The Things that Must Be Done (Closed)

[TirithIre]

The night was cool... the summer heats had just passed bringing the fall chill, although the bite of winter had yet to touch the air. As Damian sat upon the edge, he looked out over a city that seemed to forget the heroes, and instead vilified the villain. Yet the truth of the matter was, that for Damian, it didn't matter... and hadn't mattered for a long time. He didn't do what he did because he was looking for fame or fortune... he didn't do it because he was looking for love. He brought peace to chaos, he brought light to the darkness much like the fables of the paladin's because he felt that to let injustice, to let murder and corruption reign would be the greatest travesty of all.

For Damian though... this wasn't his world. There were whispers of aliens... but truly the movies that depicted them were created by those whom wished the every day person to have a truly dis-illusioned view of what an alien was. The truth was, that though humans thought themselves the only beings in the universe... that wasn't the case at all. Damian, or at birth was called Xann'u, had been brought to this world by his parents.

They had hoped that by hiding him here, that he would be spared the destruction and pain that had befallen his home world. Yet as he had grown, he had come to understand that he was different then other people. The first time had been in the fifth grade. It seemed ironic, but most people's childhood memories came from the fifth grade, as though it was the only time in life that mattered. A bully... his name had been Andre, had been bullying him. Damian was a very passive person... it was probably what made the bully think that he was weak.

As the fight had begun though, Andre had thrown a punch. Damian's eyes had swirled, and within his view, time had slowed. The truth was that Damian's perception was different then most. He dodged the punch and nailed the bully with his open hand, his palm making a cracking sound as the bully fell to the ground crying in pain. It was only later that Damian had learned that he had fractured Andre's sternum... and though he had felt bad... at the same time he had subdued a rather nasty bully.

Into the future... he had stood up against challenge after challenge. He viewed what could happen differently then others... he wasn't immortal... though he seemed to never really understand where the feelings came from. He found he liked to read... the pages flew by, though the story of his own life was being written within space and time.

Yet as the screeching sounds of tires below caught his ears attention, he shook his head slightly. Taking one last look across the way, he eyed Scarlett. She had been his friend for a long time... and secretly... Damian loved her. He didn't take any special super hero name... he didn't really want the notorority that came with it. Rather he closed his eyes as he thought about what it might be like to be normal... to be able to go tell her. Yet he had enemies. He didn't have the luxury of love.

Finally he pushed himself from the edge, and falling ten stories, he caught hold of the flag pole. Flipping himself, he saw the edge of the building and flew at it, his hand catching just enough that as he came down landing upon the perpetrators car, his boot made a rather deep dent. " Pull it over." He growled slightly. Another night... another villain to bring to justice. Such was the fate of the Dark Crusader as the newspapers called him... such was the fate of Damian Maloy.

http://static.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/sexy-male-body.jpg​

 

[Mayu]

Scarlet was the kind of person who saw the good in others, she never judged people. She was raised to know better, she had always wanted to do something for people. She wanted to become a doctor, but then decided to become a registered nurse instead. Nurses could actually know and spend time with the patient. She still remembered meeting her friend Damian Maloy, it was an accident how they met, she was at the library looking at medical journals when he came in. They have known each other since she was eighteen, and she is 21 now. She always enjoyed life, and because of Damian she loves people. They were very close, but she had a bad feeling he was holding something back.

Unfortunately she was working late, the Emergency Room was packed full of people. She was on the trauma area, but even she were taking all sorts of cases. She enjoyed it very much, she had been working on one patient for three hours. It was a six your old little boy, who got in a bad car accident. He was in rough shape, and it took over an hour for his parents to come. Since they were at home when this happened, she stayed by the boy's side until his parents came rushing in. She smiled and was very happy, she made sure he was out of pain before she left. Scarlet told everyone she would see them later, she yawned a bit as she grabbed her things. Humming to herself, she wasn't paying attention to a car that followed her.

But all of a sudden she heard a car and when she turned, something jumped right on the roof of the car. She was stunned and didn't know what was going on, it was so dark. But then she saw someone from the back of the car come out with a gun, and she cried out.

