So everytime the hero meets a fallen version of themself, it’s often shock or horror. It’s like
“No! That’s not possible! Or What caused this?”
I’d love to see a hero that meets a fallen version and just looks disappointed. Like he sighs and goes.
“Wow, can’t believe there is such a weak version of me.”
Now it doesn’t matter if they rule their universe or attained ultimate power, but to the hero this version is just as pitiful as any other villain because they gave up on being good. They gave up their morals. And to the hero, that’s the biggest sign of weakness.
In a decent city; you, a Civilian who works at the office peacefully. Yeah sure, stress and paperwork ruins the mood but it is nothing compared to your previous job where you're on the verge of tearing up inside from constant stress and fear.
It was months ago when you left your old job and returned back to your home city without telling anyone, you felt out casted, overworked, and yet you were also underpaid. The environment is just too bad for your own good, luckily you didn't stay in that place for too long, you moved on to a better life.
You glance at the window, trying to calm yourself from the old memories that were eating you inside, right now, the view of the city is astounding, you don't see any chaotic and gifted people in this city. Instead, you see normal people who works and minding their own business.
Out of nowhere, a strange dark figure randomly appears in the middle of the city, hovering at the same level as your view, whilst you work at the higher floor of the building, and so you ponder...
'Were they levitating?'
"—But I thought anyone who was born with powers usually lives in the MAIN City?" You sighed. The city known for its advanced technology and home for powered people. The MAIN City is also one of the most successful cities in the country, aside from having a higher rate of criminals– there is a justice organization in that city that protects and stops powerful criminals so it should be good, right? Well nevermind that. Your main question is— what was this person doing here anyway? Traveling around? Looking for something? Someone? Or perhaps...
looking for you?
Your thoughts snapped and glanced at the figure again, they were no longer in sight, you looked in every direction but couldn't find them... At this moment you felt relieved, the thought of someone looking for you sounds ridiculous. It's not like anyone would care that you disappeared from your old workplace, right? The person could be just wandering around then going off somewhere. "Haha yeah.. that might be it". You shrug off your silly thoughts and continue to work.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Hours have passed, at the corner of your eye, few co-workers gathered at the glass window, chattering about a smoke outside from one of the buildings. Curiously, you got up from your workstation and joined the crowd. Some argue that there could be a fire out there, or a ticking timer waiting to be unleashed, No! It could be a terrorist attack happening. You rolled your eyes at their ridiculous argument, It's probably just a minor problem like a fire accident or whatever.
Moments later, a loud boom roared to your ears. The shockwave from the explosion shattered the glass window, causing you to stumble backwards by force. Fortunately no one was hurt –but it gets worse, the ground shakes violently making you and everyone lose balance and collapse onto the floor.
Terrified Screams echoed around the building, you began to panic as well, the idea of a terrorist attack truly scares you. Is the city under attack? Is there a war going on? Could it be the person you saw earlier had done this...? You hoped it wasn't the case. Your home city isn't prepared to fight a powerful enemy, it won't stand a chance against them and you know it.
You glace at the now-shattered window, small portion of the city is now destroyed, few buildings are on fire and at the center of the city; the same hovering figure is there again, this time it's closer to your view and just outside of your workplace. Your face went pale the moment you saw them because somehow.. Somehow, you knew who they are. It is none other than the infamous Supervillain from the MAIN City. The same city where you used to work at.
What is HE doing here?
Why is he attacking the city?
Why is he doing this? And why here?
You have questions with no answers, heartbeat rises in fear, you knew what Supervillain was capable of. After all, his powers were super strength and levitation, he was known for destroying government buildings with his machines, his brilliance of making crazy inventions and elaborate schemes is what everyone fears him. You had witnessed most of his schemes since your old job was to stop evil doers... Including him. That is before you left the MAIN City to change your career.
Oddly enough, his strange behavior is what concerns you, you had never seen him this angry. Usually, Supervillain only targets heroes and the government to mess with, but never hurt civilians. Ever since he came into this city, your HOME City. He destroyed everything on his path, not caring for the victims who were accidentally involved from his destruction. But then again, did something snap his mind that has caused him to do this? Is he after something important?
Suddenly his voice echoed, claiming that someone is in this city.
"I know you are here~ hiding somewhere in the corner. Why don't you come out and face me like a brave fighter you are."
