A Werewolf In Under-Town

Dave shuffled his shoulders and slid his feet across the tiled floor as he danced his way back upstairs. As he did, he passed several more of his Lackeys, a few of which were also dancing.

"Grab the credits and fill your pockets, dudes!" Dave chuckled.

He kept up his swaying and toe-tapping all the way to the lobby of the bank. Gordi and Lawrence were still there, emitting music and dancing wildly. Lawrence looked sweaty but not overly tired as Dave shot him a thumbs up. Gordi nodded at him as he continued to dance, sending his hypnotic power throughout the bank. Patrons and employees were dancing up a storm in the lobby as Lawrence's music reverberated off the high walls.

Dave danced his way around the dancing patrons and looked around. A few of his Lackeys had stayed up here to either enjoy the music or defend Gordi. He waved to them and gave the signal that Supes were coming. His signal was acknowledged and his people started clearing space in the large square lobby. ATMs and waist-high desks dotted the lobby, but his Lackeys managed to pull, push, and dance the patrons around such obstacles.

Once Dave had his stage for his epic fight, the Lackeys began dancing. Pretending to be a part of those caught in Gordi's spell. Dave had ordered them to do so if any Supes showed up. They were to be his backup if things got… hinky. A little surprise for the do-gooders.

He grinned to himself as he adjusted his jacket. Dave had joined the game in order to be a hero and see how his Taekwondo skills did in a video game. Who could've known that they were like the ultimate cheat code? His Martial Arts (Taekwondo) skill was already at the Expert level and, as he understood it, that was almost as high as skills could go. Ren told him it was the game, recognizing his skill in the real world and incorporating it. Which meant since he trained hard in the real world, the skill got a boost here. A gnarly bit of realism that Dave loved.

He several high kicks in a row before ending with a high roundhouse that spun him around. The music was pumping and Dave's blood was spoiling for a fight. He really couldn't wait to see what kind of Supers were heading his way. He hopped on the balls of his feet as he waited, stretching and smiling at the prospect of what was to come. But whoever they were, they were taking a long time. Gordi had to restart the song already and still no one was here.

Dave glanced at the door multiple times, but the barrier was still in place and the doors were untouched. He thought he caught a glimpse of red and blue lights beyond the windows. But their ornate frosted glass and faux-gold inlay made things hard to see. He kept practicing his kicks as Gordi continued to dance nearby. Lawrence leaned on a desk in the lobby as the music burst forth from his body. He gave Dave a shrug and seemed to say 'What are you going to do?' which was a sentiment Dave understood. He knew heroes always arrived late, but this was ridiculous.

He was beginning to think the Supes were trying something sneaky when a heavy force hit the barrier at the door. Dave grinned and began dancing again as another powerful blow hit the barrier. But after four more blows, Dave blew out a breath of annoyance. He had asked Levy for the strongest Barrier spell she had, hoping that whatever hero broke it would be a worthy fight. But whoever was outside seemed to be having some trouble. With each blow, Dave would get his hopes up, only for the attack to be turned aside by the magic.

Dave stopped dancing after the twentieth blow and growled angrily in the noisy lobby. Either Levy was more powerful than he'd expected or these were some weak heroes. Dave put on a smile for his invisible streaming camera that was still going and apologized to his viewers.

"It seems the heroes are having some problems, huh? But, hey! At least we still have the dance party, right? And as soon as they get in here, you're going to see some fireworks, promise."

Dave kept himself warmed up as it took another five blows for the magic barrier to finally break and a large brown body came stumbling in. Dave nearly squealed with joy as he started dancing. The scaly brown bruiser that had crashed through the door was followed by a tiny witch with a broom in her hands. She was followed by a skinny teen with a red leather jacket and a katana on his back, who was then followed by a floating dude with glowing blue eyes. The floating dude was the only one with serious muscles. Being built like a bodybuilder. The second toughest-looking was the scaly guy who looked…

"Oh, no way! Fucking sweet!" Dave shouted as he kept dancing. "A fucking dinosaur!"

"I'm not a DINOSAUR! I'm an alien!" shouted the brown, scaly hero as he glared at Dave.

Dave put up his hands in a placating gesture as he continued to dance. "Sorry, dude. You look like a triceratops."

"I'm aware!"

Dave chuckled as the four heroes looked around the room in shock. Lawrence's music was vibrating in the air and Gordi was still dancing his heart out. Red jacket saw Gordi first and drew his katana.

"Boss, we got a Controller with a physical compulsion."

"Oh, there's a name for it?" Dave chuckled. "That's cool. I just called him a Dance-o-Mancer."

"What kind of name is that?" the witch asked.

Dave shrugged. "He makes people dance."

"Fair."

"Please stop conversing with the Villain, my young charges." The floating dude said.

His glowing blue eyes and discolored red skin marked him as an alien and, if Dave guessed right, an NPC. Which was weird, cause he was sure the other three were players. As he slid closer, still dancing, he asked.

"Is the big guy your boss?"

"Mentor." The triceratops said. "It's supposed to boost our progression and make us look good for the HLO."

