06-09-2004, 10:54 AM
--------------------Character #1--------------------
Character Name: The Cloak
Real Name: None
Occupation: None
Identity: None
Legal Status: None
Former Aliases: Tyrone Johnson
Place of Birth: South Boston, Massachusetts
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: (parents' full names unknown)
History:
Tyrone Johnson was a 17-year-old high school student who lived in a lower income area in South Boston. He was successful in his studies despite the difficulties presented by his disability, a stammer that he sometimes found impossible to control. His best friend was a schoolmate named Billy, who encouraged him in his struggles. One day Tyrone and Billy were walking by a neighborhood store when two thieves burst out from it. A man working in the store pursued them to the doorway, only to be shot dead by one of the thieves. The thieves ran out of sight, and Billy told Tyrone they had better leave as well. Billy began to run, but just then a policeman arrived and ordered him to stop. Tyrone tried to explain that Billy was innocent, but his nervous stammer prevented him from getting the words out. Billy continued to run, and the policeman, thinking he was the thief, fatally shot him. Johnson was overcome with guilt over his inability to prevent Billy's death, and feared that the police would come after him as well. So Johnson became a runaway, and boarded a bus for New York City.
Johnson arrived at Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal penniless. He spotted another teenage runaway, Tandy Bowen, and was about to rob her when another person snatched her purse. Johnson tackled the thief and returned Bowen's purse. In reward, Bowen bought Johnson some food at a nearby restaurant and they talked about why they had become runaways. They decided that night that for them to survive in New York that they would need to stick together, and thus agreed to until such a time that they could survive on their own. Tandy found a job as a waitress at a small dinner making barely enough money to keep her and Tyrone off the streets, while he on the other hand had no such luck finind employment. In an effort to help out Tandy Tyrone began making money the only other way he could think of. Johnson, while not a natural criminal took up purse snatching and petty burglary, trying to find some means of income to keep a roof over their heads and food on their plates.
Tandy knew about Johnson's chosen profession from the start, voicing her disapproval at her first opportunity. But Tyrone would not be swayed, instead telling her that it was the only was he could supplement her wages enough for them to stay out of the cold. This carried on for several months, him leaving for the night while she asked him not to. But as the weeks wore on, her requests slowly diminished until finally she asked if she could join him. They both new that the jobs he was pulling had quickly become their principle source of income, and Tandy felt that with both of them out in the night they might actually be able to afford a better place to live. Johnson of course wanted to keep her away from such a life, but over time she was able to persuade him.
Two months after they had begun working together Tandy came home one morning talking about an incredible score she'd heard of. A shipment of diamonds and rubies were supposed to be coming into the docks the following night, and she'd heard that the "owner" of the gems had arranged for security to be lax to allow his men easy access to them once they arrived. She proposed that if they left that moment, and camped out the night that they might be able to steal something from one of the other freighters while the guards were "given the night off". Tyrone was wary of the plan, but he had always found it hard to say no to Tandy. She had become his friend over a year ago and had never once finished one of his sentences or made fun of his stammer. So he agreed. They would make use of this window of opportunity to further themselves, and make sure to steer clear of the gems as they didn't want any problems of that particular nature.
Upon their arrival, they snuck into a warehouse not too far from the pier. Security was indeed lax and Tandy's plan seemed without flaw. But it was the warehouse they picked to sneak into that would prove to be their undoing. They entered silently, creeping along the shadows as they listened to a raspy voice recite an archaic mantra over and over again. As they rounded a corner they found the source. A pentagram had been drawn on the floor in a red substance whose name they dared not guess. Candles stood lit at certain points of the floor, some inside the pentagram, some without. At it's very center a figure stood cloaked in a red hood and cape, the slender pair of hands protruding from it twisted into some sort of tantric design. They watched in silence for a moment until an unfortunate rat startled them prompting the hooded figure to turn it's attention towards them. In an instant the figure vanished, only to appear behind them a heartbeat later. They tried to flee but the figure seemed to be everywhere at once. Disappearing and reappearing as if it was toying with them. But the fun quickly came to a stop as it cornered Tandy, her scream echoing throughout the warehouse, bringing Johnson rushing to her aid. He saw them across the pentagram, the ominous figure slowing closing in on a fallen Tandy, her eyes and face locked in a look of terror as the figure glided ever closer.
