Continued from Chapter 6: The Revamped League
by the Time Trust
Deep within the clandestine Thunder City hideout of the Infamous Bedlam Gang, a sense of anticipation hung heavily in the air. The twisted camaraderie among its members thrived as they prepared for their impending assault upon the Moontower itself, a mission that promised chaos and upheaval.
Hardy LeQuinn, the Madcap Miscreant, couldn’t suppress his excitement. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he addressed his fellow villains. “I’ve been looking over my past jobs,” he began with a sly grin, “and you know what I found out about myself? I have a knack for never pulling off simple crimes! I genuinely tried, too.”
Appreciating Hardy’s dark sense of humor, the Mystery Lord and his superego laughed heartily. Their unity was a peculiar one, bound not only by their shared desire for bedlam but also by the unique quirks that set them apart from traditional villains.
Albino Chameleon, the enigmatic leader of the IBG, had been listening to Hardy’s words only with feigned interest. Beneath his stoic exterior, he harbored a sinister agenda, one that set him on a path of betrayal and intrigue. Superfast Man’s earlier warning about a potential mole within their group had struck a chord with him, but he had other plans in mind. I claim the right to backstab my fellow Infamous Bedlam Gang members first! he mused.
His mind swirled with wicked thoughts as he contemplated the prospect of rejoining the metaheroes at some point, using his knowledge to sow discord and confusion among them. I wonder who might want to ‘accidentally reveal’ to the MBL that Mycroft is secretly working for me? he wondered, a malevolent smile playing upon his lips.
But time was slipping away from them. From her undiscovered spot at the Moontower, Rae had contacted him and urged the team to prepare for their assault, sensing that the time had come for the IBG to triumph over their foes.
With a nod from Albino Chameleon, equipped with the Cosmic Gyroscope that would vastly enhance their powers to distort reality, the gang members prepared to teleport to the Moontower, anticipating the shockwaves that their arrival would send through the gathering of metaheroes.
***
As the Infamous Bedlam Gang materialized within the Moontower’s hallowed halls, pandemonium erupted. Chaos reigned supreme as the IBG’s unexpected presence caught the metaheroes off guard.
SuperStretch, in particular, stood frozen like a deer in headlights. Only hours before, he had submitted an application to join the IBG, until Agent F7 called him out for it, and now he was at the cusp of becoming a member of the Meta Board League himself.
His mind raced as he pondered whether to fight alongside his fellow metaheroes, or to try to hoodwink Albino Chameleon into thinking he still intended to join the IBG. Either of the choices before him would lead to trouble.
Hoo-boy! he thought, tensing himself for action. What to do? What to do?!
However, before SuperStretch or any of the other gathered metaheroes could react, the Infamous Bedlam Gang’s attack began, and reality itself began to unravel under the power of the Cosmic Gyroscope.
***
The Moontower, once a symbol of heroism and order, now hosted an absurd spectacle. Superfast Man, the paragon of speed and agility, had suddenly fallen prey to Rae’s reality-warping influence. In an instant, his costume vanished like a gust of wind, replaced by Victoria’s Secret lingerie.
Amidst chaos and laughter, his protests were but faint whispers. “I’ve never felt so free!” Superfast Man exclaimed, his feigned enthusiasm clashing with his true inner nature.
Rae reveled in her newfound power, coining the spectacle the “Crisis of Infinite Crossdressers.” Pandemonium reigned as other metaheroes succumbed to her whims. Johnny Morphus sported a tutu and tiara, Ace Martian gained green skin accompanied by a gaudy disco jumpsuit, and others likewise fell under her spells.
Existential dread gripped Superfast Man and his fellow metaheroes as their core identities were grotesquely parodied. Heroes of virtue now bore the absurd trappings of chaos. Superfast Man’s thoughts raced, torn between newfound freedom and his true self. For the metaheroes, it was a trial of character, a stark reminder that even the mightiest could be manipulated by external forces.
As the Crisis persisted, Superfast Man and his comrades grappled with the unsettling truth: their greatest battles sometimes unfolded within themselves. United, they aimed to break free from these surreal chains and restore the Moontower to its rightful bastion of heroism and order.
