RaynnVerse: The Revolution IC

[Raynn]

The Raynn-Verse:

'Some Dreams Never Die'

The Revolution Issue #1

“I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be," - Douglas Adams



“They were like children, so naively convinced of their own moral justification. They dismissed their detractors and ignored the city blocks they levelled over the course of their careers. They control the world’s technology, its evolution, its outlook, even its political climate, to suit how they think the world should be. They're the gods now.

I am Prometheus.

I will steal their fire, and with it scorch the earth on which they’ve walked.

They purport order to hold back the darkness. Others offer up our liberty in exchange for safety. They believe in the redemption of murderers but wail on under privileged children who rob liquor stores.

When they were disorganised, when they numbered in the dozens, they could be called a nuisance but now? They number in the hundreds and they have become the malignant cancer that eats at the belly of the world, feasting on it till it comes undone. They are born of contradictions. They claim to support equality and peace but use their superior abilities to force those parts of society they dislike to suit their vision.

They rule the world vicariously and claim it is not tyranny because they pretend to allow the world the choice to disagree with them. They are the sole owners of technologies and abilities centuries beyond the governments of humanity and they claim to offer them the choice.

They claim cities and fly them from nation to nation interceding with the ethical knowledge of a playground bully. They think the ability to change the world is all they need to justify whatever ridiculous action they concoct for themselves under the banner of the greater good.

They call themselves heroes?! Geniuses?! SAVIORS!? And now worst of all. . . KINGS?!

They demand fealty, loyalty and worship with all the pompous arrogance of an over-privileged infant!

Why must we bow to them?! Because we weren’t born as genetic freaks?! Or a harlot in a lake never threw me a piece of out-dated cutlery?! Because I was never the victim of some ironic twist of fate?! THEM demand fealty from ME!? From US?! THEY should beg US for Pity!

I am tired of the anachronism of super heroes. I am tired of the blurred line between villain and champion. I am tired of this golden age of their kind. It is time the world changed. It is time for liberty.

For Freedom to live the Freedom League must die.

It is time FOR A REVOLUTION!”

The lone man on the stage in Liberty Park raises both his arms in triumphant fever as the crowd of thousands before him roar out in agreement, cheering him on, as the constant shadow of Camelot floating high above blots out the stars. The singular speaker on the stage turns around, his white robe moving barely with the night's wind. From behind an ivory coloured mask he speaks again to the man bound to a chair before him.

The speaker glares down at him and finally the young hero tied up in front of the crowd behind the speaker speaks himself


“I am MetaSoul, registered Hero of the Freedom League International under sector seven of the Emerald City Convention of Post-Human Rights I am placing you under arrest.”

As the young man spoke blood ran down from his mouth to his chin, and he suddenly looked more like the boy he had once been. Just a boy.

The speaker raised the young man’s face with a hand under his chin


“Post-human, a word that encapsulates so wholly the superiority complex of your kind. You are not BEYOND us, you are different. You are not special, you are strange. WE ARE YOUR EQUALS! DO NOT DEMEAN HUMANITY!”

With that the masked man reaches out his arm towards the bound young man who speaks up again


“We are special, not because of our powers, but because we stand up for what we believe in, but there will always be men like you, who lead by giving people something to fear. You are not special.”

With that the man outstretches his arm and the young MetaSoul erupts into a pillar of fire so tall and intense he cannot even be seen burning within.

With that the masked man punches into the air over the chorus of rebellious cheers and terrified screams


“I AM PROMETHEUS! AND TOGETHER WE WILL STEAL FIRE FROM THE GODS!”


***

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Ashley Culdis, descendent of the Nazi Era Blitz and Roter Adler, Engineer at Olympus Technologies, and member of the Freedom League International. Not terrible for a 22 year old.

On this day, the beginning of the greatest chapter of her life, she sits alone outside Liberty Perk just a few blocks from the Pantheon Tower of Olympus Technologies. Ashley sips at her iced tea as she lazes away her lunch hour looking out over Liberty Park across the street. On the table sits the latest letter from Ashley’s friend Anna Asterion who again denied her suggestion to return from England to work at Olympus Technologies. Ashley hasn’t even seen Robert’s sister since she graduated.

All in all it seems a normal day for Ashley. Yes those do occur in Freedom City. She’s wrong of course or else it wouldn’t be a very interesting story but that is beside the point.


*BUZZ-CHIRP-DING*

Ashley looks down suddenly at the wrist communication Red One had gifted her at graduation expecting that the F.L.I. wants her to advise again on some second tier squad but the communicator remains oddly silent. After a moment it lets out a keening screech before shooting sparks and dying entirely. Ashley stares at it perplexed before looking and seeing someone walk towards her in a long black coat.

The woman seems to be her age and wears a black wide brimmed hat and large scarlet sunglasses over long straight blond hair. Giving her a quick once over Ashley sees the woman is wearing knee high black high heeled shoes. Ashley doesn’t recognise her.


“Hello Ashley, I’m the new Blitz, and I’d like to speak to you.”

The woman grins.


***

Robert Asterion’s Story:
‘The Heir Apparent’

Who is Robert Asterion? One half the greatest hero who ever lived and one half the most infamous Criminal Mastermind who ever existed, but his origins do not define him. He led one the teams which saved the world from the end of Superheroes at the hand of the villain MetaTime, graduated from Claremont Academy and travelled the world. Does any of that define Robert Asterion?

No.

The defining moment of Robert Asterion’s life hasn’t happened yet,
But it will,
And it IS coming.

Robert Asterion drops down from the bus doorway with a thud that draws a few eyes as it’s oddly loud for the young human looking man. As the old lady behind him stops staring he is again happy to have his holographic watch. Robert glances up and sees he’s at the corner of Madison and 10th Avenue. He then glances up a little higher and sees the floating form of Camelot looming over the entire city ‘that’s new’.

He could have called some of the old crew to meet him when he arrived but Robert had decided against it. He planned to stay in his half-sister’s studio apartment but she had left her job at Olympus Technologies and moved hurriedly to England not long after he had told her he would be stopping off in Freedom City though she had apologised profusely in her letters, saying she had a great opportunity there she couldn’t pass up. Clark, his brother, on the other hand was busy being the new shining star of the Freedom League International and Robert hadn’t tried to keep in touch while he was away assuming they were both too busy anyway.

It was odd then when in a small hideaway on the other side of the globe Robert had received a letter simply saying


Freedom Needs You
-Cael

Not sure where to go or what to do first, or even if the letter was anymore than a prank Robert’s fully prepared to be leaving the city again soon. He starts looking down one street than the other to see anywhere he might recognise when he sees a man mortally wounded leaning against a wall in a fedora and trench coat of deep blue . . . with seemingly no face?


***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

For the first time in weeks it seems the King stands alone in his casual clothes in his mammoth chambers; a moment of calm amidst the unending storm that is his reign. The world has out grown crowns the nations say where and when they think he cannot hear. The United Nations think him a idealistic child. Jake knows he needs to show the world that a King can be relevant and that one tiny nation can be a force for limitless good in the world, but the King knows his work has only just begun.

Evil Dead 4 runs in the background as white noise from his flat screen. Jake had been invited to bring Camelot by US representatives but at the UN Summit he later attended he was talked down too, with many backing the idea that Camelot should consider becoming a protectorate of the US, other less subtle politicians stated that since Camelot originally materialised in US Airspace it was American Land and that Jake had no claim to it as King. In the earlier months of his reign neither America nor the UN as a whole had ever been so hostile, they were friendly in fact, and Jake got the definite impression someone had worked long and hard to turn them even this much against him.

He would like to know who.

Jake sighs and glances over at the massive king sized renaissance inspired bed gifted to him by the King of Monaco, empty. He takes a few steps onto his balcony and looks out over Camelot and Freedom City below it. A minute passes as he listens to the shallow hum of two cities that never truly sleep, like echoes of each other. He glances back at the bed then at the night sky


“I just wish. . .”

Silence fills the air and the Jake notices a thin silver and scarlet needle arching across the sky, suddenly he is shocked out of his reverie as he realises it seems to be some sort of meteorite that seems to be. . . getting bigger . . . and Bigger. . . AND BIGGER. . . AND. . . CRAP!

Jake ducks for cover away from his balcony as the needle of light shoots by near his tower impossibly close and as he rises it appears to fall somewhere in Bayview, just outside Freedom City proper below . . .

A Falling Star.


***

Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

Len walked the city streets of Camelot feeling as if his wonder at it would never ebb no matter how many times he passed beneath his arches. Thanks to the green ranger helmet he received from Red One after Jake had made him a knight of the round table the common folk of the city didn’t recognise him in his deep green hoodie. It allowed him to walk the streets as one of the people rather than being mobbed by fans. Len smiles at the thought he has fans, he still hasn’t got used to it. A forlorn look passes over his face for an instant as he realises Jake would never be able to walk the streets in peace like Len can.

While the streets of Camelot may have been filthy with chamber pot contents in the medieval era everyone was surprised to find that when Jake had restored the city he had unintentional added a few upgrades. Some of Jake seeped back into the city, shaping it, meaning it was probably the only place in the world with a magically created electrical grid. They still hadn’t found where in the city the electrical grid was powered from; and no one had quite looked into exactly where all the sewage in a floating island went. Len liked that while the city benefited from the amenities of the modern day it still looked like a cleaner medieval city on the surface. He hadn’t noticed any Saurians yet, who would recognise his face on site, but he had only been walking for a short while and there were only a small number of them in city so far.

Coming around a corner Len finds himself on a narrow street that so far has gone almost completely unoccupied. Contrary to the best of Jake’s efforts some pockets in the city are still uninhabited. Alone on the street is a man in a long black tuxedo, a top hat and a white shirt. He has a light layer of stubble, a ear ring in his left ear, black sunglasses with circular lenses and a black cane in his right hand. He appears to be of Haitian origin.

The man stands in front of a fortune telling building with the doors wide open into the dark candle lit room within. The man takes two long strides towards Len outstretching his hand towards Len before saying with a rough New Orleans accent


“Mon ami, fancy a reading from the famous Dr. Fauxilier? See the future revealed? Your path to your hopes and dreams? That’s the Voodoo I can do for you!”

With his last line he leans closer a little a tarot deck now in hand


“Questions answered?”


***

Faith Winters’ Story:
‘The Agent’

Faith ran up the stairwell in her civies, her regulation sidearm outstretched in front of her and her A.E.G.I.S. badge grasped in her other hand. Faith had quickly learned that even if she didn't use her firearm much enemies were less likely to attack when she was holding her gun than her knifes as the danger is more apparent. Faith is hunting an individual who had been trailing SHADOW, SCIENCE and even AEGIS agents for months, but no one had yet pinned down his identity.

She didn't even blurt out a warning as she smashed in the appartment doorway. What was within astounded even her. . .

Though the appartment was four connected rooms any furnishings had been removed and every surface was covered in papers, files and cut outs taped and stuck to the wall. These segments were connected to other pages by coloured rope tied to pins in the pages forming a complex, massive web through the entire apartment making it seem like the focus of some conspiracy action film.

Winter took a sudden step back and then she saw her, huddled in the dark and bleeding profusely from a stab wound, several bullet wounds and bruised heavily. Night, who Faith hadn't seen since not too long after graduation.

As Faith looks over at her over her gun she sees the faces of heroes, some even her friends reflected back at her from the file snippets and news articles. Finally the young girl, still a teenager due to her immortal status, lets out a laboured plea


"Help. . . me Faith. . ."


***

WHAT
DO
YOU
DO?

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

For what was supposed to be a day off, Ashley wears a lightweight teal t-shirt and a pair of jeans for the day. Since graduation of Claremont Academy, she actually has not been as busy as she had figured. Getting a job at Olympus Industries turned out to be easy with her supreme technological skills and guile that she picked up during her Academy years. So much happened there; memories both good and bad were taken along with her when she left. While she was sad to see her friends go, Ashley never regretted her time there for even a second.

Today started slightly more eventful than usual for a normal day. Danielle, Ashley's cousin, recently had her daughter turn 3 months old. Danielle had been married to a police officer over a year ago and the two live happily in the north part of Freedom City. Marcia, Ashley's aunt, just came over her flu this morning. To top it off, Ashley recieved a letter from Anna. It may have been the same rejection but Ashley was glad her friend is doing alright.

...Then she appeared. This woman that Ashley has never met calls herself Blitz. Another female to the legacy? Ashley was hoping that if it was anyone, it was the Blitz that disappeared years ago. "What-?" Ashley only says one quick word before hurrying out of her seat. Things looked like they might get ugly fast. Good thing Ashley keeps her Kevlar armor underneath her clothing.

"If you are a descendant of Madame Blitz, why the hell haven't I heard from you all my life?" Ashley's voice details her suspicion and annoyance to this woman. First Lambda, now Blitz. Ashley felt that she is getting a lot more attention than she wanted. "Why do you appear now? What IS it that you want with me?!" Ashley starting piling on questions that most people didn't want to answer right away. Having someone come up to her and mention the name "Blitz," a name Ashley takes peculiar interest in, will cause that to happen.

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

She points one of her fingers at Ashley accusingly


“I am no blood kin of yours! I took the name because your allies took my birthright and my father's throne from my family! I took the name because I know you were once the one my greatest enemy cared for above all others, and when I slay Robert Asterion I will do it with your ancestral title after I earn it truly by killing you in mortal combat

I AM ARROARA, FIRST OF THE NAME, DAUGHTER OF HOUSE REILL, HEIR TO THE THRONE OF THE FOMORIANS AND TRUE QUEEN OF THE LAND BELOW!”

With that she rises into the air, energy running over her body, as her coat and hat fall away revealing a traditional fomorrian battle dress, black with red lightning bolts sewn in the celtic style. The girl is covered in blue glowing tattoos also of lightning bolts in the celtic style.


“Prepare to die Rycon, Champion of Claremont!”

Roll for Initiative!
Blitz: [roll0]

[SuperCracker]

King Jake Wallace

Life after high school had been a dizzying whirlwind of activity. And lots of quick growing up had to be done. Jake used to hang out with his friends. He used to have a girlfriend. He used to spend time playing video games. He hasn’t had time for any of that in what seems like ages now. First came the hard work of restoring this nation to working order. While electricity and running water may have formed from his will alone, he had to populate this land and set up a government.

He wanted this land to be the light to guide the world. He wanted to show them the way. And it had been working. Constant interviews, meetings with delegations from other countries. Even embassies in America, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The world was thrilled with Camelot’s existence.

He never had time for White. They had to break up. Hell, he hasn’t really had time for his friends, either. And he certainly didn’t have time to join the Freedom League. He was offered… but he declined. Out of all the good he did as a superhero; he felt that this land was his true calling.

But things had changed as of late. Someone was out there, poisoning the governments of the world against this great nation. Against him. And he had to put out fires.

Normally, when around anyone… Jake plays it off. He is his usual happy self. But when he’s alone, he can afford to be quiet… like now.

He took a breath and looked up at the sky.

“I just wish…”

He squinted and looked at a shooting star… that kept getting closer. His eyes widened and he leapt back from the balcony, feeling the heat coming off of the falling star.

His eyes blinked rapidly for a moment. That was… Okay, that was weird.

He was already wearing Excalibur and its sheath. He didn’t take it off except for when he went to sleep. The same for Merlin’s boots of flight. Jake was currently wearing a black t-shirt with an N7 logo on the chest and a pair of jeans. It wasn’t his Kingly regalia, but that would be fine for now.

With a small, mischievous grin, The King of Camelot ran towards the balcony and jumped off. Small, ethereal wings flared up on his boots and he began to soar past the walls of the bright city. He let himself free fall once he cleared, spinning in the air before rocketing down towards the Bayview, to check out what the Falling Star was, in fact.

[Raynn]

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

Jake raced through the sky coming in low over the city, but making sure to keep high enough to avoid attracting attention. At the edge of the city Jake arched into a dive, lowering himself to just over the Freedom City skyline and curving towards the landing site of the supposed shooting star. . .


- 'Some time later' -

When Jake finally reaches terra firma again it is amidst the forests of Bayview just outside the city proper. Amongst the trees and in the darkness Jake feels more like a young man than he had in months. Before him was a crater, several meters in diameter and what was at its center appeared to be a white sphere, unblemished in anyway, and glowing softly in the moonlight.

What do you do?

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley's questions gave her more answers than she had wished. Within moments this woman not descended from Blitz turned against the actual descendant. Ashley hops backwards from Arroara and reaches for her combat labcoat. She places it on herself quickly as the villain rises into the air. Asking for a challenge of title in mortal combat is definitely new but not a welcoming change of pace. Having it been asked from someone who has had a five year hate for one of Ashley's friends made it all the worse.

"Stubborn, revenge-bound woman..." Rycon says quietly while Arronara yells at her. She waits for the fomorrian to shut up before responding. All this talk of titles and legacies would have been enough for her back in her Academy days and if it weren't for Ashley's time in the Underworld she might not have even cared. However she did care and this psycho wasn't about to tell her how things worked. With great defiance, Ashley shouts back at Arronara, "Legacies are not carried on through force!" Quick movement allows Ashley to strike quickly. With her opponent in the air, Ashley uses a chair and table to get a bit of height before jumping up at the formorrian. An electrical blade materializes in Ashley's hand as she swipes Arronara with it. Despite it being just one slash, many more electrical wounds appear on Ashley's opponent as she touches the ground from her jump. Ashley quickly turns around to see how well her attack fared.

Using Strike, jumping is used to get to melee. [roll0] DC 27 + Autofire Toughness.

[SuperCracker]

King Jake Wallace

Jake was smiling right now. He was alone, with no fans or citizens to mob him. He had no handlers telling him what he should or should not be doing (Galahad and Merlin). No one telling him he needed to find a queen. No one telling him that there were zoning laws that needed approval. While he’d never trade any of that for the world, there was something good about just being free for a time.

He stepped through the brush, pushing branches and bushes out of his way as he approached the crater. And a large crater it was. He looked curiously at the sphere that had landed. It was glowing… It could be magical, or extra-terrestrial. It could be anything, really… and Jake wasn’t qualified to know.

Still, if it was something dangerous, he was confident he could handle himself. He is a talented swordsman after all, and is armed with the best sword there is.

Jake approached the sphere and crouched down to examine it.

"Just what are you, exactly?"

As he examined it, he pulled out his cell phone.

[Raynn]

Just BARELY a hit.
Toughness: [roll0] Bruised 1

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Arroara lets out a screech as Rycon's lightning arches through her but it isn't enough to do any permanent damage.


***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

As Jake looks down at the screen on his phone he sees only static hissing away at him that ebbs as he moves the phone away and towards the sphere. Does Jake touch it?

[Raynn]

Strike DC 25 Damage [roll0] Miss


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’


"HAVE AT THEE VILE THUNDER HARLOT!"

As the Fomorrian screams out at Rycon a fist wrapped in lightning races for Rycon's head.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Underneath the holographic projection of a heavy built blonde man, two bull nostrils sniff the air. Ah, Freedom. The smell of asphalt and car smog, of hot dogs and concrete, of hope and fear. It was... odd to be back. Good and bad.

The letter that arrived for Robert was odd as well. Cael... the Detective. The man had been missing for years. Thought dead. Though it wouldn't be the first time... and the letter had somehow found Robert. Of course, this could be a trap. AEGIS, SHADOW, the Labyrinth.

He looks around... 10th and Madison... had he forgotten the streets already? There was a deli nearby, isn't the-

...

Cael. The Detective. Right in front of him. And he was bleeding. Robert bowls toward the detective like a charging bull, noting his wounds... he begins reaching in to his pack for his medical kit.

"Sir, sir! Are you alright!"

Rolling Medicine to examine and, hopefully, treat Cael's wounds.

[roll0]. If applicable, the medical kit adds a +2 bonus to his medicine check

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake looks at his phone and furrows his brow before slipping it back into his pocket. Well, he’d hold off on that phone call for a moment. Besides, if he calls Isiah right now, then the nation of Camelot might lose out on the chance to check out whatever this thing is if it turns out to be good. And so, cautiously… Jake reaches out to touch the orb, to see if he can move it. Merlin would probably tell him to wait and find out… but there was no Merlin around right now, was there?

[Raynn]

You're able to bandage up his wounds but you can tell that there isn't time to get him the medical attention he needs and even if there was he is pretty much beyond the help of modern medical science, he has minutes, maybe a little more.


Robert Asterion’s Story:
‘The Heir Apparent’


"I am dying Robert Asterion, but I am ready, it is a good death. In your world's past I allow myself to become Tyrannus. So that I can die and the extra dimensional entity that Tyrannus is would die with me.

This was the last stop on my journey through time before I return to my presence to become him and die. Anyone else and Tyrannus would rewrite time so he was someone else, someone who will survive. I've been hopping from important point in history to important point, intervening slighty, tethering me to these points. The more I do so the more a fixed point in time I become. The harder I am to rewrite, ensuring Tyrannus cannot rewrite his way out of dying with me. This day, for you, is the turning point. So I intervened, but also I have to ensure that this timeline goes along the right path.

Robert you have a destiny. Not as some C-List cape. There's something special about you. It's not your genes, or your ancestry, it's you. In the days ahead there may come a time when you feel like giving up... don't.

It starts. . . It starts with the first thing Payne and Dire built together. They're prototype for the end of all.

Robert always remember, it is blood that defines what you are, it is you who defines who you are."

with that the man fades away in white light leaving Robert alone in the street.


***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

As Jake's palm touches the orb it suddenly glows a sickly pulsing black with arching lightning of crimson, then as suddenly as it changes it turns to white as runes and letters of crimson light in millions of tongues race over the orb's shell.

Then the letters begin to rearraged and fade until only one four letter word remains resting over Jake's palm print.


'HOPE'

An instant later the sphere begins to crack perfectly in half from a line in the center and as white smoke billows out over the area a naked figure is left shiverring and afraid in the darkness. Then seeing Jake she tries to cover herself. Late teens, early twenties, the girl is extremely pale, with white hair and scarlet eyes with flecks of orange.



"Say hello to the twenty-first century."

She says to herself, terrified. After a moment of shock Jake realises she just quoted Army of Darkness, an Evil Dead movie. . .

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies
Jake’s eyes watched as the orb turned black. Whatever this thing was, it was reacting to his presence. Millions of words in an untold number of languages raced by before one soothing word expressed itself to him. He spoke it aloud…

“Hope.”

And then the sphere cracked down the middle, to reveal… a girl, curled up and scared. Jake looked at her for a moment, before averting his gaze. Chivalry is not dead. He chuckled as he recognized the quote.

“Groovy.”

With his eyes still averted, Jake took off his N7 shirt. He then held it out towards her so she could have some form of clothing. “Congratulations, you’re now Commander Shepard.”

His grin was good-natured. “My name’s Jake. I saw your uh.. sphere crash down and I thought I’d come take a look. There’s no reason to be afraid. What’s your name? Where’d you come from?”

[Raynn]

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

She looks down at the shirt that goes down to her hips, Jake filled out over the years, and blushes before saying


"Thanks, this is my favourite shirt on the citadel,"

At Jake's questions she looks confused for a moment before saying


"You called me Hope? I. . ."

she looks down at the orb for a moment


"Jake Wallace. King of Camelot. . . Why do I know that?"

She looks confused and worried as she glances at Jake's eyes for a moment


"I don't know where I come from."

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

“Wow. You’re out of the orb for three seconds and you already know Mass Effect. Color me impressed,” Jake said with a chuckle. Apparently touching celestial orbs grants someone a great conversation partner. In all seriousness, though, this was quite a mystery.

She didn’t know what her name was – she must have heard him when he spoke – and assumed he called her Hope. Still, for her to know Evil Dead, Mass Effect, and who Jake is…

He had an idea about why she knew these things. “When I touched your sphere, I saw the word Hope where I touched. Maybe some of my memories transferred over to you. It explains your great taste in references, and how you know me.” It was a strange thought, certainly, but it was a definite possibility.

He was quiet for a moment, looking at the girl’s scarlet eyes. I don’t know where I come from. He smiled a warm smile. “That’s okay. It’s not important right now. What is important is getting you some warm clothes and something good to eat.”

He walked over to her and pointed his finger into the sky, directing her gaze. The lights from Camelot were visible, even out here.

“That’s Camelot, my home. You can come with me if you want. You’ll be comfortable. Safe. And we can figure out why you’re here.”

[Raynn]

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

Hope looks up at the City for a moment before saying


"I don't. . . Okay."

She glances up at the city and then at Jake's hands then back at herself wearing only a shirt


"But let's see if Hot Topic is open this late first. . . I need. . . Pants."

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Camelot...sometimes I still can't wrap my head around it... Len thinks to himself as he wanders the streets of the floating medieval city. The place truly was magical. Len allowed himself to get lost in the streets of the city, heading away from the crowds and enjoying some time alone. Being First Knight was a lot of work, and Len was glad for the reprieve. The past few years had been a whirlwind, from learning about his people to the battle with Morgan La Fey and Cerebrus Rex, and now helping Jake run a nation - it was a lot. But it felt so right. Len turns a corner and almost crashes into a rather strangely dressed man. Taking a look around, he realizes the streets are empty except for himself and this stranger.


“Mon ami, fancy a reading from the famous Dr. Fauxilier? See the future revealed? Your path to your hopes and dreams? That’s the Voodoo I can do for you!”


“Questions answered?”

Len stared the stranger down for a moment, sizing him up. There were people of all shapes, sizes and colors in Camelot now, of course there could be fortune tellers. Why not? he thinks with a mental shrug. "Sounds good Doc, always wanted to try something like this. Show me my path!" Len says, with just a hint of snark.

[ChronicLunacy]

Agent Faith Winters
Defense: 20
Condition: Unharmed
HP/LP: 5/6


Winter took a sudden step back and then she saw her, huddled in the dark and bleeding profusely from a stab wound, several bullet wounds and bruised heavily. Night, who Faith hadn't seen since not too long after graduation.

As Faith looks over at her over her gun she sees the faces of heroes, some even her friends reflected back at her from the file snippets and news articles. Finally the young girl, still a teenager due to her immortal status, lets out a laboured plea


"Help. . . me Faith. . ."

Apparently, being immortal didn't help much against mundane objects such as pointy things. "Night! What the hell are you doing here?" Faith demanded in her slight Kiwi accent as she slid to her knees in front of the apparently younger teenager, holstering and snapping closed her sidearm. "Ops," she spoke into the microphone attached to her sleeve just on the inside of her wrist, "I'm going to need a medical team. I've got a meta female, teenager, bleeding from..." Faith continued as she started gently checking over the patient, "at least one stab wound, multiple bullet wounds, contusions. I'm attempting to stop the bleeding."

Faith wasn't trained as a medic, but she'd seen it done before in real life and on TV, so as she dug in her thigh pocket for her emergency first aid kit she let her close personal relationship with Luck guide her hands. It wasn't going to be pretty or professional, but she seemed to instinctively know where to place pressure to stop bleeding, how to check the bullet wound for entry and exit, and other lifesaving techniques. Faith just seemed to stumble on to whatever was right just by chance...or was it?

"Night...Oh my god, I haven't seen you since high school!" she smiled. "I need you to stay awake, hun. Can you do that for me? Tell me what happened to you. Who did this?" she prodded, trying to get the not-quite-teen to illuminate the situation.

I don't have Medicine, but I do have Beginner's Luck which will give me five ranks in the skill for a scene at the expenditure of one of Faith's Luck Points. If the roll results in 1-9 it is automatically bumped up to a 10 because of Faith's Rank 10 Probability Control.

Medicine: [roll0]

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

He laughed and nodded to her. “Yeah, that’s true. But why bother with the mall when you’re hanging out with the King?” He unsheathed Excalibur, gleaming with light even without the light of the sun to reflect off of it. It gently hummed through the air with an audible musical note as he pointed the blade away from them. From the tip of the blade, a hole opened in the fabric of space, and on the other side was Jake’s room.

“Hold on for one moment.” He said before he stepped through. The portal didn’t close. She could see him inside, rummaging through his things. He came back to the portal bearing some sweats and a cloak for her. “Not super-stylish, but it will do for now. Go ahead and get dressed and come in.”

In the meantime, he walked over to a phone sitting on his desk, amidst the scattered papers of business he had to attend to. He picked up the receiver and hit the extension for the castle service room (he refused to call them servants, because he made damn sure they were all paid fairly). “Hello Anya. How are you this evening?” (He's very friendly with the people who work for him). A pause. He smiled. “I’m doing well, also. Anya, can I trouble you to bring up some clothes for a young lady?”

A pause. A high-pitched, rapid string of excited chatter could be overheard from the receiver.

Jake blushed. “No! It’s not what you-“ She hung up before he could explain. He sighed and shook his head. Jake turned towards Hope. “She said she’s on her way.”

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon's combat experience has been very beneficial to her as she easily and calmly sidesteps Arronara's electrically charged fist. Rycon moves behind one of the trees in the park; shortly after she's completely out of sight. Let's see how well she handles an unseen target, She thinks to herself as she tries to make sure the fomorrian is unable to see Rycon through the trees. Rycon decides to give herself a benefit by focusing her eyes on Arronara. Within moments, the formorrian can hear and see Ashley in multiple areas, none of which being where Rycon is actually hiding. Rycon tries this to help keep the villain off the right track.

Using Hide in Plain Sight. Taking 10 for a result of 25.

Spending my Standard Action using Illusion on Arronara to assist in my "not-being-caught/seen" attempt. Perception Range to it automatically hits. DC 17 Will or else Arronara's visual and hearing senses are messed with as said in the post. Subtle 2 is also in play, so she doesn't notice Rycon using it. :smallbiggrin:

[Raynn]

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

As Jake sorts out clothing for Hope she slowly walks through the room, her hand brushing over ornaments and gifts. When suddenly she stops.

She picks up a picture on a coffee table of another white haired girl, White, alongside Jake.


"Is that who I am?"


***

Will Save: [roll0]
Notice Check: [roll1]

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

As Ashley hides the Fomorrian begins to let out enraged impotent cries as she can't find her.


“Stop hiding you pathetic human coward! Come out and fight like a warrior!”

***

Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

At Len's response the man quickly leads him inside a the large fortune telling shop. The walls are lined with candles and skulls, as well as less macabre signs of devotion to different spirits and loas such as wooden masks. The walls are also lined with red and dark purple fabrics. At the center of the room
is a circular table with opposite tables, on the table is a crystal ball which seems to glow slightly in the dim candle light. The tarot deck Dr. Fauxillier held a moment ago now rests on the table.

Leading Len to the seat Dr. Fauxillier shuffles the deck from hand to hand, as he lights candles with merely flicks of his hands.



“Let's see what you got in the cards my good man,"

the man speaks with his thick cajun accent, almost singing, as he finally draws three cards and lays them face down. As he flips the first one over he covers it with his hand, slowly dragging his hand down along it to reveal it. He reveals an image of Len's old team in their prime, along with a few of his other friends from claremont



“Your friends were many yesterday,"

he flips the card to what should be it's backing to reveal an image of Rycon working in a lab



“One by one they went away,"

he continues to flip the card over and over revealing a different image each time, Robert in the jungles of Africa, Ethan flying off to move to Emerald City, Jill leaving on her own journey of self discovery, Anna Asterion chained up in a SHADOW lab, Faith graduating AEGIS basic training, finally he flipped the card revealing only it's backing and left the card



“But your King promised he would stay,"

he flips the middle card revealing Jake knighting Len when they first became a team in Claremont, then he spins the card revealing Jake knighting Len again after the restoration of Camelot



“For that faith you will be repaid,"

he flips the final card, covering it with his hand and slowly bringing it down along revealing more and more of it till it appears much longer than the tarot card was a moment ago.

The first image is of the king embracing a white skinned girl in a black dress



“with a King who will betray,"

the next image along the card shows Jake holding the girl's arm over a cliff as Len falls into fire below



“And with your faith your life slay,"

he keeps bringing his hand along the card to reveal another image of a pair passionately embracing, and for a moment Len presumes it is Jake again but it is in fact. . . Morgana and Len?!



“But not before you get to play,"

the man smirks as he finishes, flipping over the last card revealing again only the back of a normal sized tarot card



“Bonjour Len,"


***

Faith Winters’ Story:
‘The Agent’

Night clutches Faith arm and pleads


"You have to stop him Faith, You. . . "

she coughs up blood and tenses


"The Nullifier. . . Oh god you have too. . . Look at me. . ."

for a moment Faith had no idea how the last part connected to the rest of what she was saying till she looked up and saw what was illuminating the room. . . sunlight from a window. Night was bleeding profusely, but vampires don't have a beating heart. . .

A second later Night loses consciousness but Faith at least stabilised her for now.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len allows himself to be led into the man's fortune shop and takes a seat. Here we go then... Len thinks with a slight grin on his face, knowing this is probably going to get rather silly with generic 'predictions' that are so vague they have to come true at some point.

His grin slowly fades as the man brings out his three cards and begins his 'show'.

He is completely stone faced after the last card is revealed.

Len sat still for a moment, a million thoughts running through his head. He was caught somewhere between confusion and anger, at the thought of Jake betraying him, at the thought of himself and Morgana. Finally he spoke.

"Just what do you think you know? What kind of trick are you pulling here?" he says, eyeing the teller. "What else do you have on those cards?" he finishes, standing up and motioning for the teller to hand over his tarot deck.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon could almost chuckle as she amusingly watches Arroara's failed attempt to spot her. At this point Rycon had two choices: Either continue fighting with this villain or simply make her getaway now. Of the two, she prefers the former. She won't need to risk fighting on, but letting a revenge-bound formorrian loose would probably have more serious consequences. The last thing Rycon would want is for Arroara to find Robert.

When given the chance, Rycon comes out of the trees and quickly charges at Arroara from behind. She brandishes a knife of electricity in each hand and furiously slashes at the formorrian. It is a reckless strategy, but good for crippling an enemy as soon as they are caught off-guard.

Striking again; now with All-Out Attack +5/-5 [roll0] DC 27 + Autofire Toughness. Going to reroll in case of an awful roll.

EDIT: Hmm, I guess I'll go with 20. Since Arroara doesn't see Rycon, she should be flat-footed and suffer from added DC due to Autofire.

[ChronicLunacy]

Agent Faith Winters

"Add definite internal injury to that med team request, Ops. Tell them to pedal faster!" Faith said urgently into her wrist before grabbing Night's head to keep it from rolling. "Night? Night! Hey, who is The Nullifier? Stay awake for me! Shi..." she cursed under her breath. She didn't remember much about Night's unique physiology, but at least she seemed like she wasn't going to immediately die as of now.

Faith kept the teenage vampire from falling over and chanced another look around the room. It was definitely one of those conspiracy maps, complete with the string and pushpins and everything. Was this Night's apartment? The fight didn't seem to have happened here or things would be a lot more messed up. Maybe Night had dragged herself here afterward? From her condition it looked like she'd put up one hell of a fight so it hadn't been a surprise attack. She'd gotten a good look at her attacker -- Faith just needed her to wake up and provide a description. In the meantime, what was all this stuff?

