Prompt #4

Prompt

“I need you to go on a date with me. I told them I have one.”

The hero blinked. “Why not ask one of your henchpeople?”

“They’re like, below me and it’d be an abuse of power.”

Prompt by @gingerly-writing

“Run.”

“If the potion only makes you attack the people you love, I’ll be fine. I can stay here and stop you from attacking anyone you actually do love-”

“I love you!” the villain snarled, concrete fracturing under their fingers. “Now run.”

There was little for the hero to do to stop themselves from being horrified.

Up until then, the villain had refused to look the hero in the face, but now, the villain’s slow and concentrated fury was on full display.

“Before I kill you.” That was the final warning, the concrete that barely stopped the villain nothing more than dust.

The hero bolted, frantically feeling around their belt for anything that might hold the villain off. For the first time in a while, they didn’t want to use their powers on them.

Earth shattering footsteps pounded mere paces behind the hero.

There was a grappling gun, and while it couldn’t do much against the villain’s sheer strength, it might work in slowing them down.

Blindly, the hero shot behind them, hoping they hit somewhere around the villain’s legs. That’s when they stopped, and sidestepped, making the villain trip forward, charging into thin air.

While the grappling gun lay discarded a mere distance away, the hero still had their fists. They tackled the villain, straddling them on the ground.

The villain, in turn immediately tried to reach for the hero’s neck. Keeping the villain’s murderous hands away took far too much of the hero’s strength.

“Stop it!” The hero commanded. They hadn’t noticed the villain’s bloodshot eyes.

Whatever reply the villain did try to make came out more animalistic, a contorted face with a hoarse and frustrated voice.

The hero jolted when the villain tried to wrestle out of their grasp.

With limited options, and a villain almost free of their grip, the hero did the first thing that came to mind.

True love’s kiss was only for fairytales, sure, but who decides the difference between life and a fairytale?

The hero felt awful, because at first, the villain was frozen, making no effort to reciprocate or pull away. They did, however, try and pull the hero closer. The hero felt less guilty about kissing them with that motion.

When they parted, the villain managed to rasp out a few words

“Needs to be-” the villain stopped, their hands twitching in the hero’s hold. “Needs to be out of my system. Lab. Go.”

The hero felt questions bubbling out of them, but had no time, as the villain leaped forward with more strength than the hero possessed, breaking the previous hold.

Now, instead of looking down at the villain’s face, the hero looked up, wasting no time in kneeing the villain’s stomach, and grabbing the discarded grappling gun just inches from their hands.

Once again, the hero shot, hooking the grappling gun’s cord around the villain’s feet. They were behind the villain in a flash, one arm wrapped around their throat.

Three, two, one. The hero counted in their head, listening for even breaths. When they heard it, they finally turned the villain around, lifting them in their arms.

The villain’s tear stained face was on full display for the hero, stray drops leaking from their eyes. Gently, the hero wiped them away.

“You said a lab?” The hero asked, mostly talking to themselves. “We can work on your vagueness when you’re you again.”

Naama Levi is back home

If you need me

Just a little longer

Hero took it step by step. Trying to ignore the pain in her leg. Trying to ignore the dread of being weaponless.

Sleep. You will sleep soon

She could already see the campus dorms.

You just need to get in and not get caught or get followed.

Everything was dark. Too dark to tell if she left blood on the floor. Signing, she started taking the steps to the common rooms.

When she reached the top, ever closer to her heaven, she saw a light.

Someone sat on one of the dusty chairs, reading by a lamplight. She doesn’t know how well she’d handle another bout with Villain right now. “Nice of you to come, Hero.”

Never mind. I prefer Villain

“Civilian.”

“Are you limping to your dorm at midnight?”

“Are you sitting alone in the common room?”

“One of these questions is more urgent.”

Hero tried to walk slower, hoping to hide her injury.

“Just go to sleep. We have a morning class.”

But Rival stood up and walked to her.

“Morning class is the least of my worries now.”