***
Another bizarre transformation soon unfolded. Shaggy Faust, a revered mystic who had just arrived in time to witness the formation of the revamped MBL, was taken unawares by a surreal ordeal of his own. Albino Chameleon, the illusion master, had fixed his malevolent gaze upon Faust, warping the mystic’s reality in a petty scheme of revenge.
Faust’s metamorphosis was metaphysical, as if his essence rewrote itself under the Infamous Bedlam Gang’s capricious whims. In an instant, he became a ’50s sitcom teen, with slicked-back hair, a letterman jacket, and an obsession for saccharine TV.
Gone was the enigmatic mystic, replaced by absurdity. His profound wisdom unraveled into sitcom catchphrases and canned laughter. Faust’s intellect, once a beacon of enlightenment, spiraled into a labyrinth of one-liners.
His predicament went beyond appearance, delving into the metaphysical aspects of thought and identity. It showcased the malleability of the human psyche and the power of perception.
Amidst the Moontower’s tremors, Faust’s bewildered eyes mirrored his internal chaos. He struggled to hold onto himself, but the ’50s teen persona clung relentlessly. Albino Chameleon reveled in his new creation.
***
Agent F7, known for his unshakable composure, unwittingly became Hardy LeQuinn’s target. The clownish villain unleashed a barrage of gag toys and pranks, causing dread to creep over Agent F7. His unwavering resolve began to crumble.
It began innocently with a bouquet of vibrant fake flowers. As he accepted the seemingly harmless gift, they erupted, spraying cold water in his face. Shock and confusion gripped him as laughter surrounded him.
A nervous twitch struck, his left eye involuntarily spasming. His impeccable composure faltered, and sweat formed on his brow.
Hardy LeQuinn then produced an oversized, rainbow-colored tie that came to life, winding around Agent F7’s neck like a mischievous serpent. His heart raced, gasping for air as a second condition took hold — uncontrollable shivering.
The clownish villain’s relentless assault continued. Squirt guns concealed as pens doused Agent F7 in chaos, leaving his outfit in disarray. A third condition set in, a disruptive stutter.
As the room devolved into a frenzied carnival of chaos, Agent F7 developed a fourth condition — an inability to distinguish reality from absurdity, a fifth — disorienting confusion teetering on madness, a sixth — uncontrollable laughter mingling with chaos, and finally, a seventh — a sense of impending doom closing in.
The Moontower, once a symbol of order, had become a nightmarish carnival. Agent F7’s resolve hung by a thread as the world unraveled into chaos and madness.
***
Obsidienne, a metahero renowned for her friendly and forgiving nature, had always been a beacon of warmth and empathy among her fellow heroes. Her shadow powers, once formidable, allowed her to manipulate darkness for the greater good. But on this fateful day, her very essence was turned against her by the chaotic whims of Rae, the mastermind behind the bedlam.
As Rae’s power surged, Obsidienne felt an overwhelming sense of unease. Suddenly, exclamation points and smiley faces materialized around her, each one a physical embodiment of her emotions. They danced in the air, a cruel mockery of her once-mighty shadow abilities.
The exclamation points represented her friendly enthusiasm, the trademark exuberance that had endeared her to her fellow heroes and civilians alike. The smiley faces embodied her forgiving nature, her ability to see the good in even the most troubled souls. But now, they had become her prison, rendering her powers useless as they enveloped her like a suffocating shroud.
Her usual aura of calmness and control was shattered, replaced by a frenetic energy that radiated from the countless exclamation points and smiley faces that swirled around her. She tried to manipulate the shadows, to call upon her powers, but they were stifled by the overwhelming positivity that Rae had imposed upon her.
***
Nightwatch, the vigilant metahero, once resolute in his duty, found himself trapped in a nightmarish ordeal crafted by Mystery Lord and his sinister superego. The guardian of the night, armed with visions to pierce darkness, was now a pawn in a twisted game of reality and illusion.
Mystery Lord, his grin malevolent, conjured visions of bizarre alternate futures. Each vision more absurd than the last, they bombarded Nightwatch, a cacophony of conflicting destinies tearing at his sanity.
In one, he was a Michelin-starred chef, cooking with a fervor that belied his vigilant nature. In another, a Broadway star, belting show tunes with gusto. A third, a renowned comedian under blinding spotlights. Visions blurred, reality indistinguishable from whimsical illusions.
