Unremembered

New York city, it's been years.. I haven't seen it since the attack. Didn't think I'd ever bring myself to see it again. This city. It was my home... Now I barely recognize it.

Pain stood atop one of the highest buildings in all of the new city, overlooking the seemingly peaceful metropolis. On the surface it seemed almost like a utopia, glorious buildings that reached to the clouds. Skylines that nearly blocked out the sun. The city is filled with life and commerce, but it is also filled with crime and corruption from top to bottom.

He wore a grim expression, brows furrowed as the bright sun glared onto him. His recognizable clean-cut look was no more, instead stood a worn and bearded man with a look of desolation in his eyes. High winds gusted into him, his long hair fluttering in the wind. It covered one of his icy eyes, waving off to the left. He wore black armored leggings and an old tattered armored chest piece, the very set Black Knight designed for him. It resembled sleeveless steel roman armor. Though dated and heavily grayed, it still served it's purpose in surviving his intense combat.  

From here several violent and petty street crimes were heard across the city, mostly from the more economically poor areas. Screams for help screeched through his ears, it had been so long since he'd actually listened to them. A flood of memories rushed him, bombarding his brain along with the cries for help. For a moment, he saw the city in ruin just as it had been after the attack. The smell of smoke and carnage felt so real, he twitched in disbelief and stress. He began to breathe more heavily through his mouth as the visions became more vivid. Reality became twisted, he began seeing them all die again. So many that he could not save, so many he had to let die. Feeling soaked in blood, he shut his eyes tight, trying to fight off the visions. His mind cycled through countless lives in a flash, nameless bodies on unremembered streets. It didn't stop until he saw her.

With shaky hands he covered his mouth in great distress. It was Rebecca, smiling at him just before his visions faded into smoky darkness. With great difficulty, he swallowed his grief and ran his hand over his face. He wiped his eyes in an attempt to clear his mind. Reality seemed to return, now he only heard the cries for help. With fists clenched and nostrils flaring, he gritted his teeth and fiercely scowled.

No more. I've done nothing while others suffer for too long. Convinced myself I was beaten, that they were better off without me. I won't ignore them anymore! I won't let anyone else die!

His fists shook with determination, his eyes filled with a fire that had been absent for years.

"No more!"

He shouted from the rooftops just before rocketing into the sky towards the cries for help. For the first time in years he would patrol the city, using his powers to once again stamp out the filth and corruption that plagued the lives of the innocent.

Pain flew through the city at incredible speeds, blasting to the scene of the crime in a matter of seconds. For a moment he hovered high above, analyzing the area before making his move. A car chase was unfolding, several police vehicles were trying to run down a black four door car. They were driving through highly populated areas, if they were not stopped soon or correctly many could die. Heavy gunfire came from the vehicle, seems like they were equipped with assault rifles and side arms. The criminals vehicle was moving extremely recklessly, it whipped around the corner down the sidewalk and nearly lost control. A man and his son were trying to get home when the vehicle came towards them. The driver had little control, or perhaps didn't care and drove head on into them.

In an instant Pain descended before the vehicle with a ground shattering entrance. With an open palm, he effortlessly stopped the vehicle. The vehicle came to a crashing halt, totaling the entire front half. He stood tall between the two bystanders and vehicle. "Go." He demanded calmly over his shoulder.

"Th-th-thank you so much." The father frantically thanked him before picking up his son, holding him close to his chest and running as far from here as he could get.

The police all pulled up around the scene, drawing their weapons and attempting to control the situation. They stood by their cars still, wary of the criminals still in their vehicles. Pain was unrecognizable, but to them someone who helps isn't an enemy just yet. "Come out with your hands up." An officer shouted to the band of criminals still in their vehicle, seeming unconcerned with Pain for now.

Almost immediately two men armed with assault rifles stormed out of the back seats. They opened fire on the man who stopped them first, but to their horror it had no effect even when they aimed for the head. The bullets merely reflected off his skin and armor. While distracted, the two were quickly gunned down by the officers. "Surrender and you can walk away from this!" An officer tried to reason with the remaining criminals.

Pain's eyes were completely fixated on the criminals ahead, he overheard their scheming. He stated boldly to the two remaining thugs. "I can hear you.. It won't work."

-

Butch snorted in frustration then immediately kicked open the door and opened fire with an assault rifle. "If you can't beat em', make em' bleed like pigs!" He bellowed as he fired wildly at everyone around.

What the.. What a strange woman

With his peripherals, Pain spotted an odd looking newcomer rushing to the aid of the police. She was clearly some sort of super, no normal person would walk around like that. As of now she wasn't a threat, he would concern himself with her true intentions after this thug was dealt with.

