In the following months, with the aid of some customized body armor, Alex engaged in endless superheroics.
With knowledge of impending crimes, along with the occasional secret aid of Ku-Tu's tattooed men, Alex stopped crimes such as robberies, kidnappings, hijackings, trafficking, and arson; along with the occasional petty crime, such as purse snatching.
With every crime he stopped, Alex's powers grew; as the faith he received became stronger and tougher.
It was not always smooth though.
-----
"Have at thee villain!" cries Silver Eagle as he swoops toward Alex.
Silver Eagle is a flying hero; an extremely hairy man with spiky dark brown hair, dull blue-grey wings, and a metallic silver costume with a brown satchel. Silver Eagle's wings are attached to his arms, protruding four feet beyond his elbow, and fold like an Oriental fan.
Alex had just foiled a midnight bank robbery and was in the process of alerting the Authorities when Silver Eagle ambushed him.
"Wait! Don't you know who I am?" asks Alex as he leaps over Silver Eagle's swoop.
I'm on TV, I was on the Successor, and now I'm the Judgementor - a hero," says Alex as he motions toward his drones hovering in the distance.
"I don't watch TV," replies Silver Eagle as he flies above Alex, "and you're not on the Association's roster."
Taking out grenades from his satchel, Silver Eagle begins dropping tear gas grenades at Alex.
"Ass," cusses Alex as he frantically dodges.
Alex clenches his fist, summoning a large sphere of static electricity over the area. The sphere quickly collects particles of dirt, dust, and lint into a large cloud; obscuring vision.
Silver Eagle slowly descends into the cloud, peering intently at shadowy shapes as he looks around.
Suddenly random fabrics and papers from the street fling themselves toward Silver Eagle, wrapping around his face and body.
Silver Eagle quickly rips off the old newspaper enveloping his face.
But, as he does so, Alex leaps up and grabs Silver Eagle by his ankles. Channeling his powers, Alex continuously shocks Silver Eagle; causing Silver Eagle to have strong, involuntary, long muscle contractions.
Silver Eagle falls to the ground, hard.
As Alex restrains Silver Eagle, he says to him, "I'm going to write a scathing review. Not only did you interfere with an arrest, what kind of hero doesn't keep up with current events?"
-----
With his near 100% chance of stopping crime, Alex's evaluations of the Superhero Association and other superheroes became widely shared and retweeted - much to their vexation; scathing reviews have caused the loss of both power and prestige.
Additionally, unlike other superheroes, Alex refused corporate sponsorship, choosing instead to keep his white-silver costume with a blue thunderbolt logo-free; maintaining his image of an idealistic, non profit-driven, hero.
However, not everyone was happy with the Judgementor.
-----
From small time crooks:
In the apartment that serves as the hideout of the 34th street Irregulars.
"Damn that Judgementor, how is an honest criminal supposed to make a living? "complains Redd 'Randy' Johnson - the leader of the 34th street Irregulars as he chugs his can of crappy blue ribbon beer.
Redd and seven of his men are sitting around a round wooden table, playing a "friendly game" of poker.
"Boss, why don't we get into the protection business?", queries Glen Casey - one of Johnson's men.
"Are you kidding?", Redd asks, "the Bermudas, Karoleks, and Scaramuccias will bury us..."
"... unless we had supers", Redd lamely finishes.
"Hmm...", Redd thinks as he taps his finger on the table.
"Okay! Let's dig up some graves", Redd orders.
-----
To deranged cultists:
Inside one of the "Unreal Worlds" created by the Unicorn corporation.
The Unreal worlds are fully immersive virtual games created by adapting technology taken from the former alien conqueror's, Scrim-Lord's spaceship. Gamers are placed in sensory deprivation capsules and connected to the Unicorn's server via a neuralink or tele-mental helmet. Although there is a limit of 8 hours of virtual play a day, dedicated gamers can buy the "hardcore package", which allows one to stay in the tank "indefinitely". These specially purchased Hardcore capsules effectively places the Hardcore gamers's body in stasis, minimizing their need for both food and waste disposal.