Nightwatch’s responsibility crumbled, duty slipping like sand through his fingers. Mystery Lord’s mockery had plunged him into comical chaos, undermining his very identity.
Mystery Lord’s superego whispered twisted encouragement, fueling Nightwatch’s descent into madness. “Embrace these futures, Nightwatch! Your fate is a never-ending comedy show!” it sneered, amplifying the dissonance.
As visions escalated, Nightwatch sought solid ground. Pirate, janitor, politician — each role further from his purpose, a cruel jest.
The room spun, chaos mirrored his inner turmoil. Clutching his head, he fought to regain control, to escape the cycle of comical realities.
In this onslaught, Nightwatch’s determination wavered, threatened by uncertainty. Mystery Lord reveled in his malevolent creation, a testament to psychological manipulation. Nightwatch’s struggle persisted, a battle for sanity and identity as a metahero.
***
Chewy Walrus and Grow Worm, metaheroes with rubbery, stretching powers, were ensnared in a nightmarish spectacle orchestrated by Rae and the malevolent Albino Chameleon. It pushed them to the brink of extreme embarrassment.
Albino Chameleon reveled in their plight, forcing repeated apologies. “I’m sorry, Grow Worm,” Chewy began, his voice trembling with humiliation. “I didn’t mean–”
“–to stretch you like that,” Grow Worm continued, equally ashamed. “I’m so sorry, Chewy.”
But apologies weren’t sufficient. Rae compelled them to pull and chew on each other’s rubbery flesh, the grotesque scene evoking horrified gasps and uncomfortable laughter from their fellow metaheroes.
Chewy and Grow Worm’s rubbery skin twisted absurdly, but their powers prevented harm, amplifying the humiliation.
With each grotesque pull and chew, they exchanged sheepish glances, eyes pleading for release from this ordeal. Rae’s cruelty tested their emotional limits, more than any past physical battles.
The shame and embarrassment tested their bonds with fellow heroes, reminding them of vulnerability even in their mightiest moments.
As the spectacle continued, Chewy and Grow Worm clung to dignity, determined to escape. “Rae,” began Grow Worm, his voice tinged with a hint of irritation, “the relationship between my mentor and me is purely platonic and professional! There’s certainly no devouring happening here beyond what you’re forcing us to do.” He paused, his words laced with a touch of sarcasm. “Especially since I’ve been told he tastes like rubber.”
Chewy Walrus, ever composed, knew their bond was unshakable. In the face of chaos, unity among metaheroes was paramount.
Despite the humiliation, they found strength in their friendship, an unwavering spirit that would see them through the torment of their enemies’ cruel spectacle.
***
In the midst of the chaos, the fine line between heroism and villainy began to blur like ink on wet paper. Ener-G, known for his creative prowess, had always believed in the power of art to inspire and uplift. But Rae, who had once used her metapowers for good, had succumbed to the allure of power, twisting her reality-warping abilities for personal gain and amusement. To Rae, life and death were merely punchlines in the grand cosmic joke, and moral constraints were but shackles meant to be broken.
Even though Ener-G stood firm in his belief in the inherent goodness of creativity, Rae’s playful taunts and temptations began to gnaw at the corners of his resolve. As she weaved scenarios that pushed his boundaries, the young metahero nicknamed Gooz felt the tug of temptation, the seductive allure of succumbing to the dark side.
“You might be able to create all kinds of crazy scenarios,” Ener-G retorted, his voice laced with determination, “but as an artist, I have the power to erase villains right off the page!”
Rae, quick-witted and relentless, fired back with her own brand of humor, using her reality-warping abilities against him. “Here’s another scenario for you: Ener-G realizes that drawing any of my chaotic scenarios is far more entertaining — and he succumbs to the dark side!”
The battle within Ener-G was fierce. His creativity, once a beacon of hope, became a battleground where temptation clashed with his principles. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he struggled, torn between the darkness Rae offered and the light he had always believed in.
“I’ll never fall to the dark side,” Ener-G vowed, his voice firm, though a playful glint danced in his eyes. “Though… drawing it would be fun.”
Rae’s laughter echoed in the air, her teasing words like a siren’s song, luring him towards the abyss of chaos. “Heh, you see?” she playfully teased, her eyes alight with mischief. “Temptation has already begun to sway him. Soon, you shall be mine, my young apprentice…”
The battle between heroism and villainy, creativity and chaos, raged on within Ener-G, the ultimate outcome uncertain.