"Watch Out!" she yelled.

http://i55.tinypic.com/9v9hj9.jpg​

 

[TirithIre]

Of course Damian hid the truth from Scarlett. Had she known that the day that they met he was persuing an illegal crime sindicate leader when he had met her within the library, he was sure that their relationship would have become different. He expected to be treated differently then everyone else. The movie Spiderman had made a mockery of it, but the lesson was true... with great power came great responsibility.

It was how he had ended up in the life he had. It was why he wore a black suit that night streaked with silver. He didn't wear a cape... a cape was the stupidest of inventions when it came to super heroes... too many people to get it caught on, too many ways it could get one killed. Damian wasn't stupid, but he was surprised to hear a voice he had heard before... it making him pause just enough.

The bank robbers had just held up the local bank and were making their getaway when Damian had landed upon their car roof. Shouts of surprise were normal, but his head had turned slightly, he wearing a black hood and a mask, he saw her. " Scarlet." He whispered... his peripheral vision picking up the movement.

He barely turned so that the first spray of bullets grazed his side, yet at the same moment the gun man turned the gun in a 'ganster' style and fired again, the car swerved... and so distracted was Damian by his best friend seeing the commotion that the bullets caught his leg and arm, tearing the tendons with the high powered velocity.

He gave a shout of pain, his other arm swinging around and smashing into the man's nose, fracturing it as he knocked him off the car, but Damian for his part went flying off the car as well... though not as lukilly as the robber. He felt a pain unlike what he had known before as his back made contact with a light post. He regenerated, but not quite THAT fast... he wasn't wolverine.

So as the pain surged through him he fell to the ground, the robbers not having time to stop and 'finish him off' as the cops were still after them... so instead Damian's eyes saw stars, his view blurred as he tried to move, though collapsed in a heap on pain and suffering. All for the sake of helping people. Truly, he was a hero whom took the beatings in order to do the things that must be done!

 

[Mayu]

She watched what was going on, she heard the guns going off again. But all of a sudden everything stopped around her. He was badly hurt, but she heard the police coming. The robber's had been cornered. She ran over to him, and she knew who this was, Dark Crusader, but she didn't care who was behind the mask. She knelt down beside him, she rolled him over slowly. "Crusader..." She called him. Seeing he was so very weak, she had to get him out of there. She refused to allow anyone to arrest him, he was a hero to her and a hero to other people out there. Besides she had the kind of nature that many liked, she always helped.

"Come we have to get you out of here" Her voice was full of emotion, she wrapped his arm around her and helped him up to his feet. He was heavy, but she had dealt with heavy people. She learned how to do things that helped moving people, she helped him to her car, he was tall. But she wondered who was behind the mask, she was curious. But put it out of her head, she had to tend to his wounds before he bled to death. Thankfully her black cat stayed in the shadows, which was another reason why she liked black. Soon they came up to her place, it was a nice little home. She parked in the garage and helped him as much as she could.

She unlocked her house side door so no one saw. "Can you make it to my bedroom?" It was straight ahead about 3 feet away from the door.

 

[TirithIre]

He hissed ever so slightly as someone touched him. He was in a pool of blood, but it wasn't as bad as some would have thought... or he refused to let himself think that. Since Damian had taken to the streets he had refused to take the name. The tabloids called him the Dark Crusader because he went after those whom deserved it... because he didn't prey upon the weak. His head had rolled ever so slightly to the side, shock threatening to take him into unconciousness, but the pain helped to keep him awake.

He nodded though ever so slightly as she said that about getting him out of there. Damian was smart.. on his throat was a thin, wafer thick voice changer that made his voice deeper then it usually was. He was usually such a soft spoken man... but when it came to crime fighting, subtlety didn't work. He managed to get up on one leg, leaning into her as he made it to her car. His head lolled back slightly against the seat as he was driven somewhere.

As she asked him that he groaned slightly. " Yes." The voice boomed, a frightening voice to those whom would stand against justice... but she had nothing to fear. His good arm clutched his side, he feeling the bullet in his ribs being pushed out by his own body. He managed it... making it to her bedroom though he collapsed upon one knee. " I can go no further." He was close to the bed... but physically he was unable to make himself get back up.

Scrapes and cuts he could heal quickly... but bullets... it would take time to heal. He knew who she was... and silently, somewhere within himself he knew he had to get out of there... lest she discover just whom was beneath the black mask of the hero to this city.

