ArtAttack
Afraid of Themselves
Mandy had always felt... different.
They liked breaking their toys. Not because they were violent or angry, but because they liked feeling strong. Of course, they were always careful when they did so, so they wouldn't get caught. They'd often explain the missing toys as given away, or lost, or otherwise innocuous explanations for why they so often disappeared. As they got older, the urge never left. If anything, the pull only felt stronger.
But so did the guilt.
If budding serial killers were often picked out at an early age because of dangerous, destructive behaviors... what about them? Were they some kind of monster in waiting? Were they going to turn into some kind of violent sociopath? What about all the videos and pictures they'd kept? Their heroes were Wrecking-Belle, Crush Hour, and of course... Belah Nain. Of course, their fear and anxiety kept them from getting close to the Succubus of Smash. What if Belah sensed something wrong in them? Picked them out as a monster, a threat to friends and loved ones? They adored Belah, but couldn't bring themself to attend any of her shows.
Meeting Your Heroes
Sometimes your best friends are the best worst influences.
Take their closest friend, confidant, and occasional partner in crime for example: Someone who might have teased, but always with a smile. A friend who occasionally encouraged Mandy's habit without judgement, without regret, and with her own degree of curiosity for this particular pleasure.
So when Mandy was piled into their friend's crappy little car and shuttled off to the Demolition Divas club for "just a few drinks and taking in the sights", Mandy couldn't protest too terribly much. The sounds, the sights, the sheer, unabashed, unashamed spectacle of cutting loose and wrecking... well, anything you wanted for the fun of it... it was intoxicating. Seductive. Inviting.
This was where they belonged.
And when their friend's car ended up on the stage, ready to be destroyed by Belah Nain herself? They felt that hunger come up from somewhere deeper than it ever had before. Their friend was cheering, screaming for Belah to smash it into junk. And Mandy was right alongside.
And Belah looked right at them. And smiled.
Something passed between them in that moment, and Mandy felt something surge inside of them. A rush. A wave of euphoria and joy and belonging that drove every other emotion they were feeling to even greater heights.
Clambering up onto the stage and taking the offered sledgehammer... Mandy never looked back.
Embracing Themselves
"What am I now?"
"Ruin."
"What can I do now?"
"Ruin."
Belah's power leapt through them like lightning, igniting powers and strength they'd never know before. Their friend's car practically disintegrated under repeated blows from the hammer they held, and Mandy didn't stop until there was nothing left but a pile of crumpled, broken junk. Flipping the sweat out of their hair, returning to their senses, they realized they'd climaxed. Several times.
The crowd erupted in cheers, and Mandy realized that somehow, at some point during their time on stage, the entire staff of Demolition Divas had joined in to cheer them on. Artbreaker was giving an approving whistle, while Crush Hour blew them a kiss. Wrecking-Belle herself came up on stage, looking over the wreckage with an approving eye before giving Mandy a massive hug that would have certainly crushed them only a few minutes... minutes? ago.
That's when Mandy noticed their watch.
Over an hour had passed.
They'd completely demolished a car. A car, frame and all. In just over an hour.
Belah came on stage to a renewed wave of cheers, raising her hands and holding Mandy's up in her own.
"Hello may dutiful destroyers! Every once in a while... I see a spark. A spark just dying to ignite and show the world just how bright they can be. And tonight... we found someone brilliant." She looked at the crowd, gaze wandering over all the Divas, powered or otherwise. Empowered by her or otherwise.
"I shared my power with so many of you. Artbreaker... you have such a wonderful way with so many beautiful artifacts. So much prettier after you've had your wicked way with them. Candi... You've always known the life, and always willing to go over or through anything in your way, or anything you want, to make a better life for people through beautiful ruin. Belle... oh Belle... you have such a gift for spectacle, and for creative funishments." She laughed along with the rest of the crowd, as Wrecking-Belle gave a flex to show off. "And Crush. You've had so much taken away. You've found, you've lost, you've found again... and you keep going. You've seen the tyranny of people up close, and the tyranny of things, and you've fought back."
Belah paused, blinking back tears as she felt the waves of emotion wash over her.
"Welcome our newest destroyer. Imbued with my power, but wholly because of who they are. Someone that's always loved the sounds of destruction. The sights. The feeling. Divas, welcome your newest destroyer. Our newest wrecker. But someone who's always known the chaotic joy... the primal rush... of breaking shit for fun."