The Devil's Villain In a Lewd Superhero World
Chapter 4: Mothership
Tyson surveyed the chaotic scene around him. The alien ship loomed ominously in the sky. Granite stood nearby, with the two injured speedsters, Amy and Sarah, huddled close.
A decision crystallized in his mind. He needed to bind an Artifact of Power, and the Alien Battle Armor was the clear choice. He needed to understand all the alien tech surrounding him, and the armor would allow that, on top of the protection and other benefits it promised.
Artifact of Power: Alien Battle Armor (Item)
The Alien Battle Armor is more advanced than most armor on Earth. It offers protection from most normal kinds of physical damage. This armor has a built-in teleportation device, with a range of 100 meters, usable once per hour. This item may be used normally, but becomes inoperable after ten uses of Teleportation. Binding it as an Artifact gives it special properties.
Artifact Properties: If destroyed, they will be recreated and returned to you the following day. The teleportation recharge is reduced to 1 minute and will never make the armor inoperable. The retractable helmet, when worn, will protect from mind-altering effects, allow the wearer to read and understand any language, and x-ray vision, seeing through walls and clothes.
Immediately, the HUD inside the helmet sprang to life. Streams of alien text scrolled across his vision, but then the text shifted to English so he could read and understand every word.
"Whoa," Tyson breathed, his voice slightly distorted by the helmet. "This is incredible."
He looked down at the bracers on his wrist. Though he hadn't bound them, the helmet streamed him instructions on how the bracers worked.
"I can read their systems now. Give me a minute." Data streamed across his HUD, providing him with information about the vessel's capabilities, weaknesses, and crew complement. "Alright, here's the plan," Tyson said after taking a moment to consider their options, "I'll use my shadow step to get us to the ship."
"Granite," Tyson continued, "you're too heavy. I can't carry all three of you, and you're harder to drag than both of them combined. I know you didn't fancy babysitting the girls, so now you're good to head off and save civilians or pulverize some more aliens. Thanks for the help."
Granite grinned, pounding his fist into his palm. "Pulverizing things is what I do best, kid. Thanks for the weapon. Good Luck."
The giant rock man lumbered away, his massive form disappearing around a corner. Tyson turned back to Amy and Sarah, both still looking worse after their ordeal.
"Alright, ladies. Before we make our grand entrance, let's see if we can get you two back in fighting shape."
He glanced down at the bracer on his wrist, studying the alien symbols that scrolled across its surface. The armor's HUD highlighted a particular glyph, translating its function as "Vita-Radiation Emission."
"Well, here goes nothing," Tyson muttered. He tapped the symbol and immediately felt a strange sensation wash over him.
A soft, pulsing light emanated from the bracer, bathing the area around them in a gentle green glow. The light seemed to have substance, almost like a mist, as it enveloped Tyson and the two speedsters.
Amy gasped, her eyes widening. "What is this?"
Sarah, leaning heavily against a nearby wall, straightened up. "I... I feel different."
Tyson watched in amazement as the cuts and bruises on the girls' skin faded. Amy's limp disappeared, and Sarah's breathing became less labored. The green energy swirled around them, seeping into their bodies and seemingly knitting their injuries back together.
"How do you feel now?" Tyson asked, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.
Amy flexed her arms, a look of wonder on her face. "I feel... amazing. Like it took away the aches and pains."
Sarah nodded in agreement, bouncing on her toes. "Same here. Whatever that was, it worked wonders."
Tyson's helmet automatically engaged the x-ray vision feature, and he was treated to a view of the two speedsters' bodies through their armor. The internal structures of their enhanced physiology were laid bare before his eyes, a tapestry of muscle and bone interwoven with the pulsing energy of their powers. It was an intimate, almost invasive look into their physical forms, but Tyson had no time for discomfort. He was scanning for injuries, verifying the bracer's healing capabilities. The x-ray vision confirmed what he had hoped; the green energy had done its work. Bones all looked intact, torn muscles had been repaired, and bleeding had ceased.
The helmet's HUD dialed back, the damn thing seemed to have a mind of its own. He was no longer looking inside their bodies but right at them. It was as if their armor had dissolved, leaving them standing before him in all their unobscured glory. Amy's form was a vision of athletic grace. Toned muscles accentuated her hourglass figure. Her chest, ample and defying gravity, rose and fell with each breath. The lines of her abdomen flowed into the gentle curve of her hips while her legs looked powerful and poised. Sarah was no less striking; she was slightly shorter and possessed a more slender build, her frame a delicate balance between strength and agility. Her chest was equally generous and bounced with a lively energy that matched her personality. Her thighs, though thinner than Amy's, were firm and well-defined.
The HUD did not discriminate, highlighting the contours of their bodies with clinical precision. The soft glow of their skin, the gentle rise of their breasts, it was all laid bare before Tyson's eyes. His gaze lingered on the intricate lines of their bodies. It was a sight that would have made any red-blooded male's heart race, and Tyson was no exception.
Sarah's voice snapped him back to reality. "You sure we're good? Seems like you're still examining us." Her tone was light, but there was a hint of suspicion there, a furrow in her brow.
Tyson's mouth went dry. Busted.
"Yeah," he said, his voice coming out hoarse. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "The armor's systems are a bit more detailed than I anticipated."
Amy folded her arms, her expression hardening. "Detailed how, exactly?"
But there was no time for such distractions. The stakes were too high for Tyson to lose focus. With a mental command, he dialed back the X-ray vision, returning the world to its proper state. Amy and Sarah were once again clad in their alien armor, their modesty preserved.
"The armor's healing function worked better than I expected," Tyson said, changing topics subtly.
"You mean you didn't know for sure?"
"I had a hunch," he admitted, "but it's always good to have confirmation."
Sarah stretched her arms above her head, her body elongating with feline grace. The treacherous HUD flashed to X-ray vision automatically, giving Tyson a view of her hard nipples pointing to the sky as she stretched.
Tyson's breath caught in his throat. The sudden shift to X-ray was a feature of the HUD that seemed to have a mind of its own. He knew he should look away that this was an invasion of privacy he hadn't intended, but the sight was captivating in its raw, unguarded beauty.
