Thrash of the Titan {Alexis/Atlas}

[Alexis]

Alexis stared down at the man, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. He seemed a lot like several of the soldiers under her command back in Troy. He was one who talked before he thought. And while that could be useful at times, it was even more annoying at others. When he mentioned Narcissus, she fought the urge to hit him again. "Trust me, you do not wish to be like Narcissus in any way. He is not as attractive as he thinks." The idiot. Falling in love with himself like that. The stories claimed that he was cursed by the gods, but he was just an idiot.

When Atlas asked of her other powers, she pondered for a moment. How much should she reveal to him? He seemed to have no qualms about telling her all the powers he had. Perhaps she could reveal her powers without giving details that could be used against her if it came to that. "I was blessed by the gods with increased attributes, including strength, reflexes, and durability. Beyond that, I was gifted with agelessness and have used that time to become a master in hand-to-hand combat, as well as combat with all types of weapons."

[Atlas]

"I was joking. I didn't mean I'd go all, drown myself in a stream. Just that I feel handsomer than before nose punch is all." He probably wasn't all that handsome actually, at best he looked like good ol' Ajax Cohen, guy who was about as handsome to most girls as their slightly chubby cousin Ron. Still, he had the mask on, no way for her to know that.

The teenager listened intently as she told him about her powers. "That's so cool! How long have you been alive?" Ajax could have clamped a hand over his mouth at that, but he didn't, he merely widened his eyes underneath the mask. "Sorry, I know it's rude to ask people's ages, I've just never met someone who was immortal before."

Ajax scratched his neck then, and looked over at her again. "So, not that I'd expect you to share it, but do you do the whole secret identity thing?"

[Alexis]

Alexis tilted her head. She didn't understand why it would be rude to ask one's age. In Troy, it was considered a compliment to ask a warrior their age. The older you were, it was understood you survived many battles and thus were a better warrior. This modern day society was strange. "I do not remember my exact age. As the way our cultures measure time are similar, I believe it would be accurate to say that I have lived for over three thousand of your years. And I am not immortal, that is reserved for the gods. I am simply ageless. I can live indefinitely if left alone, but I can still be killed. It would be harder than killing a typical mortal, but I can still die."

It was strange. Alexis had never feared death. Maybe it was because she had met Hades and understood what would happen when the time finally came. From what she understood, this current world had many different views on what would happen after death but couldn't agree on one. That lead to fear of death because it was a fear of the unknown.

She turned her attention back to Atlas when he asked about secret identities. Emily had talked to her of such things before, but it was something she had never bothered with. "I have no need to hide my identity. The world already knows me as Alexis of Troy, as they have since the days of the Trojan War. I see no reason to change that now."

[Atlas]

Atlas stretched his arms across his chest as Alexis described her age to him. Strange, he didn't feel any stronger. He'd assumed that going on the mend, especially that quickly, would boost his strength the same as usual. Maybe 'cuz magic? Could be worth looking into. Whoa, wait, what? "Three thousand years old? Three thousand, whoa." That was now the most impressive thing about her. Not the weapons or the armor or the strength, just the fact that she was the oldest person he'd ever met. He'd met the wife of a civil war vet once, but Alexis put that woman to shame. By about two thousand and nine hundred years.

"I mean, I mean, what all must you have seen? What must you have done? You could've watched the battle of Agincourt, or met Genghis Khan. Wow. Wait." Ajax started to try the math in his head, three thousand years. Older than Homer. "Did... Did you know Hector? Hector's the coolest! He was my favorite warrior in the fictional piece we know as the Iliad." He was also quite fond of Ajax, strongest among the Greeks, person his parents had named him after, but he wasn't interested in upsetting her even further. Plus he wasn't sure how insulted he'd feel if she badmouthed the big fella.

"There must be a huge culture shock showing up now huh? OH OH OH! I should make you a list of movies and TV episodes to watch so that you can understand what people mean when they make references!

[Alexis]

Alexis was bemused by Atlas' reaction. It would never show on her face, but every soldier like being revered in one way or another. Although, not everything that Atlas was saying was true. "I have done a great deal in the time I have walked this world. Unfortunately, our time since the War has been in isolation. We have only just started learning what has happened in our time away from the world." It was a pity, really. So much to learn, so little time. If only they had had the time to figure out a way to keep watch on the rest of the world in their isolation.