These Unreal Worlds are so realistic that they convinced quite a few players that they are adventuring in alternate realities and dimensions; especially since time in an Unreal Worlds is not synced with Earth's. Like dreams, there is often time dilation in the Unreal Worlds; a Hardcore gamer could very well have perceived themselves to have lived for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Neegoshi is the ultimate force of evil, a Devil King, who rules the Infernal Realms (a hell analogue) in the game "Foeblade". Foeblade is an action role-playing game where players, the Chosen, adventure to save the "Unreal Worlds" from the minions of Neegoshi. However, as an open-ended game, Chosen could choose to join Neegoshi as one of his "Greater minions of darkness, or Corrupted". Neegoshi tempts exceptional players with vast ingame rewards, the least of which being the "twin gifts of power and immortality".
Few players take Neegoshi up on his offer, and even fewer players believe the game is real. However, to the detriment of the real world, Neegoshi has convinced a few of his Corrupted that he is *very* real.
In a castle on the Unreal World of Orgrift, the "Dark Triumvirate to conquer the Earth" convenes. The Dark Triumvirate consists of Darkhold, Evilgore, and Night Invader; all Devil Lords in the Unreal Worlds, but mere humans on Earth.
"Ahhh!", screams Evilgore, "My host-body on Earth is so weak. I can barely kill a chicken by wringing its neck".
Evilgore addresses Darkhold, "How goes the search for Scrim-Lord's Quantum-Shifter?"
Darkhold replies, "I've been doing research... Internet searches and going to libraries. These mortals are so unorganized, none of the information I want is easily accessible..."
"I'm more worried about the rise of Judgementor", continues Darkhold with a worried expression, "Electrical powers are yang-based, anathema to us Devils".
"Once we get the Quantum-Shifter, we can shift all of our minions to Earth", Night Invader says comfortingly, "Not even the Judgementor can stop our hordes".
"I've also started a cult", Night Invader offers, "these mortals are so easy to tempt. Offer them money or carnal pleasures and they'll bend over backwards to do your bidding".
"Can your cultists find the Quantum-Shifter?", asks Darkhold.
"Already on it", responds Night Invader.
"We need to do something about our weak hosts", interjects Evilgore, "Since the Earth rejects our magic, we need to find a way to augment our hosts' bodies".
With a frown and grimace, Evilgore continues, "I've stockpiled the mortals' weapons, but it's not the same".
"I'll have my cultists look for a method", replies Night Invader, "perhaps... what the mortals call it? Ah yes, 'bionic enhancements'... Yes, I believe that will do it".
"I've led my host body's friends to the hardcore gamer capsules'', Darkhold says changing the subject, "the foolish mortals mistakeningly believe those tanks are but a conduit to games... they remain unaware that their souls are being summoned to our realms''.
"You mean?", Night Invader expectantly asks.
"Yes", Darkhold grins, "I had my Bone Golems abduct them... a few thousand years of pleasure and pain will sway them to our cause".
"Are the forces of Light aware?", inquires Evilgore.
"Of course", Darkhold replies, "But they can only watch helplessly while screaming 'force logout' or 'reset', as if that would help; I made sure to block the captive's senses."
"Hmm... We must use them sparingly and covertly on Earth", says Night Invader, "We can't let Earth's authorities discover the secrets of the capsules."
"Yes, of course", agrees Darkhold, "the capsules are the only means of invading Earth; at least until we acquire the Quantum-Shifter".
"What do the other Devil Lords say", asks Evilgore, "are they willing to join us?"
"They call us idiots", Night Invader angrily replies, "They said: there are easier worlds to conquer, worlds with higher Chaos Factors, worlds we can directly invade, why focus on Earth?"
