The Devil's Villain In a Lewd Superhero World
Chapter 8: Sewer Network
Tyson hovered silently through the dank, winding tunnels of Manhattan's sewer network. His armor's systems filtered the air, making the environment bearable, if not pleasant. The sewer's architecture subtly shifted as he progressed deeper into its labyrinthine depths. Old stonework began to intermingle with modern concrete. The sound of rushing water was a constant backdrop to his journey. As he rounded a corner, Tyson stopped. A flicker of movement caught his eye, and he instinctively melded into the shadows, his body becoming translucent, impossible to pick out.
A group of figures shuffled into view. Tyson took in their appearance. These weren't ordinary sewer dwellers or maintenance workers. No, these were something far more disturbing. The group, about a dozen strong, was a hodgepodge of human and alien parts. Some still wore tattered remnants of everyday clothing. One in a torn business suit, another in a shredded hoodie. But their bodies were grotesquely altered, cybernetic implants and alien technology fused to their flesh in a patchwork. At the head of the group, Tyson spotted two figures that stood out from the rest. They were Greys, like the aliens he'd seen on the mothership. They wore armor that made them seem the size of humans, masking their small, frail stature. He realized these were rogue aliens, using the chaos of the invasion to further their own twisted agenda.
The group shuffled past Tyson's hiding spot, seemingly unaware of his presence. As they passed, he caught snippets of conversation.
"The Taken are restless," one Grey said, its voice a discordant blend of human and alien. "The last raid didn't yield enough subjects."
The other Grey said, "We must push deeper into the city. The surface dwellers grow more organized by the day."
It seemed that these Greys were abducting people, turning them into things, and planning more raids.
As the group moved further down the tunnel, Tyson's enhanced hearing picked up more details. The shuffling, Taken, as the Greys had called them, occasionally muttered fragments of their former lives. A woman in a tattered nurse's uniform kept repeating patient vital signs. A man with half his face replaced by alien tech mumbled stock prices. The sight filled Tyson with horror. This couldn't be allowed to continue. He chose to follow them, to see if they'd lead him back to wherever they were based.
The group paused at an intersection of tunnels. One of the Greys raised a hand. It swept its arm in a wide arc with a glowing sensor, seemingly scanning the surrounding area. Then they moved on, taking the left tunnel.
Tyson kept to the shadows, his body blending seamlessly with the darkness, always staying just out of sight of the shuffling Taken and their Grey masters. As the group wound through a series of passages, he noticed the architecture changing; alien technology had been integrated into the century-old brickwork. The tunnel opened into a vast chamber. He hung back, observing from the shadows of the entrance. Makeshift structures of scavenged materials and otherworldly devices filled the cavernous room. At the center of it all stood a massive piece of machinery. Its purpose was unclear. Surrounding this central structure were rows upon rows of cages. Tyson's stomach churned as he realized the cages were filled with people, dirty, terrified, and huddled together.
The Greys barked orders in their strange, guttural language, and the Taken obeyed. Tyson watched as they began to herd people from the cages towards the central machine. One by one, humans were strapped into chairs arranged in a circle around the device. Strange, helmet-like contraptions were lowered onto their heads. The machine hummed louder, and arcs of energy danced between the helmets and the central structure.
Minutes passed. Tyson clenched his fists as he fought the urge to rush in and stop this horrific process. But he knew he needed more information, needed to understand what he was up against before he could act. Finally, the helmets were removed. The people who emerged were different. The fear was gone from their eyes, replaced by a vacant, almost serene expression. They moved with the same jerky motions as the Taken, following orders without question.
"Looks like some kind of brainwashing," Tyson muttered to himself. He watched as the newly compliant humans were led away, replaced by a fresh group from the cages.
His attention was drawn to movement on the far side of the chamber. A section of the wall slid open, revealing another room. Inside this new area, Greys moved about without their bulky armor. Their true forms were small and frail, with oversized heads and spindly limbs. Brainwashed humans were strapped to tables. The Greys cut into flesh and bone with energy scalpels. Cybernetic components were grafted onto their bodies. Limbs were severed and replaced with alien weaponry or strange pulsing devices that Tyson assumed were some kind of scanners.