At his next question, Alexis gave the man a look as if it was a stupid question. "Of course I know Hector. He is our king. And your Iliad is a lie. A work of fiction written to glorify the Greeks once we had gone from this world." It still gave her a bad taste in her mouth. At least they have given Hector some of his dues, but they still made him seem like a coward when faced with death. And what more, Hector was not the only Trojan hero! And yet they left so many of us out!

She pushed her anger away. This was nor the time or place. Instead, she focused back on Atlas. "You could say there has certainly been a period of learning that has been going on. And no thank you, I have more important things to do than idle around and watch movies and shows."

[Atlas]

"Oh man, I mean, I've never left New York, but god I've always had the option to. I can't imagine being isolated that long. If everybody was ageless I bet that could get boring. If everybody wasn't, I bet that could be sad." Atlas scratched his cheek through his mask. "No, I know that would be sad." Death was sad even if you weren't an ageless supermodel who could beat up super powered teenagers on rooftops. He knew that even if he didn't acknowledge it, he'd always know that loss was painful.

Woah. She knew Hector. She knows Hector. The main man, and not the wrestling/comics variety. Hector, prince of Troy! King now, probably one of the only kings still running around with any actual power. Much more powerful than the king of Norway, Norway. What a nerdy place to be a king of. King of universal healthcare and dope prisons, what a nerd. However, before Atlas could comment on how she was the bestest pal of Hector champion of Apollo, she said something that was an affront to all that he knew.

"Woah, woah, woah. You don't think movies or TV are important? I mean, how important were plays, and poems, and the images on pottery in the time before you guys went into isolation? How much easier, how much fun was it to say, 'Hey, you see that crazy bull painting last week?' You can certainly get by without movies or tv, but it's the art that we have now, and let me tell you, some of the most important examples of modern values and ideas can be found in them. If you watch Casablanca, or Goodwill Hunting, or Blazing Saddles, you'll see something of what you missed in there. Centuries of feeling and passion, packed into a hundred and twenty minutes. One man's opinion, but it's definitely worth your time."

[Alexis]

Alexis tilted her head as Atlas rambled. He seemed to do that quite a lot. About almost everything she said, it seemed. It would be easier to simply turn and leave. However, she did break his face. The least she could do was be patient and answer his questions. "It was only boring if you let it become so. Many of us used our time to better ourselves. Personally, I used it to train in all manner of weapons ad hand-to-hand combat, as well as to better my mind." That was one of the things Alexis was most excited about when it came to ending their isolation. More weapons to master. More formats of combat to learn. More information to consume.

"As for your next question," the Trojan continued, "Not everyone in Troy is ageless. A certain number of us were granted agelessness by the gods, but the rest of our people are mortal. There have been times when it has been... difficult. Us ageless ones swore an oath not to marry mortals, as the pain of losing a family could be too much. But there have been lovers. Friends. All lost to the sands of time." Alexis couldn't even name all the ones she had lost. The number was higher than she could remember. But it wasn't something she could dwell on.

She then listened as Atlas rambled again. It seemed her words had personally insulted him. And yet, despite his seemingly simple nature, he had a point. She held up a hand to halt his words. She had been looking for new ways to better herself, as well as learn the history she had missed. It would be foolish to decline a possible way of doing so out of hand. "You present a compelling argument. I suppose it would not be the worst thing to delve into some of these movies and shows during my down time."

[Atlas]

"I'm sorry. I... know the pain of losing a family." A couple in fact. Of course, he hadn't probably had as much time with them as Alexis was capable of having, but it still hurt. Length of having didn't affect the feeling of loss.

However, his mood was quickly brightened by her other words. "OH! OKAY! I'll write you up the list right now!" Ajax tried to reach down to a pants pocket, but the odd fabric-ed spandex didn't include any. He'd been going for a pen, but he didn't have any paper to use it on if he had it. Of course he was in an office building, but he didn't want to steal pen and paper right away. His backpack! He'd left it on the other roof. The roof where he'd been punched. Huh, he was genuinely unupset by it, which was a quick time to get over being sent sailing. He was fine, and he'd probably deserved it. No harm done. "I'll be right back, I'm just gonna go grab my backpack!" At his top speed, which was nearing forty-five miles per hour, he jumped up through the hole he'd created in the roof, and sprinted across the rooftops to jump'n'roll back to his previous vantage point. Scooping up his backpack, he turned to run back when a voice reached his ears.