Without thinking Tyrone dashed across the pentagram, sweeping up one of the stands upon which a candle was perched. He made no sound as he swung, the heavy brass of his makeshift bludgeon impacting with the figure's head with a sickening crunch as he made contact. It fell noiselessly, vanishing into midair as it did. But this time not all of it vanished as there upon the floor, laying where the figure once stood, were the hooded cloak, a pair of ornate boots, and a dagger. Tyrone grabbed for Tandy and yanked her to her feet, having every intention of taking her out of the warehouse and back home, over his shoulder if need be. But her eyes were fixated on the spoils. Even as he tried to pull her towards the door she pulled him towards what was left behind, claiming that they couldn't just leave empty handed and that such things might be worth something. He was stronger than she was but she managed to slip from his grasp just long enough to grab up the cloak and dagger before he could once again seize her and pull her towards the door. She fought with him again, wanting to go back for the boots, but he firmly cried no, pulling the cloak from her hand as he drug her across the pentagram and out of the warehouse.
He tucked the cloak within his shirt as they fled, Tandy tucking the dagger into her belt. They ran the entire way home, not once looking back or even speaking, not until they were safely behind their door. They stood and looked at each other in silence a while before words were muttered, a decision made to sleep the night before trying to sell what little they'd lifted from the remains of that....thing. Rest dis not come quickly to Tyrone, and when it did it was short and fretful. His mind was racked with horrible nightmares before he was awakened by a agitated Tandy. She quickly related her story of how she'd been sitting in her room holding the dagger, when suddenly she was in his room. She claimed she vaguely remembered standing up and walking in, but it had all happened so fast that she was unsure if she'd actually done so. Still excited, she had Tyrone retrieve the cloak he'd taken from her and try it on to see what it could do.
Still unable to deny her, he indulged her wishes, trying the red hooded cloak. However he was unable to do anything with it. It did not grant him Tandy's newfound speed, nor did it allow him any sort of superstrength or supernatural ability. Slightly frustrated he threw it down, allowing Tandy to try it on to see if she could unlock its magics. Three hours later neither had been able to accomplish anything with it, causing Tandy to suggest that Tyrone could always use it as a Halloween costume. She draped it upon him once more, but as she did a knock came from the front door followed by a voice proclaiming to be the NYC police department. They froze in place looking at the door unsure of what to do, but when Tandy turned to look at her friend....he was gone. Her hands had remained upon him the entire time and she could feel him standing there, but he was gone. She stepped back in shock and awe. Tyrone, seeing the look on her face when to ask her what was wrong and he reappeared.
The knocks at the door became harder. The police were forcing their way in. They had to escape. Tandy, thinking that their newfound powers could not only get them out of their current situation, but could also be the solution to their problems told Tyrone to meet her at the warehouse. She wanted to get her hand on the boots and see what they could do. In the next instant she was gone, a light blonde streak shimmering in the air as she made her way out the window and down the fire escape in the span of a few seconds. As he tried to figure out how he'd vanished, the cops came bursting in thru the door and he froze again. Three officers came pouring into the small apartment, but none of them seemed to know he was there. He'd become invisible again, but how? It wasn't until his lungs began to burn that he realized he'd been holding his breath. That must have been it. He held out for as long as he could, hoping they would leave, but they would not. Instead they began to start searching the apartment. Tyrone made his way towards the door as quickly as he could, but halfway there was forced to exhale suddenly as his lungs felt as if they would burst.
He reappeared in front of two very frightened officers only to vanish a split second later, nothing but the sound of his footsteps barreling down the hall giving any hint that he was even there. Nearly an hour later he found himself back in the warehouse from the night before. As he stood at the edge of the pentagram he drew back his hood and looked about for Tandy, seeing no reason why she, with her newfound speed, wouldn't be there yet. As he pulled up his hood and prepared to turn and leave, he was tackled from behind. Or was it...above? He rolled over onto his back to look up into the dazzling blue eyes of his friend and partner, her cheeks pulled back in a wide smile as she lay upon him. "The boots let you fly." she told him, the bewildered look on his face telling the tale of his confusion. But before either of them could get off the floor they found themselves surrounded by Jack O' Lantern, Constrictor, Madam Rapier, the Sandman, and Shocker, each taking a position at one of the points of the pentagram.. The person they'd killed the night before was supposed to be making the warehouse a safe place for the gems Tandy had heard about, but because Tyrone had killed him before he could complete his ritual, they would have to wait until another suitable magi could finish the job. And waiting was not something their employer cared for.
Tandy tried to escape, but before she could reach the dagger, Constrictor had her in his grasp. And as Tyrone tried to vanish, Shocker hit him with a blast that left him gasping for air, unable to hold his breath. They both knew that they were about to be punished for what had happened, and Madam Rapier saw to it that they were. As Sandman and Constrictor held them tightly, Madam Rapier slit both their throats in one fluid motion with the tip of her blade, their soon to be lifeless bodies dropped to the floor. "Leave them with their 'trophies'," she said as she led the others away, the will of one Dennis Golembuski having been carried out in full. Tandy and Tyrone lay dying there in the center of the floor, he still in the hooded cloak, she still with the dagger tucked into her belt, and with their last ounces of strength reached out to grasp one another's hand. But the mystical artifacts which they still possessed, plus their blood filling the empty spots on the pentacle interacted, and their deaths would not come as expected. Dark magics mixed and crossed, unleashing the latent mystical energies in Bowen and Johnson, but at a great cost.