One Grey stood over a woman, carefully removing her left eye and inserting a glowing, mechanical orb in its place. The woman's screams cut off abruptly as the device activated, her remaining eye going wide with shock before glazing over with the same vacant expression Tyson had seen on the brainwashed victims.
In another corner, a man thrashed against his restraints as a Grey methodically replaced his right arm with a complex, gun-like apparatus. The alien worked with detached curiosity, adjusting and calibrating the weapon as if the man's agonized cries were nothing more than background noise.
Tyson's stomach churned. He thought the invasion on the surface was bad, but this was a new level of cruelty.
As he watched, a Grey finished its work on a young boy, no more than twelve or thirteen. The child's legs had been replaced with spindly, insectoid limbs that clicked and whirred as they moved. The boy stood, his face a mask of confusion and fear that slowly faded to blank compliance as the Grey activated something at the base of his skull.
Tyson picked up fragments of conversation between the Greys as they worked.
"The latest batch shows improved integration rates. The neural interfaces are holding up better under stress."
Another Grey nodded, its oversized head bobbing unnaturally. "Good. We'll need more Wanderers for the next phase. The surface dwellers are becoming more organized in their resistance."
"What of the Ascended project?" a third Grey asked, this one slightly taller than the others, perhaps indicating a higher rank.
The first Grey gestured towards a heavily secured door at the far end of the room. "Progress is slow but promising. Subject 37 shows remarkable adaptability to advanced implants. If successful, it could be our key to dominating this world. With the Vagabound under our control, the humans won't be able to stop us. They'll fall into compliance and servitude."
The Vagabound weren't just some ragtag group of alien stragglers. This was an organized, methodical operation with clear goals and a hierarchy. Where aliens enslaved humans, and it was growing. Tyson scanned the room, taking in every detail. The cages were full of terrified humans, the brainwashing machine, the horrific experimentation lab. He needed to shut this down and save these people.
He had seen enough of this horror show.
It was time to act.
With a thought, the shadows that had cloaked him melted away, revealing his imposing form hovering just inside the entrance to the vast chamber.
Every eye in the room, human and alien alike, slowly turned to take in his floating figure. The constant hum of machinery and the low murmur of alien speech cut off abruptly, replaced by a stunned silence. Tyson hovered there for a moment, letting the shock of his sudden appearance sink in. Then, with deliberate slowness, he retracted his helmet. The armor peeled back smoothly, revealing his face to the assembled crowd. His expression was stern, his eyes hard as he surveyed the scene before him.
"King KZ'orr has been deposed," Tyson announced, his voice ringing out clear and strong in the cavernous space. He paused, letting the weight of that statement settle before continuing. "I am King Tyson. I've taken over the mothership." A ripple of shock passed through the gathered aliens. The Taken and other modified humans remained impassive, their brainwashed programming apparently not equipped to deal with this unexpected turn of events. "You are to cease your activities immediately," he commanded. "Hostilities against the humans have ended. Return to the mothership. Now."
For a long moment, nobody moved. The Greys exchanged glances, their large, dark eyes unreadable. The cybernetically enhanced humans awaited orders from their masters.
Then, one of the Greys in armor stepped forward. It was taller than the others. This one, Tyson guessed, was a leader of some sort.
"That's impossible," the Grey said, "The Solari turned on the Greys. We won't return. They were our masters," it began. "They created us, bred us for servitude and obedience. We were tools, nothing more," the Grey continued, "When we came to this world, we saw an opportunity. The humans here are malleable. Useful. We can create our own servants, build our own power base."
The alien gestured around the chamber, encompassing the cages, the operating tables, and the brainwashed humans. "This is our chance to break free from the Solari, to become masters ourselves."
Tyson's stomach churned at the casual way the Grey spoke of enslaving and mutilating humans. But he kept his voice steady as he responded.
"And the invasion?" he asked. "The mothership?"
The Grey's head tilted to the other side. "A distraction," it said. "A cover for our true work. The Solari seek to conquer this world, yes. But we seek to remake it in our image."
"I see," Tyson said, "But things have changed now. I've taken control of the mothership. The Solari no longer command there."
The Grey leader's large eyes blinked slowly. "And why should we believe you?" it asked. "Why should we trust a Solari who claims not to be with the Solari and to be our new king?"
