Post by Nyarlath on Feb 21, 2011 1:01:43 GMT -5
When you constantly uphold the truth of physical perfection you must, always, believe in order. Brian Thorn has claimed for many years to be the ultimate model of perfection in a mortal man, and that task hasn't come without its sacrifices, but it also didn't come on a whim. He fought, labored, and earned everything he has in life by believing in personal codes and order.
What he saw, hovering above the city of Tokyo, was not order. His new home was in ruins, people running scared and fleeing for their lives, and broadcasts condemning him for trying to use his abilities to help people. A massacre, ultimate destruction for these innocent people, and Fearzilla would have them believe that Brian Thorn is responsible for it.
If you asked him Thorn would never lead you to believe he's a good man. He knows he's hurt people, done things in his past that were questionable, and has caused suffering whether he intended to or not. The idea that Brian Thorn lives by a code would probably make most people snicker, but one must understand the difference between morality and discipline.
Morals haven't always played well with our hero, but discipline has to be his greatest asset. He's always been highly motivated and well driven to be the best, the pinnacle of perfection. Discipline brings about order. Sure, every once in a while even Thorn has to blow off some steam, he is human after all, but what he's seeing now is much worse.
He knows it has to end...
... but he can't find the will to move.
"What's wrong?" came the voice from nowhere. Thorn was pleased that the identity the artificial intelligence had created for itself was female, and that she had a sweet, soothing voice.
"Can't you see?"
"Only what the monitors tell me."
"And what do they tell you?" Thorn asked as he continued to stare at the carnage.
"Tokyo is in ruins, or close to it. Fearzilla has the city hiding under its bed. Your breathing is irratic."
"Monitors tell you that?"
"Sure," Jane admitted, "and I can hear it."
"I see."
"Thorn?"
"Yeah?"
"You know that I'm still learning, and that I don't really understand the world."
"Sure."
Jane took an uncharacteristic second before she continued. "Well in all the time I've known you your breathing, heart rate, pulse, all of it has been regulated, as if you're in complete control of them."
"I'm well trained in-"
"No," she interrupted. "What I mean is, why are those things suddenly abnormal? Some have quickened, some have slowed, and your body temperature seems low."
"All that learning and discovering, Jane, have you ever researched me?"
"More times than you probably would like to know."
"Well then you must understand the mystique that surrounds my name." Thorn's voice trailed off, "the legend."
"Of course," Jane admitted, though she seemed puzzled. Jane was quite good at expressing her confusion through traditional human methods, so long as it included the voice.
"What do these legends say about me?"
"Well," Jane started, "that you've been with an outrageous amount of women, that you're the peak of human perfection, and that you're both the coolest and most dangerous man on the planet."
"Think any of those might be exaggerations?"
"Of course," Jane said bluntly. It pleased her to hear Thorn laugh at that. "I mean I'm sure you've been with a great number of women, but the single most dangerous man on the planet? You're a good actor, but even I'm not inclined to believe that."
Thorn took a deep breath. Jane realized he was trying to regain control again, but it wasn't working. "Jane?" he asked.
"Yes?"
"Do you think I'm the peak of human perfection?"
"That's a silly question."
"Why?"
"Because," she explained, "there's no such thing. Humans are inherrintly flawed, but that's what makes them special. You certainly allow your strengths to shine through and have worked on fixing or hiding your weaknesses, but they're still there."
"Is that so?"
"It is, but it doesn't mean you're not a great man. Hell, you're the only one who can fly me."
Thorn chuckled. "You said that was because I was the only one you liked."
"I may have gone easier on you," Jane admitted, "but you still had to prove yourself worthy."
"Am I worthy?"
"We're here aren't we?"
Silence. Jane hated the silence. It passed more slowly for her. As Thorn stared down at the burning city, his bio signs still irratic, she was processing. Everything. Just a few seconds to Thorn were like hours to her. Hours of silence.
"I'm afraid."
"What?"
"I'm afraid," Thorn admitted.
"I don't understand."
"You asked why my breathing and pulse and all that were fluctuating," Thorn reminded her. "It's because I'm afraid." Thorn took another deep breath. It still wasn't helping.
"I still don't understand."
"You don't understand fear?" Thorn was a bit surprised. "Maybe you can't. Maybe despite all of that intelligence there's still a part of you that doesn't get it. No offense."
"None taken."
"I can't... I'm not sure I can do this, Jane. Look what Fearzilla has done, just to get to me. Every time I've encountered the guy it's ended up badly, and what's to say the next time won't?"
Jane kept quiet, so Thorn continued.
"All my life I've worked for success after success, all for what? So at this moment, at this truth in my life I can be a failure? So that some giant amalgamation of crazy can twist me and my image to his will? After all these years, after achieving so much, is my end really to fight the one monster I can't beat?"
"Fearzilla?"
"Fear itself. I've always kept myself away from fear, never really had to deal with it. I mean lets face it, I'm gifted and determined. I've always put myself in a position of strength so that I'd never have to face my fears. I've even been called 'fearless' from time to time, but I know that's not true. Now Fearzilla is going to make me face them. Jane, I can't do this."
