Omniversal Showdown (MnM 3E IC)

[Pinnacle]

Recruiting Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?386982-Omniversal-Showdown-(Recruiting-Closed))
OoC Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?391163-Omniversal-Showdown-(MnM-3E-OoC))
Dice Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?391389-Omniversal-Showdown-Dice-Thread)

Cast List:
Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18495113&postcount=2), by ChronicLunacy
Harry Dresden (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18498072&postcount=13), by Dancing Owlbear
Queen Elsa of Arendell (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18502346&postcount=42), by Rokku
Link (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18516928&postcount=118), by Grim Ranger
Lena (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18499963&postcount=25), by Sangenkai
Phoenix Knight (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18496589&postcount=9), by Quellian-dyrae
Araris Valerian (http://arcran.wikidot.com/araris), by Arcran


You aren't entirely sure what happened, or how you ended up on this floor.
Looking up, you see a large and perfectly round room. The floor is perfectly smooth and shiny, and the walls are... well, there aren't any walls. Not really. The edge of the room just ends. It's a very solid nothing, though. You have the distinct impression that space ends at the edge of that room, although you're not certain how you know.
Directly behind you is a golden gate; presumably on the other side of that is something. In the distance, motes of light can be seen through the bars of that gate. Are they stars? They don't seem like stars, somehow.
And there doesn't seem to be any ground out there.

Around you are several others, also on the floor. None of them seem to have any more awareness of what's going on than you do.

Directly in front of you is a pure white chair. A throne, perhaps would be a better word. It's quite large.
Floating above and just in front of that throne is a hooded robe. There certainly seems to be someone in that robe, but it falls past his or her feet and the sleeves entirely obscure the wearer's arms. The hooded head is slumped forward, and somehow its angle perfectly prevents you from seeing its face.
Something about the shape of that robe... the wearer could not quite be human, although again you're not sure quite why you're sure. There's just something about it that's off somehow.

"Welcome," says the figure in a weak voice, "Welcome Beyond."

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"Whoa..." the seemingly normal teenager wearing black karate gi pants and a green tank top said softly as he climbed warily back to his feet. He had his brown hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and a black duffelbag falling off one shoulder. Green sweatbands adorned both wrists while black wrestling shoes completed his outfit. He had intelligent brown eyes and attractive features, but couldn't have been more than eighteen despite his strong build. If the Angel Grove Juice Bar Gym patches on his duffel bag were any indication, it seemed like he'd been picked up right out of karate practice and deposited in this strange room wholesale.

Strangely enough, he didn't seem unused to the method of transportation, just confused as to the destination. "Zordon? Alpha? Guys?" he asked, looking around. "What the...?" he trailed off as he noticed the oddly dressed strangers nearby.

Tommy didn't want to say it, but he wondered if he was dead. He was more spiritual than religious, but this looked a lot like the Christian pearly gates. There was even an angel with red wings and an inner glow about him not three feet away and that throne in the center of the room had all kinds of symbolism. The Beyond? He doesn't mean... Tommy shook his head, wondering who the figure in the robes could be. He couldn't be God, could he? Like capital "G" God? He'd seen all kinds of magic and monsters and extradimensional beings in his time as a Power Ranger, but this was all a little new.

[Arcran]

Araris turns around, dressed in his basic clothing. He'd been simply working about Rillwater; somehow, being a Count hadn't been enough to force the old swordsman to adopt the fineries so common to the lords and ladies of court.

In a flash of light a short gladius appears in Araris' hand as he turns about, looking at each potential enemy in turn. What was this? Some trick of the Vord Queen? They'd killed her, but if just one egg had escaped their notice and, of course, the masses of them still within Canim...

"What do you want?" Araris says simply, not wasting any words. "Where is this?"

Understandably, knowing he was "beyond" does little to alleviate Araris' concerns. Subconsciously the soldier extends his senses, attempting to find nearby metal furies. If he needed to fight that would be his route.

Using Accurate Acute Ranged Radius Detect Metal to find all nearby sources of metal.

Perception: [roll0]

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon climbed to his feet, casting a quick, sweeping gaze around the room. Okay, yeah, this was new. His gaze lingered some on a couple of the people sprawled about. Did they seem...familiar, somehow? Maybe? Possibly?

Tough call. Well, regardless, the situation seemed clear enough. He had been abducted by an unknown entity using unknown means for an unknown reason. These others may or may not have been party to, victims of, or unassociated with this event. Oh yeah. Clear as crystal. Consider this conundrum to be cunningly solved.

"Everyone okay?" he asked as a general question to the people who were scattered about, electing to assume they were either allies or innocents based on the fact that they seemed just as unaware of what was going on as he was. Answers would come, he was sure, but if someone was hurt, that was the immediate priority.

[Rokku]

A slight young woman in an icy blue gown slowly rises from the floor. Her gaze darts around the room, bright blue eyes filled with confusion and concern. A latticework of frost suddenly spreads out from her in all directions.

"Where am I," she asks, a touch of panic in her voice, "Anna said she had something to tell me, and then... where's Anna? Where's my sister?!"

A blast of frigid wind emanates out from the young woman in all directions, and the temperature in the room suddenly plummets.

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry's eyes opened and he found himself starring at a bleached, old, human skull. Beyond that was seemingly never ending white. He looked behind himself at the golden gate for a moment and thought, 'If I'm in Heaven, someone's made a serious clerical error.' It was doubtful that was case. For all the room's 'perfectness', Harry still felt several aches and pains from the last case he had been working on. No doubt he was in some surprisingly-less-terrifying-than-usual section of the NeverNever. If Heaven was everything the brochures said it was, he probably would've woken up feeling like a million bucks, rather than a crumpled up and taped together five jammed into somebody's pocket.

While he was in the process of pulling his thoughts together, a blast of cold wind smacked him right in the face and the wizard flopped off the ground on and onto his butt, "I'm up! I'm up!" Even as his pulsed shot up with the sudden surge of adrenaline, he felt a sinking feeling in his gut. The NeverNever and cold. Not a good mix at all. Of course, when Harry actually bothered to look at the source, he was pleasantly surprised. She was young, probably early twenties, with blue eyes and platinum blonde hair done in a loose braid and swept over one of her slender shoulders. She was tall, even moreso with the heels she wore, and appeared to be wearing ice, a crystal blue, off-the-shoulder, dress, a crystallized bodice, and near-translucent powder blue sleeves. All of that would have made for a striking and imperious presence, were it not for the faint dusting of freckles on her cheeks and the worry in her eyes.

It wasn't just the two of them, though, and the others nearby were just as unusual. A man with glowing wings, a teenager in a karate gi, and a... roman? Harry was just about to continue his cataloging of the room when his thoughts were interrupted by an abrupt wolf whistle from the skull beside him.

"Whoa, Harry! Check out the serious babeage!" A flicker of orange light grew inside the Bob's empty eye sockets as he stared at the 'Snow Queen'. He wasn't really a skull, but a spirit of intellect that lived inside of it. More often than not, he assisted Harry and provided him with information for his cases while also keeping track of the fluctuating nature of magic. He also had a rather bizarre fixation on women that Harry had never understood, nor did he want to.

Harry sighed, rubbing a hand against his face in embarrassment before scratching the beginnings of stubble on his face, "Honestly, Bob, I can't take you anywhere."

Bob snorted, no easy feat for a skull, and replied, "You didn't bring me here, Harry. That did, most likely." Bob grinned, a far easier feat for a skull, and turned to regard the robed figure floating above the throne.

Harry followed the skull's gaze, looking to the mysterious figure. The robe did a good job of concealing whoever or whatever was beneath it. The wizard's eyes narrowed, "Oh. Right. Our kidnapper."

[Grim ranger]

Groggily coming to, the young hylian was one of last arrivals to awake, slowly picking himself up from the floor and silently shaking his head in effort to clear it. Rising to his feet, he observed the space around himself with great deal of confusion, although only so much of it was revealed due to lack of much in way of vocalization from the green-clad hero. It was clear that he was no longer in the land of his birth, unless a new thread had suddenly sprung from thin air once again. The thought made him tense, his hand hovering near the handle of sword sticking out from underneath his intricately decorated shield as he took in his surroundings. It had not been long since Ganondorf had been defeated and the rift between Twilight and Hyrule sealed beyond hope of reopening. This could very well be another attempt by that man to reach out from beyond.

His theory began to look somewhat less likely when he observed his company, however. As well as the ominous robed figure, the other people present in this little space apparently in midst of nowhere were utterly alien-looking to him, sporting wide variety of garments (and in some cases weaponry) along with varying looks of bewilderment and curiosity. He was obviously not the only one to have been whisked into the situation unprepared, which at the very least provided him with some comfort. And although bewildered, it seemed that outright violence was not yet breaking out, although by rapidly dropping temperature and drawn weapons, he knew it was still a possibility.

Remaining silent as was his way, Link stepped forward, looking at the robed figure on it's throne with slightly narrowed eyes. Hopefully explanation would be provided for them all soon enough... It was during times like these that he missed Midna especially much. The Twilight Princess could be insufferable at times, but her wits certainly tended to exceed his own when it came to these kinds of magical scenarios.

[Pinnacle]

"Please, do not be alarmed," said the robed figure, without moving, "We are the Outsider, and we are not your enemy. It... it is our fault that you were brought here so abruptly... we apologize for that.
"We meant... to do things... better, but...
"Excuse us... that was exhausting and... we need... a moment."

Other than metal carried by the others, there wasn't much in the room. The throne and the gate were both made of something strange that might be close enough to typical metal. There wes also a small amount somewhere behind the throne that Araris couldn't see from where he was.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

When the room was blasted with freezing air, Tommy couldn't help but rub his bare arms. Geez, who were these people? An ice queen, an elf, a guy with a talking skull...this was too weird! He gave the Roman-looking guy with the sword a wide berth since it looked like he knew how to use it.

"Hey, are you alright?" Tommy asked when the Outsider spoke again, momentarily forgetting the potential danger of the situation. He drew a couple of steps closer, looking like he was set to catch him if he fell out of the air, but it didn't look like the robed figure was liable to collapse or faint since it was still floating weightlessly. Still, his concern for the Outsider's well-being was written across his honest features. "Take your time. You don't sound so hot." he added, stating the obvious.

His curiosity about the others in the room was still a pressing issue, but maybe introductions could wait until after the Outsider had said what he needed to say. Tommy had a feeling they'd been brought there for something important, and his previous experience with floating, extradimensional beings made him less suspicious of the entity than some of the others probably were. He also figured that this guy was also their ticket home, so it was probably best not to piss him off in the first five minutes.

[Arcran]

"Really?" Araris asks, standing as still as a statue. "Why were we pulled here then? And where is here?" Araris reiterates, his voice perfectly calm. It had been a good while since he'd been in a real battle, but he could improvise. He just had to get home.

As he feels the metal in the room (noting how odd some of it felt), he slowly begins to edge his way across the room, trying to find the source of metal behind the throne.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Brr!" Avalon said, shivering in the sudden cold, wrapping his wings around himself. They seemed to be glowing somewhat more dimly in the suddenly-frigid air. He didn't take cold all that well. "Ah, miss? You think you can turn down the AC, maybe?" he asked.

He gave the Outsider an agreeable nod. "Take your time, not like we have anywhere to be, after all," he said, a bit sarcastically sure, but there was humor in his voice, not venom.

While he waited for their host to recover, he looked over the others a bit more closely. Some of them definitely looked familiar. The teen...vaguely. He was sure he knew the face, but couldn't quite place it. Someone he had met a long time ago, maybe? But that didn't make sense, the guy would have been a child not too many years ago. The ice lady also seemed familiar in a way, but...not in quite the same way. There was something about her features, even her clothes, that made him feel sure he had seen her before, or maybe someone who looked very much like her, although there was clearly something different about her that made it hard to put his finger on it.

Now, the guy in green...see, that was a person whose appearance he couldn't help but place instantly, even as part of his brain said it was patently impossible, even as a different part of his brain reviewed everything he had seen in the past few years and mocked his audacity for even considering the term "impossible" as a usable adjective.

The other two...he didn't recognize. Definitely had never seen them before in his life. But...tall guy in a duster? Named Harry? Who talks to a skull? Named Bob?

Avalon bit his lip to keep quiet, although an excited smile was slowly spreading across his features. It was entirely possible he was getting things wrong. Explanations were required. He wouldn't want to start babbling like a fanboy without confirmation.

But Avalon hailed from a world called Earth and he consumed his media. And if these people were who they looked like...this was going to be a very interesting day.

[Rokku]

Elsa looked around. Clearly everyone here was as confused as she was, and the person floating in the air was exhausted...

She took a deep breath, and the chill wind stopped. Warmth began to return to... where ever they were.

"I'm sorry, everyone," she said, "I didn't mean to... I've been through a lot, recently. And now I find myself snatched away from my family and my kingdom..."

She looked up at the robed figure, trying to peer past the hood. With a wave of her hand, she conjured a glittering staircase of pure, clear ice, bannisters and all. Climbing the steps as they appeared in front of her, she met the hooded figure on its own level.

"Please, tell us: why are we here?"

[Grim ranger]

Seeing that the situation was not apparently about to explode after all, the green-clad Hylian lowered his hand from the hilt of the Master Sword and seemed to relax somewhat. At the very least the one that had summoned them all by the looks of it was willing to talk about the matter, even if they did seem somewhat out of it at the present time.

Returning his attention to the other people in attendance, Link looked at the icy woman before giving her a nod with honest smile. It did not seem that she had had any hostile intent, and was just confused and wary like the rest of them. Well, perhaps she could talk some answers out of their mysterious summoner.

Folding his arms, he followed the ongoing discussion with interest, his eyes glancing at the each arrival in turn. They were definitely a colorful bunch to say the least.

[Pinnacle]

On the other side of the throne, on the opposite side of the room, Araris spotted a simple door. Appeared to be a wooden swinging door, with no latch. It had hinges and a plate to push it that were both made of metal.



As close as Elsa got to the Outsider, she never could see their face. It wasn't that the hood was empty, but the fall of a shadow or the twist of the cloth just didn't quite allow it.

After a brief pause, they answered her in a slightly stronger voice. "As we said, this is Beyond. It is not a place within your universe, or any of your universes, or any mortal world. It is a particularly hospitable realm within the void that lies... well, beyond."

The being motioned towards the assembled heroes. "You have been drawn from diverse worlds because we all have a common enemy, and we were not able to deal with it ourselves. There is a threat to the world of Arendelle, and of Hyrule, and of all of your homes--of all homes.
"We do not know this enemy, but we feel their efforts to damage the structure of reality. Traveling into worlds exhausts us, and we have not the strength while in the mortal realms to explore or confront this attack ourselves. We would have liked to visit mortal heroes, explain this situation, and ask for your help, but we had not the time or the energy... and we believe our foe is observing our actions."

"We did manage to recruit a mortal ally and help her construct the power to travel between worlds, but... Her method is slower and less reliable and we're not entirely certain she's well-suited to recruitment.
"So we made the effort to quickly grab as many of you as we could from your worlds. We apologize for the rudeness, but we believe this will protect us from our enemy tracking your course to Beyond."

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

Tommy was pretty floored by Elsa's ice staircase, so it took him a minute to process what the Outsider was telling them. He'd seen his share of magic, but usually it was a little more destructive. Rita wasn't one for being intricate or creative, and her power was evil at the core. This didn't seem the same on any level -- at least to his dull, human senses.

He got over it in time to listen to the Outsider's explanation. It seemed pretty straightforward to him. Evil was threatening the universe...err...multi-uni...multiverses? Multiverse. And just like before, a team had been brought together to stop it. This was on a slightly bigger scale than back home, but he was a Power Ranger! He had to accept the responsibility.

"If what you're saying is true, then my world -- all of our worlds -- are in danger. I'm in." he nodded once for emphasis.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Thanks," Avalon said as the air warmed up again.

And then...the Outsider made his explanation. Good gods, this was actually it. He said Hyrule. Confirmed. And Arendelle. That's who she was. The reason she looked different was that when he had seen her she had been a cartoon! And the teen was...was...searching...searching...searching...fo und!

The Outsider continued, and Avalon's disbelieving smile only widened. No. It was even better. This wasn't just a crossover. It was a team up!

"Dude!" Avalon said when he had finished, and that word contained great meaning.

"Are you serious? You just...with the...I mean..."

"No. 'Cause, you, like, don't even get it!" He pointed a firm finger at the others in turn, first Dresden, then Elsa, then Tommy, then Link. "Read the books! Saw the movie! Watched the show! Played the games! ...!" he took in a sharp inhalation of breath as his hand shifted towards Araris and he started pointing but his hand didn't quite drop and some sounds of strain eked out of his mouth for a couple seconds before he said, "I got nothing! But that's okay, I'm sure he's cool too!"

"I mean...do you people get it? Can you comprehend the sheer volume-! The raw undiluted awesome-! The utter and unstoppable-! You are teaming ME up with HARRY BLA-" he cut himself off when he remembered the guy probably wouldn't appreciate him using his entire name out loud (Avalon didn't really have a head for the fiddly bits, so in his current excitement, he remembered the truename thing but didn't quite keep in mind the whole "must pronounce it the same as them down to the phoneme" bit, which it was highly improbable he could do having only read the name in the first place). "With Harry Dresden, and oh my God the poor, helpless buildings!"