Tandy had become one with the dagger, her life essence amplified a thousand times over by the power she had inside. Her light caused the dagger to lengthen and take on a more elegant design, it's material brightening to resemble the finest of polished Ivories. Tyrone became bound with the cloak, and his life essence was drained away. The darkness that remained twisted the cloth into a black effigy of it's former self, the warm fabric now becoming cool to the touch. Even in their new forms it did not take long for them to realize that they still needed one another. He was dying, and she was without motion. She was bursting with life, and somehow he was still able to move. She called to him somehow, beckoning him to take her into his folds, and he responded by doing so, pulling her light warmth into the cold darkness that he'd become. They existed like this for some time, the cloak acting as the body while the dagger served as the soul, but there came a time when they could no longer be together, as Tandy's brilliant light threatened to overcome and destroy Tyrone. But alas, he would not abandon her, the only one he'd truly loved. Even in death he was willing to give his life for her, and would have had it not been for a woman named Jennifer Kale. Naturally gifted in magics she'd felt their presence and had tracked them down by Tandy's essence.
It was when she tried to take Tandy from him and Tyrone attacked her that he discovered what he was capable of. When he'd come in contact with her he'd seen into her mind, as if she were there walking about in the shadows. And he also discovered that he could feed off the light of others and that Tandy wasn't his only source of sustenance. Tandy, not wanting to see either party hurt, convinced Tyrone to let Jennifer take her. He was adamant about the idea, until he came in contact with her a second time. He was once again trying to protect his dagger, only to discover that he didn't have to. For when he'd caught a glimpse of Jennifer's mind, she'd caught a glimpse of his. They remained this way for a while, Tandy in Jennifer's grip, Jennifer in Tyrone's, all three communicating as one. She agreed to take the both of them and to help them in any way she could, and somehow knowing she was telling the truth....with her they went.
Height: Variable (usually around 5' 9").
Weight: 3 lbs.
Eyes: None
Hair: None
Strength Level: Minimal (around 5 pounds)
Known Powers:
On it's own, The Cloak can manipulate itself in a variety of ways. It can render itself intangible, mold itself into the effigy of a person wearing a hooded cape, and can access a "dark dimension" within which it can teleport itself and others from one point of the Earth's surface to another. In theory there is no limit to the distance it can teleport, but as any action it takes of this nature consumes energy, teleporting more than 3 miles at one time would either severely drain it of it's reserves or kill it outright. The Cloak can also use itself to manipulate small things in the environment, such as light switches, pencils and pens, and doorknobs. However because it has no muscles of it own, nor a steady supply of energy to use, it is unable to move or manipulate things of heavier weight.
When worn by another, and thus able to sustain itself off of it's host's life force, The Cloak allows it's wearer access to it's teleportation powers. The distance which can be traveled is now linked directly to the life essence of the wearer, as those with a stronger lifeforce will be able to teleport themselves and others much further than The Cloak could on it's own. The strength level of The Cloak increases as well when it is worn by another, allowing it a strength of approximately one half of it's wearer. Another ability it obtains while worn is the capability to render it's wearer invisible to most forms of detection. However, this power is also linked to the wearer as the wearer will only become invisible, and remain so, for as long as they can hold their breath. It can also mold itself to resemble different articles of clothing such as a suit and tie, pair of jeans and a shirt, or an extravagant gown, though any shape it takes retains the same black color.
Whether worn or unworn The Cloak craves the life energy of things as it has none of it's own. When unworn it has been known to siphon these energies out of people in order to sustain itself, usually leaving the victim feeling tired and weak, though in some extreme cases, unconscious or even in a coma. While being worn The Cloak shares the life energy of it's wearer, leaving the one wearing it feeling little to no effect of the Cloak's presence. However, the Cloak still hungers for the life energy it needs to survive on it's own, and will often try to convince it's wearer to siphon such energies from other persons so it can store them for later consumption. It does this by means of low level telepathy which is only available to it when it is in direct contact with someone.
--------------------Character #2--------------------
Character Name: Usagi Yojimbo
Real Name: Miyamoto Usagi
Occupation: Bodyguard, Ronin, formerly a Samurai in the service of Lord Mifune.
Legal Status: Lordless Ronin with no criminal record
Identity: Public
Other Aliases: None
Place of Birth: Sendai, Mutsu Province, Honshu, Japan.
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Parents both deceased, names unknown.