Amidst the spirited banter, Mach-Force interjected with a more serious tone, his voice resolute. “I’ll never succumb to the dark side, even though it is tempting.” His words hung in the air, a testament to the unwavering resolve that had always defined him as a hero.
But when Rae turned her temptation-based attack upon the speedster in earnest, the temptations were unleashed with such intensity that Mach-Force struggled to recall why he had ever become a hero in the first place. His thoughts blurred as he grappled with newfound desires, each one more alluring and tantalizing than the last. The battle within him raged, testing the very core of his heroism.
“Beware my razor-sharp wit and my enchanting beauty!” Rae declared, her tone dripping with suggestive confidence. “I’ve wholeheartedly embraced the darkest depths of my powers, and I revel in the chaos they bring! Married men — or at least some of them — may find themselves strangely immune, but the rest of you should quake in your boots, for I’ll strike when you least expect it. I’ll have you know I received training from the ruthless Spanish Inquisition!” Her laughter, a diabolical crescendo, filled the room, weaving a sinister tapestry of wicked amusement that sent shivers down spines.
SuperStretch, always one to inject humor into any situation, chimed in with his trademark wit. “Rae, the Spanish Inquisition was unexpected! Anyways, hold on a moment — who is on whose team? And which one of us is the traitor? And is it just me, or did you guys establish the IBG’s secret lair atop the abandoned restaurant atop Thunder City’s Star Spire?”
He thought he had struck a nerve, as the Infamous Bedlam Gang’s assault upon the metaheroes seemed to falter somewhat, even as his humorous tone elicited laughter.
Ener-G, intrigued and perhaps unknowingly swayed by Rae’s sensuality, couldn’t resist replying flirtatiously as the battle continued. “Hmmm… Rae, what other delights does the dark side hold?” His words held a hint of playful curiosity, revealing cracks in his once-firm resolve, and Rae’s smile deepened.
In the midst of the ongoing banter, a little-known metavillain called the Primrose Wrath seized an opportunity to join Albino Chameleon’s Infamous Bedlam Gang. With dramatic flair, he declared, “I demand my place in the Infamous Bedlam Gang as the token gay, representing an oppressed minority. My power lets me view reality through lavender-colored lenses, which can make anyone simply fabulous!”
A wave of his hand demonstrated his power on two nearby metaheroes — Matthias Apostle and Dragnet Zero — who suddenly cast strange glances at each other. The room erupted in laughter and confusion as the unexpected effects of his abilities unfolded and then quickly disappeared.
“Sadly,” he continued in a more somber tone, “I’ll likely disappear, die, or suddenly embrace my confused bisexuality and ultimately be forgotten, like so many others before me.” His words carried a hint of melancholy, belying his realization that he might not be taken seriously by hero or villain alike.
“On a different note,” he added with a flirtatious wink, “I find the Albino Chameleon drop-dead gorgeous.” His declaration drew a mix of amusement and incredulity from those gathered, underscoring the eccentricity of their metahuman world.
Amidst the chaos, heroism and villainy teetered on the edge, temptation threatening to pull even the staunchest souls into its depths. As the banter, temptations, and unexpected requests played out, the Moontower became a vortex of unpredictability.
As the battle between metaheroes and the Infamous Bedlam Gang subsided, an eerie stillness enveloped the Moontower. The enigmatic Lord of Chaos reveled in his cosmic manipulation, treating metahumans as mere marionettes.
“AH-HA-HA-HA-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha… Mere pawns, all of you,” he cackled, his laughter echoing through the hall. “Like puppets dangling from invisible strings…”
His cryptic words left the metahumans unnerved, reminding them of their insignificance in the grander scheme. Then, his attention turned to Rae, his tone oddly affectionate. “Oh, and Rae? I think I might just adore you most of all…”
Caught in the throes of her own chaos, Rae shivered as the Lord of Chaos singled her out. The cosmic consequences of her actions loomed large, as if the universe itself trembled at her whims.
The Lord of Chaos’ sinister demeanor and cryptic words cast a dark shadow, uniting metaheroes and villains in unease as the balance between good and evil, order and chaos, teetered on the precipice.
