Freelancing Ain't Easy

"Sure we were.If your still interested in that team thing that is?"he replied to Pains question.Scratching the side of his face with his left index finger.Somthing in the back of his mind though didn't feel right about him.Calling himself a "hero" and whatnot.As far as heroes go he wasn't exactly the righteous one.In fact he had done his fair share of crimes in the past.Murders,robberys,but god forbide never rape.He was pretty much as bad as a serial killer.Even temporarily became one.Though that was an accidental murder.Well even he wasn't sure if killing about ten people at once was considered serial killing.Then at least thirty other killed after that.Granted half of them were criminals themselves.It didn't make him feel as bad.Still it felt strange that he could kill without remorse.Did that make him not human?
All of that nagged at the back of his mind.Though he would never let the words come through his lips.That mistake could equal his undoing.Especially against someone like Pain and Sul.One alone would be too much for him,but both would be impossible.So he smiled and put on the facade of the kind hearted boy.Not letting on that in reality he was cold blooded.He listened to Suls enthusiasim rise back into his voice.Diving back into what seemed like another talk about making a super team of some kind.Sean was all for it.One part of his mind thought it would help him compensate in some way for all his "sins".Another part honestly didn't give a damn.

The Big Man’s bright blue eyes moved over to Sean, a sly smirk coming across his face before he spoke up. “That’s why I asked kid. Didn’t do this for nothin’ now. Like I told ya’, you two got potential.” The smirk didn’t leave his face as Sul-Fury rambled on about the super hero group he wanted to build up. He didn’t have a clue that Pain already planned all of this; he and his friends were already on it. They were recruiting and rebuilding the heroes until they were eventually powerful and large enough to become GUN again. He shook his head, softly chuckling at Sul when he mentioned building a headquarters; they were already on that too. ”Yeah Sul, I got somethin’ like that planned. I got a lot planned.” This guy was dreaming big, but Pain liked that; he respected the man’s motivation. It showed just how determined he was to be a great hero; he just needed to always believe in himself. The Big Man radiated self-confidence, and eventually the young heroes would follow in his footsteps.

Pain’s smirk faded from his face and a more serious expression arose. He turned his head for a moment to spit on the ground before speaking up in his rough voice. “I think you punks are tough enough to hang with me, but do ya’ got the heart to be in this? You ready to put your neck out for any punk? You ready to fight til’ you aint got nothin’ left? Or are ya’ gonna pussy out cause you’re scared of gettin’ hurt? It aint gonna be pretty out there, so you guys better make sure you know what the hell you’re gettin’ into.”

Something was already in motion? He could somewhat tell based off Pain's reply saying he had something planned, and a lot of it. But he couldn't be 100% sure. His heart palpitated at the thought of all going as planned. He hoped to see a future where his vision of a Hero group across the world was being fulfilled.

He'd hope Sean and him would see this through all the way, and grow in their teamwork skills so they would be unstoppable. In a way, he sort of wanted to be Pain. He didn't beat them off fighting skills or tactics like Sul did. Sul varied his forms of combat and tactics at least a dozen times in the drawn out battle. He won because he was just plain unstoppable, nothing could deter him from winning that fight in his mind. That was the mindset Sul wanted to have. He hoped that this new formation would put himself closer to Pain so he could reflect it. They were quite similar in a lot of ways.

Pain wanted to make sure the two of them were ready, but Sul was more than ready. His freelancing Hero days were over, but in those long times, he got the experience he needed to know that there was no backing out of a real fight. It wasn't over til the bad guys got beat to a pulp, or Sul was dead. In one instance, he almost died but did get rescued. He hoped to reunite with BlackOut some time to add him to their roster as well. Sul's response was very confident to Pain's questioning of his motivation.

"In my limited but earned experience, there is no backing out of a fight. I'm aware of the risks, and I fight til the end. This is something I want to be a part of. This is something I want to do. And nothing will stand in my way, I assure you. I've fought things from advanced android soldiers to 20 foot tall demons and villains. I'm ready for this."