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: None (Wandering Ronin)
History:
Usagi Yojimbo was born in the town of Sendai Japan, where his father was the local magistrate. At a very young age he was sent to study and train at the Dogora fencing school, where over the years he devoted himself to the study of swordplay. His accension through the ranks of his school was slow and tedious, littered with many defeats and set backs, though each only served to strengthen his resolve and inform him of his short comings and mistakes. Night and day, day and night, he would devote himself to overcoming his failings and becoming more and more in tune with the warrior spirit that lay within. And even though he became quite the accomplished swordsman, he knew he could become better.
When he was but 20, he bore witness to several of his peers and superiors at the school being defeated by a Sensei Katsuichi who worked for a local Lord training his warriors. Seeing the skill and beauty with which this Sensei weilded a blade Miyamoto choose to study under him as instead of continuing at the Dogora school. Unfortunately Katsuichi did not believe Miyamoto to be worthy of his time and dismissed the boy, instead testing some of the other warriors who were still Miyamoto's better. Day after day Miyamoto pleaded with Katsuichi but to no avail until on the fifth day, the last day Katsuichi would be at the Dogora school, Katsuichi agreed to let Miyamoto study under him under young condition. That the young warrior defeat, or at the very least impress him, in a duel.
Before Miyamoto even had a chance to answer the elder Swordsman he was under attack, his sword having been drawn out of reflex alone. The barrage was feirce and relentless, and he was only barely able to deflect the brunt of the attacks, never once hazarding a counterstrike of his own. When questioned about this by Sensei Katsuichi, mid fight mind you, Miyamoto said it would foolish for him to engage in a fight he knew he had no chance of winning. Much to Miyamoto's surprise this halted the attacks almost instantaneously. Opening the eyes he had not ever realized he'd shut, he was treated to the vision of Kutsuichi sheathing his blade, looking at him with a curious eye. His answer seemed to impress Kutsuichi, who even went so far to say so. Miyamoto's answer, the elder warrior said, contained a subtle wisdom that was the core of the warrior's code as opposed to the unrelenting thirst to be the best that seemed to plague his other classmates. It was from that moment on that Miyamoto began his studies under Sensei Kutsuichi. Studies that would later prove to be the cornerstone of his life.
At the conclusion of his first year with his new Sensei, Miyamoto was sent deep into the forrest to seek out a bladesmith whom he had never heard before. One who was said to be able to give Miyamoto what he would need to become the Samurai he'd always wanted to become. It took the young warrior nearly a month to find this bladesmith, and after finding him it was another eight months before he finally returned to Sensei Kutsuichi. During those eight months Miyamoto engaged in a new type of study, learning not how to be a warrior and use a blade, but instead how to become and be a blade. It was under the wing of this bladesmith that Miyamoto learned the true power behind the swords he had weilded all these years. They were more than weapons. Even more than an extension of himself. They were alive. Things not to be used, but lives of their own, which had to be respected. The night before he would return to Sensei Kutsuichi Miyamoto gave birth to a blade of his own, crafted with his own two hands. In was in that moment, as the steel cooled in the brisk night air, the moonlight glinting of the edges of the blade and his own eyes staring back at him from it's reflective surface that he understood. The blade had life because he gave it life. Because he didn't merely craft a tool, but because he poured a little of his heart and soul into it in order to bring it into this world. It was then that he became Samurai.
After a few more years of study under this new Sensei, Miyamoto officially became a Samurai and went into the service of the Benevolent and Honourable Lord Mifune. It was in this station that Miyamoto served loyally for many years, gaining much reknown and respect as a Samurai until one fateful day when Lord Mifune was struck down during the Battle of Adachi Plain, leaving Miyamoto masterless as the Tokugawa era began. Now a Lordless Samurai in a time when being a Samurai is outlawed, he turned his skills into a profession, becoming a bodyguard to merchants and weary travellers and the like. But while his new profession would afford him enough income to maintain himself, he could not let it be known that Miyamoto was now wandering the land protecting simple traders and travelers. To allow such news to travel would undoubtedly bring bounty hunters and glory seekers after him, thus endangering the innocents he was trying to protect. Instead of letting such things come to pass he adopted a new name. The name of Usagi Yojimbo, and continues to uphold the virtues of justice and honour, helping the weak and protecting the innocent whenever he is able.
Height: 4 ft 1 inch
Weight: 96 lbs
Eyes: Pink
Hair: White (Fur Color)
Strength Level: Athlete
Known Superhuman Powers: None
Abilites: A Master Swordsman and Martial artist, Usagi has spent most of his life following, studying, and training in the way of the warrior.
Weapons: A single, self made Katana of incredible sharpness, a second Katana with an extremely hard, yet dull blade which was given to him as a gift, and a short blade known as a Wakazashi.