Amid this tension, SuperStretch, the eternal jester among the metaheroes, couldn’t resist injecting humor. With a playful grin, he lightened the mood.
“Hold on there,” SuperStretch quipped, his eyes mischievous. “When you say ‘prawn,’ are we talking about the crustacean or something more sinister?” He raised an eyebrow, feigning mock offense. “Lord of Chaos, I am not a prawn! For you to even suggest that any member of the Meta Board League is, in fact, seafood is utterly without merit.”
Laughter rippled through the gathered metahumans, tension momentarily lifted. SuperStretch’s theatrics diffused the gravest of situations.
“And furthermore…” SuperStretch leaned into his own misunderstanding, “what was that? Oh, pawns, that’s different… never mind.” With a flourish, he waved off his confusion, eliciting more laughter.
The serious atmosphere began to dissipate, replaced by camaraderie and shared amusement, even in the face of uncertainty.
The Infamous Bedlam Gang chose that moment to make their ominous exit from the Moontower, their departure a spectacle of malevolence and eccentricity. Albino Chameleon, with his shape-shifting abilities, morphed into a sinister creature, all while maintaining a mischievous grin. Rae, the reality-warping metahuman, left behind perplexing and chaotic scenarios, creating confusion in her wake.
Mystery Lord, the enigmatic figure of the group, vanished into the shadows along with his superego, leaving behind an air of mystique. Hardy LeQuinn rigged the exits with confetti canons that erupted in colorful chaos as the IBG made their escape.
As they exited, their parting threats echoed through the digital space. “Remember this day, Meta Board League,” Albino Chameleon hissed with sinister glee. “We shall return, and chaos will reign supreme!”
Rae added with a maniacal laugh, “Oh, the fun we’ll have when we do!”
The Moontower was left in disarray, a testament to the IBG’s audacious and unpredictable nature. Their exit had been a performance of chaos and villainy, leaving the metaheroes to grapple with the aftermath.
A heavy silence draped the room, the echoes of the recent upheaval still resonating among the metaheroes. The air crackled with uncertainty, the foundation of their world momentarily unsteady.
In the midst of this quiet, Agent F7 emerged from the shadows, projecting an unyielding confidence that demanded attention. His voice cut through the silence like a blade. “I’ve just received word — I’m now the official government liaison for the Meta Board League,” he announced, his eyes scanning the room. “We need the MBL operational, and we need a leader seasoned enough to face the Infamous Bedlam Gang. I nominate Superfast Man.”
Superfast Man, his classic costume restored after the “Crisis” that Rae had imposed upon him, stepped forward, humility evident in his demeanor. “You honor me,” he said, acknowledging the nomination. “I’ll accept the role, provided no one objects.”
A ripple of approval traversed the assembly, metaheroes nodding in unison. Superfast Man had proven himself time and again, a natural leader forged in the crucible of countless battles.
However, the tranquility was shattered by Freebooter, a metahero fueled by a hunger for recognition and control. His impassioned interjection sliced through the air like a discordant note in a symphony. “Hold on! I’m the original Leaguer, the rightful leader!” he proclaimed with fervor. “I was chosen first, long before this Moontower even existed. But it seems like no one remembers that except me.”
The metaheroes exchanged uneasy glances, their applause for Superfast Man dwindling into a hushed murmur. Freebooter’s declaration hung in the air, carrying a sense of disquiet. His words, once a rallying cry, now sounded disjointed and tinged with an unsettling fervor.
Agent F7, recognizing the tension, stepped forward again, his voice a measured cadence cutting through the disquiet. “We appreciate your dedication, Freebooter, but the decision has been made. Superfast Man is the leader we need for the challenges ahead.”
Freebooter’s rage only grew as he saw everyone staring at him. “That’s it, you losers!” he cried. “Keep your lousy team! I’m gonna find the most powerful help I can to take over the Moontower and defeat all you current Leaguers at once — just you watch!”
His declaration prompted gasps of astonishment as he stepped toward the transporters that would teleport him down to Earth. Freebooter’s ambitions had taken a dark turn, his evil laughter echoing like a harbinger of turmoil. “You’ll never see it coming! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
As the metaheroes grappled with the unexpected discord, it became apparent that beneath the surface unity, a troubling rift had emerged among them, and the shadows of doubt began to stretch their fingers across the once-unified front.
Continued in Chapter 8