Lies and scandal!

[jerks22]

Fair people of Genessia! It is I: John Everyman, the Man in the Street! Your Guardians and leaders have been lying and abusing your trust from the beginning! Here I present the fruits of my undercover investigations. Warning! The images you are about to see may shock you.

[Camera pans across advanced-looking school, still in the middle of construction.] Here we see that Lady Satsuki has made good on her plans to open up new educational facilities. She's even begun teaching already. Admirable - or is it? Let's take a sneak peek at her lesson plan, shall we?

[Zooms in to a class in progress, with Satsuki leading a group of children mid-lecture. All their eyes are focused on a swirling, hypnotic image in full focus on a projector. She begins to speak, harshly.]

"As you can clearly see, the rest of this foul world does not deserve the air it breathes. Thus, it is our duty as superior beings to purge society of its subhuman scum. This-[She holds up a portrait of a blonde youth with a tail; those familiar with him will recognize it as Sun Wukong. Satsuki slaps it with a ruler.] represents everything loathsome. Our coming utopia will have little room for such vermin.

[She slaps the table with the ruler.] To begin our road to rule, your first homework assignment will be to go home, search your parents' belongings, and bring back anything of value you can find. Bonus points will be awarded for credit cards and precious jewelry. All hail Lady Satsuki!

[children reply, in stupefied unison] "Hail Lady Satsuki." [video cuts]

Shocking! But that's just the tip of the ice berg.

[Many photos of Yuna appear]. Lady Yuna, Guardian of Everglade. Reserved. Meek. Gentle. Some might say, kind of cute. But is there more to her soft demeanor than meets the eye?

[Video cuts to a seedy alleyway, where Yuna appears to be talking to a large man dressed in red military bearings. He speaks first in a low voice.]

"Have you done as I asked?"

"Yes, Master Bison. All has gone as you said it would. I've secured the position of Guardian, as you requested. Now Shadaloo is one step closer to drowning the world in fear and misery."

"Excellent. I must admit, your kind and demure persona really won them over. You nearly had me fooled."

"Thank you, Master Bison. That trick has served me well in the past; may it continue to serve you in your plans for world domination." [The large man smiles]

"Of course. And now, for your reward."

[Bison leans into her, Yuna embraces him, and they start passionately making out]

Someone should've told her never to mix business with pleasure! But it gets worse, citizens. Some people's sick, twisted version of pleasure must be seen to be believed.

[Video shows a fancy hotel, burning.]
The pyromaniac tendencies of Azula bear repeating.

Still, not all criminal acts are so visible.

[Video shows an imposing woman in green armor, irritably strolling around the city park. It's none other than Guardian Tepet. She appears to be alone in a very early hour, when a lone man comes by, out for a walk with his poodle. She commands him to halt.]

"Ah, Guardian! Lovely morning, isn't it?"

"Dispense with your small talk, mortal. I require sustenance."

"Um, what?" [In one swift motion, Tepet scoops up his dog, twists off its head, and pours blood into her gaping mouth. The man just watches, stunned. Tepet wipes her mouth.]

"Ah, such warm, glorious blood. I am sated. Be on your way, mortal."

"But you...this can't be happening...someone help, He-" [He's cut short as a large blade flashes in front of his throat.]

"Speak one word further of this, now or ever, and your life is forfeit, mortal." [The man quivers, terrorized of his redhead captor. Tepet speaks.]

"Ah, Mnemon. Would you like to try the local delicacy? These creatures have such delectable pets." [She offers the decapitated dog to Mnemon]

"No, thank you. I'm quite full already; I stopped by an orphanage on the way here."

[Both of the Exalted share a dry, aristocratic laugh]

It's true; even those merely vying for the position of Attleton's Guardian are quite corrupt. Take, for example, these two young men...

[Two men, one blonde, another with purple hair, are pacing around the Arena's perimiter, laying out strange symbols. The purple one speaks amicably to the blonde.]

