Motivation Decay
The World of We Were Heroes.
Logan House Publishing Presents.
The World of We Were Heroes.
Motivation Decay
By J.R. Logan.
Articles in newspapers and on the internet lambast heroes when they fail. When a Supervillain escapes or is barely stopped. Plans and schemes unravel, but the Heroes never seem to foil the Supervillain. In truth, Heroic failures are a planned part of the Hero system. To avoid total frustration and allow the Supervillain to achieve catharsis.
Supervillains believe the Heroes could only stop them at a great cost to humanity’s best, or through a fluke of those meddling kids. Then the Supervillain would come back and prove to the world they are the chosen one, the best, or whatever. And this can keep them busy for years. And the bloodshed is at a minimum.
But the most dangerous time to deal with a Supervillain is pending retirement. Be it voluntary or involuntary, they have nothing to lose and everything to prove, one more time.
The second most dangerous time is the spiral of motivation decay. Setting aside world conquest and making money is disregarded. It is no longer about proving anything to the world. A time when a Supervillain says, “I’m going to kick the shit out of that annoying Hero.” There are no schemes or plans to foil. The world’s complications stop, and the bloodshed starts.
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The Battle for Columbus. Part One
Major Liberty and Captain Buckeye were winding down their careers. The State Champion of Ohio had offered to help the leader of the National Squad with a recruitment drive—one last photo opportunity, including a short training documentary.
Buckeye knew the place, Eastside Advanced Barbell, in Columbus. The strongest gym in the world. A place that attracted top advanced human physical talent, renowned for its rigorous training and team lifting.
In the video, Liberty explained the conjugal method. It went full Bulgarian with near-maximum lifts; this was added to team lifting. Four or five lifters would train together in rotation.
Lifters trained this way achieved a limit break. Driven by heavy metal music, the air was filled with raw testosterone and peer pressure. All to make the last lift. The only lift that mattered was that final rep. This training made Eastside the world’s strongest gym. That peer pressure put both heroes in the squat rack and under the bar that day.
At the end of the lifting session and filming, the two heroes staggered to the parking lot. Legs numb, knees creaking. A labor with each breath that comes from a limit break. Out in that parking lot, a man leaned against the Major’s Jaguar.
“Get off my car, Goldburg,” the Major said softly. His voice was like gravel even in a whisper.
Buckeye staggered back, with legs still weak and wobbly from the gym. His chest was tight with exhaustion, and his body tingled with the lifter’s high.
Before them stood a Greek god, a physical embodiment of perfection. Skin of alabaster white, hair black as night, stripped with white. Eyes as keen as a tiger. Hershal Goldburg– Mantecore.
With a smile, Mantecore’s eyes flashed with blue light. The hero and villain closed in a blink. Buckeye could see that the Major moved slowly. His fists still moved faster than air could flow with cracks of thunder, but the Major’s jab slipped past Mantecore.
The major stepped wrong. Muscles from Liberty’s toes, up the back, and to his neck spasmed. And the greatest hero of the world fell to the ground without being hit.
Mantecore’s fists struck with force that rattled the windows. Pavement under the hero buckled. Moisture compressed from the punch and steamed off the skin. Buckeye, unable to move with fatigue, watched. Then a dose of adrenaline surged through him, propelling him into action.
Thank You for Reading.
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