"Feels good to be back at full strength," Sarah said, oblivious to Tyson's internal struggle. Her voice was light, and the tension that had been there moments before was now gone.
Tyson forced himself to blink, to tear his eyes away from the display. He tried to focus on something, anything else. But his gaze kept drifting back to the HUD, to Sarah's form encased by the phantom outlines of the alien armor.
"You okay, Tyson?" Her tone was teasing, but there was a hint of genuine concern. "You're acting a bit... distracted."
"Yeah," Tyson managed to choke out, his voice strained. "Just... getting used to the helmet's features."
"Well, whatever you did, it feels amazing. I'm ready to run circles around those aliens."
He turned his attention back to the alien ship looming above them. The armor continued to feed him information about the vessel's systems. Yet, a nagging doubt gnawed at him. The alien ship was a treasure trove of advanced technology. Tyson considered the possibilities and the limitations of his current abilities.
"Something wrong?" Amy asked, noticing his hesitation.
Tyson shook his head. "Just thinking. We're about to board an alien vessel filled with tech beyond our wildest dreams. Reading their language is great, but..."
He trailed off as his thoughts drifted back to Hell. With the devil, he'd chosen his Elemental powers because they wouldn't be as limited as the other options. It had seemed the right choice at the time, but now, faced with an alien invasion, he realized another option was better suited. Luckily, it wasn't too late, and he still had the Character Points to spend.
Focusing on his thoughts, he called up the system menu.
"Tyson?" Sarah prompted, concern evident in her voice.
He held up a hand, signaling for patience. Scanning the menu, he quickly found what he was looking for. The Superpower: Technology Perk option glowed invitingly.
[300 CP] Superpower: Technology (Perk)
You're a genius, a master of at least one field such as chemistry, biology, or robotics, and you can easily master more in a few short days of study. Your intelligence and creativity are world-class. When you put your mind to it, you can do things others consider impossible, from building powerful weapons to dissecting alien technology and reverse-engineering it into your creations. However, you have one weakness. You're limited by what resources are available. You might be able to improvise impressive creations on a budget, but you won't be building giant robots or doomsday devices in a cave with a box of scraps.
Character Points: 1050
Tyson selected it despite its high cost. Given the resources at stake, it was a small price to pay. He needed to select a field of specialization. The list popped up, and it was a simple choice.
Alien Technology.
Information flooded his mind, concepts and theories he'd never considered before suddenly becoming clear as day. The alien ship no longer seemed beyond comprehension. Instead, he saw it as a complex system of interconnected technologies, each part working harmoniously with the others.
"Whoa," he breathed, his mind reeling from the influx of knowledge.
Sarah stepped closer, her brow furrowed with concern. "Tyson? What just happened?"
"I just leveled up, big time."
Amy raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"
"I gained another power. Something more appropriate to our current situation. I can suddenly understand alien technology."
"Holy shit," Sarah whispered. "Another power? How is that possible? A secondary awakening is so rare and usually related to your primary power. What does alien technology have to do with shadows or darkness?"
Amy looked from the floating debris to Tyson. "More importantly, what does this mean for our plan?"
"It means we're not just infiltrating that ship. We're going to take it over."
He turned his gaze back to the looming vessel, his new powers allowing him to see the intricate web of systems that kept it aloft. What once seemed impossible now appeared as a complex puzzle waiting to be solved.
"Ladies," Tyson said, his voice filled with newfound confidence, "I hope you're ready for one hell of a ride." He held his arms out, and the two women stepped into them, curling up against him. "The closer you are to me, the easier this is."
He didn't elaborate further, but Sarah's knowing look told him she understood. Without further explanation, Tyson pulled them into the shadows. Darkness engulfed them, and he began walking 'uphill toward the alien vessel. The shadow realm was a strange place, devoid of light and filled with an oppressive silence that seemed to press in on them from all sides.
Amy clung tightly to Tyson's side, her fingers digging into the armor as if afraid she might slip away into the darkness. Sarah, however, took a bolder approach. She ran her hand along Tyson's chest.
Her touch, however, was hindered by the alien armor they both wore.
Each step felt like Tyson was wading through thick mud as he trudged through the difficult terrain of the shadow realm. The alien ship loomed above them, a dark silhouette within his senses of the shadow realm. As they neared their destination, he felt the strain of maintaining their passage through this otherworldly dimension. Sweat beaded on his forehead inside the helmet, and his muscles ached with the effort of keeping them all anchored in this strange place. Finally, they reached the boundary of the alien ship. With a sensation like breaking through the surface of water, they emerged into the armory of the alien vessel.
Tyson immediately concentrated on keeping them covered with his Shadow Cloak, creating a thin veil of darkness to render them nearly invisible. He listened intently for any sign that their arrival had been detected, but no alarms blared, and no footsteps approached.
Gasping for breath, he leaned against a nearby wall. "Stay close," he panted.
Amy and Sarah huddled near him, their eyes darting around the alien armory. Strange weapons lined the walls, and unfamiliar technology hummed softly in the background.
"I Can Do This All Day," Tyson mumbled. The mantra granted by his Perk echoed in his mind. As Tyson caught his breath, he felt his strength returning. He straightened up, rolling his shoulders and feeling the power course through him. He stood to his feet and took a deep breath. "Stay close so I can keep us cloaked," Tyson instructed. "It's time to kick some alien ass."
With newfound confidence, Tyson began to survey the armory. He approached a nearby console, his fingers hovering over the alien interface. With his new Technology Perk, he began to input commands.
"What are you doing?" Amy asked.
"Accessing their main systems," Tyson replied, his focus never wavering. "If we're going to take control of this ship, we need to understand its layout, defenses, and crew complement."
As Tyson worked, holographic displays sprang to life around them. Three-dimensional schematics of the ship rotated slowly in the air, highlighting key areas and potential weak points.
"There," Tyson said, pointing to a pulsing red dot near the top center of the ship. "That's the bridge. I scouted it earlier. If we can get there, we can take control of the entire vessel."
Sarah studied the holographic map. "It looks heavily guarded. How are we supposed to get past all those aliens?"