"I don't know what's in that knapsack, but you're not going to use it." Atlas turned around just in time to see a man the same height as Alexis, decked in muscles clad in gray and back with a blue cape, floating above the roof just behind him. Then he punched Atlas. In the exact. Same. Spot. He'd. Just. Been. Punched. Luckily, the numbness hadn't worn off just yet even with the healing, and it hurt him a bit less. Instead of falling in the same spot, he fell a bit short of the other hole, creating one a bit closer to where he'd been punched, but he fell on a damned desk again. It fell just the same as the other, and Atlas rolled his head to look at Alexis, "I promise, I didn't say anything that time."

Through the hole that had just been created, the man flew down, and said, "You were given the government and media designation Atlas. And since I have not yet taken that mask off your face, I'll call you the same for now. Atlas, you are under arrest." He quickly looked over, seeing Alexis. "Ah, Alexis Troy, I was hoping to make your aqcuaintance when I was off duty, perhaps try and set up a meeting between us and that Alphaman caharacter, but this works just fine. I am Captain Star, it's a pleasure to meet you." He looked up at the older hole. "I'd assume that this is your handywork?"

[Alexis]

Alexis watched as Atlas hurried off. That seemed to cheer him up a bit. Though, she didn't understand why she had wished to do so. He wasn't one of her men. She still wasn't completely sure he wasn't a criminal. So why did she care about his peace of mind? She wasn't sure. The Trojan was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of voices. She didn't have any type of enhanced hearing, but this late at night voices travel. Or rather, voice.

Before she could think on it further, Atlas came crashing through the wall. It was a bit of a surprise, as she hadn't expected someone else to be strong enough to hit him across building and through a wall like she had. She almost smirked when Atlas promised he hadn't said anything this time.

A man then came floating down through the hole and began to address Atlas, eventually proclaiming him under arrest. Her eyes narrowed. She had not been briefed of any super powered law-enforcement personal in the area. The man then addressed her. "It is just Alexis; Troy is where I am from." She decided to ignore his question about the hole she had made. "I am not familiar with you, Captain Star. Who or what gives you the authority to arrest this man?"

[Atlas]

Atlas tried to lift his hand, and through some odd force of will managed to do it. "I second that question." His jaw hurt again, but not to the awful excruciating degree it had when Alexis had landed one on him. However he didn't seem to be the concern of the new man with an admittedly rad cape. "Alphaman wouldn't have punched me right off the bat." Atlas wasn't a hundred percent sure on that, it was more based on a feeling, but Atlas had been punched through a roof twice tonight, and he wasn't about to be quiet.

The man with the rad cape simply ignored him, and landed on soundless rubber soles. He replied to the Trojan woman with the same calm friendly tone he'd used before. Like he wasn't involved in attacking another stranger in spandex. "I suppose the only technical authority I have is as someone who actually abides by the laws of this country, unlike him." Tally mc-muscles motioned with his thumb towards Atlas who was now trying to actually manage to get back up. He was failing, but that wasn't enough for Captain Star. The man pointed two fingers on his right hand at Atlas, and extended his arm. A bolt of yellow energy erupted between them, and then went and hit Atlas, who fell back onto the floor on impact.

"My employer and I have decided that for the moment it is better that I keep my presence in the city hidden, so as not to arouse suspicion. There are far more people using their gifts for bad than good these days sadly. However, it is not my intention to remain so stagnant that I do nothing when I see a criminal hopping around rooftops. Why, may I ask, weren't you making his arrest?"

[Alexis]

Alexis stepped in between Atlas and this Captain Star. She still wasn't convinced that Atlas was completely innocent, but this man shooting some sort of energy at him whilst he was down was not something she was ok with. "You claim to be someone who abides by the laws of this country, and yet you stand here practicing vigilante justice. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that is illegal here. By your own logic, that would make you just as guilty as Atlas here. Beyond that, you just attacked a man who was already beaten and lay on the ground. I believe that constitutes as assault. And in my opinion, that was the act of a coward."