"Ops, going to need an analysis and evidence sweep team, too. It's pretty...arts and crafts in here..." she added into her wrist as she tried to piece together the meaning herself just from her quick look. What was all this for?

Again, can't get lower than a 10 on the roll because of Probability Control. :smallwink:
Investigate: [roll0]

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

While they were waiting for Anya, Jake had grabbed another T-shirt. This one was just plain black, but it fit him well. He turned around to watch “Hope” walk about his room. She was a completely unknown variable. Where did she come from? Was she created when he interacted with the sphere? What was the sphere to begin with? These questions were all colliding with each other in his head until she picked up a picture of White…

Jake crossed the room towards her, looking at the picture for a moment. It had been ages since he’d just looked at any pictures from his high school days.

“I don’t think so. You kind of look like her, with your hair, but your eyes are different.” That, and White hadn’t come down from a sphere last time he checked. “She was my high school girlfriend. This picture is from prom.”

He looked between the picture and Hope. It did support the idea that maybe… Hope’s appearance was influenced by his subconscious. Looks like his last girlfriend, knows all his references. He was about to ask another question when there was a knock at the door.

“One sec,” he held a finger up and went to the door, cracking it open. On the other side was Anya, a 26-year old blonde girl from Eastern Europe (Camelot is multi-cultural). Her blue eyes were peeking into the room to get a good look at who might be inside.

”Oooh.” She resisted the urge to giggle, ”I have the clothes for your lady friend, your majesty.” She gave an exaggerated wink.

“Cut that out,” Jake whispered as he took the clothes. "And see if you can find Merlin."

Anya giggled as Jake shut the door.

“Here… these are probably better than my sweats.”

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, The Heir Apparent

Robert just stares at where Cael once was. The Detective... time... destiny...

He shakes his head and looks around. Was no one else perturbed by the appearance and disappearance of a wounded man? Nope, none in the slightest. Likely something only he could see.

He sighs as he packs up his things. It was back to this, then? The old headache inducing world of superheroics, capes and masks, heroes and villains. But where to go now.

The minotaur spots the deli on the corner, heads over, orders a sandwich, and sits down to think.

Rolling Knowledge (history) to remember what the first device Dire and Pain built was, as well as Well Informed checks to remember where Dire and Pain are now

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Raynn]

Toughness Save: [roll0] vs. DC 29

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

As Rycon reveals herself the Fomorrian girl somehow takes the hit with barely more than a pained flinch.


***

Robert Asterion’s Story:
‘The Heir Apparent’

Robert knows that Dire is the acting head of the F.L.I. and so spends a large portion of her time leading the Freedom League Alpha squad, of which Clark is now it's youngest, newest member, in the field as well as on the Lighthouse satellite. Her personal time she spends in seclusion with her family in a private location.

Payne is currently working as a science advisor for A.E.G.I.S. after having left Claremont after his release following his false arrest. He is still a card carrying member of the F.L.I. but rarely works in the field anymore.

Robert doesn't know their first cooperatively created invention, either it was too classified for the Claremont students or it has merely skipped his mind.

The sandwich arrives after a while and Robert finds it savory.


***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

Hope takes the clothes and motions to get changed in the bedroom, but Jake's shocked look seems to jog back her sense of modesty and she promptly runs into the bathroom.

When hope exits the bathroom and glances over Hope he gets the definite impression that Anya believed he was about to take Hope out on the town. . . somewhere in the town with very low V-necks. . . Jake knew that by morning every member of the serving staff in the castle would know about Hope.

Hope spoke up and was about to say something when Jake's squire, a young british boy they'd picked up in Africa, burst in. He gives Hope a stunned look, who replies in kind before blurting out


"Merlin was found unconscious! We may be under attack!"


***

Initiative: [roll1]

Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

Dr. Fauxilier throws the cards into the air which appear blank on their face side before promptly turning into ravens and doves and flying towards the ceiling which now appears to be a bottomless well of darkness



“Your in my world now! Not your World!”

He swings his cane towards the roof roaring



“AND I GOT FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE!”

As he says this a hundred spirits fill the air racing and moaning through the air around len before slamming into the floor of the shop, a shop which now seems much larger than it originally did when Len walked in.

Quickly, almost instantly, the spiritis burst up through the floor boards, now possessing corpses, becoming a century of zombiees. Len is outnumber 101 to 1.

Suddenly looks horrified over at Dr. Fauxillier who now wears a skull mask, is eyes filled with madness and magical light. He stands in the darkness and then, after a moment fades away till there is nothing but the Zombies and Len. 100 to 1, at least now the odds are fair.


***

Faith Winters’ Story:
‘The Agent’

As Faith looks over the web and scrap book she realises there's months worth of data here, but one moment stands out as tens, if not hundreds, of strings in the web lead back to it directly or indirectly.

A newspaper cutting of the first day that the Legacy of Freedom, Doctor Dire's original team, and the True Freedom League, Professor Pain's old team, worked together. They faced over twenty villains but somehow came out victorious. Especially odd because many of the villains were known to be more powerful than most if not all of the villains.

Several other events seem important as well. A snippet from a dozen years ago about Event 84, an announcement of near free energy for Freedom City due to the actions of the F.L.I. and a post-it saying simply 'Project Prometheus'.

After a moment of looking over a few more webs looking for more info the entire building shakes and the possibility of an earthquake passes through the young agent's mind. . . then. . .


"Meine Frauleine! I have come! SHADOW misses you child!"

A chill runs down Faith's back and for a moment she wonders if the voice from her time as Jennifer Jones. . . then her blood goes cold. No, she knows that voice from her time as Faith. From a music Concert.

Ragnarok. SHADOW sent Ragnarok for her.

Perhaps she should feel complimented.

[Raynn]

All Out, Power Attack; +5/-5

To Hit: [roll0]
DC 30 Toughness save for Rycon, Lethal.

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

As Rycon's attack hits home with little actual damage done Blitz from below glows with the fury of a thuder storm and brings her fist up in an arc into Rycon's abdomen as it turns into a blade of lightning.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake’s eyes were glued to Hope for a moment as she came out in Anya’s choice of clothing. All Jake could muster at the moment was a very quiet, one note whistle. Yeah, everyone was going to hear about this. The newspapers were going to be blowing up with speculation. Part of his brain was thinking about how he was going to let down Galahad – who would think Jake was on a hot date.

Then Gordon came in, announcing that Merlin had been found unconscious.

“Where is he right now, Gordon? Alert the Round Table. If anyone seeks to attack Camelot, they will be made to regret it.”

Jake began to walk towards the door. He turned around before he left fully. “My lady Hope, please make yourself comfortable. I have things to attend to, and possibly people to hit with swords.”

And Jake was off to Merlin’s location. Jake was not the kind of king who hid behind his men. He was the front line of defense.

[Raynn]

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’


AS Jake rushes out of the room Gordon leads him towards the Wizard's tower as the sounds of battle begin to fill the air. Jake looks outside a window and sees fire and smoke criss-cross the skyline. The knights of the city are out in force fightning varied robotic dinosaurs.

The realisation is barely fully formed when he sees Cerberus Rex (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/images/536/90857.jpg) descended on him, twice Jake's height and more times his width, the beast barely fits in the hall he has just smashed his way into.


"Hello your Majesty, I have been waiting for this meeting for some time. You took my new lieutenant from me. Prepate to die King!"

Roll for Initiative!
[roll0]

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Fires were burning… knights and guards fought for the city itself. The King was ready to join his men when he is accosted by Cerebrus Rex himself. The King immediately broadened his profile in such a way as to shield Gordon from possible harm.

“Get out of here, Gordon. Make sure everyone is safe.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed at the beast before him.

“I’ll handle this fiend.”

Initiative! [roll0]

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Robert munches on his sandwich as he considers his next move. Munch munch munch. Without an FLI communicator, getting Dire's attention might be difficult. Of course, he could call up his brother and arrange a meeting that way but...

Munch. Chew. Swallow. Needs a little more mayo, but not bad.

Clark was busy. No use bothering him. Plus, awkward conversation about where he'd been for the past three years.

Munch. Chew. Swallow. Mmmmmmmmmm. Turkey.

Payne's location was probably a national secret, but checking with the AEGIS office at the Freedom City Federal Building would be a start. At the very least, he could leave a mesage.

Munch. Chew. Swallow. Finished already? Good sandwich.

Robert gives his compliments, leaves a tip, and heads on outside. He considers hopping on a bus or calling a cab, but he decides instead to walk. Its been a while since he's been in the city and, besides, a minotaur always knows where he's going.

His nostrils flare as he takes in the city. Nice day. A quiet one. Not much happening, but that's alright.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len remains seated as the crazy fortune teller Dr. Fauxilier cackles maniacally and rants about his friends. The room darkens and grows large, some sort of pocket dimension under Fauxilier's control He watches a ton of spirits crash into the ground and seconds later burst though the wooden floors as moving corpses. When the Doctor fades away, only then does Len move.

"Tch, I was really hoping you'd stay..." he says with sigh of disappointment. "Now I'm going to have to get my friends together and hunt you down." Len takes a look around the room, packed with zombies. "Geez its wall to wall in here. Reminds me of when we filmed Evil Dead 4." Len says, and cracks his knuckles. "Alright, lets do this." He closes his eyes and they snap open a moment later, reptilian in nature. Scales form along his body as he gets very, very big. Muscles bulge and bones shift. Teeth grow. When the transformation is complete he stands as a 24 foot tall predatory machine.

He turns to face the largest gathering of zombies. Good chance to try this out. Let's hope Merlin knew what he was doing." he thinks, as his mind calls out to the Dragonfire Pendant, gift from Merlin himself. Within a moment he feels a heat in his chest and knows that things are about to get awesome. Len opens his toothy maw and unleashes a torrent of dragonfire, bathing the zombies in magical flames.

Hell. Yes.

Len's Armored Rex form:
Growth 10
Protection 4 - Impervious 6
Speed 2
Super Senses 2 (scent, low light vision)
Enchanced Feat - Crushing Pin

Dragonfire blast - Area Cone, DC 20 reflex

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

As it turns out, Rycon may have greatly underestimated her foe... Or she overestimated her own abilities. Her great attacks on Arroara do nothing and the retaliation via electric blade slices right through her coat and gear. An electric wound lay where the foe's strike targeted; not a grievous injury but a painful one regardless.

"So much for ending this quickly..." Rycon changes up her strategy a bit. She moves to a more defensive position. With how things are looking so far, it won't be long before civilians get in harm's way. "So is this that all that matters to you? A title you'd use out of spite against a man who no longer lives here?!" Thinking quickly, Ashley gives one fast, horizontal swipe at Arroara before flipping backwards towards the nearby groups of trees and away from the open, populated area. Taking cover in the trees should help out with evading.

Changing strategy. Defensive Attack +3/-3.
Strike: [roll0] DC 27 + Autofire Toughness.
Move-By Action to take Cover in the closest group of trees after attacking, Giving another +4 to Defense (provided it isn't full cover :smallbiggrin:) This should total Ashley's Defense to +19 for this turn.

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent
Defense: 24
Condition: Unharmed
H/L Points: 5/6


As Faith looks over the web and scrap book she realises there's months worth of data here, but one moment stands out as tens, if not hundreds, of strings in the web lead back to it directly or indirectly.

A newspaper cutting of the first day that the Legacy of Freedom, Doctor Dire's original team, and the True Freedom League, Professor Pain's old team, worked together. They faced over twenty villains but somehow came out victorious. Especially odd because many of the villains were known to be more powerful than most if not all of the villains.

Several other events seem important as well. A snippet from a dozen years ago about Event 84, an announcement of near free energy for Freedom City due to the actions of the F.L.I. and a post-it saying simply 'Project Prometheus'.

After a moment of looking over a few more webs looking for more info the entire building shakes and the possibility of an earthquake passes through the young agent's mind. . . then. . .


"Meine Frauleine! I have come! SHADOW misses you child!"

A chill runs down Faith's back and for a moment she wonders if the voice from her time as Jennifer Jones. . . then her blood goes cold. No, she knows that voice from her time as Faith. From a music Concert.

Ragnarok. SHADOW sent Ragnarok for her.

Perhaps she should feel complimented.

Faith's blood ran cold for a moment as she put a face to the voice and realized just who it was that had come for her. She remembered the concert well enough...remembered that it had taken nearly the entire graduating class of Claremont just to make Ragnarok temporarily retreat. She entertained a momentarily thrill of fear, asking herself what she could possibly do against a threat like him. She thought about taking Night and fleeing, but her classmate was in no condition to be moved. Faith had to protect her until AEGIS got there with backup.

"Please don't die on me while I'm gone, Night." she stroked the eternal teen's cheek once before bounding to her feet and heading for the roof. Through her communications link she updated Operations with the new development as she bounded up the stairs three at a time. She needed to get outside and hopefully move the fight away instead of having Ragnarok bring the building down when he tried to come in after her.

The door creaked as it swung on its hinges and Agent Winters put a little swing in her step as she came outside. She calmly looked around for Ragnarok, expecting to find him in the sky. "Right here, muscles! Let's talk." she announced herself, putting a fist on her hip and cocking it out, striking a bit of a pose.

Evasion 2, Uncanny Dodge, Danger Sense -- all may come into play.
Using the Total Defense action to add +4 to my dodge bonus in case of an attack.
Initiative: [roll0] (Minimum 12)

[Raynn]

With a reflex save of -1, they auto fail against DC 20
With a Toughness save of +2, they auto fail against DC 25
Being Minions they die on a failed toughness save.

All Minions are taking an Agressive Stance (-4 Defense, +2 Attack) and combining their 50 attacks into 5 attacks.

Used a Dice Roller on another site to speed up the 50 rolls:
Attack Rolls:
Roll(50d20)+0:
(8,14,4,3,12,14,1,3,18,4)(12,13,7,13,4,5,11,11,20, 18)(19,19,5,10,2,2,2,18,14,1)(5,13,19,5,4,10,7,3,4 ,7)(17,16,15,16,7,8,15,17,7,15)



Len must make a DC 22, 2 DC 24, 1 DC 30 Toughness Saves.


Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

As Len roars out the fire washes over half the zombies burning them to ash and charred flesh before the other half of their number leap at Len tearing at flesh and baying for blood.


***

Attack Roll: [roll0]


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Arroara lets out another roar of exasperation as Rycon ducks away into cover, causing Arroara's lightning blast to slam into a tree trunk instead


"He is returning! Returning to a trap! His friend the king, the dinosaur boy, you, even that little lucky harlot will all be dead by the time his father arrives! You think I'm alone! I am Blitz! The Lady of Thunder of the NEW CRIME SYNDICATE! You're lucky! You're one of the five out of our ten targets we could find! You're one of the five who get to DIE!"

***

Roll for Initiative if you want to interact with Ragnarok.
Robert Asterion’s Story:
‘The Heir Apparent’

As Robert strolls casually down the street taking in the sights he sees a bare chested man he recognises (http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w118/kpenguin222/Ragnarok-1.gif) throwing cars aside as he marches towards an apartment building. Civilians run screaming away as the demi-god marches towards the building roaring something amidst the noise of the chaos he is causing.



***
Attack Roll: [roll1]
Damage on a Hit: DC 30
Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

Cerberus Rex roars out as he brings his fists down like a hammer towards the King


"DIE BOY KING! WITHOUT YOUR DRAGON TO ASSIST YOU OR YOUR WIZARD TO PROTECT! DIE KNOWING YOU ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO CERBERUS REX!"


***

Ragnarok Initiative: [roll2]

Faith Winters’ Story:
‘The Agent’

As Faith bursts onto the roof she is at first surprised to not see Ragnarok anywhere, then she takes a step forward and looks over the roof, seeing him marching done the street towards the building. He was destroying everything in his path as both a scare tactic and a means of personal entertainment. He looks just like he did all those years ago. . . with civilians once again fleeing from him in terror.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

"..oh my scrolls and mazes"

Ragnarok? What was he doing here? He couldn't be... no, he was headed for the opposite direction from Robert. He wasn't after him at all.

Unfortunately, civilians in peril mean that Robert couldn't exactly ignore Ragnarok either. Robert spots a flung car headed for an elderly couple and heads towards it with a bull's speed. He catches it in his hands just in time and yells at them, and others, to get away.

In an orderly fashion, of course. Wouldn't want them stampeding. He sets down the car and tries to direct the crowd away from Ragnarok.

Not necessarily itneracting with Ragnarok yet, but rolling Initiative just in case...

[roll0]

Rolling Diplomacy to do some crowd control

[roll1]

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake is too slow to block the strike from the large Saurian invader. The fists come down like the hand of God, striking The King on his head. The stone ground gives way under the force, cracking even the walls from the shockwave of force. But Jake stood strong. His brown eyes glared up defiantly at the alien.

“I don’t need anyone to defeat you.”

In a quick flash of movement, Jake produced Excalibur from its sheath, causing a blinding flash to fill the hallway. Gordon, as he fled, would be immune from its effects—but the evil… the wicked.. their eyes would burn. Cerebrus’s eyes would be blinded by Excalibur’s holy light.

Free action to quick draw. Blinding flash triggers. DC 20 reflex save for area; DC 20 reflex save or go blind.

“Because the righteous will always triumph over the wicked!”

Without skipping a beat, Jake flew up into the air, face-to-face with Rex, and he unleashed a powerful, forceful swing of Excalibur aimed at that brain-case of his.

All out attack + power attack. 5 in all-out; 3 in power. [roll0] DC 28 toughness save (no-save; he’ll at least take an injury) if hit.

EDIT: Critical hit! DC 33.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon just barely focuses enough from the revelation to avoid Arroara's strike. The FLI member recognized each 'nickname.' Jake, Len, and Faith. It couldn't have been mixed up; it HAS to be those three. Jill and Ethan both left Freedom City after graduation and she hasn't heard from Blank, Sarah, and Alex since. What is it about this new crime syndicate? Was it made in the wake of remnants of SHADOW that stayed after their forceful retreat? And by "his father," did Arroara refer to Taurus? Not only is there a threat to confront Ashley and her friends, but Robert's father is mixed in it too?

And this was supposed to be a day off...

Rycon grunted for a moment in frustration. She switches to her natural German tongue, in case anyone else is listening. <Before you mentioned that, I had planned to simply lay you down for the authorities.> She dives in again at Arroara. <But now I'm going to leave you in excruciating pain. GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS CITY!> A quick slash and lightning-fast side kick later, Ashley moves back into the trees. Unless Arroara is consumed by rage, and she very likely is, she'd try the same thing.

I will be repeating the same strategy as last turn: [roll0] DC 27 + Autofire Toughness; +19 Defense. I realize making most of my powers area attacks limits my options in single combat. :smalleek:

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent
Defense: 24
Condition: Unharmed
H/L Points: 5/6


As Faith bursts onto the roof she is at first surprised to not see Ragnarok anywhere, then she takes a step forward and looks over the roof, seeing him marching done the street towards the building. He was destroying everything in his path as both a scare tactic and a means of personal entertainment. He looks just like he did all those years ago. . . with civilians once again fleeing from him in terror.

Faith leapt down onto the fire escape and started making her way nimbly down it toward Ragnarok. She paused about halfway down and hopped up onto one of the railings, standing with the perfect skill of a gymnast on the balance beam. She put two fingers in her mouth and blew a screeching whistle out to get the bruiser's attention. "Hey! Over here!" she waved before setting her hand back on her hip like she was impatient that he was taking so long. She needed to give him a target so that he would stop idly putting civilians in danger.

[Raynn]

Power Stunt; Hero point to Rycon.

Blast 10; Area 250 ft., Power Feat: Progression 2 (Area), Flaw: Full Action, Flaw: Distracting, Linked.
Enviromental Control 6; Extreme Heat, Area 250 ft., Power Feat: Progression 2 (Area), Flaw: Full Action, Flaw: Distracting, Linked.


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

The Fomorrian Blitz dodges Rycon's attack with ease but finally becomes fed up


"THAT IS IT! If you love your bloody forest so much than you can burn with it!"

At that she rains fire down on the forest in an effort to burn it down around Rycon! In moments it seems like a sizeable portion of the entire park is a flame.


***

Robert Asterion’s Story:
‘The Heir Apparent’

As Robert barely manages to herd away the cattle of civillians he notices an unsuspected sight on the fire escape, Faith Winters! Ragnarok thankfully continues to ignore him, focusing instead on Faith.


***

Reflex Save 1: [roll0]
Reflex Save 2: [roll1]
Toughness Save: [roll2]


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

Cerberus Rex lets out a pained roar as the light blinds him but the glorious blade only barely scratches his hide.


***

Charge Faith for a Melee attack, DC 26 Damage on a hit. Improved Grab allows a Grapple on a successful hit so if it hits opposed grapple checks. On a successful grapple check, assuming she is still conscious, Faith is pinned.

Attack Roll: [roll3]
Grapple Check: [roll4]


Faith Winters’ Story:
‘The Agent’

The moment Faith draws Ragnarok's attention he leaps up and flies towards her! His fist moves with the power of a god in the direction of her abdomen.

[Raynn]

Hero Point to Jake.
DC 30 Toughness save for Jake; DC 25 Reflex save to half the damage.


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

CERBERUS REX roars out as he tries to find while blinded


"Think your wretched tricks will save you! Think again you arrogant Whelp! Fear my POWER!"

He brings his fist up before slamming it down on the ground


"EXTERMINUS REX!"

The force is so massive that the shockwave is like an explosion.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies
HP: 1; Injured

Jake brought up Excalibur to shield himself from the attack. The shockwave rocked the hallway and buffeted Jake – even with the mighty magic of the scabbard. It left a few marks on him, but he was relatively unharmed. Jake moved with greater skill and might than he had as a teenager, that was for sure.

He smirked as he saw the glazed look in Rex’s eyes. The wretch couldn’t bear to look upon Excalibur in its glory. Yet he was still dangerous. Jake needed to give it his all.

The King circled around Rex, making sure to keep the creature off guard. He then took a powerful slice at his blinded foe’s hamstring.

Blinded defender is -2 vs. melee and has no dodge bonus. Power attack for 5! [roll0]
DC 30 damage; minimum is injury.

“You think I need saving? You’ve come into my land, attacked my people! Your own kind suffers under your yoke. You’ve given me the chance to destroy you and free your people!”

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope
The No Homo Saurus Rex

The undead were relentless. Somehow of one mind, they grouped together to try and drag the mighty beast that was Len down.

Len wasn't having any of it.

With a mighty roar he shook them free and belched forth another burning gout of dragon flame. Then he used his superior speed to dart out of the horde, putting some distance between him and any remaining undead.

Shamble over here and burn.

another dragonflame blast, Area Cone, DC 20 reflex. Then moving away from the zombies. I should be able to put some distance between us as I am considerably faster, I hope :smalltongue:

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Faith? What does Ragnarok want with.. oh no.

He watches as Ragnarok ascends to attack, his eyes widening. Ushering the last of the civilians away from the area, Robert Asterion darts into an alleyway, a bull's speed carrying him. He moves as swiftly as he can through the alleyway and figures the best approach towards Ragnarok. Hopefully he can take him by surprise.

Rolling Knowledge (Tactics) to have Robert move in the most tactical manner towards Ragnarok, hopefully surprising him.

[roll0]

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon is caught off guard as she sees fire come down from the skies. She didn't guess that Arroara could call forth flames and that is the worst thing that could happen to the park. Despite evasive manuevers, Ashley ends up caught in the blast radius but shields herself to keep her mostly unharmed. Unfortunately the same doesn't go for the park that is now aflame. With this heat, the fires will spread in short time; with civilians here, casualties will be great unless Rycon can get these flames out, now.

Rycon moves out of the fires to figure out what to do. Rycon thinks back to before; when she met an alternate universe version of herself, that Ashley transformed into a thunder cloud of some sort. Rycon wondered if she could call a raincloud somehow. Focusing her powers greatly, Ashley charges and fires a lightning bolt, obscured by the flames raining down, into the sky. The lightning bolt ionizes the cloudy air, forming the raincloud as she wanted. In short time, rain came down in a powerful swarm along with flashy viewings of thunder. The effect drenches anyone in range and in fact makes it difficult to move through the mud and sludge formed. Perhaps it might have been too much, but Rycon wanted those flames out immediately.

Countering the fires in the park through Power Stunting my own Environmental Control to put out the fire. Will NOT be using an HP to shrug off the Fatigue effect yet.

Environmental Control 12: Hampers Movement to 25%; 110 ft; 25000 ft
Now making a Power Check to try and counter: [roll0]

If Robert and Faith happens to notice a downpour, I apologize :smalltongue:

[Raynn]

Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

As Len moves away he's able to burn away the guts of the group leaving behind only a dozen or so stragglers who shamble towards him slowly leaving Len with time for another attack before they reach him.


***

Opposed Power Check: [roll0]


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

As Ashley summons forth a storm of rain and lightning the fire is washed away almost as rapidly as it appeared leaving only the storm of Rycon in its wake. As the entire city is embraced in the rainfall Rycon notices this new Blitz look towards her and then the sky as something flashes over her face.

Fear, she is afraid of Rycon now. The tide has turned.

***

Robert Asterion’s Story:
‘The Heir Apparent’

Robert is able to sneak up towards Ragnarok with him detecting him, using cover and the chaos to his advantage. As he races towards the enemy Robert notices a heavy storm appear over the entire city as if from nowhere.


***

Cerberus Rex: Injured 2
Toughness Save: [roll1] vs. DC 30

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

Again the blade rakes across the monster's steel torso drawing motor oil and blood but doing no fatal damage.


"I must admit I underestimated you simian. Perhaps there is one among the simians who can make a worthy opponent for a Saurian, but respect will not save your life! Though seems it will buy you a reprieve!"

Cerberus Rex raises his gauntlets and slams them palm first into the ground, but this time there is no shockwave as a portal opens beneath Jake's very feet as he tries to jump away.

***

Rerolled Attack Roll: [roll2]

Faith Winters’ Story:
‘The Agent’

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope
Awesomesaurus

Len grins as best as a huge dinosaur can and produces a continual cone of flame that immolates any remaining zombies.

With the threat of death by zombie averted (for now) Len takes a look around the room, searching especially for a way out.

[Raynn]

DC 23 Reflex Save or the King is teleported away. DC 23 Reflex save to half this to DC 17.


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

***

Attack Roll: [roll0] Extra effort fatigue pay so DC 27 Toughness Save and Hero Point for Rycon.

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

As Rycon's new trick reveals her position to Arroara the Fomorrian girl screams out a desperate cry as she tries to pummel Rycon with a barrage of lightning blasts. All sense of elegance or control is gone.



***

Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

As Len cleans up the last of the Zombies he finds the magic of the room fades away as well, leaving through the door he came in Len sees it is now night and the City is alive with the anarchy of battle. Every he looks Len's fellow knights and Saurians battle varied robotic dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes.

Looking up and into the distance Len picks out two shapes battling within the King's castle, seeing them through a gaping hole in the masonry. . . then Len's heart sinks, Jake is fighting Cerberus Rex alone!

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent
Defense: 20
Condition:
H/L Points: 3/6

Aaaand this wasn't going so well. Suddenly Ragnarok was in the air and headed straight for her, giving her barely enough time to twist her torso so that the monumental force of his punch just glanced off of her shoulder. Unfortunately, that just gave Ragnarok the perfect opportunity he needed to wrap her up in a neat pin, using his vastly superior strength to hold her in place.

"What?" Faith struggled uselessly. "Raggy, I don't think we're quite friendly enough for a hug. Now let me go before- gnngh!" she thrashed back and forth in his grip, "-before you get hurt!"

DC26 Toughness: [roll0]
Hero Point if Needed: [roll1]
Grapple Resist: [roll2] (Not even sure why I rolled this.)

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

The minotaur looks up as he gets closer to Ragnarok... dammit. The demigod had Faith locked up in a bear hug. There was no way he could get up there in time before Ragnarok flew off with Faith in tow.

Think quick. Think quick. Must distract him.

Robert instead reaches down and grabs a piece of rubble that had blown off the sidewalk.

"Excuse me, sirrah!" he calls up, and tosses the piece of rubble at Ragnarok.

"Perhaps whatever poor paunchy spur-galled malt-worm that had to mother you taught you differently, but its generally rude to handle a lady uninvited!"

Move action to pick up the piece of rubble, standard action to throw. Rolling All-Out Attack for 5, Power Attack for 1. He should be surprised, so he's taking a -2 to Defense and loses his dodge bonus on top of that.

[roll0] 19 - DC 27 damage if it hits

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Right now is the point where Rycon saw things turn in her favor. Arroara lost her confidence and is now straight into desperation... However a desperate fighter is, much liked a cornered animal, deadlier than in most other situations. the formorrian's flurry of strikes rattles Rycon. Focusing greatly, she retains posture but is worn out a bit by the attack.

Yet a second wind picks up with Rycon, still looking fit for combat. She wanted this to be over now however. This would be the perfect time to attempt a new trick considering Arroara's psyche is gone. First she needs to get close. Rycon moves up to Arroara, striking the ground once in melee range with an electrical fist. An explosion comes from Rycon, emitting a stun blast that Arroara is caught in. Rycon is prepared to evade just in case it fails.

Area Stun 10 (Touch range so it doesn't affect Ashley; 20 ft radius) DC 20 Fortitude to resist; DC 20 Reflex to half the fort save.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies
HP: 0; 1 Injury

The beast slammed his hands into the ground yet again. Jake was quick enough to realize this meant another attack, so when the portal opened up under him, Jake’s boots of flight activated and kept him from falling in.

“Sorry to disappoint you, fiend, but I’m not that easy to get rid of.”

He then rocketed upwards, slashing Excalibur up in what was a very Kingly shoryuken attack. Jake continued upwards, putting some distance between himself and Rex. The blinded Rex was employing broad attacks centered on himself. If Jake hit and ran, he would stand a better chance.

Attacking (no power attack), then flying up through the hole, making him guess where I’m at, hopefully.

[roll0] DC 25 (no save)

[Raynn]

Cereberus Rex: Injured 2
Fortitude Save Last turn: [roll0] vs. DC 20
Fortitude Save This turn: [roll1] vs. DC 20
Toughness Save: [roll2] vs. DC 25


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

***

Blitz III (Arroara); Dazed
Reflex Save to have: [roll3] vs. DC 20
Fortitude Save: [roll4] vs. DC 20


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Arroara tenses and screams as her entire body goes rigid as the electrical pulse races through her nervous system.

***

Toughness Save: [roll5] Vs. DC 27

Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

Seeing the new arrival Ragnarok drops Ashley back onto the fire escape like he was dropping a doll and turns away from her ignoring her


"Mr. Asterion, how do you find de City? I here you have been away finding die self? Has Morgana seen to your part yet? If not I'd be happy to take up her mission!"

At that Ragnarok flies forwards and tries to smash Robert in to the ashphalt!

[Raynn]

Cerberus Rex: Injured 3
Hero point to Jake to reroll Cerberus Rex's Fortitude Save.
Auto Success as roll will be (11+) +13 which will automatically beat the DC 20 Fortitude Save, so he is no longer blinded.

Attack Roll: [roll0] Reflex DC 23 Teleport Attack.


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

As the King flies into the air over the city he sees disks of energy form in the hands of Cerberus Rex, it seems the nine foot dinosaur no longer believes he can defeat the King in a physical contest!


"We shall see King! Your mother sends her regards Simian! You shall see her soon!"

At that he flings the translocation disks at the King.

[Raynn]

Sorry for the Triple post but I forgot Ragnarok's Attack roll.
Attack Roll: [roll0] DC 26 Toughness Save on a hit and a grapple.
Grapple check: [roll1]

On a Success Ragnarok will cause the DC 26 Toughness Save again.


Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent
Defense: 20
Condition: Unharmed
H/L Points: 3/6


Seeing the new arrival Ragnarok drops Ashley back onto the fire escape like he was dropping a doll and turns away from her ignoring her


"Mr. Asterion, how do you find de City? I here you have been away finding die self? Has Morgana seen to your part yet? If not I'd be happy to take up her mission!"

At that Ragnarok flies forwards and tries to smash Robert in to the ashphalt!

"Robert?" Faith asked, before repeating it again with more alarm and concern when Ragnarok suddenly switched targets. "Robert!!"

Looking behind her, Faith knew that if this fight escalated and the building was damaged Night might not make it. They needed to end this quickly, or at the very least try to get Ragnarok to fly away before he hurt anyone. An errant fist or thrown car could cause untold destruction. And what the hell was Robert Asterion doing in Freedom City again? She was going to have to catch up with her old classmate, assuming both of them survived with the ability to speak.

A raindrop hit Faith on the forehead and for the first time she noticed the gathering rainclouds. She let a smirk crawl across her features as she focused back on Ragnarok, tapping into that well of misfortune and black magic or whatever it was that fueled her powers to increase his chances of having an "accident" by a few hundred billion. At that moment, the clouds above pulsed and a bolt of lightning forked up from the ground, through Ragnarok, and into the sky. Didn't he know not to play outside during thunderstorms? A crashing peal of thunder arrived a fraction of a second later to punctuate her attack.

Penetrating Ranged Damage 10 (Subtle 2): [roll0]

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon makes a guile smile as she sees Arroara frozen and dazed from the electrical explosion. Here is the chance. Rycon knew what to say to this formorrian. "That's enough; I tire of this battle and your uncontrollable abilities. As is, you will never surpass me." Rycon charges her hand and plants it right on Arroara's head. "You think brute force and strength means victory? You should have realized your complete lack of wits!" With that, energy now swarms from Rycon to the formorrian. Rycon could teleport through electrical devices; she can try to see if she can use herself as an electrical conduit to teleport Arroara away... Far away. "Now bow down to the superior mind! Abscheid!"

Power Stunting Teleport 12: Attack Extra. Power Attack and All-Out Attack +5/-5. [roll0] DC 27 Will.

Full Action so can go up to 20 million miles. Place specified as "As far away from Freedom City as possible." Since I lack Accurate, I can't be more specific than that.

[Raynn]

Toughness Save: [roll0] vs. DC 25



Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

Enraged but unharmed the demi-god shakes off the bolt of lightning, a sensation he is all too familiar with



"Fraulein! You think the same tricks will fool Ragnarok, child of the Aesir twice in one lifetime! Fool! I am the equal of the gods! You are nought but the shadow of one!"

he roars up at the sky




"NONE SHALL FELL RAGNAROK! CHAMPION OF SHADOW!"

[Raynn]

Willpower Save: [roll0] DC 27


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

As Rycon turns the Fomorrian to electricity she is for a moment a glow, then she is illuminated muscle over organs, than she is a shining skeleton, then she is electrons racing along the Freedom City power grid, then she is merely. . . gone.

