A hypnotic adventure

[Unknown Location]

BANG!

The door to the apartment swung open with enough **** to bang against the wall as its occupant stomped into the room, who then promptly slammed the door shut with the same amount of energy.

“MOTHERFUCKER!” He shouted, tearing off his safety vest and tossing it to the ground. Walking over to the small kitchen area, he opened the sparse fridge, grabbed a loose beer bottle from the thing and shut it. Popping the top, the man took a long swig of cheap booze before plopping down on a couch.

Antoine Delsoin, formerly known as the supervillain Hypno Hustler, had a scowl on his face as he thought back on today’s events. It was another exhausting day working at the docks and as usual, his boss was being a hardass, especially on him. Forcing him to take extra shifts, doing stuff he knew he couldn’t do, and basically, making his displeasure of hiring ex-convicts known every day he clocks in. Outright demanding him to quit.

Glancing down at his arm, the scowl turned into a small smirk as Antoine gave it a brief flex. Between jail and the high demand of his job, he had managed to put on quite a bit of muscle on himself.

Hmph, 'bout the only thing I could ‘thank’ the old coot for.

Eyes drifting, he eyed the kitchen counter, and the scowl returned. Sitting there was a small pile of letters, all bills with the top one being a letter from his cheap ass landlord, which was pretty much: “Pay up or be on your ass at the end of the month”. And he only had two weeks left.

Growling, he set his beer down, stood up and began pacing around the room. Going straight wasn’t bringing in the cash, he barely made enough to live off of, let alone pay bills. The idea of getting back into music was shot down as he was pretty much banned. Though brief, he enjoyed the music scene, his foxy ladies ‘The Mercy Killers’ were a much enjoyable bonus!

As for the other half of his life…that came with risks. Not including his parole officer, he wasn’t confident he could pull off a successful heist since it’s been a hot minute. But even with that, one other thing made the musical villain bare his teeth and snarl.

Oh, he heard them all! Dead disco jokes, mocking costume jabs, cruel sneers, and a whole bunch of jive-talking he’s heard since getting in the game. Hell, even his fellow low tier villains mocked him any chance they had. A particular one was a dolled playboy bunny girl with more money than actual sense. Oh sure, she was attractive with a soft looking bubble butt, but the attitude! She had the nerve to call his gimmick outdated and stupid!

“Yeah, cause dressing like you're straight outta a kid’s first spank book is any better. I’m at least subtle, you ride atop a giant robot rabbit!”

Bang Bang Bang

His ranting, and pacing, cut short as a banging from above him meant his neighbor was tired of his yelling. Glaring up at the cracked ceiling, he sighed heavily before looking back at the table. Snatching up the bottle, he drained the last of the liquid before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Multiple thoughts running through his head until he eventually came to a decision.

Fuck it. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he marched into the sole bedroom of the apartment. “If I’m goin’ back, I’m gonna give New York a groovy time before I do. Let’s get Funky!”

[Nightclub]

The soft cadence of the band complimented well with the singer’s rising vocals as the song carried throughout the venue. The patrons of the club that weren’t on the dance floor were either mingling about or at one of the two bars. Despite being relatively new, ‘The Crimson Comet’ was a welcome addition to the nightlife of Staten Island. Not well known but enough charm to keep going.

Nestled at the end of one of the bars, nursing a colorful drink, was a relative newcomer to this establishment. Dressed in an off-shoulder red top that barely contained her buxom chest, a tight black mini skirt emphasized the curvature of a firm but bountiful butt, knee-high strap-on heels paired with a light bit of eye shadow gave the dark-haired siren a seductive yet mysterious look.

The unknown beauty had gotten looks throughout the night. Most wondered where she came from while others tried, and failed, to approach her. None of this was unnoticed by her, why would it, she all but expected it. The outfit she picked was deliberately made to give an alluring but repealing aura, and the brave ones that actually did come over to speak, she politely turned down. Despite the look, her main goal was to enjoy a quite night to herself.

Susan Storm-Richards, The Invisible Woman herself, sipped more of her cocktail as the band kept playing. It had been weeks since she returned from her…adventure into the Negative Zone. Due to the time discrepancies between the dimensions, the day she was gone equaled to a year within the zone. A year of running from slavers, a year of trying not to be recognized.

A year of performing acts that she swore would never see the light of day.

Shaking her head a little, Susan or Vanessa Coleridge as it said on ‘ID’, finished off her drink as she closed her eyes and sighed. The singer’s voice tapered off as the band finished their piece, to the applause of the crowd.

“Freshen up that drink for you?” Her eyes opened to see the bartender looking at her with an inviting smile of his.

‘Vanica’ gave a smile back as she pushed her glass forward. “Please do. A bit stronger this time, if you could?”

