|
|
Post by scallop on Aug 30, 2024 21:35:17 GMT
United States of America. Birthplace of freedom and future, supposedly. National boundaries mattered little to someone as sophisticated as Grodd, but the behemoth that was the United States was hard to ignore. After all, for the time being this was to be the staging ground of his grand conquest.
Despite his choice of location, this was not somewhere that he would ever call home. Home was Gorilla City, the true city of Tomorrow, not that the neanderthals in their concrete jungles and fields of wheat would ever understand that. No, this was a land of savagery, a veritable smorgasbord of putrid ego's and even more foul motivations. Yet, this would be the perfect place to start.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Construction had been increasing at the pace he had expected, his stint in the Raft doing wonders to squash his expectations. Rather, the Raft had supplied him with invaluable knowledge of reinforcing a submersible fortress, and work in Louisiana was proceeding ahead of schedule. Soon, the Fortress of Doom would be complete. The naming was gauche, but if it took a jackhammer to get the attention of the slack jawed half wits that declared themselves the dominant species, then that's what he would do.
For now, Grodd watched, eyes narrowed, fists curled into simian hammers. Recruitment was needed, he had been seeking out others who would stand shoulder to shoulder with him, however, that in itself would attract too much attention. For now, this so called Cleveland Zoo would serve as the perfect recruitment drive for his workers and foot soldiers. He was here to free his animalistic cousins, to break their bonds and to shatter the glass walls the humans had entrapped them with.
Sitting atop the hill habitat the foolish zookeepers had placed him, he smirked. The apes around him shuffled uncomfortably, understandable. They knew when a Conqueror was present. See, he wasn't just here to free his simian siblings. No, that was just a delightful side effect. His true quarry had entered his eyeline. Derek Stills. A man high up in the ministry of defense. So high, that the man's under developed brain contained knowledge of their oh so coveted nuclear weaponry. Where they kept their missiles, and how one might hijack their cargo, of course. As the man entered, flanked by his family, Grodd cracked open the oversized coconut that the zoo wranglers had allowed him to take in with him.
It cracked open, and out tumbled his precious helmet.
The app smirked, placing his helmet atop his head and what happened next, could only be called, chaos.
Animals, near and far all over the zoo, had suddenly started to go berserk. Rhino's charging their enclosures, chimps clawing at gawking tourist's, birds circling through the air in a terrific torrent of feathers and fury. A symphony of screams graced his ears as Grodd pressed down on his haunches. And lept.
Following him were a small troop of 8 gorilla's, already touched by his mind and loyal to his cause. They touched down on the visitor walkway with a mighty CRASH.
"Humanity!" His voice roared, the bassy baritone like an echo as his apes cheered and yowled. "You claim this Earth as your own, this Cleveland as your kingdom, but you have forgotten your place. All of this, belongs to us, to Grodd!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Aug 30, 2024 22:38:19 GMT
"Sorry, say that again? No way I'm falling for another prank, Oracle. I might be new but- oh, you're serious? Like, an actual talking ape? I bet you ten bucks you're trying to make me look stupid again. Okay, okay, this I've gotta see myself."
As chaos reigned, as animals broke free from their bonds and tethers, a streak of flame crossed overhead. It could have been a bird, it could have been a plane, if either of those has been set alight and tossed across the Chigago sky with inhuman strength.
"I mean, I see a lot of animals running around. We're not zoo keepers. Sure, I understand the General is down there, but it's not exactly Justice League stuff to save him from a manic ostrich. Agh! Okay, fine, fine, just don't blast that music directly into my ear piece! I'm going, I'm going..."
The flame banked and turned as it crossed the zoo, and suddenly came soaring down to earth. Grodd's proclamation of dominance had obviously been picked up, as it landed on the walkway several dozen feet in front of the gorilla and his lackies. The fire went out with a whoosh, revealing the definitely human figure beneath.
"Alright, ape-for-brains, you've just lost me ten bucks. Let's turn this party around, and get you back into an exhibit, before you make me turn up the heat. No monkey business!"