Character Name: The Cloak
Real Name: None
Occupation: None
Identity: None
Legal Status: None
Former Aliases: Tyrone Johnson
Place of Birth: South Boston, Massachusetts
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: (parents' full names unknown)
History:
Tyrone Johnson was a 17-year-old high school student who lived in a lower income area in South Boston. He was successful in his studies despite the difficulties presented by his disability, a stammer that he sometimes found impossible to control. His best friend was a schoolmate named Billy, who encouraged him in his struggles. One day Tyrone and Billy were walking by a neighborhood store when two thieves burst out from it. A man working in the store pursued them to the doorway, only to be shot dead by one of the thieves. The thieves ran out of sight, and Billy told Tyrone they had better leave as well. Billy began to run, but just then a policeman arrived and ordered him to stop. Tyrone tried to explain that Billy was innocent, but his nervous stammer prevented him from getting the words out. Billy continued to run, and the policeman, thinking he was the thief, fatally shot him. Johnson was overcome with guilt over his inability to prevent Billy's death, and feared that the police would come after him as well. So Johnson became a runaway, and boarded a bus for New York City.
Johnson arrived at Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal penniless. He spotted another teenage runaway, Tandy Bowen, and was about to rob her when another person snatched her purse. Johnson tackled the thief and returned Bowen's purse. In reward, Bowen bought Johnson some food at a nearby restaurant and they talked about why they had become runaways. They decided that night that for them to survive in New York that they would need to stick together, and thus agreed to until such a time that they could survive on their own. Tandy found a job as a waitress at a small dinner making barely enough money to keep her and Tyrone off the streets, while he on the other hand had no such luck finind employment. In an effort to help out Tandy Tyrone began making money the only other way he could think of. Johnson, while not a natural criminal took up purse snatching and petty burglary, trying to find some means of income to keep a roof over their heads and food on their plates.
Tandy knew about Johnson's chosen profession from the start, voicing her disapproval at her first opportunity. But Tyrone would not be swayed, instead telling her that it was the only was he could supplement her wages enough for them to stay out of the cold. This carried on for several months, him leaving for the night while she asked him not to. But as the weeks wore on, her requests slowly diminished until finally she asked if she could join him. They both new that the jobs he was pulling had quickly become their principle source of income, and Tandy felt that with both of them out in the night they might actually be able to afford a better place to live. Johnson of course wanted to keep her away from such a life, but over time she was able to persuade him.
Two months after they had begun working together Tandy came home one morning talking about an incredible score she'd heard of. A shipment of diamonds and rubies were supposed to be coming into the docks the following night, and she'd heard that the "owner" of the gems had arranged for security to be lax to allow his men easy access to them once they arrived. She proposed that if they left that moment, and camped out the night that they might be able to steal something from one of the other freighters while the guards were "given the night off". Tyrone was wary of the plan, but he had always found it hard to say no to Tandy. She had become his friend over a year ago and had never once finished one of his sentences or made fun of his stammer. So he agreed. They would make use of this window of opportunity to further themselves, and make sure to steer clear of the gems as they didn't want any problems of that particular nature.
Upon their arrival, they snuck into a warehouse not too far from the pier. Security was indeed lax and Tandy's plan seemed without flaw. But it was the warehouse they picked to sneak into that would prove to be their undoing. They entered silently, creeping along the shadows as they listened to a raspy voice recite an archaic mantra over and over again. As they rounded a corner they found the source. A pentagram had been drawn on the floor in a red substance whose name they dared not guess. Candles stood lit at certain points of the floor, some inside the pentagram, some without. At it's very center a figure stood cloaked in a red hood and cape, the slender pair of hands protruding from it twisted into some sort of tantric design. They watched in silence for a moment until an unfortunate rat startled them prompting the hooded figure to turn it's attention towards them. In an instant the figure vanished, only to appear behind them a heartbeat later. They tried to flee but the figure seemed to be everywhere at once. Disappearing and reappearing as if it was toying with them. But the fun quickly came to a stop as it cornered Tandy, her scream echoing throughout the warehouse, bringing Johnson rushing to her aid. He saw them across the pentagram, the ominous figure slowing closing in on a fallen Tandy, her eyes and face locked in a look of terror as the figure glided ever closer.