He was ready to take on the world. But most of all, ready to take on Hurricane. He knew that Hurricane's motives involved nothing to do with Sul-Fury. But Sul got in the way, and all his friends payed with their lives. There will be retribution.

It seemed this guy Pain was already steps ahead of him and Sul.Well mostly Sul.Unlike Sul,on his wondering he had no purpose for it.No grand scheme to fufill.No goal waiting to be achieved.He was homeless,the only family he had dead,and anyone who remotly knew him were dead.Yet he went onward in his life.Unsure of what his purpose was now.
"Hell no!No way am i going to run like a pussy as you put it.There is only one way a fight truely ends.When you or your enemy are dead.There will be no escape."He said half qouting his mother.Pulling the water from his clothes.Leaving them now dry though slightly wrinkled.Strangely he felt comfortable around these people.More able to speak his mid.Not his deepest thoughts,but more than he shared with most.It didn't matter to him though.If him and Sul were going to work as a team then communication would be key parts of it.So a little "sharing"of his thought was required.

Pain respected Sul-Fury’s confident response to him, that’s the kind of stuff he liked to hear. Even with his limited experience, the big man could clearly see he would serve as a valuable ally. He believed every word Sul said, something that usually didn’t happen with Pain. So this guy fought demons huh? He couldn’t help but wonder if he was referring to the demons from the Dark Prince’s attack on Earth. “Sounds like ya’ got a few good fights under your belt, but don’t get too cocky punk. That aint nothin’ compared to some of the freaks out there.”

The Big Man scowled when he heard Sean finish his response. He liked it up until he mentioned taking away some one’s life. That wasn’t how a hero dealt with his enemies; at least not how a true hero did. His bright blue eyes darted away from Sul and moved to glare at Sean. “Dead? Yo Punk, I aint ever heard of a real hero killin’ people. You better ditch that shit if you’re gonna work with me. I ever find out either of you punks take a life, I’m gonna punch your damn teeth in til’ you’re beggin’ for yours." He threatened boldly in his rough voice; making it very clear that he was dead serious.

Pain reached into his pocket to pull out two tiny earpieces; they were communicators and he carried a few on him since he had been looking for recruits. He balled up his hand into a fist and hid it from them for now. If it weren’t for the fact that they were designed by The Black Knight himself, they would have easily been crushed during the fight. These things were designed to withstand pretty much anything; the entire group of heroes used these to communicate. “Long as we’re clear on that, you punks are almost officially apart of my wrecking crew. Just gotta have one of these.” The Big Man held his hand out and twisted his wrist. He unclenched his fist and held his palm flat, revealing the two small communicators to the young heroes. “They’re communicators; just put em’ in your ear. We use em’ to talk and deal with missions and shit like that. Come and grab one, but only one of ya’ punks at a time.”

As the young heroes came forward one at a time, Pain would proceed to ask them two difficult questions individually before handing over the communicator. “What makes you think you deserve to be called a hero?” He would let them respond before asking the next one. “You ever love somethin’? Some one?”

He was glad Pain shared his views regarding respecting the life of others. Nobody had that right to take it from people, that's why he was out here to begin with. To prevent the loss of as much life as possible, at the risk of his own. Pain's aggressiveness rose at Sean, who spoke of killing his opponent. Granted, he was young and probably inexperienced compared to Sul-Fury and Pain, he had a lot to learn about these morals. If he cherishes his own life, then he ought to cherish the life of others, even if they are evil. Sometimes, even the coldest hearts can be warmed. And a former enemy could be turned into a resourceful ally.

Since Sul was the first to walk up and grab an earpiece, he was the first to respond to Pain's question. What made him believe he deserved to be a Hero. His origins determined that, the pain within him rushed out in a memory flashback. Stuck beneath the water, clawing and kicking to reach the surface. Unable to breathe, unable to fight the currents. Stuck in limbo. Destruction, Death, Murder. Hurricane...