The floating guy sighed loudly over the music. "Dino-Rizer, please listen to me about talking to the enemy. Also, why haven't any of you scanned him yet?"

The witch and Katana boy hurried to do just that as Dave suppressed a chuckle. "Dino-Rizer? I thought you weren't a dinosaur?"

"As in Dinosaur terrorizer. Someone who terrorizes dinosaurs. Not someone who is one."

Dave scrunched up his face in confusion as the Witch shouted in triumph.

"Ha! Got him! But this is weird. He scans as two people."

"Dave and Koan." Katana boy added as he looked down at his wrist communicator.

"Split personality?"

"I don't think so."

"Dudes, I'm right here." Dave smiled again. "You could just ask me."

The floating hero snorted. "As if anything a villain said could be trusted. Marvella, what is the highest rating of the two?"

"Koan. He's rated as a low B-tier threat. Dave is just a low C-tier."

Floater nodded. "Okay then, anticipate a B-Tier fight. Rizer, you're on control. Johnny, stick and move. Marvella, See if you can't free some of the civilians. I will contain the fight."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

With his last words, the floating alien flew higher and emitted a blue glow as power suffused the area. Dave snorted as he gripped the nearest desk with his bare hand.

"Dude, if you have a plan, don't shout it out for all to hear. That's just amateur hour."

Spinning, Dave yanked the desk out of the floor with all his strength and aimed a throw at the floating hero. The desk and chunks of the floor went zipping through the air before colliding with the Super. He slammed backward into the bank wall, but Dave didn't get to see what kind of damage he did as Johnny, the swordsman, dashed forward.

With a flash of red, the boy's sword was in his hand and glowing ominously. Dave's smile grew larger as he checked the boy's shoulders for the direction of the swing. His own speed was already enhanced thanks to his mutation. But the boy was fast. A diagonal chop from the blade whizzed by his head, missing him by inches, as Dave leaned back and faked a snap-kick into Johnny's chest. The boy pulled his sword back to defend and Dave altered the direction of his kick, coming in over the top and slamming the top of his foot on the boy's shoulder.

Caught by surprise, Johnny hit the floor in a heap and Dave spotted Dino-Rizer slowing his charge at the scene. The not-dinosaur, dinosaur player looked stunned as Dave kicked the down Johnny in the chest, sending him spinning across the floor toward the front door. Dave bobbed and weaved happily as blood pulsed through him. But something was off. It took a second, but Dave figured it out.

"Lawrence! This beat is all off. Give me some fight music!"

Immediately, the music shifted from a pop-y dance number to something a little more metal. Dave started head banging as Marvella helped Johnny off the floor. Overhead, the floating hero pulled himself out of the wall and glared down at Dave. Green blood dripping from his nose.

"Oh, fuck yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Dave shouted over the music. Turning to his camera, he added. "Get ready for a show, folks!"

"The fucker is streaming!" Dino-Rizer shouted, sounding annoyed.

But Dave didn't give him long to think about that fact as he dashed toward the big dinosaur. He slammed a kick into the other player's knee and then jumped, bringing his knee toward the triceratops' face. Rizer got his hands up to defend his face in time, but the force of the blow sent him sliding back.

The big triceratops shook out his arms as Dave saw a grin appear on the player's face.

"Oh, you're going to be a fun villain, aren't you?"

Dave nodded. "Of course! I'm the Villain having the most fun, I assure you."

"Charges, we must band together to defeat this foe!" said the floating dude.

Dave nodded eagerly as he reached over to another desk threateningly. The flying guy quickly landed and shot him an angry look before checking on Johnny. The swordsman was shaken but not to hurt to Dave's eyes. All four heroes glanced at each other before they turned as one to Dave.

"We shall apprehend you villain! Whether you be Dave or Koan. Whether you are C or B tier! You shall not escape us!"

Dave smiled as he nodded along with the NPC's words. He didn't want to escape. He could feel his armor begging to be let loose. It wasn't a sentient thing, but Dave always felt that the armor was just a more unrestrained him. It wasn't time for it yet. He wanted to play a little more first.

The Supes must have taken his silence as the starting gun, cause the four heroes charged as one. Dave rolled his eyes as the NPC hero starting flying again. So he ripped another desk out of the floor and threw it. This time the flyer dodged the desk, but that just meant that it hit Rizer full in the face. The triceratops took the blow and kept moving as bits of wood showered his compatriots.

Dave got ready to clash fists with the flying hero, but he was surprised when the spandex'd bastard dove away and shot eye beams at him. He turned to avoid the beams, only for Rizer and Johnny to hit him from both sides. Dave raised his arm to block Johnny's sword as he caught Rizer's charge with his knee and body. The three of them slid backward as Johnny's sword bit into his forearm and Rizer tried to overpower him. Dave laughed as the blood rushed in his ears. Then Marvella's magic hit him in the chest.