"This is nuts! This is going to be awesome! This is- I totally just ruined my opportunity to act all like an enigmatic all-knowing Mysterious Wizard didn't I? Flame-blast it, I could have too. I could have thrown some fire around and muttered some mystic mumbo-jumbo when healing people and dropped cryptic bits of information I couldn't possibly have had and I just completely wrecked it! Dang. You know what, though, that's okay! This'll be more fun anyway! Who's the bad guy, now? NO, WAIT, LET ME GUESS! Is it Jafar? Is it Bowser? IS IT VADER!?"

It would appear that Avalon was living the dream. And also that his mind had been completely blown.

Or he was insane.

One of those two for sure!

[Rokku]

"If Arandelle and all these other... worlds? If they're all in danger, of course I'll help," said Elsa. She walked back down her staircase, the steps exploding into fluttering snowflakes behind her.

"I'd just... if I there's any way I can contact my sister? To let her know I'm okay. And that she needs to rule Arendelle while I'm gone. I'd like to catch her before she starts another trek to my ice castle."

When the winged boy had his outburst, she looked at him with an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"What's a movie?"

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry stared in awe right along with karate kid as the snow queen effortlessly created a staircase, though his chin was hanging for different reasons. He had never in his life seen anyone cast a spell so easily. Not even his mentor, Ebenezar McCoy, could have managed something like that with such ease. Bob gave another appreciative whistle, his 'eyes' practically twinkling, "I'm working for the wrong wizard."

"Shut up, Bob." Harry picked up his staff and blasting rod that had been laying nearby before pushing himself to his feet. He took another look around and froze. They were all strangers to him except one. The sword, the pointed ears, the little green hat. It couldn't be anyone else. And when the hooded figure mentioned Hyrule, that pretty much solidified his suspicions. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Ahem. Down here, Boss," Bob said, looking up at the wizard expectantly. Harry sighed and picked the skull up as well before attempting to listen intently to the floating robes. He wasn't entirely sure why he had been chosen. Sure, he had saved the world and stopped a war between the Faerie Courts, but at the time he had mostly just been trying to save his own life. And now he was being recruited to save the Multiverse? Harry would have liked to be surprised by all of this, but the wizard was quickly becoming used to vastly more powerful creatures showing up and using him as a tool to fix their own problems.

Of course, it wasn't as though Harry could just say no. If the robed figure was right, then the people that he cared about, Murphy, Susan, Elaine, Billy and the Alphas, were in danger from... something. Whatever it was, it gave cause for concern to a being that could yank people from their own universes. He opened his mouth to speak when the winged guy he noticed earlier started freaking out for lack of a better word. It seemed as though he knew Harry, though Harry had no knowledge of him. The wizard was fairly certain he would remember meeting someone with big red and gold wings.

"Hell's Bells, kid, you're acting nuttier than a Payday bar."

[Arcran]

"Multiple worlds?" Araris says, confused somewhat by the concept. It seemed like some crazy theory Tavi - no, First Lord Gaius Octavian, would come up with. He'd spent all that time studying ruins and, whenever he returned, always had theories about how man hadn't existed in the world before furies. He'd thought man had come from a different land, but what if it was a different world? What if that's where the Vord had come from? They hardly seemed to be from the same world as the rest of them.

The part that he could understand more easily was that Alera was in danger from some unknown foe. It wouldn't be the first time, nor the last, but at least this time around Araris would be able to get a headstart on stopping it. Still, he couldn't just vanish. He had friends, family. He was the damn Count of the Rillwater! People would notice if he was gone.

"I share the sentiments of the other Furycrafter," Araris states, assuming that her ice powers are a skilled manipulation of both fire and water furies, something that a common citizen likely would not be able to accomplish, although he didn't quite know where Arandelle was. Were there furies in other worlds? Or had she been plucked from his world as well? Or did she make ice in an entirely different fashion? "I will do anything to defend Alera, but I have those that will miss me should I vanish. I would have liked to have been able to set my affairs in order," Araris states, sheathing his sword. All-said, he wasn't that worried about how Rillwater would function without him; Isana was more than competent. On the other hand, he was far more worried about what would happen when Isana found him disappeared.

Of course, Araris can't ignore the outburst from one of the other apparent heroes present, as unsure about what he could do as all the others.

"You know of them?" he says simply, looking about the room of strangers, feeling some strange bond to the one holding a talking skull (how did that even work?) "Were they legends in your lands?" They must have been, to have books, shows and games made of them. "And I will again echo the other Furycrafter; what is a movie? And why don't you know of me?"

[Grim ranger]

When the explanation came, it was of little surprise that the summoned champions from various worlds over were quick to agree to help with the task ahead, even if some of them obviously still had reservations concerning being just plucked out of their worlds with no warning. He had to admit that he himself was not very happy with the thought of just vanishing from Hyrule for unprecedented amount of time: he had friends there, ones as close as any family... And yet, his lifestyle allowed for unexpected trips, a fact he was well aware of. For even if he had saved the realm along with the two princesses and ended the twilight crisis, he was still a farmer rather than anyone truly involved with running things... and that was how he liked things. Simple goatherder's work was something he was perfectly content with, although it went without saying that an opportunity to explore the lands was always a tempting one.

Somewhat aware of funny looks some of the assembled figures seemed to be giving him, Link nodded his head firmly to the Outsider. "You can count on me" he said with unshakable resolve before turning to glance at Avalon and Dresden in a way that clearly spelled out 'what?'.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon was starting to realize he...may have been wiser to have been a bit more tactful, there.

I mean, if Harry "Reference King" Dresden thought he was acting crazy...

"Ah...yeah, sorry. Don't mind...um..." he kinda stumbled through a couple attempts to explain things in a way that would make sense when three of them weren't even from a modern world. Fortunately, Araris's speculations gave him a solid foundation. "Yeah, something like that. Really, more stories than legends. Well, except in his case, kinda," he said with a nod towards Link. "But we have, well, a lot of stories where I come from. I mean, a whole lot of them. I don't know them all, I probably just never caught yours. Although..." Furycrafter...that was a fairly specific term, he definitely should have been able to place it if he knew the story, but couldn't. Alera was the world...wait, Alera he thought he recognized, but from where? He probably wouldn't have been able to place it off the top of his had, had he not been standing in a room with one Harry Dresden.

"Oh, wait, Alera!" he said with a big laugh. "Oh, man, I think I have heard of your story, I just haven't read it." Still chuckling, he looked to the Outsider, shaking his head. "Man, you got it all going with the empty room and the mysterious face-hiding cloak and cryptic words, but it turns out at the end of the day that you're a Butcher fan! That's hilarious!"

Calming his laughter, he said, "A movie's like, um," he really didn't want to say a play. The default movie translation for medieval-type folks was always a play. There had to be a more creative way to explain a movie than to call it a play. "Like a play, basically." Well he tried.

"But yeah, thirding the whole, 'can we get in touch with folks' request. I mean, this is great, don't get me wrong. I'd be down for this even if the entire multiverse didn't used to be in danger," Given the force arrayed, he felt that was the only right way to describe the situation. "But yeah, if I just disappear without word my family's gonna worry despite all the evidence they have of my capabilities and then when I get back I'll have to say 'I told you so' to them again and that just seems unfair, you know?"

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"Show...?" Tommy was just as confused as the others after the red angel guy's outburst. He was kind of reminding him of his friend Billy at the moment, going off on some long-winded scientific explanation that just keeps going until absolutely no one can follow it. But that just made him think about how worried his friends and family were going to be if he just disappeared without a trace. Kim would flip out...

"If I can get in touch with Zordon, another extradimensional being, I can explain everything to him and he could tell my friends." he reasoned. Tommy reached into his bag, pulling a device that looked more or less like a watch from one of the side pockets, and pressed a couple of buttons on it. There was a buzzing sound that sounded pretty negative, and Tommy glanced up looking a little chagrined. "Guess we're out of range..."

He guessed it was up to the Outsider whether they could phone home or not.

[Dancing Owlbear]

After a brief observation of the man with the gladius and the woman with the ice dress, it became clear that not everyone here was from a world that was as technologically advanced. Harry started to speak, stopped, and started again. He never thought he would have to explain what a movie was to anyone, "I'm sure you know what books are, yes? Stories recorded from memory and put down on paper. Movies are... similar. But, instead of words, its images and sounds recorded and projected outward for people to observe."

As much as he would have liked to, the wizard didn't echo the requests of the others. It apparently took a lot out of the Outsider to yank them all out of their respective universes, so Harry had to assume that doing something similar would be similarly taxing. Besides, if they could achieve a feat like that, it seemed plausible that the Outsider could put them right back at the time that they had left.

Everything that was going on was a lot to take in, even for him, but Harry was beginning to piece it all together. He looked to bird boy again, pointing at him, "So... where you're from, there are stories about me? ... Are they any good?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Oh yeah, they're really good. I'm a...big fan of your work. By the way, the dino? Awesome!"

And now Avalon was thinking about unleashing the combined carnage of Sue and the Dragonzord upon their unsuspecting foes.

During a Disney Music Montage.

God the enemy was so doomed so hard!

[Pinnacle]

"There are times when a mortal gains insight to another world. In some worlds it's more common, and creative persons are more likely to experience these visions... It seems your world, Avalon, is one where writers sometimes take these insights for inspiration, and write the true stories of other world's heroes thinking they are writing fiction. Of course, they likely change some details.

"As to messages home, that is likely unnecessary. Time moves differently in different worlds, and dimensional travelers often find they return home at the moment they left. Still a letter is a small and inanimate object... transporting one to each of your homeworlds should be within our abilities."

The Outsider turned to Avalon. "You said cryptic? We do not mean to be. We are speaking generally in order to cover everything you've asked about, but if you desire us to be more specific we will answer your questions as best we can.


"We are please by your acquiescence. We had been afraid you would be angry, or doubt our trustworthiness, or demand proof. It would not be an unreasonable demand, but it would have been difficult to provide proof of our enemies before you encountered... Oh..."

The Outsider's voice trailed off, and it was clear why. A mote of crackling purple energy appeared in front of the Outsider and began to tear open a black hole in space. A number of smaller such rifts also began to appear around the room.

"Well," said the Outsider, "It appears we were wrong... Our foe was able to trace the tracks through the worlds we left by bringing you here. They've penetrated the Beyond..."

The rift widened into a portal, and three creatures dropped into the room.

The first was a man, humanoid but not human. He was acrobatic, and looked as though he had leaped through the portal. He cartwheeled into the room and landed easily on his feet. He had gray skin, dark shadowed eyes, and pointed ears. His white hair was carefully styled and asymmetrical, and he wore tight white clothing with a diamond motif.
He looked at the assembled heroes with something like hunger, and licked his lips with a black tongue that was unnaturally long and pointed.
http://zeldawiki.org/images/thumb/4/4f/Ghirahim.png/430px-Ghirahim.png

The second was a human woman. She had red eyes and elaborately styled hair. She was less physically coordinated than her partner, and fell forward to one knee as she landed. Still, she seemed entirely confident as she looked at the heroes. She wore a short black and white dress over a black jumpsuit and white boots. She had a small symbol, a stylized G, on both her upper chest and upper back.
http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/c/ce/Diamond_Pearl_Mars.png/120px-Diamond_Pearl_Mars.png
In her hand was a ball the size of a baseball, which was half red and half white. Several smaller ones were held in clips on her belt.
http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/d/dd/Pok%C3%A9_Ball_SSBB.png

Behind the woman dropped a large, elaborately carved green bell. It never struck the ground, but levitated slightly behind the woman and over her right shoulder. Part of the bell's design included a face-like carving, and the eyes turned to look at each of the heroes. Apparently the thing was a creature of some kind.
http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/a/aa/437Bronzong.png/250px-437Bronzong.png

Nothing came from the smaller rifts. Instead, they began to shape themselves into vaguely humanoid, imp-like shapes. They moved quickly, and made a very odd sound.

"So," said the woman calmly, "these are the Outsider's chosen heroes, then."

"Oh!" said the man, looking straight at Link with a wide smile, "I know you! You don't know me though, do you? No, you're a different you. Exquisite."

"Bronzong--" the woman began to say commandingly, but the man cut her off.
"I suppose we should be kind and offer not to kill any of you if you just. Go. AWAY!"
"...Why?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Oh cool," Avalon said, regarding both the "halted time but a letter should be fine" and the "more information available on request" bits. "Much appreci-" he was saying, when the portals opened.

Phoenix Knight stepped forward with an eager grin that...kinda faltered as he realized he didn't recognize any of them. Well, sort of. The guy he kinda thought looked Linkish and his own comment on Link was evidence towards that. Must have been from one of the games he hadn't played, or maybe just a boss he didn't quite remember, or something. And while he didn't recognize the woman herself, he did know a pokeball when he saw one. His knowledge of Pokemon was limited at best, but he was fairly sure they were used to their pets dueling for them. Avalon, on the other hand, was a big, big fan of the whole "beat the summoner, beat the summons" strategy.

"That one can summon magic-using animals to fight for her!" Avalon warned his teammates, pointing at the woman. It was kinda fun having half a clue. Usually he was the one who needed someone to point out who the enemies were and what they could do. Of course, trying to translate it into words that A) could be quickly shouted to his allies and B) still be reasonably expected to be understood by people of such diverse backgrounds would be an amusing challenge.

Regardless, it wouldn't be his primary role. Fire and light blazed in his hands, and he regarded their foes with a confident smirk. "That is nice of you! Why, so nice that it would be simply rude not to offer you the chance to surrender immediately and avoid all the pain and humiliation that is in store if you insist on challenging as mighty a group of heroes as us!"

Initiative! [roll0]

[Rokku]

Mighty heroes? Elsa wasn't so sure about that. Her worst enemy up to now had really been herself. But she'd gotten past that, and if these people wanted to keep her from protecting Arendelle and getting back to Anna...

"I agree with the fiery... angel... man? I didn't have a chance to learn your name. Anyway, if worlds are threatened, you'll have to go through us!"

She punctuated her statement with a blast of arctic wind.

[roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

The teenager pulled something else out of his duffel bag and left it on the ground, securing some kind of gold belt buckle or something to his belt as he dropped into a practiced fighting stance. His brows furrowed together and his entire demeanor changed from friendly and open to disciplined and ready for battle. He switched his back leg to front as he turned to try keeping all of the new enemies in sight. "Right on! You creeps are in serious trouble!" he taunted.

Initiative: [roll0]

[Pinnacle]

"Ah ha!" said the man, sounding delighted, "Then through you it is my dear!"
He snapped his fingers, and wicked black sabre appeared in his hand.

He charged forward with inhuman speed, the tip of the blade driven straight towards the queen of Arendelle.

The woman sighed. "Fine then, Ghirahim!" she snapped, seemingly caught off-guard, "Bronzong, hit the Outsider with Gyro Ball! And Voidlings--I don't know! Swarm!"
The large bell creature slowly began to spin, and the chittering creatures of nothing began to advance on the group of heroes.

Okay, so a fight's definitely starting. (The villains would have done it anyway very shortly)
Since I'll be sleeping soon-ish and may not be able to post immediately in the morning, I'll roll for the villains and... hm. Decisive.

Ghirahim wins Init with a natural 20.
Mars loses with a natural 1.
Ghirahim acts first, but anybody who beats 5 on their Init check can take their turn before Mars, Mars's Bronzong, and the Voidlings.
The Voidlings are minions, so can make routine attack checks against them.

Ghirahim's sword summoning is a Move Activation, so he has to charge to also attack. He hits Elsa--that's a DC 22 Toughness check.

Initiative:
31 36 Lord Ghirahim (NPC)
32 Phoenix Knight (1 HP)
21 Queen Elsa (1 HP; DC 22 Toughness)
16 Tommy Oliver (1 HP)
*Presumably all other PCs*
5 Commander Mars (NPC) and her Bronzong (NPC)
5 Voidlings (12 Minions)

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon gave a slight smirk as the swordsman charged. Poor guy probably thought a mere Disney Princess would be easy prey.

Bah. Avalon had seen that movie. Elsa was a beast. He marked that enemy up as doomed and went flying for the Trainer, the energy around his hands extending out into two blades of searing flame. "Good! I was hoping that would be your answer! Burning Strike!" he yelled at as he swooped upon her, the twin weapons flashing through a lightning-fast series of blows. There was, in fact, minor healing energy woven into the swords. They'd heal any mortal wounds as they were inflicted enough to ensure the target survived the attack.

But they'd cut deep, searing through flesh more easily than any but the sharpest of blades. And they'd set the target on fire in the doing so. Because why wouldn't they?

Move Action: Fly into Close range of Commander Mars.

Standard Action: Attack with Burning Strike at [roll0]. On a hit, Toughness DC 25+Multiattack vs. Damage. Next round, the Toughness save must be repeated as a Secondary Effect.

[Pinnacle]

"What they--hey!" said Mars, ducking under the burning blades. "Only my PokéMon are supposed to fight!" she whined.

13 misses Mars.

Other PCs' turns.

Initiative:
Queen Elsa (1 HP; DC 22 Toughness)
Tommy Oliver (1 HP)
Link (1 HP)
Araris Valerian (1 HP)
Harry Dresden (1 HP)
Commander Mars (NPC) and her Bronzong (NPC)
Voidlings (12 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP)

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"SI-HYAA!" Tommy exploded into action, taking on the entire group of voidlings at once. He picked one at random, running at it and turning his charge into a jumping side-kick. He hit the chittering creature dead-center, pausing for the fraction of a second it took to see if his first opponent was going down. Then he hopped once before sending another spinning back kick into the next minion. He was skilled, but even the whirlwind of textbook perfect feet, hand, elbow, and knee blows he was throwing around was only human. If these guys were very tough, he wasn't going to make much of a dent, but he had always been taught not to escalate a fight unless he had to. If he could handle this as regular old Tommy, then that's what he was going to do.