"We're not going to fight our way through. We're going to use their systems against them."
He turned to the console, his fingers flying over the alien interface. Streams of data flowed across the screens, responding to his commands as if he'd been trained on this technology his entire life.
"First things first," Tyson said, his voice filled with determination. "We need to lock down as much of the ship as possible. Trap the aliens in their current locations and limit their ability to respond to our presence."
Tyson activated the ship's internal security protocols with a few more keystrokes. Throughout the vessel, bulkheads slammed shut, and force fields sprang to life, effectively sealing off large sections of the alien craft. Alarms began to blare, and the lighting in the armory shifted to a pulsing red. Tyson quickly accessed the ship's communication systems, intercepting the frantic messages being relayed between confused alien crew members.
"They think they're under attack," Tyson explained, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "But they can't determine where the threat is coming from."
Amy looked nervously at the sealed door of the armory. "Won't they come here to arm themselves?"
Tyson shook his head. "Not if they can't get in." He input another series of commands, and a shimmering force field appeared over the armory's entrance. "I've locked down this room. Plus, they'll have to figure out how to get out of where they're trapped on top of that. They'll be occupied for a while now."
Sarah watched in amazement as Tyson continued to manipulate the alien systems. "How long will that take?" she asked.
"Long enough," Tyson replied, his confidence growing with each passing moment. "Now that I understand their technology, I can do more than just lock doors and redirect power. I can rewrite their entire operating system if I need to. But I can only get into secondary systems from here, such as communications, security, and internal forcefields. We must make our way to the bridge and take control of the ship's main systems."
Amy nodded, her earlier fear replaced by resolve. "What's the plan?"
Tyson pulled up a detailed map of the route to the bridge. "We'll use my shadow abilities to move through the ship undetected. The aliens will be too busy trying to regain control to notice us slipping past."
He pointed to several key locations along their path. "I've created a series of false alarms and system malfunctions to keep them distracted if they manage to free themselves. We'll need to move quickly."
"Quick is what we do best," Sarah said confidently.
"Alright," he said, his voice steady and determined. "Let's move out. Stay close and remember we're not just fighting for ourselves. We're fighting for everyone on Earth."
With that, Tyson reached out and pulled Amy and Sarah close. The familiar darkness of the shadow realm enveloped them once more.
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Tyson's shadow abilities allowed them to bypass most of the security measures. They encountered a few small rooms along the way, each presenting its own unique challenge.
Tyson held up a hand, signaling the others to stop as they approached a bend in the corridor. He peered around the corner. Holding up two fingers behind him, he whispered, "Looks like we found some of our hosts."
Amy tensed, her fingers twitching with nervous energy. "What's the plan?"
"Stealth Attack."
He stepped into the shadows, his form vanishing from sight. Amy and Sarah exchanged glances, then cautiously peeked around the corner.
The room beyond housed a large console, its surface alive with pulsing lights and alien script. Two Grey aliens stood hunched over it, their spindly fingers tapping at the controls. Their large, dark eyes were fixed on the screens before them, oblivious to the intruder materializing from the shadows behind them. Tyson emerged silently, his armored form looming over the unsuspecting aliens.
Lashing out with a punch, he caught the first Grey square in the back of its oversized head. The alien crumpled without a sound, its frail body no match for Tyson's strength, even though he was merely a baseline human. The second Grey turned, its mouth opening to yell. Tyson pivoted, his leg swept out in a powerful kick that connected with the alien's midsection. The force of the blow sent the creature flying across the room, where it slammed into the wall and slid to the floor, unconscious.
"All clear," Tyson called out, his voice tinged with a hint of surprise at how easy it had been.
The speedsters hurried into the room, taking in the fallen aliens. "Holy crap," Sarah breathed. "They're so... fragile."
Amy knelt beside one of the Greys, her brow furrowed. "I almost feel bad for them. Almost."
"It's like fighting children," Tyson said with a shrug. "They started this invasion. We're just finishing it." He turned his attention to the console. "Let's see what we can find out here."
As Tyson worked, Amy and Sarah kept watch at the door. Minutes ticked by as Tyson accessed the interface, occasionally muttering a curse.
"Anything useful?" Sarah asked, glancing over her shoulder.
Tyson shook his head. "Not much."
They moved on, leaving the unconscious Greys behind. The corridor twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the heart of the ship. As they rounded another corner, a new door loomed before them. Tyson approached cautiously, his hand hovering over the control panel. "Ready?"
Amy and Sarah nodded, tensing for whatever might lie beyond.
The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a sight that made them all pause. The room beyond was clearly a laboratory, but unlike anything they had seen on Earth. Strange, pulsating specimens floated in translucent cylinders that lined the walls.
"What the hell is this place?" Amy whispered with revulsion.
"Some kind of research lab, I'd guess. But what they're researching..." Tyson's voice trailed off as he moved closer to one of the cylinders.
Inside, a mass of writhing tentacles pulsed and twisted, its surface shimmering with an oily iridescence. In another container, what looked like a human brain floated.
Sarah swallowed hard. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Tyson made his way toward a terminal near the center of the room. The alien technology responded to his touch, screens flickering to life with a cascade of symbols and images. "Cover me," he said, his fingers already flying over the controls. "This might take a minute."
Amy and Sarah took up positions near the door, their eyes darting between the corridor outside and the unsettling specimens that surrounded them.
"You getting anything?" Amy asked after a tense minute had passed.
Tyson stayed focused on the screen before him. "Yeah, but I'm not sure I like what I'm seeing. Looks like they're running some kind of genetic experiments. Mixing DNA from different species, most of them not from Earth."
Sarah shuddered. "Why? What are they trying to create?"
"I don't know," Tyson admitted. "But whatever it is, it can't be good for us. I'm downloading everything I can. Maybe we can make more sense of it later."
A soft beep from the terminal drew his attention back to the task at hand. "Got it," he announced.
With the girls by his side, Tyson explained the plan he cooked up as they continued through the ship. As they neared the bridge, he pulled his companions close. "Remember, we're using the armor's teleporter for this one. Target only the Greys. The ones with the lightbulb heads. Leave the human-like leaders alive for now."