Both of them were almost completely in the dark, but she could tell he was sincere. His voice was rarely devoid of any cynicism or playfulness. He took her silence as a breakthrough.

“You don’t need to tell me anything, but if you’re hurt, I can help.”

“R-”

“Look, I know you’re tough. Everyone knows. That’s why I hate you. You have nothing to prove. So if…”

He cleared his throat, and turned his look from her. Despite hardly even seeing her face.

“If some bastard needs to learn a lesson, I can help you. I won’t tell anyone.”

Just barely, she could see his honey eyes shining. But the aching pain that constantly throbbed her leg reminded her of the dangers that follow.

Why can no one else know of Villain

“Hero?”

Rival asked, she could imagine the anticipation in his features.

“I’m fine, Rival.”

“H-”

“This is none of your business.”

Her tone wasn’t as harsh as it could be, but rather heavy-hearted.

But he didn’t push it longer, just stood as she at last continued walking towards her room.

She didn’t hear him move or speak until she almost closed her dorm door, his voice barely audible.

“I’m here if you need me, Hero.”

There were about three more seconds of silence.

Rival’s heavy footsteps filled the silence. And following them, much quieter, slier steps. These steps were coming towards her dorm.

“Wh- HERO RUN”

She heard Rival spurt back to her dorm’s way. 

Cursing, she hastily thrust her door open, fearing there was no time even for getting her hidden gun. Disastrously, she was right.

Villain held a dagger.

He held a dagger above Rival’s throat.

“Leave him.”

Villain smirked at her. 

His grip on Rival’s arms and the dagger he kept on his throat remained indifferent, both to her threat and to Rival’s struggles.

“Care much?”

“You know this will be a fight to the death, Villain.”

Hero answered, unleashing her own hidden blade. “And you know I will slit his throat way before you limp one step,”

She did her best to not show her dread. Not to imagine the light leaving the honey, radiant eyes she knew.

“But there’s a way to make this less bloody, is it?”

His message was clear. Hero glanced at Rival, his message was clear too. Ever so slightly, he shook his head.

“You are going to leave him, and we will take this outside, civilly.”

“H-”

Villain gripped Rival’s chin.

“Perfect.”

He threw Rival to the floor, almost cutting his jaw in the process.

“YOU PIECE O-”

Villain caught his face again.

“Shhh… we don’t want to make this harder for your girlfriend, do we?”

Rival seemed enraged, like he would murder Villain right here if he could, but before he tried to fight again, Hero got to him.

She pushed him away, hugging him, burying her head in her neck. Just below his ear.

Bewildered, Rival froze.

“under the bed”

She whispered, and let him go.

“Oh ~ it almost makes me regret I’ll kill you ~”

Grinning, Villain moved aside and gestured to the stairs. “Ladies first.”

Hero signed, giving one last look at Rival, who seemed disturbed, but determined as well.

As she walked down the stairs, feeling Villain creeping ever closer behind her, loudly thinking of just pushing her down, she hoped she heard Rival searching her room.

Soon later, when she could feel Villain breathing at her neck, a bang was heard. Villain’s grin froze on his face as he fell. Hero moved aside and looked up, meeting with radiant brown eyes.

I might prefer him over Villain

The next day, after dealing with the police, and after the noise from the tired yet curious students died down, Hero slept like a rock.

When she did wake up, slowly realizing that her morning class is long over. 

Signing, she got dressed and tried to calculate how many library search hours she’d have to go through.

But when she stepped towards the door, she saw something that was sled to her dorm.

They seemed to be, neatly written, detailed lecture notes.

Above them, rested a small sticky note, reading “I’m here if you need me”

💘 #procreate #drawing #dogs #puppy #goldenretriever https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ2vSy-plws/?utm_medium=tumblr

Spill

“What’s one goal you would fulfill if we weren’t about to die?” Villain asked, fists clenching as cold water touched his fingertips. Soon, it wouldn’t matter that his fingers retreated. The water was rising, and it would only continue to do so.