 

[Mayu]

She felt him collapse onto the ground, this was going to be difficult. She took a deep breath, she put in all her strength and eased him up slowly. She managed to sit him up in the bed, she unzipped his outfit. Not once did she go for his mask. "Jesus.." she eased him back so he was laying on her bed, after a while she got him undressed and she grabbed a big kit she always had. It had all sorts of bandages and everything.

"You should rest, I wont go for you mask. So you can trust me" She said with a soft smile. She began to clean the skin, thinking to herself she sighed a bit. Taking some pliers out and she removed the bullets, she was afraid of hurting him but it had to be done. It took two hours, but she managed to close the wounds and wrapped them up, she sat there for a moment.

 

[TirithIre]

Damian felt his heart racing. What if she removes the mask? Was a prevelent thought in his head. He had put alot of work into his 'front'... he was a crime fighter after all, he couldn't walk around the streets as the Dark Crusader all the time... it didn't work. The gun man whom had gotten him had only unloaded a medium spray of bullets... but that was still seven in total. Two were in his leg, the third had lodged into the cartilage of his hip, the fourth had hit a rib, two had hit his lower and upper left arm, and the last had hit his collar bone.

He gave a soft groan as she said that, though as she undressed him, she was treated to the body of a very handsome man whom obviously kept himself in shape. She had never seen Damian naked, so she had no reference to know it was him. His head barely raised as she said that about the mask. " Thank you..." He whispered softly, though as his head fell back, he found himself in a state of pained mid conciousness. It felt as though he was looking down upon the situation from outside his body... the amount of damage was severe.

Yet as she managed to bandage him up, he laid upon the bed, his breathing shallow, his body shuddering slightly in pain as he found the strength mentally. " Thank... you." He managed. There had been many a moment where she had caused him to cry out in pain, but she had saved his life... without her, Damian, and the Dark Crusader would have easilly died that night.

 

[Mayu]

She hated it when she made him cry out a few times, he was all set and she pulled her covers over him. She took out a needle with some medicine. "Now this is for your pain alright? you took one hell of a beating so you will need it" she injected him and sighed a bit. She grabbed a chair and put it beside him, she knew he would have to be watched. She would do everything she could for him, right now it was only time. She kept her word as well, she didn't go for the mask. Scarlet waited for him to wake.

 

[TirithIre]

He had bore the pain like a man whom had lived his entire life in a world of pain... which was true... he had known that in order to be a champion, he would suffer for the sake of others. He nodded to her as he trusted her... she seeing that every few minutes his body would twitch slightly with a wave of pain... but it didn't disturb his rest.

He was out a good five hours, the drugs keeping him out and sated for that long. He finally woke though with a slight jerk, his eyes feeling heavy as they opened, he at first not remembering where he was, nor how he had gotten there! Yet it all came flooding back to him in an instant. His good arm moved to check the mask, his heart beating in paranoia... he didn't know what had happened... one moment he had been sure that the pain would keep him awake, the next it was gone and he had been asleep.

It wasn't that he didn't trust her, it was that he was scared for the truth to come out. She was truly his only friend... if he lost her, he wasn't sure what he would do.

 

[Mayu]

She ended up falling asleep, she had fallen asleep in the chair beside her bed. It had been a long night for everyone. And he knew for him, it would be worse. He was a fighter and had an identity to keep. But then she heard something, and her brown eyes opened up. She noticed he was awake and touching his face to see if his mask was still on. She smiled at him as she sat up and rubbed her neck, sighing some.

"See told you I wouldn't remove the mask" She said with a happy smile.

Scarlet started to think about Damian, course here she was alone with Damian. But she didn't know. Looking at him she just smiled again. She couldn't help but wish silently, that there were no need for hero's. But if not for them, many would die, he had done a great thing.

"Your a hero, like my friend Damian" She said simply. Man how this suited man reminded her of him so much, she wondered what he was up to. She would call him in a little while.

 

[TirithIre]

He nodded, his hand gently moving away from it. His body was silently taking stock... repairing itself more quickly then a humans... much like the fabled vampires, although Damian didn't need blood to fuel the ability... it came from his DNA. He didn't know what it was about who he was that gave him the strength or the ability to do what he did, but he wasn't about to let scientists test him.