He looked at Amy and Sarah intently. "And girls, use your speed subtly. Dodge projectiles, but nothing too obvious. We want them to think we're part of their forces."
With a nod from each of them, Tyson activated the teleporter. In a flash of light, they materialized on the bridge. The command center was filled with at least a dozen Grey aliens and two taller, more human-like figures at the helm. Tyson, Amy, and Sarah, all with their helmets up, sprang into action before the aliens could fully register their presence.
Tyson's stolen pistol loudly barked as he fired, taking down two Greys in quick succession. Amy's speed allowed her to dodge energy blasts with ease. Her pistol flashed as she took careful aim at the Greys. Sarah used her speed subtly. She seemed to anticipate the aliens' shots, always managing to be just out of the way when they fired. Her return shots were deadly accurate, dropping Greys left and right.
The battle was over within a minute. Tyson stood amidst the carnage, his armor splattered with alien blood. Amy and Sarah stood slightly in front of him in a protective formation.
Only the two human-like aliens remained, their weapons trained on the intruders. Tension filled the air as both sides assessed each other, neither making a move.
Suddenly, Tyson vanished, falling through Sarah's shadow into the shadow realm. Before anyone could react, he reappeared behind one of the alien leaders. His pistol pressed against the back of the alien's head, and a single shot rang out.
The remaining alien leader barely had time to turn before Tyson was on it. They grappled briefly, the alien's strength surprising him after dealing with the Grey's frailty, but then Amy was there, finishing it off with a shot to the head, ending the fight decisively.
As the last body hit the floor, Sarah turned to Tyson, her brow furrowed. "Why all the deception? It seemed unnecessary."
Tyson grinned behind his helmet. "To sow chaos."
Amy glanced around the bridge, littered with alien corpses. "I don't see any chaos," she said skeptically. "All I see is dead aliens."
Tyson's laugh echoed in the now-silent bridge. "Give me five minutes."
He strode to one of the consoles, his fingers flying over the alien interface. "This is a communication channel," he explained as he worked. "I'm going through their security logs... ah, here we go."
On a large screen above them, footage began to play. It showed Tyson and the girls clearing out the bridge, their movements efficient and deadly as they took down the Grey aliens.
"Watch this," Tyson said, his voice filled with mischievous glee. He edited the footage, cutting it off just before they engaged the human-like alien leaders.
Then, he added a message in the alien language:
"Warning. They're turning on us!"
With a flourish, Tyson hit the transmit button. "And... sent to all the other alien ships in the invasion force."
Sarah's eyes widened as she realized the implications. "You're trying to turn them against each other!"
Amy nodded appreciatively. "Clever. But will it work?"
Tyson shrugged, turning away from the console. "I don't know for sure. But it should at least sow some confusion in their ranks. They'll see footage of what looks like their own forces gunning down the Greys. It might make them hesitate, question their allies."
His posture relaxed slightly now that the immediate danger had passed. "Alright, ladies. We've got control of the bridge, but our work isn't done yet. We need to secure the rest of the ship and figure out how to use these systems to our advantage."
He moved back to the main console, his fingers already dancing across the alien interface. "I'm going to start by ensuring the remaining crew members are locked down. After that I'll access their weapons systems. We might need those if the other ships decide to retaliate."
As Tyson worked, Amy and Sarah began exploring the bridge, carefully examining the alien technology around them. The enormity of what they'd accomplished was starting to sink in.
"We actually did it," Sarah murmured, running her hand along a sleek control panel. "We took over an alien spaceship."
Amy scanned the various displays and readouts. "Yeah, but now what?"
Tyson looked up from his work. "Now? Now, we've got the high ground, advanced alien tech, and the element of surprise. It's time to turn the tables on this invasion."
The ladies took a seat near the viewport while Tyson worked. They gazed out at the sprawling cityscape below. New York, usually a bustling metropolis of lights, now lay partially shrouded in the shadow of the alien invasion force. Amy and Sarah exchanged worried glances.
Tyson moved across the bridge, pausing at each station as he absorbed information through his suit's interface. Finally, he settled into a seat at what appeared to be the main control panel.
"Helm control," Tyson mumbled, "I think I can run communications through here too." He tapped a few more buttons, and suddenly, the ship hummed to life around them.
Amy leaned forward, her hands gripping the edge of her seat as she felt the subtle shift of movement. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"Downtown."
"Why?" she pressed.
Tyson swiveled in his chair to face them, though his expression was hidden behind the alien helmet. "The mothership is massive, and it's hovering over lower Manhattan," he explained. "We need to understand what's going on. Get a closer look at their operations, maybe find a weakness we can exploit."
As if on cue, a light began flashing on the control panel. Tyson turned back to the console. "We're receiving a communication," he announced.
The girls held their breath as Tyson's suit processed the incoming message. After a moment, he read it aloud.
"Why are you breaking formation?"
Amy and Sarah exchanged worried glances. Tyson, however, remained calm. His fingers moved swiftly across the panel as he composed a reply. "Crew mutiny," he muttered as he typed. "No forces remaining, returning to mothership."
The message was sent, and they all waited in tense silence for a response. Seconds stretched into minutes, and finally, the reply came.
"Proceed."
"I can't believe they bought it," Sarah said finally, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Tyson nodded, his focus returning to piloting the alien craft. As they neared the alien mothership, the view outside the viewport became increasingly dominated by the massive structure. Its underbelly was a maze of lights, antennae, and what looked like weapon emplacements. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking and terrifying in equal measure.
Amy, who had been scanning the city below through a secondary viewport, suddenly straightened. "Guys," she exclaimed, "Look at Bryant Park!"
Sarah joined her, peering down at the patch of green amidst the concrete jungle. Even from their height, they could see flashes of light and movement that indicated a battle was raging below.
"The Empire 5 are fighting!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took in the scene.
Tyson's head snapped up from the controls. "The Empire 5?" he asked confused. "Who are they?"
"The strongest heroes from each borough," she explained quickly. "They're like... New York City's elite superteam, I guess you could say."