Johnny Storm smirked as he pointed a finger towards Grodd and made his declaration. The appearance of a giant gorilla didn't seem to phase him, which wasn't surprising if you knew the weird and wonderful foes he had fought over the years. Indeed, he seemed just happy to be here, eyes glinting with a boyish playfulness, as if squaring off against a hyper intelligent gorilla was a playground game.
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Aug 31, 2024 8:52:03 GMT
Sun Nao was in Cleveland because he was investigating the mystery of the weird circus Madame Moon had mentioned, and he had been asked to do so using more modern connections. One of his online friends had mentioned a carnival/circus appearing in the area, but it was now gone. It was still the first lead Sun Nao had. He did not feel like returning to his elders with just rumours, so he decided to go there and look. They had been located right outside the Zoo grounds. Still, so far, he'd found nothing other than some faint magical residue, which could just as well be from any magically gifted person; he did find traces of carnival food and balloons.
Maybe he'd find more information inside the Zoo?
If there was one thing Sun Nao hated, it was Zoos. Before his ascension, he'd never been a fan of them, but once he awakened as The Monkey Prince, he intensely disliked putting his kind behind bars. But he'd promised and paid himself a ticket to walk into the Zoo; he could have just teleported inside... but that didn't seem very honest.
He was dressed in regular clothing, but thanks to some assistance from Doctor Strange, he had been given a glamour to help hide his tail. That way, he did not need to keep it tucked away inside his pants, which, for many reasons, was so much better. He had been forced to modify all his pants, but it was worth it.
Sun Nao was, however, blissfully unaware of what was about to happen inside the Zoo, so when Grodd did cause the animals to go berserk, the young demigod was not ready for it. His first clue that something might be off was when he found himself covered in the zoo's more miniature monkeys; having escaped and fearful of the chaos, they found the safest place they could... which happened to be Sun Nao: climbing and clinging to him. "What?" Sun Nao managed to get out before a booming voice rang out over the Zoo.
That could not possibly be good. With some effort not to accidentally squish a monkey, Sun Nao began to walk toward the booming voice. He arrived at the walkway from the opposite side of Human Torch, right as he finished his little speech, only seeing the backs of the giant gorillas, one slightly bigger and with a wonky-looking pot on his head.
He was just about to speak up when:
"Keep... still," Sun Nao said as a frightened marmoset was climbing over his face. "I'm trying to see what-- going on. No, don't go in there!" Another marmoset had climbed inside of his t-shirt.
If Johnny looked past Grodd or Grodd looked over his shoulder, they would see a teenager with several small monkeys hanging off him, and several more peaking out from inside his jacket and shirt. Johnny might see just a regular Asian guy with black hair, sure. It might be odd with the monkeys, but other than that, he looked like any kid. Grodd, being a higher type of ape, would see something different. He would see past all glamours and illusions. His tail was clear to see, his glowing eyes, the monkey traits, his claws and the divine aura around him. Several of the gathered apes would have passing thoughts of "The Prince...", instinct telling them who he was, the son of Wukong.
|
|
|
|
Post by scallop on Sept 3, 2024 23:57:03 GMT
Ah.
This was becoming much more interesting than just a little leg work. The air around this delightful zoo had become thick with tension, panic, fear and most of all. Bravery. But not from the places he thought he would find it. The General, was in a state of disarray, but it appeared he had bigger fish to fry today. Above all else, there was something among the homosapiens that pushed them towards the supernatural and pursuing careers of aimless do-goodery.
The one before him, in particular, was something to behold. What feats that could be achieved when one recognized their own evolutionary deficiencies. Yet despite all the flash and party tricks, they were still restricted by their inherent birthright. So, when the flame engulfed indivudual made his presence clear, Grodd signaled his octomvirate of primate allies to plant their fists down onto the ground, eahc of them primed in a charge like formation.