Hero, in turn, didn’t clench her fists. She said- rather declared, “We’re not going to die.”

“We’re in a tight-sealed box- at the bottom of a lake- with a leak the size of a safety pin point. We’re dead. So tell me your goal.” As a series of silence followed, Villain continued the conversation. “Fine. I’ll go first. I would have liked to done enough damage to a particular someone that I gave them nightmares for the rest of their miserable life.”

“Is this supposed to be some weird introduction to your tragic backstory?”

If Villain could have glared at Hero, he would have. “Spill.”

“That’s not the most appropriate word to use in this scenario.”

“Thought you said we aren’t going to die.”

There was a sigh. Hero shifted, shoulder blades clashing with Villain’s. The water was up to her knuckles. “I don’t have any.”

A hum. “Not sure I believe that.”

Now, another sigh. Hero attempted to pull her hands apart from Villain’s. No use. They were stuck like this, not even able to stand together and investigate their little box. “I’m going to sleep.”

Villain pulled his shoulder forward before slamming it back. “Like hell you are. I’m not sleeping until I can feel water up my nostrils. I’m finding a way out of this.”

Groaning, Hero said, “Now who thinks we’re not going to die?”

“I think the chances of surviving are extremely low, but it’s going to be none if we don’t even try.”

Hero shook her head then leaned it against Villain’s head and closed her eyes with a soft huff. “Supervillain wouldn’t let us die. He just wants a reaction. Thanks to you, he’s getting one.”

“One, get your head off mine before I bust it. Two, he will kill us, and I’m not going down without a fight.”

“You and your dignity…” Her voice almost turned sour but she controlled it. “That’s what’s going to be the death of you.” Hero didn’t move her head.

“No. Water will be. It’s going to fill both of our lungs.”

Hero gave a false chuckle. “You were so bent on us dying just minutes ago. What happened?”

Villain shrugged. “Guess I’m more hell-bent on that goal of mine than I thought.”

Silence. Hero lifted her head.

Then, “That person you want to haunt so badly is Supervillain…” She turned her head, only barely able to see Villain’s cheek. “How long ago?”

“What?”

“How long ago did he traumatize you?”

Big breath. Villain stiffened before saying, “I never said it was Supervillain.”

“Who else would it be? Your parents are gone, you have no siblings, and you only care-” Hero blinked, a realization stunning nearly the same as the freezing water touching her wrists. “Do you care about me? Is that why you showed up to save me?”

When Villain didn’t respond, Hero demanded, “Alright, spill.”

******

Part 2 here

Prompt #144

"Villain?" Civilian asked villain softly, twirling the ends of her hair in her fingers, her doe eyes casting up at villain.

Villain didn't respond, not turning to say anything to civilian or even casting her a simple glance. Civilian took his silence as an answer, knowing that villain never talked unless it was something important.

"Why did you become a villain?" Civilian questioned.

Once again, she received nothing but empty silence. She knew that villain and her weren't close, yet she longed to hear something from him. She couldn't hold back the raging feelings that churned restlessly inside of her as she stared at villain's unmoving back, waiting for a response.

Civilian let out a apologetic sigh. "Sorry–"

"I used to be a hero. " Villain cut in. Civilian instantly stopped herself from saying anything, her lips parting with anticipation as she waited for villain to continue.

"6 years ago I was a hero. " Villain continued, not turning around to look at civilian as if he was too embarrassed by the backstory. "But then I lost everything that I had: my family, my friends. . .my home. All because I had to save a group of people and everyone expected me to give up everything I have for other people. "

Civilian sucked in a sharp, painful breath.

"That day I realized something. " Villain spoke, his once rough voice now far and distant as if he was reliving memories that scarred him. "A hero sacrifices their loved ones for humanity. But a villain will sacrifice humanity for their loved ones. "

When villain finally stopped talking, civilian spoke in a gentle voice.

"Is that why you saved my life that day?"

But once again, her question was answered with nothing but painful silence.

H

Prompt #4

Villain got hurt a while ago and was cared for by Hero. They swore never, ever to fight or harm Hero again.