"Well..." Sul gulped, not knowing how to express his emotions. "My answer would be difficult to explain. Initially, I was no hero at all. I was a Soldier who served on the Battleship Rascal. It was an escort mission, to a biological warfare plant. There is... A powerful man, with many connections and agents. He goes by the name of Hurricane. He sabotaged the mission, on his own. He made us feel like ants, and he was the kid with the magnifying glass.

Everyone perished, the vessels were destroyed and the toxic waste was released on the crew. Everyone I knew, people that I grew up with as friends even when we were kids. They're all gone, and Hurricane proved his point. That we were inferior. This is also the same incident that changed me into what I am now. Heh... Believe it or not but I had a full head of hair. It almost seems like it was destiny for me to avenge all those people on those vessels.

Some would call it revenge... An unhealthy obsession. I call it my motivation. If this happened to me, it happens to people every day. And there should be someone to stop them. Not out of pity for my own losses, but for the lives and families hurt today by these same types of people. Hurricane is but one of many who cause global-wide terror and chaos. Someone has to stand up to it, and that's why I'll always be there to oppose them."

Pain asked him next if he had ever loved something or someone. Other than his family or friends he had no close relationships such as a companion, he had been too busy on his search for retribution. "I... I don't think so. I've only had the two different lives. What I was back then, and what I am now. Love is a strong word to describe either of those."

He listened to Sul.Still slightly hurt by what Pain said.Well not so much hurt as confused.What was so wrong with killing someone who tried to kill you.Curious about what lead Sul to who he was now.So he just listened.Arms crossed over his chest.Till it was his turn.So he walked up to Pain.Grabbing the earpeice.
What started up his want to be a "hero"?A distinct memory coming back to him.As if someone slapped him across the face. A dark room.Bathed in a strange dark.With only a small light.Which illuminated what seemed like.....blood!As well as a thin slender pale arm.Then a flash of green dead eyes.It was his mother.The only person he ever truely cared for and now she was dead.The reason he exist .The only reason.
"Well...umm where to start.My being here is only half of love.After all im sure you can understand ones love for their mother."He paused for a second"I was born in this city.New York City.To my mother a powerful witch and my trainer.She...well she was the one who trained me in the use of my powers.She was powerful,beautiful,Along with my father.A small time author.It was a simple life.A good one.
Till one day.I found her.Dead in a pool of her own blood.A bullet right between her eyes.That was about one and a half years ago.Not long after that my father."He paused for a second"Killed himself."He purposly ommited the part where ten people were killed.That part maybe wasn't needed.Considering Pains veiw on life."So from then on i've been wondering.Doing what i can"Stealing,killing and some helping that was for sure.Though he would never tell them that.He had already told them enough as it was.Now all he waited for was a response.

The Big Man stared down Sul-Fury as he walked forward first; his friend Sean stood still and waited for his turn. He crossed his other arm over his chest as he allowed Sul to take an earpiece from his open hand. Pain silently listened to the man’s answer, to his story about becoming a hero. His story was believable, he could tell he hadn’t been lying or hiding anything; this man seemed trustworthy. It was a tragic story, Pain could relate to losing everything he cared about, everything he used to know. He too was a different man before he was given his powers, but his story would be told another day; right now was their time. He did not think for a second that Sul was out for revenge; he understood his reasoning and respected it. Pain was lucky to run into this man today, he would prove to be a great ally and one day maybe even a friend.

He proceeded to ask Sul his next question, but he didn’t like his response as much this time. It was no big deal, but to The Big Man love was a major reason he fought. That’s why he wore the heart on his sleeve. He loved this planet and everything it had to offer; the bad, the good, everything. He loved life and would do anything to protect people from losing theirs; protect them from losing what they love. It may not seem like it, but Pain had a big heart; one day maybe he could love some one again. “Love’s a strong word, and a strong feeling. Almost nothin’ stands in the way of it.” He responded simply to Sul-Fury.