Tyson gestured around the chamber. "Look at what you're doing," he said, "You're becoming the very thing you hated. You're enslaving others, just as the Solari enslaved you." He swept his arm out, encompassing the entire chamber. "This? This isn't freedom. It's just another form of slavery. You're chaining yourselves to cruelty and oppression, becoming the very monsters you sought to escape."
The Grey leader remained silent, but Tyson could see the impact his words were having. The other Greys were shifting restlessly, exchanging glances.
"Come back to the mothership," Tyson said, "Help me create a new order. One where Greys, Solari, and humans can coexist. Where no one is a slave, and no one is a master."
"Or," Tyson said, his voice hardening, "you can choose to fight. But I warn you. I didn't defeat King KZ'orr by being weak."
The chamber fell silent. The unmodified humans in the cages watched with a mixture of fear and hope.
For a long moment, no one moved. Tyson held his position, hovering just inside the entrance.
Then, slowly, the Grey leader took a step forward. "You speak of equality, of coexistence. The strong rule, the weak serve. This is the way it has always been. Here on this planet, the Greys are strong. We outnumber the Solari, and our knowledge and technology place us above humans in the hierarchy. With the Vagabound and an ever-increasing number of Taken… We will rule. Not you, King Tyson."
Tyson's eyes narrowed his expression hardening. "Wrong answer," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You believe yourselves strong because of your technology, but it can't hide that beneath that armor, you're not stronger than a child. If that is your choice, then I'll show you what true strength is."
Without another word, Tyson stepped backward, melting into the shadows. The Greys and their minions tensed, scanning the room for any sign of him. But Tyson was gone, shifted into the shadow realm where their technology couldn't detect him.
He reappeared behind the alien leader. Before the Grey could even register his presence, Tyson thrust his fist forward. His enhanced strength, combined with the element of surprise, sent his fist crashing through the alien's oversized skull. The Grey's frail body offered no resistance, crumpling instantly.
The chamber was frozen in shock for a moment. The other Greys stared at their fallen leader, their large eyes wide with disbelief. Then, as one, they snapped into action.
"Attack!" one of them shrieked, "Vagabound, attack!"
The cybernetically enhanced humans lurched forward, their movements jerky but purposeful. Some raised weaponized limbs, and others activated implanted devices that hummed with alien energy. The unmodified humans in the cages pressed themselves against the bars, trying to get as far away from the impending battle as possible.
Tyson didn't wait for the Vagabound to reach him. He activated his armor's teleportation system, vanishing in a flash of light just as the first energy blasts scorched the spot where he'd been standing.
He reappeared in the adjacent room, where he'd seen the Greys performing their gruesome experiments. These Greys didn't have the armor to protect them. Their spindly bodies looked almost comical next to the complex machinery and operating tables. One Grey, who'd been in the middle of attaching a cybernetic limb to an unconscious human, looked up in surprise as Tyson materialized. Its enormous eyes widened in terror, but it had no time to react.
Tyson's fist connected with the alien's oversized head, and the creature crumpled to the floor without a sound. The human on the table stirred slightly but didn't wake.
Another Grey scrambled for a nearby control panel, its thin fingers tapping at the alien symbols. Tyson crossed the room in two long strides, grabbed the Grey by the back of its neck, and slammed its head into the panel. The alien went limp, sparks flying from the damaged controls.
A third Grey backed away, holding up its hands in a gesture of surrender. "Please," it squeaked in a high and trembling voice. "We were only following orders. We didn't want-"
Tyson cut off its plea with a command, "Then kneel."
The Grey didn't hesitate, dropping to its knees.
All the Greys in the room were incapacitated, save the one that surrendered. He turned his attention to the humans on the operating tables in various states of cybernetic modification.
A commotion from the main chamber drew his attention. The door burst open, and a group of Vagabound poured in. These were more heavily modified than the ones he'd seen earlier. Their bodies were a seamless blend of human flesh and alien technology. One had arms that ended in energy weapons. Another had multiple mechanical eyes that swiveled independently, scanning the room. At their head was a figure that made Tyson pause. It was clearly once human, but now it was something more. Its skin had a metallic sheen, and patterns of light pulsed beneath the surface. Its eyes glowed with an inner fire, and when it spoke, its voice resonated with mechanical harmonics.