The officers all ducked down behind their vehicles, attempting to return fire at the mad gunman but with little success. Their bullets seemed to have no effect whatsoever, simply being absorbed and spat back out by his odd blob-like flesh. He laughed maniacally as he fired off into their cars before turning to let loose the last of the clip onto Pain.

Pain stood still with no reaction, his fierce expression unchanging as he glared down the gunman. "You done yet.." He nonchalantly questioned.

-

Butch grew frustrated, his face growing red as he began to shout. "Who the fuck do you think you are ya' freak!? You come flyin' down lookin' like old man jesus thinkin' you're hot shit!? I run this part of the city, no body messes with the Fists!"  Butch tossed the rifle aside and balled his fists up, ready to brawl the man who stopped him. However his plans were swiftly interrupted by the silver haired woman. As he moved to charge in, two powerful shells blasted into his forehead knocking him to the ground with a smash and utterly obliterating his head.

-

Though Pain had seen her come running up, he was genuinely surprised to see the man go down so easily after having withstood the onslaught from the police force without any damage whatsoever.

Dead already?

-

Butch's body begins to change shapes, starting with his injured head, becoming more bulbous and blob-like. His head is reformed the by blob mass, and he immediately begins shouting. "You little BITCH!"

-

Didn't think so.

-

Butch wiped his lips with the back of his hand. "Oh-ho-ho, the things I'm gonna' do to you! Just WAIT til' I get my hands on ya!" He psychotically grinned as he lunged towards her, flinging himself towards like her like a rubber band. He soared through the towards her and dove in to attack with both fists.

-

Pain made no moves himself, deeming it unnecessary to act just yet. He would watch on briefly as Butch made his attack, studying the man's powers and usage of them. Strategically it made the most sense, testing both of their abilities without having to move a muscle himself.

The officers held their fire, stunned by the grotesque powers displayed by Butch. He tightened his grip on the woman, trying to crush her in his grasp. After feeling a sting in his hand, he looked to see a small blade dug into his head. Though it loosened his grip for a moment, he still laughed at her attack.

"Those bullets hurt a hell of a lot more." He taunted as he continued to laugh. Butch then reared up his other fist, having it grow into wrecking ball of blob-skin.

-

Pain turned his eyes away from the fight to the small flickering hologram making demands. He did not respond and instead turned his gaze back to the fight. For a brief moment, he wore a slight smirk on his face. Once it faded, he sprinted forward immediately closing the gap between them. It had been a long time since he'd fought, but he felt stronger than ever. He would need to show serious restraint though, he couldn't risk injuring someone else.

Butch was off guard and occupied, there was no chance of reaction. Pain threw a vicious downwards hook punch, severing the arm that held the silver haired woman and obliterating the point of impact. He then immediately, using his opposite hand, backhanded the blob. His hand ripped through him and blasted him back with great force.
-

"I'll show ya' what really hurts ya-AGGH!"

His words were cut off, screaming out in agony after having his arm forcefully ripped apart by Pain's fist. Butch seemed to be in distress, having lost a chuck of his body. He quickly began to regenerate though it felt excruciating.

"You two are really pissin' me off! You're both dead! Dead you hear me!"

Butch took a brief moment to continue his regeneration before preparing himself for another attack. His eyes darted between the two, but they seemed more fixed on attacking Pain first.

-

Though Pain kept an eye on Butch, he turned his focus to the woman who Butch had just attacked. Her presence here was an anomaly, but something about her seemed off. He had the feeling she wasn't here just to help, she had to have her own agenda.


"Who are you?" He sternly questioned, not acknowledging any of the threats Butch was shouting out.

The foul stench had little effect on Pain, with a flick of the wrist he shook off the goop still stuck to his hand and arm. After hearing her answer he gave her a glare for a brief moment, showing his distaste for her question before refocusing himself onto Butch.  

"I'm not the one you should be worried about." He retorted without looking at her, his eyes shifting to the fourth thug who had just left their getaway vehicle. Immediately he opened fire with his pistol, aiming at Pain and the silver haired woman beside him. Without hesitation, Pain pushed her aside and moved himself in her way. The bullets ricocheted off, having no effect on his superhuman body.

Though he was concerned about her true intentions, she wasn't the immediate threat. "If you want to survive this, follow my lead." Pain said with his blue eyes focused on her over his shoulder.

-

"You idiots forget about me?!" Butch shouted mockingly as he catapulted into Pain, slamming his entire form into him. This forced the big guy off his feet and sent him flying into the building behind him. Butch hung on, hoping to do as much damage as possible. When they came to a halt deep within the destruction, he would continue to assault the downed Pain with a flurry of punches to his face.