Without thinking Tyrone dashed across the pentagram, sweeping up one of the stands upon which a candle was perched. He made no sound as he swung, the heavy brass of his makeshift bludgeon impacting with the figure's head with a sickening crunch as he made contact. It fell noiselessly, vanishing into midair as it did. But this time not all of it vanished as there upon the floor, laying where the figure once stood, were the hooded cloak, a pair of ornate boots, and a dagger. Tyrone grabbed for Tandy and yanked her to her feet, having every intention of taking her out of the warehouse and back home, over his shoulder if need be. But her eyes were fixated on the spoils. Even as he tried to pull her towards the door she pulled him towards what was left behind, claiming that they couldn't just leave empty handed and that such things might be worth something. He was stronger than she was but she managed to slip from his grasp just long enough to grab up the cloak and dagger before he could once again seize her and pull her towards the door. She fought with him again, wanting to go back for the boots, but he firmly cried no, pulling the cloak from her hand as he drug her across the pentagram and out of the warehouse.
He tucked the cloak within his shirt as they fled, Tandy tucking the dagger into her belt. They ran the entire way home, not once looking back or even speaking, not until they were safely behind their door. They stood and looked at each other in silence a while before words were muttered, a decision made to sleep the night before trying to sell what little they'd lifted from the remains of that....thing. Rest dis not come quickly to Tyrone, and when it did it was short and fretful. His mind was racked with horrible nightmares before he was awakened by a agitated Tandy. She quickly related her story of how she'd been sitting in her room holding the dagger, when suddenly she was in his room. She claimed she vaguely remembered standing up and walking in, but it had all happened so fast that she was unsure if she'd actually done so. Still excited, she had Tyrone retrieve the cloak he'd taken from her and try it on to see what it could do.
Still unable to deny her, he indulged her wishes, trying the red hooded cloak. However he was unable to do anything with it. It did not grant him Tandy's newfound speed, nor did it allow him any sort of superstrength or supernatural ability. Slightly frustrated he threw it down, allowing Tandy to try it on to see if she could unlock its magics. Three hours later neither had been able to accomplish anything with it, causing Tandy to suggest that Tyrone could always use it as a Halloween costume. She draped it upon him once more, but as she did a knock came from the front door followed by a voice proclaiming to be the NYC police department. They froze in place looking at the door unsure of what to do, but when Tandy turned to look at her friend....he was gone. Her hands had remained upon him the entire time and she could feel him standing there, but he was gone. She stepped back in shock and awe. Tyrone, seeing the look on her face when to ask her what was wrong and he reappeared.
The knocks at the door became harder. The police were forcing their way in. They had to escape. Tandy, thinking that their newfound powers could not only get them out of their current situation, but could also be the solution to their problems told Tyrone to meet her at the warehouse. She wanted to get her hand on the boots and see what they could do. In the next instant she was gone, a light blonde streak shimmering in the air as she made her way out the window and down the fire escape in the span of a few seconds. As he tried to figure out how he'd vanished, the cops came bursting in thru the door and he froze again. Three officers came pouring into the small apartment, but none of them seemed to know he was there. He'd become invisible again, but how? It wasn't until his lungs began to burn that he realized he'd been holding his breath. That must have been it. He held out for as long as he could, hoping they would leave, but they would not. Instead they began to start searching the apartment. Tyrone made his way towards the door as quickly as he could, but halfway there was forced to exhale suddenly as his lungs felt as if they would burst.
He reappeared in front of two very frightened officers only to vanish a split second later, nothing but the sound of his footsteps barreling down the hall giving any hint that he was even there. Nearly an hour later he found himself back in the warehouse from the night before. As he stood at the edge of the pentagram he drew back his hood and looked about for Tandy, seeing no reason why she, with her newfound speed, wouldn't be there yet. As he pulled up his hood and prepared to turn and leave, he was tackled from behind. Or was it...above? He rolled over onto his back to look up into the dazzling blue eyes of his friend and partner, her cheeks pulled back in a wide smile as she lay upon him. "The boots let you fly." she told him, the bewildered look on his face telling the tale of his confusion. But before either of them could get off the floor they found themselves surrounded by Jack O' Lantern, Constrictor, Madam Rapier, the Sandman, and Shocker, each taking a position at one of the points of the pentagram.. The person they'd killed the night before was supposed to be making the warehouse a safe place for the gems Tandy had heard about, but because Tyrone had killed him before he could complete his ritual, they would have to wait until another suitable magi could finish the job. And waiting was not something their employer cared for.
Tandy tried to escape, but before she could reach the dagger, Constrictor had her in his grasp. And as Tyrone tried to vanish, Shocker hit him with a blast that left him gasping for air, unable to hold his breath. They both knew that they were about to be punished for what had happened, and Madam Rapier saw to it that they were. As Sandman and Constrictor held them tightly, Madam Rapier slit both their throats in one fluid motion with the tip of her blade, their soon to be lifeless bodies dropped to the floor. "Leave them with their 'trophies'," she said as she led the others away, the will of one Dennis Golembuski having been carried out in full. Tandy and Tyrone lay dying there in the center of the floor, he still in the hooded cloak, she still with the dagger tucked into her belt, and with their last ounces of strength reached out to grasp one another's hand. But the mystical artifacts which they still possessed, plus their blood filling the empty spots on the pentacle interacted, and their deaths would not come as expected. Dark magics mixed and crossed, unleashing the latent mystical energies in Bowen and Johnson, but at a great cost.