Amy nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, they're amazing! There's Boogiedown from the Bronx; he's the strongest and has a whole bunch of powers. Super strength, flight, and more. Then there's The Queens Kid, who launches himself across the city using his electric gauntlets, jaunting around attacks and using electric wire to tie up the bad guys. "
Sarah picked up the explanation. "The Siren lives in the waters around Staten Island. She has sonic and water powers. Archmage represents Manhattan, and he's a master of magic. Personally, I think Archmage might be stronger than Boogiedown."
"No way," Amy added, "And don't forget Mirror Image. She's got a shield that reflects attacks. Together, they're practically unstoppable."
Tyson absorbed this information, his mind already racing with possibilities. "And they're all fighting down there right now?" he asked, maneuvering the ship for a better view.
The girls nodded in unison, their eyes fixed on the battle below.
Tyson brought the ship to a smooth hover near Bryant Park. He leaned forward, his enhanced vision zooming in on the battle raging across the space, now scarred with craters and scorched Earth.
"There," Amy pointed, her voice filled with awe. "That's Boogiedown!"
Tyson followed her gaze to a muscular young black man who seemed to defy gravity. Boogiedown moved with impossible speed, his fists leaving trails of displaced air as he engaged one of the alien combatants. His opponent, a muscular alien in armor not dissimilar from Tyson's own, matched him blow for blow.
"And there's Archmage," Sarah added, gesturing to a figure wreathed in crackling energy. The sorcerer's hands wove intricate patterns in the air, each gesture unleashing bolts of mystical force against the same opponent Boogiedown faced.
Tyson's HUD flickered, identifying the alien warrior as King Karl KZ'orr. He watched in amazement as the King held his own against both heroes simultaneously.
But it was the other two combatants that truly caught his attention. His HUD highlighted them, displaying their names: Maya K'orr and Thara Z'orr. Tyson's breath caught in his throat as he realized who they were.
"My companions," he whispered, his mind racing with the implications.
Maya K'orr, identified as Corona by the HUD, was a vision of living flame. Her body radiated an intense heat that warped the air around her. Her hair whipped about her face like solar flares, and her eyes burned with an inner fire. As Tyson watched, she unleashed a torrent of superheated plasma at the Siren, who barely managed to counter with a massive wall of water that instantly vaporized into steam.
Thara Z'orr, or Eclipse as the HUD labeled her, was Maya's dark counterpart. Where Corona blazed with light and heat, Eclipse seemed to devour it. Her form was shrouded in shadows that writhed and twisted like living things. The darkness around her was so complete that it seemed to swallow the sound itself. She moved with liquid grace, her attacks leaving trails of inky blackness in their wake. The Queens Kid darted around her, his electric gauntlets flashing, but each bolt of lightning he threw seemed to vanish into the void surrounding Eclipse. The dark bolts that Eclipse fired were intercepted and reflected by Mirror Image, prolonging their battle.
"They're incredible," Amy breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the spectacle.
Sarah nodded in agreement, but her tactical mind was already assessing the situation. "The Empire 5 are holding their own. But these aliens are on a whole other level."
Tyson's mind raced as he watched the battle unfold. He had chosen Maya and Thara as his companions, but he hadn't expected this. They were powerful. And they were here leading an invasion force.
Tyson's gaze shifted from the intense battle in Bryant Park to the looming alien mothership hovering above Manhattan. The clash between superheroes and invaders was a spectacle, but he knew there was a bigger picture to consider. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the massive vessel, searching for any weakness or opportunity. As if on cue, Boogiedown's powerful strike sent Karl KZ'orr hurtling through the air toward the mothership. Tyson leaned forward, anticipating the impact, but a shimmering barrier flared to life, halting the alien's trajectory. The shield rippled with energy before fading from view.
"Did you see that? There's a powerful forcefield protecting the alien mothership."
He turned back to the console. The girls silently watched as he navigated through streams of data and schematics. Suddenly, his movements slowed, and a low whistle escaped his lips.
"Well, I'll be damned," Tyson said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "This ship has the shield frequency for the mothership. We could fly right through it without a problem."
Amy's eyes widened. "That's great! We can get inside and-"
"No," Tyson cut her off, his voice firm but tinged with regret. "Not we. Me."
Sarah's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm sorry, girls, but I think it's time for us to part ways."
"What? Why?" Sarah demanded, her voice rising with confusion and a hint of anger.
Tyson pointed to the mothership looming outside the viewport. "I need to get inside there. It's too risky for all of us to go; if I need to make a quick escape, it'll be better for me to go alone." He paused, his voice softening. "Besides, you guys are more suited for search and rescue. You said so yourselves."
Sarah shook her head vehemently. "You can't go in there alone. What could you possibly do?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "But I have to try." He gestured towards the ongoing battle below. "I don't have anything that can compete with that. But I might be able to make a difference on that ship."
Amy placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "C'mon, Sar, it's his choice."
Sarah looked torn, her eyes darting between Tyson and the viewport. Finally, she sighed. "Fine."
Tyson stepped forward, wrapping both girls in his arms. The cool metal of his alien armor pressed against them as he pulled them close. Amy and Sarah returned the embrace. He took a deep breath, savoring the moment. Then, the world around them shifted. The bright, sterile interior of the alien ship melted away, replaced by an inky darkness that seemed to press in from all sides.
The shadow realm enveloped them, a place between places. It was cold here, and sounds were muffled, distant as if coming from underwater. The only clear noise was their own breathing, quick and shallow in the oppressive blackness. They moved through the darkness, though it was hard to tell if they were walking or floating. Time seemed to stretch and compress, making seconds feel like minutes.
They materialized in an alley, the brick walls on either side providing cover from prying eyes. The distant sounds of sirens and panicked shouts filled the air, a stark reminder of the chaos unfolding in the city.
Releasing his hold on the girls, he took a step back. "You two stay safe out there," Tyson said, his voice muffled by the helmet but filled with genuine concern. "I mean it. No unnecessary risks."
Sarah nodded against his chest. "You too. Don't do anything stupid in there."
"We're a few blocks from Bryant Park," he said, his helmet turning as he scanned their surroundings. "You should be able to help from here."