For a moment Rycon stands alone, amidst the scorched earth of Liberty Park, the rain falling and tracing her features as the shadows of dusk descend upon the city.

After a few second slowing aclimating back to normality she hears the sirens of the city's well trained emergency services tending to any wounded and stemming the tide of panic that sweeps over the more mortal civilians that rush past her. No one stops her or thanks her but that's likely because it all happened so quickly they may not realise she was even involved.

What do you do?

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon holds her breath as she sees Arroara disappear into light and electricity. A moment later, she gives a sigh of relief. That formorrian will be back some day, that's for sure... The question is 'when.' It isn't a question Rycon has time to answer however. She has all the info she needs to know that her old friends are in danger and she needs to let them know immediately. Everything else, the new syndicate, Arroara, and whatever role Taurus has; all those can wait. For now the safety of her friends is top priority.

Ashley sighs as she sees the emergancy services coming. "And this was supposed to be my day off..." At the very least, she is glad that she isn't being hogged the spotlight.

Ashley begins walking out of the park and repairing her watch. She knew the quirks and works around machines; something like this won't be an issue. In the meantime she would head to Freedom Hall to access the Lighthouse Satellite. She should be allowed there as a member of Olympus Technologies and the FLI.

When or if she does get the watch working again, she quickly reports in. "Can anyone hear this? This is Rycon reporting from Liberty Park. Red One? Isiah? Centurion II? Any of you or anyone there, please respond!" She says it in English, then repeats it in German. She really hopes for a response.

Using my Craft Electronic/Mechanical skill to repair the watch Red One gave Ashley: [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent
Defense: 20
Condition: Unharmed
H/L Points: 3/6


Enraged but unharmed the demi-god shakes off the bolt of lightning, a sensation he is all too familiar with



"Fraulein! You think the same tricks will fool Ragnarok, child of the Aesir twice in one lifetime! Fool! I am the equal of the gods! You are nought but the shadow of one!"

He roars up at the sky




"NONE SHALL FELL RAGNAROK! CHAMPION OF SHADOW!"

"Ragnarok, child of the asswhatever, needs to put a shirt on and deal with his gender issues!" Faith mocked, knowing full well it was just going to make him mad. "Seriously, your hair is feathered. You look like a member of Motley Crue, and not in a good way." Faith pulled several throwing knives from the bandoliers she had criss-crossing her body and wrapped around her thighs, holding them in the spaces between her fingers as she prepared to attack again.

Maybe she could poke his eye out or something...?

I think it's KP's turn maybe? So I'm holding off on attacking until I know Faith's up.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Robert raises his hand to shield his eyes as the lightningbolt flashes through the demigod. Good ol faith

Through the after-smoke of the lightning strike, the sillhouette of bovine head and a pair of horns can be seen. The big blonde doctor standing next to Ragnarok is gone, and a monster out of greek myth, a mighty MINOTAUR charges out of the smoke, horns first.

"Excuse me, good sir, but I believe I was having this dance!"

The smoke thing is mostly fluff. I'm not trying to get a sneak attack here through concealment.

Rolling attack.
[roll0]

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope
Terrosaur

Len's satisfied smile of finally putting the zombie room behind him quickly turns to a concerned frown as he see's his best friend Jake locked in combat with none other than Cerebrus Rex. All around him Camelot is under siege by robotic dinosaurs. No doubt Dr. Fauxilier must be in cahoots with Cerebrus and Morgan, trying to keep Len from this fight.

He failed.

Len's giant predatory form begins to shift again, becoming sleeker. The giant maw elongates into a sharp beak and a colorful crest forms on the back of his head. His tail shortens until it is gone, and finally enormous wings unfurl from his sides. With a few powerful flaps Len is airborn, his 40' wingspan powering him into the sky and toward Cerebrus at top speed.

alright, so a slight change in the form (though big change in appearance!) Growth 10, protection 4, Flight 5 and Super Senses 1 (low light vision)

When will I get into the fight?

[Raynn]

What's the DC on that attack Kpenguin?
Toughness Save: [roll0]Ignore above roll.


Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

As Robert slams into Ragnarok the demi-god takes the head directly and shrugs it off with a grunt.

***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

The portal disk envelops Jake as he tumbles through the space between spaces before thudding to a sudden halt on a cold floor. Suddenly Excalibur feels like dead weight, as does his other equipment, as his magical might is somehow stripped from him, or much more likely, temporarily supressed.

Jake looks at the ground and sees some sort of magical circle, likely what's robbing him of all his powers. He can tell from the floor that he's in a steel room but looking around the room he sees only darkness. . . until a figure hooded and robed in white steps out of the darkness.

Only one name fills Jake's mind. . .

Morgana.

She speaks softly but with a hint of malice, saying only


"Hello your Grace."

***

Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

When Len finally approaches the scene of the titanic battle he sees his King disappear into a portal that swiftly closes, targetted to parts unknown. Below stands Cerberus Rex, now alone in the royal castle.

Glancing up Cerberus Rex finally spots Sauros


"I must admit Sauros, your King was far more formidable than I had anticipated. I had to banish him or risk defeat or delay in my plans. That is impressive. . . for a simian. Do you intend to hit me now? I assure you if you do you will not be so lucky. I do not treat species traitors kindly."


***

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Ashley races towards Freedom Hall but it will take time for her to reach it on foot.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley hurries on foot, but she realizes it's going to take too long while working on her watch. With having to decide between devoting time to repairing the watch or to head to the lighthouse satellite immediately, she decides the latter. Ashley grabs for the nearest pole or power line and begins teleporting to Freedom Hall. So long as there isn't any problematic debris or damage in the way of these electrical devices, she should make it there easily. If there is... She'll figure something out.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake attempted to juke one of the teleportation disks, but the next disk compensated and caught him, sending him to this vile prison of darkness. As his sword grew heavy in his grip, Jake knew that this trap had been constructed specifically for him. And there was only one person who could be behind such a thing.

He heard her voice as he saw her. Dressed in white, she certainly does have a sense of humor.

Casually, Jake nudged the edge of the circle with Excalibur, testing its boundaries. In the meanwhile, he watched Morgana.

“Hello, Molly.”

Jake said, referencing the girl’s born name.

“It looked like your erstwhile ally was getting scared. He will fail, you know.”

A brief pause.

“But you, you’ve been very busy lately. I have to wonder how you wormed your way into the minds of the UN delegates.” He looked directly at her.

[Raynn]

Attack Roll: [roll0]
No damage on a hit


Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’


"Did you think you could best me boy?! You who's grandfather was a bull? Well I suppose if Morgana is too busy to complete the mission than I may as well show her how it is done!"

With that he seems to grab something from his pocket and tries to jab whatever it is into Robert's abdomen.

After a moment Robert stumbles back seeing a single droplet of blood running down his torso. Robert feels a sting and looks up to see a large syringe in the hands of Ragnarok and at that the demi-god flies into the sky that is slowly turning into night.


***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

As Jake nudged the circle's edge he didn't notice any obvious barrier. He figured that the circle was then likely the source of the magic affecting him but not it's limit. He had no idea how far he'd have to go to escape its effects. As Morgana speaks again he notices a worn single black lightning bolt S on a red circle on the wall outside the cell


"You think I turned the United Nations against you?"

she laughs


"Oh I'm powerful, but that is power of a different kind than I possess. This goes higher than I. You've pissed the wrong people off my son. You and everything you stand for fly in the face of the status quo. Camelot is an affront to the people in the shadows who run this world, or to be more accurate the person.

When you first were King with no kingdom you would have been handed your royal ass by someone like Cerberus Rex, but he sent you here, barely harmed, because he was afraid he couldn't beat you. Oh I'm sure he'd give some pompous rebuttal that it was out of respect or to be efficient, or even to humour me but we both know that's not it.

You're a King, the King really, and he was afraid he couldn't beat you. You went from school boy with a dream in his head to one of the most politically and maybe even literally formidable people on the planet.

No one makes that kind of ascension without making a few enemies.

People are coming for you. So many, so powerful, united, strong.

This is just the tip of the iceberg Jake. That is what lead you to this point.

I'm actually thankful that you're here, this way you won't be there when your friend Robert's father comes and brings down Camelot. You won't have to see everything you've built come down on your head.

No mother would wish that on her son. Even the Mighty King of Camelot."

***

Cerberus Rex: Injured 3
Initiative for dinofight
Initiative: [roll1]
Cerberus Rex will take the Total Defense Action


Len Cope’s Story:
‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

Cerberus Rex braces for the younger Saurian's attack, allowing him the first punch


"Come get me boy. Let us see if you are puny man, or Might Saurian!"

***

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

*BANG*

A group of Japanese tourists scatter as Ashley explodes out of their tour guide in the reception area of Freedom Hall. Cynthia, an extremely basic human looking android who is currently covertly recharging while plugged into a power socket behind the receptionist's desk, acts as the receptionist and main tour guide of Freedom Hall.

The group of tourists are flashing photos of Rycon as she tries to scramble to her feet in the middle of the growing crowd and in her disorientation a few of the tourists even take pictures with her, pulling her this way and that.

After a few minutes a familiar hand pulls her to her feet, drags her to her feet proper, pulls her into the nearest bathroom and bars the door shut behind them with a broom stick before checking the stalls are empty, which they are. As Rycon collects herself she sees that Red One, in full costume, now stands in front of her


"Why, might I ask, did one of my favourite former students just explode through our receptionist? Ashley are you okay? You look like you've been in a fight? And what happened to your graduation gift?"

He pauses for a moment only to give the younger woman a brief, tight hug before letting go


"God I've missed you guys!"

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley's arrival at Freedom Hall is probably one of her less-graceful entries. While her popularity was avoided back at Liberty Park, here she finds herself swarmed immediately by reporters and photographers. With a more pleasant landing she could have gotten out of there immediately; but a well-timed, familiar person helps her to the bathroom... Not the best of private places but it will have to do.

It takes a moment to shrug off what happened before she sees one of her former teachers. She lets Red One hug her briefly before trying to explain everything that has happened today. "I'm glad to see you Red One. I fought a formorrian princess and..." Ashley then remembers how short on time she might be. "No! I don't have time to explain!" If she was calmer, maybe she could have explained that Robert has arrived back to Freedom City. With everything as it is however, she wants to be sure that her friends are safe before explaining anything. She almost raises her voice as her normally calm-self is in a panic. "Get me to the Lighthouse now! Robert and Faith could be in danger!"

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent


"Robert and Faith could be in danger!"

"Well, it looks like we're out of danger."

Robert pulls back down his shirt as he finishes examining the stab wound. He didn't feel dizzy, nauseous, light-headed... or otherwise poorly affected. But that could all change soon enough and he knew it.

Of course, the syringe could have also taken blood instead of injected. But for what...

He looks up at the sky, where Ragnarok faded away. What were they after...

For now at least.

He looks back at Faith. Hello, by the way. Mind telling what's going on?

Rolled a Medicine check to examine the wound. Assuming nothing is going to be readily apparent from it, but might as well roll anyway :smalltongue:

[roll0] (including additional +2 from Medical kit)

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Red One was shocked by Rycon's Panic and without question activated his comlink to the Lighthouse satellite in orbit


"This is Red One to the Lighthouse. I have a possible emergency and need a door to the Lighthouse NOW."

After a moment of silence a shimmering blue warmhole appears two feet to Red One's left and he steps through without pause.

As Ashley follow she is agast at the massive structure that she suddenly sees. Hundreds of consoles on a half dozen levels revolve around an ever changing holographic representation of the earth. A hundred technicians mill about the colossal construct, some passing in and out of the main chamber of the satellite like blood in and out of a heart.

While no heroes are immediately apparent Ashley does eventually spy one, sitting on a throne like control chair, on a platform about at the mid height of the holographic earth.

A moment late that same man is standing in front of her, her former vice-principal.

Isiah Washington. (http://deathensemble.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Sam-Winchester.jpg)


"Hello Rycon, Hello Red One, what brings you to our neck of the proverbial woods Miss Culdis? I presume you NEED something. How may I help you?"


***

The injection has had no determinable immediate reaction from examining the puncture mark. Robert cannot also tell whether Ragnarok took blood or injected something.


Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

***

Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

The cell is a plain steel box, approximately 20ft x 20ft x 10ft, with no obvious source of light other than the doorway which opens up onto a corridor running parallel to the door where a slightly more worn version of this symbol (http://grfiles.game-host.org/2e_files/shadow_wp.jpg) is painted on the wall.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

For a moment, Ashley marvels at the Lighthouse. This is her first time here and she remembers well only to come in an emergency. There is little doubt that she wants to venture around the place and ask what each electronic device and console does. Of course she lacks the authority and time to do so. Besides, it's not easy to lose focus when she notices the man on the throne; her former vice-principal.

"...Mr. Washington." During her times at Claremont Academy, Ashley has had numerous discussions with Isiah. At first he just came off as an impudent egoist; by graduation she realized how he ended up there. He told her of his home universe, how it turned out, how he became the Lord of Space, how he once saved the multiverse at the cost of a good friend, and how he became distant with his best friend Harlequin, now on the other side of the universe with Jennifer. Isiah's past makes Ashley's look like a happy rollercoaster ride in comparison. It might not be an exaggeration that Ashley knows the world's smartest man better than anyone else. She still thinks he's an egoist, but she knows better than to not respect him.

She speaks formally as she does her best to calm down. "My apologies for the sudden appearance but there is an emergency. I was attacked by a formorrian princess known as Arroara, who took the name of 'Blitz' and tried to strike me down. I repelled her but not before she sprouted some info." She pauses, trying to think of how to properly say the next part. "...Robert Asterion is now back in Freedom City. Arroara wants him dead along with some new-formed crime syndicate. In addition they are also targeting Faith Winters, Len Cope, and King Jake Wallace of Camelot." Ashley can't believe that she said "King Jake Wallace of Camelot" with a straight face. Her old classmate has come a long way.

"I know King Jake and Len should be in Camelot, but I need to know the locations of Robert and Faith as soon as possible. I don't know if they are aware of being targeted but I have to let them know as soon as possible. Will you please assist me Mr. Washington?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

There had always been one big weakness Morgana/Molly had. She liked her monologues. And when she started to talk, she couldn’t help but reveal entire conspiracies. Whether this came from her hatred of him or her inescapable need to gloat, he couldn’t be sure. However, he listened. He filed bits and pieces away. But as he listened, his foot scraped against the circle. He wondered if he could disturb it. He wasn’t counting on it. Morgana wouldn’t have some flimsy symbol here suppressing his power. It would be too big of a risk.

He kept talking with her. Keep her focused on arguing with him, on monologuing.

“First, I’m still not your son. Physically impossible.”

He walked around the cell quietly. “Second, I knew I had enemies. Frightened, craven, wretched men who fear what this world is capable of becoming. A land of justice, peace, and plenty? It makes people like your newfound allies tremble.”

He smiled. “The way of the superhero, it stops you all for a time. You’re put in jail, you get out… you strike again. But in a just society, your kind never gets the chance to grow. There is no gutter for you to wallow in. There are no shadows from which you can prey. And that’s what scares you. It’s what scares Shadow.”

A pause. as he was about five feet away from her... not hard in such a small room.

“But you’re right, Morgana. I’m glad you brought me here. I couldn’t bear to see Camelot fall with my own two eyes.”

Then, without any warning, he swings the flat end of Excalibur as hard as he can towards her, in an attempt to stun her or knock her out. It’s one singular attack, reckless and giving it all he’s got.

“So I’ll just save it, instead!”

Hoping that it knocked her off-balance for a moment, Jake takes off running into the hallway, trying to get out of the range of the circle.

Full all-out attack + power attack. Plus aggressive stance for full (-4 defense, +2 attack). [roll0] Normal sword is strength + 3. Makes my toughness save dc on a hit is DC 26.

As a move action, Jake bolts into the hallway.

(though I may extra effort to attack again if I totally botch it... I got to stun her)

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’


"I'll pass the message on to Camelot Ash...Miss Culdis. Before I do. . . "

He turns back away and disappears into a hole in reality and is suddenly back on the platform high above


"Get me a bead to A.E.G.I.S., tell them I know Faith Winters is one of their Agents, tell them I want to know where she is and tell them if they want to do the song and dance of 'we have no agent by that name' for the next four months like they always do that I will personally call every finance minister of every nation that buys America's national debt and give them 'tips' on what they should be doing financially, and only stop once my friend in the oval office manages to cut their funding in half,"

He suddenly appears on the other side of the holographic Earth on a similar platform, almost mid-sentence


"Also you've all got six hours to get me a local on Robert Asterion, yes that over six foot minotaur you all lost six months ago and thought I hadn't noticed,"

The next shout comes from a foot to Ashley's left


"And someone get my friend a bloody Ice-Tea, and NO, not the one with the full face covering helmet,"

When Ashley looks back Isiah is gone and he is now a few metres in front of her beside a door that has just opened on to what appears to be a large lounge come meeting room


"While they do all the heavy lifting why don't we all catch up on a few things?"

He motions for Ashley to walk into the room behind him while Ashley can almost feel Red One's scowl behind his helmet at Isiah's constant use of his powers.


***

Morgana: Stunned + Staggered
See this is what you get when you never remember to mention her being a glow, indicating her forcefield isn't on, when she is pure forcefield Toughness.
Toughness Save: [roll0]


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

With one blow from the flat of Excalibur's blade Morgana goes carreening across the room, beaten almost to unconsciousness with a blow she didn't expect. When she finally speaks her voice is ragged and hurt


"You think they're doing it for people like me? Think about it Jake, you were just some kid from camp and now you lord it over those 'mere mortals', those men and women who run from their homes into the shadows. . . do so in fear of you.

Remember that girl, your friend at Claremont, who rewrote the reality of most of mainland America on a whim? Or the boy who controlled TIME? Or the child who burned an army with a thought? What if those troops had been American? What if that boy had been your dragon? The world wasn't meant for your king. It can't CONTAIN your kind.

The world isn't afraid of my kind. They're afraid of yours. They're not afraid of villains with petty vendettas and plans, they're afraid of the world changers. People like you. You might not have every power you've seen but you're just as terrifying to those people as Winter.

Do you want to know why the Humans relegated Kings to fairytales? Because they outgrew them, because Kings existed in a time of blood and fire and that's what you herald to them. It doesn't matter if what you bring is better if what you bring first is violence and death.

I may be a witch, but to them, to the people you protect and love, you're the monster at the end of the book, there's no happy ending for you,"

Morgana seems almost saddened as she finishes and merely watches Jake go.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

“Oh yeah, Molly? You talk as if your villainy is somehow excused or justified because of other psychopaths.” He says, referring to Jennifer Jones as well as the mass murder that took place years ago—army or not. “But one fact remains. People live in Camelot because they want to. The doors were thrown open for them. It’s not MY existence that has made their lives better. It’s the city and what it stands for. Even when I die, it will go on.”

He stops for a brief moment at the door to the cell.

“And you and yours are at this very moment attacking them. Trying to kill them, burn their houses, extinguish what peace they have long struggled for. I won’t let that happen.”

He frowns. It’s quite possible he’ll die on the throne. There may be no happy ending. There rarely is for men who try to change the world. Still…

“It doesn't matter where my story ends. I'm going to make sure my people have that happy ending. Maybe one day you'll understand.”

And then he takes off, running at full tilt away from the circle.

[Raynn]

Initiative: [roll0]


Jake Wallace’s Story:
‘The King In The Skies’

As Jake rushes down the corridor he reaches a steel walkway overlooking what appear to be turbines in a massive chamber, likely in the lowest levels of the complex


“HELLO KING!”

Booms Baron Samedi from the end of the walkway outstretching his arms dramaticly


“You think no one was watching the cell boy?! You haven't been in the big leagues long! We cover our bases!”

He points his cane towards Jake


“Have at thee Monsieur!”

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

He ran down the corridor, intermittently checking whether or not his boots would function. He just had to get out of the range of that spell. He ends up running onto the steel walkway before he is accosted. Jake’s eyes snap up from his boots to Samedi.

“Great. Another one.”

Jake readied Excalibur, getting into a combat stance. Then, just on a hunch… he tested his boots again. The ethereal wings glowed ever so slightly. Jake grinned.

“Actually… Maybe some other time, Bond Villain. I’ve got a war to win.”

Jake then stabbed Excalibur forward, piercing the fabric of reality and opening a portal. It was the ability he gained when he first came to Camelot, and it would get him back there. He quickly dove through the portal, appearing at a place he knew very well-- the skies over Camelot.

The King is back.

Full round action to do an extended range teleport. Max distance is 200,000 miles. He picks Camelot, a place he’s intimately familiar with. Free action to close the portal behind me.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley's eyes do their best to "follow" Isiah as he warps across the area. She is a little jealous of his powers as well though she can hide them better than Red One. Ashley has yet to master the art of being able to teleport without a medium but she feels close now. She can teleport other people away, she just might be able to pull it off sometime. For now however, she is stuck here. She is amazed that Faith has become an agent of AEGIS. Back when she was brought in to FLI, Ashley had sent her old classmates (barring Robert and Jake) letters on if they wanted to join her. They all didn't respond or apologized that they would not be able to. At least in Faith's case, she has had a good reason not to join.

As Isiah offers her to sit down, she nods as she takes a seat on one of the comfortable sofas. "Considering what I just saw, it's hard to believe that you aren't a part-time information broker who knows the answer already." She speaks in a more casual tone as she keeps herself from giggling after her comment. "But what is it you'd like to ask or tell? My family... Or rather, my aunt and cousin, are doing well. And there hasn't been much new since everything that has happened at the Academy. Until now at least." Five years has indeed been a long time since everything that has happened and now Ashley may be getting an early high-school reunion... Just not in the way she had expected.

"...Speaking of family..." Ashley is a little afraid of asking this. Her tone shows how nervous she is about asking. "Isiah, have you heard of anything from Germany? My parents are still back there for all I know, so..." She isn't sure how to finish her sentence. She doesn't really want to anyway.

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent


He looks back at Faith. Hello, by the way. Mind telling what's going on?

In an entirely unprofessional manner for an agent of AEGIS to be acting, Faith through her arms around the neck of her old friend in a whirl of blonde hair and hugged him close. "Oh my god! Are you okay? He came here looking for me but- what did he do to you?" the words began spilling out of her mouth. "And where the hell have you been?! Why didn't you call me? Or Ashley! Cowboy, you have some 'splaining to do!" she slapped him on the shoulder, probably not hard enough to sting, to punctuate her last sentence. Then she let him go, giving him some breathing room.

"Night!" she suddenly remembered as she fell back to her feet. "Ops this is Winter," she spoke into her wrist communicator as she scanned the skies, "I want my backup ten minutes ago!"

Going back and forth between talking to Robert and demanding reinforcements through her communicator, Faith said "Uh, better come with me, Cowboy. Another old friend is upstairs in bad shape and I might need your help carrying her." Then she began leading the way back up into the nearby building.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope
The Tyrant Rex

Len began shifting even before he hit the ground. The flying form gave way back into the Armored Rex - and he aimed to answer Cerebrus' challenge. Tooth to tooth, claw to claw.

Len's Armored Rex form:
Growth 10
Protection 4 - Impervious 6
Speed 2
Super Senses 2 (scent, low light vision)
Enchanced Feat - Crushing Pin

[roll0]
if attack is successful, start a grapple [roll1] and then move to crushing pin.

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Isiah allows a forced smile


"I had Eiko, Sentient 6 and Mr. E look into a few loose threads in Germany recently. As a personal favour they looked into your parents. . . I'm not going to lie when they found them things were particularly grim,"

his smile becomes more genuine for a moment as he continues


"Mr. E had a few connections in the german magic scene and I pulled some strings with the bureaucratic locals. We set them up with cover identities and they're living happily and relatively safely outside Berlin."

At that Red One removed his Helmet to reveal his face which had oddly not aged a day since Rycon had last seen it; though hard grey veins like circuit lines ran up to his chin and the former teacher's eyes were now a golden orange with a ring of scarlet around his pupil


"I was on my way to Freedom Hall to access some files on a case I'm working when I ran into Rycon, but I'm going to stick around until this supposed danger is sorted out,"

when he talks again it is clearly directed at Isiah only


"Do you have any idea if this supposed danger to Camelot is linked to Prometheus?"

At that Isiah turns away to stare out into space through a window that was likely only a high def. screen


"The Prometheus incident was isolated."

Red One almost shouts his response


"No it wasn't! Someone is stirring up anti-post-human sentiment and you're doing. . . "

Before Red One could finish his accusation Isiah turned pointed at him and cut him off


"Yes someone is! WE ARE! We're a private non-profit military corporation! Of course people would only accept us for a time! Get used to it because things will get worse before they get better, and I assure you Red One killing Prometheus for torching your team mate won't make anyone less afraid of us. The last bloody thing we need is for you to give them a martyr."

Red One's face seemed almost the colour of his suit


"HOW DARE YOU. . .!"

Again Isiah cut him off


"I dare because I'm the head of operations for a reason, including your operation. So long as I'm in charge squads of this league will think before they act!"

Red One squares up to Isiah so they're faces are only a foot or so apart, speaking through gritted teeth


"Then perhaps my squad needs to reconsider its membership in the League!"

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Robert opens his mouth then closes it a couple times as Faith babbles at him. He'd almost forgotten what a motor mouth she could be when she went at it.

His brows furrow when Faith mentions Night and that she was in bad shape. Assuming it was the same night... well, he wasn't sure what he could do with a vampire, but he could darn well try.

"After you... pardner"

He picks up his medical kit and runs after Faith.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

At first Ashley was rather worried of how her parents were doing. Considering how things in Freedom City are, "particularly grim" is generally considered VERY grim. However she learns a moment later that her parents are safe; new identities and all. Ashley gives a sigh of relief as she hears about it. "I'm so glad to hear that; neither of you have any idea..." With them safe, maybe Ashley might be able to see them again some day.

Ashley didn't have time to daydream however. Within moments Red One and Isiah started going at it over events and names she has never heard of before. Prometheus? Anti-post human sentiment? Torched teammate? With the conversation heating up quickly, Ashley realized she would need to ask such questions later. For now she needed to intercept this argument immediately.

"ENOUGH!" Ashley's voice cries with frustration as she stands up. Hopefully it is at least enough to get their attention. Even if she has respect for both adults, she doesn't hold resentments for when they need to be put straight. "Red One, Isiah has a point. You can't just take revenge for a fallen member without considering the consequences! If doing that only proves the murderer's ideals, your fallen comrade's death would have been in vain!" She looks to Isiah next, not letting him slide. "And Isiah, just because you have control of keeping people from acting does not mean that you can keep them on the sidelines until everything is present! Does it matter if the event is isolated? Information only goes so far; too much planning and nothing gets resolved until it's too late!"

Now Ashley begins chastising both. "And both of you know better than to argue at each other and risk this entire organization to fall apart! If either of you do not know what to do, find a midway compromise! Do both of you believe we resort to violence? Do we not pleasantly try to convince others that the villains and their ideals are wrong? Did you both forget that we prioritize the people over the villains? I don't care what personal issues haunt you both, but don't let it get in the way of doing what is right!"

With that, Ashley sits back down now out of breath. Her tone is now quieter but resolved; she is very satisfied with saying all that. Getting yelled at by the more wiser people when she was younger definitely knocked some sense into her mind. "...Now if both of you are finished arguing, please explain to me what the hell happened."

[Raynn]

Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

As Faith and Robert rush upwards towards the room where Night and the web of information was left they throw open the door to the room where night had been left and


*FERROOOSH*

Faith, and even Robert, are blasted to the ground by the force of the backdraft as they open the door to the now burning room. The room is so engulfed in flame that even taking a step inside means almost certain death.

Both Kismet and Professor Minotaur had seen natural fires before, even on a rare occassion saved people from burning buildings, but this was not a natural fire. Someone had used the distraction of Ragnarok to burn this room and it's contents as thoroughly as possible to the point that the whole empty apartment block was likely to burn to the ground. It was possible the pair reasoned in a moment of paranoia that this had been initial reason for Ragnarok's attack.

At that thought the sound of AEGIS choppers and trucks can be heard on approach to the building. Better late then never.

Anything else before a tiny time skip?


***

Initiative Order:
Sauros: Unharmed
Cerebrus Rex: Injured 3 <- You are here
The King: Unharmed?

Opposed Grapple Check: [roll0]

Cerebrus Rex Wins the grapple as on a tie during an opposed check the character with the highest modifier wins.


Jake Wallace & Len Cope’s Stories:
‘The King In The Skies’ & ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

As Sauros descends on the Saurian terrorist he is only barely forced off as Cerebrus Rex finds his footing on the edge of the castle. Suddenly above from a hole in time and space appears the King, returned to the skies of Camelot.

Cerebrus Rex realises he may be out gunned. . . possibly. . .

[Raynn]

Initiative Order:
Sauros: Unharmed
Cerebrus Rex: Injured 3
The King: Unharmed? <- You are here

All-Out Attack. +5/-5; Attack Len; Try to initiate Grapple, if Successful Throw Len at King as an improvised weapon to end Full Action. Villain Point for additional Move Action if the King fails his concentration check to sustain flight. Use this Move action for a teleport portal below the falling King, opening and closing as a free Action, that will teleport him below the island to fall towards the City.

Attack Roll On Sauros: [roll0]
Opposed Grapple Check: [roll1]
Attack Roll On The King: [roll2]
Assuming these three checks are a success The King and Sauros must both make DC 30 Toughness Saves, and Concentration checks for Sauros & the King to remain flying if they are stunned or worse.

On a fail they are falling, DC 25 Toughness save for Sauros from hitting the ground and the King will fall through the portal, only having to worry about the fall if he can't fly next round.



Jake Wallace & Len Cope’s Stories:
‘The King In The Skies’ & ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

After an attempted grapple Sauros pushes him away with effort. . .

Yeah, Yeah he's definitely out gunned. . .

At that Cerebrus does the smart thing, opening a portal and disappearing into before sealing it behind himself.


***

Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

When the awkward silence following Ashley's dressing down finally ends it is Isiah who explains the events


"Red One's team, including MetaSoul were investigating some Mutant disappearances around Riverside when MetaSoul disappeared. By the time we found him Prometheus had burned him to a crisp with pyrotechnics on a stage in Liberty Park. We still have no idea how they subdued an Alpha+ level mutate, let alone contained him long enough to kill him on stage. Witnesses haven't been much help either, even though there were hundreds at that anti-post-human rally,"

Isiah looks genuinely shamed, or perhaps hurt, at Rycon's outburst



"Do you need anything else before we find the others you were looking for? Any more questions?"

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley tries to keep her resolved look as Isiah explains the events surrounding this Prometheus. The moment he mentioned about how MetaSoul died, Ashley's face perks up in disbelief. She had heard of what happened at The Battle of Claremont. Some called it a massacre, others a display of other. Either way, it is something Ashley never wants to see in her life. Now suddenly, the being responsible for what happened is now dead by a hypocrite that hasn't been heard of before.

Ashley wanted to say something about it but she holds off. She is at a lack of breath from her outburst and whatever happened with MetaSoul is clearly being difficult for everyone to cope with, Ashley included. "...I don't have anything else to ask at this time. Once I reunite with my friends, I'm going to look into this event and this crime syndicate... But I'm going to try and keep out of sight of this Prometheus. I don't want to know how he can kill someone like MetaSoul by experiencing it myself. Disintegration was painful enough." Ashley shudders as she thinks back to how she was first killed. She brushes the image out of her mind as she stands up, ready to go find her former classmates. "You two keep yourselves alive as well. I get the feeling this is going to be a long week..."

[Raynn]

Canon Note: MetaSoul did his thing at The Battle of Claremont, not Event 84.


Ashley Culdis’ Story:
‘The girl who died’

Time passes as it tends too.

Isiah and Rycon chat when Isiah has a few spare moments when he can zip into the room where she waits for news. Sadly it is a few hours before he has anything new to add and when he does it is not something Ashley wanted to hear.

Robert and Faith were still essentially off the map. . .

And Camelot had indeed come under attack.

Isiah wasn't able to leave his station but he had at least put portals in place to safely deposit anyone who was knocked off the island during the chaos. . . or in their terror jumped off of Camelot.

Before Ashley could ask for help Red One, Green Lantern, Krag and Legacy were all nearby ready to make the jump with her. Right before they leapt through the portal


"Red Squad you have one mission, contain the threat. If any member of Camelot's upper echelons order you away you leave, no questions; we don't need an aid mission to turn into an international incident. Also we don't know who's attack so the four of you are on damage control only. I repeat damage control only. You enter combat only to protect and evacuate civilians.

Rycon, let's pretend for a moment your F.L.I. membership is something more than a technicallity, your mission is to rendevous with the King and his forces and to help him, as a personal friend and private citizen no way representing the F.L.I. Understood?"

With that the four heroes rushed ahead of Rycon scrambling into the live battlefield.

When Rycon leaped through her own portal she looked up to see the Green Lantern swoop in low overhead. She looked through the night sky to see the other four flying and leaping to the rescue of those caught in the destruction of what appeared to be robot dinosaurs attacking the floating city.

She looked forward to the end of the corridor in which she stood, beside a whole in the wall open to the night sky. Even in the dark she recognised them. . . Len? Jake?

Three out of five wasn't bad.

Roll your Initiative just in case.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley does her best to relax as she waits what seems to be an agonizing few hours. Knowing that her friends could be in danger while she stays here could not be more painful. When Isiah finally reported news, Ashley is set on venturing out. Robert and Faith's lack of notice did not mean as much as Camelot, and Jake and Len by extension, being in danger. She is all set to sortie with the rest of the group on arrival. She listens in carefully Isiah explains her orders. "Rendezvous with King Jake and provide him with assistance as a friend. Make no notice or hint that I am in association with the FLI. Avoid any uprise of an international issue that may come during this mission. Understood." She responds diligently and loyally as she hides her broken watch Red One gave her. One thing she has learned from Isiah is to take a look at the bigger picture... Well, usually. But she knows when to take a look beyond the personal view.

Rycon leaps through her portal quickly as she gets a bearing on her surroundings. This is her first time in Camelot; she'd need to learn the layout quickly. A quick view shows that she is right nearby her target; one is in the skies, the other on the ground... It's really Jake. Her younger classmate she knew five years ago now a royal king. His valiant and lifelong friend Len his loyal knight. Both of them seem to be doing fine but it is never natural for Rycon to leave them like that.

She blends in the night well as she quickly moves up to her old friends. Almost in talking range of Len, she notes a robotic dinosaur... thing, in the distance, preparing a laser blast straight at Jake. Immediately Rycon materializes her electric baselard and slices the robot through, falling on the ground like a heap of scrap metal and narrowly avoiding an unneeded injury to the King.

