 The Paragon Wiki Archive documents the state of City of Heroes/Villains as it existed on December 1, 2012.
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Mission:The Hearts of Darkness - Rogues' Contest: Healthy Competition
Healthy Competition
Briefing
You would believe me to be a ghoul? And I assume your self-image is that of a misunderstood protagonist, is it? Or maybe the snarling monster with a secret heart of gold? Or perhaps someone cursed to a life they didn't want?
Bah. I am not here to trade barbs with someone of your like. However, what I am going to do is offer you, Character, a formal invitation to a very exclusive, albeit unsanctioned... competition.
Before you dismiss this opportunity, know this - the victor of the trial shall be granted the privilege of being apprenticed, if you will, to a person with very important connections.
Dr. Graves looks around at nearby Arachnos guards in a rather dramatic fashion before fixing his soulless eyes upon you.
Very, very important... connections.
- I'm listening, Graves. What do I need to do to make this happen?
I'm glad to see that your ambition overshadows your attitude, Character. You'll need both if you expect to surpass the others in the eyes of the one who is truly watching. With that said, let us tarry no longer with this conversation. Actions speak louder than words, and if you try hard enough, sometimes louder than screams. I will give you the location you are to 'register' at. Use the registration console within the gathering place to prove your intent and I shall then speak to you further.
Unnecessary Solicitation
I do not have time to waste catering to your personal schedule. You are to meet me at the provided location,,, or forfeit your chance at gaining an enviable position of power. Now go!
Mission Objective(s)
This appears to be the location Dr. Graves instructed you to meet at. You'll need to find the registration console he spoke of.
- Register for Dr. Graves tournament
- Use the Identity Verification Console
- Talk to Dr. Graves
- Talk to Omnicore
- Talk to Zephyr
- Talk to Dollface
- Go look for Crosscut
- Talk to Crosscut
- Talk to Dr. Graves
You have signed on as one of the contestants in the tournament of darkness. Little do the others know that you have no intention of losing this contest...
Enemies
Notable NPCs
- Dr. Graves (Hearts of Darkness Ally)
- Omnicore (Hearts of Darkness Ally)
- Zephyr (Hearts of Darkness Ally)
- Dollface (Hearts of Darkness Ally)
- Crosscut (Hearts of Darkness Ally)
- Longbow Intervention Team (Longbow)
Identity Verification Console
Briefing
This looks like the registration console Dr. Graves told you to use when you showed up. Large flashing words indicate that you should use one of the buttons below the screen.
Applicant will provide a biological sample to prove they are not in the employ of organizations as Longbow.
Insert sample of bio-organic composition.
- Insert blood sample
- Words begin streaming across the display.
- ...Analyzing...
- ...Analyzing...
- ...Analyzing...
- Source material - Blood.
- Spectral Analysis Readings - No traces of pathogens on record indicating Longbow alliegence.
- Cellular Analysis - No traces of radical cellular mutation detected.
- Blood Count Analysis - High fat composition in the sample suggests the source subject is prone to a poor diet and could possibly lose a few pounds.
- Hold on... Did this thing say I was FAT?
- Insert hair sample
- Words begin streaming across the display.
- ...Analyzing...
- ...Analyzing...
- ...Analyzing...
- Source material - Hair.
- Spectral Analysis Readings - No trace of pollutants known to be found in Paragon City.
- Texture Analysis - Sample shows chemicals found in low-quality haircare products.
- Cellular Analysis - Abundance of dead epidermis clusters suggests sample source is afflicted by severe dandruff
- Hey! I don't have dandruff!
- Refuse to provide sample
- Words begin streaming across the display.
- All candidates must submit biological samples or face immediate termination.
- A mechanical arm extends from the console. At the end of the arm is what appears to be something that could only be described with one word - 'probe'. Before you can react, the arm goes to work procuring a rather... painful... sample from your body.
- Analyzing...
- Matter Composition - No traces of known Longbow nutrition supplements detected.
- YOU. WILL. PAY!!!!
Genetic Analysis - Subject missing one strand of DNA within early strand sequence. Anomaly recorded.