" I thank you... for your word." He wanted to tell her... to tell her that he had known that she wouldn't... because he knew her. He had to be afraid though... for a moment he fell silent, though as she mentioned his alter name, he smiled ever so slightly, she seeing his head shake slightly.

" I have... heard that name before. He is the true hero. Heroes are those whom... stand against injustice even when it means that they may lose their lives." He whispered as he smiled to himself, she seeing the smile, his features mostly hidden from the mask. " I am a vigil anti... someone whom takes... the law into their own hands. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong... people like myself shouldn't be needed."

He was angry with the world. He wanted to be normal, to have her, to love her as his heart pounded to do so. Yet he knew it was stupid... a fantasy from the books he had read. He was a fool, a romantic fool whom wanted everything. Yet his personna gave too much.. he suffered for the sake of the world. " He, and people like him are the true heroes, the bringers of change to this world."

He sounded so sincere, as though he knew Damian personally... which he did... just moreso then she realized!

 

[Mayu]

Scarlet nodded and smiled, what he said about keeping her word. She listened to what he said, taken back by it, she was silent for a moment and shook her head. "You are a hero as well, you saved my life last night" She sat down next to him. "Hero's come in all shapes and sizes, the world is so corrupt that sometimes its hard to go on. But that is what the bad people want, for us to just give up. But I will never give up, Damian will never give up. And I don't want you giving up either." She placed her hand on his cheek. "And you are my hero as well, you give so much and sacrifice everything, I may never who you really are. But you have a friend, one who will do anything for. when I look into your eyes, I see kindness, but also so much sadness" She said, rather heart broken.

She smiled at him..

"You make a difference, you really do" she looked into his eyes.

"I can see so much pain when I look into your eyes" She said softly.

 

[TirithIre]

She wasn't the only one taken aback by the other's words. He didn't want to sound as though he was going to give up the fight... because he wasn't. The truth of the matter was that he had accepted long ago that by putting himself into the ley lines of pain and suffering, he would spare many whom would come to live and change the world as a result of him.

He gave a soft sigh as she placed her hand on his cheeck, he nodding to her gently, ever so slightly. " I do not seek the help of people... I give those whom give of themselves a respite from the fight. I am thankful though... to have saved your life." His eyes looked back into hers for a long moment, and even as she mentioned the pain of his life, he smiled ever so slightly.

" It's not that bad. We heroes live in a world of pain. Not knowing what it is like to have someone. After all... heroes can't have girlfriends... otherwise they would be used against us." He remarked, and it was the truth. He was destined to be alone... another sacrafice of a hero of a world that would never truly thank him for his sacrafice. One day, he would change it though.. of that Damian had no doubt at all!

 

[Mayu]

She smiled at him and she nodded. "True, but that is why one is to be careful, I am a black belt in martial arts. Anyone try anything with me id kill them" She said, a serious look on her face. She sighed "Damian is special to me, I wish I could tell him I was madly in love with him. To tell him he can tell me anything, I want him to. I know he is hiding things from me, but that is just nature. Afraid of hurting the other, I just wish he was here right now. Id give anything" She went quite, thinking about him. She brought her hand up to a pendent, it was a locked with the two of them together, she never took the pendent off, not for anyone.

 

[TirithIre]

Damian for his part hadn't understood when she had asked him for a picture. He hadn't had the same upbringing as most. When he had been young his parents, whom had been very kind had brought him to a martial monestary, where he had been trained to become whom he was today. He had become the champion for those whom could not defend themselves.

It broke his heart, and yet made it soar as well when she told him that. She could see her hero was fighting against the training. Never reveal your identity... to anyone! The memory snapped through his mind, as though a whip had cracked upon his skin. He hadn't been phyiscally abused, but mentally conditioned was a good way to put it.

" Everyone has their secrets. Your talking to a hero whom takes on the villains of a city in order to keep those precious to him safe. Whom sits upon the rooftop of a building and looks out, seeing the world as it could be, not how it is. That is my gift... I can see things." He remarked softly. " He truly is special to you..." He whispered, more to himself then anyone else.

