few late nights breaking into suburban homes and subtly but irrevocably altering the minds of sleeping superheroes and my work was done. Freeland was no longer a threat to me. I, on the other hand, am very much a threat to the now ex-superheroes. Specifically to the superhero sister act Rumble and Spark, currently lying peacefully asleep side by side in my hotel bedroom.
They will not wake without my mental command, so I take a moment to look over this evening's entertainment. Nineteen year old Spark is the younger sister. Her current relaxed and peaceful state is at odds with the driving intensity I noted from my earlier observations of her. Her expression is soft, full lips slightly turned up at the corners, small rounded nose unwrinkled, dark eyebrows unfurrowed. Her shoulder-length wavy brown hair lightly frames her face. The short-sleeved silk pajama set she chose to wear tonight reveals slender but toned limbs, while concealing what looks to be a small-to-medium sized chest. Spark (or Jenna to use her 'civilian' name) has mid-brown skin, closer to latte than mocha. Her and her sister both take after their father in that regard (their father being "Black Spark" - I do not pick the names).
Twenty-five year old Rumble is dressed more conservatively in a full cotton pajama set (don't ask how I got them to the hotel room dressed like that). Her face is more oval, sporting well-defined cheekbones and a straight nose. Her brown curly hair is long; if she were standing I expect it would fall to her hips. Speaking of hips, Rumble (AKA Aniyah) is clearly curvier in that area than her sister, although it is hard to get a proper picture when she is lying on her back. I estimate her chest is however more modest than her sister's.
I take a seat in an armchair placed in front of the bed, and send a couple of wakeup nudges to the minds of the slumbering sisters. I let them wake slowly, watching their movements. My mentally-induced sleep is deep and refreshing (so I am told), so it takes the girls some time to realize they are not in familiar surroundings. Spark is the first to notice; I feel her mental state turn from woozy to puzzled to alert in short order as she sits upright and takes stock of the room. Her gaze reaches me and fixes in place just as her older sister says "...wha..Jen?".
'Jen' doesn't answer. Instead she half-jumps, half-tumbles out of the bed and stands facing me. She is about to speak but pauses when she notices her rather sheer attire. Her hands start to move to cover herself before she changes priorities and puts them ready at her sides.
"Where are we? Who are you?"
Spark's face settles into the serious-verging-on-angry expression that is her default look as she barks these questions at me. Meanwhile Rumble does not waste time with words, practically leaping off the bed and assuming a combat stance.
I pause, waiting for the moment just before Spark repeats her questions.
"I said-"
"You are in a bedroom. I am nobody."
Spark snorts.
"Be more helpful if you don't want to get lit up."
Rumble, who has been carefully looking over the room, spins her head.
"Jen, watch what you say."
I understand Rumble's words before Spark does, and respond before she does.
"Relax Rumble. I know who you and Spark here are. And as for being 'lit up', go ahead."
I feel Spark reach for the place in her mind where her electrical powers used to be. I also feel her surprise when her eyes fail to glow and hands fail to crackle with sparks. Superheroes always choose to manifest their powers in flashy ways.
"Aniyah, my powers aren't working!"
Rumble is next. She takes a deep breath, holds it and claps her hands together. It's a very odd display and I can't help laughing a little at it, as well as at her look of surprise when no super-strength thunderclap sends me flying into the wall.
"Power dampeners?"
"No, Rumble. Just all-natural mind control."