But they didn't necessarily vow to not hurt Sidekick or a city full of innocent people.

So while I really loved s4 of Carmen Sandiego, and I enjoyed the finale, it felt more like a season finale than a series one. While the last episode was great, I felt the last ten minutes felt very rushed. So here’s some things I would’ve done different if there was a season 5 

Highlights include: tons more of Player interacting with everyone (more Player and Carmen friendship, Player being in danger from VILE), Gray officially joining Team Red, Zach and Ivy joining ACME having more build up, etc. 

Season 4 

Carmen and Player’s first in-person meeting is shown in FULL like cmon

Have Carmen’s brainwashing last much shorter, only about a month at most (you cannot expect me to believe Team Red would let it go on for seven months) 

Carmen never joins VILE’s faculty, but we do see her being quite cruel on cases, and Gray’s growing concern and guilt 

Team Red teams up with ACME, desperate to get Carmen back and willing to do anything 

Like in the show: VILE lies to Carmen about Shadowsan and she goes after him. Gray realises how wrong all of this is and turns himself over to ACME to try and save Carmen

There’s a big Team Red/ACME vs VILE/Carmen fight. Gray tries to get the headset on (we’re keeping the “please come back” line because it broke my heart) but she realises he betrayed her and shocks him. It’s a big fight between Shadowsan and Carmen, he gets the headset on her and her memories start to come back, but she destroys it before it can work completely. Shadowsan is down, and Carmen’s about to take him out when…

Player shows up! 

He’s been beside himself since she went missing. When he finds out about the plan to save her, he says he’s coming with them. The rest of the team thinks it’s a bad idea, that it’s too dangerous, but he says it’s worth any risk to save Carmen. “She’s my best friend! My first real friend! I’d do anything for her, please!’ 

Player’s always been Carmen’s secret weapon, even back on VILE island. He was her first real friend too. Even if they erased all those years of Carmen Sandiego, even if they took away her heart, Player’s always gonna be in there. 

Player tries to talk her down, tries to remind her of their time working together, tries to get her to leave Shadowsan alone - ‘Come on, Red. You gotta remember, please! Remember me, remember who you really are!’ She’s confused, conflicting memories tearing her apart. But she still refuses to listen and maybe pushes him away (he is still a kid, even without empathy, I doubt she’d just attack him). Carmen goes to take out Shadowsan with the crackle rod and Player puts himself between her and Shadowsan. 

Carmen demands that he move out of the way. She’s starting to cry, starting to break. Player refuses. ‘I told you, Red. I’m not going anywhere.’  

And it all comes back to her at once. She remember everything, her life, her friends, what happened when VILE kidnapped her. She’s overwhelmed - relieved, heartbroken, confused. Player just hugs her, so happy to have his best friend back. 

As they start to pick themselves up after the battle, Carmen’s heartbroken at everything she’s done. She tries to apologise, but all her friends refuse to hear it, just glad to have her back. 

When Gray wakes up in the hospital, Carmen’s already there waiting for him, to make sure he’s okay and to apologise. But he just apologises for not doing something sooner. They call it even. The Chief shows up to tell Gray ACME’s not after him. Carmen offers him a spot on her team, but he says he’ll have to think about it. 

Team Red officially teams up with ACME, of course partnered with Jules and Devineaux. Jules is continuing to look into the mystery of Carlotta Valdez, and everyone’s ready to work together to take down VILE. 

The very end of the season is VILE faculty talking with the Troll. He’s got the security footage from when they lost brainwashed!Carmen. The know everybody in the footage except for one. The piece they were missing from the puzzle. They zoom in on Player. 

Season 5 

With Team Red and ACME working together, they finally start to take down VILE. They still don’t know their new Headquarters, but they start to take out VILE strongholds, like Doctor Bellum’s lab. 

Zach and Ivy start working closely with ACME, realising their skills and what the might want to do in the future.