He couldn't do it though... he couldn't hide the truth... not when she was so close... not when she was pouring herself to a hero she thought she was indebted to, but whom wanted her to know everything he did... he did for her. His hand managed to raise.. she could see it shake from the exertion... even doing this phyiscally was hard... yet it went beyond that.

His hand took hold of the black material that surrounded his face. With a pull he got ahold of the zipper at the back, it coming undone. Yet as he pulled it away, she was left face to the face with the man whom she loved, and whom loved her. " He is closer then you think." He managed softly... his strength was waning, fatigue from the pain and wounds was sapping his strength. Yet he could do this... for her. He could show her the truth.

 

[Mayu]

She looked at him kindly, she didn't know why but she felt she could trust him. It was something about hero's wanting to protect everyone, but being one person. It was hard, and yet he did it any way. But she noticed something in his eyes, almost like an idea popped into his head. But she saw his hand unzipping his mask, her eyes showed shock.

"What are you....." She managed to get out "Doing.." She finished, but by the time she said it. The shock never left her face, she felt like this was a dream. Scarlet placed her hand on his now bare cheek, tears could be seen in her eyes. "Damian...." She whispered, when she blinked tears fell from her eyes onto her cheeks. She smiled softly, as she very carefully wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you Damian..." She whispered into his ear, he had done what he said never happened, pulling away a little, she looked into his eyes.

"I love you so much" She smiled.

 

[TirithIre]

He knew he shouldn't... he knew that somewhere, deep within himself that this was a mistake. After all he himself had said how his enemies would come to use her against him. Yet he felt as though it was impossible not to do this... for her. He gave a soft sigh though as the mask left his face, as though he was lifting a heavy burdeon from his head.

As she said his name though his heart thudded within his chest, his arm moved to drape over her back, he looking to her with those eyes of his. He was so afraid though... of losing her, of having her, of having her and being rejected... and yet it was all laid to rest with those words of hers. As she cried though he almost cried with her, he smiling though as he looked to her. " As I... love you Scarlet."

Now it made more sense... why in the evenings he was gone, why when the crusader was abound Damian wasn't. He looked right back to her as he curled his fingers, gently holding her as he groaned to himself. His body was healing, but bullets hurt! " I couldn't... let you tell me all those things... and then just... lay here." He finally managed to say, and she could see he was choked up over it. He had loved her since he had met her, and had managed to hide it for so long it seemed, an eternity.

 

[Mayu]

She looked into his eyes, smiling. He was so sweet and one that she knew she could confine in. But he groaned and knew she was hurting him, she had forgotten what was going on she was so damn stupid. "Damian...I'm sorry I hurt you" She said to him. Scarlet sighed some thinking of last night, she didn't know what to say.

"I should check your wounds Damian, make sure everything is holding. I don't want you bleeding again" It was the doctor in her talking. She sighed softly and relaxed a bit. She moved the covers seeing the bandages seemed fine. "Those people you stopped, the police got them. If you hadn't been there, I never would have seen them." she sighed some.

"I know I need to be more careful.."

 

[TirithIre]

" They weren't looking for you in particular..." He whispered gently, though he looked to her with a smile as he shook his head. " You did not hurt me... those men hurt me. You... you saved my life Scarlet." He whispered ever so softly as he watched her, he smiling ever so softly. For one time... a small figment that almost felt surreal, Damian felt free. Free of the trials of a life of a champion of good... free of the shackles of the suties of a hero.

Even as she moved the covers though, he watched her ever so gently. " You just want to oogle me." He teased ever so gently... though he did have quite the handsome body, he wasn't in the phyiscal shape to be doing much else then relaxing and resting. Even as she blamed herself though he looked to her with a gentle smile.

" I will agree though... from now on... you will need to be more careful. I will help you..." He would do what he could, but they both had their lives to live, they both had their passions to persue. He was going to keep being the hero that he was... else he wouldn't be the person whom she loved so dearly. His hand moved into her hair though as he looked to her.

" I will be fine. Lay with me. The chair could not have been comfortable." He whispered gently... wanting her close, never wishing in that moment to let her go.