"So," it said, its gaze fixed on Tyson, "you're the one who claims to be our new king."
Tyson stood his ground, facing this new threat. "I am," he said, his voice steady. "And who might you be?"
The figure's mouth curved into a smile that was more machine than human. "I am the future," it said. "The pinnacle of Grey technology and human potential. I am what the Greys call an Ascended."
It gestured at the fallen Greys around the room. "You may have bested these lesser beings, but you face a true challenge now. The Vagabound are not mere slaves or experiments. We are the next step in evolution."
Tyson's eyes narrowed. "Evolution?"
The Ascended's smile widened. "We have moved beyond the limitations of flesh, beyond the constraints of a single species. We are the bridge between human and alien, the best of both worlds."
"I'm the one bridging the gap between humans and aliens," Tyson said. "You're just delusional. Nothing more than a puppet, dancing to the Greys' tune."
"You understand nothing. The Greys gave us power, gave us purpose. They lifted us from the gutter and made us gods."
It raised a hand, and the Vagabound behind it tensed, ready to attack. "You've made a grave mistake coming here, false king. This is our domain, and you will not leave it alive."
"We'll see about that."
The Ascended's eyes flashed. "Vagabound, destroy him!"
The cybernetic warriors surged forward, their modified bodies moving with inhuman speed and precision. Energy weapons discharged, filling the air with deadly bolts.
Tyson flew out of the path of the first volley of attacks. He knew he was outnumbered and potentially outgunned. These weren't the stumbling Taken he'd seen earlier. These Vagabound were coordinated. As they closed in, he made a split-second decision. He couldn't fight them all in this confined space. He needed room to maneuver, to use his powers to their full extent.
With a thought, he activated his armor's teleportation system again. In a flash of light, he vanished from the operating room, reappearing in the larger chamber beyond.
The caged humans gasped in surprise at his sudden appearance. Tyson spared them a glance. He would free these people, but first, he had to deal with the Vagabound and their Ascended leader.
Behind him, he heard them pouring out of the operating room. The Ascended's voice rang out, "Find him! Don't let him escape!"
Tyson ducked into the shadows, his form melting into the darkness as if it were liquid. He reappeared behind the Ascended, who was still barking orders to the Vagabound.
Without hesitation, Tyson threw a punch aimed at the back of the Ascended's head. But to his surprise, the cybernetic being ducked at the last second, the blow whistling harmlessly overhead. The Ascended spun around, its metallic face twisted into a grin of triumph as it launched a return kick.
Tyson barely had time to bring up his arms to block the attack. The force of the kick sent him skidding backward. He recovered quickly, charging forward to engage the Ascended in close combat. The two exchanged a flurry of blows. Tyson's fists connected with the Ascended's body multiple times, each impact resonating with a dull thud of flesh meeting metal. But the cybernetic being seemed to shrug off the attacks, its enhanced physiology absorbing punishment that would have crippled a normal human.
As they fought, Tyson noticed something odd. The Ascended wasn't as fast as he was, its movements a fraction slower. But it seemed to anticipate his attacks, often moving to block or dodge before Tyson had even fully committed to a strike.
A roundhouse kick from Tyson caught the Ascended in the midsection, sending it stumbling backward. But it recovered quickly.
"You're strong, I'll give you that," the Ascended said, its voice carrying an electronic undertone. "But strength alone isn't enough."
Tyson pressed his advantage, launching a series of quick jabs. The Ascended weaved and bobbed, avoiding most of the strikes with an almost prescient awareness.
"How are you doing that?" Tyson growled, frustration creeping into his voice.
The Ascended's mouth curved into a smirk. "The Greys didn't just enhance our bodies," it said, deflecting another of Tyson's punches. "They enhanced our minds as well."
Tyson feinted with his left, then came in with a powerful right hook. But the Ascended was already moving, ducking under the blow and countering with an uppercut that caught Tyson on the chin. The impact sent him stumbling, but he recovered quickly.
"I can sense when you choose to attack," the Ascended continued, pressing its advantage. It launched a flurry of strikes, its cybernetic limbs moving far faster than a normal man's speed. Tyson blocked and dodged as best he could, but several blows slipped through his defense, each impact absorbed by the Alien Battle Armor.