Tommy, used to taking on gangs of putty-patrollers by himself, has Takedown 2, which allows him to attack a new minion for every one he incapacitates. He can also move between each minion. So I'm going to have him routine-attack all twelve. If the first beats his unmorphed, Strength Damage 3 (DC18 Toughness) unarmed attack then it stops there, but if he manages to take one down then the next is up.

[Arcran]

Araris' sword was already once again in his grasp before the portal opened, the old soldier instantly dropping into a defensive stance, prepared for the enemy. When they appear he is first struck by their outlandish clothes, then by the creatures they control. Small creatures made of darkness that he did not recognize. By their stature he'd assume they were hardly a threat, but the Vord had taught him otherwise. The creature summoned by the woman seemed an easy threat. A beast made entirely of metal? That was something he could handle easily, even without a blade.

Unfortunately, he didn't have time for that. While the acrobat was fast, Araris was faster still when it came to being a bodyguard. One did not act as a singulare for decades without having an innate sense of where to be. As Ghirahim flies forward, intent on putting the ice woman down quickly he finds his blade effortlessly parried inches from the breast of the ice queen, Araris almost appearing by her side.

"You opponent is me," he states simply, a cold gleam in his eyes. With a quick motion he disengages his blade from that of the acrobat before moving forward in a flash, his furycrafted gladius making the air hum with its razor edge.

"Princess, stop the metal beast. I can handle this," Araris states. It wasn't a boast, nor arrogance; simply a fact.

Using Interpose. Araris doesn't need to roll Toughness because, well, he's Immune to half and that puts it under his Impervious rating. See his Perfect Guard power.

Actions:
Making an attack with my sword on Ghirahim.
AC: [roll0], Critical 16+Rerolled in OoC, actually 25
DC 21 Toughness

1 Hero Point, Luck 4/5

[Dancing Owlbear]

The attack was definitely a surprise, and not a pleasant one. Harry looked at the three 'bad guys' for lack of a better term. The pointy eared circus reject might have been a fae, but he couldn't say for certain and the woman was clearly human. That just left the big... bell... thing. Bronzong. It was making a move to try and sucker punch the Outsider while they were still weak and that sort of bullying really annoyed him. And when he was annoyed, things got set on fire.

Narrowing his eyes, Dresden aimed his blasting rod at the creature and slammed his will into it, the tip bursting into scarlet incandescence. "FUEGO!" Harry snarled out and fire in a column the size of his clenched fist flashed out from the rod to strike the metal monster.

Move Action: Drawing Blasting Rod

Standard Action: Attacking with 'Fuego' - Damage 12 (DC 27)
[roll0]

[Pinnacle]

Tommy's first kick knocked the creature back a step, but didn't seem to really hurt it. Was that sound... giggling?

Araris's blade slashed across Ghirahim's face, and the demon lord winced but then fixed a furious gaze upon the furycrafter. The sound that escaped his throat could only be described as a growl.

The metal creature screeched as Harry's spell struck. Its entire surface glowed slightly red for a moment; its metal body obviously conducted heat very well.
"N-no!" said Mars, "Not fire!"

Ghirahim is hit. He fails his Toughness check by two degrees.
Tommy can hit the Voidlings with a routine attack, but the first one makes its Toughness check. Unfortunate! (It occurred to me that I should have specified that they're quite small, about half the size of a human.)
Bronzong is hit. It's super-effective! so it actually has a Toughness DC of 33. It's tougher than Ghirahim, though, and also fails by two degrees.

Initiative:
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Link (1 HP)
Commander Mars (NPC) and her Bronzong (NPC; Injured -1, Dazed 1 round)
Voidlings (12 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Injured -1, Dazed 1 round)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP)
Tommy Oliver (1 HP)
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP)
Harry Dresden (1 HP)

[Grim ranger]

As soon as the violence began, Link did not hesitate, trusting instincts built up along a long adventure to carry him through. His eyes fixed on the foe that apparently knew him somehow, the Hero of Twilight drew his weapon and shield, a pure note sounding as the blade of Master Sword was revealed. It was time to help the rest of the heroes in their endeavors the best way he knew how.

Springing forward towards Ghirahim with his blade raised high, Link let out a battle cry that his foe might find very, very familiar despite the fact the current hero knew nothing of his ancestor that had faced the demon lord in ages past. It was just one of those things that echoes to infinity along the long chain of Links, a familiar little thing foe his foe to appreciate as he faced yet another Hero.

"Hyaaaah!"

Moving to Ghirahim and attacking with the Master Sword. It is about time for certain demon lord to meet an old friend... Right up close and personal. :smalltongue:

[roll0] (Attack)

DC 20 (or 25 in case of critical hit) Toughness

[Rokku]

"Queen," says Elsa, with a bit of a smirk, "but thank you sir. I'll oblige."

Elsa's hair and gown were suddenly whipped by frigid winds, snow flurrying around her as she called up her magic. With a gesture, she unleashed a torrent of ice on the floating bell-creature.

Frozen Blast [roll0] Toughness DC 25. Frozen Magic array currently has 20 points in Frozen Blast with the remaining 12 loose.

[Pinnacle]

Ghirahim's eyes still on Araris, he easily caught Link's blade with his bare hand and pushed it away. He did look at Link then, and smiled. "Ah yes, I remember that well."

Elsa's blast struck the Pokémon, but the ice crystals deflected off of the spinning bell without causing it any apparent harm.
"Ah ha!" said its trainer triumphantly, "Ice attacks don't work very well against Steel types, don't you know that princess?"
"How could she possibly know that, Mars?" asked Ghirahim.
"That's Commander Mars!" Having been attacked once already, she eyed the heroes warily and assumed a more defensible stance near her pet.

After its slow start, the creature began to pick up speed. It attempted to ram the Outsider as instructed, but Avalon took the hit.
"Oh," the being said, "thank you."

The Voidlings had the heroes outnumbered two-to-one, and two of them moved to attack each hero--except Tommy, who had attacked them.
Their claws tore the air with an intimidating hiss, but they didn't seem to actually be that powerful. Most of the heroes successfully avoided their attacks one way or the other.
Only Dresden and Tommy felt the bite, but... The claws didn't penetrate their skin, not really. They went right through; not very deep, but painful nonetheless.

"Ah--HA!" Ghirahim brought his blade down ferociously on the Hero of Twilight. It was a much more forceful attack without the finesse he'd used when he struck at Elsa, but the weapon slipped past the Hylian's shield all the same.

The NPCs are talking an awful lot, but I wanted to make sure to work Mars's name in IC at some point. :smalltongue:

Link misses.
Elsa hits, but it's not very effective so Bronzong's Limited Immunity reduces the DC to 20... It rolls well and would've beat the original DC anyway, it's unharmed.

Bronzong attacks the Outsider and hits Avalon since he already stated he'd Interpose--that's a DC 26 Toughness check.
Mars uses the Defend action.

Voidlings make Team Attacks against the heroes. They can't get to Avalon since he's flying, so two extras attack Tommy since he engaged them.
Both miss Elsa.
Dresden is hit once and must make a DC 19 Fort check against damage.
Both miss Araris.
Both miss Link.
Tommy is hit twice and must make a DC 21 Fort check against damage.

Ghirahim attacks Link with a +/-2 Power Attack--DC 24 Toughness.

PCs' turns.

Initiative:
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Link (1 HP; DC 24 Toughness)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP; DC 26 Toughness)
Tommy Oliver (1 HP; DC 21 Fort vs damage)
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP)
Harry Dresden (1 HP; DC 19 Fort vs damage)
Commander Mars (NPC; Defending) and her Bronzong (NPC; Injured -1)
Voidlings (12 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Injured -1)

[Arcran]

Once again, Ghirahim finds his blade intercepted, Araris standing stoically, locking eyes with the Demon Lord, already having moved just enough to avoid the strikes of the Voidlings.

"I said your opponent was me," he states simply, disengaging the blades once more with a flurry of sparks, quickly thrusting towards Ghirahim's chest, intent on keeping the pressure up. The one in green seemed horribly outmatched in this battle and, unfortunately, did not seem to be trained in legion combat.

"Quiet one, I can handle this foe. Take down the one who has a metal beast," Araris states, vaguely wondering if she, like him, was a furycrafter. Had she manifested a metal fury in a physical form? A true body, not simply an overlay on his own? It would bear investigation, although she seemed far too fragile and scared of combat to be a true metalcrafter. Perhaps a bastardized version, like how the Icemen used watercrafting?

"Try not to kill her," he adds as an afterthought, more than a little curious about learning that art if furycrafting was truly the source.

Interpose again, this time for Link!

DC 24 means a Damage 9 attack. Cut that in half and Impervious eats it again.

Attacking Ghirahim again!

Rolled in dice thread.

23 to-hit. DC 21 Toughness.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4056/pCHc2P.jpg Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

(Mandatory theme song link) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZtzn5GQOng)

Tommy backed away from the gibbering minions with a hand to his chest where a couple had managed to get through his defenses. Whatever it was, it had felt cold and wrong, like they were attacking his soul and not his body. Fortunately, his soul seemed durable enough to resist whatever they had tried to do to him, leaving him with nothing but an uncomfortable, dull ache.

"Man, these guys are tougher than I thought! Guess I'll have to take things up a notch." he said as he reached behind him to the device that he'd gotten from his duffel bag earlier. It was gold, a little smaller than one of his fists, and had a technological look to it. "It's morphin' time!" he announced as he held the device in both hands and thrust it out in front of himself.

"Dragonzord!"

There was a flash of electric, green light and the dragon ranger armor/costume materialized on Tommy's body, morphing him into the Green Ranger! Moving much more quickly now, he took on another martial arts stance and leapt back into battle. "Alright, you dim lightbulbs, try this on for size! SI-HIYAA!" he kiai'd as he jumped ten feet into the air and came down on one of the voidlings with a flying knee, hopefully bringing it to the ground, then rolling acrobatically off of it back to his feet.

Then he piled into the others again, taking on the whole gang of them with renewed vigor.

Check dice thread for Fort save.

Routine attack again, this time for Unarmed Damage 8! (DC23) He'll mow down as many as he can until one saves against the damage.

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry staggered back as several of the voidlings ganged attacked. He'd been so focused on the giant bell monster that he hadn't noticed them until they were on him. The claws went through him, bypassing the protective spells on his duster that had been designed for bullets, knives, and other, more mundane, forms of attack. Even without doing any actual physical injury, it still hurt like hell.

The damn things were too close for him to safely use his blasting rod, but Dresden had been prepared for this. Sure, it had taken several close calls, but he had eventually learned from them. A silver ring he wore on his index finger had been enchanted to save back a little kinetic energy whenever he moved his arm. He hadn't used it in a few months and he was sure it would have a whale of a kick to it as he triggered the ring, sending a wave of raw force, unseen but tangible, at the imps.

Free Action: Spending my Hero Point to automatically make the Kinetic Ring's Unreliable Check.

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: Multiattacking the two voidlings with the Kinetic Ring, also using -2/+2 Power Attack.
Voidling #1: [roll0] - Damage 7 (DC 22 Toughness)
Voidling #2: [roll1] - Damage 7 (DC 22 Toughness)

[Quellian-dyrae]

Bronzong rammed him hard, a distinct cracking sound of a few ribs breaking clearly audible as the metallic monster slammed him full in the chest. Fortunately, that part of the injury healed pretty much instantly, although the force of the blow still knocked the wind out of him and his entire chest sported a horrid bruise...although it was rapidly shrinking as his powerful regeneration went to work on the damage.

"So, your master wants me to fight you," he said conversationally once he had recovered his breath.

His eyes narrowed with grim amusement. "She also let slip that you're vulnerable to fire. BURNING STRIKE!" He lashed out once more with his flaming blades at the metallic creature.

Move Action: Dazed.

Standard Action: Burning Strike on Bronzong at [roll0]. On a hit, Toughness DC 25+Multiattack vs. Damage. Secondary Effect next round.

Current Status: Bruised (Regenerates next turn), (Dazed Ends).

EDIT: So apparently my dice dislike me this battle. Time to switch to area attacks :smallannoyed:.

[Pinnacle]

Araris's second strike cuts across Ghirahim's chest, drawing a thin line of... something grey that is presumably like blood.
"But you are so infuriating."

The first Voidling that the Green Ranger struck shrieked and melted away, the portal that composed its body vanishing with a soft pop.
The same happened to the second, and the third. The fourth though, one of the ones that had managed to strike him, weathered the blow and grinned. Or did something like grinning for a creature with no apparent mouth or teeth.

Dresden had similar fortune, sending one tumbling away to vanish before it touched the ground, but failing to destroy the second.

The red glow on Bronzong's metallic body was finally fading, the creature still in pain, as it was struck by another fire attack. It rang like a--well, a bell--and then fell to the ground with a loud CLANG that vibrated the floor, its eyes white.
"Br-Bronzong return!" shouted Mars. She pointed the red and white ball at the fallen creature, and a beam of light shot from the small dot on the front. It hit Bronzong, which evaporated into light and was sucked into the ball. Mars reached for her next Pokéball, but for a few precious seconds she had no defender...

Araris hits Ghirahim. He fails his Toughness check by one degree.
Since Tommy used his Move to activate his Morph, he can only target those Voidlings he can reach. That's at least four, let's say six. Ah, doesn't matter; the Ranger defeats three, but the fourth one makes its check.
Dresden hits both, although routine checks would have missed (and I just gave away the Voidlings' exact Parry, oh well). Harry defeats one, but the second makes its check.
Fuego's Secondary Effect burns Bronzong. It fails by three degrees, leaving it damaged and Staggered.
16's actually a hit against Bronzong's Parry, although no Multiattack damage. Still, that's DC 30 for Bronzong due to its vulnerability... It fails by four degrees and is down.
Mars has no Pokémon out at the moment, although of course she' still Defending so actually hitting her is no sure thing.

Elsa and Link are up.

Initiative:
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Link (1 HP; DC 24 Toughness)
Commander Mars (NPC; Defending) and her Bronzong (NPC; Injured -2, Staggered)
Voidlings (12 9 8 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Injured -2)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP; Injured -1)
Tommy Oliver (1 HP)
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP)
Harry Dresden (1 HP)

[Rokku]

Elsa danced away from the attacking voidlings, patches of ice and frost springing up instantly to stymie their attacks. When the "Bronzong" disappeared, she focused her attention on its summoner. Commander Mars was about to have a chill...

Shifting Winter Magic to fully power up Frigid Wind. Using a hero point to reroll if the initial attack misses! [roll0] [roll1] Fort DC 20.

[Grim ranger]

Seeing that his own strategy seemed to be lacking against Ghirahim, Link left Araris to deal with the mad swordsman and instead went on to help Elsa in her efforts. Making his way through the chaotic melee, he took a second to mentally draw out his swing in his mind, the motion considered to perfection before the Blade of Evil's Bane swung at Mars in perfect arc, a perfect cut aimed across her body from her left hip to right shoulder.

It was a simple move... But it was also quite efficient.

Moving to Mars and doing that sweet, sweet crit. DC 25 Toughness for her :smallbiggrin:

[Pinnacle]

Mars winced as the frigid wind blew over her. She shivered and drew her arms close to her, glaring at Elsa, but she didn't seem terribly hindered.
Those arms tightly across her chest also helped her endure Link's strike, although it was nonetheless more effective. "Ahck!" she said, wincing, "Back off!"
She dropped her next Pokéball between her and the hero. It snapped open and a massive bat-like creature appeared between them.
http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/0/0c/042Golbat.png/250px-042Golbat.png
"Golbat, keep 'im back!"

The Voidlings continued clawing at the heroes, and the heroes kept holding them at bay with relative ease. The same one that had connected with Dresden before did so again--and one penetrated Araris's defenses as well.

"If your body's so impregnable," said Ghirahim with a sneer, "we'll just have to change that, won't we?"
He snapped the fingers of his off hand, and a dark energy began to coalesce around them. He jabbed at Araris's abdomen, and that energy flowed into him, sapping his strength.

Mars fails her Dodge check against Elsa's attack, but she rolls quite high on her Fort and makes that check.
Link's attack crits... shouldn't that be DC 30? Mars fails by two degrees and is Dazed. She uses her action to summon her Golbat, which can't act this turn because she was just summoned.

The Voidlings that were attacking Link split to attack Dresden and the Green Ranger instead. Two of them Team Attack each hero again.
Both miss Tommy.
Dresden is again hit once: DC 19 Fort against Damage.
Both miss Elsa.
Araris is hit once: DC 19 Fort against Damage.

Ghirahim Power Stunts a spell attack and hits Araris with a +/-2 Power Attack. DC 19 Fort against Weaken Toughness Linked to Affliction (Impaired, Disabled, Incapacitated).

PCs' turns.

Initiative:
Phoenix Knight (1 HP; Injured -1)
Tommy Oliver (1 HP)
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP; DC 19 Fort vs Damage and DC 19 Fort vs Weaken/Affliction)
Harry Dresden (1 HP; DC 19 Fort vs Damage)
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Link (1 HP; DC 24 Toughness)
Commander Mars (NPC; Injured -1) and her Golbat (NPC)
Voidlings (12 9 8 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Fatigued next round from Extra Effort, Injured -2)

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon's grin widened as the metallic creature went down...and faltered as the Trainer just called up a new pokemon. Which he knew would happen, and yet he attacked the metal one anyway. Beat the summoner, you beat the summons. Everyone knows it.