- Wait... Did you just say I'm missing DNA???
Genemap Database Query Results - Subject matches no known genetic match from S.A.M. database. INTERPOL records show two known matches. Further inquiries prevented due to Triple Black Secret Clearance information lockdown.
- Two matches? How... How is that even possible.
Psychological Profile - Subject shows signs of narcissism normally associated with sociopathic disorders. Additional negative traits evidenced are the following - Delusion of Grandeur, Persecution Complex, Poor Impulse Control, and Exceptional Gullibility.
- Whan have I ever been gulli - hold on... Uh oh.
Final Analysis - Subject has failed the first test. initiate self-destruct sequence.
- [Quickly step away from the console!]
Briefing
Do not congratulate yourself too quickly. That was but the first of many tests you will need to pass if you are to win the right to be our faceless master's protege.
- What would have happened if I failed?
You would have made yourself useful in other ways. For instance, I could likely find a use for any undamaged limbs that still remained. However, there will be time to pursue that line of thinking later. In the meantime, we will need to gather the rest of the candidates so that I may explain the rules to all of you.
- Others? Rules? I want these answers now, Graves.
My, my... rather demanding, aren't we? Allow me to point out that currently you are not in a position to make any demands. Perhaps things may change in the future, but for now, you will be following my instructions if you wish to be part of this trial. Now follow me as we gather the rest. I believe I saw Omnicore nearby.
- I'll do as you say... For now.
Briefing
You are to be one of my rivals? You? If you are an indicator of the type of competition I am to expect, then it would seem this contest has ended before it even has begun.
- And you believe I view you as a threat?
I couldn't care less what simple beliefs you hold, - what was it again - Character. The fact remains that I am by far your superior on an intellectual level, and by the looks of you, on a physical level as well. These indisputable facts are all that are important.
You may wish to spare yourself the humiliation of me besting you by just leaving - now.
- So... You plan to beat me with pathetic, hollow threats?
You will see how pathetic my threats are when you're staring at your legs on the other side of the room and wondering where your torso went! Care for a demonstration?!
- If it means you actually doing something, then sure!
Omnicore looks at Dr. Graves with what you believe to be glaring hatred from behind her mask. A moment later she screams in frustration, then looks back at you.
I will not let someone like you ruin my chance at gaining unimaginable power. We'll finish this at another time, Character.
- I'm looking forward to it, Omnicore.
Omnicore jerks her face towards the direction of the newcomer, Zephyr.
And what exactly are you supposed to be? You look like the lame excuse for being a fog machine.
- You should hear what I think *you* look like, Omnicore.
WHAT!? How dare you... Both of you. I will no longer tolerate this from either of you!
Omnicore glares at Dr. Graves.
I may not be allowed to kill these miscreants, but I will not lower myself to speaking with them any longer.
- It's about time you shut up, Omnicore.
You turn and talk with Zephyr.
Briefing
I can't believe you let her talk to you that way and you just let her get away with it... just sayin'.
- Who are you supposed to be?
Me? I'm Zephyr. You know, like the wind.
- You named yourself after the wind?
No. I am the wind. You know, like the whole 'Fwoooooosh! Haha! Crashed your ship into a shoal and now you're all gonna drown! Boohoo... now cry your eyes out, you wuss.'
That kind of wind, you know?
And, man... I gotta say... that kinda thing never gets old, I'm telling you.
- So you're telling me you're THE zephyr wind?
Uh, yeah. I thought I was pretty clear the couple first times I said it, but hey, you know, whatever. Oh yeah, and I'm also the one who's gonna kick your butt in the competition, too.
- Wait - why is the wind - you - competing for the prize?
Meh... I got nothing else better to do, you know? Ever since mankind got all technological-like, like that robo-freak, it's hard to cause all kinds of pain and sorrow and all that junk. Stuff like making widows - or blowing down houses - or flipping up a gal's skirt.
Okay, well, I still do that one.
Anyways. So, to get to the point, one day I turned myself into -
- I am no longer entertaining this conversation with you.