"We will. But what about you?"
"I've got a plan. Sort of. I'll return to the ship. From there, I'll figure it out."
Sarah pleaded, "Just don't push your luck, okay?"
Tyson nodded, taking a step back, his form already beginning to fade into the shadows. He vanished, swallowed up by the darkness of the alley. Amy and Sarah stood there for a moment, staring at the spot where he had been.
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Tyson guided the commandeered spacecraft toward the mothership's shield. His heart raced, but his hands remained steady. The shield shimmered before him. He held his breath as the ship approached, then exhaled in relief as it passed through without resistance.
The mothership loomed before him. He steered toward the center, where there was a massive opening. As he entered the hangar, Tyson marveled at its sheer size. Rows upon rows of alien craft lined the bay, each one a potential threat to the city below. He maneuvered his ship carefully, trying to blend in with the others.
"Alright, time to find a weakness," Tyson muttered to himself, engaging the autopilot as he examined the alien interface. The schematics flickered before him, a maze of corridors and chambers that made up the mothership's interior.
Something caught his eye. The control center, nestled at the top of the ship, seemed a logical enough target. But just below it, a pulsing icon on the schematic drew his attention.
The energy reactor.
Tyson leaned closer, squinting at the alien text. "Matter-antimatter reactor," he read aloud, his mind racing. "If that's what I think it is..."
He recalled fragments of science documentaries and sci-fi movies. Antimatter reactions. Unimaginable energy. Catastrophic explosions if containment failed. Tyson's eyes widened as the implications sank in. Antimatter. If the reactor containment failed, the resulting explosion would be catastrophic. His gaze darted to the image of the city far below. Millions of innocent lives hung in the balance.
He shook his head. "Definitely can't let that happen. No way."
There had to be a way to disable the mothership without detonating the antimatter reactor. Finally, he spotted something promising.
Repulsor controls.
Tyson's mouth curled into a fierce grin. The repulsors were what kept the massive ship aloft. If he could disrupt them, the mothership would crash land, neutralizing the immediate threat. It was risky, but it just might work.
He studied the schematics more closely, plotting a route from where he'd set the ship down inside the mothership's hangar to repulsor control. It wouldn't be easy. Scrutinizing the schematics, he recognized a pattern. Large tunnels crossed the mothership, connecting the hangar bay to various exits.
"Well, would you look at that," he murmured, a grin spreading across his face. These channels, likely designed for rapid spacecraft deployment, offered an unexpected advantage. They provided a direct route through the massive vessel, far more efficient than navigating on foot.
Tyson's gaze darted to the upper section of the schematic. The mothership's top entrance sat tantalizingly close to both the command center and repulsor control.
This realization caused him to adapt his initial plan, morphing it based on this new information.
With a new direction, Tyson gripped the controls. The spacecraft hummed to life, lifting smoothly from the hangar floor. He angled it upward, mimicking the trajectory of a craft preparing to exit from the top of the mothership.
As he ascended through the cavernous tunnel, alien vessels surrounded him, their pilots oblivious to the intruder in their midst. He forced himself to maintain a steady pace, fighting the urge to accelerate.
Once the upper levels of the mothership came into view, he yanked the controls, veering sharply in the direction of the repulsor control area.
The abrupt change in direction didn't go unnoticed. Alarms blared, echoing through the tunnel. Tyson ignored them, focused entirely on his target.
A solid wall loomed ahead, blocking access to the repulsor control room. Tyson's lips curled into a determined smirk. "Time to make an entrance."
He accessed weapon controls, priming the arrays that had decimated the bridge earlier. If they could tear through reinforced concrete, they should work on the mothership's interior walls.
Engaging the auto-fire system and set the ship on a slow, steady course toward the wall. The weapons hummed, ready to unleash destruction.
Satisfied with his handiwork, Tyson stepped back from the controls. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses to the familiar embrace of shadows. The darkness responded, enveloping him in its cool touch.
In an instant, Tyson vanished from the spacecraft's cockpit. He reappeared in a passageway, the sound of the alarms muffled but still audible. Ahead, he could make out the entrance to the control room.
Tyson turned, his eyes searching for the ship he'd abandoned. Through a nearby viewport, he spotted it, still on its programmed course. The weapons blazed to life, a barrage of energy slamming into the tunnel wall.
The impact was immediate and devastating. The wall crumbled under the assault, chunks of alien metal and circuitry flying in all directions. Tyson watched, a mix of awe and satisfaction on his face, as the ship continued its relentless advance.
"That ought to keep them busy," he muttered.
The control room door loomed before him. As he neared the entrance, the door slid open with a soft hiss. He stepped inside to the shrill wails of an alarm blaring. Greys scurried about in a frenzied panic, their large eyes wide with confusion and fear. Tyson's alien battle armor blended seamlessly with the surroundings, rendering him nearly invisible amidst the mayhem.
He weaved between consoles and workstations, mentally cataloging the functions of each station. The alien technology was complex, but patterns emerged as he studied the layouts and symbols.
Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the mothership. The floor lurched beneath Tyson's feet, and he stumbled, catching himself on a nearby console. The vessel listed heavily to one side, sending loose objects sliding across the room.
A surge of satisfaction coursed through Tyson. His plan had worked. The mothership was faltering, its systems compromised by his earlier sabotage. The Greys' panic intensified, their movements becoming more frantic as they struggled to regain control.
Amidst the chaos, one Grey managed to reach a specific console. Its long, slender fingers flew across the alien interface. Gradually, the ship's violent motion began to subside. Tyson watched intently, realizing they had activated the ship's maneuvering thrusters, a secondary system primarily used for atmospheric entry.
The momentary relief was short-lived. Tyson overheard snippets of the Greys' communication, his armor translating their high-pitched chirps. The thrusters relied on chemical fuel, a resource in short supply aboard the mothership. It was a temporary solution at best.
As this realization spread, a new command echoed through the control room. Evacuation. The Greys began to abandon their posts, streaming towards the exits. Their plan became clear to Tyson. They would pack into the smaller spacecraft, jettison the crippled mothership, and continue their invasion from multiple decentralized locations.