Meh, whatever.

"Hey guys, are we getting tired of the funny little mooks yet? I'm kinda tired of the funny little mooks," he called out to the group, though he didn't await an answer. Fire and light flared around him as he gathered power, the blades flowing like molten flame around his arms and into his hands. "BURNING BLAST!" he yelled as he hurled a pulsing sphere of fiery energy right into the middle of the fray.

And, as fireballs always do, it exploded, detonating into a blast of brilliant, pure white light. But where it touched his allies, they would only feel a gentle, soothing warmth, as if they had stepped out into the noontime sun. His foes, on the other hand, were afforded no protection, and the light would burn as harshly as if a giant magnifying glass had focused the light of the sun directly upon them.

Standard Action: Burning Blast. 30' radius Selective area attack on the thickest mass of enemies available to hit. Dodge DC 20 for half, Toughness DC 25 vs. Damage. Variable Descriptor for this attack is [Light].

At end of turn, Regenerates one Bruise.

Current Status: Normal.

[Pinnacle]

As the light vanished, the demon lord was on one knee and breathing heavily.
Only one Voidling remained, squealing loudly. Where the others had been was nothing more than crackling energy, and that was quickly fading.

Ghirahim just barely fails his Dodge check. He also just barely fails his Toughness check by 3 degrees, rendering him Staggered.
Avalon defeats 7 Voidlings, but one makes both its Dodge check and the reduced Toughness check.

Other PCs' turns.

Initiative:
Tommy Oliver (1 HP)
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP; DC 19 Fort vs Damage and DC 19 Fort vs Weaken/Affliction)
Harry Dresden (1 HP; DC 19 Fort vs Damage)
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Link (1 HP; DC 24 Toughness)
Commander Mars (NPC; Injured -1) and her Golbat (NPC)
Voidlings (12 9 8 1 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Fatigued next round from Extra Effort, Staggered, Injured -3)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP)

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4056/pCHc2P.jpg Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

(Mandatory theme song link) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZtzn5GQOng)

The token Power Ranger skillfully avoided the attacks of two of his enemies, flipping over the first and then immediately ducking under the second. Then he had to throw his arm up protectively as a wave of fire blasted over him!

Much to his surprise, the blast only affected his foes!

"Whoa, bright boy! Thanks for the assist!" Tommy clenched his fist in front of his facemask, moving animatedly with his words as if he needed to emote the fact that he was speaking. He was clearly impressed with Avalon's display of pyrotechnics, especially since he hadn't been hurt by it!

"Alright, this one's mine!" Left with only one voidling to entertain, Tommy decided to finish things up while the others ganged up on the big bads. He charged the one remaining minion, his body flashing with green energy, and used his hand like a blade to slash him with something like a karate chop as he ran by. The voidling erupted in sparks upon contact with the knifehand blow and hopefully collapsed backwards to join his fellows. In that eventuality, the Green Ranger struck a pose.

Routine attack, unarmed damage 8 same as before.

[Rokku]

Elsa frowned. Commander Mars was proving to be tougher than she looked -- which shouldn't have surprised the Queen. After all, so was she. Of course, she didn't seem to be much without her pets. Elsa thrust an open hand towards Golbat, spraying the creature with a torrent of ice.

Moving array back to Frozen Blast. [roll0] Toughness DC 25.

[Pinnacle]

A second after being struck by the Green Ranger, the final Voidling tipped over and melted into nothing. Or rather, the nothing it was made of melted... back into something? Space regained its normal appearance with the creature gone.

Ice encased the massive bat where the queen of Arendelle directed it. "No Golbat, don't you fail me too!" commanded her commander, but it was useless. The Pokémon fell to ground where the ice shattered and it lay limp.
"Ugh. Golbat return!" The creature was sucked back into its ball as Mars reached for the final one on her belt.

"Maybe on that's not vulnerable to either fire or ice this time, commander?" hissed the wounded Ghirahim.

The final Voidling is down.

Elsa hits Golbat. It's super effective so it has an effective DC of 30. Golbat fails by 5 degrees (so I guess it's vulnerability didn't matter either) and is incapacitated.

Araris and Link's turns.

Initiative:
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP; DC 19 Fort vs Damage and DC 19 Fort vs Weaken/Affliction)
Link (1 HP; DC 24 Toughness)
Commander Mars (NPC; Injured -1) and her Golbat (NPC)
Voidlings (12 9 8 1 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Fatigued next round from Extra Effort, Staggered, Injured -3)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP)
The Green Ranger (1 HP)
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Harry Dresden (1 HP)

[Dancing Owlbear]

Once again one of the little imp-like creatures slashed through Harry with its claws and, once again, caused no lasting harm. The wizard winced from the pain and when he opened his eyes the voidling was already evaporating, sliced in two by the green... knight, for lack of a better word. "Uh.. thanks!"

Turning towards the other threats, Harry was rather surprised to see the Snow Queen drop the giant bat with a single blast. Mars summoned it back to its red and white vessel, most likely preparing to use the third and last one on its belt. Of course, Harry had little interest in discovering what new monstrosity the summoner would attempt to use on them. Reaching out, he drew upon his will and hissed, "Ventas servitas!"

A sudden, powerful, gust of wind kicked up inside the limitless but limited room, attempting to yank the last sphere off of Mar's belt.

Move Action: None

Standard Action: Using 'Forzare' to attempt to take away Mars' pokeball (-5 Penalty) - Move Object 12
[roll0]

[Arcran]

Araris doesn't even flinch as the shadowy claw plunges into him. To a metalcrafter pain and discomfort were words, not actual states. He ignores the Voidling, instead watching the true threat. When the Demon Lord strikes him with magic, Araris finds himself more than a little confused as to its origin; after all, magic in the conventional sense does not exist in Alera. Still, he didn't have much time to ponder the source before Avalon made his move.

As the light erupted through the area Araris instinctively covered his face and eyes; while pain was hardly an issue for a metalcrafter, eyes melted in the socket were. When he feels the flames hardly even dance over him, almost feeling as if it was embracing him. For a second the swordsman cannot help but marvel at the level of control the man must have over his furies before plunging his blade downward for a finishing strike, never one to ignore an opening, not bothering to reply to Ghirahim's previous comment. It wouldn't accomplish anything, after all.

Fortitude Against Damage: [roll0]

Sorry, clicked the wrong link! Thoguht this was the dice thread...

Attacking Ghirhim again; rolled in OoC thread. 22 for the to-hit, DC 25 Toughness. Also, if it matters, Araris is not trying to keep him alive.

[Pinnacle]

Mars's fingers closed on the device containing her final defender, and it was immediately pulled from her grasp. "H-Hey you can't do that!" she shouted, chasing after it.

Ghirahim attempted to catch Araris's sword as he had done to Link, but wasn't entirely as successful. The weapon cut into his arm and his face was marred by a grimace. "You--pathetic--human!"

Mars is disarmed of her final Pokéball.
Ghirahim is hit, and fails his Toughness check by 2 degrees.

Link's turn.

Initiative:
Link (1 HP; DC 24 Toughness)
Commander Mars (NPC; Injured -1) and her Golbat (NPC)
Voidlings (12 9 8 1 Minions)
Lord Ghirahim (NPC; Fatigued next round from Extra Effort, Staggered, Injured -4)
Phoenix Knight (1 HP)
The Green Ranger (1 HP)
Queen Elsa (1 HP)
Harry Dresden (1 HP)
Araris Valerian (1 HP, 4 LP)

[Grim ranger]

Nodding to the wizard and ice queen in thanks for the assistance as the enemy was put on the run, Link bounded after the pokemon trainer, trying to overtake her slightly before swinging his blade at her feet, hopefully tripping her up and forcing her to finally give up her struggle. Although her pets were certainly powerful, it did not seem that she had even considered fighting without them.

Whatever world she hailed from had to be rather peaceful place to allow for such style of combat. Not preparing oneself for direct violence? That was hardly a course of action real warriors would take. Then again, she was apparently more of a beast-trainer anyhow.

Link chases after Mars and attacks her again with the Master Sword.

[roll0] (Attack)

DC 25 Toughness, 30 if critical happens (16-20)

[Pinnacle]

Mars lunged desperately after her Pokéball. "You can't take my Purugly!" she cried.
She wasn't skilled enough, or physically strong enough to have any real chance of recovering it. It was a fruitless endeavor, and even more so because Link's sword swept at her legs as she leapt and brought her crashing to the ground. "Ow!"
She pushed herself back up, but barely.

Ghirahim held his latest wound with one hand, but nonetheless he suddenly grinned wickedly. "Maybe I can use that strength of yours," he said, and flicked his hand towards his foe.
Araris heard a voice in his ears, whispering, compelling him to turn on the other heroes... but he was not overcome by it.
Ghirahim looked defeated and his hand dropped. "Oh."

From nowhere, there was a woman's voice. "You're done."
"Megan!?"
"You have failed in your task."
"No--we can still--"
"I am cancelling this appointment. We are now completely off-schedule."

And then both Ghirahim and Mars were gone, as was the ball that Dresden held.

"...Ah," said the Outsider, "Well then... sealed. We have closed the interplanar pathways we opened to bring you here. The Beyond is secure. nothing can enter or exit but through the gate."

Mars fails her Toughness check by three degrees and is Staggered.

Since she only has one action, she has to charge to attempt to disarm. She misses by a lot, and wouldn't have remotely made the opposed check if she did.

Ghirahim becomes Fatigued from his last power stunt. He power stunts again to attack Araris with a mind control spell, but he makes the Will check (I rolled this one for you since I had to know whether it worked to write this post).

And they're gone.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"HAH!" Avalon enthused, swooping back down to the group. "Did you see that? Man that was awesome! Dude! I got to finish off an enemy who had been nuked by Fuego! She sent a fire-vulnerable into battle against me and Harry Dresden! And then she brings out her next one, and Elsa one-shots it before it even so much as had the chance to look around and meanwhile Tommy's all 'oh, look, a massive horde of unknown minions, I suppose the only recourse is to take them all on myself' and he actually does the thing with the talking and the helmet! And...and...this guy just goes in against a presumably boss-level swordsman, and just shuts him down like he's moblin on the other side of the screen while he has all his hearts! And that's about when Harry steals her pokeball! Did you see the look on her face? I don't even think they realize it's physically possible to steal pokeballs and when she goes after it Link's all 'nope' except he doesn't actually say anything 'cause Link and then she winds up sprawled on the floor like a doofus. Heck yeah! And the only one they actually managed to hurt? The flippin' regenerator. Gods we rock so hard in so many ways. Hey, do we have a way of checking if the multiverse is actually still in danger? I think after seeing that their boss might just give up and go off somewhere dark and quiet with a bowl of ice cream to cry."

This, it should be noted, wasn't fanboyism. This was just how Avalon acted after a battle. Especially if he had allies with him. And especially if he hadn't actually fought alongside those allies before.

"Oh, by the way, the name's Avalon. Or Phoenix Knight, if you prefer codenames. Not actually an angel, just a guy with wings, but yeah, I get that alot. I guess we should probably introduce ourselves huh? Err...actually, I just kinda introduced most of you, didn't I? S-sorry, I'm...new at the whole 'knowing stuff' business."

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4056/pCHc2P.jpg Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

The Green Ranger stayed in his fighting stance, waiting for more enemies to pop up out of nowhere as they always seemed to have a habit of doing, until it seemed that the fight was well and truly over. Avalon had another nerd-fit as Tommy took the opportunity to unlatch and take off his helmet, holding it in the crook of his left arm. "Just another day's work. Good teamwork, guys." he smiled as the ranting abated.

He patted Avalon on the shoulder comradely. "Hey, you sure you don't want to slow down a little? Maybe remember to breathe?" he asked, obviously teasing.

Taking a look around at all the other impressive combatants, Tommy nodded respectfully to them. "Avalon's right, though. We never got a chance to introduce ourselves. I'm Tommy, from Angel Grove, California. I'm one of the Power Rangers."

[Arcran]

Araris quickly turned as Ghirahim vanished, expecting another assault, only to see that his opponent had completely vanished. The swordsman, used to fighting more (in his experience) mundane foes, drops into a defensive posture, unsure what to do. What kind of crafting had allowed the Demon Lord to try to sap his strength? What had made it possible for him to speak with a whisper in his ears? Even windcrafters had to move their mouths to carry their voice.

When the Outsider confirms the area to be clean, Araris quickly pulls a rag from his finery, beginning to polish the grey blood from his blade. He'd seen red blood, even the green of the Vord, but grey was new. How many more oddities existed outside Alera?

As Avalon celebrates their decisive victory the singulare can't help but grin slightly, not understanding half of what he says but taking it all for a compliment. He reminded him of a younger Tavi, in a way. That naivety and unbridled joy at having won what Araris can only assume will be just a minor skirmish. All six would not have been summoned to defeat two that had fallen so quickly.

"Araris Valerian, Count of the Rillwater," the swordsman says, continuing to polish his blade. "Although I suppose none of you know where that is. Tell me," Araris says, turning to Avalon and Elsa. "Do your worlds have furies as well? How do you harness them?"

[Rokku]

"Furies?"

Elsa's tone made it clear she didn't know what Araris was talking about.

"I was just... born this way. I only really learned how to control it recently. Oh! And I'm Elsa, Queen of Arendelle. Pleasure to meet you all." She curtsies slightly.

"Mister... Avalon, was it? You said you know our stories? Is that... you know our whole stories? Because if I'm being honest, a lot of mine isn't very flattering..."

[Dancing Owlbear]

Dresden breathed out a curse when the ball vanished from his hand. He had wanted to look it over and see if it was similar to the vessel that had been used to contain Bob. In fact, Harry had been so focused on it that he almost didn't realize that the battle had ended, "Whahuh?"

Harry wasn't so much relieved as he was.. very surprised. It was very rare for the wizard when he got into a fight that he didn't nearly die from. Despite getting swiped at a few times by the voidlings, everything had gone rather well. He turned to the Outsider, eying the robed figure, "That was what you were worried about? I think you might have gone a little overboard on the response."

He pinched the bridge of his nose as people started introducing themselves. Power Ranger, of course. Who was going to show up next? He-Man? After a sigh, he rubbed his temples and looked at everyone else in attendance, "Harry Dresden. Wizard."

Elsa's admission caught him off-guard. She had been throwing magic around without a focus or even a word, and she had only just recently learned to control it? Harry was beginning to feel a little out of his weight class, metaphysically speaking.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Hmm. I'll take it under advisement," Avalon replied to Tommy with a chuckle.

"I'm...not entirely clear on what a Fury is, myself. But if they're some sort of external source of power, nah, nothing like that here. Pretty much just straight-up energy manipulation."

"And I mean, I wouldn't say your whole stories. More like...eh...uh...the interesting bits? But usually in a fairly specific window of time? And it can vary pretty widely. Like, for you, the whole bit was basically a couple hours of real time. There's only so much you can fit into that. Tommy there, was also real time, but in several half-hour-ish snatches, so more total time overall. Although I haven't watched Power Rangers since I was a kid, so I don't remember too much. Whereas Harry was like fi-"

He was about to say "fifteen books", but he cut himself off abruptly as he realized something critically important.

Tommy was the Green Ranger.

Green.

Not white.

Green.

Holy.

Crap.

"Time moves differently in different worlds," the Outsider had said.

Okay. Quick review. Tommy was the Green Ranger. He is confirmed as not being fully into the future state that I'm aware of. Araris I don't know anyway so whatever. Link...heck, even if I had played all the games and was able to recognize which he was from, I wouldn't be able to untangle the continuity of that universe. Although really, I should confirm which game he's from at some point. If we go into battle and I'm expecting Link to the Past level inventory shenanigans and it turns out he's Smash Bros. Link it's going to cause some tactical issues. Elsa...she was all like hiding in her room and avoiding her sister at the start of the movie, wasn't she? And now her first thought was getting back to her. And she said she just recently learned to control her powers, which was the whole plot. So she's square. Unless the new season of Once Upon a Time is actually in the same continuity but let's ignore that possibility for now. And Harry...

Avalon cast a quick look over Harry. His gear changed fairly regularly, but Avalon didn't have a fixed image of it, just descriptions. Still, there had to be something...

The ring. The singular, not-three-banded-together-on-every-finger-of-both-hands, flame-blasted ring. Smite everything, when did he do that upgrade? It wasn't super early on, but it wasn't all that late either. He couldn't remember exactly which book it was though.

Well, it was fair enough. He could find out. And then give the real Harry all sorts of awesome information about the future and oh my god what are you thinking that is the worst idea ever!

"Um...actually, guys, I'm sorry, I suddenly realize that I probably shouldn't...actually...talk about my knowledge of your worlds." He actually sounded nervous when he said it, which even given the short time they had known each other they could probably tell was rather out of character for him.

It was funny, really. Avalon always got annoyed at the cryptic prophet types who had all this awesome future information and just wouldn't make themselves useful and share it. He resolved immediately to be more understanding of them in the future, because with about thirty seconds in their position Avalon realized what exactly they were dealing with and why they had to be careful about what they said.

