Damsel_EU

Here's news from your friendly neighbourhood moderators! Main Page featured articles for this summer season were chosen at random.

• Summer's 'Featured Team' is... Guardians of Destiny. Thank you and congratulations Gideon! (apc: 520)
  
• Summer's 'Featured Hero' is... Vigilante Storm. Thank you and congratulations Welshman! (apc: 650)
  
• Summer's 'Featured Villain' is... The Dark Technomage. Thank you and congratulations Payne! (apc: 282)
  
• Summer's 'Featured Fiction' is... Search for the Dragon Sabre. Thank you and congratulations Pious! (apc: 84)

Rachel saw the team starting to work together. The first dragon had enflamed her husband but Typhon came to the rescue, controlling the fire and turning it against the dragon before he too took off into the skies. Rotten Luck was quick to taunt, Snaerr doused the fire attacks with his frost and the Illusionist was siphoning power and speed to favour the team. "Boost me" she called to Illusionist, as she flew upwards to join the airborne fight. She latched herself onto the first dragon and swung onto its back. With a ferocious effort, she unstrapped her assault rifle and offloaded a whole magazine on full auto, directly beneath the dragon's neck, severing its head. As she leapt onto a second dragon, she spoke out telepathically. "I'm counting about a dozen bogies, target them one at a time people. Seven of us on one is better than seven on twelve. Illusionist, reduce inertia so the non-flyers can leap up. Look sharp people, this sh*t is on!"

Oh you silly children. Can you imagine what the Americans think of our petty squables? All read in over-stereotyped English accents?

Meanwhile in a Pocket Dimension. Lilith's Hell.

Damsel woke up a few hours later that night to find herself far far away from Paragon City. She looked around and saw nothing she recognised. It was only when she looked closer that it hit her; she was staring at a dozen unconscious bodies. Among them were Blade's family members she had met at the wedding. Her friend Altair Stevens, little David and her own four-year old daughter. It finally occured to her that there had been a Kidnapping of the Nighthunters. Especially their loved ones. "Great, frigging hate being kidnapped" she moaned. "The name Damsel was not to be taken literally!"

Nah, no big deal. If there is anything else to edit out, I'll make sure its done.

Edited.

Aww, bless him.

Hunter's Mansion, South Arizonia, Planet Arizon. Late Afternoon.

The children were now fast asleep and Rachel finally had time for television. She turned on her highly technical cross-dimensional broadcaster and fixed it onto the telly. She grabbed the remote control and relaxed into the living room sofa, turning on the tube and tuning to the Paragon City News channel.

"...going back now to Amanda Richter, live at Moth Cathedral" the male newscaster read. Rachel looked on with horror as the camera switched over to what looked like an overly epic battle outside her husband's church. The worrisome housewife would have simply fainted were she not sitting.

“Thank you Richard" said the female journalist, present at the scene of the fight. "According to the accumulated police reports now being shared with Law Enforcement all over, this whole thing begun with the vampiric witch Countess Bathory and her demonic ilk; the infamous Rogue Isles overlord called a bounty on hunters and declared Open Season which lead to an outbreak of assassination attempts, including one on Big Game, Witch Hunt and a Dultan Mace. It has now been revealed that a mercenary werewolf known as War Dog has been executed for carrying out the Killings at the Wayward Wench, which involved the meaningless deaths of the Hyena's contracts negotiator Super Sized Sally and a dozen other hunters. But even the death of amateur hunter Shrieking Violent in Sharkhead Isle's shady Monkey Fight Club at the hands of Countess Leeches has done little to prompt an Arachnos government investigation. So far all we’re getting from across the ocean are whispers that the Corporation are assessing the situation and are likely to step in. We are unsure what their motives may be.

“As always, tech companies all over are taking advantage of the war. Mad scientist and controversial entrepreneur Doctor Edward Mechano has deployed security for the bounty-listed monster hunter Big Game, a very close friend. Arms businesses like The Store are already promoting weapons and defence systems to profit from the conflict, just moments before opportunist villains like the Circle of Thorns staged a Descent on Moth Cathedral where the Nighthunter's illuminated leader Reverend Pious Hunter is known to work. It has sparked a battle that has only spiralled out of control. With independent hunters warring with the Court of the Blood Countess who are simultaneously warring with the Nighthunters, it seems the only resolve is a Longbow/FBSA intervention.

“Holyman Gabriel Sinclare is one of the few who has fallen victim to the horde of possessed scientists marching through Dark Astoria. Lilith Lamashtu is currently being engaged by ninja warrior Sabrina San. Alicia Pistol Barzini who sprung the trap that called the villains over from the Rogue Isles, using a cleverly hatched plot involving a damsel-in-distress tactic, an internet video and the luring and killing of mega-billionaire Memphis Alexander who as it turns out was a demonic sorcerer, is now fighting with werewolf Jack Wolfe who we know now has killed a hunter just earlier today. Alex Balfear who has also killed a hunter is battling his cousin Blade Balfear as he makes a valiant effort to protect the church’s bell tower from missiles launched by Countess Leeches's robot minions.