 

[Mayu]

She smiled some and the joke, she laughed "your badly hurt and yet you can crack jokes. One of the many reasons why I love you so much" when he wanted her to lay beside him she nodded. She removed her shoes, while he was asleep she had gotten into a pair of shorts and a simple t-shirt. She moved in beside him, and covered them up. She leaned in against him, she enjoyed the warmth of his body. She never thought she would ever have someone in her life, but now she had him. She always had him, and she didn't realize it till now.

"You shouldn't be on the streets at least for a week, your going to break open the stitches" She said softly.

 

[TirithIre]

Damian smiled ever so slightly as she smiled herself, it making him happy that she had allowed herself to see the humor in the comment. As she nodded though and moved into the bed, he managed to move his arm to cradle her, he smiling as he looked to her ever so softly. This had been the focus of many a day dream, many a fantasy... but he had truly never thought that it would become reality.

As she said that about the stitches though he shook his head. " I heal faster then most. It's not a wild statement... and though the bullets did alot of damage, the efforts you gave to me... I will heal within a week fully." He remarked. A normal person wouldn't have been even moving, but to Damian, there was always someone else to save.

" Though... if you insist, I may have to defer to your superior judgement." He mused gently with a squeeze, he loving her so much right then, and had since he had known her!

 

[Mayu]

She looked up at him, she smiled hearing he healed very fast "That's a good thing, I wish you would stay home while you heal. But I know how you feel about it, being everyone's hero. But I'm your number one fan, always remember that Damian." Scarlet looked at him.

'I will respect your choice" Scarlet felt like she needed to say that to him.

Right now she closed her eyes, her hand resting on his stomach. Being careful not to hurt him any more then he was already hurt. Nothing mattered right there, and thought for a moment.

"It should help to have a girl friend that is a nurse, in case you get hurt again" She said sweetly.

 

[TirithIre]

He could not help but smile as she said that she would respect his choice, and deep within himself he was very grateful for that. " You know just what to say..." He grumbled slightly, he not hurt by her being there with him... rather he felt more at peace then he had in a long time, and she could tell.

" I know how much you adore what the Dark Crusader can do... but even we heroes can take a break." He mused... he hadn't taken time for himself... ever. He was the most selfless person one could hope to meet... he not thinking of greed or personal gain when he did what he did. Rather he simply let out a sigh as he looked to her.

" Let's.. get some sleep." He finally mused, it almost a whisper. The fatigue from his injuries was taking him into the realm of unconciousness quickly, but he felt it was important that the statement be said... so that she would know he meant her as well. He would live, thanks to her... and she was right, having a girlfriend whom could help him when he was in those dire moments would definatly be a plus!

 

[Mayu]

She smiled and nodded to him, she yawned a little bit. She was tired, she worked a double shift and with what happened to him. Looking over at him, she noticed he was asleep, she was glad he seemed at peace. So being as tired as she was, she ended up falling asleep quickly herself. She started to dream while she slept, for the first time she felt safe at home.

Scarlet was no longer alone, and it was a feeling that gave her peace of mind. When she woke up, she saw it was ten in the morning. Seeing Damian was asleep, she slowly left the bed. Making sure not to move him, she began to get some breakfast made, and some fresh coffee. She was humming the whole time, she still had a lot of time before work. She was making bacon, eggs and some toast as well.

 

[TirithIre]

Damian lay at peace because he knew he was safe. She was his best friend... and the 'sad' truth of it all was that she was as well one of the only one's that he had! Yet to him that didn't matter. While some would collect friends much like trophies to be shown off... Damian had a special sense to him of cherishing the few things he did have... like her.

He didn't know what time it was when he woke, he only knew it was daytime. His eyes opened in slght slits, this time he knowing where he was, and so instead of panicking, he let out a soft sigh as he mentally took stock. He noticed she was gone from the bed, but could hear humming not to mention smell the scent of bacon in the air... he could smell coffee, that the best smell in his opinion.

Yet he felt how the wounds in his leg were healing nicely, the one's in his arm were taking some more time as there was tendon damage... but he knew within another day or two he'd be moving about, albeit it slowly. He wasn't stupid... he'd rest while he had to, so that when he returned to the streets he'd be better then ever.

He was sure the tabloids were already dubbing him dead, something that made him smile slightly. He wondered what it would be like to be 'dead', to not have the same responsibilities as a normal super hero... but then he shook it off. He was a hero, that was whom, and what he was!