Seriously I spent some time yesterday musing on various ways Avalon giving Harry helpful future information could come back to bite him. It generally resulted in Harry's eventual death. Possibly multiple times over. :smallbiggrin: :smalleek:

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4056/pCHc2P.jpg Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"I'm from a children's show in your world? But..." Tommy trailed off as he thought about when he'd met the other Power Rangers, how he'd started off as Rita's evil ranger and tried to destroy the Earth. He glanced over at Elsa, sympathetic to her concern that the focus of this other world's entertainment hadn't shown her most flattering moments. Had...kids seen him like that? Did they hate him? "I guess that's cool. I really try to be a good role model. ...I just hope they like me." he half-smiled, obviously still bothered by it a little.

He almost wanted to ask about his own future, but he dreaded it as well. At least if it was a kid's show he could generally assume that the good guys always won...which made his smile turn a little more genuine. He just hoped that they were all still together and alive, and that his parents, Zordon, Alpha, and the world was safe.

[Arcran]

"You're telling me you control elements without any furies?" Araris asks, shocked. That was impossible. If he could sense the metal there had to be furies, right? That's what he supposedly sensed, not the actual metal. The rules being different for some things was understandable, but furies? They were a constant of the world, almost a rule.

Still, it wasn't that crucial that he know everything, just enough.

"So you know nothing of my tale," Araris says, somewhat relieved. There was little for him to hide but, at the same time, a stranger knowing everything about him was rather concerning.

As Harry introduces himself, Araris turns, slightly confused.

"What is a wizard? A title or an occupation?"

[Grim ranger]

Making his trademark brandish and spinning the master sword in his hand as he re-sheathed it once the villains had been apparently sent back to wherever they had came from, Link walked somewhat closer to the group, listening in on the ongoing conversation. The one naming himself Avalon was definitely talkative sort: he was having hard time sorting through everything that the man spat out in his rapid-fire manner. He himself had always been more of a listening type, and although he did itch to hear just what this stranger knew of his world, he was not sure if he could keep up with the relevations... Or even really wish to hear them.

"Link, of Ordon" he introduced himself to the others succinctly, nodding his head somewhat before adjusting his green hat. Even if he did not like to speak much at all, it would be stupid of him to remain completely mute: it did seem as if he'd be working with these people, after all. It brought his meeting with The Group to his mind quite vividly.

"So, do we know just where to start with beginning to counter this threat?" he asks, speaking in his slow yet deliberate matter, every word one of importance and lacking anything in way of small talk. It was just the way he generally conducted himself.

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry smirked at Araris' question, "Both, plus an obligation. I cast spells, I right wrongs, I get beaten up frequently and barely manage to pay my bills while I'm at it."

[Arcran]

Araris nods, understanding some of it. If he put his time as a singulare in simple terms it could possibly have been described the same way.

"And what's a spell?"

[Rokku]

"Spells are magic," says Elsa, "they're a more... structured way to use magic. Oh, Anna could explain this better, she's the one who reads everything she can get her hands on. But that's what my power is. A kind of magic. I guess... I did bring a snowman to life? His name's Olaf. Is that kind of like your furies?"

[Arcran]

"Perhaps," Araris states, not actually sure. As far as he knew there were no "ice" furies; there were fire, and there were water, but not ice.

"Where I come from magic is just clever slight of hand and a few tricks. What you," he says, pointing at Elsa and Avalon, "do is called furycrafting, but the way you describe it seems different. I think I understand the principle though," Araris states, nodding slightly.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Yeah, don't worry, I seem to recall Green Ranger being pretty popular," AValon said to Tommy.

He listened to the discussion about magic and Furies with a slender grin, casting the Outsider an aside glance and commenting, "You should have called in one of those, uh, Avatar people too. Then they could be calling it Bending and everyone'd be really confused." He didn't contribute anything useful to the discussion though, knowing squat about Furies and not really having a head for the fiddly bits of the other ones anyway. If he were to guess, he'd say the powers that shared the most technical similarities would be his and Elsa's, but he also wouldn't call his powers "magic" (and really, who knew how Disney magic actually worked?)

[Pinnacle]

"Worlds do have different rules for things like magic..." said the Outsider, "but your capabilities should retain their function as you travel. We were fairly certain that this would be the case, but we are still glad to have been proven right before you left--although we are by no means pleased that the Beyond was breached."

"Those villains were surely aligned with our foe, but that attack was not the sum of our concerns. We do thank you for your aid, but were we merely concerned for our own domain, we would not have... Well, we may have requested aid from mortals but we would have been forthright about it. You may have noticed that we were of little help during the battle itself; though we have formidable ability to observe, we have little power in direct confrontation. We would be difficult to destroy, that's true, but merely surviving is not sufficient.

"Our enemy's identity and location remain unknown to us, so we are afraid that we as yet have no plan for targeting them directly. Although... the name 'Megan' let slip by the commander, that is new information. We will continue to pursue this. Our request for you is that you interfere and thwart their attacks--although if you learn anything useful in doing so we would by no means refuse that assistance.

"Perhaps we should explain how we know of the danger. We observed recently an unusually high amount of interdimensional travel. These extra travelers seemed particularly interested in being near portals between worlds. That may not seem strange to you, but they were not natives to either world, and so there was no reason they should be near the portals.
"Now portals between worlds... They are sometimes natural, and sometimes created by mortal magic or technology either temporarily or permanently. There is nothing inherently dangerous about them. But they are... well, think of a doorway in a house. It allows one to move from room to room, and is very useful. But the door is a hole in the wall, and therefore a weak point. If the doorway were widened too much it would weaken the structure of the wall. If all of the doorways in the house were so attacked, the entire thing may collapse.

"We have reason to believe that this is what is happening here. The mortal villains involved may not entirely understand the entire situation, but their actions risk causing worlds to crash into each other. Or the collapse of the multiverse if widespread enough.

"That is the danger we fear and the reason we drew you here."

[Quellian-dyrae]

"So you can perceive which portals are being targeted, and the mortal ally you mentioned can pop us over there, we lay waste in epic and glorious fashion, interrogate the poor, helpless bad guys who managed to draw our ire, rinse and repeat until we learn who's behind it and beat them down for great justice, and...laugh. That basically cover the overall plan of action?"

[Dancing Owlbear]

"I don't think its going to be that simple," Harry replied to Avalon, crossing his arms. "Apparently the person in charge of this whole 'destroying the Multiverse' thing was savvy enough to locate where we were. My guess, the goons they threw at us were to figure out what we were capable of. Plus, they now know who we are and they'll be ready for us when we show up."

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Ah! Right! Good point! So the plan would be, Outsider detects the portals under attack, mortal ally pops us over, we chase down the villains when they run screaming upon seeing us, lay waste in glorious fashion, etc, etc. That sound better?"

The sad thing was, he sounded completely serious. Not just serious, but completely dead-certain he had it pegged. Avalon didn't really do logical caution.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4056/pCHc2P.jpg Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"It sound like this will be tough, but I'm with Avalon. The Outsider wouldn't have brought us all here if he didn't think we could handle it." he assured the others. They weren't Power Rangers, but they made a good team, and the Outsider could drop them all back off at home seconds after they left when they were done saving the multiverse. Besides, it seemed like fun.

He turned toward the featureless mass of robes when he asked, "So, I guess my only question is: Where do we start?"

[Grim ranger]

Listening as the situation was explained to them in full, the hylian was beginning to look more and more concerned. Zant's mad scheme to merge the realms of light and twilight had been crazy enough, but this? Destroying entirety of existence? It was horrible beyond contemplation. It was apparent that they would have their work cut out for them: if their enemies indeed hailed from all the infinite realms of existence, they'd have armies to face before all would be said and done. Still, it was duty of heroes to stand against the darkness when nobody else could... It was a fact that he was all too familiar with.

Nodding as the other green-clad figure of their entourage spoke, Link looked thoughtful. "It seemed that the swordsman knew me...somehow. If he did, he has to have some connection with Hyrule... Perhaps there is lead to be found there?"

[Arcran]

"Defending doorways?" Araris says, momentarily wishing he had a legion of soldiers. With any decent sized force he could easily keep the portals safe, although that likely wouldn't happen. Still, the small group had held off the enemy well enough; they'd just have to see exactly what they were up against.

When Link speaks Araris turns, sheathing his blade as he finally gets it clean.

"It seems as good a realm as any. Are the others from your realm similar to the swordsman?" Araris asks, hoping that they are. He could fight swordsman, archers and furycrafters (and their other realm equivalents) but battling against warriors from other realms with capabilities he has never encountered could prove problematic. He had earned the title as the greatest swordsman in Alera not only by training, but by experience. This travel could negate the second part entirely.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon considered Link's theory for a moment. He could figure out the explanation for the guy semi-knowing him - "one of you" made it clear - but he was somewhat hesitant to speak much on their worlds and accidentally say something that messed things up for them later.

That said...Ordon hadn't struck him as familiar. That probably meant this Link was from a game he hadn't played. He had the Master Sword, and in Avalon's experience, Link never started with the Master Sword. That meant the game had begun. But Link hadn't been acting like someone who had just been plucked from a mission to save the world. Granted, that was kinda shaky logic - given the fetch-quest-chains Link could be expected to be exposed to, he might not even flinch at being distracted from a quest to save Hyrule by being told to save the multiverse as part of some inane sidequest that ended up earning him, like, a bottle, or a piece of a heart, or something. Maybe a bigger money pouch.

Still, it was fairly probable that he had completed the plot of whichever game he had come from. Even if he hadn't, Avalon couldn't spoil it. And even if he could, if anything, Link would be the least subject to mucking things up in the future. Avalon had never played a Zelda game where, saving, having the strategy guide wound up trapping you in a no-win scenario, or something like that.

The only thing was, supposedly all the Zelda games did share some sort of continuity, but they weren't in order and they weren't the same Link. Even if Avalon did know which game he was from, he wouldn't know where in the history this Link were slotted. Still, he couldn't see how mentioning that general fact could do anything that would spiral into ruining the lives of other, future Links. Heck, he might have been looking at it wrong. The games were stated to all be in the same continuity, but they were dealing with a multiversal situation here. He, Harry, and Tommy all hailed from a world called Earth, third rock from the sun, smack-dab between Venus and Mars. But it wasn't the same Earth, and there was no reason that the real worlds that the games were somehow influenced by weren't actually entirely different universes, or even just different creators' interpretations of some Platonic ideal of one world's story.

...Man. Seeing the future makes you introspective.

But actually, that gave him an option for the best of both worlds. He literally couldn't mess stuff up if he offered the explanation that didn't allow for interaction. Nodding, Avalon spoke up, "Where I'm from, there's actually a lot of different stories about the hero named Link, from the world of Hyrule. They're not all the same though. It's possible that, uh, Gear-Loose back there came from an alternate version of Hyrule. Our worlds might not be the only versions of our worlds out there. Like...me, Harry, and Tommy all come from the same world, just in different universes."

[Rokku]

"I doubt there's any leads to be found in Arandelle," says Elsa, "The worst we had to deal with there was a backstabbing prince. Maybe the Outsider has a target in mind, though?"

[Pinnacle]

"Transporting you directly to the portals will be very difficult. We are sure she will do her best, but there will be a margin of error--you may have to seek them out or travel some distance within the worlds.

"A Sacred Realm, a Twilight Realm, a dark reflection... Link, your world certainly does have some other worlds connected to it. It will very likely be under threat, and we may ask you to travel there. At the moment, however, we have identified a world in imminent danger, and we would like to ask you to--"

A sound came from somewhere outside the gate, an incessant (yet oddly friendly) beeping.
There was something out there hurtling towards it.

"Ah. We advise you to stand well away from the gate," said the Outsider.

The gates burst opened, and a yellow school bus entered the Beyond with its tires squealing. There was something just a bit odd about the vehicle--then its headlights blinked.

The door opened and a woman leaped out, smiling broadly. She was short. Her red hair was tied in a tight bun that couldn't hope to contain it, with strands bursting out all over her head. Her clothing was particularly odd. She wore a purple dress adorned with symbols--the Triforce, a snowflake, an image of Tommy's power coin--symbols of the six heroes scattered across it with no discernable pattern. She had large, gaudy earrings shaped like a shield, a yellow background with a large purple "F" on them; the same shield symbol was on the buckles of her shoes.
There was a lizard following close on her heels. Her precise species was undefinable, but even as her mistress carried on obliviously the lizard watched the heroes apprehensively with an oddly human expression in her oddly human eyes.
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lock0iNz381qk2owu.jpg
"Wahoo!" she cheered, "Those adjustments you recommended for the Flimhopper really made an improvement to my speed in the Void! I tested the Multiversal Transposition Matrix as well and it sure did the trick. We're completely operational and now we just need--Oh!"

She waved to the heroes. "Gosh, I was so distracted I didn't even notice you. Good morning cla--or, rather, good 'whatever time it is here in the Void,' team!"
"Er," said the Outsider, "allow us to introduce the mortal ally of whom we spoke. This is Ms. Frizzle."
She curtseyed. "Some of my students call me 'The Friz' when they think I can't hear them, if you're in the mood for a code name. Ha! But you're not children, so 'Valerie' will also work if you prefer.
"And this charming young lady is Liz!" The lizard waved.

"Ms. Frizzle may be somewhat... uh, eccentric--"
"Oh, thank you Outsider!" she said happily.
"--but she can get you were you need to go."
"That I can! Now, I'm a teacher not an adventurer or any kind of heroine. I'll be dropping you off, but then I'll be waiting in the winds until you call for a pick-up."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon spent several quiet seconds appraising their method and provider of transport.

"Excuse me," he said politely.

He turned away from the group and walked off several yards.

And then he cracked up helplessly.

[Arcran]

Araris glanced at Avalon with concern before turning back to the woman, not quite understanding quite how ridiculous the situation is. The lizard, strangely enough, hardly phazed him; he'd seen much odder behavior from some of the companions of the Marat warriors. The bus, of course, was alien to him, so knowing that the bus shouldn't be alive was of no concern to him. After all, he'd just seen another giant piece of living metal, right? They seemed to be something normal for other worlds as a good fraction of the things he had met were, in fact, living metal.

"Araris Valerian," the old soldier states, extending a hand. "Are you capable of picking us up anywhere? Or is your..." he begins to say, unsure what to call the bus, "Flimhopper capable of picking us up only near the gates?" An important thing know, especially should they be forced to make a retreat.

[Rokku]

Elsa watched with curiosity as Avalon had a breakdown for some reason. The woman and her vehicle were strange, but not really any stranger than what she'd seen recently. After all, her sister's new boyfriend was raised by rock trolls and his best friend was a reindeer. And also she hung out with a talking snowman that she made.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Victoria," said the snow queen, "I'm Elsa."

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry watched all of this with as much stoicism as he could muster. Things had been strange enough and they only seemed to be getting stranger. He did not like strange. The wizard pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed before heading onto the bus, giving a glance back at the others, "Come on, 'team'. Imminent danger, remember? The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can go home."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon coughed and cleared his throat a couple times as he pulled himself together, heading back over. "Ahem. Sorry about that," he said, following Harry onto the bus.

"But why would we want it finished sooner?" he responded with a big ol' grin.

[Grim ranger]

Giving the new arrival and her method of transportation somewhat bewildered look, Link nodded slowly, quite obviously confused by these particular shenanigans. "Link" he said to Ms. Frizzle, unsure how to react to her and her pet. "I agree that we should go. Time is of the essence."

The beginning of this adventure was already soundly beating the start of his previous one in pure weirdness, and that was saying something.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"Power down!" Tommy commanded, and with another brief flash the Green Ranger costume was gone. He retrieved his bag, deciding to keep his morpher and communicator on at all times instead of sticking them back in the duffel.

"My friend, Billy, has a flying VW Beetle with a smokestack sticking out of the top of it. This isn't so weird. The face is a new one, though." Tommy said, looking the Magic Schoolbus over. He shrugged and boarded the strange, sentient machine at the insistence of its whacky, referentially dressed schoolteacher.

[Rokku]

"Oh," says Elsa, "Mister Dresden is right. We can always talk on the... coach?"

[Pinnacle]

"Oh, charming!" said Ms. Frizzle when Araris offered his hand. "No, this is a bus," she said patting it affectionately, "But it is a kind of a coach!" she added to Elsa. "The flimhopper is just one part that makes it work. Perhaps I should add that it's one of the special parts that makes my bus so unique--most busses don't have them.
"Ordinarily I'd just love showing it all to you in-depth... but you're all so eager to get started so I shouldn't take it apart right now.
"Yes, almost anywhere it can fit. It may take a few minutes for me to get there, though, and we might appear some distance away from you. I'll get as close as I can."

"Ah, Ms. Frizzle?" said the Outsider. She turned to look back at them.
"Yes? Oh Outsider, you look hurt. Was summoning the heroes harder than you thought?"
"No... well, not much. But we had to seal the pathways into the Beyond sooner than we were prepared. We were attacked here."
"Oh dear! That didn't take much time at all."
"No, but the heroes dealt with it most magnificently. However, they did not have much time to see the Beyond before your arrival. We are pleased by their readiness, but several of them had said they were interested in writing letters home to explain their absence. We agreed to transport these, but they did not have the opportunity to write them..."
"That's no trouble," said Ms. Frizzle, bowing, "Consider the opportunity provided."

"Thank you, and... good fortune to all of you."

"Farewell!"