Briefing
Oh! You... You're not going to hurt me, are you?
- That depends. Are you Dollface?
Who's Doll-
Dollface stops short as she is interrupted by Dr. Graves.
*hmpf*
Yeah, I'm Dollface. You're one of the other contestants, I'm guessing?
- Look, kid, this contest is for the grown-ups. Why don't you run along home.
Dollface glares at you.
Hey, pal. I'm older than I look, ok? Probably older than you, from the looks of it.
And who the heck are you anyway, turning your nose up at me, huh?
- I am known as Character.
Hmph. Yeah, I can see you calling yourself that. So what makes you so special that you think you can beat someone like me? Do you shoot frogs from your eyes or something?
- I have no desire to reveal my powers to you.
Okay, okay! Calm down. I was just asking because I wanted to know if I was going to get grossed out if I ever have to fight against you. First of all, it's not nice to hit a girl. But if you're going to start throwing pukes at people or growing spikes from your body... well, I just don't want to see that kind of thing, okay?
- Then how do you expect to win?
Oh, that's easy! I'm going to convince everyone that I'm the best for the job. I'm very talented at what I do. I wouldn't say I'm the best at what I do, but I'm pretty darn good at it. And if that doesn't work, then maybe I'll just stab you in the neck or something.
...tee hee...
I'm just kidding. But you got real scared, didn't you? Didn't they, Mr. Doctor? They got so scared they were going to run away!
Just like how you're scared you're going to run away right now.
Like now.
- I doubt the Doctor is going to listen to -
...tee hee...
He is so silly, and a very nice man. And he listens really well, too.
Really well.
Don't worry, though, I don't know you guys well enough yet. I don't know what you like to hear. But maybe I will one day, you know?
And then we can have a real fun time playing together.
- What did you just do to him?
What? Little old me, do something?
...tee hee...
All I did was suggest to him that he had a better place to be. And I guess I was right, huh? It's a coincidence, you know?
- Sure it was. A coincidence...
Dr. Graves said there was another person, too? Maybe we should go find them. What was it, Cross-slice or something like that?
Dollface looks right into your eyes.
I think it would be fun if we all went and looked for that guy, don't you agree?
- Yeah... I think I would be... A lot of fun...
Briefing
So... Any preferences to the type of cut? A rump-roast perhaps? Or perhaps some ribs...?
- You're... going to eat them?
That would be a waste of such interesting textures, wouldn't you agree? No no... I have something else in mind.
Crosscut stares at you with a gargoyle-like gaze for a moment
Did you know you have very pretty eyes?
- What? What makes you say that?
I was wondering...
I was wondering if I could have them...
- Over my dead body.
Oh, you are so kind...
- Yeah, ok. We're done.
Briefing
Dr. Graves speaks to all of you.
Now that I have all of you assembled - save for Omnicore - it is time for the proceedings to begin. I am sure each of you have many questions -
- Yes, and it's time we get some answers, Graves.
You're impertinence has been noted, Character.
Now then. Each of you will be given a trial to test the strength of your powers. More important will be how you use them and on whom.
Throughout these trials, your faceless benefactor shall be watching you - and judging you. Once each of you have completed your test, we shall then move on to the true competition.
For now, concern yourself with only how you can show that you are superior to your rivals.
- I can kill them all right now if you'd like. Will that work?
No, Character, that will not work. All of you are prevented from killing each other upon threat of immediate disqualification and proceeding termination. I would suggest that you all abide by this rule.
Another important thing to note... The one hosting this contest - the very same person who will grant you untold powers - does not wish to be identified until the winner has been chosen. Thus, this tournament is unsanctioned by Arachnos.
If any of you speak of this to anyone, you will not only be discredited, but will forever be known as a 'snitch'. This, my friends, can in itself be a fate worse than death here within the Rogue Isles.
You will await further instructions as the trials are being prepared. Now go.
- I'll see you soon, Graves.
Debriefing
I hope you paid attention to the rules, Character. They are quite important. I am giving you my contact information so that you can learn when your trial is to begin.
Oh, and another thing. Good luck... You'll need it.