The employee gave a nod as he took the glass to remake the drink as the disguised heroine settled in for the next act. The lights dimmed down as a spotlight appeared centerstage.

“ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ANOTHER GREAT PERFORMANCE! EVERYBODY ENJOYING THEMSELVES TONIGHT?” A loud voice boomed from the speakers. The club-goers cheered and clapped in response. “THAT’S WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR! NEXT UP, A NEWCOMER TO THE CRIMSON COMET!”

A low, resonating bassline began filling the venue at a slow but intense rhythm. Sue felt a small shiver through her body due to the deep tone. The light percussion of drums followed by the occasional guitar riff and soft voices, she and the crowd were starting to get the musical beat but the musicians still hadn’t been revealed.

“ARE YOU READY TO TAKE STEP BACK IN TIME? ARE YOU READY BOOGIE DOWN?!” The announcer asked. Purple lights began going off, being in tune with the rhythm. By this point, the crowd’s cheer was smaller than before, most were bobbing their heads and only sluggishly moving to the beat. For the heroine’s part, she slowly stood up, thoughts becoming hard to form.

"What’s…happening…"She wondered if her early drinks were getting to her as she focused on the stage.

“THEN GIVE IT UP FOR TONIGHT’S MOST FUNKY NEW GUESTS!”

The curtain finally parted, revealing the band at last. Though affected, Sue’s eyes focused on the figure stepping into the spotlight. His hair was styled into an afro and his clothing consisted of a full silver bodysuit, white gloves and boots, a silver collar with a speaker built-in, a purple metallic belt, and a pair goggles with purple lenses.

"Is…that…"A distant memory came to her as she remembered Peter once talking about a rather, very minor rogue of his that used music to hypnotize people and rob them. The music grew louder as mostly the patrons of the nightclub were now aimlessly bobbing their heads. Struggling, she tried to lift her hand to use her forcefield even as her own body grew heavy. Have…to stop…hi…m

“DOUBLE H AND THE GROOVE TRAIN RESURGENCE!”

As the vocals started to sing, Sue’s mind went blank.

Striking the final chord to finish the song, the Hypno Hustler couldn’t stop the manic grin from appearing on his face. A week of prep time, getting his equipment back, finding and hypnotizing the owner, ‘getting’ a band together until finally the big night. Even out of practice, he could play the game just like everybody else!

Gazing out at the hypnotized crowd, a sudden laugh blurted from his mouth. Mind racing, Antoine had to rein in his ambitions and remember what he was doing. Slow it down, my man. Build yourself back up, first.

Clearing his throat, he raised his hand and pressed down on a switch on his amp-collar.

“Well now, I hope all you fine cats enjoyed my little comeback show. Gotta say, performing again has been slammin’!” He spoke, voice projecting out louder. In turn, the only response was the dilated stare and unnatural silence of the entranced crowd. Chuckling, the villain continued. “But the show’s over. And time for the piper, to be paid, his dues~.”

Raising his other hand, he snapped his fingers. Robotically, the ‘band’ stood straight up, went backstage and returned shortly with duffle bags in hand.

“My little helpers will be going around collecting our payment. Cards, money, jewelry, whatever you have, just go on and place it in the bag.” He ordered, snickering a little at his rhyme.

As one, the ‘band’ got off the stage and began going around the venue. Reaching up, Antoine pulled out the sound cancelling earbuds and watched the collection process going about. Eyes wandering about his sight settled on a delicious sight. Standing next to the bar was a smoking, raven haired vixen! Setting his guitar down, the Hypno Hustler got off the stage, maneuvered his way through the crowd and towards his target. Getting closer, his mouth watered as many lewd thoughts were going through his head.

“Well, well, well, what a sexy little thing you are~.” He said, standing in front of the tranced woman. Reaching up, he rotated a dial on his collar before pressing the switch. “So, foxy mama, what’s your name?”

In response, the woman’s mouth slowly moved as her eyes stared vacantly. “…Vanessa…Coleridge.”

“Hmmm.” The musical circled the woman, taking in every. Single. Detail. And loving every minute of it. “Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa~. What a sexy name for a sexy little vixen such as yourself.”

Glancing at the stage, he noticed his helpers had returned there with stuffed bags. Clicking his tongue, Antione knew he had to hurry up if he wanted to make this the cleanest heist he’s ever had. Still, he couldn’t help looking back at Vanessa, admiring a body that put his old Mercy killers to shame! A fine, shapely ass. Large breasts. A beautiful face, model like figure with just enough curves to add to the sex appeal.

Readjusting a growing bulge below, a dirty yet genius thought came to him. Stepping closer, he softly caressed her cheek and spoke low and heavily into her ear. “Now, my little vixen, here’s what you’re gonna do.”