-

Having been off guard, Pain was easily swept off his feet and blasted into the building. Debris crashed down onto him, though the building remained intact the first few stories were utterly destroyed. He wound up on his back in a mess of rubble and before he could even attempt to rise up, Butch pummeled his face back into the concrete. Screams and chaos erupted all around as the destructive punches hammered over and over. For a moment Pain felt disoriented, unable to stop the assault.

The officers had already began moving into position as the silver haired woman barked her demands. A small group moved immediately to check on the injured thugs. All three survived, but one was in real bad shape. A firing squad moved in towards the building, their first priority would be to save as many as they could from the destruction. Their second, take down Butch. The remaining members of the force moved to evacuate and secure the area with a blockade. For the most part, these men and women were used to this. They were the backbone of the heroics, always had been in Pain's eyes.

Through the unmerciful pummeling, Pain was able to mentally connect himself to Butch. Their close proximity made it far easier. Though he could have been vicious with his connection, instead he took this time to pry through Butch's mind unknowingly. Blood spurt from his face, nose and lips as he was continuously crushed by the onslaught of the villain's strength. His bearded face had nearly been crushed, now bloodied and beaten to the point he was hardly recognizable. Butch still did not let up, his slimy hands covered in the blood of the once mighty hero.

Though it seemed Pain had no control of the situation, it was quite the opposite. Though Butch was destroying his physical body, Pain had been learning of the things he had done in his past. What made him into the man he is today. Though Butch was far from a good man, there was a time in his life that he was better. Butch had a family once, a daughter who he loved very much. Everything was slowly stripped from him when his suppressed super human gene came to fruition. He was a monster to all, unable to fully control his powers. He lost his job, his wife, his daughter. He turned to a life of petty crime, the only way he could afford to aid in supporting them. One day, they were taken from him. Killed in the crossfire of a superhuman bout in the attack on New York. Butch blamed himself, he should have been there to save them. He devolved further and further into his life of crime. He hurt people, so many people. Pain felt that, he felt all of their suffering and Butch's as well. Despite the horrors Pain witnessed in this man's mind, he pitied him.

"Butch..." He spat up, blood soaked in each syllable. "It-.. doesn't have to be this way." Pain spoke with a deep sincerity, having no desire to inflict the same damage to his foe. Though he would if given no choice, Pain hoped to resolve this with his words.  

-

Butch seemed utterly confused by the man's words, the look in monstrous his eyes showed a deep burning pain. At first he seemed upset, that Pain's simple words had struck deep. Though he didn't verbalize it, Pain felt his inner suffering. That he felt it was far too late for him. The expression lasted for just a moment before his sorrow turned into rage.

"WHY WONT YOU DIE?!?" Butch screamed at the top of his lungs, raising both arms up in attempts to finish his foe off with a vicious hammering. Just as he moved to throw his strike, that woman's voice called out from behind him. Immediately a flurry of bullets blasted towards him, giving him no time to react.

They exploded upon impact, blasting Butch into several small pieces across the room. There was no blood, no gore, just pieces of slimy odd flesh all over. A significant amount smothered Pain, the rest scattered across the destroyed room. There was no movement in the putty-like flesh, it all laid still and lifeless.

-

Pain sat up and wiped his bloodied face, though it barely made a difference. He seemed in a shock, having experienced Butch's death first hand. His blue eyes widened as he sat there blankly, no longer trying to clean himself of the blood and mess. He didn't make an effort to stand, instead he sat there with both arms resting on his knees as his body began repairing itself. With tongue in cheek, he was stunned, like a child who had just seen the boogieman.

"Thank you." He broke his silence, directing his thanks to the silver haired woman who had come to his rescue. The look in his eyes returned to normal, he proceeded to pick himself up and stand tall. He wiped his face again as he turned away from her, moving to exit the building without another word.

Feeling someone else die, that's something I'll never get used to.. Memories. Dreams. Aspirations. Fears. Everything wiped out in an instant. A life filled with events, gone forever, leaving nothing behind but an empty shell... I've never feared death for myself. It's life that scares me, what I might do with it. What I've done... Maybe Butch was right..

The chaos that ensued around him felt almost in a different phase of reality, seemingly deaf to the crumbling structure that surrounded him. It never escaped his mind that these people were in danger, but he had hoped his part here was finished. The slightest crumbling of the support beams rang through his ears briefly before it's collapse. He pivoted his upper body, turning round to see the upper floors collapsing down onto fleeing innocents. Through his eyes, things seemed to be moving much slower. He had more than enough time to save these people, but he was beaten to the punch.

