As you listen to the rather handsome young man, you realize with a start that this is in fact Shard talking! He shows now signs of the crystalline substance in his hair or from his skin.
Understood Colonel.
i whip my hands over my head and start running for the exit joining in with the rest of the crowd. [/b] oh my god, what is going on, why are the storm troopers flooding the museum. i want my money back. ahhhh, ahhhh, huh huh, ahhhhh[/b]
Timeline looks the mayor over to judge how serious his wounds are.
Where is that damn ambulance I called they should be here by now, Archy is shot and the mayor hurt and two people are dead this got out of hand quickly. That mask guy is a slippery fellow I think he got away this time and where is Fate and M.L.K
Mr. Mayor it will be ok I think we are out of the woods for now.
I'll find a spot to change back to Baker Scott and give Marissa a call to see if I can find her that way, if she doesn't answer I'll call Tex and see what he has to say. If nothing, I'll head through the crowd asking after her (starting at the car we took to get here).
Risen Fate, you fly back into the main lobby to use the men's restroom to change...and you hear a repetitive kicking noise coming from the ladies restroom.
Mmmffpp!
***
Timeline, , the Mayor, has suffered several minor scrapes and bruises but his hands and fingers are twisted in such a way that would suggest a more serious and perhaps permanent injury. His life is in no immediate danger. His date, , is standing nearby the rubble you pulled him from looking distraught.
You hear sirens swiftly approach but you can't tell if they are police or an ambulance. You do not see MLK Jr. nor Risen Fate but you do see a very badly hurt security guard trying to climb out of the hole in the wall. His lips seems to be curving up into a smile just as his eyes show abject terror. Some guy...in a mask...can't stop...smiling.
***
MLK Jr., you run with the various civilians into the night. No one pays any attention to you as they move to their various vehicles. From your vantage point near the parking lot entrance, you can see the telltale sirens of the SHRU combat vehicle racing towards the scene followed closely by an ambulance. You have ample time and opportunity to assume another disguise, hide, or make a clean escape.
Puritan: I'm not exactly following either, Elli. But you sound like you know what you're doing. If you are willing to help us out I will see to it that they clear away the blockage.
following the colonels orders, i walk into the nearest dub King, use the restroom stall to assume the Joseph form, walk out and order a sub because i used their restroom and make a clean getaway to home.
I spend time talking to them until they get the gist of what I'm talking about and potentially start building something. When we get done talking, if I manage to explain things well enough, I'd like to start working on getting that wall down.
During that time, Puritan never leaves your side always fussing about and trying to help (but generally just being a nuisance). No sooner have you finished the blueprints when Shard and Sal run up. Upper-worlders! They're in the tunnels! We only managed to get about half of the work done. They look like police. If they find us...
Puritan nods gravely and motions to you. You are the only one that can save us. I know some of us... He glances at a nearby table where Chardys (apparently the gilled woman's name) is skulking behind some supplies. ...haven't been overly kind but you must try to understand. The world above hates us for what we are. For just being born as we are. The Underhallow allows us to live in relative peace and safety, something none of us had before. To be found out now... He shrugs in helplessness.
Please, take Shard. If you can distract the upper-worlders...your people...long enough, he can finish taking down the wall.
I really don't have time for this...
Risen Fate decides to quickly and carefully check in on the women's bathroom first. Hopefully this issue won't be anything major...
Marissa, I'm almost hoping this is you tied up...
Miss Ankita are you ok? Ive checked the mayor's wounds he will be fine an ambulance is on its way.
Timeline ports to the guard.
Sir are you ok let me check your wounds.
Did you see where the masked man went sir?
Risen Fate, you bust down the door and see Marrisa trying to kick open the door from the other side. She is bound and gagged and a familiar purple & green mist is rising from one of the bathroom stalls!!
I Found you! Thank god!
Risen Fate grabs Marissa and hefts her out of the bathroom as quick as possible, trying to ignore his fatigue and multiple stab wounds (avoiding the gas if possible).