A blue tube of wavy magic caught Dave in the chest and picked him up. He was flung backward into the far wall of the bank. Bricks fell, and Dave quickly got to his feet as he checked himself. His shirt was ruined and blood was dripping down his arm. But it wasn't anything to write home about. He rolled his shoulders as the fast-paced music blasted all around. The dust and debris from the wall was still settling, and Dave decided this was the perfect time for his change. The atmosphere was good, the music was pumping, and the Supes had just got a hit in. Now would be the time for a dramatic revelation.

Dave stepped out of the dust and ripped the remnants of his shirt away. Making sure that the camera was well placed for what was to come. Starting softly and then morphing into a full on belly laugh, Dave went for broke as the Supes watched his antics.

"You dastardly Heroes have no idea what you've awoken! You don't know the terror I have wrought! I am the horror that stalks the night! I am that which terrifies children!"

Dave dropped into the horse stance as the Heroes stared on in confusion. He spread his arms and then slowly brought them together in front of him. He made a triangle with his thumbs and forefingers before he dropped his right arm to his side and raised his left. Dave made a large circle with his left arm as he finished his speech.

"I am a Villain without equal! All who challenge me shall be left broken and left by the wayside."

His left arm joined his right on his hips, then Dave brought them up again in an X in front of his face. Breaking the X, Dave finished his little play for the camera.

"I. AM. KOAN!"

With the final word, he triggered his change. Just in time, as the flying NPC charged him again, sending blue beams of energy at him from his eyes. But the transformation was already going. Dave was invincible for the few seconds it took for his armor to enclose him. However, the energy beams ricocheted off and almost hit Marvella. Which Dave called a win. The witch glared at her mentor as they waited for Dave's armor sequence to complete.

The sequence was fast, though, and soon Dave was standing in his blue insect-like armor and dancing again. All around he noted his Lackeys waiting in the wings for the signal to attack. But Dave still wanted to play a little. The NPC Supe made another diving pass as his eyes lit up like stars. Beams of blue energy zipped toward Dave, and he dodged out of the way as he kicked the ground hard. Propelling himself at the NPC, Dave quickly caught the alien by his booted foot and brought him down to the tiled floor as hard as he could.

The alien was clearly what Vlad and Shaggy called a 'Glass Cannon.' With only the first smash into the floor, the alien went limp and Dave felt the alien's knee break. Dropping the broken appendage, Dave kicked the Mentor Hero away and let him crash through the bank's desks. Dave winced as he saw several dancing patrons get hit by the hero. But he didn't have time to worry about that as Rizer and Johnny were on him again.

"Don't let him hit you!" Rizer shouted.

"No shit!" Johnny called back.

Dave ducked past a sword swing and then blocked a kick from Rizer. The blow was enough to lift Dave off the floor, so he used it as a springboard to flip behind the big dinosaur and kick him in the waist. Rizer went tumbling toward the back of the room as a bolt of magical energy caught Dave in the back. The strength of the magic lifted Dave up and held him in place as he struggled to move. Johnny jumped on the chance and sent multiple sword swings into Dave's armored form. As the blade hit him, its red glow grew brighter and brighter until his katana was bright red. Alarm bells went off in Dave's head at the sight.

Marvella gave a shout of surprise and Dave was suddenly free just as Johnny's sword flashed and a moon-shaped arc of energy exploded from his sword. The energy scorched Dave's armor as it passed him and hit the wall of the bank, creating a large hole. Dave blew out a breath of relief as he turned to Marvella. Two of his Lackeys were firing at the witch as she shot bolts of magic back at them. Dave sighed, but waved an arm in the air, signaling the rest of his people.

The middle of the back was suddenly a huge melee as the Lackeys charged. Each was eager to land a blow on the heroes. Dave grunted as he saw his chance for a start up brawl drift away. Now it was a tricky dance of trying to get between his people and land a significant blow. Rizer roared as he punched and kicked any Lackey that got close. But he was being pelted by laser fire, and probably wouldn't last long. A lackey went sailing past Dave's helmeted face as he watched Johnny slash and dodge his way around the NPC thugs. Dave had trained them, but that only went so far. A Player was a Player, of course.

A rumbling noise to his left made Dave look over in time to see the NPC Supe pull himself from the rubble of the wall. The Mentor took one look at the melee going on in the bank and tried to dash toward the hole in the wall. Not letting the alien hero go for reinforcements, Dave jumped after the flyer. The two collided near the wall, and Dave sent several kicks into the NPC's face and body before they hit the ground.

"Villain! What you've accomplished here means nothing! We shall be avenged! We shall-URK!"

Dave nodded apologetically as he brought another kick down on the alien. "Sorry, dude. It doesn't look like I can play anymore. Things are moving fast. But look at it this way: you and your team almost had me there for a minute. So good job!"

Dave gave the alien a thumbs up and brought his boot down on the NPC's face. He heard the crunch of something breaking and then turned back to the lobby of the bank. The fight was messy now. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to take part. According to the terminal downstairs, the longer they stalled, the more money they'd get away with. Dave cracked his armored knuckles and walked back toward the melee. Besides, his people needed help and if there was one thing Dave was good at, it was helping people.