"Hail to the king, baby!" Rycon provides a smirk to her own face as she mentions the all-too-familiar line to the flying king.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

The long teleports are always difficult. Jumping from one place to another place miles away removes all sense of orientation and direction. Jake needed a moment to collect his bearings. And had Len not valiantly fought off Cerebrus Rex’s throw, Jake would most likely had fallen from the sky.

But because Len is a total champ, that didn’t happen.

Jake’s eyes traced the city until he found the place he was fighting Rex. He gripped Excalibur tightly and began to fly in that direction, thundering towards his alien foe only to have him disappear.

Jake halted in mid-air and shouted out to Len.

“Len! Head towards the areas of greatest resistance. Shadow’s behind this! Morgana, Rex—and Taurus himself! We need to end this now, before anyone else gets hurt.”

His voice carried far, strong, clear, and confident.

Jake sheathed Excalibur on his back.

At that moment, one of the robots was taking aim at Jake with a laser cannon before Ashley smote it with a surprise attack. Jake looked down at her when she called out the line. On any other day, he’d really appreciate that. But right now…

“Thanks, Ash. We don’t have time to catch up. Shadow is attacking Camelot. Taurus may be on his way personally. We need to get out there and save the people. Is there anyone else with you?”

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon focuses to the area of combat as Jake calls out to her. He really has grown, saving the comedy chat for later and taking his role seriously. Camelot has definitely been in good hands with these two. However Jake's news is the most uncomforting thing she has heard all day. SHADOW is back after being driven out. She, Jake, and Len have been targets already; no doubt Faith and Robert were also attacked... Ashley hopes that they are alright. Hearing that Taurus is coming here is the worst of it. Why would he come and assist SHADOW when he was at war with them previously?

Yet again, no time to ask why. Right now Camelot is in need of being rescued. "I haven't heard back from any of my other old classmates. It's just us and whoever from Freedom City that sees what is happening here." Like Isiah said, Rycon needs to keep her contacts and information hidden for now. She can hopefully explain what is happening later.

"Mi'lord, let me come with you. It's best to stick together; just like old times, right?" She winks as she confidently awaits the orders of the King.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Cerebrus was stronger then Len remembered. Or maybe fighting 100 zombies at once took something out of him, but he just barely fought off the saurian's throw.

And that was all he needed to do. Len watched as Cerebrus retreated through a portal, and shifted back into his human form. "Running away so soon Cerebrus? Come back and fight like a dinosaur!" he yelled at the empty space where his foe was standing moments ago.

He turned to see Jake floating through the air with the greatest of ease.

“Len! Head towards the areas of greatest resistance. Shadow’s behind this! Morgana, Rex—and Taurus himself! We need to end this now, before anyone else gets hurt.”

Len nodded. "Yes sir! You can count on me!" he says, wry grin on his face as he gives a salute. He is startled as one of the nearby dinobots explodes, and standing in its place is a familiar face.

"Ash!" he yells. "Glad to see a familiar face! Hope you're ready to smash some bad guys!" he yells, before shifting into his flying Terrorsaur form, flying to the area with the greatest fighting.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Something about Ashley just showing up on her own, mere minutes after the attack began, didn’t sit well with him. She was hiding something. He doubted that she was a traitor, though, so he accepted her offer to tag along.

“You’re a teleporter, but you don’t know these streets. Just follow our flight path visually and teleport where we stop. From where you’re at right now, you should have a good vantage point. When we’re there, protect the civilians. They are the top priority. Everything else can be rebuilt.”

Len grinned and gave the salute before he transformed into his Terrorsaur form. Jake nodded with a grin of his own and then shot off towards the heaviest fighting. “They never realized who they were messing with.”

The sight of Jake and Len flying into battle was one Ashley had seen before. But this time, it was far more impressive. Sure the two had been best friends in high school, but now they were well-trained, powerful warriors.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon looks up to the transformed Len. "Trust me Len, you two don't know how great it is to see you both again! Once we get this mess fixed, we need to catch up on everything that's happened since graduation!" She got the feeling Jake isn't buying her story easily. She always has been a terrible bluffer after all.

Watching the two ride into battle is an impressive sight. Like Ashley, they've become quite the warriors now. It means that she couldn't afford to let them show off if they wanted to see how much she has grown! Rycon quickly teleports where the field of battle awaited close by the King and his mighty steed. While they fly into combat, Ashley looks for any trapped survivors nearby. It'd be best to get them out of this area while the three heroes are around.

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis, Jake Wallace & Len Cope’s Stories:
‘The girl who died’, ‘The King In The Skies’ & ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’

United the trio arrive in the city center, surrounded by the machine dinosaurs and watching as heroes fill the night sky. Some who had travelled with Rycon, others who had come from the city below, seeing not a international incident waiting to happen but instead people who need the help of heroes.

As the King of Camelot, the Lightning Goddess Rycon and the Mighty Saurian Rex Sauros stand together taking on all comers the scene becomes the stuff of legend.

Robot Velociraptors clash with knights atop the parapets of half modern castles floating high of the bay that sparkles in the fire and moonlight.

Suddenly a weak and frail advisor, Merlin, races from a nearby tower towards the trio falling to his bloody knees at the King's feet, he has obviously taking a beating and used most of his energy to get to the King as fast as he could. Explosions, roars and gunfire force Merlin to have to shout to be heard even a foot from the King and his allies


"My King. . .ugh. . . You need to flee. . . take as many as you can. . . You need to flee . . . as far and as fast as you can . . you can't fight what is coming . . . Your friend Robert's father. . ."

At that Rycon speaks up


"We can defeat Taurus."

As Rycon speaks a shadow falls over the entire city as something seems to block out the moonlight, and Merlin's face drops


"It won't be enough."

The team looks up expecting to see something and only seeing stars. . . wait are those. . . lights? Then lights flick the darkness into light and an eagle behind one word can be seen in the night sky.

A.E.G.I.S.

The A.E.G.I.S. Helicarrier is floating over Camelot. It seems someone up there cares more about helping people than an international incident too.

In a series of waves A.E.G.I.S. Rapijets start deploying agents to and rescuing civilians from the chaos. One lands near the trio and Merlin and deposits a very particular package.

A minotaur in a tweed jacket and a blonde girl in a A.E.G.I.S. Agent jump suit. Kismet & Professor Minotaur.

Five out of Five, but we're not done just yet. . .


***


Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

Earlier that day. . .

Didn't take long for the A.E.G.I.S. back up to arrive after the fire started, and with the help of the local fire department they managed to stop the flames from reaching any of the other apartment blocks nearby. Thankfully no one else was hurt. . .

By the time Kismet got in to survey the scene whatever files about be about the wall had been obliterated. Nothing was left of the complex web of conspiracy that she had seen on her way in. And of Night. . . skeletal remains with a scorched coating that stank. It was one of the worse things she had ever seen.

Robert was obviously held for questioning but it became obvious it was a case of wrong place right time. In fact he was still with A.E.G.I.S. when the agents hiding amongst Camelot's populace reported the attack. Knowing Len & Jake were in danger and with A.E.G.I.S. not really caring enough to redirect resources to contain him or drop him off just yet it was easy for Kismet to swing it that a technical F.L.I. member, due to his Claremont education, be allowed accompany her to check out the attack.

A.E.G.I.S. forensic inform Agent Kismet that the Night's autopsy report will be ready in the morning. Even with the Helicarrier itself deployed A.E.G.I.S. still didn't seem to stop doing its job.

Kismet & Kid Minotaur loaded into the same Rapijet to be deployed. . .


***


Diego Torres:
‘The Sixth Ranger’

El Peregino, or Peregrine, was flying over Freedom City on a night that for all things seemed a little boring. Not being a member of the F.L.I. yet he didn't get the instant tip off to crimes or muggings which meant most days when he popped up for anything big someone from the F.L.I. had already swooped in. Which was okay since people still got the help they needed but it did get annoying after a while. . .

That night when the Peregrine flew in low over the bay he saw Camelot. . . and realised that he may have just encountered a situation that couldn't get enough heroes. . .

Portals opened around the base of the island to catch people falling and leaping off the island, mostly running in fear of what appeared to be robot velociraptors and tyrannosauros rexes. Above the city was what appeared to be a flying aircraft carrier marked with the A.E.G.I.S. symbol.

As the Peregrine flew in closer to see what he could do to help he came in over the city center where he saw a man who he'd been seeing on TV for weeks, King Jake Wallace of Camelot. Beside him was what looked like a lady scientist with a thing for electricity and a dinosaur, non-robot, creature. Near the trio was a hurt old man in a robe with a wooden cane, a blonde A.E.G.I.S. agent and a Minotaur in Tweed. . .?


***

Ashley Culdis, Jake Wallace, Len Cope’s Stories, Faith Winters & Robert Asterion’s Stories:
‘The girl who died’, ‘The King In The Skies’, ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’, ‘The Agent’ & ‘The Heir Apparent’

Now we have a party.

Agents agents fire off weapons alongside the outnumbered Knights. The robo-dinos seem almost without numbers and in the last few minutes they've gained unlikely allies. . . dead knights, agents & civilians have started to rise as zombies to aid the army psychotic robotics.

The team fights from the central position of city center, battling wave after wave of robot saurians and Zombies, sword wielding knight battling shoulder to shoulder with gun toting agent.

It is than that things truly get started. . .

All that is heard at first is the sound of distant thunder, few notice it over the explosions and Rycon's own lightning, but everyone sees what comes next.

The symbol of A.E.G.I.S. on the underside of the Helicarrier explodes into millions of shards as something shoots through the Helicarrier like it was barely even there. Smoke and debris fills the air long enough to give some part of the city's battle pause.

When our heroes look up into the sky they are shocked into silence by a being who had been dead before some of them were even born. . . except it's not that man, but someone much much worse. Something they realise only a moment later.

In the sudden quiet only one voice is heard, Merlin's


"I tried to tell you my King. . . ugh. . . but you didn't listen. . . it is his father! The child of Omega, his once weapon and right hand. . . ugh. . . his father, THE ALPHA CENTURION! "

Flowing down from behind the Alpha Centurion (http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs40/f/2009/028/c/c/Alpha_Centurion_from_FMW_by_D_MAC.jpg) to attack other parts of the city are the rest of the New Crime Syndicate, Baron Samedi, Morgana, Ragnarok, Blitz III and Cerebrus Rex. Soon they are scattered among the city streets and only the Alpha Centurion remains floating over the city Center.

When the Alpha Centurion finally speaks it is with a presence that is singular in menace, foreboding and grandeur


"You Know Who I Am.

Kneel. . . or Die."


Roll For Initiative
Alpha Centurion: [roll0]

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

The fighting is furious, but the three are prepared. They were part of the Claremont Knights once, so they know well how to work together. Jake shouted and slashed, felling enemy after enemy with his glorious blade, Sauros showed sheer physical might to rival the gods, and Rycon used a literal force of nature to carve swaths through the robot armies.

Heroes poured in from all over, coming to Camelot’s aid in its time of need. Jake was grateful, but his gratitude had to wait. There was work to be done.

Merlin arrived, bloodied from the earlier attack. Jake leaned down and helped Merlin up, shouldering him. The tidings were grave… He asked Jake to flee.

“Merle,” he said, calling the old wizard by the name he’d used at the summer camp those years ago, “The only way I’m leaving this island is if he kills me and throws my body into the Bay.”

He held Excalibur close to Merlin, and a golden light flooded over the wizard, healing his wounds.

“You go. Evacuate all non-combatants. As your King, I command it.” The last part was spoken to drive home the fact that Jake wasn’t leaving.

He looked up as everything was cast into shadow, to see… the AEGIS Helicarrier. Normally, he’d be livid… but the circumstances justified the breach of airspace. And what’s more…

“Robert! Faith!”

He gave a momentary smile, but his eyes did not match it.

“I hereby authorize all foreign forces to engage Camelot’s enemy on this day. Now… it’s legal.”

The fight resumed in earnest, but not for long. The Helicarrier was demolished, torn through like a sheet of paper at a football game. Merlin reveals the flaw in Jake’s understanding. Taurus was one thing… but him.

Jake’s eyes narrowed. He felt a sickness in his gut. That thing.

The King stepped forward and shouted out in his own clear voice.

“I am Jake Wallace, the Sworn Protector of this land! And I tell you this, now. If you want to seize this land… you’ll bleed for it.”

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

At first Rycon is a little worried. Even with the three of them, odds are much less than appreciative. Merlin's little rude speech does not help. Even after Rycon's confident words and the very useful backup, there is something off here... Wait, AEGIS? It took Rycon a moment for her to recognize the blonde hair female agent, but it is Faith. Not only alright, but an upstanding member of AEGIS.

...And that person

...Next to her

"...Robert!"

In an instant, Rycon moves up to hug the minotaur who she hasn't seen for five years. So long it has been and now the five are reunited. Her face sprouts tears of joy as she keeps herself from crumbling into gibberish. "Why... Did you... Come back now?" A moment later she comes to as she remembers the situation. "Wait... Sorry, I forgot we have a battle to win! Robert, Faith, let's fight just as we did in our Academy days!" Rycon looks rejuvenated by the appearance of her old classmates as she prepares to charge. An explanation for everything can wait, right?

Not long enough.

Moments later Rycon sees her foe in the distance that she fought earlier today. Many others were with her foe, a few of which she really wishes she hadn't seen before. The worst is Robert's other father, Alpha Centurion, not the original like everyone thought. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" This definitely looks bad, almost as bad as the time Rycon got killed. If any time is good to explain everything, it's already passed

"...Damn it, I wish I told you all earlier. She narrows her eyes on Alpha Centurion, undoubtedly terrified just by his appearance. Rycon felt very sick right now. It probably wouldn't have helped much, but she wishes that she had notified Clark somehow about everything.

Her legs stopped shaking as she sees Jake call out to the leader... She got the feeling on how this is going to end and there isn't much to do aside from resist as much as possible. She walks up beside Jake and calls out to Alpha Centurion as well.

"I'm not going to surrender and watch this world crumble. I'm pretty sure some of you agree as well. If you want my life forfeited, I refuse to go down again in anything but a blaze of glory!"

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope
Dino-Knight

The battle was hard fought. Block by block, street by street. Nothing was given easily. The AEGIS Helicarrier gave Len hope, more so when Robert and Faith added their might to the battle. He gave them a toothy grin as he renewed his efforts and tore into the enemy.

Things changed when the helicarrier was shredded. The new crime syndicate, led by Alpha Centurion. Things were taking a turn for the worse. Len saw Jake moving to make a stand.


“I am Jake Wallace, the Sworn Protector of this land! And I tell you this, now. If you want to seize this land… you’ll bleed for it.”

Len followed his best friend, and stood ready to fight. As if to punctuate King Jake's words, Len breathes deep and lets out a deafening roar.

This is it.

Len is still in Armored Rex form.
[roll0]

[Phase]

Diego Torres
"The Sixth Ranger"

Diego soared leisurely through the city skies, ducking between buildings and waving at pedestrians, friendly neighborhood falcon. "No worries, Dina." He chatters into his helmet's Skype app as he pulls out of a nosedive. "I can swing around to help you with your Lit paper. Things don't look too busy for me tonigh-" As he crests the buildings, he sees the lightshow that is Camelot and freezes. "Nevermind, amigo. Something just came up. Afraid I'm gonna have to take a rain check." He hangs up the call and adjusts his harness, before shooting past the rest of the city at half mach one.

He pulls up next to Camelot, scanning for what he could see to help with. He zoomed in on the individuals on the ground. A lightning user? An A.E.G.I.S. agent? An actual dinosaur? And who's that, is it- The King of Camelot himself?? Plus a Minotaur with highly questionable fashion sense to boot!

Okay, they looked harmless enough. Or, well, harmful, but on the side of the angels. There's an A.E.G.I.S. helicarrier, and hordes of... robotic dinosaurs. And zombies. Robodinosaurs and zombies. Diego hovers there for a moment, mouth hanging open, before "That is so..."

"...Buenisimo!" He pumps his fist in the air. "Robot dinosaurs on a flying castle! This is so totally awe-" He hears a crash as a man pounds through the A.E.G.I.S. ship, lighting the scene in fire. "Oh. Mierda. Not the only one keen on crashing the party."

The Peregrine dives down towards the fighting at his full speed, allowing his headboard computer to scan its files for any information on Alpha Centurion.

Initiative: [roll0]
Well-Informed Check: [roll1]

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Robert Asterion leaps from the rapijet and... lands on a robotic stegosaur that was lurking near a few familiar faces.

*boom!*

"Hey Jake. Len. Ash..."

He picks up a the metallic thagomizer and uses it to swing at a velociraptor

"-ley"

It was amazing to see how they'd grown. A king, a knight, the goddess of lightning... but catching up would have to wait. Business now.

Together they fought, tooth and nail, to hold the line. Alongside heroes of the Freedom League, aside knights of Camelot, aside agents of AEGIS. In another age, poets and bards would have sung the praises of this battle.

It was all coming back. Few words exchanged between the five friends as they fought, but they fought together like they had never been apart. A concert of fists and steel, claws and lightning. There was hope here and then...

He arrived. The Alpha Centurion. With the Crime Syndicate in toe.

Robert curled his fists once again. His father... the Alpha Centurion? He shook his head. No time for speculation now.

He watched as his friends yelled words of defiance, roared ready. But he knew... any one of the Crime Syndicate would be a battle hard fought. And together... they would destroy the city, even if the Alpha Centurion could be survived. The ranks of the undead and the machine were unlimited, their leaders spreading chaos and destruction... the city was lost.

The minotaur looked to Jake.

But Camelot is not

He grabs the King by the shoulder.

Jake. Listen to me. This city is going to fall. Don't argue. It is. Let's say we somehow survive the Alpha Centurion, you've got the Crime Syndicate and endless zombies and dinosaurs pouring in. One way or another, this floating rock is coming down.

But Kingdom of Camelot is more than a castle in the sky. The Kingdom lives in every knight fighting for king and country. The Kingdom lives in every refugee, every expat, every person who was brought to this island of dreams. And, most of all, it lives in you, King Jake. For it was your vision that brought all these people together, your will that keeps the Kingdom afloat, and your dream that drives them forward.

So, call a retreat. Get out of here and bring as many as you can with you. This city will fall, the kingdom might live. Your people need a leader to lead them, not a martyr to die senselessly here. The world needs Camelot and Camelot needs you, Jake Wallace.

[roll0]

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Robert made a touching speech. And Jake appreciated why Robert was doing it. His friend’s sentiment was touching. But it ran counter to everything Jake felt in his heart. His honor demanded more than flight. His brown eyes shone brightly, even though he knew full and well that by staying, he would most likely die.

“Robert, thank you… but I can’t. I won’t.”

Without any gestures, he continued, “Look around you. The people have not evacuated yet. My knights and my police forces are still out on the streets trying to stave off this attack. And I’ll be damned if I save myself and leave them to die.”

He turned from Robert, once more facing Alpha Centurion. More likely, facing his own death personified. Maybe Morgana was right. Maybe it was always leading up to this. If so, he’d meet it with his head high.

“This isn’t your fight,” he said, referring to Robert, Faith, and Ashley. “You can go. But let it never be uttered that the King was not willing to die for his people. Let it never be said that I abandoned them in their darkest hour.”

A moment of silence.

“Tonight, I save them or die trying.”

[Raynn]

Just waiting on ChronicLunacy to post than I will. :smallsmile:

Also Well Informed Check result:
DC 10 The “Alpha-Centurion” was a duplicate of the Centurion who posed as the dead hero and fought the Freedom League twenty years ago.

DC 15 The Alpha-Centurion was never captured or brought to trial and is not held in any known prison. He seems to be one of the many villains the Freedom League has “taken care of” on their own. The authorities choose to take their word for it.

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters

"They killed Night. Shot her, stabbed her, beat her, and then burned her alive. You saw her scorched bones, Cowboy." Faith spoke up. She had the head of one of the roboraptors under one arm and was carrying it casually as one might a basketball. She let it drop down to her knee, where she bounced it back up, spun on her other heel, and kicked it into the face of a zombie that had been shambling toward them.

When the helicarrier had arrived and the rapijet deposited them in the battle, Faith had slid into it effortlessly in a counterpoint to the way Robert had started to smash his way through. She flitted underneath tails and sweeping arms, flipped over snapping jaws and under lunging zombie arms like some sort of choreographed dance. As she passed, her arms flashed out, slicing hamstrings and burying throne daggers into eyeballs. The enemies she avoided stumbled into each other, T-Rexes taking out their own zombie allies and roboraptors jumping off of the side of the floating island trying to tackle her.

Then the Alpha Centurion came and her AEGIS coworkers died by the score as the helicarrier was damaged, possibly destroyed. The Alpha Centurion and the new Crime Syndicate joined the battle, throwing the outcome into question.

"There is absolutely NO WAY they are getting away with all of...this!" she threw her hands up. "Let's go kick their asses!" she urged in response to Robert and Jake. "By the way, nice to see you guys again..." she shook her head ruefully.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, The Heir Apparent

"And we're not going to!" Robert snapped back desperately "A strategic retreat is not the end. And we can't do anything if we..."

He looks around at all his friends. Grim, determined, ready to...

"die."

He shakes his head. There would be no convincing them to stop this, not in time for anything, anyway. He turns to face the Alpha Centurion.

" And I thought I was bullheaded" he says with sigh.

His mind races, trying desperately to figure out a way to keep them all alive.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Though she was determined before, Robert's speech made Rycon think twice on the situation at hand. "Robert..." Her voice is clearly filled with worry, hesitant on what to really do. "Jake has a point, if we leave now, we leave the lives of thousands of Camelot's citizens to their death. If we fight, we can stall these villains long enough to save many from these horrors; hundreds, maybe even thousands... But then our deaths are guaranteed and... Damn it!"

Ashley stomps the ground in anger. "I... If there was another way we all could escape without sacrificing all these civilians, I'd take it without a second thought. But I don't know a way we can do that. She looks at Jake and Len with sorrow and hurt eyes. "...My only other plan is that you, me, and Faith leave to rescue who we can and get out, consigning The King and his faithful knight to their deaths..."

Ashley looks at Robert, seeking his opinion in desperation. "I don't like that plan at all, but it's the way I know of. Jake and Len can hold them off better than we three can and at least more lives will be saved... But I can't do it unless you agree... And I'd like Faith's opinion too. Unless either of you have another plan." Ashley had a feeling that Faith will not have any other way than Jake's way. The agent seems so riled up over Night's death... And Ashley is horrified of what happened. Burned to nothing but scorched bones? That isn't natural fire at all. That's... Almost like what happened with MetaSoul...

Oh no...

[Raynn]

Tactical Advice from the wonders of Robert's head:
Run.
Wait we're not doing that?
Run FASTER?
Seriously? Okay, give me a minute. . .
No time to build anything without a distraction, no known weaknesses, and he's faster and stronger than all our allies. . . Run?
Still a no. . .
Well in theory getting rid of him could work? Teleport maybe? But Rycon's powers require a medium and there are none that connect the island to the main land.
Hmmm. . .
If only Kismet had access to any of old absorbed powers this would be over in a second.
The team could try a combined attack in an effort to overcome his near invulnerability or an effort to goad him into a chase to draw him away from the city, but even then he'd catch up to anyone of them in a second. . .

Without Rycon's teleport even fleeing means the team is likely to be run down like dogs.

[Raynn]

Character |Initiative |Place in the Order
Alpha Centurion |19 |1st
Kismet |22 |2nd
The Peregrine |20 |3rd
Sauros |12 |4th
Professor Minotaur |10 |5th
The King of Camelot |9 |6th
Rycon |4 |7th


Ashley Culdis, Jake Wallace, Len Cope’s Stories, Faith Winters, Robert Asterion & Diego Torres' Stories:
‘The girl who died’, ‘The King In The Skies’, ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’, ‘The Agent’,‘The Heir Apparent’ & ‘The Sixth Ranger’

In the face of the end, in the face of power unstoppable, the six were finely united, on one battlefield, on one night, on one world.


"Then So Be It."

The Alpha Centurion surges forward towards the King of Camelot and his allies as he raises Excalibur, out of the corner of his eye he sees a girl in a night dress stumble through the wreckage with ochre and scarlet eyes and ivory hair amidst the chaos of battle. She seems terrified, of the battle and for Jake!


"KNEEL!."

Attack Roll: [roll0] Vs. Flat-Footed Jake Wallace.

All Out Attack +5/-5
Power Attack +5/-5

On a hit DC 40 Toughnees Save for Jake.

Jake's flat-footed so it should still be a Hit.

Edit: Forgot to mention the +14 includes +2 from charging.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake knew it was coming. For some reasons, the big guys all like to try and shut him up. Jake had not drawn Excalibur again (important), but his stance was defensive, ready to receive the incoming blow. As Centurion came rocketing towards the young King, he let out a battle cry.

There was a deafening shockwave as the god-like might of Alpha met the protective magics of the Scabbard of Excalibur.

Jake was hammered down by the blow. The ground beneath him caved in, and the island itself shook beneath the might.

When the dust had cleared, and dusty it was, Jake was still there, looking up at his hated foe with a fierce look in his eyes.

“You’re not Zod.”

Jake quickly drew Excalibur from its sheath, letting loose that blinding light in a desperate effort to hinder Alpha.

Once it was free, however, Jake called out.

“As the rightful King of Camelot, Protector of its lands and peoples, I call upon the oaths of every knight of the Realm to ever draw breath. Rise from your slumber, brave warriors! Heed the call and rescue your people!”

Excalibur glowed bright. And it grew brighter, and brighter, and brighter. The light itself called men back from the dead. Brave men. Men of honor and valor. Suddenly, surrounding Alpha (and dispersed throughout the city) were ten thousand spectral knights, all shouting in unison:

“FOR THE CROWN!”

HP from CL to cancel stun. Taking a fatigue and doing a full round action to power stunt: Independent, Total-Fade Summon Horde 6; Flaw: Action (full round); PF: Slow Fade (2), Progression 12

Part of them will evacuate people. Part of them will fight the Syndicate. And at least one to two thousand of them will aid us against Alpha. (Using aid actions on our defenses and attacks). The ghosts are selectively insubstantial, so while they cannot typically be attacked, they can attack and affect corporeal creatures.

EDIT: Also, free action to draw. Two reflex saves for Alpha. DC 20 ; then 20/15. He's blinded if he fails the second.

[Raynn]

To not make that insanely broken the army gives a blanket +2 to everyone's attack, defence, Toughness Saves & Toughness Damage.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

"Oh my scrolls and mazes..."

The Professor Minotaur looks up in astonishment as spectral knights of every era and age ascended into the sky and scattered throughout the city, swirling around howling their defiance.

He looks at Jake, standing in a smoking crater, sword stretched out. For the Crown indeed.

The minotaur's eyes narrow, his nostrils flare, his veins bulge. The Professor was gone. The angry bull remained.

He charges.

Spending a Hero Point to grab and activate Rage.

Rolling Full Power Attack and charging. With the additional +2 to attack from the ghosts, that's a +8 attack.

[roll0] - DC 35 toughness

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent
Defense: 22
Condition: Unharmed
H/L Points: 2/6

"We have to attack him together! For Freedom and Camelot!" Faith yelled over the din, calling for all of her former classmates to join Jake on the proverbial charge. For her part, Faith's eyes and hands glowed blue momentarily as she wrenched the forces of Probability into new and destructive patterns around the Alpha Centurion. At that moment, something that had been damaged during the fighting, some arcane device underneath the street responsible for any manner of city services, decided to go supernova. A geiser of magical flame erupted upwards through the stone right at the Centurion's feet and poured upwards over him, seeking to fuel itself with his flesh.

Calling for a combo-attack, using whoever does the most damage as the base. I don't know if this counts as the first round of the fight or not, so I don't know whether to consider Alpha Centurion flat-footed or not. I just hope his Defense sucks. :smallredface:
Power Attacking for 3. Ranged Penetrating Damage 13 (Subtle 2)
Attack: [roll0] (Forgot the +2, so that's a 19.)

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Rycon watches as Alpha Centurion comes down on Jake like a supersonic bulldozer against a wooden wall. It's hardly the first time this has happened, it's goes all the way back to the concert where they fought Ragnarok as academy students. It's never a pretty sight to see either way and Rycon winces at the sight of it.

Unlike those times however, she sees that Jake has learned how to get up after being smacked around. With his amazing rallying cry, Rycon looks in wonder as the spectral spirits and ghost rise at the King's command. Suddenly things don't seem to bleak.

Resolution once again in her heart, Rycon charges with her minotaur friend at Alpha Centurion. He went all out on Jake and now the consequences are coming to him. With her electric baselard-like blade, Rycon goes to greatly thrusts it into the clone and drives it out in an upward motion.

The time to dread is over, now they shall turn the tides against the syndicate!

Strike 12; Charging, All-Out Attack +5/-5 Power Attack +5/-5.

[roll0] DC 34 + Autofire 1 Toughness

EDIT: If the book is right about AC's defense being only 10 (NOT +10) then This should do a total DC 43 or 44 Toughness :smallbiggrin:

[Phase]

Diego Torres
"The Sixth Ranger"

As the Claremonters below assault Alpha head on with blasts and beatings galore, The Peregrine swoops in silently from behind. "Nice night for a big-ass brawl, huh jefe?" He crosses his arms and hovers good distance behind the villain, head cocked with a smirk plastered across his face. "Moon's got things good and bright." He turns in mid-air, looking up past the descending wreckage of the Helicarrier. He leans backwards to face Alpha upside-down, advanced technologies keeping him aloft even when horizontal. A grin crosses his face.

"Glad something around here's bright, cause you're a bit of a dim bulb, jefe! Attacking a bunch of supers like this?" He puts on a fake pout, shaking his head as he rotates to be right side up again. "Eres estúpido, jefe." He lets out a laugh and sticks out his tongue.

Taunting to demoralize. Rolling Bluff for DC to save against or be Shaken for a round. [roll0]

[Raynn]

The King of Camelot:
Reflex Save vs. DC 20: [roll0]
Reflex Save vs. DC 20/15: [roll1]


Alpha Centurion is Blinded

Professor Minotaur:
Toughness Save vs. DC 35: [roll2]

Kismet:
Toughness Save vs. DC 30: [roll3]

Rycon:
That's clearly a typo. :smalltongue: Nice try though. Also Autofire 1 has a max bonus of +5 for beating the save by 10.

Toughness Save vs. DC 39: [roll4]

Alpha Centurion is Blinded, Shaken, Stunned, Bruised 2 & Staggered.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len stood amazed by the spectral army for a moment - but that passed quickly. This was Jake we were talking about here, it seems he always had an ace up his sleeve.

Now is the time.

Len charged in with everyone else. It was now or never - they had the Alpha Centurion on his heels for a moment. Len knew he must capitalize on this opening.

So he did what he did best - try and bite the bad guy.

Hard.


alright, full all out attack, power attack +5/-5 shenanigans, and ghost army.

[roll0] DC 34 toughness save
if attack is successful, using Improved Grab to start a grapple
[roll1]

[Raynn]

Toughness Save vs. DC 34: [roll0]
Opposed Grapple Check: [roll1]

Hero Point to Len to avoid defeat by dogpile.
Reroll in OoC thread.

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis, Jake Wallace, Len Cope’s Stories, Faith Winters, Robert Asterion & Diego Torres' Stories:
‘The girl who died’, ‘The King In The Skies’, ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’, ‘The Agent’,‘The Heir Apparent’ & ‘The Sixth Ranger’


"AAAAAGGGGGHHHH!."

The Alpha Centurion tenses as he clutches in eyes in pain, burned by the purity of Excalibur's light.

He falls to his kneels and looks up through smoking eyes


"King You Will Pay . . . !."

He is cut off by Kismet's flame pillar catching him mid sentence


"AAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH!."

he lands with a thud on his chest slamming his fist into the ground with a thud before getting to his feet with a groan. He looks up and sees a minotaur barrelling into him


"DAMMMMNNNNIIIITTTTT!"

The Alpha Centurion is cut off as Professor Minotaur tackles him, knocking him flying twenty five yards, thudding and bouncing off the ground till he finds his feet again, grinding his soles into the dirt. It's at that point that the Peregrine begins to buzz around the Alpha Centurion


"Leave Me Alone You Bloody Insect! Damn You Cretin!"

It is during this distraction that Alpha Centurion is gripped suddenly in the teeth of a giant dinosaur. For a moment he seems trapped but unharmed before forcing the jaws open in a burst with ease


"ENOUGH!"

The Alpha Centurion is no longer cold and distant and is now furious


"I AM A GOD COMPARED TO YOU PATHETIC CREATURES! AND IT IS TIME YOU LEARNED YOUR PLACE!"

At that he looks down at the electric dagger in his chest


"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

He collapses, smoking, his costume marked with holes and burns, his cape in tatters. Again he rises.


"KING! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR CRONIES!"

In a fury he reaches for Sauros' tail. . .

Reflex Reroll :[roll0] +10 due to Improved Roll
Reflex Reroll :[roll1] Vs. DC 15
Alpha Centurion is now Shaken and Bruised 2, 2 Hero Points to Jake, 1 to Rycon.

[Raynn]

Attack Roll (To Grab Sauros' Tail): [roll0]
All Out Attack +5/-5
Hero Point to Sauros to gain Improved Grab Feat for the round.
On a Success DC 35 Toughness Save for Sauros.
Opposed Grapple Check: [roll1]
Throw @ Professor Minotaur.
Attack Roll (To Throw Sauros @ Professor Minotaur): [roll2] Reroll = 31
On a Success DC 35 Toughness Save for Sauros & Professor Minotaur.
Hero Point to Rycon for additional Standard Action.
Attack Roll (To Grab Rycon's Neck): [roll3] Reroll = 31
On a Success two DC 35 Toughness Saves for Rycon.

Edit: Rerolls, oh yes those, in the OoC thread.

Edit: Sauros & Professor Minotaur, don't forget Knockback!


"Lizard Beast It is Time You Did Something Useful! By Acting As A Blunt Object! CATCH MINOTAUR!"

The Alpha Centurion grips Sauros' tail and flings him like an oversized reptilian ragdoll towards Professor Minotaur.

The Alpha Centurion then swings his right arm in a single motion and grabs Rycon by the throat, with an explosive shockwave he slams her into the ground leaving a crater around both of them as he releases her.

He stands up straight. Staring down the King.


"Have you brought any other loved ones to die for you. Perhaps that white haired girl crying your name a hundred foot to your left."

He smiles despite his injuries


"Is It Still A Good Day To Die King? Knowing Everyone You Love Will Die With You, With Your Name Whispered On Their Lips."

He opens up his hands


"Watch Your City Burn King! Watch Your Lovers Weep! Your Brothers Bleed! Your Allies Perish! Watch And Be In Awe!

Watch Knowing, Forever, Even If You Stop Me, How Many Lives A Bended Knee Might Have Saved.

Watch, Knowing What Your Pride Has Wrought!

Watch King, And Weep For Them!"