"C'est Magnifique, Ted! What a brilliant idea, using an area dedicated to blood sport to get the necessary amount of gore."

"The honor belongs to you, Vyers. None of this would've been possible without your intricate knowledge of demonic summons. How on earth did you manage to find the requisite number of virgin sacrfices?"

[Vyers tosses his head back and laughs] "They don't call me the Dark Adonis for nothing! Now, take your position while I produce the incantation. We'll produce a devil so diabolical that Lucifer will seem like a fresh spring breeze."

"As you say, my lovely demon. Once we have Beelzesatan, Destroyer of Love in tow, we'll run unopposed. Guardianship is assured!"

[Ted runs over to a rune-heavy circle, while Vyers begins muttering an ancient, possibly Latin chant. The summoning circle around them glows with an unholy light. Thunderclap! Then, a horrible, horned, winged abomination emerges from the ground, as if clawing from the deepest pits of hell. It's the size of a football field. It speaks with a low, guttural voice that sounds like happiness dying]

"WHO HAS CALLED ME HERE!? WHO HAS DOOMED THE UNIVERSE TO ETERNAL SUFFERING AND PAAAIIII-" [feed cuts out].


How long, Genessia? How long will you allow such desperately wicked rulers to oppress you? Rise up! Open your eyes, and see the shackles of slavery that even now threaten to permanently affix themselves to your ankles!

You are not safe, "Guardians." For as long as there are Men on the Street, your evil acts will never go unnoticed.

This is John Everyman, signing off.

Comments

[video]

[the_roseblack]

[No one could possibly believe those videos are real, right?? Ejava may have barely met the other guardians, but after seeing the Genessia City video, she has plenty of reason to suspect the rest are equally preposterous.]

Whoever you are, I will find you and bring you to justice for this slander.

Re: [video]

[jerks22]

You'd like that, wouldn't you, dog-eater? But I'm not hard to find. I'm every man, woman, and child bearing witness to your corruption. I'm everywhere, and everyone. The Men in the Street will not be intimidated.

video;

[banishment]

It's pronounced fī(ə)r-bendər. Firebending is not the same as pyromania; it is an ingrained ability that someone is born with, not the compulsive urge to start fires. The majority of the Fire Nation's population is made up of firebenders, and the same can be said of earthbenders within the Earth Kingdom and the waterbenders of the Northern Water Tribe. Bending is an every day aspect of our world and people, not a compulsive disorder.

Princess Azula was a new arrival when the hotel incident occurred. She comes from a world that has been at war for over a century and did not yet understand her predicament. Having reacted so negatively, with immediate disbelief for the truth that was being presented to her, makes her better able to empathize with those who are struggling to comprehend their situation. Not everyone's adjustment to and acceptance of Genessia is automatic. My sister was dealing with the same struggles many others have, and has since apologized and made up for her transgressions.

Sweet schwa, bro

[jerks22]

It's pronounced sahy-kot-ik. And please, no one's born with a desire to immolate unsatisfactory hotel staff.

Your defense of her depravity is as nepotistic as it is pathetic. Perhaps you'd like to try "it was just her time of the month" next? I can't believe that I have to explain to you how spontaneous murder isn't a point of empathy.

Don't be a party to her corruption, boy. Don't let true justice become as scarred as your face.

video; is jumping in here ok? sorry if not!

[the_roseblack]

You mean she really burned down a hotel? I thought all the videos were fake. [she wasn't here yet when it happened.

Hopefully Zuko doesn't think the rest of the videos are real.]

Video~

[greenmagick]

[It takes a lot to get Terra angry but that does it. She knows those people and some were even people she calls friends. She isn't one to stand and watch as her friends get blamed.]

How can you say this! You know it isn't true.

How long will it be before you learn that these lies won't take hold?

Re: Video~

[jerks22]

I struggled a long time with posting these. Weighing the truth compared to disturbing your peace and dispelling your ignorance was a hard decision, but in the end, I had to do the right thing.