Tyson watched as the control room emptied, Greys pushing past each other in their haste to escape. Only one other figure remained, an alien clad in armor similar to Tyson's. This Grey moved with purpose, methodically accessing various consoles.
Seizing the opportunity, Tyson slipped out with the fleeing Greys. He allowed himself to be carried along by the tide of panicked aliens but held back as they rounded a corner. Once out of sight, he reached out to the familiar embrace of shadows.
He vanished, reappearing within the command center. Materializing directly behind the armored alien, he emerged from its very shadow. Without hesitation, Tyson raised his pistol and fired at point-blank range into the back of the alien's head.
The first shot impacted with a dull thud, absorbed by the advanced armor. Undeterred, Tyson squeezed the trigger again. The second shot punched through, creating a small breach in the protective plating. The third shot found its mark, and the alien crumpled to the floor, lifeless.
Tyson stood alone, surrounded by the abandoned consoles of the mothership's bridge. He had single-handedly infiltrated the heart of the alien invasion force and now stood poised to turn the tide of the entire conflict. His eyes swept across the room, taking in the array of alien technology at his fingertips. Holographic displays flickered, showing the status of various ship systems. One screen caught his attention, displaying a map of the local star system. Earth was highlighted, surrounded by a swarm of smaller icons representing the invading fleet.
He approached a central console, his fingers hovered over the controls. With access to the mothership's systems, he could potentially cripple the entire invasion force.
But where to begin?
Tyson's eyes darted between holographic displays. The initial rush of triumph faded as he delved deeper into the ship's systems. His brow furrowed, a knot of tension forming in his stomach.
"Well, shit," he muttered, leaning in closer to examine a particularly worrying readout.
The aliens' hasty evacuation suddenly made perfect sense. Without the repulsors, the massive mothership was little more than a poorly designed, oversized glider. And right now, that glider was on a collision course with the heart of New York City.
Tyson quickly calculated distances and timeframes. Half an hour. That's all the time he had before this behemoth came crashing down, potentially obliterating a significant portion of Manhattan.
He gritted his teeth, fingers flying over the controls as he activated the emergency thrusters. The ship groaned in protest, the sound reverberating through the empty command center. Tyson felt the subtle shift as the vessel's trajectory began to change.
"Come on, you oversized tin can," he growled, urging the ship southward. "Let's take a little detour."
As he worked, Tyson's mind whirled with possibilities. There had to be a way out of this, a solution he hadn't considered yet. His eyes flicked to the corner of his vision, where his System interface hovered, ever-present.
On a hunch, he opened the menu, scrolling through options.
[100 CP] Vehicle (Items)
Any one vehicle that you acquired never needs to be cleaned or maintained, will repair itself within 24 hours of taking damage, and never needs refueling. You have all the needed documentation and never need to pay property taxes or any fees.
"Well, hello there," Tyson murmured, a glimmer of hope sparking in his chest. He quickly selected the option, skimming through the description. Automatic repair within 24 hours? Never needing to refuel? That could be exactly what he needed. Tyson made the purchase.
Character Points: 950
A soft chime confirmed the transaction, and he felt a subtle shift in the air around him. The mothership was now under the protection of his new perk.
Tyson turned his attention back to the ship's controls. The thrusters had been straining, fuel levels dropping rapidly, but that all changed when he purchased it. Since it now had infinite fuel, it could maintain the thrusters indefinitely. Still, had managed to alter their course. The sprawling expanse of Manhattan was no longer directly beneath them.
Instead, the waters of the bay stretched out before the ship. Tyson's eyes darted between the navigational displays and the shoreline.
Tyson's eyes darted across the displays, taking in the sensor readings. There were still far too many Greys and their spaceships scattered throughout the massive mothership. If he simply kept the ship aloft, they likely wouldn't evacuate. Which meant he would still have to contend with dozens of those advanced alien crafts and potentially hundreds or even thousands of the Greys themselves.
No, it was better to stick with his original plan and maintain the illusion that the mothership was crashing catastrophically. The Greys had to believe their lives were in immediate danger, so they would continue their scramble to evacuate before the ship met its doom in the waters of the bay.
He had to shepherd them out of here as expediently as possible. And that meant a bit of deception was necessary.
The mothership's nose dipped, and Tyson's stomach lurched as they began their final descent. He watched, heart pounding, as the waters of the bay rushed up to meet them.
The impact was catastrophic. The ship's hull screamed as it tore through the water's surface, sending massive waves crashing in all directions. Tyson was thrown from his feet, tumbling across the command center as the ship bucked and heaved.
For what felt like an eternity, the world was nothing but chaos and noise. Metal groaned and tore, water rushed in through breaches in the hull, and the ship's remaining systems wailed their final protests before falling silent.
Then, gradually, stillness settled over the wreckage.
Tyson pushed himself up, thankfully he'd been protected during the crash by his Alien Battle Armor. He stumbled to the nearest viewport, peering out at their surroundings.
The sight that greeted him was surreal. The mothership had come to rest in the bay, its massive bulk stretching from the shores of Governor's Island all the way to Bay Ridge. Where there had once been open water, a new landmass now emerged, composed of twisted alien metal and debris.
"Holy crap," Tyson breathed, taking in the scale of what he'd just accomplished. "I just made a new island."
As the initial shock wore off, Tyson's mind began to race with the implications of what had just occurred. He'd managed to prevent a catastrophic impact in the heart of the city, but this new artificial island would undoubtedly cause its own set of problems.
He turned away from the viewport, surveying the damaged command center. Water was seeping in through cracks in the hull, and sparks flew from damaged consoles. The ship was a wreck, but thanks to his newly acquired Vehicle Item, it wouldn't stay that way for long.
Tyson's lips curled into a determined smile. He had 24 hours before the ship repaired itself.
He hurried over to the central control panel, his eyes quickly scanning across the flickering displays. The damage from the crash was severe - multiple systems were in the red. But one readout in particular caught his attention: the shields were down.