"Ah if it isn't the "Human Torch". Funny, I had heard a rumor you were a robot and not in fact a homosapien, pity." He sneered, each of his words dripping with a primal disdain for the man. "I actually admired the Fantastic Four in its heyday. Home to one of the greatest and charismatic minds that your hominid race has to offer. Pity that I am to be faced with her brother instead." His eyes moved from Johnny to lay once more upon the General.
But, something else got his eyes. Or rather, his mind. Another being, at first glance, one that he would mistake for another mouth breathing neadrethal. But, this was something more akin to his own. His eyes beheld the true figure of the primate prince, and he turned focussing his mind. Not enough to dominate, but enough to send his voice into the mind of Sun Nao.
"You need not fear my brethren, the days of Man have come to an end. They will soon see where they truly belong on the evolutionary ladder. Tear your paltry disguise asunder and join my side, for I dream of a paradise for all primate kind, one that has no place for the oppressive nature of the homosapiens that seek to control us." His mind voice boomed like a loud speaker as it transmitted into Sun Nao's mind. The Gorilla tightening his fists, himself on two feet staring down Johnny Storm.
"I see no reason that we must end this encounter in bloodshed, perhaps you can see it in your best interest to hand over the Man, and no further harm shall fall upon this place, or would you rather I bear my fangs, Mr Storm?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Sept 4, 2024 19:59:03 GMT
Now this was what it was all about. This was proper vintage Superhero work. A weirdo villain who spent more time monologuing than they did actually doing anything criminal. Johnny grinned. Plus he had an audience, a teenage kid on the other side of the gorilla goons. "Hey, Sue will be so pleased! I'll bring her round to your cage after this so you can get an autograph. It is a pity that you get me, though. My sister would have held back a bit more than I will."Johnny cracked his knuckles as he took a few steps forward. His expression turned more serious as he took what he liked to call "the Hero stance". "Bloodshed? Blood's not my medium, banana breath. I prefer to work with fire!"
"Flame on!"
Johnny's form ignited as he made the first move, shooting into the air like a rocket. He circled swiftly before releasing a wave of flames from both hands at Grodd and his lackies. "Oracle, trust me," he said in response to his earpiece as he commenced the attack, "I've been to the zoo, and gorillas definitely eat bananas!" |
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Sept 5, 2024 10:29:58 GMT
Sun Nao had no idea what was happening; he knew what was happening... just not why. The little monkeys were not much help as they could not tell him anything useful other than something about voices and angry animals. So, when the voice spoke into his mind, it surprised him. " Did-- you say something," he whispered to the closest Marmoset, who only gave him a confused (and frightened) look. "No..." He straightened himself up, eyes turning to look at the group of gorillas further ahead. Was it a gorilla that just spoke into his mind?
There was another voice... and it seemed slightly... familiar? Sun Nao leaned to the side, looking past the apes. "Is that..." He said but did not get further before the man confirmed it by using his catchphrase. It was Human Torch. With wide eyes, he watched as the hero shot up into the air, in awe, until he noticed that he appeared to be aiming... at the gorillas?! He acted on instinct and plucked a strand of hair from his head, using the other hand to activate the charm given to him by his grandmother.
As the flames were released from Torch's hands, two things happened.
A cloud of mist erupted from down below, accompanied by the warcries of monkeys, engulfing a large portion of the ape enclosures. And a figure detached itself, moving at a superhuman speed to intercept the flames. Instead of hitting the intended targets, the fire was blocked by a "Don't feed the animals" sign held by an Asian youngster dressed in an outfit with a tiger pelt, baggy pants, and cloth in shades of blue/green and orange, an impressive monkey tail was visible, braided and decorated with a cloudy jade orb.
He was standing on a cloud.
"Don't you dare hurt the apes!" The youngster cried as he used his superhuman strength to hurl the red-hot sign like a discus towards Torch. He did not look down, but the rest of his voice aimed at the apes and monkeys below. "Take cover, brothers and sisters!"