"I can read your thoughts, King Tyson," the Ascended said mockingly, emphasizing the title with clear disdain.
Tyson gritted his teeth, less from the pain of the Ascended's attacks, more from the implications of its words. If it could truly read his thoughts and anticipate his moves before he made them, how did he beat it? He needed to change tactics. Relying on his shadow powers, Tyson shifted into the shadow realm. He went deeper than he did when turning invisible, but not so deep that he transferred completely into the dark dimension.
The Ascended's next punch passed harmlessly through him, throwing the cybernetic being off balance.
His body had become intangible for a split second.
Tyson capitalized on the moment, solidifying and driving his elbow into the Ascended's face. There was a satisfying crunch of metal, and the glow in one of the being's eyes flickered and died.
The Ascended staggered back, its hand going to its damaged face. "Impossible," it hissed. "I didn't sense that coming."
"Guess your mind reading isn't as perfect as you thought," Tyson shot back, pressing his advantage.
He unleashed a barrage of strikes, mixing in his shadow phasing to keep the Ascended off balance. The cybernetic being struggled to keep up. But even as Tyson landed blow after blow, he could see that the Ascended was far from defeated. Its metallic skin seemed to ripple and shift, the damage he inflicted healing almost as quickly as he could cause it. Whatever the Greys had done to this being, they had made it incredibly resilient.
The Ascended suddenly lashed out with both hands, energy crackling between its palms. Tyson tried to dodge, but the attack was too wide, too bright. It chased away the shadows, giving him no avenue for escape. The energy engulfed him. The pain was negligible, but he fell to one knee, his muscles spasming from the aftereffects of the blast.
"You see?" the Ascended said, its voice dripping with smug superiority. "This is the power the Greys have given us. The power to evolve beyond mere flesh and blood."
Tyson looked up. The Ascended stood over him, its damaged eye now fully repaired, the metal of its face having knitted itself back together.
"You claim to be a king," it continued, "but you're nothing more than an outdated model. The Greys are the future, and we are their chosen instruments." Around them, the other Vagabound had formed a circle, watching the battle with their eerie, glowing eyes. "I'll admit, you've put up more of a fight than I expected, but in the end, you're still limited by your biology."
It raised its hands, energy crackling between its palms once more. But this time, Tyson was ready. Before the Ascended unleashed its attack, Tyson called upon his shadow powers. He fired a beam of shadow energy from his eyes. The attack wouldn't do much damage, but it also took no time to execute, giving the Ascended no chance to dodge or block. The beam struck the Ascended directly in its eyes or whatever sensors it had in their place. The creature was blinded.
Taking advantage of its momentary weakness, Tyson surged forward. His punch channeled all of his enhanced strength into the blow. His fist connected with the Ascended's jaw with a resounding crack.
The cybernetic being's head snapped back, its feet leaving the ground from the force of the impact. It crashed into the circle of Vagabound, scattering them like bowling pins. Tyson pressed his attack, not giving the Ascended time to recover. He unleashed a flurry of blows, each strike empowered by his superhuman strength. The Ascended tried to defend itself, but Tyson was relentless.
"You say you can read my thoughts?" Tyson growled between punches. "Then read this. I. Won't. Let. You. Win."
Each word was punctuated by a devastating blow. The Ascended's metallic skin began to crack and splinter under the onslaught, its self-repair abilities overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of Tyson's attack.
As the other Vagabound closed in, Tyson seized his opportunity. Grabbing the dazed Ascended by its mangled arm, he spun and swung his cybernetic opponent like a club, scattering its allies with a sweep of its flailing limbs.
Not content to simply hurl his foe aside, as he released the Ascended, sending it flying, Tyson rocketed through the air in pursuit. The Ascended slammed into the concrete wall with a hollow clang, but before it could peel itself free, Tyson was upon it. He drove his fist with piledriver force into its torso, pulverizing metal and masonry alike. The wall shuddered under the devastating impact, cracks spiderwebbing outward from the embedded form of the Ascended.