I know how hard it can be to realize that people you trust aren't who you thought they were. But I implore you, let the scales fall from your eyes. Choose truth over comforting lies. Don't fall victim to their corruption.

Video

[rulerofme]

This is absolutely hilarious. I have to give you an A+ for effort. [As far as he's concerned, the only real thing was the thing about Azula.]

Re: Video

[jerks22]

[Were the youth of today truly so callous?]

Those acts are many things. Scandalous. Horrible. Graphic. Evil. Kinky.

But...hilarious?

Video

[symphonyofdestruction]

I don't know who you are, but I think you may be the stupidest person to ever stain existence. Its hard to imagine anyone who's mind was so broken they could see this and think it was actually real. I won't waste my time telling you how you wasted your own time, it should be pretty obvious! Obvious lies can't possibly damage Satsuki-sama's reputation. She is the one that is going to better the world, someone like you isn't worthy to even say her name!

Re: Video

[jerks22]

Oh, oh no. Oh god no.

It's already begun. I thought the brainwashing was temporary, but this child's mind may already be lost in its fanatical devotion to its hypnotic master.

It's cold comfort now, but the Men on the Street will not, can not let any more of this atrocity continue.

I'm begging all of you, please. Think of the children.

[video]

[skirtcladgunner]

[Tori is thoroughly unimpressed.]

With a presentation like that, do you really think anyone's going to be stupid enough to believe you?

Re: [video]

[jerks22]

[Really? That demon would put most cgi animators to shame.]

If they wish to retain their liberty, they'll have to.

[Audio]

[frostheartedrose]

Hmm, whoever does your editing and voice acting is quite talented. I do have a few questions for you though if you don't mind.

Re: [Audio]

[jerks22]

Nothing like that was done; those are all authentic. If you won't see that, then answering the questions of someone in bad faith is pointless. If you won't believe that, you won't believe my answers either.

video;

[sarcaskick]

[ At first this just seemed like a slideshow of madness, and Mercury wasn't sure WHAT to make of it... and then the reactions started pouring in, the pieces fell into place, and now?

It's hilarious. ]

Alas, that such evil is allowed to exist unchallenged! You're a brave man to champion the cause.

Re: video;

[jerks22]

Thank you, citizen. Encouragement like yours is what gives The Men in the Street the strength to fight the good fight.

[What a salve to his soul to see at least one citizen yet to be duped. The Y chromosome probably had something to do with it.]

[Audio] Accidental, probably no response...

[blackkirin]

[He did manage to get part way through it all, really! At least until the part where a poor dog gets involved. Even the sight of blood, no matter how real it was, was evidently dangerous to some.

So there is an odd clatter that was probably the accidental activation of Taiki's comm while falling to the floor. But for the next few minutes there will be periods of silence broken by random attempts at movement in the background much like someone is flailing or attempting to stand and then falling again.

Finally...]

Help... please...

[Video]

[lookprofessor]

[Hello there, John Everyman. The feed turns on, and he is greeted with an extreme close-up of Luke's face--he's obviously scrutinizing what he's just seen, nose screwed up and frustrated.]

That looks very real but...Miss Kiryuin isn't like that. She's very nice. I'm working with her at her school as an assistant and she isn't like that at all.

And Mr. Vyers is a demon, but I don't think he'd do that either.

[He squirms, moving the camera away from his face.]

I don't know all of the people in the videos...but honestly. It's not very nice to lie, Mr. Everyman. I know it looks real, but I'm not sure that those videos really are.

Re: [Video]

[jerks22]

So now she's stooped to using fresh-faced boys for her personal PR campaign. Are there no bounds to her wretchedness!?

Don't worry, little boy. Somehow, we'll find a way to free you from her thrall.

Video

[monkeystowaway]

You expect us to believe this garbage? [He honestly doesn't know if its true or not. Satsuki didn't really strike him as that kind of woman.]

Re: Video

[jerks22]

Our lives would be so much easier if I didn't, huh? Alas...