Planting her feet firmly, Alexis drew her sword. She was no friend to Atlas, but she would not stand idly by as this hypocrite claimed to be an angel while acting a demon. At least, she believed that was the proper metaphor. These new religions could all be so confusing. Not to mention wrong, but that was besides the point. "You asked why I was no making an arrest. That is because I, just as you, do not have the authority to do so. One claiming to be someone who abides by the law would know that. Whether you have meant to or not, your actions betray you. Clearly, you nor this mysterious employer of yours are as pure intentioned as you claim. I shall give you one chance to be on your way. If you depart, then I shall decide what to do with Atlas. If you choose to stay, I shall deal with you first."

[Atlas]

"~preach it sister." Atlas managed to force a quip through his jaws that felt like he'd been hit with a star trek phaser that had been set to stun. He lazy eyes drifted up, watching as the woman put herself between the two of them. She drew her sword. Oh, oh my god(s?). This is gonna be awesome.

She offered the man an opportunity to take his ball and go, and it was an offer he seemed averse to. His miraculous cape actually seemed to stop fluttering then, and when he spoke, his voice was far sharper than it had been before. "I don't need to be lectured on my country's own laws by some foreigner. And excuse me if I don't view doing something the government in incapable of as vigilantism. Beat cops don't come packing super powers, Ms. Dignitary, and at the end of the day it's going to take someone with abilities like ours to bring criminals like him in. And if not having the proper clearance means that you're willing to let him go free, then you are just as bad as he is. I'm not willing to let more people get hurt just because I'm not a park ranger."

Captain Star extended his hand, pointing at Alexis. He put his two fingers together, and the same energy that had struck Atlas sprung between them, and seemed to crackle as it hung there. "Now stand down." Oh, she is gonna f**k him up.

[Alexis]

Alexis' eyes were aflame. "Clearly, you do need to be lectured of your country's laws, as you do not seem to understand how they work. If vigilantism is illegal, it is illegal. It does not suddenly become legal because you feel as though you should be able to do what you wish. Whether you feel it is right or not, those are the rules your country was built on. But, it is obvious that you do not actually care about the laws. You care about doing what it is you want. And you." She pointed over to Atlas without taking her eyes off Captain Star. "Keep your mouth shut. You are not helping."

The Trojan shrugged off her shield as her foe threatened her with the same magic he had used on Atlas. A smirk started to grow on her face, much like it had when she fought the Lion. "Thankfully, your laws do not apply to me. So I shall take pleasure putting you in your place. You shall regret threatening me, knave. Take your shot."

[Atlas]

Atlas attempted to move his hand into a zip the mouth, throw away the key gesture, but couldn't muster the energy very easily and decided to avoid doing it. Not like Alexis would see it anyway. Or think it was very funny. Captain Star, lame name bee tee dubs, would also probably tell him to stop. He was happy they weren't getting along. They had a lot in common, talking about the law, grimness, silly superhero names, not liking his jokes. At least she was in front of him, and hopefully had his back. Or front!

Star had had more than enough back talk. "I'll have you know there are a number of words between the lines on diplomatic immunity Trojan. You're interrupting my attempt to defend my people, I won't stand for that."

The bolt of yellow came then, straight at Alexis faster at two decimal points below the speed of sound. Captain Star smirked beneath his mask. He had read the files his employer had on her, she would likely block the blow, and though eventually his "Sonic Sting" would be able to affect her through even that, it wasn't yet at that far a stage. So for now, she wouldn't be stunned. She would however be preoccupied. So, as soon as he'd sent the bolt at her, he flew head first at her, strafing to and turning to head at her right just before he reached her. He extended a fist, in public he'd likely avoid hitting a woman, but this was private.

[Alexis]

As Star fired his energy attack for a second time tonight, Alexis was able to block it almost instantly with her shield. It was fast, very fast, but still not as fast as a blow from Hector. She heard the sound of moving air and assumed that it was him using his flight power once again. He attempted to mislead her, but she had seen this type of maneuver many times before. Instead of being hit, she used her shield to deflect the blow and then brought it down onto his arm. It wouldn't sever the arm, but it would break it. Her first reaction was actually to cut it off with her sword, but she was still unsure of his motives.

"The only reason you still have a hand is because I believe your intentions are noble, though I do not much care for your attitude. So I am giving you a chance to leave now and tend to your injuries. Rethink your methods. Question the orders this employer of yours gives you. I shall deal with the one known at Atlas. If you choose to remain and keep fighting, I will be forced to inflict further harm upon you. And make no mistake about it," Alexis' eyes were aflame. "You will lose."