Tyson relented, allowing the limp cyborg to slide down the fractured wall. Sparking wires sprouted from cracks in its armor, and its glowing eyes dimmed as internal systems struggled to compensate. The cyborg raised its head, a shuddering, metallic growl rising in its throat. The Ascended tried to speak, but only a garbled electronic noise emerged from its damaged vocal systems. Around them, the other Vagabound stood frozen as if unsure what to do now that their leader had fallen.
Tyson loomed above the shattered form of the Ascended, its flickering eyes struggling to focus. He raised his armored boot and brought it crashing down, the concrete floor cratering under the impact. The Ascended lay still, its cybernetic body going dark as systems failed.
Tyson surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The holding cells, full of frightened humans, huddled together as they stared wide-eyed at their would-be savior. The diminutive Greys were cowering behind consoles and equipment, their oversized heads peeking out fearfully. The remaining Vagabound were frozen in place as they awaited new orders.
The fight was over.
He'd made his point.
Tyson hovered over to the first Grey who'd surrendered, its spindly form still kneeling on the cold floor. The alien's large eyes blinked rapidly in fear.
"Rise," he commanded. The Grey slowly got to its feet, its movements hesitant and unsure. "You're now in charge of these Greys." The alien's eyes widened even further if that was possible. It opened its mouth as if to speak, but no sound came out. Tyson continued, "Gather the best armor available here for yourself. Lead the Greys to the mothership. Take the Vagabound with you." He paused, making sure the gravity of his next words sank in. "When you arrive, use all available methods to restore the Vagabound's humanity. Do you understand?"
The Grey nodded vigorously, its oversized head bobbing up and down. "Yes, king," it answered.
Satisfied, Tyson turned his attention to the other Greys, who were still cowering behind various pieces of equipment. They flinched as his gaze fell upon them, but he kept his voice level as he spoke.
"Release all these humans," he ordered, gesturing to the cages lining the walls. "Once everyone is gathered, escort them to the surface. Do you understand?"
There was a moment of silence, then a chorus of timid voices responded, "Yes, king."
The Greys began to move, their initial fear giving way to a sense of purpose. They scurried about, unlocking cages and helping the bewildered humans to their feet. Some of the captives were in better shape than others, but all looked relieved to be free.
Tyson floated upward, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The caged people looked up at him with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. He could see the questions in their eyes, the fear and confusion etched on their faces.
"I owe you all an apology. What you've been through and what's been done to you is unforgivable." He paused, looking from face to face, meeting their gazes. "I promise you, I will do everything in my power to help those who have been experimented on and to prevent any further abductions."
A murmur ran through the crowd. Some nodded, while others still looked skeptical. Tyson couldn't blame them. After what they'd been through, trust wouldn't come easily.
"I know you have no reason to believe me," he continued. "But I give you my word. The Greys will escort you to the surface, where you'll receive medical attention and any other help you need."
As he spoke, the Greys continued their work. Cages were opened, and humans stumbled out, blinking in the harsh light. Some embraced each other, tears streaming down their faces. Others stood alone, looking lost and confused.
The Vagabound, those cybernetically enhanced humans who had been under the control of the Greys, stood off to one side. Without the Ascended to guide them, they seemed unsure of what to do.
Tyson descended, landing near a group of newly freed captives. An elderly woman, her face lined with worry and exhaustion, stepped forward.
"What about them?" she asked, pointing at the Vagabound. "They... they were people once, weren't they?"
Tyson nodded solemnly. "Yes, they were. And we're going to do everything we can to help them, too. The Greys have the technology to reverse what's been done, or at least to mitigate the damage."
The woman's eyes filled with tears. "My son... he was taken months ago. Could he be one of them?"
"It's possible," he said gently. "I'm sure this wasn't the only group of Vagabound. I'll do everything I can to find others and restore them."
As he spoke, the Grey he'd put in charge approached, flanked by two others wearing alien armor.
"We've gathered the armor as you requested. The other Greys are preparing for transport to the surface."
Tyson nodded. "Good. Make sure everyone gets topside. And remember, your priority is to help the Vagabound."
"Yes, king," the Grey replied. It hesitated, then added, "What... what will happen to us?"
Tyson considered the question. These Greys had committed terrible acts, but they'd also been following orders. And now, they seemed genuinely willing to help.