[forever_prince]

...Okay, first off, you honestly expect us to believe that *Mid-Boss* of all people would injure his pride by summoning a demon? For a demon to summon another demon like that is just insulting. Trust me, if he wanted to take something by force, he'd do it on his own strength. ...And then whine to me when he failed.

Second off, virgin sacrifices are such a thing of the past. The Netherworld got kinda fed up with them well before my time. We don't operate on blood, or souls, contrary to popular belief. We're capitalists. You want something, you better be willing to pay, in money.

I mean, what are we going to do with a bunch of blood and a dead person? I mean seriously. Think these things through, moron.

[jerks22]

[Lot to say here, but...]

Which one is "Mid-boss"?

video;

[gullwingsgunner]

[Yuna is... really confused right about now. She was pretty sure that wasn't her because she sure as hell didn't recall that ever happening. Soon that confusion turned into slight annoyance.]

I can say easily that is not me, that is an imposter. [Because seriously, her heart was for someone else and also she didn't have a clue who this guy even was.]

Re: video;

[jerks22]

[Quick, Yuna. Check your dress spheres]

Oh, sure. Like we've never heard that one before. Maybe you were just sleepwalking, too.

video;

[shslprogrammer]

I-Is it okay to ask where or how exactly did you get the evidence?

[Chihiro is being smart here right now. He doesn't believe any of it though.]

Re: video;

[jerks22]

[Well, he's not being that smart then, is he? Nevertheless...]

It's certainly all right to ask, though my answer will be curt.

I got it a with a somewhat expensive video camera.

As for how, well. The techniques I employ, in addition to being necessary for the preservation of my life, are highly classified trade secrets. It might be classified merely to tell you that they're classified, but I'll risk that slap on the wrist. I've risked worse.

One day, when I no longer make such powerful enemies, I'll reveal my ways. But I have not yet achieved my own futility.

[Video]

[notsoholyspirit]

Mm...very convincing stuff, I have to say.

[Spirit doesn't look convinced--or unconvinced. Of course, he doesn't buy it. He's no fool. But, he also knows that one catches more flies with honey than vinegar, and if he wants information then yelling won't help.]

How'd you manage to catch footage of all of that? Hate to think that all of our guardians are corrupted. We're looking to them for help and support.

Re: [Video]

[jerks22]

*sigh* I could've sworn I touched on this to someone else. Oh well, Men on the Street can hardly turn away honest inquiry. It's our lifeblood.

Okay, you know the saying: "a magician never reveals his secrets"? It's sort of like that. If a magician does that, his crowd sees through him, and he has to seek another means of employment.

If I do that, my enemies will have an easier time finding me, and then...well, I trust you can imagine what happens next.

[Video]

[virgochains]

[I'm so very sorry, but Virgo is just going to lineface at the camera.

For...

At least half an hour. She's a bit lost in thought and time runs differently for her.]

This is considered strange and new?

Re: [Video]

[jerks22]

To put it lightly. Though, historically speaking, corrupt officials is pretty par for the course in any advanced civilization.

[Video]

[beautifulmidboss]

Honestly, I am sure there are a few books in the library which can quell your desire for forbidden romance and melodrama, if you feel so inclined.

[Yuuup, he's not impressed. He would be more amused by this display had he not been suffering nearly a week of nightmares - something that shows by the slightly bloodshot, black-ringed eyes.]

None which involve my beautiful visage of course, but that is your loss.

Still, I trust that those who know moi and the other Guardians well enough will be able to see the falsehood of these videos.

[For one, he suspected most of his allies knew that he was still slightly intimidated by Lucifer, and avoided saying his name where he could - or otherwise stammered a bit when it came up. The devil is in the detail, or so they say.

...Then again, he doubted there was anyone here who trusted these videos for the myriad of other, more obvious reasons.]

Re: [Video]

[jerks22]

Cute. The only book I'm interested in is the one the judge will be throwing at you once you're finally brought to justice. Your days are numbered, demon-summoner.