To his surprise, the very mercenary who had come to his aid sacrificed herself for these people. Now she seemed to be nothing more than a gory mess under the heavy support beam.

Why..? I could've saved you too..

He was perplexed, though she didn't seem evil he hardly expected such an act. Why was she so eager to throw her life away?

"Go! NOW!" He demanded sternly of the few that remained, they were still in shock due to their saviors demise. Pain's booming voice snapped them out of it, and they immediately fled to safety. Nearly everyone had been able to evacuate, now only Pain and what remained of the silver haired woman were in the massive collapsing structure.

The building was quickly coming down on top of them, debris raining down in heavy chunks. They were running out of time. With incredible speed, he charged through the destruction and over to the massive beam that pinned her bloodied and broken body to the ground. With one heave, he lifted and effortlessly tossed the beam aside into more debris. Amazingly she was alive, though in very bad shape. To him she seemed like she was dying. He knelt down to pick her up, cradling her in his arms like a child. Before he could stand, several chunks of the building crashed down directly onto them. Pain turned his back to it, absorbing as much as impact as he could.

There was no more time, the entire building began crumbling down onto them. He was left with no choice, he held her close to his chest and shielded her with his body as the destruction rained onto them. The pressure forced him to a knee, but it would not be nearly enough to fold him. They were buried underneath the wreckage, an entire building collapsed onto them.

This took more out of him than he would like to admit, it had been far too long since he had made use of his powers. He felt rusty, out of breath and far weaker than he should be. Though his stamina is seemingly inexhaustible, he huffed heavily into the darkness that surrounded them. He heard her thanks, but gave no reply other than a slight nod of recognition. Instead his mind wandered, puzzled by the building's destruction.

We couldn't have done that much damage, there's no way we brought down this building alone. Something else is going on here, something bigger than just Butch.

His thoughts were briefly interrupted by the woman writhing in his grip. He heard her attempts to speak and quickly hushed her with a calm demand.

"Save your strength."

She declined his demand and thanked him, then proceeded to assess their situation with the aid of her AI friend. For someone with a broken body, she showed a fierce yet self-destructive determination. The more she flailed in his grip, the more obvious it became she was healing from her grievous wounds.

"Just keep breathing. I'll get us out of here."

For him, it only took a booming swipe of his free arm to clear a path. The rubble scattered about in a hailstorm of concrete and dust, exposing the trio to the bright sunlight and wind. Pain then proceeded to walk over to a flat stone, where he softly laid the recovering woman down. He stood tall over her, briefly giving her eye contact as he spoke.

"Just because you can heal,"

Pain looked away off into the distance, as if something else had grabbed his attention. He had much on his mind, especially given this event. "Doesn't mean you can't get yourself killed." His mind seemed to wander after that statement, wrapped up in his own thoughts. He stood aloof, arms at his sides with blue eyes looking towards the cerulean sky.  

He spoke without so much as glancing at her, as if what he was focused on was more imperative.  "You didn't know Butch, I saw that while I was in his mind.. Given your actions, you had nothing to do with what happened here either... But I'd like to be sure, so I'll only ask this one more time." His glare drifted down onto her, icy eyes scanning her for signs of dishonesty.

"Who are you?" He questioned authoritatively.

He heard her words, though they sounded as if she was trying to convince herself of their truth more so than him. Her reasoning incited disgust, her claims to enjoy taking his life immediately played Butch's death over in his mind. Towards the end of her speech, he gave a slight nod of recognition.

"I see.." His eyes dropped away from hers, his gaze shifting off to the floor for a moment while he collected his thoughts. Taking life was never something he enjoyed, even in his most crazed state against the most reprehensible of villains. He felt lust for violence, but never for death.

"Skyler, was it?" His eyes quickly trailed back up to her, his furrowed expression seemingly analyzing her. Though his presence was intimidating, in reality he held a concern for her. The path she may take, or perhaps may have already taken is a road he knows all too well. "You neglected to share that."

"You seem driven by selfish motivations under the guise of heroics." He immediately followed up, his words harsh and his voice stern.

"You refer to your victims as trash, but you're a murderer yourself.. What makes you any better?" Though he didn't raise his voice, sorrowful anger seethed through his words. Deep down he knew he once sounded like her, that if he hadn't left he may very well have fallen down that path. Perhaps, subconsciously this was therapeutic. As if through her he was reflecting on his own inner demons.

He cut her off, having no desire to hear her answer. "Don't play the hero." He stated contentiously, the raspiness in his voice showing strongly. Seemingly done with their exchange, he turned his back to her once more. "Be one." He stated harshly over his shoulder before looking ahead.