"That depends on you," he said finally. "Prove that you can be trusted. Help these people. Undo the damage you've done. If you do that, you will not be punished."
The Grey nodded. It turned to its companions and began issuing orders in their strange, chittering language. As the Greys bustled about, Tyson turned his attention back to the freed humans. "I know you all have questions," he said. "And I promise, they'll be answered. But right now, the most important thing is getting you to safety and making sure you're all okay."
A young man in tattered and dirty clothes spoke up. "Who are you? How did you find us?"
Tyson paused, considering his answer. "My name is Tyson," he said finally. "I'm the one who defeated the invading alien's king and took down their mothership." he continued, "The important thing is that you're safe now. These Greys won't be abducting anyone else."
Tyson floated over to a nearby console, his eyes scanning the array of alien technology. Among the unfamiliar devices, a helmet caught his attention. It was one of the brainwashing tools the Greys had been using. He reached out and lifted the helmet. Despite its complex appearance, it was surprisingly light. As he turned it over in his hands, a system prompt appeared, offering to bind the helmet as an Item of Power.
Item of Power: Disengage Safety Protocols (Items)
This VR device has been expertly tailored to provide a variety of lewd scenarios to its wearer, and each one is capable of being customized to further enhance their virtual pleasure- which is, naturally, provided by having the headset jack into the nervous system. Each scenario is designed with flexibility and fun in mind. It's even possible to create new scenarios, assuming that you have the capacity to program such complex scenarios with the attached computational device. This can also take the form of an actual holodeck, though the need to program scenarios remains.
Without hesitation, Tyson accepted. The helmet glowed briefly, then settled back to its normal state. But he could feel the change. The device was now intrinsically linked to him, its capabilities at his command. He examined the helmet more closely, understanding flooding his mind. This wasn't just any VR device. It was a sophisticated system capable of creating immersive, customizable scenarios. The possibilities were staggering.
"That device was originally intended for entertainment. We repurposed it for our needs," a voice said behind him. Tyson turned to see the lead Grey watching him curiously.
Tyson nodded, a plan already forming in his mind. "Entertainment," he mused. "That's what I was thinking."
The Grey tilted its oversized head, clearly confused. "I don't understand. How does this help with our current situation?"
"You'd be surprised. Entertainment is a universal need, even in times of crisis." He held up the helmet. "This could be the key to integrating your people into human society."
The Grey's large eyes blinked rapidly. "Integration? But we're invaders. The humans will never accept us."
"Not as you are now, no," Tyson agreed. "But what if you could offer something valuable? Humans love games and entertainment," he explained. "With this technology, we could create experiences beyond anything currently available on Earth. Immersive virtual reality, or even full holodecks."
The Grey's expression shifted from confusion to intrigue. "And this would... help us?"
Tyson nodded. "It's a start. By providing a service that improves people's lives, you begin to change how they see you. You become more than just invaders. You become contributors to society. It could be a way to generate income, to establish yourselves as more than just enemies."
The Grey seemed to consider this, its large eyes narrowing in thought. "But the programming... it's complex. Our systems are designed for our physiology and our thought patterns. You've seen with the Taken, our efforts to adjust it for humans were only partly successful."
"That's where I come in," Tyson said. "I've got a supernatural ability to handle technology. It shouldn't be hard to create scenarios that appeal to humans without any side effects."
The Grey was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I... I think I understand. This could be a path forward, a way to coexist."
Tyson tossed him the helmet and said, "When you reach the mothership, Bring this to Princess Maya."
The Grey agreed and rejoined the others. They began leading small groups of humans and Vagabound towards the exit. Tyson watched as the elderly woman who'd spoken to him earlier approached one of the cyborgs, peering into its face with a mixture of hope and dread.
"Tommy?" she whispered, reaching out a trembling hand. "Is that you?"
The Vagabound didn't respond, its glowing eyes staring blankly ahead. But as the woman's hand touched its face, something flickered in those artificial orbs. A spark of recognition, perhaps, or a ghost of memory.
Tyson addressed the Grey leader. "Make sure they stay together," he said, nodding towards the woman and the Vagabound. "If that is her son, do everything you can to bring him back."
The Grey nodded solemnly. "We will do our best, king."