Ms. Frizzle leapt back onto the bus, Liz on her heels again. She shut the door and took the controls, and for just a second her earrings seemed to glow. "I'm sorry, but those seats were built for children. If you can bear with them for now, I can make an adjustment for your comfort shortly. Seatbelts everyone!"
The bus turned around and moved towards the gate. For a moment it teetered on the edge, but then trundled off into the Void oblivious to the lack of ground. The gate clanged shut behind it.
The teacher leaned forward and pointed out the windshield. "Third mote of light from the left and straight on until next Tuesday!" she said, "...but was as soon as we're clear of the Beyond I'll give it some speed and we should be arriving in about half an hour."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon took a seat and buckled up (and if any of the medieval types were nearby and didn't seem to get it, he'd show them). Part of him wanted to ask what world they were going to. Part of him wanted to let it be a surprise. Fun and tactics waged a brief but bloody war in his head, with the former winning handily. As he had come to expect.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

Being on a school bus wasn't so new to Tommy. He was a highschool student, after all. He just normally walked to school after morning karate practice in the park because all of his usual hangs were so close to each other. He shoved his duffel bag either in an overhead rack or under his seat and buckled himself in. Usually the school buses at home didn't have seat belts, but they probably should! Safety was important, after all. Maybe when he got home he could call Trini and Zack and start a petition to have seatbelts added to their buses, too!

He supposed that could wait until after the multiverse was saved.

In the meantime, he got a good look at his teammates for the first time. They were a diverse bunch. Elsa and Avalon didn't seem much older than Tommy, and Link seemed a little younger, but Araris and Harry looked to be in their mid to late thirties at least. Araris had a massive scar down one side of his face, almost like a brand. He was afraid to ask what had happened for fear of offending him, though. And Harry looked like a strange cross between a cowboy and a film noir detective. Did everyone dress like that where he was from? He supposed he should start off with a relatively easy question.

"So, anyone ever see a giant robot before?" There. Ice broken?

[Arcran]

Araris sits in the chair, managing to buckle himself without much problem. Fortunately, that was a technology that Alera did have; a flying coach, after all, would be rather dangerous without seatbelts. He subconsciously reinforces the metal of it, somewhat worried by the seeming weakness of metals from other worlds.

As Tommy speaks a look of confusion crosses Araris' face.

"What's a robot?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

Tommy's question brought a nostalgic smile to Avalon's face. "Heh heh. Good ol' Doctor Cosmo. Crazier than a Bugs Bunny expy with a chainsaw for an arm. 'I'll show them that solar power is a clean, efficient alternative to fossil fuels! I'll show them all!' To be fair, the laser eyes were unexpected, but clearly shouldn't have been. Good times."

[Rokku]

"Avalon, I'm beginning to worry that I have no idea what you're ever talking about."

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry buckled himself into his seat, though he was keeping a wary eye on the front of the bus. He wasn't entirely sure how the thing worked, but it could travel between dimensions which probably meant it was either some sort of advanced magic or advanced technology. The latter worried him as wizards and technology did not mix, and the more advanced the technology the more disastrous the results. He was leaning towards the former, however, given that, though he wasn't an expert of automobiles, Harry was fairly certain he'd never heard of anything called a 'flimhopper' before.

The question made him raise an eyebrow, "No robots. Vampires, werewolves, faeries and evil sorcerers, but no robots."

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"Oh, sorry. Uh...well, robots are kind of like artificial creatures or people, made of metal or plastic or sometimes stranger stuff. But I guess you don't really know what plastic is, either, do you... And it runs on some kind of power, like electricity -- you know, lightning, or magic too I guess. Most of the ones people make are really simple, but Zordon and Alpha made these giant, super-advanced ones called Zords. I have one back home that's a real giant called Dragonzord. He's shaped kind of like a dragon or a dinosaur on two legs, with a drill tail? He's smart enough to act on his own, but I can control him with my Dragon Dagger. We're partners, Dragonzord and I." Tommy tried to explain. "Man, this must seem really weird to you guys." he scratched the back of his neck, trying to find the right words to explain it. He was trying not to use any technical terms, explaining to them as he would a child while trying not to patronize them.

"Now, evil sorcerers I understand. We have one back home named Rita Repulsa, who was trapped on the moon for ten-thousand years and now she wants to conquer the Earth. She sends monsters down like...once or twice a week...to try to destroy my friends and I, but we've stopped her every time so far. She can use her magic wand to make her monsters grow to giant-size, and that's why we need the zords I was telling you about." Did any of that make sense to them? For the first time, Tommy considered that his life may have been something way to the left of normal for most people. Even back home, giant monsters and robots were a bit of a stretch. It had to be mind-boggling to see Megazord battling it out with one of Rita's creations in the middle of downtown Angel Grove. It was a good thing the city had such a great evacuation plan!

[Quellian-dyrae]

"It all makes sense in context," Avalon replied with a sage nod.

Now, if anyone happened to be looking in his direction when Tommy mentioned that the Dragonzord was back home, they would have noticed, for just a moment, a look of almost heartbroken disappointment cross Avalon's face. But he composed himself quickly. Really, if he theory was correct, Sue wouldn't likely be making an appearance either anyway. More's the pity.

He did note that Harry hadn't added "fallen angels" to that list. It wasn't necessarily a clue - he hadn't mentioned demons either, and he had taken on one of those in book one. Still, one would think the Fallen would have made the short list of major enemies encountered, assuming Harry had, in fact, encountered them.

[Grim ranger]

Having settled into the odd vehicle with only slight feeling of wariness, Link listened to the conversations of others with half an ear as he watched the void opening up just outside of the window. It might have been somewhat unsettling for most to travel like so, but he was never afraid... and besides, it was not even the oddest form of transportation that he had ever made use of. He wondered how any of the others could handle being blasted into the sky from a cannon.

Looking at Tommy with mild curiosity as he gave his long-winded explanation of "robots" before going on to speak of his adventures, the usually quiet Hylian spoke. "I have some experience with sealed evil getting loose. If we end up in your world and she ends up being one of the beings we will have to face, given how our unknown adversary seems intent on recruiting from far and wide, I can help you with handling the matter."

[Pinnacle]

"Hm.." said Ms. Frizzle, "Is about nine feet tall enough to be 'giant'?"
"Anyway... Bus, do your stuff!" She leaned forward heavily on a lever, and then slammed her foot down on the gas pedal.

For a moment the bus riders felt like the bus was spinning, the lights flickered, and in the blink of an eye the vehicle was different.

The heroes could see wings out the side windows, and a rocket booster out the back--which fired and blasted them forward at a much higher speed.
Inside, the seats had changed from small benches into larger, more comfortable chairs arranged around tables. Which, of course, bore paper and writing utensils.
And suddenly Ms. Frizzle was wearing goggles.

"Now I've never been to this world," she said, "but my understanding is that the dominant race is intelligent and ambulatory fungus. But there are humans, too. I'm given to understand that intelligent life there is quite diverse.
"I believe the portal you'll be looking for appears as an ordinary door, but set into an unusual place where you wouldn't expect to find one."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Intelligent and ambulatory fungus? That seems...particularly odd. What kind of world consists primarily of a bunch of-

"SHUT UP!"

And Avalon started cackling like the Wicked Witch of the West.

And they had Link on their team!

AHH-HH-HH!!!

"Dibs on the fire flowers! I'll be unstoppable!"

Eventually, no doubt, Avalon would come to understand this wonderful little invention called "context".

But not today!

[Rokku]

"Mushroom people and fire flowers? That's not really any stranger than rock trolls, I suppose."

[Pinnacle]

"SHUT UP!"

"...If you wish," said Ms. Frizzle with a frown, as Liz glared scoldingly at Avalon, "I thought my information would be helpful, but you're the hero.
"I'll leave you to your strategizing then. 20 minutes."

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Huh? Oh! No- I didn't- I just meant- Um..."

Avalon sighed, lowered his head, and in a meek, just slightly singsong voice that would not have been out of place coming from a schoolboy said, "Sorry Mrs. Frizzle..."

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

Avalon's outbursts were becoming almost commonplace at this point, so Tommy was only slightly less surprised when he started yelling about something. "I guess it's probably a good thing that Avalon knows everything about these places, or else we'd be totally lost..." he smiled and bent to scribble off a brief note to Zordon and the others while he had the chance.

Zordon, Guys --

Got drafted to save the multiverse! I'll be fighting strange badguys in even stranger dimensions for a little bit, so stay safe without me. I'll be home soon. Time's a little weird here, so I may be back in five minutes or five weeks. If things stretch out, look after my parents, okay?

Take care of Dragonzord for me while I'm gone!
--Tommy

[Dancing Owlbear]

It took a moment for the realization to hit Harry, but he, at least, managed to contain his reaction. He certainly hadn't expected them to go there. Still, it could turn out to be fun, "Maybe save the fire flowers for the people who need them."

He noticed Tommy writing a note out of the corner of his eye, deciding it might not be such a bad idea to do the same. Billy and the other Alphas had a tendency to worry about him more than they really needed to, and would probably react badly if they showed up to his place and found him missing.

If you are reading this, I've gone on a 'business trip'. I'll be back soon.

Dresden

P.S. Feed Mister

[Grim ranger]

Giving Avalon somewhat disapproving look as he went on to rave at their guide just as she was explaining the new world they would end up to, Link sighed silently and leaned back on his seat. It seemed that some of the others were beginning to write letters with intention of having them delivered back to their own worlds, but he doubted that he himself was in such terrible rush to assure people of his well-being. After all, he was known to wander, so it was less of an issue for him... But still, perhaps he could assure at least one person of his current whereabouts.

Taking out piece of parchment and a quill, Link began to write his own letter in the blocky hylian alphabet...Right before getting an idea and glancing at Ms. Frizzle.

"If you can make sure these letters reach their destination, do you think that this...bus of yours can reach Twilight realm?"

[Arcran]

Araris leans back slightly in the larger chair, doing his best to ensure he could quickly get out in case of an emergency.

Isana, the soldier begins to write, unsure exactly what to say.

Alera is in danger once more, this time from something outside our control. I have been recruited to help combat this threat, but I do not know how long it will take. I will return as soon as the realm is safe, but until then simply know I think of you always.

Tell Octavian to get the legions battle ready, just in case. I will do my best, but the threat is strange, even to me.

With love,
Araris

It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon sheepishly picked up a pen and paper, considered for a moment, and started writing his own letter.

Guys!

OH MY GOD!!!

Okay, first, the minor stuff: bad guys, threat to the world universe MULTIVERSE! I've been recruited to help, may or may not take a while to get back (timey-wimey stuff). Don't worry, victory is assured.

SO ASSURED!

I am working with, like, literally the coolest team ever!

We have LINK! The one from the games! Green hat and all! We have a POWER RANGER! We have that princess queen from that Frozen movie that Kelly likes so much who can like freeze kingdoms and make giant ice castles without even breathing hard! We have a swordsman named Araris who I haven't heard of but he totally shut down some enemy sword guy like nothing!

THEY PUT ME ON A TEAM WITH HARRY FLIPPING DRESDEN!!!!!!!!

We are, as we speak, being shipped around in the literal Magic Schoolbus from the cartoons! By the teacher!! With the lizard!!! I believe we're about to visit the Mushroom Kingdom to fight bad guys. This may result in a legitimate Link-Mario teamup(!!!!!) If you hear a sudden muffled boom, that will be my head exploding from the sheer undiluted awesome. (It will regenerate).

If I'm not back by the time you finish reading this letter (remember: time shenanigans), someone tell, like, Birthright or Static to cover any villains that come up while I'm gone. Static would be best. You show him this letter, he'll be able to properly quip to the villains about how I'm busy with more important stuff.

I'll try to bring souvenirs, not sure how that'll work. Full and glorious details upon my inevitable and triumphant return!

!!!

-Avalon.

[Rokku]

Elsa took a moment to consider her message before she began spinning it in the air with enchanted snowflakes.

Dear Anna,

I hope this message finds you well. Please, don't worry about me. I'm sorry for disappearing, but it's not like last time. I promise! Don't go looking for me in the ice castle. (Though, you could maybe go check on Marshmallow, he gets lonely) I've been asked to help protect Arendelle and beyond from a dangerous evil. I was surprised, but if I can use my powers to protect instead of harm, I have to try. Take care of yourself, and take care of Arendelle. Give my love to Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven.

Your Loving Sister,

Elsa

With the message complete, she directed the snowflakes into an envelope, which sealed itself with a layer of frost.

[Pinnacle]

Ms. Frizzle smiled. "All right then, Avalon.[color]

"[color=purple]No Link, I won't be delivering those myself. I'll take them back to the Outsider. I don't think anything can be safely transported directly from the Beyond right now, but letters don't need to breathe so they can take them outside. Getting to your Twilight Realm should be easy enough, though--if I can find it. It should be adjacent to your own world... Liz, get a scan."

The lizard grabbed a device from under the dashboard, moved toward the device, and pointed it at Link.
"The way there from the Void will be in one of these points of light. This will help me locate the right one. Is there something you want me to look for?"


As the Magic School Bus went on through the Void, the light Ms. Frizzle had targeted grew bigger and bigger, and the light shone brightly into the bus. She flipped a switch and the windows darkened, somewhat relieving the effect.
"Almost there, now! she said cheerfully, "Oh, and before I forget..." she turned a dial, and panels opened above the heroes and dropped small earpieces into their laps. "These will let you communicate with each other and with me," she said, "Some of you won't have seen anything like them--Avalon, Tommy, can you two help show your teammates how they work?
"If anyone has any other questions for me, now's the time."

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Oh commlinks sweet," Avalon said, turning his on and putting it in his ear. Per Mrs. Frizzle's request, he'd go about to assist those who didn't get it.

"No questions here."

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

Tommy favored her with one of his boyish grins and nodded. "Sure thing, Ms. Frizzle!" He left his watch on his wrist, both out of a desire not to lose it and a thought that he could somehow later adapt the frequency in his Power Rangers communicator to the earpieces. It was always good to have a backup anyhow. He just wasn't sure if he could do it without the team's resident blue tech-wiz. He put his own device in his ear and joined Avalon in demonstrating it for the others, calling him from the front of the bus while he answered from the back and things like that.

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry rolled his eyes as he was lumped in with the medieval-era 'heroes', "I do know what an ear piece is. I'm not completely ignorant." The wizard put a hand over his duster pocket to muffle Bob's retort.

He looked down at the tiny device resting in the palm of his hand, giving it a little prod with one of his fingers, "I'm just not so keen on the thing blowing up inside my ear the second I start throwing magic around. Wizards and technology don't mix. The more advanced it is, the more likely I am to break it just by being near it."

[Arcran]

Araris follows the others, sliding the comlink into his ear, unsure of its exact purpose.

"What is its purpose?" he states, looking at Harry with some concern.

[Dancing Owlbear]

At the question, Harry turned to Araris, "It allows for communication between people over long distances. Everyone else wearing them will be able to hear what you're saying even if they aren't in the same place, and vice versa."

[Grim ranger]

Turning the earpiece in his hand for a moment in thoughtful manner, Link placed the communicator to his pointed ear before speaking once again to Ms. Frizzle. "Ah, I see. I was not aware on how it exactly worked" he mused before nodding somewhat. "And yes, I'd like you to look for...a friend of mine. Her name is Midna, and I think she'd be of help if we can reach her at some point of this quest."

Turning back to his writing, Link quickly finished up his letter, his message conveyed shortly through strong, clear handwriting.

Princess Zelda of Hyrule
Throne room, Hyrule Castle

Greetings, your highness. As much as it pains me, I have to keep this message short and to the point. I have been called upon to save yet another realm... more than one, as a matter of fact. Specifically, I am one of many that will be facing an enemy attempting to destroy everything, all realms beyond even our own. As it is unlikely that I will be able to return immediately due to risk to many worlds, I will be absent for a while.

I would ask you to help Rusl with defense of Ordon if convenient: I fear that the threat will arrive to your doorstep as well, so I urge you to muster the army and ask aid from allies of Hyrule. My suspicions are not without merit: I have already engaged a foe in other realms apparently hailing from our world, or some odd version of it at any rate, and he apparently recognizes me. As such, it is likely we can expect an attack.

I hope you shall remain safe until my return.

Link

Observing his writing for a moment, he nodded to himself and sealed the letter, only the text naming the recipient and the location of delivery still visible. Midna would most likely care little of letters: he'd have to speak to her.

[Pinnacle]

The bus entered the light and the glow came from all sides. "Wahoo!" shouted Ms. Frizzle as the bus again gave a sensation of spinning.
The light subsided, and the bus was then in a very rectangular room.

At one end of the room was a massive set of wooden double doors that were heavily decorated with gold and flanked by guards. At the other end was a stone throne with pink and blue cushions. At the top of the throne was an emblem, a golden mushroom wearing a crown.

In the middle of the room were two tables. The one closer to the doors was a short table, almost like one intended for children. Ten feet away from that table, and closer to the throne, was a higher and longer table surrounded by high-backed chairs.

"Oops!" said the teacher, although she didn't sound at all distressed, "I was aiming to land outside Peach's castle... Well, as I always say 'Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!'"