"I don't understand."
"Are you serious?"
"No, let me explain." Jane took a second to let Thorn calm down. It didn't help much, but the gesture was kind. "Everything I've read about you has always been about some great exploit or brave achievement. Whether in the ring or in real life you've never backed down from a real challenge. You always go forth with confidence and you always come out of the battle, usually as the winner."
"You really don't get it," Thorn said with a sigh.
"No, I don't, because you've never been afraid around me before, and I've never read about you having fear."
"That's all fiction, Jane!" Thorn nearly yelled at her. "I'm not really the guy in those movies, or those skits that I did for wrestling. Some of the wrestling, even, wasn't really who I am. That's a shell, an image that I project, a character. The real me is looking down on Tokyo right now, and even being protected by hundreds of tons of metal and carrying some pretty powerful weapons, the real me is terrified."
"Well then project!" She shouted back. "If all your life has been a fake, and all you've been doing is playing a part, then play it one more time. Look around, these people need you! If the man is too afraid then let the myth, the legend come out and make Fearzilla pay for all of this."
"That's just it, I'm not sure I can."
"I think if your parents could see what you've become they would disagree with you."
"My parents?" he said with a pained voice. Old memories resurfaced, ones he'd tried to forget. For a second he wondered how Jane would even know about them, but the fact that she's the most advanced artificial intelligence in the world came back to him.
"Yes, Thorn," she said softly, "your parents. I know what you went through, how alone you must have felt, and how that drove you to be what you are now. You've lived a full life and they would have to be proud at your accomplishments. And if they were here, or if your grandparents who took care of you were still here, or your friends or family, your enemies, allies, your child. If any of them were here right now they could all tell you, without any pause in their voice, that if anyone can do what needs to be done it's you."
Silence. Jane hated the silence, but knew these next few seconds were important. Thorn tried to control his breathing again, but it still didn't seem to take.
"Emily would say it," Jane said. Her voice was confusing. It was soft and tender while at the same time had a hint of pain mixed in.
"Think so?"
"She's quite fond of you," Jane admitted, "she just can't admit it to herself. Also she doesn't want to just be some trophy. But yeah, she'd agree."
Another breath. This time it took. The pulse, the heartbeat, everything was back in it's rightful place. It was all like clockwork, ticking away in an orderly fashion.
"Are we going to do this?" Jane asked.
"Oh yeah," Thorn said with full confidence and a cocky grin, "We are so doing this. Buckle up!"
Thorn took the controls and blasted off. Neither of them were sure if they'd find Fearzilla or what would happen if they did, but it was clear there was going to be one hell of a fight.
What he saw, hovering above the city of Tokyo, was not order. His new home was in ruins, people running scared and fleeing for their lives, and broadcasts condemning him for trying to use his abilities to help people. A massacre, ultimate destruction for these innocent people, and Fearzilla would have them believe that Brian Thorn is responsible for it.
If you asked him Thorn would never lead you to believe he's a good man. He knows he's hurt people, done things in his past that were questionable, and has caused suffering whether he intended to or not. The idea that Brian Thorn lives by a code would probably make most people snicker, but one must understand the difference between morality and discipline.
Morals haven't always played well with our hero, but discipline has to be his greatest asset. He's always been highly motivated and well driven to be the best, the pinnacle of perfection. Discipline brings about order. Sure, every once in a while even Thorn has to blow off some steam, he is human after all, but what he's seeing now is much worse.
He knows it has to end...
... but he can't find the will to move.
"What's wrong?" came the voice from nowhere. Thorn was pleased that the identity the artificial intelligence had created for itself was female, and that she had a sweet, soothing voice.
"Can't you see?"
"Only what the monitors tell me."
"And what do they tell you?" Thorn asked as he continued to stare at the carnage.
"Tokyo is in ruins, or close to it. Fearzilla has the city hiding under its bed. Your breathing is irratic."
"Monitors tell you that?"
"Sure," Jane admitted, "and I can hear it."
"I see."
"Thorn?"
"Yeah?"
"You know that I'm still learning, and that I don't really understand the world."
"Sure."
Jane took an uncharacteristic second before she continued. "Well in all the time I've known you your breathing, heart rate, pulse, all of it has been regulated, as if you're in complete control of them."
"I'm well trained in-"
"No," she interrupted. "What I mean is, why are those things suddenly abnormal? Some have quickened, some have slowed, and your body temperature seems low."
"All that learning and discovering, Jane, have you ever researched me?"
"More times than you probably would like to know."
"Well then you must understand the mystique that surrounds my name." Thorn's voice trailed off, "the legend."
"Of course," Jane admitted, though she seemed puzzled. Jane was quite good at expressing her confusion through traditional human methods, so long as it included the voice.
"What do these legends say about me?"
"Well," Jane started, "that you've been with an outrageous amount of women, that you're the peak of human perfection, and that you're both the coolest and most dangerous man on the planet."