Once outside of the room and out of immediate danger, he ungags her and begins to untie the ropes.
Are you ok? I've been looking everywhere for you! When I couldn't get-- er, that is... your friend Baker asked me to make it my top priority to find you! You're not too badly hurt I hope? Here, let me take you outside to one of the medics. They will be able to treat you better than I can.
Ok, lets get moving before they get too far towards the wall. Shard, you're going to have to move quickly to get the wall down and then I want you out of there as soon as you are done. I want the rest of you quiet and hiding. I don't anticipate that they will want to further investigate the sewers once they see the water is flowing, but you never know with those guys. Come on Shard, we gotta move!
I run out towards the main sewer line and out towards the entrance, hoping to make as much space between the police and the wall. I'm going to start yelling at them to stop as soon as I see them.
Timeline, you port next to Ms. Ankita and the injured guard who finishes climbing/stumbling over the hole in the wall.
Guard: N-N-Not really. There was smoke...He just beat me up...I think I got him good with my club...dropped it to get over...*cough*
The guard's injuries are rather severe, you think he's got several broken bones and numerous bruises some of which are turning a nasty blackish green. This man needs a doctor.
Ankita: This is terrible! You-you people ruined a perfectly good evening. And now Duke...err the Mayor has been injured. You should be ashamed of yourself. No artifact is worth this disgrace! And you can be sure I won't suporting any more expeditions! And another thing... *continues to rant to no one in particular*
The SHRU combat van, three ambulances and two firetrucks appear on the scene.
Risen Fate, you fly yourself and Marrisa to the roof easily outpacing the poison gas. You free her and notice she's lacking the "smile" associated with the gas. She coughs a little but otherwise seems unharmed. She blushes a little as she stammers out a reply.
I..uhm..okay. I mean I'm fine. Thank you. That security guard grabbed me after I called my partner...I mean ..friend ...you know platonic friend. Then the gas and...uhm...
She backs away a step and takes a single deep breath. I'm single! I mean, I'm Marrisa. Who are you? I-I mean if it's not a secret or anything... just your superhero name or...whatever.
C'mon Ellie! We've got to get this wall down!
Shard has turned his right fist into a large crystal hammer and begins smashing away at the remains of the blockage.
Miss the way i look at it they were after that artifact one way or another they would have attacked and who knows how many people would have died if me and the others were not here to intervene. Well it matters not I don't do it for you, and I don't do it for me, I do it for the ones that cant fight back the ones who need a voice to speak for them in their hour of need that need someone to take up arms when others look the other way, I do it because its right. Now I suggest you go with the mayor he could use someone at his side at the moment. Oh.....and no need to thank me it was all in a judgment days work.
As for you sir you need a doctor... funny how he left you alive and didn't kill you though.
Timeline waves down an ambulance to his and the guards location.
They will help you sir hold on.
I turn my wings and armor off and keep running towards the enterance to try to stop who ever is coming.
Timeline, your into the guard's story reveals much as you'd expect. He got beat up, dealt a staggering blow to the already injured villain, and then tried to escape. Armed SHRU officers train weapons on you as you let Suvarna Ankita, the mayor and the guard go. Captain Abrams walks up eyeballing you with a most vicuous glare.
He talks with his men and they go to check on the status of the civilians. Colonel Kopel hobbles over after a minute. The two confer and Abrams steps forward.
Well now, Mr. Knight. Destruction of private property. Assault and Battery. Evasion of a federal officer. I can go on but I'm sure ye get ma meanin'.
He glances at Colonel Kopel. Even with the massive amount of property damage, they be meanin' to let ye off even wit that seein' as ye played a part in fightin' off dem other Knights. Me, I ain't gunna just let you go.
He shakes his head like he's not liking what he's admitting. He extends his right hand begrudgingly. Leastways not without knowing yer name. This coulda been a sight bloodier if'n you hadn't been there.