The plurality of the people in the room were, as Ms. Frizzle had described, mushroom people. They were about half the height of an average human, with caps that were white with colorful spots.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/7/7c/Toad_Species_-_Super_Mario_Sunshine.png/800px-Toad_Species_-_Super_Mario_Sunshine.png
There were four of them standing to the left of the door, carrying spears and with sheaths of additional spears at their back. These guards wore tabards with the golden mushroom symbol over chain mail.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/b/be/FiceT_PM.png
At the short table were five more members of this race, though unarmored and largely unarmed. One of the women wore a nurse's uniform.
One of the men appeared rather elderly and was far better dressed than his peers. He wore a bow tie, a buttoned vest, and a pair of spectacles. His cap was rather yellowed and had brown spots unlike his more brightly-colored younger peers, and he carried a cane topped with a similar brown mushroom.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/7/7c/Toadsworth_artwork_--_Super_Mario_Sunshine.PNG/293px-Toadsworth_artwork_--_Super_Mario_Sunshine.PNG

The second most populous group were some odd green-skinned humanoids. They varied in size and shape widely. Most were about human shape, but some were quite short and wide while others were extremely tall and thin.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/c/ce/Beanishsprites_by_DarkBlade2.PNG
There were four guards standing opposite the mushroom people, wearing heavier armor and also carrying spears.
The sixth person at the short table was also one of these, an elderly woman (with a very large nose) in a yellow robe. Taller than her companions, she was still quite short compared to a human.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/0/0d/MnL_LadyLima.jpg/364px-MnL_LadyLima.jpg
At the high table, there sat a young man with shoulder-length blond hair, a white tunic, and a red cape. He had a sword at his hip and was peering over the top of his chair at the heroes, who were behind him. His was the only chair at the table that lacked the very high back.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/a/ad/MnL_PrincePeasley.jpg/344px-MnL_PrincePeasley.jpg
Across from him was an absolutely massive woman who took up her entire side of the table. It was not just that she was fat--although she was by no means thin--but simply that she was far larger than any human could be. She wore an orange dress, purple makeup, and quite a lot of jewelry including a golden crown.
Her chair bore, above her head, an icon of a grinning green face.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/4/4d/Queen_Bean.jpg/640px-Queen_Bean.jpg

There were also two humans in the room.
One was a woman in a yellow dress with orange trim. She had blue eyes and brown hair, and wore jewelry with a flower motif. She also wore a crown and sat in a high-backed chair, although as her back was to the heroes they could not see any emblem on it. She leaned over to stare at them, her mouth agape.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/c/ce/MarioParty8DM.PNG/340px-MarioParty8DM.PNG

At the head of the table was another human woman. She (and her clothing) resembled the first, although her sapphire jewelry lacked the flower theme, her dress was pink and purple, and she was taller with a thinner face, fairer skin, and longer blonde hair.
She held a pink parasol with a heart-shaped handle in her lap, and her chair bore the same golden mushroom emblem as the throne--in fact, it quite resembled the throne on a somewhat smaller scale.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/7/7b/Wii_U_Peach_artwork.png/430px-Wii_U_Peach_artwork.png

Flanking this woman, as though guarding her, were two rather unusual creatures.
One was a human-sized winged turtle wearing an aviator helmet and carrying a mailbag.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/c/c1/Parakarry1000yeardoor.gif
The other appeared to be a being of living shadow, rising up from the floor and somehow existing in three dimensions. She had pink hair and wore white gloves and a pink and white striped witch's hat. This hat was pulled low enough to hide her eyes--assuming such a being had them.
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/thumb/5/50/Vivian_-_Paper_Mario_The_Thousand-Year_Door.png/360px-Vivian_-_Paper_Mario_The_Thousand-Year_Door.png


Every one of these people was staring intently straight at the heroes, and some of their hands were staring to go towards their weapons.
"Oh dear," said Ms. Frizzle, "Well, I'm sure you can handle it. Everybody out of the bus!"
The bus's back doors flew open, and the vehicle tipped backwards to tilt the heroes out.

The woman in pink stood up with such force that her tall chair tipped over and crashed to the ground with a resounding "BANG!" that echoed around the room. Her eyes flashed, and she gripped the parasol like it was a sword.
"Interlopers!" she said, "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon was starting to regret having played fewer video games in recent years, only recognizing about half of the beings in the room. But whatever, he'd make do. He punched the palm of his left hand excitedly with a wide grin on his face a said eagerly, in a higher-pitched voice than his norm, "Lets-a-go!" before hopping impulsively out of his seat and off the bus as it tipped them out.

He fluttered over ahead of and slightly to the side of the ground, landing with his wings folded back and his posture straight. "Presenting Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and her companions," he announced in his best formal seneschal voice. It was entirely plausible, indeed even logical, that his theory was that announcing one of them as a royal would likely belay any hostile intentions, perhaps earn them some credibility.

Or maybe he just decided the idea of playing herald to the flipping Snow Queen before the Court of Princess-flame-blasted-Toadstool was too hilariously awesome not to try.

That was...that was probably more likely, when you think about it.

Because really, how many opportunities like that do you get handed in life?

[Arcran]

Araris, never one to waste time, has his sword in his hand the instant the party emerges in an unfamiliar landscape, easily recovering from the fall into a roll. Instinctively he beings looking around the room, waiting for somebody to make a move and appraising the threats.

Still, Avalon seemed to come up with an excuse quickly enough. For now Araris simply stands his ground, acting the part of a perfect bodyguard and not letting any of the enemies out of his sight.

[Rokku]

With a shriek, Elsa tumbled ass over teakettle out of the bus.

Pulling herself up off the floor as Avalon announced her, she quickly dusted herself off, sending little snow flurries everywhere, and drew herself up in her most regal composure. A quick scan of the room showed her two women in crowns. So two fellow queens, or some kind of royals. Okay Elsa, you know how to do this.

"Greetings your majesties," she said, "we apologize for our unconventional arrival. Our driver was... overzealous. We are here to help."

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry managed to hang on to the earpiece as he found himself being tossed out of his seat and dropped out of the bus. He slipped down the aisle like a slide, keeping his footing, though stumbling a bit, as he was so suddenly deposited onto the palace floor. "Wow. This place changed since I saw it last." Turning to their apparent resident know-it-all, Avalon, Harry asked, "Who are the green people?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon raised one finger and drew in a breath to answer...

...And just kinda shrugged. "Last Mario game I played was on the N64," he said softly, his voice apologetic.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

Rolling to his feet, Tommy took stock of the situation and decided that he was probably on drugs and his brain was frying like the egg in the pan on TV. The Frizz wasn't lying when she said mushroom people. Everything in that room was strange even by Ranger standards. So he just sort of waved halfheartedly when they were introduced as Queen Elsa's royal entourage.

[Pinnacle]

The moment all of the heroes were out of it, the Magic Schoolbus spun on the spot and vanished with a flash of light and a hearty call of "Good luck!"
As soon as it did, the four younger mushroom people at the small table immediately bolted for the door.

Their elder ignored them. He hopped up on his chair and waved his cane franticly. "I have heard of no such kingdom, nor queen!"

The blond man smirked, as though he had caught Avalon in a lie. He rose into the air standing on a large winged bean that must have been resting under his feet. "Ah ha ha! While our dear Princess Peach may have been remiss in failing to deliver an invitation to this unknown kingdom, surely her majesty would have the manners to present herself at the gate to address this grievance?"
"And.. if one of the interlopers has drawn steel, than certainly so shall I!" With an overly dramatic flourish, his rapier was in hand.

The blonde woman--Princess Peach?--pointed her parasol directly at Elsa. "I do not believe we need your aid," she said icily.
There was something else at her belt, a scepter of some kind. The fingers of her off-hand brushed it as she noted Araris's drawn weapon.

[Grim ranger]

Sliding out of the bus along with the others, Link landed deftly onto his feet, watching the somewhat tense situation warily but trusting the rest of their entourage to handle the introductions. Although this was not his first time meeting royalty by far, he had never quite gotten the hang of formal introductions... something that made sense considering the circumstances always surrounding such meetings. And he was quite sure that they'd end up in trouble should he draw his sword, so that was something to be avoided as well for now.

Alas, it seemed that the weapon already in the hands of one of his new compatriots was already causing them problems. Well, it was about time for him to speak out before the situation would slide into anarchy.

"Of course you have not heard of her, considering she is from different world" he said to the blond man before giving Araris a small shake of a head. "We are not here to fight."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Now here, Avalon had a tough call to make, a difficult decision based on one tiny little factoid:

Mario was a plumber from Brooklyn.

Thing was, Avalon wasn't 100% sure where he knew that from. It was true in both the cartoon and the movie (although if anything, the latter point should be taken as negative proof), but he honestly wasn't sure of how it factored into the games. Certainly, he didn't recall any introductory scenes of Mario arriving from Brooklyn, or game complete scenes of his returning, or cut scenes mentioning it. Maybe it was some trivia fact mentioned in the instruction booklets, or gleaned from old issues of Nintendo Power. He didn't know. It seemed like it was just a brute fact of the universe. The world was round, the sky was blue, and Mario was a plumber from Brooklyn.

But what if he wasn't? The Mushroom Kingdom, or this version of it perhaps, was from a game he didn't recognize. What if that game had a plot that specified that Mario wasn't a plumber from Brooklyn but was instead, say, a native of this world who had been raised by Yoshis. That was the plot of that one game, right? God it was like all his years of playing video games had been supposed to be in preparation for this giant pop quiz. Somehow school had managed to corrupt the purity of his childhood pastime. Kid Avalon felt betrayed.

Regardless, if it wasn't true, Avalon was going to look like a fool in front of everybody.

(Avalon considered his activities thus far and decided that wasn't nearly as big a deal as he was making it out to be).

"Yeah," he said in agreement with Link, before narrowing his eyes slightly and saying in a somewhat cagier, more dramatic voice, "And it was my understanding that the people of the Mushroom Kingdom have had a generally positive experience with heroes from other worlds."

He felt like if he could have just whipped out a box of New York pizza, it would have really helped sell it.

[Arcran]

"I know that, you know that, but they don't know that yet," Araris says, lowering his blade to a somewhat less combative pose, although he still maintains a stance that makes him perfectly able to leap into combat. He subconsciously reaches out his metal sense as well, making note of any and all weapons he can detect in the room.

"It is as the others say," Araris states, slowly sheathing his sword but keeping it well within his easy reach. "I am Araris, Count of the Rillwater. Allow him to explain," he says as he gestures to Avalon, "And things may make some sense."

[Pinnacle]

The only metal armaments Araris could sense were the green prince's sword and the guards' spears and armor. The others carried no weapons, or at least no metallic ones.

Most of the people in the room did have some metal on them, in the form of jewelry and coins--metal currency seemed the standard here. There was more scattered about, in the construction and decorations on doors, chairs, tables, and throne.

The fleeing bystanders reached the doors, through them open after a moment's struggle, and slammed them shut behind them.
A few of the mushroom guards looked as though they wanted to follow.

"I do have experience with heroes from other worlds," said the princess in pink, "as I have been one myself. At present the Mushroom Kingdom and her allies faces the threat of invaders from beyond this world, however.
"I need no further explanation," she said angrily.

"Uh, Peach?" said the other human, softly and nervously.
"Your highness are you certain... ?" said the turtle person.
The princess ignored them.

"No otherworldly queen will claim this throne without a fight! My Mario isn't here--but we can defend ourselves without him."
She picked up her skirt with her left hand and charged toward the heroes. "Attack!"
"Defend the princess!" shouted one of the Toad guards.
"Defend the queen!" echoed one of the Beanish ones.
With only the slightest hesitation, the others followed their lead.

But some of the heroes reacted faster.

NPC average is 16.

Avalon and Tommy's turns.

Initiative:
Avalon
Tommy
Toadsworth (NPC)
Prince Peasley (NPC)
Beanish Guards (NPCs, 4 Minions)
Princess Peach (NPC)
Lady Lima (NPC)
Toad Guards (NPCs, 4 Minions)
Queen Bean (NPC)
Vivian (NPC)
Parakarry (NPC)
Princess Daisy (NPC)
Link
Araris
Elsa
Dresden

In the interest of being able to use names instead of verbose descriptions in our narratives, here's who the NPCs are for anybody who doesn't recognize all of them.

The blonde human woman in pink is Princess Peach.
The brown-haired human woman in yellow is Princess Daisy.
The turtle guy is a Koopa Paratroopa named Parakarry.
The shadow girl is Vivian.
The mushroom people are Toads. All of them are Small/size rank -3.
The guards are Minions (so are the bystanders, but I don't think it likely to matter).
The elderly one is Toadsworth.
The green-skinned people are Beanish.
The guards are Minions.
The elderly one is Lady Lima; she is Small/size rank -3.
The blond man is Prince Peasley.
The large woman is Queen Bean; she is Large/size rank -1.

Gosh I put a lot of NPCs in this room. Why'd I do that?

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon scowled in annoyance. This wasn't a horde of villains and monsters. And Peach wasn't a pushover either. He'd played Smash Bros.

"Alright team! These people are the Good Guys, so do what you must to defend yourselves, but try not to harm them!" he called to his allies as he stepped forward to meet the enemy charge.

"And as for you lot...we are not your enemies!"

"STAND! DOWN!"

Avalon was always kinda bright and shiny. He gave off a soft, constant light, not even enough to see by, but it was a noticeable glow and made him stand out clearly in darkness. But as he stepped forward, that light suddenly blazed like the sun. Avalon spread his wings, white-gold light radiating out from him, and for a moment, he was no longer just a winged guy with a lot of confidence and an overactive inner child. For just a moment, he truly did seem to be an archangel descended from the heavens, an invincible, immortal champion of Good.

Move Action: Advance to the front lines.

Standard Action: Corona of Awe. Selective Perception Area Affliction. All enemies who can see Avalon get a DC 20 Dodge check to avert their gaze. Those who fail must make a DC 20 Will save against a Vulnerable/Stunned/Controlled Affliction. Targets rendered Vulnerable may ignore that condition for one round by focusing all offensive actions on Avalon. Targets who are Controlled will be forced to cease participation in combat.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"Hey, hold it! Cool off! We don't want to fight anyone here. We're the good guys!" Tommy shouted, though his entirely human sincerity was likely drowned out by Avalon's impressive, otherworldly radiance. For his part, Tommy tried to appear nonviolent, holding his hands up in almost a gesture of surrender. It did just so happen to keep his hands at a loose and ready position where he could sweep them down in a block at any moment, but it wouldn't look that way and that was the point.

Persuasion: [roll0] (+2 Attractive bonus for anyone who finds his looks appealing. I'm looking at you, Princesses. :smallwink: )

[Pinnacle]

Princess Peach reacted instantly, popping her parasol open in front of her to black the effect. "I will not stand down in my own castle," she said fiercely.

And it seemed the case with the others as well. Even the large Queen Bean, who did not seem to move very quickly, managed to cover her face and block the light.
Avalon's display had little effect.

The older woman at the low table gazed down at her hands. All of the Beanish soldiers and two of the Toad ones lowered their weapons.
But the other two glared as ferociously as their princess.


She snorted at Tommy. "So you say after your friend's attacked failed!"
But the other princess shot a concerned look at the turtle-like bodyguard. "An attack that pacified.. ?" she said uncertainly. He returned her look.

"Lady Lima!" said the old Toad, somewhat distraught at his companion's behavior.
He could not be distracted for more than a moment, though. "If you seek to depose the princess, then have at thee!" he bellowed at Elsa, before rushing at her and attempting to bash her knees with his cane. She easily blocked the attack.

"Ah ha ha!" said Peasley, swooping towards Araris with his blade forward. He was quick, and perfectly on-target, but no match for the swordsman's nigh-perfect defense. He raised an eyebrow, as though considering how to renew his approach.

Princess Peach leapt straight at Phoenix Knight without another word. I was a prodigious leap, covering the space between them with ease. She raised her parasol above her head and brought it down upon him with both hands as she landed. It should have broken; what it did do was hurt.

"Princess!" cried one of the guards, apparently upset that their leader had engaged in melee. They moved towards the fight, and hurled their spears as they did. One struck Avalon, but not with nearly enough force to harm the superhero.

Queen Bean shoved the table to the side to clear her way as she charged towards the heroes. "Prince Peasley, be careful," she said, but her target was Link. Her size betrayed her strength, but fortunately also her speed--the Hylian evaded the blow.

The shadow girl swept closer to the heroes. She pointed at them with her left hand, then snapped the fingers of her right with a smile. For a split-second, nothing seemed to have happened. Then a burst of flame exploded around each of them, leaving her allies untouched.


Wow, some nice resistance rolls there...

All of the Beanish guards are controlled. However, one of the Toad guards makes his Dodge check and another makes her Will check.
Lady Lima fails spectacularly and is also Controlled; every other named character makes one or both of their checks.

Tommy's words give at least a few of the characters pause. Daisy and Parakarry both hesitate and miss their turns.

Toadsworth attacks Elsa with his cane. He misses.
Peasley attacks Araris. He hits, but doesn't penetrate his Impervious.
Peach Power Attacks Avalon and hits. DC 27 Toughness check.
The two Toad guards also attack Avalon. One hits for a DC 20 Toughness check.
Queen Bean charges Link and uses All-Out Attack to cancel the penalty. She misses.
Vivian attacks the party with a Selective Area attack. DC 18 Dodge for half, and DC 23/19 Toughness. It has Secondary Effect, so anybody she doesn't hit next turn can repeat the Toughness check.

