Positron

"Just can’t keep yourself out of trouble, can ya?" Synapse quipped as he rounded up the last of the freaks, sirens from the arriving police units blaring. "Did the big bad freaks hurt you? Would widdle Posi like a wowwypop?"
The young hero hefted his friend onto one shoulder. "You’ve put on weight, big guy. Keep that up, and we’ll have to get you a dumpster for your next armor!"
Raymond knew that Synapse was kidding around to hide his anxiousness. The kid was annoying, but a good guy.
"Hey...what are these?"


"We’ve managed to get all the etchings off, with very little harm to the armor itself. At first, I thought they were battle scars, but when I looked closer, I found this. Many of them make no sense. But, take a look at this one."
Dr. Science’s fingers clicked over his keyboard in quick, deft strokes.
"See this? Seems someone felt like writing you a little note while you were out"
Dr. Raymond Keyes scanned the words displayed on the screen briefly before sitting down, to once more read the cryptic message from the Freak’s commander, Clamor.


Adore, abhor, we’ll bore your core,
To find what you’ve been looking for.
Who knew the Freakshow had the cure?
Trapped within the shellish home,
Pity pity, pretty pretty, come out to see the day
Sweet turtle hero trapped with limits
Don’t you want your freedom?
Please come out and play.
I promise we won’t hurt you sweets.
Just take that pain away
How very sad it is to see you trapped.
Lying still, your power sapped,
Within your prison,
Let us set you free.
You’ve enamored the Clamor
From your personal slammer,
Oh hero boy confined,
Embrace our way, be one with us,
All you’ll lose is your mind.
Chaos, yes, it is the key,
To break your armor’s seal,
You know where you can find us,
And we can set you free.

Ray closed the file, and turned to leave. "Gibberish. I’ve dealt with freaks enough to know better than to trust them. I’m going to get some rest. It’s been a trying day."
Great. Now I have the Freaks pitying me.
Sleep wouldn’t come for Positron that evening, as the words echoed through his head. Who knew the Freakshow had the cure? He could hear Clamor’s voice echoing the words over and over in his mind. What if it was true? The freaks knew their tech, that’s for sure. Clamor seemed especially interested in his armor during his unplanned visit. Could she possibly know something? If so, what does she want me to do for the information? Freedom always has a price. Is it worth the risk?
He sought answers in the only place that had given him any comfort these past few years- His laboratory. Half-finished projects occupied his mind for a time, but eventually his thoughts caught back up with him. The modern marvel’s eyes caught a reflection in a sheet of steel, causing him to pause. Something about Clamor’s words struck a chord within him. More and more of late, he’d found himself pressing harder, fighting more fiercely than before. Fighting not only for Paragon’s freedom, but his own. A dark part of his mind spawned jealousy, envy at the freedom of those he sought to bring down. Was he punishing extra harshly to make up for his own sense of loss? Is this really how he was destined to spend the rest of his life? Trapped within this self-made prison? Years of research had failed to find a solution. If a way existed, he had to try. But could the Freaks be trusted?
A few hours of soul-searching later, Positron was streaking through the skies of Crey’s Folly, towards the Freakshow’s Carnival. Much to his surprise, there were no attacks, no violence. They seemed to be expecting him. "Look boys. Our new weapon’s here,"
Clamor smirked as she stepped up to greet him when he landed. "I knew you’d come, Doctor. Heroes always follow the smell of liberation." Her hand traced gently over the gleaming metal of his faceplate. "Poor dear, all bottled up like a genie in that tin can. I feel sorry for you, so shut off from everything. Missing out on so much." She smiled a sadistic smile and ran her hand along his chest plate. "But we can fix that little problem for you. - For a price, of course."
"Of course."