This was one of Sun Nao's clones. The original was still stuck on the ground, covered in frightened monkeys.
|
|
|
|
Post by scallop on Sept 7, 2024 2:40:32 GMT
How curious.
The blonde man before him squawked and preened like that of a peacock, yet the phoenix-esque man bore no feathers of his own. How putrid. But he could not deny the entertainment value of the man, and the attention he would bring. The media was, as a rule, not in his favor. But with this grinning dullard in action, it appeared both of them would garner some form of notoriety. And with his rise, others would surely see the benefit in his rising star.
The gorillas at his command scattered, at the sight of the incoming fireball they went for cover. Only to find that they had not suffered any form of injury. This too, astonished the might of Grodd, but only temporarily. Clearly, the other simian present possessed abilities that could be, beneficial in such a fray.
Delightful.
"Paltry barbs from a foolish hominid, to be expected! Wreathed in flames but not a single light on upstairs, it's almost laughable. But clearly, we disagree on which one of us should be behind bars." the low grumble of Grodd's voice rang out before he locked eyes on the fire engulfed Johnny Storm and then, he would feel it.
It would emit from Grodd's head like a wave, punching out against Johnny with a mighty wave of psychic force, that resonated within his brain with the voice of Grodd. "RETREAT. YOUR FAILURE IS ALL BUT CONFIRMED".
Grodd motioned for his Gorillas to reform, also carried now by the psychic wave, a mighty pulse beaming from his brain in an area around him now, his mind forcing its domination on all those who would submit, but of course, The Human Torch would likely not be put down by such an attack.
It was the other Simian who worried him. Another message would beam into his head.
"You possess powers beyond my reckoning, your assistance in this endeavor will not be forgotten"
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Sept 7, 2024 18:24:39 GMT
The sign would have passed right through Johnny, melted into molten metal by his super-heated plasma form and exiting the other side as harmless droplets that would have cooled and pattered to the ground like a light shower of ball bearings. It was a classic Human Torch effect, as his plasma form was difficult to strike with physical objects or attacks, as hot and semi-liquid as it was. The sign shouldn't have been an issue.
However, Johnny's attention was distracted away from Grodd as he turned to Sun Nao.
The psychic attack struck him like a forty foot baseball swung by a sixty foot ape would strike a six foot man right in his thinking box. Johnny reeled, his flame form suddenly extinguished by the mighty mental blow, and the sign hit him dead between the eyes. He spun backwards, flying down as he tried to remain composition.
"Ah, f- Flame on!"
Johnny ignited inches from the floor, regaining himself as he took to the skies again. He turned hard, shooting like a rocket towards the nosey Sun Nao and the gorilla gang.
"Stay out of this, kiddo! You don't understand the situation!"
Johnny flew by quickly in front of the young man on the cloud, then screeched to a halt, turning to face them again. He raised both arms, but faltered. Johnny let out an agitated groan.
"Move it! Or you're gonna get singed too! These aren't regular apes!"
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Sept 7, 2024 20:10:03 GMT
"And you do?" Sun Nao retorted, and Johnny, the young demigod, did not hesitate, and as Torch raised his arms and faltered, he swung. In the blink of an eye, the youngster held a wooden staff and aimed to smash Torch towards the ground. If Torch did not dodge, he would find the staff utterly unaffected by the heat and hit him as if he were without his flames. "Is your plan to burn the gorillas to a crisp?! I thought you were supposed to be a great hero!" There was disappointment in the voice...
Sun Nao spun the staff into a battle stance. Grodd's mind abilities were not enough to control the young demigod, but what it did do was give him a nudge.
"Make me, Candle Man..." He shot at Torch, cracking his neck, face shifting to more of a grin. "You're not getting near those apes and monkeys, not while I'm the Monkey Prince." There was a moment when his smile faltered... "I could not face my father if I let them be harmed."
While his clone was busy keeping Torch occupied, the real Sun Nao kept an eye on things below. He knew from experience that the clone would not last long, and all Torch needed was a good hit for it to vanish. The clones had all the powers of the original, except for his durability. Of course, at the moment, the bonus was that Torch seemed to think he was fighting a person, but that would not last forever.