As the room slowly emptied, Tyson found himself face-to-face with a group of children. They were no older than ten or eleven, and the fear in their eyes was palpable.
One little girl, her blonde hair matted and dirty, looked up at him with wide eyes. "Are you a superhero?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tyson knelt down, bringing himself to eye level with the children. "I'm just someone who wants to help," he said softly. "You've been so brave, and I'm proud of you."
The girl's lip trembled, and she threw her arms around Tyson's neck. He froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden display of trust and affection. Then, gently, he returned the hug.
The other children crowded around, some reaching out to touch his armor, others simply staring in awe. Tyson stood, the little girl still clinging to him, and addressed the group.
"Alright," he said, injecting a note of cheerfulness into his voice. "Let's get you out of here. There's sunlight and fresh air waiting for you up above."
He shooed the children towards the exit.
Tyson moved with the group, guiding them toward the intersection where they'd turned left earlier. As the Greys led the humans towards the surface, he paused, watching them disappear around the corner. Confident that his display of power had ensured the Greys would follow his orders, Tyson turned his attention to the unexplored path. He flew through the tunnels for minutes, his HUD tracking his progress and ensuring he wasn't traveling in circles or backtracking. Finally, as he rounded a bend, the passage opened into another vast chamber. The space dwarfed the previous room, but this one also had walls lined with Alien technology.
A group of Greys huddled near the center of the chamber, their oversized heads bobbing as they conferred in hushed tones. The area they inhabited looked like a futuristic mad science lab. But it wasn't the lab nor the diminutive aliens that caught Tyson's attention. His gaze was drawn to the figure that stood apart from them, commanding the space with her mere presence.
Princess Thara.
She turned as Tyson entered. Thara stood tall, easily a head above the Greys around her, with a lithe yet muscular build that spoke of both power and agility. Her skin was pale, contrasting strikingly with her long, flowing hair, which cascaded down her back in waves of black with hints of deep purple. Thara's face was a study in exotic allure. High cheekbones framed eyes whose iris was so black, it was indistinguishable from her pupils. Her nose was petite and rather cute, while her lips were full and a deep shade of pink that bordered on red. She wore armor over black cloth. The suit hugged every curve of her body, accentuating her athletic figure while leaving her thighs bare, revealing a toned ass that would make any fitness model or athlete jealous.
Tyson tore his gaze from Thara and glanced across the vast chamber. On the opposite side, another tunnel opened into the space. Movement caught his eye, and a figure emerged.
It was Siren.
Her features were twisted in fury. The water manipulator was one of New York's premier heroes, and her presence set Tyson on edge.
Water swirling threateningly around her. "You!" she shouted, jabbing an accusing finger at the Soliarch princess. "Your forces abducted and mutilated dozens. I'll kill you for what you've done!"
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Chapter 8 Choices:
Choose an Item of Power
Option 1: Every King Needs His Crown
Option 2: Bauble of the Sea
Option 3: Siren's Charm
Option 1:
Item of Power: Every King Needs His Crown (Items)
You've made quite a name for yourself. By taking this item, your actions will be etched in the history books, and your name will never just "fade" into history. Your mere presence inspires people to strive to be better in all stages of their lives. This effect is magnified when they are in your presence, making it easier for them to rally together in pursuit of common goals. This effect can be toggled on and off as necessary.
Option 2:
Item of Power: Bauble of the Sea (Items)
While wearing this earring, you have no need to eat, drink, breathe, produce human waste, or sleep, and are not adversely affected by environments with extremely high or low pressure, such as the bottom of the ocean or the upper atmosphere or extreme temperatures such as near the heart of a volcano or Antarctica.
Option 3:
Item of Power: Siren's Charm (Items)
While wearing this pendant, you can sense emotions. Even better, you can project them. Calm, a scared child. Project awe towards the people as you float in. Make them fear you. Make them lust for you
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Tyson
Origin: Powerhouse
Character Points: 350
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, Intangibility, Blinding Bolt)
Kiss of Life
I Can Do This All Day
Items:
Symbol of Anarchy
Artifact of Power x4 (Alien Battle Armor, Disengage Safety Protocols)
Vehicle (Alien Mothership)
Big Shoes to Fill
Companions:
Fire from the Stars