Pain’s bright blue optics moved over to Sean, now staring him down as he walked forward to grab his ear piece. When the communicator was taken, Pain moved to cross both arms over his chest. He could not relate to his love for his mother, the big guy never got to know his parents; they were killed when he was very young. That didn’t mean he was incapable of understanding though. Unlike Sul, the way this guy described it made it seem like he was born with his powers. Pain related to Sul on that more; the two of them were given their powers, and not by choice either. Sean’s story was very dark as well, but something about it didn’t feel right. Almost like he had been hiding something or leaving out some details. He didn’t seem like a bad kid; at least his heart was in the right place. His motives were questionable though. His reason for being a hero wasn’t as believable as his friends; he didn’t seem to have nearly as much motivation for saving lives, but maybe that would change over time. The Big Man would let him work with him, but if he ever found out this kid betrayed his trust he'd follow up on his threats for damn sure.

Pain simply nodded in response, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. He didn't have much else to say, he was a mysterious man who preferred to keep to himself. He hadn't expected a life story from the both of them, but it did help him to better see what they were like. “Good enough for me. You punks can officially call yourselves a Tough Guy. If ya’ ever need help that’s what that communicator’s for. I’m assigning you two punks to work together, you’re gonna need each other out there. I got shit to do, so I’ll be headin’ outta here in a moment. As for all that shit you were ramblin’ about Sul. I’ll let ya’ know soon. I got big plans for ya’, so don’t go gettin’ yourselves killed. Remember I got your back if somethin’ goes down.” The Big Man uncrossed his arms and dug his hands into his pockets. He almost forgot to tell them his name; well the name everyone knew him by. "You guys can call me Pain." He turned away from the two new recruits and began casually walking away; leaving them wondering just what the hell they were supposed to do now. “I’ll be in contact with you punks. Take it easy.” He spoke up in his rough voice one last time as he walked away from the two new Tough Guys.

"Love's a strong word, and a strong feeling." Was the response he got. He wasn't really sure what it meant, it was almost cryptic. But he would probably figure it out eventually, they had a long road ahead of them. There was so much to discover, so much to do now that he had company. Pain left the two on their own. Apparently they would be working together now, they did make a good team back there. Sul really wanted Pain to join them though, he felt he had a lot to learn from him.

"Sounds good, this is what I've wanted. It's why I sent out that newspaper ad to begin with. Look forward to seeing you around, Pain." The man that had shown him a lot about himself walked towards the exit of the park. He knew deep down that this was going to be something special.

Sul-Fury was no longer going to work at this junkyard, he'd hand in his resignation on his way out with Sean. Whatever money he had he would use frugally on their missions, and quite possibly on his personal search for Hurricane. Sul turned to Sean. "Let's get out of here. You did great, we have a little bit of that chemistry I mentioned earlier already. We just need to build on that. We got a lot to do, man. I'm gonna need your help. You in for the long haul? We got a lot to work on, I already have some ideas to improve our techniques. C'mon, I'll buy you a hot dog around the corner. Jack's Dog's are the best." Sul walked towards the exit of the Junkyard.

"A tough guy"Was all Sean thought to himself.He didn't know all of the ramifications of that,but still it sounded good to him.Made him feel a bit more powerful.Like a jumpstart for his self image.Also he enjoyed how he finally was having his skills compimented.It made a small smile come across his face.A true smile from his heart.Not the fake smiles he gave everyone else he met.He had respect for both Sul and Pain.Mostly for Pain though.he had strength.Somethin Sean greatly and deeply respected.His mannerisms even reminded him of his father in a way.A strange way to be sure but still a way.
"Of course im going to be in for the long haul.Theres no other option i suppose"He smiled.twiddling his thumbs.Not nervously just out of habit.Then Sul made mention of something.Something he hadn't had in about a day.Food.His stomach growled hungrily at the thought of a nice hot dog."Sure i could go for one."He felt like this was the beggining of a beautiful friendship.He hummed happily with a spring in his step.Following after Sul.Ready for whatever was to come.Now that he had a place where he belonged.