When you’re a kid, you see the world a little different. It’s brighter, terrifying and wonderous at the same time. No idea on how it all works but curious to know all the same and nearly every adult that fascinates you is a would be hero in your eyes.
Your teachers, the funny little man on the television, the masked warriors that leap from tales of wonder and even your own parents. They fascinate you, give you hope and faith and make you want to be just like them when you grow up.
And even when you do, when your world grows dimmer every day, when you realize that most adults are just fucked up and broken humans, those heroes you idolized still mean the world to you. Still give you reason to fight and grow despite all reason.
Until you meet them and you realize you only clung to them because you’re a boy that refuses to grow up.
A child who lived for the weekend mornings spent in the Funhouse.
The kid who spent weeks making a mediocre two tone mask because he was enamored with a luchadore he only saw once.
The babe who kept smiling through the pain and suffering because one soul he only heard of kept it etched upon his face.
At one point or another, all three of you were my heroes. But then I did what they always warn you not to and I met you, and I saw who you all truly are.
Garbage excuses for human beings.
Because there might be people more vile or outright evil but you give others hope and purpose only to take it all away in an instant with your indifference.
The Luchadore who inspired so many to pick up the mask and become something more only to deny them a simple dream because your selection process is so strict only very few can pass.
The Sunshine who even now children believe in his promises of protection and warmth that you and I both know in the darkest moments, you will always break their hearts.
And as for you Felix, I have and will never forget the friendly uncle who watched a young man be tortured, broken mind, body and spirit and do nothing because you were so in love with the evil bastard who did it.
This are the “heroes” everyone believes in. This is the reason every mask has to fall.
The reason the Funhouse needs to be closed forever.
The reason a frown shall be etched forever upon your face.
The reason I will make sure no child ever believes in any of you again. By waking them up to the truth of what their heroes are.
It’ll hurt them but if I can stop even one from following in your footsteps, if even one of them grow up to live a happy life without your shadows dragging them down, it’ll be worth it.
Because you don’t need a mask or to be a hero to try and do the right thing.
And showing Arcadia who you all truly are is the only thing that feels right to me.