Carmen’s pretty shaken by what happened to her. She’s terrified of being captured again, haunted by what she was forced to do, but refuses to let on that anything’s wrong. Eventually it all builds up and she ruins a mission. She and Shadowsan talk things out, have a wonderful father/daughter scene and Carmen slowly starts to heal as she realises she doesn’t have to take on the world herself. 

Even without the need for revenge, there’s some tension between Carmen, Shadowsan and the Chief. They slowly start to trust each other and gain more respect. 

We get some great team ups: Jules and Carmen get to work together! Also the chaos that Devineaux, Zach and Ivy would wreak as a team, or Devineaux and Shadowsan trying to work together - think of the potential! Also we get a callback to the first episode - Devineaux yelling ‘where in the world is Carmen Sandiego’ during a caper, but it’s waiting for her to come and help him

Gray of course joins the team, changed by Carmen, her faith in him and the remorse after what happened with Carmen’s brainwashing. Parts of the team don’t trust him right away, but he proves himself. 

We get some backstory on Player! Apparently he became a hacker to try and find his father after he left, but is now happy with his mum and stepfather (this was in a tie-in novel?). But we see this! We get to see Player’s family! How much they love him, why they’re so overprotective. He’s still happy and comfortable in his room but his experience with school and finally meeting Team Red makes him want to push outside of his comfort zone. He tries to make some real life friends (joins a pride group, or a coding club or something). And if I’m writing this, what the hell, he also gets a boyfriend. 

But of course, VILE has their sights set on Player. Now that The Troll has a target he’s been trying to track the kid, and finds him through security cameras. Player’s having dinner with his family one night when a knock comes at the door. It’s Coach Brunt. She bursts in, Player recognises her and tries to go for his room to call Carmen but Tigeress cuts him off. He’s in big trouble.

They take Player and his family hostage and Player’s parents finally find out what he’s been up to. 

‘Wait, you were helping take down an international crime organisation!?’ ‘Yes mom, I told you that!’ ‘I thought you were playing a video game!!!’ 

VILE uses Player and his family as bait to try and finally take out Team Red. Of course they fail, everyone is literally ready to Kill to save Player. Carmen is more furious than we’ve ever seen her. Player gets to do something cool like knock out Tigeress with a computer screen or something. ACME takes Coach Brunt and Tigeress into custody (continuing the fall of VILE). 

Player’s parents get to see that their son is friends with bunch of secret agents and ex-criminals. They also see the big sister/little brother relationship between Carmen and Player. He talks about her all the time and they’re really happy to finally meet her, and she becomes an honorary member of the family. They’re still worried about Player’s involvement, but they see how much it means to him (and with ACME assuring their safety) agree that he can continue. 

Jules finally finds Carmen’s mother. She brings her the information and Carmen admits that she’s afraid to go and find her. We find out a bit about Jules, how she’s not that close with her own biological family, and how much this new team has meant to her. How family is who you choose. Carmen is comforted by this. She decides to set aside her mother until she finishes up her business with VILE.

They’re building up to the final fight, they’ve found the location of the headquarters. Carmen recruits whoever wants to join (Team Red, ACME, different friends from their journey like Sonia). There’s a big battle, bringing back different VILE characters (Mime Bomb, Flytrap, Spinkick, etc.), gadgets and robots vs the new team. 

Of course they defeat VILE, finally bringing them out of the shadows and taking them in. 

The Chief officially offers everyone on Team Red places with ACME. They all talk, and Zach and Ivy decide to accept. It’s not Carmen, Gray or Shadowsan’s thing, but they agree to stay on as consultants. Shadowsan decides to retire and go home to his brother. The team “splits up” but promise to see each other again soon. 

Carmen gets permission to take Player sightseeing over the summer, so he can get out and go see the world like she did. 

Carmen goes to meet her mother, encouraged on the phone by Player and his family (because he’s not sitting alone in a diner, he’s hanging out with other people, showing his character growth). 

There can still be a timeskip, but it’s where everyone’s still working together to take down any last traces of VILE