At that, at center of the blood and the chaos, amongst the dying screams of armies in the tens of thousands, amidst untold screaming innocents, he laughs and laughs and laughs. . .

Evil.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake’s fury boils to a head as the dark Centurion makes short work of three of his friends. He tries to taunt Jake. He tries to make Jake feel fear. That’s not something you can do to the King.

“Talk all the s*** you want. I told you that you would bleed for this. And I see red trickling down your chest.”

He pointed his free hand at Alpha Centurion.

“I’m not in awe of you. You’re pathetic. An honorless fool who never earned anything in his life. You act as though you’re the most fearsome thing in existence. But you’re not. You’re just a bootleg copy of someone great.”

Jake stands up straighter, his adrenaline warding off how tired he was getting.

“And I’m going to end you.”

Jake lifts up off the ground, flying forwards at a low angle with his sword lowered. As he flies by he slashes upwards in a powerful, lethal arc. Even if no one is left to fight, Jake will keep going until he’s dead. No matter how loudly Hope cried out for his safety, that just wasn’t the man Jake Wallace chose to be.

HP to cure fatigue. Then he flies at Centurion and attacks him. Full power attack. Full all-out attack.

[roll0] DC 32 No-Save damage.

EDIT: I rerolled with a HP on that attack. Hit a 26.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope
Bruised

Len feels himself lifted off the ground, and is quite surprised at the strength of the Alpha Centurion. The true realization at how bad things are hit him at about the same time he felt himself hit Robert. Len groggily brings himself to his feet, and takes a look around.

Just a few seconds ago, it looked like they could win. Now Jake was again making his stand - and he looked to be doing it alone.

There was no way Len was going to let that happen, not while he still drew breath.

ROAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summoning whatever last bits of strength he has left, Len began running toward Alpha Centurion. Breathing heavily, wisps of flame began to appear, flowing between the giant dinosaur's teeth. As soon as Jake attacks, Len tries to clamp his jaws down on the Alpha Centurion and burn him to ashes at the same time.

ok, so HP to buy off stun, then extra effort to stand up from prone, move action to get over to AC, then all out attack power attack +5/-5 (EDIT: ok so since I used HP to buy off stun, no knockback which means no need to stand up from prone)

[roll0] DC 34 toughness save
gonna HP that roll, see OOC

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
Defense: 22
Condition: Unharmed
H/L Points: 2/6

Knowing that to stop and gawk at any damage the Alpha Centurion did would only give him more of an advantage, Faith fell back into her AEGIS training and just kept hitting him from as many angles and dimensions as possible. If she could trip him up or stun him she could make it easier for Jake or one of the others to land a telling blow. Throw the forces of luck entirely against someone and they're going to have a bad day, even someone as powerful as the being they were fighting.

She wished for once that she was still Jennifer Jones, still had that reality-breaking power she'd experienced back at that year in Claremont. Then she could show the Alpha Centurion what a god really looked like. Sure, he was strong, but compared to Jennifer he was a bug on the windshield. But Jennifer, or Winter, or whatever she was calling herself now...that was a different person thousands of light years away. Faith was on her own.

She didn't advertise this, but sometimes she could see the lines of probability, the patterns of fate, around a person when she used her powers. Tug just right, knot a few lines, break or redirect these forces and terrible things could happen. Faith used all her skill to make sure she found those outcomes for Alpha Centurion, gritting her teeth to make it hurt as much as possible. She gave off a small grunt of effort and yanked her hand down, literally yanking those forces in the direction she wanted them to go.

"Hey..." she called out to her enemy through gritted teeth, "****head! Ever wonder what a roach feels like before you step on it? Well you're about to find out!!"

That's when a falling piece of the helicarrier fell on him. And by "piece" it was probably better to say "jagged, burning with plasma fires, hundred-ton spear of metal wreckage."

Power Attacking for 5. Combo-attack with Len and Jake, using whoever is doing the highest damage (Probably ME) as the base.
Penetrating Damage 15 (Subtle 2): [roll0]
CRITICAL HIT! +5 to Damage DC!

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion

This was it, isn't it

It felt like every bone in his body was tearing at that moment, like every muscle was screaming sore, like his body itself was yelling at him to give up and stay down. He could feel his mind begin to fade and wander... he wouldn't be up for every long. Time to sleep...

But then out of the corner of his eye...

"ASHLEY!"

Still had work to do.

Robert drags himself over to the queen of lightning, his medical kit ready...

Hero point to remove stun. Robert is currently disabled and staggered.

Move action to move over to Ashley.

[Phase]

Diego Torres
The Sixth Ranger

Diego gazes around the area, on the lookout for those in need of assistance or external dangers in need of pummeling. He looks down at the smoking crater where Alpha stood. "Big cabron took one hell of a beating, huh?" He says jovially in the general direction of the others, apparently assuming Alpha down for good. He floats over closer to Ashley and Robert. "Say, she gonna be alright, tauro?" He looks down at Ashley's barely conscious form, rubbing the back of his neck.

[Raynn]

Toughness Save vs. DC 32: [roll0] Reroll: 38
Toughness Save vs. DC 34: [roll1]
Toughness Save vs. DC 35: [roll2]

OoC: Hero Point to Jake to reroll first Save.

Hero Point: to Kismet to remove Stun.

Alpha Centurion is now Bruised 5.


"AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH."

As Jake lunges in flight his blade come up in an arc and crimson flies up into the air. As the King takes a step back he sees a ling red line running down along the Alpha Centurion's face


"How Dare You Mark Me You Ignorant Little Child! I Will TEAR YOU IN HALF!"

At the distraction of being insanely pissed off at our good monarch the dinosaur hero of Camelot clamps down his flaming jars on the monstrous brute. He roars as he rips himself free of Sauros but the damage is most definitely done!

Cast aside, the wreckage descending from the helicarrier crushes him for an instant before he throws it to the side, barely, covered in the blood of himself and others and pock-marked with bruises and cuts.


"GOD DAMN IT WHY WON'T YOU B******* DIE!"

With that he Slams his hands together and the world explodes.

Hero Point to Jake (Picked at Random)

Power Stunt Shockwave off of Super Strength.

DC 35 Toughness Save for EVERYONE, as you're all within the cone, DC 30 Reflex save to half the damage to DC 25 Toughness Save.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake and Len keep Alpha Centurion in melee, harassing him with fang and steel while Faith twists the very fabric of reality in an effort to put this monster down. But Jake knows what’s coming when AC spreads his arms wide. Jake grits his teeth and stabs his sword into the ground, holding on for dear life when the shockwave booms and erupts.

It buffets him, but he’s able to hang on. A phalanx of spectral knights draws down to his aid as well, forming a shield wall to take off the brunt of the assault. It results in Jake having a head-ache… but still being ready to fight.

He doesn’t expect to win this. Or even to live. But he hopes he can take Alpha down with him.

Jake wastes no time making speeches. The warrior in him has taken over. He uses one of his signature moves, flying directly up as he slashes with all his might, hoping that he carves Alpha down the middle.

Full all-out/power attack. [roll0] DC 32 no-save damage if successful.

[Raynn]

Toughness Save: [roll0] vs. DC 32

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

As soon as he reaches the crescendo of his rocket upward, he takes his blood-coated blade and then slashes downward, letting out a battle cry as he gave it everything he possibly had.

Years ago he didn't know he had this in him. But he does. Perhaps he always did.

Hero point to surge. Same attack! [roll0] DC 32 no-save damage. Let's have at it!

EDIT: CRITICAL HIT! DC 37

[Raynn]

Toughness Roll vs. DC 37:[roll0]

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

"That's what I'm about to find ou-"

Robert moves as quickly as he can to shield Ashley from the blast. He can feel every inch of his body vibrate from the shockwave, the blast reverberating through every muscle and bone. On another day, it might have left a dead bull. On another day it might have flown him a mile away.

But today Ashley needed him.

He grits his teeth and once the shockwave is gone, he moves his hands quickly and precisely. The entire body is shaking, from pain, from exhaustion, from anxiety... but not the hands. They had to be steady.

Extra effort to be able to do a full round action.

[roll0] - DC 15 to revive Ashley from unconsciousness

"I'm sorry... I took so long... to come back...

He falls over. Just as Ashley's eyes begin to flitter open..

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis, Jake Wallace, Len Cope’s Stories, Faith Winters, Robert Asterion & Diego Torres' Stories:
‘The girl who died’, ‘The King In The Skies’, ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’, ‘The Agent’,‘The Heir Apparent’ & ‘The Sixth Ranger’

Boom.

As the King collides with the monster who had been he and his allies greatest challenge in years the shockwave is enough to force the Alpha Centurion to go flying backwards.

He stands, stuck within a crater he'd created in the castle wall he had been knocked into. He is bloody, wounded and not far from death. He spits blood on the ground of Camelot


"I've. . . ugh. . . got to admit King. I underestimated you, but it . . . uhh. . . doesn't matter if you kill me. Doesn't matter how many time you save your precious city... ugh. . . the Supreme was willing to release me just to bring you down. That means he won't stop. . . ugh. . . the Supreme won't ever stop . . "

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

This was a mistake; a complete disaster. Rycon was just supposed to help her friends take down an invasion. What happened is that she and her friends met Robert's other father and after a moment of hope, they are suddenly crushed. It all happened too fast, one moment Alpha Centurion is being bitten by Len; next moment Rycon finds herself in the middle of a crater. Even thinking about trying to move is killing her mind. She blacks out over it all. The pain is... Familiar; the physical pain is all too familiar. She has experienced this before. In the blackness, she subconsciously begins imagining a figure in front of her. He was the one that caused such familiar pain before.

It is blurry, but the figure slowly comes clear... That face; that hair; that smug, angry looks of a man who Ashley has been a thorn in his side for so long and disintegrated her in revenge... Mike... Timelock. His image becomes almost clear now. A moment later he fizzles out like the rippling waves of the water. Another image takes his place. Even when the image is fuzzy, Rycon recognized it immediately.

A moment later, she could see the Queen of Blood vilely grinning at Rycon. In Ellen's left hand she raises up a dead and bloodied body; a body all too familiar. The image made Rycon think back to what happened; the nightmares that came from back then have not gone away yet. Rycon did not want to revisit the Underworld where those she knew and have died exists. To head back there would be a horrifying experience. And yet... It looks like she will be...

A different, familiar voice seeps out in the distance as the image disappears. A few moments later, Ashley hears the sounds of the present as she wakes up. Her body is still in serious condition but at least her life is still her own. Opening her eyes, Ashley could see the carnage of it all. Yet... She could see Jake and Faith standing, a badly injured Alpha Centurion smashed against the walls. Len is knocked out, a hero Ashley doesn't know next to her, and Robert... Robert...?

...Robert lay unconscious next to Ashley, an open medical kit close by. Looking at herself, she sees that the minotaur treated her wounds. Doing her best, she gets on her knees and moves over to check for a heartbeat.

Thank god he still has one.

"Robert... Damn it. I Screwed up." Rycon struggles to even move her mouth under her pain and injuries as she whispers to her unconscious friend. "Thank you for coming back..." She looks at the new hero. "Hurry up out of here," she says in as demanding a tone as she can get in this condition. "I appreciate your assistance, but get out of here before you go too far down this rabbit hole." She didn't expect Peregrine to listen, but she would try nonetheless.

Ashley struggles to stand up, looking at the injured villain on the castle walls. "The Supreme?! You refer to..." She hesitates as to not hack up blood from her mouth. Her guess here is a huge blind leap, but she had the feeling she was right. Even if she only heard of his name once, she bets that once and it's single connection is all she needs to say.

"...Prometheus?!"

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters

Faith lurked off to the side just slightly, her hand on her ear, subvocalizing into the pickup taped to her throat that she'd switched to on the way over. Even someone with super-hearing would have a hard time as she asked a simple question, "Sir, I have an opportunity. Seeking kill order." while looking straight on at the Alpha Centurion. Her powers were primed, ready to go, and ready to finish this. They had one shot to remove this threat forever, and every ounce of her training said do it.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Even defeated, Alpha continued to monologue. He had a higher master, Supreme. Apparently this person or being was the head of the New Crime Syndicate. They had shown that they were less like organized crime, and more like a sweeping force of evil. Pure evil. They had sullied Camelot, killed its citizens. They had made good people suffer.

Jake advanced towards Alpha as he spoke, walking with calm steps towards the most powerful foe he’d ever faced. Excalibur nearly pulsed in his grasp, an extension of the righteous fury that dwelled within the heart of the King.

He said that the Supreme would keep coming. That he’d attack over and over again. That he’d never stop.

As Jake stood before Alpha Centurion, he looked his enemy right in the eye.

“Neither will I.”

He then raised Excalibur and struck down on the Alpha Centurion. Jake intended to kill him, and end this darkness once and for all.

The slash strikes Alpha, the legendary blade cleaving through his torso at a diagonal angle. It staggers the villain enough to Jake to thrust Excalibur directly through his chest, to pierce the villain through the heart.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, The Heir Apparent

Meanwhile! Robert remains unconscious.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len felt his teeth sink into Alpha Centurion, conjuring burning dragonflame into the wounds. Somehow, after all the damage they had done, Alpha Centurion wasn't finished.

The shockwave is enough to lift Len off his feet, and the energy sends tremors though his body, rattling his bones. He tries to stand up but finds his body won't listen.

STAND UP

He sees Jake standing face to face with Alpha Centurion again.

Stand up

Jake moves for the attack, putting everything he could into his attack.

stand up...

Len's vision goes dark, and the last thing he sees is Excalibur drawing blood.

[Phase]

Diego Torres
"The Sixth Ranger"

The shockwave erupts across the battlefield, but in the nick of time, everyone's favorite falcon ducks behind a piece of shrapnel, blocking himself from any harm. As the dust clears, Peregrine ignores Ashley's plea to flee, eyes going wide at seeing her conscious. "Chicka! You're awake! El Tauro ain't looking so bueno though..." He swoops in low over the two injured heroes. "Looks like cabron's got a bit of an anger management issue, si? I hope the monarch over there can-" He goes speechless as the kill delivers a seemingly final stroke, the color of Alpha Centurion's blood shining reflectively in the moonlit night.

[Raynn]

Ashley Culdis, Jake Wallace, Len Cope’s Stories, Faith Winters, Robert Asterion & Diego Torres' Stories:
‘The girl who died’, ‘The King In The Skies’, ‘The Homo Sauros Rex’, ‘The Agent’,‘The Heir Apparent’ & ‘The Sixth Ranger’

At Rycon's comment the Alpha Centurion looks up and seems about to say something of undeniable importance. . . when he gurgles and bloods runs down from his mouth along his throat.

The Alpha Centurion dies, his lungs filling with blood and his superhuman heart shredding itself on Excalibur, he dies painfully. . . and slowly.

His flesh cracks, with black and crimson energy shining through. Soon his flesh begins to rot away at an accelerated rate, dry and brittle. After a few moments the man is nothing more than a burnt black skeleton with an Omega symbol burned into its skull.

Jake pulls back his sword and the remains tumble to the earth.

Sauros and Professor Minotaur lie unconscious, Rycon isn't much better. The King is visibly hurt, with the Peregrine and Kismet to his sides. The sounds of battle fill the air but somewhere deep in the city Cerebrus Rex' sensors tell him he best depart as their secret weapon falls, Morgana & Baron Samedi sense the same and merely teleport away, leaving the zombie legions to crumble to dust. The other heroes on the island take down Ragnarok barely, long enough to contain him anyway, for now as he tries to slay escaping civilians. A.E.G.I.S. brings in Blitz III with practiced ease.

The tide of the battle turns in the favor of the good as the undead knights, super spies and livin knights outnumber the dinorobots. Soon the city will be free.

The day, at least for now, is saved.

It is at this moment that Hope stumbles out of the wreckage.


"Jake? Are you okay. . . ?"

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley watches Alpha Centurion try to mention something before his life ends at Jake's hands. The visible and immediate decaying shocks her as she sees the villain disintegrate before her eyes. It is a horrific sight to be but frankly it's better than watching Camelot burn to ashes. At the very least, Camelot is saved, Alpha Centurion is dead, and a few of the other villains are taken captive.

As things wind down, Ashley walks over to Robert's unconscious body. She is rather battered and torn up but has enough strength to at least keep walking. She is going to need to head to a hospital one way or another; preferably with Robert and Len in tow. "Hey, Robert?" Her voice is soft and exhausted as she goes on her knees beside the minotaur. "Come on, wake up. We did it..." She does her best to smile as she realizes everyone got out alive. Len may be down, but she knew he wasn't one to simply get killed like that.

Ashley checks Robert's heartbeat frequently to make sure nothing unexpected happens to him. Despite the victory, she still worries a bit about her friend. "Jake!" She calls for the King who is probably busy with the new woman who just appeared. "Can you patch us up? We'll need to visit a hospital anyway but we could use the ability to stand." Ashley's legs are still in great pain; she can't even get on her feet with them by this point.

[Phase]

Diego Torres
"The Sixth Ranger"

The Peregrine flinches as Alpha Centurion falls. He's seen people die before, but it's not enough to make it something pleasant, it's never enough. He looks forward and back across the fields of Camelot and, seeing only one or two remaining robots, breathes a sigh of relief and drops to the ground. He brushes off his harness and wobbles uncertainly on the solid floor. Those who observe him will notice a distinct lack of grace on the ground relative to in the air, and that Peregrine looks rather ungainly.

He lopes over to Robert's unconscious body and kneels down. "El Tauro gonna be okay?" He asks, looking up at the others in turn, though avoiding Jake's face. The advanced circuitry of his helmet, meanwhile, scans their faces and accesses any information readily available on the internet. An instant message pops up from a friend, but Diego swats it away like a fly.

Well-Informed checks galooooore~
Ashley: [roll0]
Robert: [roll1]
Len: [roll2]
Faith: [roll3]

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, The Heir Apparent

Robert Asterion walks to the deli. He decides to order a club this time. He had it from a friend that the club was delicious. He sits down at the table, staring out the window in thought until the sandwich was ready.

He takes a bite out of it. Yup, definitely worth it.

Oh, wait, no. None of that happens. He's still unconscious.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

For a moment, Ashley ignores Peregrine as he swoops down to her and her friend. The new hero's nickname to Robert makes Ashley give Peregrine a sneer. "His name is Robert!" Her sneer quickly fades as she realizes she yelled at someone who helped their group earlier. "...His body is ravaged worse than mine. He has a stable heartbeat but he's out cold. We'll patch ourselves up at the hospital once the King bothers to use that blade of his for something other than killing people and raising others from the dead." Ashley clearly descends into a snarking mood near the end of her sentence.

Ashley's eyes drift from Robert for a moment to look at the new hero with curiosity and a bit of frustration. "And who are you exactly? We appreciate the help but I'd like to know where in Spain did you come from." She notes his age, much younger than anyone else here. "Are you a Claremont student?"

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters

"Wow...I mean, nevermind, command. The decision's been made and executed..." Faith subvocalized again before she went to Jake. She putt his non-sword arm over her shoulder in an effort to help him keep his feet.

"Damn, Jakester. Hail to the king, indeed." Faith gave him a big grin. "Look, you probably know by now, but I joined up with AEGIS after high school. We've got relief teams with doctors and supplies, food, temporary shelters for the sick -- all ready to go if you'll allow them onto the ground. Can I tell them you gave the go-ahead?" she asked softly, not wanting to advertise anything to the others. The King was in a delicate political position and if he had reason for refusing outside aid she didn't want to make a thing of it.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

Jake has had to kill before. Usually it was something like a vampire, but rarely if ever a human being. Even though Alpha was a monster, he had a chance to be good at one point and threw it away. It’s why Jake tolerates Morgana/Molly so much. There was a chance. But not with this thing. It tried to kill him, his friends, and all of his people. This was necessary.

Soon, there’s nothing left of the Alpha Centurion. The mistake that the Freedom League made all those years ago was now fixed.

Jake stands there for a moment, bloodied and battered by this godlike being. He stares at the skeleton on the ground until Hope comes for him. She asks if he’s okay. As he stands in the aftermath of a great battle, where his people have been harmed and friends lie wounded on the ground… he answers quietly, almost with a whisper.

“No.”

Faith runs over to him and helps him stand up a bit taller. She jokes, but right now he doesn’t feel like joking. She makes the offer to bring people in. Considering the devastation, he has no choice. “I authorize it, but AEGIS jurisdiction is limited here, okay?”

He stands up on his own, thanks Faith, then turns around, going to each of his friends, one by one, healing them with the light of Excalibur.

In whichever order you guys post up! Healing check with +10. Total healing on all of you guys.

“I also need to find the other knights and organize relief efforts.”

He’s concerned for his friends, but he has Kingly duties to attend to. Still… he glances to Hope, who had been calling out to him. He offers a small smile, putting on his best face. “Are you okay, Hope? Kind of a bad time to meet, huh?”

[Phase]

Diego Torres
"The Sixth Ranger"

Diego again rubs the back of his neck. "Aye... that doesn't seem good for the big guy, no..." He looks up at Ashley. "Sorry, didn't mean any offense to him, senorita." He sticks out a hand to shake, yellow metal of the talon gleaming in the moonlight.

"El Peregrino, Peregrine." He says. "Saw the fighting all the way from the Barrio, on the South Side. Thought I'd come help for what good it did." He looks over at Jake. "So that sword can do more than just kill enraged asses? Good to know." He stares for a moment. Suddenly, without taking his eyes off Jake, he addresses Ashley.

"Claremont?"

[Raynn]

Hope replies to Jake, looking around, worried and scared


"Did I cause this? Did they come for me?"

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, The Heir Apparent

Robert rolls over and shakes his head as he awakens. He looks and stands up, brushing himself off. He looks around for Alpha... then sees the skeleton with Omega stamped on its skull. He then sees the bloodied sword that revived him

Did we... did we win?

The bull's nostrils flare. He can smell the ash and rubble, the blood and toil, the death and destruction.

"Nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won" he quietly intones, then picks up his medkit.

There was still work to do.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Consciousness returns, and Len rises back to his feet. Taking a quick look around, he sees that the battle is over...Jake had finished the fight. Len shifts back to his human form.

"Holy S&^*, you did it!" he exclaims, giving Jake a high five. "Booyah!" he laughs, all smiles, though inside his emotions were slightly conflicted. As First Knight, he should be there with his King until the end...and he was not able to fulfill his duty in Camelot's greatest hour of need.

He looks around at the devastation and sighs, smile leaving his face. "There's going to be a lot of work to do..." he trails off as a strange girl...who looked remarkably like White, walked up to Jake.

"...White?" he says on impulse, and then shuts his mouth, realizing he probably shouldn't have said anything.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

As Jake comes over, Ashley watches Robert get up from his unconscious slumber. There is something Ashley should say to the minotaur, like "Yes we won" or "I'm so glad you're awake." However any attempt at speaking flees as Robert gets to work with his medkit and his sophisticated line.

For a moment Ashley says nothing, then she looks to Peregrine, who has introduced himself. "Peregrine," she begins in a more formal tone befitting an FLI member. "Again, we appreciate your help, but I'm going to tell you now that I think this is going to get worse before it gets better. That leaves you with two choices." She points her left hand out to the south, where Peregrine came from. "You can fly out, forget the foreshadowing and circumstances that happened here, and live a superhero life that isn't plagued by our situations." Ashley extends her right palm out to the hero. "Or you can stay and assist us, learn everything that we will be investigating into, and run into new dangers and risks that may haunt you for the rest of your life, as it has happened with the rest of us already."

Ashley gives out an honest, if slightly cunning, smile. "What will it be, El Peregrino?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace
The King in the Skies

“It’s Excalibur,” he said to Diego, as if that were answer enough.

Hope asked if they came for her. He shook his head at her. “They came for this city. They fear what it is, and what it can be. It’s not your fault. I promise.”

No. Jake reserved all of the burden of this for his own shoulders.

Robert was the first to be healed by the glowing golden light of Excalibur. The blade itself was a gift of goodwill to all mankind. It could heal the pure and slay the wicked, and had done both this evening. “Thank you, Robert. Please, help whoever you can.”

He then moves on to Len, healing him. Len, his First Knight. His truest and most loyal friend. Jake didn’t know that Len felt conflicted. Jake thought Len had fought with everything he had. Without him, without them all, the fight would have been lost. “I couldn’t have done it without you. All of you, really.” His friends.

Len thinks Hope is White. It’s understandable. Jake shakes his head. “No. This is Hope. She’s new. We’ll all get better acquainted later.”

“There’s a lot of work to do, guys. People are still out there, scared and hurt. We should get to it.”

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

The smile returns to Len's face as he claps Jake on the shoulder and he turns to the rest of the team. "Ashley! Robert! Faith! And new guy!" he says, going to greet them all in turn.

"You all laid it on the line with us. Thank you." he says in a somber, serious tone.


“There’s a lot of work to do, guys. People are still out there, scared and hurt. We should get to it.”

"Alright sweethearts you heard the man and you know the drill! A**holes and elbows!" he says, trying to bring some levity to the situation before heading out and helping the citizens of Camelot.

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent

"Lenny!" Faith spares a minute to greet her old classmate in turn, giving him a warm hug. "I'm bringing in the cavalry, hun. Can you let the defenders know not to shoot any incoming AEGIS transports?" she asked with a tired smile. "Jake gave the go ahead."

Giving Len a squeeze, then breaking the hug, she put a hand to her ear. "You get all that, operations? We've got the go ahead for disaster relief." she reported, looking around sadly at the devastation. "Better bring the search and rescue teams, too, while you're at it."

[Phase]

Diego Torres
"The Sixth Ranger"

Peregrine lets out a chuckle as Ashley points to the South, and holds back further laughter as he shakes her hand. Careful not to pinch any skin between the hydraulic mechanisms of the talons. He releases. "A bit of a flair for the melodramatic, huh chicka?" He says, raised eyebrow mostly hidden behind the opaque helmet. "Pretty sure this escandalo ain't a huge fork in the road between diametrically opposed fates, amiga. Not enough musical stings." He cricks his neck and stares out to Camelot, eyes peeled for anyone he can help.

He looks back at Ashley, keeping his body turned towards the city. "But you got my interest piqued, esse. And if I can help stop a threat to my city, I will." He smirks broadly. "So long as it don't keep me up too late. Tomorrow's a school day."

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley couldn't help but smirk quietly at Peregrine's response, keeping her face as it was before. "Believe me, melodrama comes to us whether we like it or not. It's been like that since we were your age." She firmly grips his hand and shakes it. "Welcome to the group Peregrine. Later I will fill you in on everything that I've figured out so far and I'm sure the others will have something they want to add in as well."

Ashley let's go of his hand as she looks to Faith for a moment, then back at Peregrine. "By the way, no need of keeping our identities a secret among each other; the 5 of us have been classmates before." She points a thumb to herself, "I'm Olympus Technologies expert, Ashley Culdis," and then at each of her friends. "And that's King Jake Wallace of Camelot, his first knight Len Cope, AEGIS agent Faith Winters, and Robert Asterion. You can meet them at your own pace once we've got this place cleaned up."

With that, Ashley waves farewell as she searches around Camelot, teleporting injured civilians to the nearest hospital, portal, or ambulance there is in Camelot. Along the way she gets a moment to chat with her old friend Faith. The German is very relieved to see her old classmate again. "Agent Winters now? Considering you, I can't say I'm not surprised that you got in with AEGIS. I couldn't find you or Robert before I came to Camelot; how did you two meet and then end up here?"

[Phase]

Pregrine chuckles again. "Then let the melodrama come, chicka. Don't need to force nada." A brief frown crosses his face when Ashley mentions names. "Si, and I'm Peregrine." He nods. "Nice to meet you." He stares after her as she walks away and shrugs, before bending his knees and launching himself into the air.

He hovers there for a moment, much more comfortable in the sky, before floating over to the nearest hero. He hangs above Robert as he helps the citizens of Camelot, casting a bird-like shadow in the pale moonlight. "So what's the deal, El Tauro?" He ***** his head, stretching out horizontally over Robert. "Why'd you throw yourself on Little Miss Voltage like that? Could have gotten yourself killed, esse."

[Raynn]

The A.E.G.I.S. relief staff poured onto the island as the Helicarrier forced itself to land in the bay for repairs.

The battle is all but over.

The day is won.

You guys say when you're ready and I'll close off the issue. :smallsmile: 2 PP to everyone. Hope you enjoyed it :smallsmile:

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent


With that, Ashley waves farewell as she searches around Camelot, teleporting injured civilians to the nearest hospital, portal, or ambulance there is in Camelot. Along the way she gets a moment to chat with her old friend Faith. The German is very relieved to see her old classmate again. "Agent Winters now? Considering you, I can't say I'm not surprised that you got in with AEGIS. I couldn't find you or Robert before I came to Camelot; how did you two meet and then end up here?"

Faith was actually helping to organize the AEGIS relief effort, arguing with a very emphatic wizard-looking fellow about where to place the hospital tents. At Ashley's appearance, however, she shushed him and waved him away so that she could talk. He looked particular peaked by the action, his beard spiking up like an angry hedgehog, before storming away. Faith wiped her neck and sighed. "Hey, Lightbulb!" she smiled tiredly. "Yeah, they recruited me right out of Claremont, can you believe it?"

"Oh, but Robert and I? Funny story, he just sort of showed up while I was getting molested by Ragnarok earlier. Made a big damn hero out of himself, too." she winked. "I think Ragnarok was trying to kidnap me or something, but you should know...when Cowboy intervened he stuck him with some sort of needle. I don't know whether he injected something or drew blood, but he up and left right after that." she said quietly, filling Ashley in on all the details concerning her high-school flame.

She put a hand on Ashley's shoulder, switching subjects slightly. "Hey, we should coordinate some sort of meeting between AEGIS and the FLI, which I know you're on good terms with, to talk about whast I found in Night's aparment before...before everything went up in flames, I mean..."

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis
The Girl Who Died

Ashley helps around with moving people to safety as she talks with Faith. Being recruited by AEGIS right out of the gate is something but not so much for someone like her. "Oh, I believe you," Ashley responds in a slightly dull and sarcastic, but friendly, tone. "After everything that happened in Claremont, I think I can believe anything you tell me that you may have accomplished." She chuckles for a moment, glad to see that Faith has gotten over everything that has happened all those years ago.

Ashley then starts to speak in a more analytical manner. "So you were attacked by Ragnarok and Robert came to assist you? Fits in well with that I learned." The info about the needle made Ashley curious. "So Ragnarok wanted a sample of Robert's blood and DNA and just took off right after? Not quite the action someone as thick-headed as he would usually do." So many questions that hide under what seems to be a simple, if highly dangerous syndicate.

Ashley does her best to hide her shock as Faith mentions about the FLI. Her reply is both sarcastic and a little suspicious. "...How much info does AEGIS have on me?" Her mood immediately shifts back however as she speaks casually again to her old friend. "Actually, it probably doesn't matter. I've been an expert at Olympus Technologies since I graduated but I am also a member of the FLI for almost as long. I'll see about getting a meeting set with Jake, AEGIS, and the FLI about this. There will be a lot of information to juggle around the round table."

When Faith mentions about Night, Ashley grabs the agent's arm lightly and moves it away from her shoulder. "...I don't know what to say about Night," she responds in a sympathetic tone. She does her best to fight back tears about the deceased classmate. "We should keep away from Len about that subject. He had... A great interest in her and he doesn't seem to be in the best of moods right now." Ashley looks at Len from across the distance. "I may have a lead on who killed Night. She hasn't the only casualty today."

Ashley pauses as she looks at the ground of Camelot. One day has passed and everything has gone to hell in a hurry. She is sure that it's only going to get worse from here. "I don't like this one bit," Ashley says, barely hiding her aggression towards the day's events. She looks up to Faith with determination in her eyes. Ashley knew she isn't in a position to make demands but any time they had to relax is now gone.

"As a member of the FLI, I ask that you get AEGIS' officials here. We meet at the round table at daybreak."

[kpenguin]

He hovers there for a moment, much more comfortable in the sky, before floating over to the nearest hero. He hangs above Robert as he helps the citizens of Camelot, casting a bird-like shadow in the pale moonlight. "So what's the deal, El Tauro?" He ***** his head, stretching out horizontally over Robert. "Why'd you throw yourself on Little Miss Voltage like that? Could have gotten yourself killed, esse."

Robert looks up as he is bandaging a wounded knight. He frowns and then turns to look at Ashley talking to Faith.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

He goes back to his work.

[Raynn]

And So Ends The Day, Friends Lost And Battles Won, But The War Has Not Even Begun . . .


Elsewhere, Forces Most Mighty Conspire . . .

There is a throne, forged of adamantine, in a former S.H.A.D.O.W. base, near the heart of the world, on which once sat OverShadow.

On which the Supreme now sits. When they lead Morgana into the room she is visibly shaken but she tries to hide it. Flanking her are former S.H.A.D.O.W. agents who still wear the garb of their parent orginization.

When Morgana is pushed into the meeting room she restrains a sneer at the nearest agent and glances about at the nordic symbolism left behind by S.H.A.D.O.W.'s occupation of the base. The Supreme doesn't move a micron as the powerful witch comes to stand a few feet before him and it is only when she has been there waiting a few moments that he turns his head slowly to stare at her through his face plate, man, machine or alien, in his armour no one could tell what the Supreme truly was
. . . other than powerful.


"You Failed Me."

Morgana visibly shudders as her master barely seems more than bored. Than he rises from his throne, eight foot tall and towering over the girl that Jake called Molly. Never more the girl and less the witch than this moment.


"Things didn't go to plan it's not my fault, the others. . . "

He cuts her off


"The Others Will Be Questioned In Turn. I Am Aware The Plan Failed. I Knew Who Would Aid The King In His Hour Of Need And I Took Steps To Eliminate Them, But It Was Always Going To be A Close Won Game. What I Would Like To Know Is Who Returned Mr. Asterion To The Board. We Would Have Eliminated The Agent If He Had Not Intervened, Meaning No AEGIS Liaison Meaning No AEGIS Support For The King. Robert Asterion And Faith Winters Were Enough To Turn The Tide."

Morgana seems confused at this


"But You Needed Robert's Blood Sample To Open The Zero Room And Release The Alpha Centurion? If You Didn't Plan On Him Returning How Did You Plan On Releasing The Alpha Centurion?"

The Surpreme's reply is in monotone


"I Knew Where He Was. I Could Find Him. You Can Teleport. I Would Have Sent You After Him For The Blood Wherever He Was. He Wouldn't Have Been Able To Intervene In Time."

Morgana realising she wasn't about to be vaporised spoke up


"But we've played our hand, our trump card. How are we meant to destroy Camelot Now?!"

The Supreme seemed almost amused by that comment


"My Dear. We Have Not Even Begun. We Have Not Even Begun. . ."