Trying to hide just how badly he's beat up,
I'm glad I got to you before that gas did, and the name's Risen Fate ma'am, can't tell you much more than that about who I am; secret identity and all. Let me finish untying you and I can fly you down to the medics; you should have them look to make sure there isn't some underlying damage from being exposed like that. As for your friend, I'm sure he's fine. He looked a little the worse for wear when I got to him due to that Death Mask character walloping him around pretty good, but I stepped in and had him go find medical attention. That's when he asked me to make it my top priority to find you. Said he couldn't find you and was worried for your safety.
I'm going to use this time to get rid of and catch my breath.
Let's get you down, shall we?
Risen Fate motions for Marissa to hold on to him.
Hold on tight now.
He flies them to the ground then to one of the waiting ambulances.
Ma'am, have a nice day. I need to go make sure that everyone else is safe and accounted for.
As you run down the main sewage line you begin to see flickers of light ahead.
As you fly Marrisa down, the extra weight shifts a little, sending spiderwebs of pain up and down your side. Her hand comes away slick with blood.
You're hurt! Forget about me! You need to get seen to. At least let me dress your wounds. There's a medkit in the back of my car. *slight blush*
Ow. ow. ow.
Ma'am, I assure you, I'll be fine. My main concern is you right now. If it helps, I promise I'll get patched up as soon as I get the chance.
Ow. ow ow ow ow. Need to land...
Risen Fate, you manage to land Marrisa next to an ambulance where medics hurry her towards the triage tent that has been hastily set up.
One medic comes over to you. His nametag reads Franklin. Sir, you need to come with me. That knife wound looks deep. Tommy! Get me some bandages. The medic glances at the SHRU team who are nearby, weapons trained on Timeline. He hands you the bandages and a syringe. Hippocratic Oath and all. Needle's got a local anasthetic to numb the pain. I find you dead on a rooftop somewhere's I will kick your sorry arse. We need more of you trying to help.
Assuming you refuse Franklin's help, he returns to his duties without glancing back.
You gain .
Timeline, you found lying on the floor of the helicopter.
Joseph, you found
HEY! You guys need to stop! I scream as I keep running towards them.
Risen Fate takes the syringe and bandages.
Thank you for your help; just patch the knife wound if you would, everything else is minor enough that I can handle it on my own, but emergency medical is not my specialty. Minor?! Holy OW I hurt all over...
Could you give me an extra set of bandages or two while I head inside? I can at least tie off minor injuries and stop bleeding of people I send back out to you.
And hopefully I can find that gem of the elder gods that Death Mask dropped... there must be a reason he wanted it...
Three ambulances.
Timeline extends his hand as well and shakes his hand.
Mr. Abrams is it? The names Timeline Im glad I could help. Hopefully this proves that not all supers are bad. Now I know that there are a lot of us out there messing it up but I want you to know that I plan to show these people of this fair city it can be done right. Now captain if you have this under control I should take my leave.
Timeline hands captain Abrams his card to his untraceable number.
If you ever need a hand I would love to be of assistance sir.
Timeline teleports up to the roof to the helicopter and then teleports himself and the helicopter away.
Hey Frodoo, I hear a little chickadee calling my name.
Yea man, she's totally calling your name, Brock. Maybe she knows where them muties ran off to.
The punks appear armed with knives and baseball bats for the most part. Brock is holding a large machete, practically a sword, with both hands. The thin man starts swinging a barbed chain.
I ready an action to get my armor and sword out if they make any more threatening movements or continue to walk forward.
Risen Fate, Franklin just motions you behind one of the ambulances conveniently out of sight of the SHRU officers. He applies your to the wound and applies a couple stitches.
Franklin frowns at the wound. I think there was some kind of venom on whatever stabbed you. Frankly, I've never seen a reaction like this. You really need to take it easy for a few days.
***
Timeline, Abrams looks rather non-plussed at your little speech and you hear him mutter. Fine, fine, dinnae need your entire life story, Timebrain.
Just as you are about to teleport away Abrams points a finger at you. I better not catch you anywhere near a crime scene again, capiche! Or I'll haul you and all your Superfriends down to maximum security and throw away the key. Frickin' vigilatism is gettin' out of hand.