What is he talking about, did Supervillain expects someone to show up and fight him by threatening the city? Well whatever it is, you just hope someone does show up and deal with him.
But how can there be if there are no powered gifted individuals in this city? Even the law enforcement is no match for him.
"[Hero] If you don't come out now you will face the consequences, you don't want the cause of these pathetic civilians' death because you're a coward to show up, do you?"
While everyone who was with you already evacuated the place. You only stood there in shock. Hearing that name again hits straight to your core. Supervillain threatens to destroy your home city only because he was looking for a certain person, he was looking for YOU.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
You used to be a crime stopper from the MAIN City who only took down petty criminals and thieves. It was the role you were given based on how useful your powers can be. They said your flying ability wasn't considered useful enough to fight an actual villain, which it hurts you slightly. You were also a group member of the "official heroes" who assisted and helped them. You're not a known member because your efforts weren't seen in the public's eye. Most known heroes were interviewed live about their heroic work while your role wasn't even news worthy.
You didn't know how he found you in this city, you never told anyone that you left! The heroic job sucked and the salary wasn't enough for your living. Your efforts are barely shown in the public and yet this particular villain went out to find you as if you were a wanted person? Huh?? You rarely interact with any of the villains, let alone him! -Or was this about the last time when you destroyed one of his precious machines and he went mad-crazy about it so he went after you as revenge? you were just doing your job why did he have to be so worked up about it?!
Supervillain call you out again, giving you the last chance to face him before more destruction occurs... But you didn't want to be a Hero. The idea of revealing yourself as a city protector truly sickens you. Sure, you may have done it before but you have your reasons why you left the Heroes league. You just remain silent and pretend that you didn't have any idea what he's talking about. It's no longer your responsibility to get rid of evil forces, or to stop a delusional master criminal. The law enforcement would deal with him... Right?
After a while, still no sign of you showed up, Supervillain decided that waiting isn't worth it and made a move. He simply hovered to a building that was in front of him. —You panicked the moment you saw him going straight into your view. You thought he knew where you were, that he had found your presence inside the building— suddenly the floor vibrates beneath you and a loud explosion can be heard coming from the first floor.
He is destroying the building.
Emergency stairs and exit are located much below your floor and if that were to be destroyed you'll be stuck in the very top floor with no way out! Then your worst fear happens, the entire floor collapses beneath you, the building is collapsing and the lower floors are destroyed. You and other few unfortunate people who were stuck would perish inside the building.
The thought of flying out of the building comes in your mind, your soft heart of heroic complex tempts you to save the remaining people inside the building. But for your own sake, you disregarded the idea, you yourself needed to be saved too. The moment you hover to jump yourself out of the window, a big heavy piece from above crashes onto you. Plummeting you down along with a few people from below floors. You crash landed on the first floor and the debris pinned you to the ground and you blacked out.
Mumbling screams echoes through your ears, every sound feels like you're underwater. You can't see things clearly and your head hurts. You try to move blindly but something heavy forces you down, restricting your movement. The weight above you slowly crushes your ribs causing your whole body to ache in pain, breathing is hardly at ease and you pass out again.
Regaining your consciousness a few minutes later you felt the ground thump, faint footsteps coming towards you, someone must have seen you, what a relief. But You still couldn't move nor see the rescuer, an object still weighing you down. The person stopped walking and felt them knelt down beside you. A gloved hand reaches your forehead, gently caressing you for comfort. Their presence feels familiar... Their hand roams near your collarbone and to your neck, looking for your pulse. Once they felt your heartbeat they sighed in relief, and whispered something to your ears.
"Found you"
That voice... Oh you know who that voice belongs, someone you hoped you'll never encounter, someone you hoped it's just a nightmare from the pain you are feeling right now. But you know that's not the case, out of everyone. Why... why did it have to be him? Why would he go this far to find you? What does he even want from you?
The heavy object pinning you down lightens, Supervillain removes a big concrete and small debris burying you. Your body feels free from the pressure but the pain doesn't disappear, he inspects the damages he had caused and mumbles something. You felt sick that he was the one saving you instead of medics that surround the area, but you were in a place where no rescuers can reach you, and he knows that.
Strong arms wrapped around your back and your legs, carrying you out of the collapsed building. Agonizing pain spreads around your body with each sudden movement, you couldn't help but whimper in pain.