PCs' turns

Initiative:
Link (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Araris (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Elsa (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Dresden (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Avalon (DC 27 Toughness; DC 20 Toughness; DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Tommy (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Toadsworth (NPC)
Prince Peasley (NPC)
Beanish Guards (NPCs, 4 Minions; Controlled by Avalon)
Princess Peach (NPC)
Lady Lima (NPC; Controlled by Avalon)
Toad Guards (NPCs, 4 Minions; 2 Controlled by Avalon and 2 unharmed)
Queen Bean (NPC; -2 Active Defenses)
Vivian (NPC)
Parakarry (NPC)
Princess Daisy (NPC)

[Dancing Owlbear]

For a moment, as the room exploded into fighting, Harry thought that maybe someone was looking out for him. And then he was set on fire. He spotted the shadow girl slinking in closer from the corner of his eye, shaking his shield bracelet loose and bringing up a bubble of force energy around himself. However, the attack came as an unexpected explosion of fire, the flames bleeding through the defensive spell that had been designed to protect against bullets and knives rather than pure energy. Unable to get away, the wizard's flesh began to sear. Rather than helping him, his spell had trapped him.

Still, Harry wasn't out of the fight yet. He bit back a scream and raised his blasting rod at the shadow... thing, pushing his pain and his rapidly increasing anger into it before throwing some fire right back at her, "Fuego!"

Failed my toughness roll against Vivian's attack by three degrees so Dresden is Staggered.

Standard Action: Fuego! [roll0] (Damage 12, DC 27)

[Pinnacle]

Vivian flinched as the fire hit her. She looked back up at Dresden, her hair and hat singed. "Ah," she said, wincing, "a fellow pyromancer."

Wasn't that a three-degree failure?
Anyway, Vivian would fail by three degrees. I re-rolled her check and she failed by only two degrees. Dresden gains a Hero Point.

Link, Araris, Elsa, Avalon, and Tommy's turns.

Initiative:
Link (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Araris (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Elsa (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Avalon (DC 27 Toughness; DC 20 Toughness; DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Tommy (DC 18 Dodge half and DC 23/19 Toughness)
Toadsworth (NPC)
Prince Peasley (NPC)
Beanish Guards (NPCs, 4 Minions; Controlled by Avalon)
Princess Peach (NPC)
Lady Lima (NPC; Controlled by Avalon)
Toad Guards (NPCs, 4 Minions; 2 Controlled by Avalon and 2 unharmed)
Queen Bean (NPC; -2 Active Defenses)
Vivian (NPC, Injured -1, Dazed 1 round)
Parakarry (NPC)
Princess Daisy (NPC)
Harry Dresden (Injured -1, +1 HP)

[Quellian-dyrae]

The spear pierced Avalon's arm, but the injury flashed with golden light and instantly healed. He withstood Vivian's fire, well-inured to the elements of the sun. With only a little focus, he could have protected himself from it entirely, but he was under the impression that he was going to need his regeneration in top form here.

Especially since Peach chose him to duel. She was fast, and the blow from her parasol struck as hard as any supervillain Avalon cared to name. The blow cracked his skull, but fortunately the bone instantly fused back into place. It still sent him reeling and left a serious lump, although the latter was rapidly fading away.

He was more concerned with his friends as they came under attack from the flames. Now, Avalon was genre-savvy enough to know how this sort of thing worked. Sometimes, you just had to fight the other Good Guys before you could ally with them against the greater threat. It was how crossovers worked, it wasn't anything personal. And that was fine, Avalon was totally down for that.

But that didn't mean it was time to dispense outright carnage. "As it happens Mister Dresden, I do have one particular trick that I think you, of all people, should enjoy having on your side for a change. HEALING LIGHT!" Avalon called out with a gesture of his hand, a ray of golden sunshine beaming down on the injured wizard, causing his burns to rapidly - though not instantly - begin to heal.

Move Action: Dazed.

Standard Action: Healing Word on Harry at [roll0]. If it beats DC 10, it will remove the Bruise immediately. If it beats at least DC 15, then next round, it will heal one more Damage condition (the Stagger, unless Harry's Bruised again or incapacitated in the intervening time). Since Harry only has two Damage conditions at the time of healing, further degrees of success won't do anything, even if he accumulates more damage in later rounds.

Current Status: 1 Bruise (Regenerates next turn), (Dazed ends), Pending Secondary Effect (DC 23 Damage).

[Rokku]

Elsa reflexively threw up a sheet of ice that absorbed the fiery blast and a flurry carried her safely away from the mushroom elder.

"Please," she pleaded, "we are not your enemies! I swear on my crown, we have come to help!"

Flying away a safe distance and Persuasion [roll0]

[Grim ranger]

Nimbly dodging the charge of the massive woman, Link still refused to draw his sword, taking the full brunt of the fiery blast as the shadowy being struck at their group. Amazingly enough, the hylian was completely uninjured, not even a hair out of place in his head as he folded his arms.

"Well excuse us, assorted royalty. Is this the way rulers work in this realm, attempting to beat on travelers who are actively attempting not to harm any of you?" he asked, only drawing his shield and holding it in clearly defensive posture in front of himself. He'd not attack, but he was ready enough to defend himself and his allies.

Link draws his shield and does very little else. As he has no points in this skill, I am not holding my hopes up... But rolling Persuasion anyway.

[roll0] (Persuasion)

[Arcran]

After decades of combating firecrafters, Araris was no stranger to dealing with their abilities. In the fraction of a section that the fire appeared Araris was already moving, protecting his eyes as the heat rushed over him even as he lifted the flat of his blade, deflecting the vast majority of the assault, leaving just a few singes on his clothing.

The prince and his sword, on the other hand, posed a different issue. While beating him would likely be trivial, they were here to help, not cut down a room of their supposed allies. He needed to end this without bloodshed which, for a swordsman, was accomplished by one simple act. Hopefully this one didn't have access to strange magics like the previous.

"We are not your enemies," Araris states simply as he adopts a more defensive. "You do not want this battle."

Defend Standard Action!

Defend: [roll0]

I have Weapon Bind so, if he attacks, I get a free Disasm!

AC: [roll1]
He makes a Strength vs. DC 16 to keep his sword.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

Tommy tucked and went into a roll as soon as he felt the first touch of heat, and managed to mostly avoid getting engulfed in flames as a result. He'd smell like charcoal for the rest of the day, but he wasn't harmed.

His roll took him closer to Princess Daisy, the one that seemed to have doubts about attacking them. He hoped to implore her to stop her pink partner. He spread his arms open in the most nonthreatening gesture he could adopt, staying on one knee. "Please, stop this! We're only defending ourselves. I will not attack you. I'll surrender to you, if that means we can end this peacefully." he persuaded.

Defense Action, just in case.
Dodge: [roll0] (+10 = 21)
Persuade: [roll1]

HOORAY CRAPPY ROLLS :smalleek:

[Pinnacle]

"Travelers in our realm?" said Peasley, "No, only if those travelers force their way into our throne rooms! We've all had trouble with that."

Daisy's eyes were fixed on Tommy, though. "Uh... I accept," she said.

"Your highness," said the Paratroopa, "Even under attack, they haven't hurt anybody."

"Hey!" said Vivian indignantly, "I'm somebody!"

"Peach, they've barely hurt anybody," Daisy amended.

"Hmph. Stand down!"
Peach, Peasley, and Queen Bean moved back a few feet from their opponents, although Peach and Peasley kept their weapons defensively in front of them.
Toadsworth continued waving his cane menacingly at Elsa, although he made no attempt to approach--not that he could reach her.

"Er, okay," said Vivian sheepishly, "but after I've cast that spell I can't stop it from--"
Each of the heroes burst into flames a second time.
"..sorry."

Everyone takes the Secondary Effect from Vivian's Fiery Jinx. DC 23 Toughness for Phoenix Knight, Harry Dresden, Queen Elsa, and Link, and DC 19 Toughness for Araris and Tommy against magical fire damage.

The NPCs all defend for now.


I suppose I should give an HP to everyone who refused to fight... so that's one for everyone since Dresden already got one.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon just met Peach's eyes and sighed as the flames burst up again, this time actually charring him pretty badly.

"Ow," he said politely.

"Alright, this is much better. Princess, with your permission, I would now like to perform some healing magic upon my friends. I promise not to invoke any hostile or harmful powers." He nodded towards Vivian. "Provided your mage has no aversion to light or healing forces, I would be happy to heal her as well at your discretion. Would that be alright?"

[Pinnacle]

Peach hesitated, then nodded. "Yes," she said, "go ahead. Vivian?"

"I'm not afraid of the light," answered the shadow spirit.

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

With that instant of forewarning, Tommy was able to flip away from the second burst of flame that tried to cook him where he'd stood. He stuck the landing and fell into a ready stance until he knew there were no more blasts of fire incoming, then he tightened his black belt with its rows of green stripes across both ends and stood up. He bowed to Princess Daisy, balling a fist and cupping it with his other hand to show respect. "Thank you, your highness. Your...other highness. Everyone." he nodded. "We've really just come to help. We can fill you in on everything if we just sit down and talk. I promise."

[Rokku]

A personalized vortex of chill wind snuffs the flames before Elsa's dress can even be singed. The queen floats down to land in front of Princess Peach and dismisses the flurry that carries her.

"Thank you, princess," she says, curtsying an appropriate amount, "and please accept my apologies for the manner of our arrival. Truthfully, we were as perplexed by it as you were. Even Ms. Frizzle -- our driver -- seemed perplexed when we landed directly in your throne room. Our group was only very recently brought together by a being that tasked us with protecting all worlds from the forces that invade your kingdom. Consider us at your disposal to deal with these invaders."

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon nodded in thanks, and started beaming down healing light on the injured.

Gonna just spam Healing Word until everyone's healed up or something happens to stop me; if the latter situation comes up I'll figure out who I healed and what the rolls were.

[Grim ranger]

Blinking somewhat at Vivian's warning, Link did not have the time to prepare himself this time around, the second explosion knocking him flat and leaving him quite clearly dazed. Well, at least the fighting seemed to have died down...

He remained on the floor for a moment until Avalon healed him, after which he slowly got back to his feet and nodded in thanks to the superhero.

[Arcran]

Araris once again blocks the brunt of the assault with his quick reflexes, looking about the hall with an appraising eye. He silently sheaths his sword, moving to a position where he could more easily protect the others.

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry had never experienced healing before. It was an entirely unique sensation to not be in some kind of pain. So much so that he almost didn't notice the second explosion of flames coming. Warned, the wizard managed to shield himself from the worst of it, but that did little to improve his mood. Tucking the blasting rod away, Harry muttered sarcastically, "I sure hope everyone we come to help tries to kill us."

[Pinnacle]

Peach brushed her hair back and took a deep breath.
"This council was convened because we had concerns about interdimensional attackers," she said.
"I am Princess Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom, although I am more well-known by the nickname 'Peach'.
"This is my cousin Daisy, princess of Sarasaland. She is here representing her father."

"Heya!" said the woman in yellow, grinning and waving.

"Her Majesty Queen Bean, monarch of the Beanbean Kingdom," the large woman curtseyed, "and Prince Peasley." The green man bowed deeply and sheathed his sword.
"These two are my chief advisor Toadsworth and Queen Bean's minister Lady Lima. And Vivian and Parakarry are former adventuring companions of the Mushroom Kingdom's hero Mario, who agreed to serve as extra muscle in case of attack..."

"Greetings, your majesty!" said Parakarry, nodding towards Elsa.

"Oh, and several of my mushroom retainers--Fice T., Kraf T., Miy T., and Trus T." The four Toad guards nodded, one of them with blue spots looking quite nervous.

"So... What brought you to the Mushroom Kingdom?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

Avalon leaned over towards Tommy, saying softly, "Man, Mario games have gotten complex since I was a kid."

Then he straightened and said, "I'm Avalon Sommerson, Codename Phoenix Knight. My companions are Harry Dresden, Link of Hyrule, Tommy Oliver, Queen Elsa of Arendell, and Araris Valerian." He nodded to each in turn. "And yeah, Elsa pretty much gave you the long and short of it. These interdimensional invaders are a threat to more worlds than just this one; we're here to stop them. So whatever we can do to help, just say the word. Or, if you can tell us what you know of them, we could just pop on over to wherever they're at and take them out. Whatever works."

[Rokku]

"Avalon is correct," says Elsa, "but more specifically a creature called the Outsider pulled us each from our worlds to stop this invasion. We've already faced strange enemies seemingly plucked from other worlds as well, who had void creatures at their command. The Outsider wanted us to come to your world first, so either you're in the most danger or your world has something crucial to stopping these invasions altogether. Unfortunately neither he nor Ms. Frizzle was particularly clear about the matter."

[Arcran]

Araris stands straight, not seeing anywhere in the conversation where he needed to elaborate. The other two seemed to have accurately expressed why they were here, as well as asking at least some of the proper questions.

[Dancing Owlbear]

Once he was finished brooding, Harry took a moment to actually look at all those assembled. There were some familiar faces and even more unfamiliar ones, but someone was missing. Someone important. Looking to the Princesses, he asked, "Where is Mario, anyway?"

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"A game?" Tommy wondered. He'd never really had time for video games with all his extra-curriculars, karate practice...not to mention being a Power Ranger. Free time was never really something he had available. It definitely tracked, though. Everything around them looked like the result of some strange, drug-fueled fantasy. Mushroom people? The only humans a couple of girls in frilly, colorful dresses? Walking, talking green beans?

Well, he'd seen worse. They'd fought a giant snapping turtle with a traffic light sticking out of its back. So who was he to judge?

[Pinnacle]

"Link of Hyrule..." said Peach slowly, looking at the Hylian, "You seem familiar, somehow..."

"Fice T.," she said, facing the Toad guards and making the blue-spotted one jump, "Please go out and let them know all is well in here. We probably have more guards preparing to storm the throne room.
"Oh, and..." she looked between the guests and the abandoned seats at the small table, "ask for some more human-sized chairs to be brought up. You'll have to excuse me, Your Majesty, I don't have a special chair prepared for the representative of Arendelle."

The Toad nodded, looking relieved, and slipped through the doors.

"Plucked from your own worlds to save all the worlds, huh? I know that story, except when it happened to me all four prophesied heroes were from this same world and we already knew each other. I feel I should be envious, but I suppose I can't be one of the chosen ones every time... and this Outsider didn't even call Mario, I see." The princess seemed perfectly ready to accept the story, and perfectly calm about it as well. Some of the others seemed more surprised by Peach's brief mention of her own adventure--Queen Bean and Lady Lima looked confused, as did their guards; Toadsworth looked beside himself, as though it upset him; the three remaining Toad guards gazed at their princess, awestruck. Daisy, Peasley, Vivian, and Parakarry didn't seem to have noticed anything unusual--they must all have heard the story.
"Strange enemies from other worlds along with Void creatures... yes, that matches what we've encountered. Unfortunately, that's about all we know. They've been popping up mostly in the Mushroom Kingdom--which is why our council is here--but Prince Peasley also encountered some at home."

"Yes!" said the prince, drawing his blade again and jabbing it at the air, "and where I found them I dismissed them posthaste!"

"But defeating them individually in combat when we happen to run into them isn't really a solution..." said Vivian.

"You and His Highness might want to compare notes on battle with Voidlings," said Peach, "but I think I can sum that up with 'Hit them hard and watch out for the claws, which slice through you without physically cutting.' You probably already know that. I don't suppose you know what they're looking for? That's what we were hoping to ascertain, but all we seem to know between all of us is that there's a higher concentration in this kingdom than elsewhere.
"Mr... Dresden? Mario and his brother Luigi went to investigate King Bowser of the Koopa Troope. In our experience, he's either involved or the villain targets him early on. They were meant to be back in time to report to this council, though... I'm concerned they've run into trouble."

"I'm sure it's nothing Luigi can't handle!" said Peasley confidently, raising his sword in the air.
Daisy snorted.

[Rokku]

"Perhaps we should go after your heroes, then," suggests Elsa, "then you can keep your forces deployed as you've already planned without thinning your defenses."

[Quellian-dyrae]

"The Outsider said they were trying to attack the portals between worlds," Avalon said. "Which for here would be...what? Warp zones? The Star Road, maybe? I've never been entirely clear on the, uh, plot of...err, nevermind, sorry. But yeah, portals between worlds. If there are any of them you know of, that would probably be good to check out too. Not that I'm by any means opposed to going to help Mario and Luigi first, mind, because yes."

[Grim ranger]

Nodding along as he listened to exchange of information regarding their situation, Link pondered just what the enemy could be after in this particular realm. At the very least they'd find somewhat unified resistance here by the looks of it, as sovereigns of many lands seemed to have banded together to discuss the invasion... But if the land's greatest heroes were unaccounted for, situation could worsen faster than they would expect. Something in the pink-dressed princess did seem naggingly familiar too, but he could not quite place his finger on it...

Waiting until Avalon had finished, Link spoke up. "I concur, seeking the pair of them out at earliest opportunity should be of quite immense help when shoring up defenses. What would be the fastest way to get onto their trail?"

[ChronicLunacy]

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8058/RCqW83.png Tommy Oliver/The Green Ranger

"Sounds like a plan to me." Tommy nodded. He seemed ready to go that instant, as soon as someone pointed them in a direction. He'd left his duffel bag on the bus, which was gone, so he already had everything he needed with him. He wanted to see more of this world; this crazy, alien world so unlike his own.

[Arcran]

"I agree with the others," Araris states, glad that Avalon had handled the explanation. "Allies are important, especially when in a foreign land such as this."

[Dancing Owlbear]

Harry nodded along with the others. It seemed like the best course of action for them. "We don't know what we're up against but we know that they're probably going to be more dangerous than the flunkies that we saw earlier. Better to get as much help as we can before we have to confront them."