"They don't understand", responds Darkhold, "the harder the challenge, the greater the prize".
"And once we flip Earth," finishes Evilgore, "we will be greater than Neegoshi."
-----
To superheroes:
Main cafeteria. Superhero Association, American Northeast branch.
Sitting around a cafeteria table, a few superheroes gripe about the Judgementor while eating lunch; Brick, Force Shield, Lhora, Professor When, Pulsar, and the Silver Warden.
"...and that's why Silver Eagle had a reduction in power", a beautiful platinum blonde with huge muscles - Lhora was saying.
"Damn that Judgementor!" curses Force Shield - an imposing bald white man wearing a dark blue and grey spandex costume, "Why isn't the Superhero Association doing anything?"
"They did. They invited him to the association, but he refused to join", Pulsar, a lean white man wearing a blue and black spandex costume with starburst on his chest, says while sighing helplessly.
"I mean more than that!?!", Force Shield angrily pounds the table with his fist.
"Like what? Any proportionate response will make them seem jealous, obstructive, and oppressive", Lhora replies while shaking her head.
Lhora patiently explains, "If the association puts out a hit piece, they'll seem jealous. If the association leans on the media companies to restrict his coverage, they'll seem obstructive and oppressive. We can't criticize Alex the same way he's criticizing us; no one would buy it, not with his success rate."
"I have an idea!", says Pulsar, "Why not just get some bystanders to sue him? With all that property damage he's causing; lawsuits can force him into early retirement."
"We already looked into that," says Professor When - a dark-skinned Asian man wearing dark blue robes, "Technically - he's covered under the Heroic Vigilante act. Top Brass is pushing through some amendments, but you know.. Lobbying takes time."
"How about putting pressure on his family? Indirectly threaten to withdraw or cancel the protection we provide?" asks Pulsar.
"No can do." Lhora replies, "After the Sonic Boom incident, the Malgar family directly hired Khok Key Maska and Red Shift to protect their assets."
"The Malgar family assets.. Is Judgementor's mansion included?" asks Pulsar.
"Great Idea!!" exclaims Force Shield, "I'm sure his mansion is not as protected as their businesses. We should totally get someone to break into his mansion. If he can't protect his mansion, he can't protect the city… Brick, you do it."
"Whataattt?!?... No?", replies a giant brick-colored man wearing a dark red spandex costume.
"Why not?" asks Force Shield, "You're invulnerable; just knock a hole in and get out."
"They'll catch me, I won't be able to get away", Brick says while shaking his head, "and once they do, I'll lose my powers. Who ever heard of a hero breaking and entering?"
"We should get Mr. Invulnerable of the Hidden Empire to do it", offers Silver Warden - a silver man wearing a brightly reflective silver spandex costume.
"What? The Hidden Empire? They're still around?", asks Pulsar.
"Aren't they in SF?", asks Professor When.
"Yes, but they've been expanding nationally", explains Silver Warden, "I had a run in with a few of their guys".
"Wait. How do these guys get powers?" asks Force Shield, "They're not heroes, and powers like invulnerability aren't technology based... Are they?"
"You do know there's other, more esoteric, power systems out there", explains Professor When.
"What?!? You mean there's a villain empowering system?" Force Shield says squinting his eyes, "That actually makes sense!! I mean Doc Para..".
"No..No, not like that", interrupts Professor When, "While Paragon's system is the most convenient, it's not the first or only way to give people superpowers."
Professor When continues, "I mean you know about the vampires, right? ... Well, there's also other supernatural creatures, mages, psychics, and cultivators. To say nothing about borgs and bots."
Professor When creates a floating globe of light, "I'm a mage... Not many people know of me, but I still have powers. In this case, magic is my superpower".
-----
Alex continues to live his life blissfully insulated from reprisal. In addition to his "normal life", training, heroics, and superhero reviews, Alex was busy with book deals, fan meetings and speaking events. Unbeknownst to many, Alex is still secretly investigating Moon Beam and everyone connected to his abduction.