Tandy had become one with the dagger, her life essence amplified a thousand times over by the power she had inside. Her light caused the dagger to lengthen and take on a more elegant design, it's material brightening to resemble the finest of polished Ivories. Tyrone became bound with the cloak, and his life essence was drained away. The darkness that remained twisted the cloth into a black effigy of it's former self, the warm fabric now becoming cool to the touch. Even in their new forms it did not take long for them to realize that they still needed one another. He was dying, and she was without motion. She was bursting with life, and somehow he was still able to move. She called to him somehow, beckoning him to take her into his folds, and he responded by doing so, pulling her light warmth into the cold darkness that he'd become. They existed like this for some time, the cloak acting as the body while the dagger served as the soul, but there came a time when they could no longer be together, as Tandy's brilliant light threatened to overcome and destroy Tyrone. But alas, he would not abandon her, the only one he'd truly loved. Even in death he was willing to give his life for her, and would have had it not been for a woman named Jennifer Kale. Naturally gifted in magics she'd felt their presence and had tracked them down by Tandy's essence.
It was when she tried to take Tandy from him and Tyrone attacked her that he discovered what he was capable of. When he'd come in contact with her he'd seen into her mind, as if she were there walking about in the shadows. And he also discovered that he could feed off the light of others and that Tandy wasn't his only source of sustenance. Tandy, not wanting to see either party hurt, convinced Tyrone to let Jennifer take her. He was adamant about the idea, until he came in contact with her a second time. He was once again trying to protect his dagger, only to discover that he didn't have to. For when he'd caught a glimpse of Jennifer's mind, she'd caught a glimpse of his. They remained this way for a while, Tandy in Jennifer's grip, Jennifer in Tyrone's, all three communicating as one. She agreed to take the both of them and to help them in any way she could, and somehow knowing she was telling the truth....with her they went.
Height: Variable (usually around 5' 9").
Weight: 3 lbs.
Eyes: None
Hair: None
Strength Level: Minimal (around 5 pounds)
Known Powers:
On it's own, The Cloak can manipulate itself in a variety of ways. It can render itself intangible, mold itself into the effigy of a person wearing a hooded cape, and can access a "dark dimension" within which it can teleport itself and others from one point of the Earth's surface to another. In theory there is no limit to the distance it can teleport, but as any action it takes of this nature consumes energy, teleporting more than 3 miles at one time would either severely drain it of it's reserves or kill it outright. The Cloak can also use itself to manipulate small things in the environment, such as light switches, pencils and pens, and doorknobs. However because it has no muscles of it own, nor a steady supply of energy to use, it is unable to move or manipulate things of heavier weight.
When worn by another, and thus able to sustain itself off of it's host's life force, The Cloak allows it's wearer access to it's teleportation powers. The distance which can be traveled is now linked directly to the life essence of the wearer, as those with a stronger lifeforce will be able to teleport themselves and others much further than The Cloak could on it's own. The strength level of The Cloak increases as well when it is worn by another, allowing it a strength of approximately one half of it's wearer. Another ability it obtains while worn is the capability to render it's wearer invisible to most forms of detection. However, this power is also linked to the wearer as the wearer will only become invisible, and remain so, for as long as they can hold their breath. It can also mold itself to resemble different articles of clothing such as a suit and tie, pair of jeans and a shirt, or an extravagant gown, though any shape it takes retains the same black color.
Whether worn or unworn The Cloak craves the life energy of things as it has none of it's own. When unworn it has been known to siphon these energies out of people in order to sustain itself, usually leaving the victim feeling tired and weak, though in some extreme cases, unconscious or even in a coma. While being worn The Cloak shares the life energy of it's wearer, leaving the one wearing it feeling little to no effect of the Cloak's presence. However, the Cloak still hungers for the life energy it needs to survive on it's own, and will often try to convince it's wearer to siphon such energies from other persons so it can store them for later consumption. It does this by means of low level telepathy which is only available to it when it is in direct contact with someone.
--------------------Character #2--------------------
Character Name: Usagi Yojimbo
Real Name: Miyamoto Usagi
Occupation: Bodyguard, Ronin, formerly a Samurai in the service of Lord Mifune.
Legal Status: Lordless Ronin with no criminal record
Identity: Public
Other Aliases: None
Place of Birth: Sendai, Mutsu Province, Honshu, Japan.
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Parents both deceased, names unknown.