"Think any of those might be exaggerations?"
"Of course," Jane said bluntly. It pleased her to hear Thorn laugh at that. "I mean I'm sure you've been with a great number of women, but the single most dangerous man on the planet? You're a good actor, but even I'm not inclined to believe that."
Thorn took a deep breath. Jane realized he was trying to regain control again, but it wasn't working. "Jane?" he asked.
"Yes?"
"Do you think I'm the peak of human perfection?"
"That's a silly question."
"Why?"
"Because," she explained, "there's no such thing. Humans are inherrintly flawed, but that's what makes them special. You certainly allow your strengths to shine through and have worked on fixing or hiding your weaknesses, but they're still there."
"Is that so?"
"It is, but it doesn't mean you're not a great man. Hell, you're the only one who can fly me."
Thorn chuckled. "You said that was because I was the only one you liked."
"I may have gone easier on you," Jane admitted, "but you still had to prove yourself worthy."
"Am I worthy?"
"We're here aren't we?"
Silence. Jane hated the silence. It passed more slowly for her. As Thorn stared down at the burning city, his bio signs still irratic, she was processing. Everything. Just a few seconds to Thorn were like hours to her. Hours of silence.
"I'm afraid."
"What?"
"I'm afraid," Thorn admitted.
"I don't understand."
"You asked why my breathing and pulse and all that were fluctuating," Thorn reminded her. "It's because I'm afraid." Thorn took another deep breath. It still wasn't helping.
"I still don't understand."
"You don't understand fear?" Thorn was a bit surprised. "Maybe you can't. Maybe despite all of that intelligence there's still a part of you that doesn't get it. No offense."
"None taken."
"I can't... I'm not sure I can do this, Jane. Look what Fearzilla has done, just to get to me. Every time I've encountered the guy it's ended up badly, and what's to say the next time won't?"
Jane kept quiet, so Thorn continued.
"All my life I've worked for success after success, all for what? So at this moment, at this truth in my life I can be a failure? So that some giant amalgamation of crazy can twist me and my image to his will? After all these years, after achieving so much, is my end really to fight the one monster I can't beat?"
"Fearzilla?"
"Fear itself. I've always kept myself away from fear, never really had to deal with it. I mean lets face it, I'm gifted and determined. I've always put myself in a position of strength so that I'd never have to face my fears. I've even been called 'fearless' from time to time, but I know that's not true. Now Fearzilla is going to make me face them. Jane, I can't do this."
"I don't understand."
"Are you serious?"
"No, let me explain." Jane took a second to let Thorn calm down. It didn't help much, but the gesture was kind. "Everything I've read about you has always been about some great exploit or brave achievement. Whether in the ring or in real life you've never backed down from a real challenge. You always go forth with confidence and you always come out of the battle, usually as the winner."
"You really don't get it," Thorn said with a sigh.
"No, I don't, because you've never been afraid around me before, and I've never read about you having fear."
"That's all fiction, Jane!" Thorn nearly yelled at her. "I'm not really the guy in those movies, or those skits that I did for wrestling. Some of the wrestling, even, wasn't really who I am. That's a shell, an image that I project, a character. The real me is looking down on Tokyo right now, and even being protected by hundreds of tons of metal and carrying some pretty powerful weapons, the real me is terrified."
"Well then project!" She shouted back. "If all your life has been a fake, and all you've been doing is playing a part, then play it one more time. Look around, these people need you! If the man is too afraid then let the myth, the legend come out and make Fearzilla pay for all of this."
"That's just it, I'm not sure I can."
"I think if your parents could see what you've become they would disagree with you."
"My parents?" he said with a pained voice. Old memories resurfaced, ones he'd tried to forget. For a second he wondered how Jane would even know about them, but the fact that she's the most advanced artificial intelligence in the world came back to him.
"Yes, Thorn," she said softly, "your parents. I know what you went through, how alone you must have felt, and how that drove you to be what you are now. You've lived a full life and they would have to be proud at your accomplishments. And if they were here, or if your grandparents who took care of you were still here, or your friends or family, your enemies, allies, your child. If any of them were here right now they could all tell you, without any pause in their voice, that if anyone can do what needs to be done it's you."
Silence. Jane hated the silence, but knew these next few seconds were important. Thorn tried to control his breathing again, but it still didn't seem to take.
"Emily would say it," Jane said. Her voice was confusing. It was soft and tender while at the same time had a hint of pain mixed in.
"Think so?"
"She's quite fond of you," Jane admitted, "she just can't admit it to herself. Also she doesn't want to just be some trophy. But yeah, she'd agree."
Another breath. This time it took. The pulse, the heartbeat, everything was back in it's rightful place. It was all like clockwork, ticking away in an orderly fashion.
"Are we going to do this?" Jane asked.
"Oh yeah," Thorn said with full confidence and a cocky grin, "We are so doing this. Buckle up!"
Thorn took the controls and blasted off. Neither of them were sure if they'd find Fearzilla or what would happen if they did, but it was clear there was going to be one hell of a fight.