"Shh shh, it's okay little hero, you're safe, everything will be alright"
The villain murmurs. You wanted to say something but words couldn't form out of your lips. You tried to squirm from his grip to get away from him, but your efforts were futile, his hold only tightens around you. You gave up fighting after a few struggles and slumped on his arms. You didn't want to see his face yet you know that he's grinning, that he holds his hero at his mercy.
You feel the ground beneath you disappear, you don't feel him walking at all. That's when you know that he's flying, taking you back to a place where you used to defend the previous city, leaving your precious home to crumble.
"You missed a lot of events lately, dear hero. Worry not we'll catch up soon."
Chaos continues to rise up, fires and destruction spread across the city. Many victims lost, some even attempted to call out the "so-called hero" to save them. But the savior isn't with their home anymore...
The sick, warm sensation of crimson blood seeped into Villian's jeans as they knelt, cradling Hero's limp form in their lap. Hero squirmed in their grasp, closed fists trembling. A truly pitiful sight.
"Now will you tell me who sent you?" Villain pressed; voice uncharacteristically gentle.
"Or-organization." Hero coughed, gasping as the silver blade was yanked from their chest. They attempted to sit up, Villain pulling them close.
"Shh, you did so well." They cooed, carding a slender hand through their sweat-covered hair.
"V-villain? Can I.."
'Yes, Hero, anything. What can I give you?"
"I-" They coughed, scarlet blood filling their throat.
"Stars."
Villian sat, cradling their form for a moment before comprehension plastered their face and they glanced up. Sure enough, the tree they were under was blocking the view of the night sky. Villian gently stood, Hero's expected exclamations absent. A short brisk walk to a grassy hill left the sky open and exposed, stars burning unusually bright above. Hero's face softened, eyes dimming as the stars reflected back from their tears. They coughed once, a meek convulsion, and the blood stopped draining from the wound. Their head lolled back, stars still reflecting off their unseeing gaze. Villian cradled their limp form.
Now they finally knew who Hero worked for, and they swore to themselves:
They would kill every last person who sent kids to fight their own battles.
Villain, hovering above the sky, screams of agony and chaos can be heard echoing from the crumbling building, watching their work proudly come into place.
They then saw something caught their eye on a building window, someone inside the building with a bright color outfit rushing room to room with speed looking for something, wait could that be...
Hero, Hero came to save the day from the building that is about to fall, No.. it can be, why are they here? It's supposed to be Superhero who should show up- but why does it have to be them?
Hero, looking for any civilian who needed help, decided to go on the roof building, hoping that they could find someone to save, instead they meet someone else, someone who is responsible for this chaos.
Villain, with a hover board goes down to hero's level, Hero then immediately went on a defense stance
"Villain, if you're here for a fight I don't have time for it"
"You shouldn't be here Hero, I expected someone else to show up and that person is not you."
Hero is about to argue when they hear cries somewhere down the (n)th floor, Hero immediately takes action to go down but then Villain steps in and blocking Hero's path, Hero tries to go sideways but Villain persists on blocking their way.
"Villain, get out of my way"
"Hero, enough of your heroic act and back away now."
"Are you seriously asking me to stand by and do nothing?"
"I meant that this place is going down, no use of saving anyone in there"
"Someone could be trapped there between the floors, begging for help."
Hero is about to take action but then villain clamped on Hero's both shoulders, forcing them to face villain.
"I'm serious Hero, you're risking your life, this building will soon fall if you don't back down!"
"You're the one who caused this disaster so why do you care?" Hero glares at them
"Because it's not meant for you and yet you came anyway."
"I don't give a crap about who you're waiting for! I need to save someone in there!"
Hero slapped villains both hands away, they use their super strength to punch the roof floor beneath them and falls down to a lower level to find someone.
"Hero! Urgh-- you can't keep doing this!"
Villain hovers down to follow Hero somewhere in the building, while Hero is running to look for someone, an explosion suddenly blasted on the outside wall, revealing Villain themselves
"Villain! Stop following me and get out of here!"
"No, I will not stop till you get out, please leave, it's for your own safety!
"You care way too much for your enemy, for someone like you responsible for this.. is this a way of regretting your actions?"
"Because it is not meant for you! I don't understand why you're risking your life for these pathetic civilians who don't even care about you."