***
Joseph, you "eat" your sub just fine. As you are finishing up, you hear a couple thuds on the roof. As you peer outside, you notice a blue and black clad Knight running away down an alley. he appears to have an empty parachute pack on his back. On the roof, you see two parachutes and an unmoving body (similarly attired to the first) with a scorch hole on his chest.
Well i definitely will try not not to.
Timeline winks then ports of to the helicopter and ports the helicopter away.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Now I need to head in and make sure everyone else is safe.
I'll head inside to try and find that gemstone, and a good place to turn back into Baker Scott.
I'm glad Marissa is safe... I still wish I knew how to talk to her though; maybe i'll see if I can hit things off as Risen Fate...hmmm
I attempt to climb to the un-moving body, to try to get him to safety as need be.
Timeline, you are able to port the chopper back to your hideout and then return for Flux just for good measure.
Risen Fate, you are able to find Madelyn and Archy with a third bespectacled individual who is holding a satchel with a Huge Jewel. They are talking animatedly but have not noticed you nor appear in immediate danger.
Joseph you are able to bring the man down safely but he is very unconscious.
Yea no kidding! I think it's time for some roast boys!
Initiative:
X-Punks: 12
Elli: 11
Brock charges you with his machete. Damage DC 20
Frodoo attacks you with his spiked chain. Damage DC 20
Both hits go wide.
The other gang members hold off this round waiting for their leaders to get first blood.
Risen Fate walks up.
Ma'am, gentlemen. I'm here to make sure that everything is hopefully now in order and to ask if anything of value is missing. If I may, I believe that our masked marauder was after some sort of large gemstone, but I thought I saw him drop it. Has it yet been located, and can I be of any assistance in the matter?
Bespectacled man in a disheveled tweed jacket: AHHHHHHHH! There's another one! You can't have it! It's my life's work! He grabs the jewel and dives under a nearby table.
Archibald shrinks back against the wall clutching the blanket the medics gave him. T-T-Take it! Take the cursed thing!
Madelyn begins to edge backwards to where she dropped her antique revolver.
Timeline goes back for the cane and after securing all his assets at his base returns back to the museum and walks in as emit making his tux look all tattered and stowing his pip boy and blaster back in his briefcase in Madelyn's office.
Wow what a party if I do say so myself....Madelyn are you ok? I was worried about you but you look fine here. Who's the clown in the suit?
Emit walks over to Madelyn and whispers.
Im sorry I wasn't there to help you but maybe you could fill me in later in what happened and what happened to Archy?
I don't mean to alarm you, my name is Risen Fate and I have been making my rounds trying to make sure that everyone is safe. If everyone here is fine, I will continue on my rounds.
Risen Fate heads off to find an unobserved place to change back into a bruised and battered Baker Scott and get back to making sure that Jewel Death Mask wanted is in good hands.
After changing, Baker walks up to where Madelyn and the others have gathered to talk.
Mrs. Fourmer, have you seen Marissa? I've been looking everywhere for her! She hasn't been answering my calls and there have been supers running around all over the place! What's going on?
DC 24
Frickin' muties! Boys, get her!
Brock swings high trying to get in between a chink in your armor.
Frodoo has backed away and using the Chain to try to hit from ten feet away.
7 punks surround you attempting to bring you down in a flurry of fists.
The other three punks attempt to simply throw knives at your face.
The knife throwers are attacking versus your Dodge defense (AC = base 10 + Dodge 1 = 11)
The rest are attacking versus your Parry defense (AC = base 10 + Parry 9 = 19)
Brock connects, cutting you across the shoulder.
Frodoo and all 7 baseball bat punks are unable land a solid blow on you.
Two of the thrown knives fly past harmlessly but a third catches you right above the eye.
DC 18
Brock screams in pain as his machete heats up. He yells at you through gritted teeth. Gunna make you pay for that!
Haven't you learned not to play with fire!