He slowly walks towards the edge of the chamber and places his hand on the glass of a stasis pod. He wipes away the condensation and looks in at Anna Asterion, then along the row to heroes and villains such as The Blitz II, The Human Spirit and Magic Jill.


"This Is Merely The Dawn, And The Night Is Coming."

- The End of The Revolution Issue #1 -

Will post the beginning of the next issue a.s.a.p. :smallsmile:

[Raynn]

The Raynn-Verse:

'Some Dreams Never Die'

The Revolution Issue #2

"In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs the torments of man," -FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

An Emergency Tent, Camelot . . .


"Sorry I took so long. An issue came up with some extradimensional visitors that I had to deal with,"

He takes a seat next to the woman but she doesn't seem to react


"Is this about today with Red One? I'm sorry about being all formal but we agreed we keep this low key around the F.L.I.,"

Rycon cuts Isiah off while sitting down on the makeshift cot


"I know Isiah. I am aware of the rules of the FLI. But it's about what happened after, we..."

Isiah immediately kneels in front of her seemingly checking to make sure she isn't still injured


"What happened? Are you...?"

Ashley cuts him off again.

"I'm fine. I look like a mess, but Jake healed us up... However a lot of us almost died to the Alpha Centurion. We managed to survive at least... Jake killed the Alpha Centurion before we could get anything out of him. He named someone called The Supreme right before he died. You have dossiers on him, right?"

Isiah shakes his head worriedly. Ashley gives a small sigh of worry.


"What about Alpha Centurion? How did SHADOW and Labyrinth get his DNA for Robert and Clark?"

Isiah turns away for a brief moment. He didn't know...


"I'm going to call a meeting between A.E.G.I.S., The F.L.I. and Camelot so we can put the pieces together about what happened. I want Red One to be there. I know don't have clearance for something like this but I need your support in this. Can you represent the F.L.I.?"

Isiah Shakes his head again


"I can't. I promised some people a lift and I think Doctor Dire and the FLA are back from their mission on Mars anyway. Doctor Dire will probably want to see to this personally. It's kind of her way of doing things when she's not away on missions."

Ashley nods.


"Alright. I hope Centurion II can come as well."

She then remains silent, making Isiah even more worried.


"Don't worry. I bet this will all be over with soon. I mean we captured a few of the syndicate members right?"

He stands and pulls Ashley to her feet before a quick kiss. Ashley looks genuinly surprised before seeing Isiah suddenly appearing at the entrance of the tent.


"You'll see, everyone will argue for a while. Then we'll do a big team up and a week from today Camelot will be back to normal and this 'The Supreme' will be ancient history. We'll take a day off to celebrate. I want to know what those are like. I know this one reality where the whole surface of the earth is crystal that sings when the wind flows through its microfissures. It's beautiful you'll love it!"

With that he steps out of the tent disappearing on the other side.

Ashley falls back on the cot exhausted and worried. Then she feels another like peck on her forehead and hears a Isiah saying


"Cheer up,"

but when she looks he's gone.


"Isiah..."

Ashley whispers to the air.


"We both know that this won't be over anytime soon..."


***

Camelot, The Round Table Chamber. . .

It is the dawn of a new day. Camelot remains floating over the bay of Liberty City but some ruins still smoke from the epic battle fought in its streets last night. Now it is time for A.E.G.I.S., The F.L.I. and Camelot to come together to discuss what happened and decide on a mutually agreed step forward from this crisis.

I'll let Jake describe the room, and decide which Camelot NPCs, including Hope, that he brought. Doctor Dire and any other FLIers save Rycon will arrive later. Any AEGIS personnel will arrive with Kismet, and she can decide whether she represents A.E.G.I.S. or if she brought the director. Rycon can decide if she brought Red One with her or if he arrives later. After SuperCracker as posted you may enter the room as you please. The Peregrine is most likely entering with Robert or Ashley since he was involved in the battle last night :smallsmile:

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

The Round Table. If you were to compare the castle of Camelot to the White House, the throne room would be a mix between the Rose Garden and the Press Room, and the Round Table would be the Oval Office itself. It is here that the real executive decisions are discussed and finalized. Few people, other than foreign dignitaries and actual members of the Round Table were ever allowed entrance to this sacred place.

The Round Table is a large, circular table. The wood on top is a warm oak, and the supports are made from marble. There are small indentations where swords are to be placed, each pointing towards the center of the table.

The walls are made of marble as well. The ceiling is high. Light comes not from torches, but from electrical lights placed about. Each seat at the table has a touch-screen monitor. There is also a projection system set up, but it is currently not in use. On the walls are tapestries, depicting ancient times and brave men.

There is no special insignia indicating where the King is to sit. That’s for a reason. The Round Table is round because no one man sits at the head of it—in theory, anyway.

Assembled are the knights themselves. Lance Kilner, better known as Lance Steel (the celebrity adventurer) is present, as are Merlin, Galahad, and Allen Lao (a civil rights attorney who is the reincarnated Sir Gawain). The rest are currently busy attending to the business of the cleanup efforts.

Not seated at the Round Table, but present is Hope, seated with the other attendants other parties may have brought.

The King himself stands at the table, Excalibur inserted into its space, nearly lightning the room on its own. Jake is wearing now a purple button-down shirt, a golden tie, and his blue cape. And don't forget the crown, a small golden crown around his brow. He is meeting dignitaries after-all.

First, the preliminary matters. “By my authority, this meeting of the Round Table will now be called to order. May you approach this table with wisdom, bravery, and compassion.” The knights then sat down.

“Ladies and gentlemen of AEGIS and the Freedom League, thank you for your aid in these troubled times. My sympathies go out to any agents who were lost in the battle, and you have our heartfelt appreciation.”

He looked at each person who was present.

“I wish I could tell you that this was over. But it’s not. Not only must we move forward with repairing the damage, but our enemies are still out there. The Alpha Centurion worked at the behest of someone known as ‘The Supreme.’ And while Camelot may be his first target, it is in all of our interests to stop this threat. To do that, we need to share intelligence and be proactive. We cannot simply sit and wait for him to attack again.”

A pause.

“I invite you all to be candid, and to share your thoughts on the matter.”

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

The Round Table's renowned craftsmanship does not go understated when Ashley lays her eyes on it. She has never seen such a well crafted table before, even at the Lighthouse. The idea of the Round Table is fascinating to Ashley. The other knights there are new to her. She felt like an odd-one out being the main representative of the FLI with Red One here at the moment; though Doctor Dire I and Centurion II will be coming later.

When King Jake asks for thoughts, Rycon stands up. Though she is not experienced in formal speeches, she has some ideas as to how it would work. "I am Rycon, representative of the Freedom League International. I wish to speak of events from yesterday that tie in with the attack from last night." She pauses for a moment. Somehow she knows that this will end in an outrage of an argument but she has to tell the truth.

"Yesterday around 3 PM, I was attacked at Liberty Park by a formorrian princess known as Arroara. She took upon the name 'Blitz III' and tried to kill me. During the fight, she spoke of information that I now share with you. Arroara was coordinating with other supervillains as part of a new crime syndicate in an attempt to kill myself, Robert Asterion, Agent Winters, First Knight Len, and his Majesty, King Jake Wallace. In accomplishing that, the syndicate would have brought down Camelot with their vanguard, Alpha Centurion." She holds off from speaking about Alpha Centurion being father to Robert and Clark. Such knowledge wouldn't be needed here. "I fought off Arroara while Robert Asterion and Agent Winters fought off Ragnarok. Some time later, Morgana and Cerebus Rex attacked Camelot and thanks to their plan failing, we managed to fight off the syndicate and kill Alpha Centurion."

Rycon gives a moment to pause to think of what to say next. She has never quite given this long a speech to this many people before. "What we do know yet is why Camelot is targeted, or what their goal is past personal issues with us. Is there anyone who would like to add in with this info?"

[Raynn]

It is at that moment that the entourage of the F.L.I. decide to enter, perhaps with an intention to be fashionably late. Doctor Dire I enters and sits with a word, flanked by the Centurion II and Red One, who both offer a nod in Jake's direction. Red One does not remove his helmet as he sits.


"Dire had personally reviewed the files of those villains involved in the attack and found that for the vast majority they had not worked together before last night. The Alpha Centurion was most likely only just released and was merely repaying the debt owed to whoever released him. How he was released though still elludes Dire.

The Zero Room is located in the Centurion's Sanctum, which is currently in lockdown by order of the F.L.I., also access to the Zero Room gateway required genetic material from the Centurion, and it could only be opened from the outside so it could not have been opened by the Alpha Centurion.

This feat, combined with the cooperation of such disparate and powerful villains, leads Dire to support the theory that this 'The Supreme' exists, but even the F.L.I. has no records of such a named villain even existing.

Dire does not know how we should react just yet. According to the report you gave Dire, King, you were sent to a SHADOW facility by Morgana. It is possible that be searching for remnants of SHADOW we could find the Supreme but that would be an arduous method of searching for him and likely fruitless.

How do any of you believe we should procede?"

Len, Robert, Faith & Diego suddenly die or something?

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Jake watches Dire as she enters and speaks. While he wouldn’t say it here openly (out of a desire to keep this meeting from erupting into accusations and anger), he felt that a share of the blame for the Alpha Centurion rested on their shoulders. Allowing it to live and somehow dropping the ball on how it got released.

Jake pushed the anger from his thoughts. “Dr. Dire,” someone he used to see regularly at school, “I know that Morgana and Cerebrus Rex have worked together before against us. But it does seem that the Supreme has drawn in others.”

He swipes a few times on his touch screen, and a holographic projection in the center of the Round Table comes up with the pictures of the villains.

“We know Morgan, Rex, Ragnarok, and this new Blitz.” He tags the picture of Baron Samedi. “This is the only one of them that I don’t recognize.”

“The Supreme chose people that hated me, my First Knight, and my other classmates for personal reasons. I’m not sure how he fits into the picture, yet.”

As for how to proceed.

“You’re right. Running down all Shadow bases would be a crapshoot. I think we should begin by finding out how they infiltrated the Sanctum. How exactly is it locked down? Who stands guard over the location? Is it teleport proof?” There were two options for the most part. Genuine infiltration, perhaps through Rex and his portal abilities, or an inside job.

[Phase]

Diego Torres

Diego runs down the shining hall, past his locker and the hundreds of others, identical. His sneakers squeak on the linoleum flooring as he looks at his watch. "Latelatelatelatelate!" He mutters, paper clutched in his left hand fluttering in the artificial breeze. He eventually skids to a halt in front of room 125, catching himself from falling and bursting in through the closed door.

"SORRYI'MLATEPROFESSORIHAVEANOTETHA-" He freezes, paper brandished in the air. All the eyes of the students in the room were trained on him, some snickering, some rolling their eyes. Professor Lin pushes him with one hand out the door. "Finish the reading on your own in the next few minutes, class." As the two leave the room, Diego can hear his classmates muttering behind them. "Man, the Geek's got no-" The door closes before Diego can hear exactly what Tom Flashson thinks he doesn't have any of, and Professor Lin put a hand on his shoulder.

"This is the fifth time you're late this month, Diego. Care to explain yourself?" Diego grimaces and looks at the floor. "It was another long night worki-" "Another long night working, professor." The professor finishes, head in his hand. "Look, Diego, you have so much potential! I've seen your test scores, you've got a great head on your shoulders! But you can't just..." He looks down at the sheet clutched in Diego's hand. "What's that, then." Diego looks down, bewildered, before remembering what he has left to do. "Oh, shoot, yeah, uh..." He hands the sheet to Professor Lin. "Absence excuse. Some, err, big science program for kids like me."

The professor reads through quickly, muttering along with the words. He looks up. "Youth Science Program?" He asks, suspicious. He looks down again. "If it were anyone else, Diego, I'd suspect foul play..." He looks back up at Diego. "But I'm honestly just glad you have an excuse for this sudden disappearance." He sighs. "We'll be covering methods of Homeostasis in Birds and Mammals today, so read up on that tonight. I'll tell your other teachers..." Diego smiles and nods, beginning to walk away backwards. "Gracias professor! Thanks for everything!" He turns and runs down the hallway. "...'Bullman Institute of Science'...?" He shrugs and re-enters the classroom.

Diego runs outside and into a back alley behind the Cafeteria where he knows there's a security blind spot. He fishes a helmet out of his backpack and fits it on his head. A collapsible pair of talons, one on each hand, and finally what looks like a smaller backpack itself, slid onto his torso. Diego presses a button on the harness, bends his knees, and takes off into the air. At 1000 feet above the city, he presses another button, and two rigid wings pop up on either side. He freefalls for a moment, before accelerating so quickly the city can hear a familiar sonic boom. "Whoooooo hooooo!"

A minute later, across town, Diego lands in front of a Deli on ninth and Madison. He leans against the building, evidently waiting for something.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Not too long ago...

Robert Asterion steps out of the deli, a paper bag under his arm. He looks around and spots the man with the metal wings leaning up against the building.

He walks over to him. "Afternoon, friend," he greets before switching his watch. Where once stood a big blonde man in a tweedjacket now stands.. a big minotaur in a tweed jacket. "Eager for a day of SCIENCE?"

Robert lets himself grin a little. Despite the weightiness of what he was about to step into, he was looking forward to the time after he was going to spend in a lab, mentoring the young hero.

He looks at his watch again. "Now, if Isiah remembered the time correctly it should be here about..."

A portal opens right before the pair. "...now"

The minotaur begins to take a step through the portal before turning around and looking at El Peregrino. "You ready for this?"

---

Later, at the Round Table

Robert sits in his seat, stroking his chin as Doctor Dire speaks. He occasionally glances back at Peregrine. As far as the kid knew, he was just along to get a taste of the wider world of superheroics while waiting for Robert to finish before being mentored by the big bull.

But the minotaur had another motive. the last three years spent on the ground, aiding the impoverished, the hungry, the sick, and the powerless had taught him that when the grand clockwork of big events turned, the little people often got left behind. It was his hope that a street based hero like Peregrine could lend a more grounded perspective on things and bring down to earth decisions made in the castle in the sky.

Ask Jake finishes, Robert speaks up. "If I may. The Sanctum is regularly guarded by the Centuritron Robots. You may recall fighting an alternate universe version of these five years ago when we fought the Vampire Centurion of another universe.

Their security is not infallible, however, and this is not the first time the Sanctum has been infiltrated."

He clicks on the holographic display and up pops the images of an old "friend".

Five years ago, also, the Sanctum was taken over by Michael Kreeg, also known as Timelock, as the base of operations for his plans. Most of us remember that year quite keenly, so I'll spare us the irrelevant details. What is relevant was that Timelock was able to access the Zero Room and release Kal-Zed, an Ultiman also known as Ubermensch in his time as a Nazi superweapon and Superior thereafter."

Robert looks cooly across the room "The resemblance in the names is not lost on me either.

He continues. "If the Centurion's genetic signature was needed to access the Zero Room, then it is likely that Kreeg utilized the abilities of one Jennifer Winters, also known as Jenny Omega, to duplicate the genetic structures of the current Centurion or myself.

He glances at Faith before continuing.

"While this method is no longer available, it does bring to mind what was done to the Sanctum after the Harbingers were defeated, if anything. Perhaps our FLI delegation could enlighten us...

In any case, Supreme's method of accessing the Zero Room to release Alpha Centurion from the Zero Zone more likely has to do with the encounter Faith Winters and I had with Ragnarok before the Battle of Camelot, as the news media is calling it. During this battle, Ragnarok stuck me with a syringe before flying away. Analysis afterward showed that there was nothing detectable injected into my system, indicating that instead a blood sample was taken. It was this that they likely used to access the Zero Room and release Alpha Centurion.

He strokes his chin. "Another thing. When I appeared to aid Faith against Ragnarok, Ragnarok seemed surprised to see me, indicating it was Morgana who was supposed to take care of me. And, indeed, I would not even have been in the city... if not for a letter I received not long ago, informing me that Freedom needed me. A letter from... Cael the Detective . A met with him upon my arrival to Freedom City... he was on his trip through time to meet his end as Tyrannus... and he told me that yesterday was important. That yesterday was a turning point in history"

He looks at Doctor Dire. He also told me that it starts with the first thing you and Professor Pain built together. He said it was the prototype for the end.

He looks at the wizard sitting next to Jake pensively. "Finally... Merlin. Before the arrival of the Alpha Centurion to the battlefield, you stated that the Alpha Centurion was my father, indicating that it was his genetic material used to create me and, by extension, the current Centurion.

Putting aside whether it matters which genetically identical man, the original or his clone, I take my genes from, the story doesn't add up. If the Centurion's genetic material was needed to access the Zero Room... if my creators had access to the Centurion's DNA to get to Alpha, then why not use that to create me? Why go through the trouble of releasing the Alpha Centurion just to get genetic material when they had Centurion's genes right there.

And why put him back? If the Alpha Centurion was already released, why not keep him as a weapon? Certainly the Supreme had no issue doing so. And how could they have released Alpha, taken his genetic material, and put him back without anyone noticing? This speaks to a very deep level of security breach, one that makes me suspect someone on the inside was there to cover up, someone with normal access to the Sanctum a decade ago.

But, my biggest question is... Merlin, how did you know the Alpha Centurion was my father and not the Centurion? And why didn't you tell anyone until now?"

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len sat at the right hand of the King of Camelot. He listened to a majority of the discussions with steeped fingers, nodding along with the points made by his comrades. When he found a moment he said his piece.

"We came thiiiiiis close," Len says, holding his pointer and thumb a tiny distance apart, "to losing Camelot. This is some serious business and we need to put up a united front. Camelot, FLI, AEGIS, any hero willing to help - this is big."

"If it takes searching every damn SHADOW base there is, then that's what I'm going to do."

[Phase]

Diego Torres

Diego brushes himself off as Robert exits the deli, and stops leaning against the building. "Hah, sure thing jefe." He watches curiously as Robert talks about portals, jumping back slightly as the hole in time and space opens before him. "You ready for this?" Robert asks. "As I'll ever be, tauro." In truth, Diego wasn't sure if he was ready for teleportation. He'd read up on how it works, but he'd never quite grasped it fully, and he was sure there was something he was missing that made it safe for humans. But before he can have second thoughts, Robert strides casually into the portal, and Diego follows close behind.

---

Standing on the sidelines at the meeting of the round table is a bit overwhelming, but it's not until Doctor Dire herself walks in that Diego really realizes where he is. This is the big leagues. This is the A-Team. This is waaaaay above his meager pay-grade. Nevertheless, Diego tries to listen intently. Knowing what's happening in his city would be vital to future superheroing, and it sounds like whatever's going down is big.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

After Faith explains what she knows and adds more pieces to the puzzle, Jake takes a moment to touch on another topic. “While you all mull things over, there’s another matter that some of you could maybe help me with.”

He reaches his hand towards where the non-delegates are sitting, gently making the universal sign for ‘come here’ towards the girl with the white hair. Jake stands and gestures towards her as she approaches. She’s been given a simple blue dress as opposed to the sexy nightwear she’d been running around in the night before.

“Last night, shortly before the fighting began, I saw a shooting star and followed it to ground. The ‘star’ happened to be a white orb that seemed to affect electronics. As I was examining it, I placed my hand upon it and it flashed a string of characters from many languages. Some Iooked vaguely familiar, some I’d never seen before. But then one word showed up, where my hand was touching. ‘Hope.’ The orb opened, and inside was this young lady. She knows nothing of where she comes from, but she knew who I was and understood several obscure quotes I gave her.”

He offered her a reassuring look.

“If anyone has anything to shed some light on this, I would be most appreciative.”

[Raynn]

Dire speaks up in response to Jake


"Ever since Event 84 Baron Samedi has been little more than powerful gun for hire. He lacks a purpose now that his arch nemesis Siren is dead, or at least as dead as a Loa can be. Your first knight, Sauros, is formidable. Dire believes he was hired to solely to deal with him before he could assist you.

The crystalline structure of the Sanctum is near unbreachable physically, and there are no entrances. Also it is indeed monitored by the original Centurion's robots, inside and out so while it is not teleport proof Dire is surprised anyone could enter the zero room without being detected.

Seeing as Omega's modification of the Alpha Centurion were not genetic it is likely he is genetically identical to the original. Making the Centurion II and Professor Minotaur indistinguishable from offspring of the original. This means that the Sanctum would likely allow them to access the Zero Zone. The Supreme, or one of his lackeys, somehow accessed the Sanctum under the supervision of the robots and accessed the Zero Room using Professor Minotaur's blood."

At Robert's prototype of the end comment Dire seems almost surprised


"The first device Dire and Payne worked on in tandem was the Ultimate Nullifier. A handheld device which could depower all but the most powerful post humans. Dire can understand how such a device could be dangerous in the wrong hands but it is currently sealed in the Infinity Vault on the Lighthouse Satellite. What is likely the safest location it could possibly be stored."

As Robert questions Merlin he seems about to reply when Red One cuts in


"That presumes they got the DNA from after he was sealed away. Tauros is one of the richest men alive. Definitely the single richest super villain. Daedelus did the initial tests to determine whether or not the Alpha Centurion was the Centurion when he first appeared and masqueraded as the genuine article. The Freedom Hall has less strict security than either the Lighthouse or the Sanctum. Tauros would be one of the few villains with the information network and intelligence to work out that Daedelus might have saved a sample of the Alpha Centurion's DNA from these tests and it is likely that when Freedom Hall was technically out of commission, after Event 84, he had someone break in and steal those samples. Or at least that's the soundest theory I can come up with. He didn't know where the Alpha Centurion wound up so he never knew that the DNA sample could be used to access him in the Zero Zone, so he could never use him as a weapon."

At that Merlin speaks up


"I only learned this last night, Young Sir Minotaur, because the Centurion told me,"

For a single second every semi interested pair of eyes in the room snap to Merlin


"I am MERLIN, THE Great. The Merlin. Definitive article. A seance is child's play. Though Yes, some souls are beyond even my reach. Arthur has passed beyond the realms I can reach for example. The Centurion learned of Professor Minotaur & The Centurion II from other heroes who had more recently passed on. He took an interest. Spirits know things, and can learn things, they could not when they were flesh. He said he was sent to warn me, but he didn't say anything other than what I've already said. . .,"

As Merlin trails off he seems suddenly depressed and Rycon, though few others notice, has the faintest feeling his eyes lingered on her for a moment before his face became downcast.

In response to Jake's calling Hope forward the Centurion II speaks up


"Didn't a file a few years ago have the Trillions show up in an orb like that, but yeah they were energy beings not young girls. Could be some sort alien? Does she have any memories? Or is she just not telling? Does the orb still exist? Where is it? Are you willing to hand it over to the F.L.I. for analysis? She could be a trap, the timing seems too coincidental to me. Wait. . . Jake Man, is it just me or does she look like your ex girlfriend from highschool? Not the face but the hair yeah, I mean that's. . ."

As the Centurion II grins behind his shades he is cut off by Dire


"Shut Up Centurion!"

The Centurion II seems shocked at Dire suddenly rising to her sheet and slamming her hands on the table staring at Hope


"What I. . . !"

Dire Glares


"So Says DIRE!"

He goes silent


"She looks just like Winter. Maybe not identical but a family resemblance. The hair is a carbon copy!"

Centurion II seems even more confused


"What?! I went to highschool with Faith Winters. She looked nothing like that girl!"

Dire glares at him again


"Not Jennifer Jones, or whatever her other half calls herself! Dire refers to her MOTHER, the original Winter. Elizabeth Winters-Jones. Yes she dyed her hair, grew older, gave the abilities her daughter inherited but. . ."

both Red One and the Centurion II are looking at Dire as if they have no idea what she's talking about


"*sigh* Dire asks, King Jake of Camelot, that the F.L.I. be allowed to retrieve the sphere and study it, and that you keep the girl Hope under observation until we can discuss her further. In the interest of the F.L.I.'s top secret information we can divulge any information of this level of clearance to you until we have examined the sphere and are sure it is relevant.

Is that alright?"

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley kept herself silent as everyone else gave their own thoughts and opinions. She is very surprised that Robert had met Cael, even though he was known to be missing or dead almost a decade ago. The mentioning of this Ultimate Nullifier surprised her moreso. With what Faith mentioned, it almost seems like something adds up... Almost.

More importantly right now is Red One's theory regarding Taurus. It isn't the most brilliant of theories but it might say something. More notable to Ashley is Merlin's discussion on how he knew about Robert's other father. Talking to Centurion as a spirit is hard to swallow; however the fact that Robert has already talked with Cael and Merlin's look towards Ashley, implying he knew she died before, makes it a little more believable.

When Hope appears, Ashley couldn't help but think of White; the two do look very similar as Clark tried to state. Dire's own explanation made little sense, but Ashley is curious in knowing. She gives a tone of suspicion as she asks, "Doctor Dire, what do you know of Faith's mother? Are you telling SHE has the ability to copy everyone's powers from a glance?" No doubt this would have Dire yell at Ashley.

After the no-doubt loud and commanding response Dire will give, Ashley looks to the group, deciding that it is a good time to say something. "May I change topics for a moment? With the info Dire and Agent Winters has given, I feel that we may have a link to another situation that has occurred yesterday." No doubt Red One instantly knew what Ashley is thinking of. "Yesterday morning, FLI member MetaSoul was found dead with rumors that it came from the hands of a man known as Prometheus at an anti-post human rally. No one is sure how he was killed; he was known as one of the most powerful beings on the planet as proven by The Battle of Claremont. But..." She looks at Faith as if she is the key to holding the chains of knowledge together. "Faith, you said that Night was killed through quickly spread flames... MetaSoul died the exact same way at Prometheus hands. Not only that, you said that Night wasn't harmed by the sunlight going through the window when, as a vampire, she should have been?"

Ashley looks to Dire, then to Clark with an indignant face. "There has been no such way that a vampire can lose it's undead state past his or her final death. The only way I can feasibly see it possible is through the device; The Ultimate Nullifier. That could have been how MetaSoul was killed too. Without his powers he is as frail as the rest of us. Prometheus could have burned through him as easily as Night was burned. My theory is that this Prometheus is working with SHADOW; if he isn't the Supreme himself."

Is her theory a tall order? Perhaps, but what other way could MetaSoul have been killed? "Dire, when was the last time you or someone else examined the Infinity Vault?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Jake never had any doubts about Merlin. Without him there would be no Camelot right now. There would have been no schooling at Claremont. None of the things that made Jake the man he was today. But the idea that the Centurion’s spirit is still accessible, this long after his death…

Then came the topic of Hope. He didn’t like Clark’s timbre. Yes, it made sense to be cautious, but it did not make sense to immediately suspecting this girl of wrongdoing. Still, everyone saw the obvious similarities between White and Hope. Then Dire erupted, and laid down what was a very interesting theory.

Is Hope… somehow related to Faith?

In response to Dire, “Dr. Dire, Hope is a guest in this kingdom. She is not a prisoner, nor will I treat her as one. You may access the orb. But under no circumstances will this girl be allowed to be imprisoned or harmed. I would also like to speak with you in my chambers after this meeting.”

In other words… he wasn’t about to be kept in the dark about this, even if they had to hash it out behind closed doors --- behind even more closed doors!

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len did a double take at the mention of Night. Her death. "Wait...what do you mean Night's dead?" he said, confused. Len always had a crush on Night, and the two became close in high school - though there was always something keeping them from taking the next step. Eventually the whole Camelot thing happened and Len was too busy to even really visit. The two kept in touch, but long distance relationships rarely work out for long. Len always told himself that when things at Camelot settled down he would finally try and make something of it...but now...

"Who killed her?" he said, raising his voice. He slammed his fist on the table. "Tell me!" he yelled, before looking around, remembering where he was and who he was with, and composed himself - keeping his temper in check, though he was boiling inside.

[Raynn]

In response to Rycon Dire says


"Any information on Faith Winters' family is classified but Dire can say that Elizabeth Winters Jones is is currently a perfectly normal middle aged american citizen."

As Rycon finishes Dire lowers herself back into her chair and leans back


"The original Ultimate Nullifier would not depower a Vampire. Their powers are innate . . . but the latest model. . . may be capable of such a feat, but it was never finished. It was designed but never constructed. Isiah could never find a sufficient power source, at least not one that would be stable. The designs were stored in the Infinity Vault."

Dire shakes her head


"The vault is monitored from the Operations deck of the Lighthouse, continually, twenty-four seven. That someone could steal them is impossible . . . but it is evident that someone else somehow has this technology. Dire cannot allow this to stand."

Dire nods to Jake at his response in regards to his comment about Hope


"Then Dire asks that you adjourn this meeting, so we can discuss this matter in private. Dire suggests your team investigate the Sanctum immediately."

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley did not say much in response to Dire. She is lucky enough to not have the ex-supervillain blow the German's head off. However what Dire said is interesting. The Infinite Vault is monitored from the operations deck of the Lighthouse. She was there before, even if she never saw where the vault is monitored. For the design to be taken from the eyes of the FLI... That person would either need to be able to get to places immediately or be able to control the Lighthouse; or even both. Ashley knew someone who can do both and he better be glad he didn't come here today. Her suspicious is definitely up but mentioning it to others is pointless right now. Ashley would need to find out more herself but not by walking up to the suspect in person and asking. Last time she tried that, the suspect disintegrated her quite thoroughly.

Len's quick outrage on Night's death did not surprise Ashley; she knew Len had a thing for the now-deceased vampire since Claremont. "Len..." Ashley's voice is rather sombre, unusual for her but she didn't want to start an argument at the Round Table. "I know you had something for Night, but you don't need to begin taking it out on people yet. If she was killed by Prometheus we should at least find definite proof before we go after him. I've already told Red One this and I want you to trust me as well."

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Right… Night. Jake watched as his friend grew enraged. He didn’t chastise Len over it. He simply said, “Anything you learn about her murder, I would like reported to us.” It was what Faith was investigating when she was attacked. It had to be connected somehow. These bastards would pay for all the lives they’ve taken. Still, he couldn’t talk to Len about this in front of these people.

After discussing the Infinity Vault and this Ultimate Nullifier, Jake had heard enough for now. Besides, Dire herself wished to adjourn.

“Very well. Before we conclude, I pledge the resources of Camelot to rooting out and destroying the Supreme and his New Crime Syndicate. The forces of good will always have enemies arrayed against them, but if we stand together we will always overcome. Again, I thank you for your help.”

He stands, as do all of the other figures of the Round Table, and Len (he knows to do this).

“May the heavens smile upon our actions. This session of the Round Table is now adjourned.”

He retrieved Excalibur, sheathing it on his back, then motioned for Dr. Dire to come with him as he walked towards his chambers, which were connected to this room. They needed to talk about Hope.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len stood as the meeting adjourned. As they were walking out, he quickly stopped Jake before Dire made her way over.

"I'm sorry...that kind of behavior is unbecoming for a member of the Round Table...and especially your First Knight." he says, somberly. "It won't happen again." Len sighs.

"It's just..." he lets the words hang, searching for the right thing to say but not finding it. "Sorry."

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley gives a quiet sigh as the meeting is adjourned. She is glad the formalities are over but wishes that there is a more conclusive end to the meeting. Now it's all a matter of waiting to see about Jake's meeting with Dire and what needs to be done next. Ashley has a few ideas but first there is something else she feels like doing first. She gets out of her seat and walks over to Clark. "Centurion, do you have time if we can talk?" Provided he agrees, Ashley goes to ask Robert the same. "Robert, I'm going to talk with Centurion," she gestures the minotaur towards Clark. "Do you want to come? I know that... Well... The two of you are brothers and he's been looking forward to seeing you again."

Regardless of Robert's response, Ashley begins to head back to the emergency tent where she was chatting with Isiah earlier; hopefully both Robert and Clark agrees to come.

I forgot to mention before, but Peregrine is free to come along with Robert and Ashley if he wishes. :smallsmile:

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Jake turns to Len as he apologizes. His features take on a look of both sadness and concern. It isn’t fully expressed, little can be when Jake is administering his duties as monarch. Jake puts his hands on Len’s shoulders and looks him square in the eye.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, brother. The Round Table is about justice, and she deserves it.”

He phrases things in a way that’s in keeping with the formality of this room, but the subtext is clear. Len’s his best friend. He knew how strongly he’d cared for Night. They had all hung out together as kids. Len had a right to be sad, to be angry.

And those behind it all would be punished.

“Tend to the guests while I’m speaking with Dr. Dire. Do everything you need to do to make sure you and the others are ready to act. Because we’re going to begin investigating starting today.”

He squeezed Len’s shoulder before releasing him and walking into his chambers.

[Raynn]

Doctor Dire and motions for Red One and the Centurion II to remain behind. Slowly she follows after Jake, closing the door behind herself.

When they are finally alone Doctor Dire says


"So what do you wish to discuss with Dire?"

***

In reply to Rycon Clark says with a grin


"Of course, it'd be great to catch up with an old friend like you Ashley."

He waits for Robert's reply before walking off with Ashley to her tent.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

He turned towards Dr. Dire. As a kid, he never thought he’d be meeting this woman as equals. But here he was.

“Forgive my forwardness, Dr. Dire, but I’m going to get to the point.” His brown eyes looked up at her. Dire was a forceful presence, for sure, but so was Jake. He wasn’t intimidated by her. “I’m giving you access to the orb. I expect something in return. I want you to tell me everything you know or suspect about Hope. I respect your need for secrecy, considering the incident with Jennifer Jones, but Hope is here, asking for my help. I won’t be left in the dark. Anything you disclose to me will stay within these chambers”

[Raynn]

Dire nods, finding the request reasonable, if a little aggressive


"Dire knows little about this girl Hope, but Isiah Washington has made Dire aware. . ."

She slowly walks towards the nearest armchair and suddenly lowers herself into it


"Keep in mind that only a handful, no more than a dozen people, are known to be aware of what Dire is about to tell you in the whole universe. A long time ago. . . two men came to Earth 8. They were members of a team known as the Frontliners. Nicholas Bennett, formerly Night Claw, Panda Man before that, and then Laughing Man, and a man you've met, Isiah Washington. Their team had been decimated by the forces of Omega, they had lost friends, and it was clear to them that Omega's plan involved the destruction of the entire Multiverse. Every universe, every parallel, every corner of creation was in danger; so they gathered heroes, from here and other worlds, and they faced Omega's legions. . . and we lost. We were decimated, killed almost to the last man, and our world, along with all others were destroyed. Everyone living today more than a few years old died that day. Omega won."

Dire rises and moves to the window, glancing out over Camelot


"With the whole of the Multiverse burning up to fuel the Doom Coil Omega created a single universe, so that he could trap, hunt and kill the living embodiment of life, the Entity. This world was different to our own, and for a time it lacked heroes entirely, but Omega released a virus into around the beginning of the 21st century so he could reincarnate his disciples, generals he had recreated in turn from the heroes of Isiah's armies he had slain. He created a being to lead them as well, a singular being to slay the Entity. She was named Elizabeth Winters and contained the genetic material of Omega himself. Yes. Faith Winter's mother. Faith Winter's father on the other hand lived a relatively normal life in a small town called Greenfield, where Freedom City is located in our universe. He was a teenage boy when he met Elizabeth, who he just called Winter. He and his friends all gained powers from what appeared at the time to be an accident at a lake called Crescent Point. All but one of this group, Marshal Sands, Daedelus II, were Hellions.