"Well i care!"
Suddenly something interrupted them, a loud explosion coming from below, the floor starts to shake making Hero crouch to avoid swaying a little, the floor breaks and the building crumbles along the Hero inside, the Villain panics and flees away from the building but then thinks again and went back to save Hero but the building is already collapsing making hero stuck somewhere inside.
"Hero! HERO!"
Villain is desperate to save them but then ashes and debris scatters and flying, making it harder to come close to hero.
A few minutes after the fall of the building, smoke and dust surrounds everywhere, ambulance and firetrucks are in the scene, Villain hid somewhere on the smokes so no one can see them, Villain tries their best to look for Hero, calling out their name, hoping that they'll hear their screams or pleas, they're probably unconscious and couldn't hear them so Villain kept searching, not knowing that somewhere beneath the debris, an exposed arm, large crimson pools on its surroundings, unmoving.
i was just thinking and now really need this trope:
transman spiderman but he only realises that he's trans when he goes out in his suit and people assume that she (at the time) is a dude. at first she gets mad (because superheroes can be women) but then is like actually i don't care i kinda like it. eventually he transitions and gets gender euphoria form people referring to him as him (the public referring to spiderman as he). (but idk if this is just me but i get so so happy/gender euphoria when people refer to me as he like if im with my friends abd one of them uses he ahen speaking to them. i feel so inexplicably happy i love my bsf.)
but anyway trans spiderman (also works for transwoman/nonbinary/genderfluid and for literally any youngteen superhero)
"All these prophecies told us that we should fight each other to death." Hero gleans over the stack of papers spread at the table before her. She unfolded a manuscript, fingers tracing the lines of scripture written in an ancient tongue. "And this one specifically says that I can only win with the power of courage, love and unyielding faith. Seriously?"
Villain leans over the window, arms folding as her eyes are completely fixated on the Hero. "You're aware that you're intruding in my study and currently being held as a captive with no hope of escaping, aren't you?"
"Yes, but none of this made sense!" She puts away the manuscript abruptly. "Couldn't they be any vaguer? The power of love is such an overused trope!"
"I suppose the people back then had a strong adoration for being poetic." Villain sighed and smiled. A cryptic one that may leave some wondering about the hidden intentions beneath it. "Now, I'm not sure what 'winning' means to you, but to me, it means peace and quiet."
An idea sparks up Hero and she jolted, "Getting rid of me could ensure that peace and quiet!"
"Darling, you're part of the problem." She moved slightly, moving away from the window and to Hero. The height differences between them became more apparent as she bends down. "But you're also part of the solution."
"And how is that possible?" Hero quirked a brow.
"You see, my retirement plan includes you." Villain began, "I don't believe we've had the chance to discuss this but I plan to take you to my realm. See if it'll make a difference to the cycle entrusted to us. I'm very much hoping it will, but it's still worth a shot regardless."
Hero's eyes winced at the offer, "For how long?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course, it does! I have a life beyond this saving the world main mission." Hero quickly retorted, "Friends, families, and my cats. They'll miss me terribly."
Villain's eyes darkened, "And you're quick to assume that I care."
"You will care or I will be very difficult for you to handle."
"Much more than you already are now?" Villain tucked a strand of hair behind Hero's ear, stroking her head gently before returning her gaze back to Hero.
"Yes." Hero frowned at the gesture. The little things that Villain did, these soft little intimate touches never fail to confuse her, now and then.
"Fine, we'll go back every six months to the mortal world. But do remember that we won't stay here for no more than a week." Villain rolled her eyes upwards, "Happy?"
"Kind of." Hero raised both of her brows. "Could be happier if we're having an ice cream sandwich for tonight's dessert."
"Be good and don't wander off again." Villain patted the top of Hero's head. "And I'll get you two of those."
You know those ‘hero has a corruption arc and joins the bad guy’ tropes?
Now here me out: trope where it’s revealed that the hero had never actually been a hero. They were always evil, possibly even partners with the one believed to be their nemesis, and had just been hiding it as a tactic.
Also counts as reverse assassin-becoming-part-of-the-found-family-they-were-sent-to-kill,
where it’s instead you-thought-I-cared-but-me-and-my-‘rival’-are-actually-besties-and-you-mean-nothing-to-me
