Maiden Justice
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Maiden Justice, also known as Monica Richter or Monica Cole, is a fictional character in the City of Heroes massively multiplayer online RPG. She first appeared in Web of Arachnos.
[edit] History
When Marcus and Ezra Cole's parents died, Monica's father, Rudy Richter, took in the two orphans. The pair grew up alongside the young girl and her older brother, Stefan Richter. As years passed and Stefan and Marcus left to fight in the Great War, Ezra joined the police force and Rudy continued to edit and publish the Paragon Free Press, the only truthful newspaper in the city. Monica kept up correspondence with Marcus, writing him monthly for nearly 15 years. At times she would receive letters back, but when Marcus became a "soldier of fortune" in Europe, those precious letters came less and less frequently.
When she had truly grown up, Monica became the crime reporter for the Free Press. Ezra, one of the few good cops in the city, showed her the corruption of the government. Shortly after he showed her, he foolishly walked into an ambush with no backup and died at the hands of a 19th century Prussian mastermind known as Nemesis. The only clue was a spot of motor oil beneath the body. Monica sent more letters to her long-time friend, Marcus, entreating him to return to Paragon and avenge his brother, but none of the letters she sent reached him, as they were being intercepted by her own brother, who hoped to turn the city into a technocracy. Soon after this, Rudy Richter was found dead with the same clues. Soon, Marcus returned to Paragon City and began his fight against injustice. Over time, Marcus and Monica realized they loved each other, got married and had at least one daughter, Miss Liberty (not to be confused with her granddaughter, Megan Duncan, who is Ms. Liberty).
In order to defend herself as a reporter, Monica began taking Jiu Jitsu from Masahito Mirimoto. Strangely, many who watched her practice noticed that an inexplicable golden glow seemed to emanate from her as she fought. This glow seemed to make her not only stronger, but faster as well. This power came from the opening of Pandora's Box and the release of the golden light of Creation. It was this light that allowed other heroes to be formed, as well. As time progressed, Monica adopted the super-hero alias "Maiden Justice" and became one of the founding members of the Freedom Phalanx, the group of heroes led by Statesman and sworn to defeat not only Lord Recluse but also Nemesis.
Notable battles include:
- Major reconnaissance leading up to Brass Monday.
- Saving countless innocents on Brass Monday.
In the fall of 1986 Monica died from cancer. She was survived by her husband Marcus, daughter Alexis (aka Miss Liberty), and granddaughter Jessica (aka Ms. Liberty).
[edit] Known Powers
Not much is known about the powers of Maiden Justice. She seems to have super-human speed and agility as well as some modified strength. When she fights, a golden glow emanates from her body. On her wedding day, she received from the three Erinyes the Girdle of Hera, which, over time, became known as the Liberty Belt. This belt gives the wearer the powers of a god or goddess.