Cursing under his breath, Tyson's fingers flew across the alien controls, pulling up the shield modulation settings. The Greys had managed to synchronize their teleporters and the other ships' shields to the mothership's shield frequency during the battle, allowing them to beam aboard even with the shields raised. He couldn't let that happen again.
Tyson adjusted the frequency. Once the shields were reactivated, the Greys would find the mothership impenetrable again. Satisfied with the new settings, Tyson entered them into the system with a tap on the flashing blue sensor.
Next, he turned his attention to the command center access codes. He established a new set of access protocols that ought to keep them out.
Tyson leaned back, nodding with satisfaction at his work. The ship's defenses were shored up for now. He had bought himself some time before the Greys inevitably came knocking again.
He made his way to the exit, carefully navigating through the corridors of the crashed ship. Tyson reached a breach in the hull, sunlight streaming in through the jagged opening. He peered out, taking in the sight of New York's skyline in the distance. The mothership lay partially submerged in the bay, its massive bulk creating a new, jagged shoreline. Smoke billowed from various points along its hull, and the sound of twisting metal echoed across the water. Despite the destruction, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. The immediate threat had been neutralized, and the ship was now under his control.
But his work was far from over. Tyson's thoughts turned to his companions, Maya and Thara.
"Time to meet my alien princesses," Tyson muttered.
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Chapter 4 Choices:
Choose A Plan
Option 1: The Orator - Tyson makes a grand speech convincing the princesses to join him. Leaving the Empire 5 and Karl'KZ'orr to continue fighting.
Option 2: The Super Man - Jump into the battle and help fight against Karl KZ'orr. After he's down, escape with Maya and Thara.
Option 3: The Tinkerer - Massively upgrade his tech and fight both KZ'orr and the Empire 5.
Option 1: Tyson arrives at the battlefield around Bryant Park, announcing himself as the one who took down the alien mothership. Tyson gives a speech proclaiming himself the new owner of the mothership. He convinces the princesses that they should join him since he's the only one who can protect them now that they're stranded on Earth. Tyson helps Thara and Maya escape. Realizing that their invasion has failed, Karl KZ'orr is demoralized, creating an opening for Archmage and Boogiedown to defeat him.
[100 CP (Discounted)] Never Fear, Tyson's Here! (Perk)
A villain is more than a man with superpowers. A true villain is a legend, one crafted through deeds until he transforms into a symbol and a warning. If you haven't already built such a legend for yourself, then you will soon. Your reputation is just as powerful as your actual superpowers, your mere presence empowering your allies and crashing down on enemies, sapping their morale and, with it, their ability to fight effectively. The more well-known you are, the greater the effect becomes, and if you're famous enough, you can turn the tide or send lesser foes running for their lives simply by appearing on the battlefield.
[100 CP] Captive Audience (Perk)
If there's one quality all villains seem to share, it's that they love to hear themselves talk. Unfortunately for heroes, they're often really good at it, whether they're giving dramatic speeches, monologuing about their evil schemes, or seducing impressionable young heroines to the side of evil. You have a magnetic charm that borders on hypnosis, making you dangerously seductive and charismatic even to heroines who know full well how villainous you really are. Once you start speaking, people feel compelled to listen until you're done, allowing you to chew the scenery with impunity or seduce a damsel right out of her panties without risk of being interrupted or attacked mid-sentence. While you'll still need compelling arguments to seduce a heroine or win over an audience, your skills at doing so are second to none, and should you ever decide to get out of the supervillain business, you could have a bright future as a politician.
Option 2: Tyson claims to be the successor and usurper of Karl KZ'orr, the King of the invading aliens since he now controls the mothership. He jumps into the battle and helps fight against Karl KZ'orr. After the King is defeated, he claims the mantle. Maya and Thara submit to his rule and join him by his side. Tyson slowly gains the powers of King Karl KZ'orr but also quickly gains the loyalty of all the remaining alien invaders.
[ 600 CP] Big Shoes to Fill (Items)
Having your own identity is the ideal cape experience, but sometimes you get your start wearing a mantle that someone else wore before you. In your case, the mantle in question is this costume, one designed to mimic the appearance of a hero or villain of your choice. By donning this mantle, you'll inherit the legacy of whoever you're imitating. You needn't become an exact duplicate of that person, but the more you accomplish while wearing this mantle, the more you'll gradually grow into your borrowed identity. It starts with your skills and powers growing rapidly in ways that allow you to mimic your predecessor, but as you continue, you'll eventually obtain everything that once belonged to them, from their equipment and resources to their teammates and even their former love interests, who will quickly grow to care as much for you as they did for your predecessor. However, while you can imitate the dead without consequences, you might run into problems if you imitate someone who's still alive and not interested in being replaced.
Option 3: Tyson upgrades the Alien Battle Armor into a powered armor incorporating the alien repulsor technology, integrating rifles and other available alien tech. He also creates a device to enhance his shadow powers, allowing him to hold his own in a superpowered battle. He arrives at Bryant Park and quickly helps Maya and Thara defeat their opponents. He then turns on Karl KZ'orr, using knowledge from the alien databases to exploit his weakness.
Doomsday Drawings (400 CP)
When you really want to spread chaos, you'll need to think much bigger in scope. This doomsday device hasn't been built yet but the heroes had better watch out if they don't want you getting your hands on one in the near future. Rather than an actual weapon this item is a suitcase full of blueprints for devices that let you scale up other items or powers you might have from personal scale to city-scale or even bigger. Have powers? Soon, you'll have an amplifier that will make you a menace to a whole metropolis at once, or even more than that if you were already that strong. Someone with a technological focus could build these things from scratch extremely quickly with access to the right materials.
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Tyson
Origin: Powerhouse
Character Points: 950
Drawbacks:
Iron Age Morality
Non-Stop Action
Origin Story
Running The Devil's Gauntlet
Perks:
Most Common Superpower
Secondary Superpowers
Rescue Romance
World of Cardboard
Superpower: Elemental Darkness (Shadow Step, Shadow Cloak)
Kiss of Life
I Can Do This All Day
Items:
Symbol of Anarchy
Artifact of Power x4 (Alien Battle Armor)
Vehicle (Alien Mothership)
Companions:
Fire from the Stars