The voice returned, and now he could identify that it must be coming from the slightly more giant gorilla with the weird helmet.
"And you're clearly not part of the Zoo" he tried to think back, hoping it would work. Part of Sun Nao was curious about this weird ape, and this conflict was getting in the way of asking questions. Grodd could sense there were a lot of questions. "Who are you anyway?"
Taking cover behind a wall, Sun Nao raised his hand, moving it in a circle and summing a small portal in mid-air. "I don't know what's happening here," he told the tiny monkeys, who for some reason remained unaffected by the assault of Grodd, most likely protected by Sun Nao's authority as Monkey Prince. "You'll be safe in my room; there is a fruit bowl. I'll come back for you, don't worry." The monkeys began to leap into the portal after some hesitation.
|
|
|
|
Post by scallop on Sept 11, 2024 0:00:24 GMT
Truly, the unexpected was rearing its face at what was supposed to be an open and shut operation. His control over the zoo had waned quickly when he found himself face to face with a so-called member of the self-serving Justice League. But yet, not all the chips were in the corner of Mr Firebolt. Rather, he seemed to be struggling in more than one way. It was quite fortunate that he appeared vulnerable to psychic assaults.
This would be invaluable knowledge.
Johnny's mind would begin to pulse again, that same aching headache would grip hold of his brain, squeezing it. But this would be more than a baseball this time, something a bit more, customized. The pain would hit, but above all else, Johnny's affected mind would be greeted with the image of his dear beloved sister, in the uniform Grodd had knowledge of, engulfed in a myriad of animals, desperately overcome by the primal threat.
"Pity, the Human Torch so caught up in a bombastic rough and tumble altercation, that he misses his own flesh and blood fighting for her life. Tell me hominid, do you always let your family down, or have you just recently adopted that role?" The simian's chuckles and words bounced into his mind as the behelmeted gorilla smirked at the man who ensured he would be engulfed in flames. With him distracted, it was likely he could make his escape, General or not. But...this was entertaining enough, enough to watch this unfold.
However, he would have to lend his mind some focus on the younger appearing Simian ally he had happened upon. This could be a very fortuitous acquaintance.
"Wonderful, your mind is developed enough to respond. My name is Grodd, I myself hail from Gorilla City, Africa, I find myself on a Journey to the west. These super-powered assailants often hinder my machinations to overthrow the Hominid rule. You are a skilled warrior, you would find a keen position by my side."
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Sept 11, 2024 18:32:45 GMT
The staff struck Johnny, and his surprise was palpable when it didn't phase through him, instead thrusting him into the sky like a baseball made of flame. He spun, righted himself, then came back around.
"Hey, Oracle? I think this could turn hairy... could you call in some back-up?"
Johnny advanced again through the air, stopping before Sun Nao. He shot out an arm, releasing a hot wave of flame at the boy. Yet as it approached, it split into streams which spun around his body, buffering him with heat but not even scorching his hair.
"Hey, kid, don't you know who I am? I'm Human Torch! I was in the Fantastic Four! Don't you think we know how to - "
His thoughts were cut off, as Grodd's second psychic attack hit his mind. Johnny grunted, then faltered as the image was thrust into the front of his periphery. Sue was screaming, wild beasts clawing at her as she was overwhelmed by-
Johnny blinked, then gave a harsh bark of laughter.
"Seriously? For such a so-called super smart ape-"
Flame surged across his body, as he soared low and swift, under Sun Nao's cloud and across the ground towards Grodd, followed by a trail of fire like a comet on cocooned.
"-you thought you'd try and break me using the fashion nightmare that was the 1993 Fantastic Four suit-"
He shot past, releasing a wave of heat at the gorilla, passing through to the other side, creating a wall of flames between him and the other gorillas.
"-and then wanted me to believe my Sue would be beaten by a petting zoo-"
Johnny banked, turning a harsh corner in the air, aiming back for Grodd again.