Additionally, Alex is aware of how ephemeral Paragon-granted powers can be and has been making plans to propagandize the populace. Ideally, Alex would create an information bubble that would insulate his fans and believers from any News that would shake their faith; preventing his powers from being stripped.
Although Alex would have preferred to partner with an existing media company like MinxNews or PNN, they have already signed contracts with the Superhero Association. And since Alex is going up against the established order, Alex has no choice but to start his own media company. Luckily, Alex is rich and can acquire all the expertise and resources he needs.
While propagandizing people may seem evil, many media companies do it by strategically omitting or hand-waving away news and events that go against the worldview(s) they are trying to present. Some media companies, however, actually excel at propagandizing and brainwashing their viewers; for instance, MinxNews is unparalleled in stirring up their viewers' fear and outrage - usually by having their talk show hosts resort to "sloppy" journalism, blatant misrepresentations, and occasionally, outright lies. MinxNews, however, employs expert teams of lawyers to protect themselves from lawsuits. In fact, a famous MinxNews host, Tim "Fucker" Krapson, recently won a slander lawsuit by having his lawyers persuasively argue that no "reasonable person" would take what he says seriously. In a fit of pique, Tim embraced the "Fucker" nickname his victims gave him, saying that "a great man will always make enemies."
"How unfortunate," muses Alex, "That only people living in the US counts toward the faith requirement for Paragon's ritual... Wait!!", continues Alex, "There's something that I must ask Master Chiang; how is the US defined under Paragon's ritual? Does Alaska count? American Samoa?!? How about military bases or embassies? New territories… And is America considered physical, legal, or social.. This bears further study… No, No, I'm sure the hero association studied this..."
-----
A dark rainy night. Malger Manor - on the outskirts of New Amsterdam City.
Alex absentmindedly uses his powers to flip bits in an electronic "toy" created for him by Ku-Tu; as he flips the bits of different registers, different color LEDs glow.
Thinking back on his conversation with Master Chiang…
"Master, one final question," asked Alex, "How exactly does the Paragon empowerment ritual work? How does it know how to target only people living in the US; and how is the US defined?"
"Years ago," replies Ku-Tu, "I too had this question. I can tell you this; the ritual is like a child, learning and growing in the flow of time."
Musing over Master's answer.. Alex considers alternatives..
"Screw this.. I'm not getting anywhere with theory crafting. Unless I can get the Hero association's research; I have to do my own… Wait.. I seem to recall hearing about someone or other publishing something about this..Who was it again… I need to clear my head for a bit"
Standing up, Alex walks to the foyer. Picking up the Journal, Alex reads the latest national superhero rankings.
"Number three-oh-three", Alex mutters to himself, "let's change that".
As Alex focuses his will on the xerographic bonded paper, the words and letters on the page dance; soon, the number one hero, Goldenstar changes to Judgementor.
Words continue to shift as Goldenstar moves to two, The Singularity three, and so on throughout the magazine.
"There. So much better", Alex says with a smile.
An intercom buzzes.
"Sir", a pleasant female voice remarks, "There is a thunderstorm raging in the vicinity of Malger Manor".
Alex walks to the intercom and replies, "Thank you, Marsha".
Heading toward the back entrance of Malger Manor, Alex stares at a nearby coat rack. In response to his will, a rain jacket and rain pants flies off the rack and into his waiting hands.
Slipping on the raingear, he waves off the nearby guards and walks outside alone.
After a few minutes of walking, Alex comes upon a large gnarled tree.
"If Master Chiang is right", Alex mutters, "this should work".
Alex stares at the tree as he begins performing a martial arts form.
The tree begins to glow purple in the dark night as the air around it gets ionized.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning erupts from the heavens and strikes the tree; setting it on fire.
"It works!!!", Alex screams as he does a fist-pump.