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: None (Wandering Ronin)
History:
Usagi Yojimbo was born in the town of Sendai Japan, where his father was the local magistrate. At a very young age he was sent to study and train at the Dogora fencing school, where over the years he devoted himself to the study of swordplay. His accension through the ranks of his school was slow and tedious, littered with many defeats and set backs, though each only served to strengthen his resolve and inform him of his short comings and mistakes. Night and day, day and night, he would devote himself to overcoming his failings and becoming more and more in tune with the warrior spirit that lay within. And even though he became quite the accomplished swordsman, he knew he could become better.
When he was but 20, he bore witness to several of his peers and superiors at the school being defeated by a Sensei Katsuichi who worked for a local Lord training his warriors. Seeing the skill and beauty with which this Sensei weilded a blade Miyamoto choose to study under him as instead of continuing at the Dogora school. Unfortunately Katsuichi did not believe Miyamoto to be worthy of his time and dismissed the boy, instead testing some of the other warriors who were still Miyamoto's better. Day after day Miyamoto pleaded with Katsuichi but to no avail until on the fifth day, the last day Katsuichi would be at the Dogora school, Katsuichi agreed to let Miyamoto study under him under young condition. That the young warrior defeat, or at the very least impress him, in a duel.
Before Miyamoto even had a chance to answer the elder Swordsman he was under attack, his sword having been drawn out of reflex alone. The barrage was feirce and relentless, and he was only barely able to deflect the brunt of the attacks, never once hazarding a counterstrike of his own. When questioned about this by Sensei Katsuichi, mid fight mind you, Miyamoto said it would foolish for him to engage in a fight he knew he had no chance of winning. Much to Miyamoto's surprise this halted the attacks almost instantaneously. Opening the eyes he had not ever realized he'd shut, he was treated to the vision of Kutsuichi sheathing his blade, looking at him with a curious eye. His answer seemed to impress Kutsuichi, who even went so far to say so. Miyamoto's answer, the elder warrior said, contained a subtle wisdom that was the core of the warrior's code as opposed to the unrelenting thirst to be the best that seemed to plague his other classmates. It was from that moment on that Miyamoto began his studies under Sensei Kutsuichi. Studies that would later prove to be the cornerstone of his life.
At the conclusion of his first year with his new Sensei, Miyamoto was sent deep into the forrest to seek out a bladesmith whom he had never heard before. One who was said to be able to give Miyamoto what he would need to become the Samurai he'd always wanted to become. It took the young warrior nearly a month to find this bladesmith, and after finding him it was another eight months before he finally returned to Sensei Kutsuichi. During those eight months Miyamoto engaged in a new type of study, learning not how to be a warrior and use a blade, but instead how to become and be a blade. It was under the wing of this bladesmith that Miyamoto learned the true power behind the swords he had weilded all these years. They were more than weapons. Even more than an extension of himself. They were alive. Things not to be used, but lives of their own, which had to be respected. The night before he would return to Sensei Kutsuichi Miyamoto gave birth to a blade of his own, crafted with his own two hands. In was in that moment, as the steel cooled in the brisk night air, the moonlight glinting of the edges of the blade and his own eyes staring back at him from it's reflective surface that he understood. The blade had life because he gave it life. Because he didn't merely craft a tool, but because he poured a little of his heart and soul into it in order to bring it into this world. It was then that he became Samurai.
After a few more years of study under this new Sensei, Miyamoto officially became a Samurai and went into the service of the Benevolent and Honourable Lord Mifune. It was in this station that Miyamoto served loyally for many years, gaining much reknown and respect as a Samurai until one fateful day when Lord Mifune was struck down during the Battle of Adachi Plain, leaving Miyamoto masterless as the Tokugawa era began. Now a Lordless Samurai in a time when being a Samurai is outlawed, he turned his skills into a profession, becoming a bodyguard to merchants and weary travellers and the like. But while his new profession would afford him enough income to maintain himself, he could not let it be known that Miyamoto was now wandering the land protecting simple traders and travelers. To allow such news to travel would undoubtedly bring bounty hunters and glory seekers after him, thus endangering the innocents he was trying to protect. Instead of letting such things come to pass he adopted a new name. The name of Usagi Yojimbo, and continues to uphold the virtues of justice and honour, helping the weak and protecting the innocent whenever he is able.
Height: 4 ft 1 inch
Weight: 96 lbs
Eyes: Pink
Hair: White (Fur Color)
Strength Level: Athlete
Known Superhuman Powers: None
Abilites: A Master Swordsman and Martial artist, Usagi has spent most of his life following, studying, and training in the way of the warrior.
Weapons: A single, self made Katana of incredible sharpness, a second Katana with an extremely hard, yet dull blade which was given to him as a gift, and a short blade known as a Wakazashi.