<strong>November 30th, 2012- The Day of Flame 7:30 PM</strong><br/><br/>It had began almost an hour ago... two Titans of the business had engaged in combat, and for a while, it appeared as though the woman in black would win. However, as the time began to wear, and the sun dipped below the sky, it started to become clear that Statesman, the powerhouse of the Freedom Phalanx, and he who all heroes aspired to emulate, was winning. With a mighty uppercut, Statesman sent the villainous Sailor Apocalypse ten feet into the air, then thirty feet onto her back, her body crashing into the ground with a sickly crack. She didn't get back up, heaving on the ground as blood poured from her head. She was wounded.<br/><br/>"Give up, Sailor Apocalypse! You're no match for my might." Statesman called as he watched her lie on the asphalt. He took a few steps forward, cape snapping in the dying Paragon City wind. Feet from her, she began to sieze... no... raising above the dull silence came a laugh, low at first, then almost deafening. Rolling onto her stomach, Sailor Apocalypse pushed herself up and faced Statesman on her knee, blood blinding her in one eye.<br/><br/>"So heroic..." She coughed, wiping blood from her mouth as she laughed. "You're nothing but a putz, you know that, Statesman. A tool Paragon uses to clean up problems that's too big for it's teeming masses... Thousands of heroes in this shit hole of a city, and it's<em>you</em>who has to clean up the mess... pathetic." Statesman answered by kicking her in the gut, knocking her to all fours.<br/><br/>"Shut up. At least I don't kill innocents. Look at you, Sera. How much have you sacrificed for Paragon when you were a hero? You would have given your life to protect these people! What happened?" Sailor Apocalypse laughed again, spitting a clod of blood onto the ground. Despite the fact she had drunk from the Well of the Furies, been granted near-godlike powers... she was still no match for Statesman.<br/><br/>"Spare me your self-righteous banter... Markus." She looked up to him. "You think you've won? Ooooh, congratulations!" Sarcasm filled her voice as she gave a weak clap. "You've defeated and brought the mighty Sailor Apocalypse to justice! The city is in your debt..." She got shakingly to her feet, then fell back down. "You've still lost..." The look on Statesman's face said it all.<br/><br/>"Sera!" Came a younger voice, a girl pushing through the crowd. "Sera..." She dropped to Sailor Apocalypse's side. "You're in bad shape..."<br/><br/>"I hadn't noticed. Get out of here... Recluse'll need new hands once I'm done here..." Sailor Apocalypse tried to push the girl away, but was too weak.<br/><br/>"He'll kill you." She whined, her black hair hanging about her face. Sailor Apocalypse laughed, then finally got to her feet.<br/><br/>"So be it. I give my life for Arachnos and Recluse..."<br/><br/>"You're a fool, Sera." Statesman advanced on Sailor Apocalypse, ready to deliver the final blow.<br/><br/>"I don't think so, Markus." Statesman stopped at the new voice, the crowd parting like a group of terrified fans at a stadium, the imposing figure of Recluse appearing amongst them.<br/><br/>"Stefan... What are you doing here?"<br/><br/>"Protecting my investments. I'm afraid you're victory over the good Sera Fields here will have to wait. I need her more then you." Statesman's fists clenched.<br/><br/>"I can't-" He took a step forward as the girl from before stood, and put herself between Statesman and Sailor Apocalypse, arms outstretched.<br/><br/>"Stop!" She shouted. "You'll kill her, you monster!"<br/><br/>"Melody... get out of the way..."<br/><br/>"No! I won't let you!" She reached into her jacket and took out a detonator. "One more god damn step and I blow this city, you, me, everyone to kingdom come!" A gasp fell across everyone, Spider, Longbow, Hero and Villain alike. Statesman stood down.<br/><br/>"Melody... Help Sera up. We have places to be." Recluse mused as a helicopter began to land in the crowd. Melody nodded and helped Sailor Apocalypse up. The black-suited villain smiled to Statesman.<br/><br/>"Hey Markus... does it make you feel like a man... hitting a woman?" As Statesman seethed at the poke, Sailor Apocalypse laughed as she clambered into the Helicopter, followed by Melody and Recluse. As the black helicopter took off back towards the Rogue Islands, a brilliant crimson light lit up the skyline, a huge explosion erupting into the air. The first was quickly followed by four others across various parts of Paragon City. Statesman could do nothing but stand in shocked disbelief. Those explosions had most likely killed thousands...<br/><br/><hr/><br/>"We've lost too many of our friends, Markus." Came Sister Psyke as she spoke to Statesman. "With Shodan's betrayal, who can we trust?"<br/><br/>"We can't have anyone, meta human or otherwise running around the city without confirming their loyalties." Came Manticore's addition. "We just can't risk another Day of Flame."<br/><br/>"What do you propose?" Statesman questioned, looking unnerved. An uncomfortable silence fell across all assembled, more empty chairs then filled.<br/><br/>"We crack down." Psyke answered with a shrug. "Force all heroes to join the Phalanx officially. If they refuse, we brand them Arachnos Supporters."<br/><br/>"That's too harsh, I think." Manticore added in, shaking his head. "We have dozens of unofficial associates that have helped us..."<br/><br/>"But what if those 'unofficial associates' are 'unofficial associates' of Arachnos as well?" Manticore fell silent at Statesman's point. "I don't like it either, Justin, but we simply don't have the luxury of choice anymore... We have to retain some kind of hold on Paragon... because if we fall, the rest of the world is at stake." Manticore, defeated, nodded. "I'm sorry... I really am. But it's the only way."<br/><br/><hr/><br/>TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:<br/><br/>It has come to the attention of the Freedom Phalanx that you have failed to register with the Freedom Phalanx. In light of recent events, all Meta Humans inside Paragon City must register with the Freedom Phalanx as official members within ten (10) days of discovery of their abilities. Because of your status as a Hero since before the Day of Flame, your ten (10) days begin at the day this letter is dated. You are required by Paragon City and Freedom Phalanx Law, to register by the end of the tenth (10) day.<br/><br/>FREEDOM PHALANX<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>August 15th, 2014</strong><br/><br/>It's been two years almost since the Day of Flame, and it's a new age for Paragon City. As a new member of the Freedom Phalanx, it is your job to clean up the city and regain control of Easter Paragon City from the clutches of the evil Arachnos Organization. It's a new day for Paragon City, the Freedom Phalanx... and you.