Eventually Marshal Sands was enough to disrupt the predetermined path of that universe, as he had never existed in the old multiverse so Omega couldn't predict how he would affect the future. Michael Jones and Elizabeth Winters fell in love, and the Hellions, with the help of Harlequin, who had spent billions of years serving Omega as the brainwashed Omnicide, Harlequin is Nicholas Bennet by the way, and Isiah Washington, eventually rebelled against Omega at the eve of his final victory. Lee Bruce, codename Neo, the then Lord of Time, died to reverse what Omega had done and kill Omega in the process. The singular earth was erased and the Multiverse was recreated, with a change or two. As thanks the Entity wrote Martial Sands into our recreated universe.

So the fact that Hope looks so much like Elizabeth worries Dire, what if it means that some fragment of her DNA comes from Omega? What if this is part of a plot to destroy the Multiverse again? We don't even know if we're the same people who died or we're copies, if some part of her is Omega she may the greatest threat Earth 8 has ever faced!"

She pauses to give Jake time to respond.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Jake chose not to sit. Rather, he stood by his desk, listening. He didn’t interrupt. Not once. The story was shocking. There was another Jake Wallace, who was dead. And he was.. what.. a copy? While it would mean some troubling philosophical questions later, Jake had already had his own identity crisis in the past. Now wasn’t the time for a new one. He is who he is, regardless.

And as the story goes on, Jake is more and more glad that he killed the Alpha Centurion. A madman with the power of the Centurion and the mark of a universe-destroying entity…

She finishes, implying that Hope might be a threat to the multiverse. Jake is silent for a moment, thinking about just how he will respond. When he does, he speaks softly.

“That’s a lot of ‘what-ifs.’ But here’s something I do know. She’s a person. She talks, thinks, smiles, and worries just like you and I. She’s done nothing to indicate she’s a threat. So I won’t treat her as one. If she’s innocent, and she does have this power; but we come down on her anyway, it will just make her more likely to be our enemy. I’ve given her my word that I’ll help her, and I will. I don’t break my oaths, even when the what ifs stack tall.”

He’s quiet for a beat.

“We could all be a threat, you know. All of us with all of our powers. But we choose not to be. She hasn’t chosen the wrong path yet. But if she does, I’ll do what needs to be done.” Those words are spoken to reassure Dire. He immediately feels their weight on his shoulders.

[Raynn]

Doctor Dire doesn't betray how she feels about Jake's response, leaving him guessing, and walks towards the door to depart


"Dire hopes for your sake you're right about that girl. If not, she may bring this city down around your ears."

Then she is gone.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion - The Heir Apparent



"Dire suggests your team investigate the Sanctum immediately."

Team? What team? He looks around. They weren't a team, not anymore. Just a bundle of friends come together for a short reunion.

As Robert gets up to leave, he puts a hand on Len's shoulder and a sympathetic nod. Len had work to do, no time for a heart to heart, but hopefully a look would be enough for now.

He begins to get El Peregrino when he's stopped by Ashley. He tilts his head and looks at Clark... his brother, it had been so long... neither of them had sought each other during the three year sojourn Robert took. And they had barely looked at each other during the meeting.

It would be nice to catch up. And there was the matter of their parentage to discuss...

He shakes his head and smiles at Ashley.

"Maybe another time, Ashley. I have company I must attend to" He nods at Clark. "Good to see you, brother."

Robert was here to lend expertise to the Table, nothing more. Rejoining the world of the FLI wasn't yet part of his plans. Whatever role in history Cael thought Robert would play, no need to hurry into the center stage yet.

He walks towards the exit. "Come on, beaknose.

---

Later...

Robert stands in front of a thick building of glass and concrete, Peregrine presumably beside him.

"The Albright Institute, dedicated to the study and research of superhumans for the advancement of all humanity. Thought we'd start off here."

[Phase]

Diego Torres

Diego listens patiently to a lot of what's said. He can honestly say a lot goes over his head, though much less than what might go over the heads of some of his teenage peers currently stuck in Chemistry class. Even so, there was discussion of reality altering, vampires, power nullification? It's all so... big league.

The meeting adjourns, and Peregrine stretches. He's not one for standing or sitting still for a long while. Especially not on the ground. He follows Robert as Ashley approaches and is summarily rebuffed. He nods to her as he exits with Robert. "Adios, Sparky." He intones with a sarcastic twinge.

---

Later...

Diego whistles, peering up at the building before him. "Gotta say, el tauro." He says, following Robert into the building. "You really know how to show a guy a good time." He follows a safe distance behind Robert, pressing a button on his harness to retract his wings. "I don't actually have that much experience with 'superhumans' or whatever." He looks up at the doors, subtly starting a Google search for the Albright Institute. He looks over at Robert as they walk. "They do good work here?"

Well-Informed v. Albright Institute: [roll0]

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

"B-but...!" Ashley peeps a word out before halting herself from trying to change Robert's mind. She still remembers well what Robert told her before leaving way back before graduation. Can't really change something once his mind is made up. Yet Ashley still wishes that he could have the chance to talk with his brother...

Ashley sighs and walks back to Clark. "Robert won't be coming," she says in a rather disappointed tone. With that, she takes Clark out to the emergency tent she was at before. Taking a seat on the bed there, she looks up to her former classmate. "Finally glad I can drop the formalities," she says as she speaks more casually and relaxed now. "So Clark, how has it been being a member of the Freedom League Alpha? I'm not exactly full time with the FLI; much of it is spent at Olympus Technologies. And when I AM on duty it dumbdfoundedly insane at times. The crazy lady at the park yesterday took the cake."

Ashley rolls her eyes as she mentions about the formorrian princess again. Seeing her twice is well more than enough for the German female. "I can't even imagine what working in the FLA is like. We only last met when you got accepted into it. I remember your smile that day; happiest damn thing I've seen since when we met back at Claremont." She chuckles.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

He didn't respond to that statement from Dire. He knew there was a risk involved here. But it wasn't in his person not to at least give her one chance.

He was also aware that he had a level of fondness for the girl -- with her being the one person his age he could carry on a conversation with since Len. Still, he wouldn't let that get in the way if she proved to be a danger.

"Thank you, Doctor. We'll be in touch," he says quietly as she exits the room.

He waits for a moment, taking a full deep breath at the door of his chambers.

Jake exhaled softly, then opened the door, he had a smile on his face as he stepped out, even though his heart was heavy. Keep everyone's spirits up. He saw Ashley talking to Clark -- old flames and all. He saw Robert and the new kid as they were on their way out -- that's a shame. Then, he looked over to Hope. Her white hair caught his eyes easily.

"Alright. Let's get some lunch. I'm probably going to have to leave soon."

He held a hand out to Hope, inviting her to come along.

[Raynn]

The Centurion II & Rycon

As Ashley glances back she sees when that Clark has changed into his civilian clothes, except for his shades, when she wasn't looking. As she speaks he smiles at her warmly. He sits down beside her but doesn't invade her personal space, seemingly intentionally.


"Working with the Freedom League Alpha? It's . . . I once saw a single man crack a world of ruby and molten iron in half, as a message, I've seen black holes eat whole worlds as those we couldn't save sang our names in thanks for those we could save, I've fought tyrants and monsters, I've seen corners of the globe I didn't know existed, and places in the stars I still can't believe are real. I understand now why he did it for all those years, the Centurion, the first one. He saw, every day, the beauty of the world, the marvelous wondrous people that humanity can be at its greatest.

I'm going to miss it . . . Rycon . . ."

he looks up at Ashley with a grin and tears running down his face


"Ashley . . . I think I'm going to miss you most of all . . ."


***


Professor Minotaur & El Peregino

As the pair appear outside a man opens the front door for them after a minute or so. A young Asian man, only a few years older than Robert, reaches out a hand to Professor Minotaur


"Hikaru Hoshi, I'm the current president of the Albright institute, how may I help you fine gentle men?"

He ushers you into the building through to a reception area and towards an elevator.

The Albright Institute is a private foundation that gathers information about superhumans for scientific research and study. It was established by Langston Albright (alias Beacon), a member of the Liberty League before his retirement in the 1950s. The Institute’s ostensive purpose is to increase knowledge and understanding of superhumans.


***


Sauros, The King, Hope & Faith

Hope smiles as Jake enters the room, most of the knights and other guests have already left


"I know this great place in Freedom City, Champion's restaurant, you went there with White and the other Claremonters once, you ordered a Synapse Freeze for desert! I . . . why do I know that . . . ?"

she looks embarrassed suddenly but takes Jake's hand.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Champions. Even the name of the place causes Jake’s lips to break out in a genuine grin. That place was so ridiculous, and they used to think it was so cool when they had first arrived at Claremont. Maybe some Champions and company was what he and Len both needed. Len… the Night thing.

However, Hope pulled another one of her “remembering something she shouldn’t remember” moments. This piqued Jake’s curiosity. He looked over to Len, then back to Hope.

“That’s a good question. Why do you know that?” He had an operating theory, but he needed to test it. “Okay. Hope, I went to school in Indiana before I came to Claremont. Do you know the name of my seventh grade English teacher?” It was Mrs. Cantrell. He's fairly certain he never talked about Mrs. Cantrell with any of the Claremont crew, including White.

If she knows the answer to this, then his theory might be right. If she doesn’t… then he can discount it. Experimentation!

[Raynn]

Clutching Jake's hand with a worried look on her face Hope replies confused


"Why would I know Mrs. Cantrell's name?"

Shocked by her own words her hand shoots away from Jake and covers her mouth.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley listens at Clark's explanation with surprise. Traveling the universe must have been something that could kill any hero through sheer horror that isn't as powerful as someone like the Centurion. Ashley knew she wouldn't last a moment with the FLA regardless if she had saved the multiverse before. Right now she is glad to be on Earth. It may be a dangerous place in it's own way but Earth is a place Ashley can handle; not like the galaxy where cosmic villains and universe-shattering abominations lie in.

...Then she notices her old classmate crying. "...Clark?" She quickly stands up; genuine concern and worry spread over her face and speech. "Clark, crying isn't like you at all. What happened?" In-between Robert's leave at graduation and Clark's acceptance into the FLA, Ashley and Clark had gone out a few times in belief that they'd never see Robert again. Ashley wouldn't lie that she has some feelings for Clark but she also has trouble saying them in front of anyone. To see Clark's tears and words now is not how she wants to remember this reunion.

She pauses talking and thinking for a moment; something just kicks in for her.

In a rush, Ashley takes hold of Clark's hand with both of her own. Her breathing now staggers a bit as her voice grows further into desperation. "Clark, what are you saying? What do you mean you are going to miss humanity? Going to miss me?! Are you telling me you will be leaving Earth forever?! You know of something terrible that will happen to Earth?! By this point she is fighting back tears. "I don't want you piling another omen on top of everything that is happening. If you are foreshadowing something, I need to know the whole thing Clark! We both know this!"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Booyah. Scientific method. Jake didn’t seem taken aback at all. It was just like he expected. She seemed shocked by the knowledge. So he took a step towards her and gently touched her upper arms, soothing.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m not freaked out. You shouldn’t freak out, either.”

He smiled at her warmly.

“I think that when I touched the orb, it took part of me, my memories at least, and gave it to you. I suspected it last night, but this supports the theory.”

He took her free hand and grinned.

"Hope, you literally know me better than anyone else."

[Raynn]

The Centurion II & Rycon

Clark wipes away his own tears and for a moment holds Ashley's chin, as if to try and calm her


"No. . . No . . . Ashley, nothing like that. I'm not leaving you Ashley, not like that . . . I'm dying."

With that, for a moment, silence fills the tent.


***


Sauros, The King, Hope & Faith

She smiles at Jake's last comment


"I guess I do don't I . . . but why would the orb do that? And why if I only have memories from you do I have memories of watching a show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic?"[/SIZE]

Hope takes Jake's hand again.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len returned the nod from Robert. He still had his friends to support him, and that was comforting, especially with the weight of recent events.

Later...

Len gave a little chuckle at the mention of Champion's. "Man, I haven't been there in ages it feels like...Synapse Freeze sure does sound good though."

Len watches the exchange between Hope and Jake with interest. "It's almost like she's a clone of you or something. A better looking one of course!" Len says with a smirk, which then grows even wider at the My Little Pony remark.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

This has to be a joke. That's the thought that is going through Ashley's head as she hears Clark's horrifying words. Just last night Ashley reunited with her old classmates and were nearly killed; now she is hearing that another old friend of her's is dying in front of her eyes. This is absolutely now how she wants to remember this meeting.

"D...Dy...Dy..." Her voice is well beyond staggering now; it is like her voice chords shattered in simultaneous synchronization. Unable to finish her word, Ashley lets go of Clark's hand and tightly hugs his body. There isn't any way she can hide her tears; it's coming out greater than Clark has ever seen. She clearly is not taking it well even if she asked to hear what is really happening.

In midst of all her tears, she manages to squeak out a few words. "Why?! How?!" She pauses to try and calm down, try to catch her breath; yet it changes nothing. Ashley is too worked up right now to maintain a cool head like she usually does. She manages to at least say another two sentences however. "Clark, how did this happen? How much longer do you have left to live?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

He smirked at Len when he called her a clone of him. “Don’t say that. We don’t look anything alike. Besides… that would make it weird.”

And then she brings up My Little Pony. Jake freezes for a second. He looked at Len. Oh he’d never hear the end of this. “Oh come on, I got curious!” He looked at Hope and gave the “cut” sign jokingly.

He changed the subject. “So, uh… the uh.. the orb probably was designed to make sure you were able to understand and communicate with whoever you encountered. It flashed a lot of languages before settling in on English. If it had been a Japanese sushi chef, you’d probably be speaking Japanese and know a lot about nigiri.”

He started walking and gave her hand a little tug.

“We have a few good places up here in the city. It’d be good for the people to see us among them. Actually… didn’t they open a medieval themed Champions here?”

[Raynn]

The Centurion II & Rycon

Clark holds Ashley and every few moments wipes away her tears


"Degenerative clones. I don't think Tauros knew. Hades put something in his DNA so he couldn't copy his own immortality and transfer it to the masses, he is the king of the DEAD after all. . . I told Tauros as soon as I found out, I can't say how, sorry. All of the labyrinth is working to save me, Isiah has Payne on it as well but . . . They've all given me six months . . . I've been searching for Anna and Robert . . . because it's not just me Ashley, Anna has a few more months than us because she a little younger, but Robert. . . he's got six months too. . . "

he holds Ashley tighter for a moment


"Robert and I have six months to live . . . I don't want to leave Ash . . ."


***


Sauros, The King, Hope & Faith

Hope blushes and grins then says almost as if by reflex


"I've always thought you looked hot too!"

She winks at Len then rapidly says worried to Jake


"I think that was another one of my memories of your memories rapid response things again!"

As a look of horror flashes over Jake's face Hope burst out laughing


"Joking! I think I've got your sense of humor too, oh this will be fun! I can have fun with this!"

She laughs again with a genuinely happy smile plastered across her face before replying to Jake


"That sounds great! But won't people ask questions about going around with a girl to restaurants, even if Len is with us? What about paparazzi?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Jake stopped dead in his tracks when Hope said Len was hot. Then blamed it on Jake's thoughts! He started shaking his head, his mouth getting ready to form the “n” sound for “no.” Then she erupted in laughter. Jake blinked once, his mouth agape formed a grin.

“Wow. Nice one. Okay, that’s fine. Two can play at that game.”

Ok. Yeah. He likes her.

As for the press, he shook his head and smirked. “Hope, remember last night when you were standing, half-naked, in my room? The attendant saw you. I’m willing to bet that everyone in this city is already saying the things you think they’re saying.”

He started walking again, finally reaching the gates of the castle. The extremely tall double doors opened, letting the sunlight into the grand hallway.

“Besides, we’re not going to be hermits because of the press. Let them say whatever they want to say.”

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len snickered at Hope's clever joke. She definitely did have Jake's sense of humor.

"Paparazzi be damned. I think it would be good to get out of here, if only for a short time. I have a feeling we might not get another chance like this for a while..."

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley's voice is soft and tarnished. "...Hades...?" She knew that name well. Her voice deepens as it loses it's softness. "...Hades..." She had been warned and had forgotten it. Now her voice flipped; her tears are gone and her anger is focused all on one word, on one person.


"HADES!!!"

For just a few moments, Ashley's eyes flashed back to her deceased time, to the Underworld. It's state being torn and thrashed by the seeping chaos that came from the land of the living. In there, she stood in front of the Underworld's ruler, Hades. She had told him of what was happening and how she may stop it; how she may stop the end of the world and save the lands of the living and of the dead. She remembers how Hades agreed to let her back to the living for a second change. However his words echoed as she was leaving. "And so you shall return to the living. By seeing you here again it means you have failed. By living again, you succeed, but ones you know shall be claimed in my hand."

That is what Hades meant. Her friends, Clark, Anna, Robert; they're all dying. in six months, she might have met them again in the Underworld had she not gone back. In these six months however, she will never see them again. She tries to think on how it could be fixed. The minds of many brilliant people are working on this. What about Ava? No, she couldn't heal degenerative cloning. It doesn't seem like there are many ways out.

Eventually, Ashley manages to calm down now that she has gone over the facts. Her voice is vulnerable and in shock. "Clark, You've been working with Taurus..." Going over that piece of info, Ashley is amazed. None of her other classmates has ever seen Robert's other father, much less met him. Clark suddenly speaks about it like he has met his father many times over. She isn't getting any info out of Clark though. All she can do is believe in him.

Six months are all Robert and Clark have left. A gruelingly long time that just isn't long enough. Both Ashley and Clark knew this well. The female still held onto her old classmate as she tries to come to grip with the reality of things. "I don't want to see you leave either Clark," she says to him somberly. "I-I want to help any way I can but..." Biology is not Ashley's specialty, it never was. There really isn't anything she can do unless the cure will involve making a cyborg out of Clark and Robert and that is something she will refuse to do.

"...Will you be able to stay for these six months?" Ashley is quiet as she asks Clark the question. "I know you are in the FLA but this is not how I want to spend our final meeting. I want to see you more often before you die. At least once a month; no not even that. Once a week!" She didn't know if Clark has the time; in fact she doubts that he does. Yet she asks anyway as her tears come back. "Please... Bleib bei mir." She remembers saying those exact words to Robert back then before he left at Claremont. Now Ashley is saying those same words to Clark. "Bleib bei mir... Bleib bei mir... Bleib bei mir..."





"Stay with me."

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Hope & Faith

As Jake throws open the gates he is met by a hundred camera flashes as just a few feet from the front entrance of the castle are dozens of paparazzi. Jake stumbles a step backward as he's almost blinded.

"Any comment on last night's attack? . . . Claims you personally executed a super villain on Camelot's soil? . . . When you were attacked were you really on a hot date with a former flight?! . . . What about claims you have formed a new super teams to show your disdain for the Freedom League International? . . . When will the damage be repaired by? . . . Was it true the naked girl seen in your bedroom by a concerned citizen was underage? . . . Who is she?!"

The paparazzi continues to shout as it surround Jake!


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

Clark forces a smile


"I'm off active duty already, effective today. I was only at the meeting because sitting isn't exactly strenuous and they needed some one F.L.A. at short notice. I'll be here Ash . . . for as long as I can, I'll stay with you."

Clark holds Ashley and lets silence fill the air for a minute before speaking


"I need to talk to Anna and Robert. I need to tell them. . . will you help me? Will you be there for it? He'll need you too . . ."

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Well that was problematic. He turned his head to give an apologetic look to the other two. “You guys go ahead. I’ll deflect.” He unsheathed Excalibur for a moment, long enough to open a gateway from here to the restaurant itself. He then turned towards the press. In a voice that was clear and strong, even over the shouting, he gave the answer he wanted to give.

“Last night, the People of Camelot were attacked by a collection of Super Villains calling themselves the New Crime Syndicate. These villains were Cerebrus Rex, Morgan La Fey, Baron Samedi, a woman calling herself Blitz, and Ragnarok. Leading them into battle was a clone of the Centurion. The Freedom League, AEGIS, and other outside parties came to our assistance. With their help, we were able to stop them, and kill the Centurion clone in the process.

We have repair crews working around the clock. Hospitals are treating the wounded. Homes are being rebuilt. Everyone who has lost health or property will be restored as soon as humanly possible. Our defenses will be strengthened, and the villains responsible will be hunted down and defeated.

More information will be released as soon as it becomes available. Until then, I bid you good day.”

He offered a smile before he too stepped through the portal, into The Realm of Champions. The portal closed right behind him. That'll buy half an hour.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

As Ashley hears Clark's words, she could finally begin to calm down. Those few words right there are the silver lining to this entire mess. There is only a sigh of incredible relief from Ashley at first. A moment later, she quietly speaks again. "Danke. Thank you Clark." That is all she could bring out for now. For a quiet minute, she kept hugging Clark. She isn't letting go of this moment so soon, she savors it as much as she can.

Eventually she decides to let go, seeing Clark's face again with a smile she rarely shows. "W-we should tell Anna and Robert," she says, not quite having recovered from her staggered tone. "Anna is in England from a letter I got from her yesterday. I don't know when she'll be returning but I hope it's soon... Robert went off somewhere but I doubt he hasn't left the city after this mess."

Finally leaving the emergancy tent, Ashley feels that she can finally relax after that incredibly tense moment. "Will you be able to carry me? She decides to ask Clark a bit of a favor. "We never really got a chance to fly above and through the city before. I want to make the most of these six months, so let's make it count." Ashley's normal behavior finally begins to slowly creep back. She clearly isn't over the shock but it doesn't mean she will worry about it all the time; especially when there is a goal to accomplish and a world to potentially save.

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King & Hope

The realm of Champions opens up before the trio. The motif is obviously of being within a medieval, even more medieval looking than Camelot's actual castle. The wooden tables are arrayed around a central stage, for musical and comedy acts, and Camelot's foremost heroes for waiters orbit them, along with a few classics such as the Centurion and Doctor Dire. As the group sits down they are surprised that absolutely no one harasses them, until they over hear someone complementing Jake and Len's costumes!

After a few moments a girl appears at the table to take your orders. Though a girl she has been forced into a the King costume much inferior to Jake's, and a wig that nowhere near contains her long hair.

"I'm White, and I'll be your waitress for . . ."

her voice cuts off and her eyes go wide, then her pale skin goes ed

"Jake . . . ?"


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

As Ashley looks back after making her request she sees no one . . .

Clark . . . ?


*FWOOOSH*

Suddenly a fully costumed Centurion II is holding Ashley a hundred foot in the air over Camelot


"So Ash, where to next? The city is ours to paint red! If we're telling Robert tomorrow I figure a night out on the town is a just pre-reward! Drinks on me!":smallbiggrin:

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Jake sat down at the table next to Hope and across from Len. He adjusts slightly to sit comfortably with his cape on. Funny, he hadn’t really been into capes when he was a superhero, but it just seemed right for the King, you know?

“I wonder if they still have the Red Ranger Enchilada. Muy caliente.” He grinned up at his two companions. Today was going to be a good day. His best friend. Pretty girl with his memories. What could go wrong?

”I’m White.”

It was like slow motion as he looked up at her. White hair… fair skin… oh sh**. And to make it worse, she’s dressed like he is.

“White?”

He glances over to Len. Then to Hope. Hopefully she wouldn’t be too weirded out by this. This moment was cringe-inducing.

“It’s been years. I didn’t know you came to live up here.” He avoids asking why she's working at Champions.

A pause. Oh crap… he should introduce.

“Oh. Hope, this is White. White, Hope. And you remember Len.” Hope knew who White was already. Jake’s memories, remember?

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

It only takes a moment for Ashley to turn around and then find herself taken way up high by Clark. "W-whoa!" If anything makes her say "enough moping and worrying; wake up and enjoy the view," it's this. The height distance between where they are and Freedom City is truly astounding. Ashley could have fainted if she didn't prepare herself for the skies. Right now it almost felt like she is in her great-grandmother's shoes, like she is Madame Blitz high above over the skies of her homeland. This really is a moment Ashley won't forget anytime soon one way or another.

"You're taking the 'sweep the girl off her feet' thing very literally," Ashley says to Clark in her typical, deadpan manner. "But you do it better than some other klutzy king I know!" While she'd never say it to anyone else, Ashley has seen King Jake dance... She never has a comment on it.

"So, places to dine in. Well if you know about Champions, there's one in Camelot nearby as well as one far down in Freedom City. Rather silly and nuts but just the thing to get your mind off things. On the other hand, I know about the Culinary Oasis. It's a rather simple but very popular diner run by the former supervillain known as Chef Magnífico. It's found in the Barrio, just nearby the edges of that neighborhood. Not exactly the place to be for a rowdy time but it's a pretty pleasant place with unique food there. Also helps that Chef Magnífico is actually a half-decent fighter now for when the rough freaks from the neighborhood stroll in there."

She looks up to Clark now, glad of being done looking down for awhile. "So how do either of those sound? If you have another idea I can hear it. Just thought I'd state what would be good for us tonight. I'm gonna need to unwind as well."

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Hope & Faith

White forces the single most awkward smile Camelot has ever witnessed and nods at white, clutching her order pad


"It's nice to meet you . . . Hope . . . Nice hair."

For a single shining moment everything seemed like it was going fine when suddenly Hope's face drops . . .

She bolts upright out of her seat with a cringing look clutching her head with one hand and pointing between Jake and White


"You with her. . . oh god! Don't remember! Don't Remember Hope! . . . A DANGER ROOM IS NOT FOR THAT! FirstDateSecondDatePromAshley'sFuneral! Oh Lord My mind has fallen victim to the hormone powder keg of co-ed highschool education!"

Still clutching her head Hope tries to get to the little girl's room


"I need to. . . uh. . . powder my nose. . . "

Still manic she lets out a shout


"Agh! Great now I know exactly how to go to the bathroom, IF I WAS A BOY! Stupid memory bull. . . WHY DO GIRLS SPEND MORE TIME IN THERE! It doesn't even make. . . "

Hope stops at the door of the women's bathroom and looks back seeing the entire restaurant staring at her


"Eep!"

With that she rushes into the bathroom in embarrassment and slams the door. White turns back to Jake and Len dumbstruck saying simply


"You guys always have the most interesting friends . . ."


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

"Let's try this Culinary Oasis, something new!

With that Clark zips away over the skyline, Ashley in his arms, towards the Barrio.

I'll let Starsign describe the restaurant.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len thanked those people who complimented his costume. It was pretty great to be 'normal' for a few moments.

He nods to Jake when he mentions the Red Ranger Enchiladas. "They really spiced that one up, its extra hot now!"

Then the waitress came over. And it was White. And they were sitting there with Hope, who then remembers Jake's memories with White.

Holy crap this is awkward.

He looks around the restaurant to see everyone staring at Hope as she has her little 'moment' and escapes into the bathroom. "Alright show's over folks! Back to your regular scheduled eating!" he says, hoping everyone would just go back to paying attention to their food and not the newly arrived space girl.

He then leans back in his seat and looks at White. "Yeah, she's new. New to pretty much everything it appears..." he says, and puts on his trademark grin, trying to lighten the mood and deflect attention away from his bud being here with a new girl in front of his old girl. Part of the duties of a First Knight.

"How have you been White? It's been forever!" he says jovially and gets up to give her a hug. "You know, for being in Camelot, you would think they could spring for a decent King costume..." he says, and playfully fixes her wig the best he can. He stands back and admires his work. "Well, best I could do..." he says.

Seeing White again, while nice, was not one of the best things for Len to see while trying to get his mind off of Night's death. His grin slipped a little, but he managed to hold himself together. He kept his focus on how the hell he was gonna get Jake out of this one without hurting White or Hope...or making things more awkward!

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Being way up high in the sky is something; flying through the air at incredible speeds is something much, much more. Ashley finds herself moving through the clouds with Clark as they fly towards the Barrio. She is rather glad that she doesn't know how to fly unlike her great-grandmother. It takes great concentration just to teleport; having to fly will tire her out easily. It's amazing how effortless Clark does it... If he even needs to concentrate at all.

Coming down on the Barrio, Ashley directs Clark to a small, empty alleyway just next to the Culinary Oasis. She changes out of her superhero outfit and into something more casual, though keeping the Kevlar gear under her clothing just in case. She waits to see if Clark changes or not before entering the diner with him.

There is a very good reason why the place is called the Culinary Oasis. Much of the flooring is abound with artificial, soft sand that pairs well with the light brown wooden walls, tables, and chairs. A large television hangs at a corner of the place, currently catching people's interests with the basketball game going on there. Most spectacularly is the beautiful pond-like body of water in the middle of the building. It glistens it's radiance as a couple lily pads and petals populate the pristine water.

Ashley orders a table near the pond and takes a seat at the beautifully crafted table with Clark. Much of the food is Spanish or Latvian foods, something she has not had often eaten much. First however are the drinks; Ashley orders a simple soda pop. She is not a drinker of alcohol at all. While waiting for that, she looks to Clark. "How long ago did you arrive back in Freedom City? I've heard nothing of you arrival since this morning." Just then another thought came to Ashley's mouth. "Do you get along with the others that you work with?" Ashley can imagine the FLA being a tough crowd for Clark to work with, especially being the newest member of them.

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Hope & White

White smiles in thanks to Len's obvious attempts to lighten the mood


"Thanks Len, it's great seeing you guys again, what with you guys being superstars now. It must be hard for you guys to keep up with the old crew,""

you get the faintest feeling that might be a jab at the fact that neither of you have seen White since Camelot was restored. She continues with a genuine smile


"Anyway, moving on from that little awkward moment, how's Night Len? I haven't seen her in forever either and I bet you two have managed to keep track of each other even with the craziness of celebrity life. What is she doing nowadays?"


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

Clark changes into his civies before waltzing into the restaurant but he keeps the shades on. When he replies to Ashley he's still smiling


"Well since the F.L.I. can teleport me anywhere they need me I'm not really based out of anywhere. If I need a place to crash I can bill a hotel as a work expense, other times I just crash at the Lighthouse dormitory. I keep hopping from place to place with those teleportals so I only arrived in Freedom City this morning really. And yeah, most of the others I get along with fine, especially Synapse and Daedalus. Doctor Dire can be a tough task master sometimes but she means well."

He orders and pours himself some red wine, taking a tentative sip


"How has life been treating you Ashley? You okay after the big bust up last night?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

Oh no. White’s getting catty about the hair. Still, Jake is smiling (he’s got enough bluffing skill to even make it not seem like he was the most tense person in the room right now. He’s had lots of practice, dealing with diplomats.

“You sh—“ He’s interrupted by Hope’s outburst. It’s an epic outburst. It’s really easy to figure out what she’s remembering right now. It completely dawns on Jake that he can’t hide… anything… from her. Not only does she know who White is, but Hope also knows every single thing they ever did.

Including the dark room at Ashley’s funeral.

He is one of the people watching her as she reaches the women’s bathroom. He gives her an apologetic look before turning calmly back to Len and White.

“That’s an accurate statement,” he responds to White.

Thankfully, Len has his back. However… Jake saw the grin slip for a moment. He knew his best buddy enough to know what was going on in his head. Let’s try to defuse the situation. After all, he and White parted as friends… right? Right?

“Listen, White. How about you take your lunch break. We’ll all go up on the roof and catch up.” His smile is genuine. He likes White. He’ll always like her. So while this might make lunch a little awkward, it'd be better for everyone involved than having her be their waitress...

She prods at them for not staying in touch. "Well, we have been busy. Gathering people to come here, forming and running a government, fighting insane cyborgs on occasion. Really, White, we haven't seen any of the old crew until yesterday."

And then she mentions Night. It's all he can do to keep from making a pained expression. "White..." He shook his head gently at her.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

White's question hits him harder then he thought it would. He knew she would ask, but it still surprised him.


"White..." He shook his head gently at her.

"It's ok...I got this." He turns to face White.

"I just found out tonight...that Night...she's...well..." he takes a moment to gather himself. "She's dead."

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley listens to Clark as she drinks her soda pop rather quickly. She hasn't had anything to eat or drink since at the Lighthouse so she's glad to get the chance now. The free refills here doesn't hurt either.

"So you usually find yourself moving all over the world? Sounds insane." Ashley responds to Clark inbetween drinking. "I've moved out of my Aunt's place since graduation. Got an apartment near Olympus Technologies that makes it convenient to get to work. Perhaps we can go there later? It's a little messy but that's what happens when you are a top engineer." She giggles at herself quietly as she takes a look at the menu. She found herself lost just at the appetizers. All these Spanish foods without an idea of what to get. She checks first on what Clark is interested in.

When Clark asks her about how she is doing from last night, Ashley shudders slightly before sighing. "I'm not quite over it yet. We both know that we can't forget a near-death experience..." Her tone bitters notably as she tries to drag in some sort of relaxed mood on her next sentence. "Well at least I'm used to it..." That time last night reminds her of when she actually did die. It's never fun to think about it but it the thought always sinks into her mind. "...Reminds me of way back at that prom. I should be forgetting it but... It's so hard to move on after it whenever I keep remembering how much I screwed up; how much of a scare I gave everyone. Especially you and Robert..." Ashley sighs again.

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Hope & White

For a moment White looks dumbstruck then she laughs, barely a foot from Len, she laughs after being told of Night's death


"God Len! That's a terrible joke!"

She keeps laughing not stopping long enough to see the horrified look on Jake's face


"I get it, she's a vampire so she's dead! In future when you try to lighten the mood Len stick to bad dinosaur related puns. You have spent too much time with Jake and his terrible sense of humor has rubbed off on you!"

she begins to walk away towards the cash register to go off for her lunch break, as she walks into the backroom taking off her wig she lets out another laugh at Len's sense of humour


"Meet you all on the roof in a minute!"


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

As Ashley finishes Clark reaches over and places his hand on Ashley's


"But you came back to us . . ."

He smiles at her, a smile she knows from her memories of her Jennifer Jones induced normal life memories means he's either finding her really cute at this moment or ridiculous. . . she doubted it was ridiculous at this moment


"Ash you didn't screw up. Timelock . . . he was evil, and not everyone got that right away, you were sure first, you were the cleverest. You forced his hand, to show his true colours. Your sacrifice gave us the warning we needed to win. You saved the whole world, and for some reason I don't think it will be for the last time. I think the world has been waiting for you Ashley Culdis, and it isn't ready for you. You're going to be Legendary. I know it."

He smiles that same smile.