"-and you think I'm the one without a light on upstairs? Let's go, Harambe, you and me!"
Johnny blasted forward, picking up speed as he lunged towards Grodd. A tackle around the Gorilla's waist was the plan, then use his flames to propell them both upwards into the air. He was getting annoyed at this chattering ape now. Throwing barbs at him was fine. Bringing his sister into the mix? That's over the line.
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Sept 11, 2024 21:24:58 GMT
Blasting Sun Nao with hot air did nothing other than irritate him. The clone might have vanished if he had been attacked, but not from being buffered by heat. The young demigod gritted his fangs as Torch made a b-line towards Grodd below. The cloud turned on the spot as Sun Nao shifted his grip on the staff, watching as Johhny blocked off Grodd from the other gorillas. Sun Nao could chase after him, but there was no need. Sun Nao did have one advantage that Torch was unaware of: he was not alone.
As Johnny returned, picking up speed to lunge himself at the ape, another wooden staff the size of a small pillar appeared to block him, wielded by... the boy with the tail, but a quick glance up would reveal that the boy was still on his cloud, yet there was now another... who looked exactly the same. "We're not done playing yet!" The second teen cried before starting to attack Johnny with a combo of swings; the movement of his body showed a great deal of skill, and he knew how to use the ability of his weapon as it continued to shift in size and length as and when needed. "Don't you dare use Harambe's name like that! He deserved so much... better!"
In the meantime, the real Sun Nao was glad he had enough time to summon another clone to join the first. He could have nine clones active at any one time if he needed to, but he was also not one to waste them, as it was still... a little weird with several of himself. Still, with that going on, he had more freedom to prepare.
It was still the question of... this Grodd.
"Gorilla city? There's a city of Gorillas in Africa?" That was news to him. Well, now was not the time, but it did open for many follow-up questions. That would be difficult to ask or answer while fighting Human Torch... and who knows who he just called in as backup? "Call me Sun Nao, and I suppose I hail from Flower and Fruit Mountain." Still, overthrowing the Hominid rule did give Sun Nao pause... because that did not sound right.
|
|
|
|
Post by scallop on Sept 14, 2024 22:06:08 GMT
Fascinating.
Either his psychic attack on the oncoming Storm was misinformed, or his powers were not as potent within his mind. The answer came to him in the form of the golden boy gloating, assuaging any doubts of his own superior abilities. Despite this, Grodd was aware that at this point, he would have to abandon his original quarry, as if their little encounter went on for too long, he was certain he would be facing off against more than just the Hyman Torch.
That was simply, unacceptable.
"You must be mistaken Mr Torch. I'm much more than just some run of the mill super smart ape, I am Grodd. The inheritor of millenia of development, the pinnacle of mental development! Dealing with a burning ache like you is mere child's play!"
Sun Nao'a retaliation would be followed with a swift combo, as Grodd once again let Johnny feel his grip, like a vicious knife had been thrust down into his cerebral cortex, or if he was lucky, just a mere migraine. Either way, he would be needing an Advil.
But then, there he was. Sun Nao. An unexpected comrade in this farce of an engagement. Just, who xould this young fighter be? A mystery, how quaint.
"Yes, Gorilla City, a veritable paradise for the simian who have ascended past the average man. A place where we may thrive beyond the peering eye of humanity. Where I myself hail, but the oppressive beaurcuracy that appear allergic to change have cast me aside for my open mind. Your skills are those outside of any I witnessed even there, yet I do not doubt your origin. Before our farenheit friend can have his coup de grace, I must be gone. But your alliance will not be forgotten, nor wpuld it be shunned should we cross paths once more."
Grodd smirked as he spoke, unwilling to reveal his true intent, to find the slurce of these miraculous powers. But an ally in the boy would be useful. He raised his hand and on cue the gorilla's began to scatter to the wind, yet he stood longer, anticipating another strike from the Fantastic Four graduate before this was over.
|
|