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

His jaw is literally hanging open when she laughs and thinks they’re making a terrible vampire pun. He covers his mouth. He’s absolutely quiet as she walks off. Completely still. Then, when she’s out of earshot, he says the only sentence he’s capable of forming right now.

“Was she always this airheaded?”

Maybe he shouldn’t have invited her up. There’s still time to teleport away and escape. Damn him and his “man of his word” complication. Jake rubs his forehead.

“This isn’t going to be good, huh?”

He puts in an order and waits for Hope to come out. He breaks the news gently.

“So… don’t get mad. But..” He sighs, preemptively feeling the pain, “White’s going to come up to the roof and eat lunch with us. But don’t worry… after what was said a minute ago, you’ve got nothing to worry about with her.”

He takes a step outside through the back.

“Oh god.”

He picks Hope up and flies her to the top of the building.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len is completely dumbstruck by what White says. He tries to tell her its not a joke, but no words come out and he sits there gaping like a fish.


“Was she always this airheaded?”

"It certainly is a possibility." Len says, and doesn't really know what to do but laugh a little himself at the sheer absurdity of the situation.

"This is going to be one hell of a lunch." he mutters, and heads for the stairs to the roof, trying to figure out what to say to White.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley looks almost embarrassed as Clark gives his speech to her. Her smile slowly begins returning now. "...Thanks Clark. I think the original Centurion is proud of you." She finishes her soda pop before speaking again, focusing back to her usual tone. "I never really think that I may reach something of legendary status. I mean among legacies I'm certainly one of the more infamous ones, considering my great-grandmother." She pauses to order another refill of her soda pop before continuing. "Amazing how far I've come. Up until our second year at Claremont I've always resented my great-grandmother. Now I'm practically two steps away from directly taking up her mantle." She has more of her soda pop. "Eva is still missing. Many people say she's dead but I believe otherwise. In addition there's that formorrian princess still locked up with AEGIS. I know she's in custody but until she drops that title she foolishly decided to grab, I'm not going to stop worrying about her."

Ashley pauses again, rethinking over her words before sincerely asking Clark, "...Do you think it's too prideful of me to think that way?"

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Hope & White

As Len, Jake & Hope stand alone on the rooftop they look out over the midday horizon of Camelot over Liberty bay. A whole City suspended in the air and put there by the dreams of two highschoolers.

The moment of reverie is interrupted by White appearing on the rooftop in a tank top and jeans


"So what did I miss?"


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

Clark shakes his head


"No. It's not pride. You're noble. Even after everything, you still care enough about that legacy to genuinely care about those who affect it, and to be ready to take up that responsibility yourself."

Ashley seems about to reply when she freezes staring out the restaurant window at a girl sitting on a door step across the street with a umbrella over her as the rain comes down hard around her.

Suddenly she is a girl Ashley recognizes. (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Lfi93KiTt0s/TKXar5-_zCI/AAAAAAAASeM/duy_3JD3FWk/s1600/jla5706.jpg) Someone Ashley cannot understand how she ever forgot.

Clark looks where she is staring and doesn't seem to notice anything


"Ashley . . . ? Is everything okay?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

It gets windy on the rooftop, a bit more than in most places, due to the City being airborne. Jake’s blue cape flows in the wind. Even with the reconstruction going on, this land is beautiful. Its people are good. The loss of freedom (and personal life) is made worth it. Jake smiles at Len.

“This was you and me, brother. An example for the world, and a home for those who have none.”

As long as the city remained, things would be okay.

He glances back to White when she shows up. “Nothing. Just admiring the view.” Jake sits down with the others, unpacking the bags with the food. Sure enough, he’s got the Red Ranger Enchilada and a side of Beacon Fries. They’re extra light, you know. He picked up enough food for the girls and Len, too. Naturally he picked up the bill. He is the King, after all.

“So, White,” he starts off, not even wanting to touch the Night subject right now, “what’s been going on with you since Claremont?”

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley smiles again as Clark continues to reassure her. Clark definitely is like the Centurion, even if his genes may come from Taurus and Alpha Centurion. Clark and Robert are both quite similar, nothing like their fathers at all. With only six months to live, life is just way too short for Robert and Clark. Both of them deserve a nice long life, one longer than Ashley for sure.

...And then Ashley saw her. The woman with the umbrella. The one Ashley met on her way to the Underworld.


Death.

Ashley is silent for a moment. It isn't until Clark spreaks to her that Ashley changes her focus. "Huh? Oh, sorry." She sounds rather dumbfounded and surprised. "I'm just seeing things... Things that I remember forgetting so long ago..." While her head is turned to Clark, her eyes are fixed on Death. Ashley knew she will be having a chat with Death again. The question is... Why?

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Hope & White

White looks a little gloomy as she explains


"My sisters and I are working and finishing college degrees and stuff. We're all kind of trying to live separate lives at the moment. Which is hard. We figured super heroing just wasn't for us. I'm working my way through college at the moment. Almost finished my degree. Boring life really."


***

The Centurion II & Rycon

Death waits for Rycon.

[Starsign]

As Ashley realizes that waiting isn't going to work, she looks at Clark and says, "Excuse me for a moment Clark; I'll be right back." She gets out of her seat and slowly but steadily walks towards Death. Once there, she stops and looks at Death in the eye for just a moment. Her voice clearly dark and quiet.

"Coming all this way, what did you want to tell me?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

White was on the standard track. Jake thought that was what he was going to do, until he picked up that sword. It felt so far away now.

“You came to the right place for a good education, if I do say so myself,” Jake grinned lopsidedly. He was pleased as punch to see someone enjoying the benefits of universal education. “But you know, you don’t have to be working here. Have you considered applying for a part-time position with the knighthood? It’s a good wage, you fulfill your civic service requirements,” there are responsibilities that come along with accepting the benefits of citizenship, “and you’re more than qualified.”

She was a Claremont Academy-trained metahuman. If that wasn’t a heads-up on getting the job, not much else would be.

“I’ll even send over my own recommendation.”

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent

Suddenly, the roof upon which they stood was all but blinded by a light coming from an until-then unnoticed roto-copter hovering just above them. From the chopper's open cargo bay dropped Faith Winters, Agent of AEGIS, and a group of backup agents all on AEGIS issue hover-packs. Landing nimbly, Faith nodded to all of them and gave them a friendly smile. "Hey, Jake. If you all wouldn't mind, I'd like to take Hope with me for a bit. I'm afraid AEGIS needs some genetic testing done." she shrugged. "As you can imagine, I've got a bit of a personal stake in this." she added as she walked up to the other girl.

"Hey, Hope." she said to the mysterious girl. "Turns out we might be related. What do you say we get to know each other? You like the mall?" she asked lamely.

[kpenguin]

Robert Asterion, the Heir Apparent

Robert stretches out his hand to shake Hoshi's, with a STRONG FIRM grip. It'd been three years since Robert had seen Mister Hoshi, then a counselor at Claremont.

"Alexander Bullman. Professor Alexander Bullman. I called ahead to your secretary about using one of your labs."

He pats Peregrine on the back.

"This fine young man goes by El Peregrino. A newcomer into the world of science and supers. I thought I bring him to a place on the cutting edge of both, perhaps give a tour before getting to work. He has much potential in him, if properly directed. After all, every bullheaded youth needs counsel from time to time."

He looks at Hoshi knowingly.

"And an empty mind ought be filled with knowledge. Did not the Bard say that 'Ignorance is the curse of god; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven'?"

Telling Hikaru who "Alexander Bullman" really is, or trying at least.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

Len looked out over the city with Jake. The view was still spectacular. "Every time I look out over the city, I know that everything we went through to make it happen was worth it. This is being a hero." he says, and takes one last look as he turns to join the other three in eating.

He stays quiet mostly as Jake and White catch up, and he doesn't want to broach the subject about Night again. Once was hard enough. He or Jake would tell her sooner or later that it wasn't a joke.

Suddenly the roof is lit up with spotlights and Faith jumps down from an AEGIS copter. Len shields his eyes from the bright lights as Faith says she wants to take Hope with her for some testing...and a trip to the mall?

"Well, we are in the middle of a meal here. Care to join us?" he says, gesturing to an empty spot on the roof and offering some of his Beacon fries. He looks to Jake to see if he has any objections to Faith taking Hope away.

[Raynn]

El Peregino, Professor Minotaur & The Beacon

Maybe its the feeling of getting his hand shook by a shag carpet wrapped around a steel vice, maybe it's the subtle surname, perhaps the subtle reference or the obvious interest in the bard but something hints ever so slightly to Beacon the true identity of Alexander Bullman. Surprisingly.

Hikaru smiles and quickly closes the elevator's doors so the trio could talk privately


"Now I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't get it when my secretary passed along your name. I was going to do to the whole interview process but I think that if you think you need a lab I trust your judgement enough to give you one. Perhaps if you are sticking around Mr. Bullman you might consider a more permanent researcher position? Your friend would make a fine intern."

After a brief moment the elevator beeps and Hikaru steps out onto a long corridor lined with doors spaced far apart. He walks down to one a little bit down the hall and opens it with a grin


"If you decide this isn't a one time thing I'll be happy to put Prof. Bullman on the door, and the pays okay if I do say so myself; by the way, just curious, but I thought you were travelling the world with your sister Anna? What brought you back?"

I'll let KPenguin and Phase describe the lab.


***


The Centurion II, Rycon & Death

Clark just looks a little confused as Ashley suddenly walks out the front door of the restaurant. When Death replies she seems oddly casual, like an old friend


"I'm Death Ashley, I'm everywhere. A former Shadow agent, Miranda Liebewitz, 86, just died falling down the stairs in her apartment building down the street after bringing her great-granddaughter ice skating, I decided to walk over and check in. Wanted to make sure you were settling in okay. I mean you're special. The Blackest Night is technically not the same one that died, and Lady Liberty technically never died in this reality, everyone just remembers that happening. The others, healers, regenerators etc, who come back from the dead, never get through the front door before they come back. The soul never vacates home base. You're the only one who's gone all the way to the other side and come back. Since you're technically dead you're technically my responsibility.

That and I wanted to know how you were taking the fact two of your closest friends are dying. Memories of both of them being more than friends. It can't be easy? It never gets easy . . .

You're worried, worried something is coming, something worse than TimeLock. I think you're afraid that some of your friends will die. Except Isiah, he's kind of got a get out of jail free card, but immortality's not for you is it Ash? You don't want to live forever. You've seen the other side. The order of things. I'm not here to scare you or judge you or command you or save you. Anyway: I'm not blessed or merciful. I'm just me. I've got a job to do and I do it. Listen: even as we're talking, I'm there for old and young, innocent and guilty, those who die together and those who die alone. I'm in cars and boats and planes, in hospitals and forests and abattoirs. For some folks death is a release and for others death is an abomination, a terrible thing. But in the end, I'm there for all of them.

Death pats the steps beside her


"And I thought you might need someone too be there for you right now."

[Phase]

Diego Torres

Diego sways side to side and rolls his eyes beneath his mask while he's introduced. He's gotten used to being introduced to people like this. Well, not like this exactly; most adults described him as 'flaky' or 'unassertive'. He always took it with grace, though. He didn't want to sabotage possible opportunities to learn something beyond the piddling content of a High School Biology course. Contrary to the opinion of his teachers, friends, and, unfortunately, brother, Diego really did want to go the distance, and it wasn't self-sabotage that ruined his past opportunities... Well, not fully.

Take his most recent internship, this one set up by his Biology teacher. He had managed to ace the interview, despite being introduced as "a bit of a quirky nerd," He was enjoying the third week of culture analysis when, of all people, The Turtle happened to go on a rampage just three blocks from the lab. Needless to say, Diego was unable to explain why he left the culture in the incubator too long, where his final paper for history was, or how he broke his ribs.

This time would be different, he promises himself, shaking Hikaru's hand politely. He debates taking off his talons, but he's perfectly dextrous in them, and he'd rather not leave any fingerprints around. He follows the two experienced heroes as they discuss future opportunities and past adventures. He ends up feeling a might bit awkward, as at the Round Table, to be stuck at the sidelines listening to others make life-changing decisions.

Peregine rubs the back of his neck and can't help but feel a pattern to the day. He can't help but notice his own behavior's been uncharacteristic of The Peregrine, and much more like that of Diego Torres, quiet nerd.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley keeps quiet as Death speaks to her. Ashley can remember how sweet, yet bitter, Death's tone is. It's like a blissful passing as well as a painful departure; Ashley knew the latter upon her death way back then, she knows the former now.

When Death asks her of immortality, Ashley's face darkens slightly; her voice clearly showing the worry she did her best to hide. "I... I know. Isiah's immortality means he will outlive me easily; if it weren't for their clone degeneration, I bet Robert and Clark would also be immortal." She pauses for a moment, then sighs. "Yet... I've heard nothing but horror about immortality. Isiah had lived through so much of his life under such terrible circumstances. Harlequin is no different; both of them had lived truly awful lives they were forced to experience through." She pauses again, thinking back to Ashley's times with Isiah before speaking again. "To be honest, I never thought Isiah would come to... Um..." She fails to finish her sentence, instead trying to work up another one. "...I never really thought we'd get along so well. At first I knew him as an egotistical fool. I learned bits and parts about him during my Claremont days and once my old classmates and I separated he personally invited me to the FLI."

She sighs again, hoping Clark can't hear her. "To be honest, I'm not taking Clark and Robert's dying lives well at all. I didn't think it'd happen to either of them and I'm doubtful there will be a cure for them. I'm going to try and spend as much time with them as possible. They both have time off for these six months so I'm not letting it go to waste... They're the closest thing next to family for me. I'm not going to pass up whatever time is left for them. Isiah has an eternity, I think he can wait six months for me." She tries her best to smile, but discussion about death is an incredibly brutal topic to be optimistic about.

"...How well do you know Isiah? It sounds like you two have met before."

[Raynn]

El Peregino, Professor Minotaur & The Beacon

As the Professor checks out the lab to see if it suits his needs Beacon takes a step towards Diego in the middle of his reverie, putting a hand on his shoulder. "A little overwhelming isn't it, this whole world of super heroics; at least that's how I felt when I was your age," he says with a knowing smile.

"It doesn't really ever change, you just sort of stop thinking about it as often, but that feeling of 'how did I get here?' or 'why am I fighting a demi-god alien with moon powers?' is there for all of us, so don't feel like you're the odd one out, you're at home in this scene. The best part is you have Mr. Bullman to help you, just like I helped him at your age, I wish I had had someone like that, you're lucky," he continues.


***


The Centurion II, Rycon & Death

At being questioned about Isiah Death lets out a sigh, like one would for a friend or loved one they worried for


"We've never met, but I know of him; metaphorically, as I said to some people you'll meet later, we're colleagues but he works in a different department. I haven't seen him at the Christmas parties. He's . . . He was alone for so so long. He's one of the few people on this planet who could induce an extinction level event, and he's the immediate superior of an awful lot of the others . . . and he cares so much about people. Not just you, but you may be near the top of the list, but people. That vague indiscriminate moniker for the whole human race. He wants to save them all.

Think about it, he's the smartest being on the planet, he can go anywhere in the multiverse instantly, and he can't die but he made this world his home. To him watching people die on Earth must be like watching your kids die because you didn't clean your living room. He wants to save everyone. I think if he ever met me he'd hate me. I'm everything he's an antithesis of. I'm the end, the closing curtain, the full stop. He's the runner, the infinity, the little boy who still can't watch people die and has to reassure himself and everyone around him that he can do the impossible because he's the best, the brightest . .

I'm Death. I'm the interconnection between you all. I'm the only one you all meet, but that boy . . . I worry about him, and I worry about where this is going. Does he die for you all in the end? Do you die for him? Does your world bleed for him? Does he make a utopia where no one dies, where everyone can be free and happy and immortal? All of these are possible and so much more . . . but you Ashley I worry for you most of all, because you define so much of what comes next, so much of that weight is on your shoulders. I'm so sorry.

I'm so so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

The sudden appearance of the helicopter and the most-likely armed agents was not welcome. Jake rose and adopted a stern expression, his eyes narrowed slightly. Faith smiled, but her smile was betrayed by her "back up".

"First, you should send your friends back up to your helicopter." He would not be coerced, if that was her intent. "I will allow you a cheek swab, conducted right here, only if Hope consents. But I will not release her into AEGIS custody. You have no jurisdiction to demand it. America still has the Cullie Act, does it not?"

He eyes Faith for a moment. She is his old friend, but she is also an agent of a foreign power. "Hope can hang out with you, if she wants. But in no way is she to be taken anywhere against her will. I'm willing to trust you, Faith. Don't betray it."

He then looked to Hope. She was a free person. It was really up to her.

[Raynn]

Sauros, The King, Winter, Hope & Kismet

Hope seems a little confused by the whole sudden appearance at first but after Jake speaks she feels confident enough to reply


"I'll do the cheek swab thing. . . and we can go to the mall, the one in Camelot, dressed as normal people, together, if Len and Jake can come,"

Len and Jake both notice the sly omission of White's name as well as how like a Child who is out of her depth Hope is right now. While she isn't really a child at heart thanks to Jake's memory dump she doesn't have any personal experience . . . with well anything, so she totally lacks confidence with new situations and is clearly uncomfortable with how forward Faith is being. She stands behind Len as she talks, clutching Jake's hand. Even at the mention of a possible relation between the girls Hope remains tense and apprehensive.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley is quiet as Death explains about Isiah. At first Ashley is intrigued, but as it went on, she becomes notably worried. Death speaks of Isiah as a tragic figure, something Ashley is familiar with. However the words Death uses begin to drive a different meaning about Isiah. "Save... Everyone..." She repeats Death's words in an almost emotionless tone. "...Timelock said those words in describing his actions..." The implications here were much worse than what it seems on the surface. Ashley knows Isiah has seen well-too many people die before his eyes. Seeing more hurts him further on the inside... And if Ashley were to die again, she doesn't think Isiah could take it.

"A deathless utopia... I... Define... What... Comes..." She halts herself, trying to figure out just what Death is referring to. Does Isiah want to give immortality to everyone, to revive upon death, to keep everyone from truly dying ever again? The idea sounds crazy, almost horrifying... But believable. Ashley herself has been revived once before; she's seen Camelot rise and come under the rule of an old friend; she's been told about the conquest of Omega. If anything, the idea of world-wide immortality isn't simply a dream... But it's a living nightmare.

And yet, Ashley looks back to Clark... A dying Clark, along with his brother Robert. To save those from their short-lived lives... Would that be what Isiah wants? Is that what Labyrinth is trying to accomplish? The idea sounds wrong; an unnatural and evil science. However the idea did not sound completely revolting. Ashley herself did not want immortality, however as she looks at Clark from across the distance, images of him and Robert come into her mind; images of them happily alive without fear of clone degeneration.

For the first time in almost 4 years, Ashley is conflicted and confused...

[Raynn]

Rycon & The Centurion II


"Ash . . . ?"

Ashley is shocked out of her reverie by Clark standing over her getting soaked in the rain, still wearing his now trademark shades, with a grin plastered on his face.


"I like the rain as much as the next guy but the food's getting cold,"

He reaches his hand towards Ash to help her up from the step


"Lets go have some fun."

When Ashley looks to her left the steps are empty beside her.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley's staring into obliviousness is brought back to reality by her friend, Clark. "Huh? Oh...!" She realizes that she had found herself in contemplation for a lot longer than she should have. "Right, sorry." She lets Clark help her up from the step and back to their table. With their food ordered, Ashley decides to not think about it too hard right now and instead dig into her dinner. Right now what matters is having fun with Clark tonight; do that and then worry about everything later.

Clark is free to ask Ashley anything right now if he wants, otherwise Ashley plans on taking him to her apartment after dinner. :smallsmile:

[Raynn]

Centurion II & Rycon

I'll let you describe bringing him back and your apartment etc as I think he's not in the questioning mood at the moment.

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters
The Agent


"Well, we are in the middle of a meal here. Care to join us?" he says, gesturing to an empty spot on the roof and offering some of his Beacon fries. He looks to Jake to see if he has any objections to Faith taking Hope away.


"First, you should send your friends back up to your helicopter." He would not be coerced, if that was her intent. "I will allow you a cheek swab, conducted right here, only if Hope consents. But I will not release her into AEGIS custody. You have no jurisdiction to demand it. America still has the Cullie Act, does it not?"

He eyes Faith for a moment. She is his old friend, but she is also an agent of a foreign power. "Hope can hang out with you, if she wants. But in no way is she to be taken anywhere against her will. I'm willing to trust you, Faith. Don't betray it."

"Why thank you, Lenny. At least someone still acts like we're friends when I've got this uniform on." Faith said, flipping her hair at Jake as she took His Highnessness's chair. The irritation didn't seem to last, because her smile was back a few moments later.

"Come on, Jake. It's not like three guys in jet packs could take her from you if you didn't want them to. They're just here to carry my purse." she winked. "...And the swab kit, since I knew you'd react like this." she added, shaking her head.



"I'll do the cheek swab thing. . . and we can go to the mall, the one in Camelot, dressed as normal people, together, if Len and Jake can come,"

Despite Hope's apparent apprehension, Faith was her normal, bubbly self. Maybe if she threw enough pep at her, Hope would loosen up. "I love the mall in Camelot!" she grinned. "And of course Lenny and Mr. Stuffy-Pants can come along. Who else is going to carry all the dresses I'm buying you?" she actually giggled. Good old Faith, it seemed.

She leaned in conspiratorially. "Between you and me, AEGIS pays me bank. I don't have anyone to spend it on!" she leaned back. "If you're my family then we need to be besties! I don't have enough family lately...so I really do want to get to know you better, Hope. Gosh, that's such a pretty name!" (And much like Faith's own...Hope and Faith? Just what exactly was going on here?)

[Raynn]

Kismet, The King of Camelot, Sauros & Hope

Hope forces a smile, and blushes at Faith's compliment


"Okay,"

She shrugs with a now genuine grin and laughs


"I mean what's the worst that can happen?"


***

Less Than An Hour Later, Camelot Mall . . .


"I JUST HAD TO SAY IT!"

Hope roars as she runs as shop fronts explode behind her, civilians running and screaming all around her. She runs towards the emergency doors onto the stairs and against the flow of people runs up onto the roof still ranting to herself


"I HAVE THE MEMORY OF EVERY FILM JAKE'S EVER SEEN! EVEN MONGOLIAN DEATH WORMS! I SHOULD BE GENRE SAVVY! WHY DID I SAY IT!"

She slams into the roof doors full force causing them to slam open. In front of her stands Sauros, Kismet and The King. Milling about below are the knights of Camelot directing the civilians to safety. High above the shattered glass ceiling of the mall's food court is a large black enraged dragon . . .


"Hot Topic and Gamestop are toast, and the comic book store isn't much better! Any chance of putting this thing down now!"

Hope roars out oddly unafraid of shouting around a dragon with the three of you between her and it.

For realism :smalltongue: Faith, Jake and Len pick up an injured condition and a hero point as you're mid-fight already. Oh and roll initiative.

Dragon's Initiative: [roll0]

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley doesn't have too much for dinner, keeping a light load to lower the cost of what they payed for. Once dinner is finished, Ashley and Clark decide to split the bill before going to Ashley's apartment. She is a little nervous getting off the ground again, But Clark's sweeping abilities easily bypass her fears as they fly off to the apartment building just close by Olympus Technologies. The apartment building is surprisingly quaint and well-designed; it isn't the kind most people will afford to pay for. Ashley's apartment room is on the third floor of twelve, noted as Room 308.

Inside the room is a surprisingly simple room past the German decorations on the walls and the big flat-screen television. Ashley begins talking to Clark in an educated tone as she gives him a short tour around "I'm paid quite the salary at Olympus Technologies, but I didn't really want to blow it all on some fancy room I can afford at the top two floors of the building. This apartment room is expensive enough that I don't really need to do much aside from the decorations that remind me of home. The size fits me best anyway. I have a big room for all my culinary and lounge needs, a room for the toilet, sink, and shower, one for my bed and couch for TV..." She unlocks what looks like a closet door disguised as a wall, "And... This." She opens the door, revealing an electric workroom for her Olympus Technologies works that she does here. The room however is jumbled up with electronics and mechanical stuff that only an accomplished engineer could understand. Ashley clearly did not have the time to clean it recently. Above her work table rests the sleeves for her combat labcoat, neatly trimmed off from the main coat.

"So Clark. What do you think of the apartment?"

[SuperCracker]

Jake Wallace

At Champions

Of course he was cautious. It involved the rights of a Camelot resident, and a person he happened to care for. Either of those things alone would be enough to bring out the defender in Jake.

Faith relented on taking her in. And Hope made a good call. As she clutched his hand, he gave hers a squeeze and he smiled. "Sounds like a good time. Maybe Faith can help fill in for some of the things I don't know." Specifically, the feminine things. But before they could leave, Hope said something that made him cringe.

What's the worst that could happen?

Fighting the Dragon

As the quartet burst out onto the roof, Jake gave Hope a look that said 'I told you so.'

"The comic shop is getting torched? Oh no. No no no."

Singed, but still in fighting shape, Jake glares at the dragon for a moment. After last night, he would have thought these villains scared off for a while. Like he would ever be so lucky.

Time to channel the ultimate bad ass. This may be stupid, but after a serious brush with death the night before, maybe it's time to live s little, reclaim that personal life. "Hope. You'll get this." He grins, then wraps an arm around her waist, dipping her down low and planting a kiss on her lips. "Hail to the King, baby."

He lets her go and approaches the dragon. "Len... show him what a real dragon looks like."

[roll0]

[Phase]

Diego Torres

Peregrine watches Robert look through the lab as the Beacon addresses him. "Si, overwhelming... That's one word for it." He looks Hikaru up and down, before staring back into the lab. He'd be much more comfortable in the air, perhaps trading quips and blows with Professor Cuttlefish, chatting it up with the first responding parmedics. In the halls of the lab, the suit feels so bulky, weighing his already not too substantial frame down. At the moment, he felt like Diego Torres running around in a Peregrine costume. He shuffles his feet and stares down. The Beacon finishes talking, and Diego looks up. "Aye. He's been very helpful so far. I'm... very grateful."

Diego wonders if Freedom Eagle ever had to deal with identity issues.

[SuperMuldoon]

Len Cope

"We just can't catch a break." Len says, brushing some ash and debris from his clothes. "Where do you think this dragon came from anyway? I mean, I know this is Camelot and all...but I didn't think that Morgana and the rest would be back at us so quickly..."


"The comic shop is getting torched? Oh no. No no no."

"There will be no forgiveness." he says, craning his neck to see the dragon flying around.


"Len... show him what a real dragon looks like."

"You got it. This isn't the first time I've tangled with a dragon, you know." he says, grinning.

[roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Faith Winters

"Where did they even get a dragon?!" Faith asked as she petulantly blew a lock of blonde hair out of her eyes. "I know...Camelot and everything, but I thought that they were extinct or something! Does the world seriously need more fire-breathing, flying reptiles? No offense, Lenny."

Her shoulder had been burned and the uniform had very nearly bubbled off. She had smears of soot on her face and hands, which again fiddled with the throwing knives she kept so many of. She wondered how she could even begin to do any damage to the stupid, flying lizard with what amounted to very accurately thrown thumb tacks and resolved to get some bigger guns from AEGIS the next time she was back at HQ. The little popgun they made her carry might actually have been even more useless than the throwing knives.

Faith nimbly jumped up and started climbing the tallest object she could find, most likely a radio tower of some sort, hoping to find high enough ground to jump onto the dragon's back as it did a flyby. Hopefully her luck would hold, as it usually did, and she would remain unnoticed.

Climb: [roll0] (Minimum 13)
Acrobatics: [roll1]

[Raynn]

Centurion II & Rycon

Clark surveys the apartment with casual interest


"Still a pretty big step up from the Claremont dorms,"

He starts walking towards whatever part of the apartment passes for a kitchen


"Do you want a drink or . . . ?"

The question hangs awkwardly in the air and for a moment Ashley can't tell why . . . then she realizes she has invited a boy to her apartment, without explaining any reason for it, after going out to dinner together, at night, who she knows has feelings for her, or at least he used to. Ashley thinks Clark may have gotten the wrong message . . .


El Peregino, Professor Minotaur & The Beacon

KPenguin, post what you plan to do with the lab and I'll close out this scene and move you on to the horrors that await the daring duo of El Peregino and Professor Minotaur.


Kismet, The King of Camelot, Sauros & Hope

Faith needs to roll Initiative and all of you beat the Dragon anyway so I'm waiting for you all to act. :smalltongue:

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

It takes Ashley a minute to realize what she had just done. She brought Clark here to catch up in private, away from the tents and restaurants. Instead what she asked is something that comes off as a completely different meaning and Ashley did not believe to be ready for such an... Occasion. She knows Clark is dying and he may be a little desperate, but it still is too early for Ashley. Her terrified face shows her reaction well. She needs to recover; quickly; NOW.

"Uh... A drink? Yeah, there's should be plenty for you in the fridge." Clearly not the best line to recover from but it's what she thought of on the fly. Ashley has a number of beverage types that she stores for her guests, including wine, beer, and on one streak of luck, sake. There is plenty of soda pop for her though. While Clark looks in the fridge, Ashley heads into her room, turns on the television, and flips to the news channel. For once in her life, Ashley is hoping there is some sort of robbery or supervillain notice happening that she and Clark can get out of the apartment and investigate. She holds off the ever-demanding temptation of cursing quietly in German; she didn't want Clark to pick that up with his super-hearing.

[Raynn]

The Centurion II & Rycon

As the awkward in the air could be cut with a knife Rycon flicked to FNN and prayed for something the F.L.I. didn't deal with yet. Something she could tell Isiah to let her and Clark take care of . . .

It seems her prayers were answered.

An on site reporter, reporting from Freedom Plaza, buzzed away in front of her

"We . . . I can't really believe what the viewers are texting in but . . ."

Suddenly the woman is knocked to the ground as a blue blur speeds past, its shockwave forcing her to the ground. The creature stops in from of the camera, its hands are long straight black claws with no evident finger, its head is long and curved backwards, covered with a blue visor in the shape of an X with blue circles at the points of the X, a tail with black stripes, backwards bending knees like a velociraptor, feet that rest on a pair of black balls like some sort of foot wear, a black and white jumpsuit and helmet, a symbol Rycon can't make out on his chest and blue reptilian skin. The visor pops up to reveal slanted green eyes lined in black and sharp teeth.

When the creature speaks he does so with an obvious hissing but intelligent tone


"Hello Freedom Ssssity. I'm Jussst Havving Fun. . ."

Suddenly the screen blurs as if the camera is moving and creature is holding the camera in one hand as he dangles the woman by the neck over a building which the creature is suddenly standing on top of


"And if any of you heroessssS dessside to come and try Ssssstop me I asssssure you that the cossst will be on your headssss!"

With that the camera is cut off and the anchor comes back on and begins saying what amounts to a lot of nothing.

What do you do?

Roll Knowledge (Popular Culture) for Ashley.

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley could almost get on her knees and bow as she sees the news pick up on a villain spotting. Clark had just entered the room as the on-site reporter begins speaking. The villain however is one is new to Ashley, some sort of reptilian creature... hanging a reporter over the edge of a building.

Moral of the day, NEVER hope for a supervillain appearance.

Ashley curses out loud in German as she reaches for her combat coat. Her voice quick and frantic, knowing someone's life is on the line. "Sorry Clark, we'll need to catch up later. You don't mind carrying me to Freedom Plaza, do you?" She stands at the door, ready to lock it once they get moving. A smile could almost awaken on her face as her voice tries it's best to pick up enthusiasm.

"It'd just be like old times!" Ashley winks for a moment before her mood changes slightly. "...Minus the universe in danger and everything."

[Raynn]

The Centurion II & Rycon

Clark speeds across the room and picks up Rycon in his arms, suddenly having changed into his super clothes


"It's not going to be like old times."

With her in his arms he leaps out of the window and shoots into the sky above Freedom City, looking out at the skyline of darkness and electric light, and with a grin Clark says simply and hopefully


"It's going to be so much better"


***

A Short While Later . . .

The Centurion and Rycon land near Freedom Plaza and see people running scared. The place has generally been trashed and a few of the more high end store fronts, jewelers, banks, etc, have obviously been broken into.

For a moment it seems like the creature is gone . . . but then in the middle of Freedom Plaza they see the creature lounging atop a bed of jewelry, money, electronics and other assorted loot. Every few seconds he disappears and reappears with something new to add to the pile.

He looks up and towards the pair as they land


"What Do You Wantzzzz?"

[kpenguin]

Professor Alexander Bullman

Robert examines the lab equipment as Hoshi and El Peregrino spoke to each other. Yes, yes. This would all do quite nicely.

He opens up his case and takes out a couple vials as his mind considers Hoshi's offer.

Name on the door, his very own lab, somewhere safe and sturdy to just focus on The Work... it was tempting, Robert had to admit. A position at the Institute would be thrilling.

And yet... already he wanted to be out in the field. Among the people. In the muggy jungle, the dry plains. Where he was needed, where he could make a difference hands on.

and so... this would be temporary. Whatever cosmic event destiny had planned for him would happen, they'd beat it as always, and he'd go back to doing his work.

He looks at Peregrine.

Well, maybe after touching one more life.

He tells Hoshi he'd think about it and then gets to work, alternating between teaching Peregrine and having him assist. Robert had brought blood samples from himself and Clark, putting their genetics under analysis. After the Alpha Centurion, Robert wanted to know how the brothers were put together, why he was the bullman and his brother the golden boy, and what it had to say about how they'd grow into the future...

Rolling Knowledge (Life Sciences) to do the work. Diego is free to roll Assist.

[roll0]

[Starsign]

Ashley Culdis

Ashley does not thinking much of Clark's words as he takes her out flying toward Freedom Plaza. She is just glad to be out of that mess for now. What matters at this time is the supervillain. When the two arrive, Ashley is in a look of disbelief at the sight. It takes a lot of guts for a speedster supervillain to show himself on camera during a criminal act; it takes even more stupidity for one to lounge around in the middle of an area like he's going to be ignored.

Ashley shakes her head slightly and sighs. She whispers to Clark, "You talk with him. I haven't exactly improved in diplomacy since last year." Truly if there is anything Ashley is utterly hopeless at, it's trying to talk people down from a fight, and trying to bluff. She's probably the world's worst poker player.

After whispering to Clark, Ashley turns on Red One's watch, now repaired, and tries to get a connection in with Isiah. If she gets Isiah's ever-annoying "Not here, leave a message" ringtone that drives her crazy, she says in her professional tone, "Rycon here. There's a situation involving a reptilian speedster with a mass horde of cash and valuables. Me and Centurion II have it handled however."

A moment later, she drops the professionalism and uses a casual and slightly jestful speech. "By the way, get a new ringtone. I swear you have it just to make people slam their heads into a wall." Once that is sent, Ashley looks up to see how Clark is doing.