"As an unidentifiable assailant confronts the magic-wielding Countess Bathory, we see Blazing Angel looking down from the Cathedral mast, within sight of Morilanthi the wood elf locking swords with his evil twin brother Joarathil. Sword Runner and army commander Rack Up have defeated each other in a double knockout, damaging Doctor Elektra Carmine's war machine in the process. The giant monster of a mecha was held at a standoff with ex-military Altair Steven's own US Air Force battle tank, supported by ghostly reincarnation Sgt. Brian Faber aka Camouflage and Mystic Ghost who is avenging her brother, the unconscious holyman Gabriel Sinclare. Only a moment ago, the full might of Pious Hunter descended on Countess Leeches and her armoured soldiers who were eventually taking down. During the duel Countess Leeches was tricked by the Priest and sent away through what looked like a controlled wormhole linked to Pocket D. Michael Grayson and the Priest have since joined forces with the approaching government army. More reports to follow from right here at Moth Cathedral, as the story unfolds. This is Amanda Richter from PCN News.”

Damsel propelled herself through the portal and remained suspended and airborne on the other side. She marvelled at the lava-red landscape for a while before checking herself back. "Okay people, let's try out this magic communications-network the Midnighter's are supplying and hope it's better than modem. Now where did I put those MAGI files, ah here we go. Right okay, Rotten Luck the mummified zombie; powerhouse enforced by dark magic, check! Illusionist; skilled magician with reality-bending powers, check! Snaerr; spandex-clad magic-type hero with ice-based powers, oh yeah I'm checking you out alright. Moving on! Typhon; fiery titanic demon armed with swords and a large pair of burning wings, yup... hard to miss those. Sage; the thieving Vrakht armed with an oversized rifle and apparently, some knowledge of the City of Dis. Sage where the hell you at? Pfft, that damn demon gone and abandoned us hasn't he?"

With no response from Sage, Damsel carried on. "Fine! Besides him, I think we all here. Typhon you the new guide baby, lead the way." She had just finished her roll call when all of a sudden she noticed her husband weren't looking quite like himself. "Damn Pious, the hell happened to you? Look like you went crazy, stormed Sesame Street and killed Big Bird. Just to wear her on your shoulders. No really, hot air down here turn you into some kinda shadow angel? You ok?"

Rachel sat in the children's playroom watching her four year old daughter play with the three-year old David Tai San. Her mind wandered off to the story she'd heard of how the boy's twin sister had been snatched out over their mother's dead body. Something came over her and she suddenly felt an urge to pray; to pray long and hard for her husband's safety.

IC Story Recap! Nighthunter's Diary Entry #64

Sunday 2nd May: Nighthunter's Armour

Dear diary, I've just finished tailoring a variety of new designs for the team armour. I'm slowly running out of Idaraya's Cotton but the Silk of Afẹri is still well stocked. The secret to the armour's magical healing and stealth properties lie within the balanced patchwork of both earthly materials, so I may have to travel back home soon to get re-stocked. I will be leaving all the armours in the Pocket D vault reserves for anyone to pick up. Just raise your amulet to the custom lock and you'll gain access to the walk-in wardrobe. Have fun choosing your favourite designs. -- Damsel.

Rachel marvelled at the towering gate with overwhelming awe and obvious trepidation.

"Are we supposed to go in there?" she gulped loudly, "Because I'm having second thoughts."

Hunter's Mansion. South Arizonia, Planet Arizon. Early Morning.

Rachel was first to rise but she remained in bed to watch her husband sleep. He had seemed disturbed and a little restless all night, which usually meant he was having one of his bad dreams. Which meant somebody would try at his life at some point later in the day. Naturally, Rachel was a little concerned.

"Hey sweetheart" muttered Pious, yawning and stretching.

"Morning baby" she replied.

"You alright?" asked Pious.

"Yeah" said Rachel, flicking back her long dark hair. "You had another one of your precog dreams, didn’t you?"

"Yeah" said Pious, getting out of bed and into his bathrobe.

"Well, tell me. Who's out to get you this time? Thorns? Crey? Banished Pantheons? Can't be Pistol... she's gone all redeemed killer, rogue-villain and all-round good-guy since we helped her son out of Hell, if I remember correctly."

"Yeah, no. There was a... a shooter. I couldn't see his or her face though, perched too far away" said Pious.

"Right. Look, angel-killing demons and gene-splicing scientists I get but why would snipers be after you?" asked Rachel. "You dancing with Mafia syndicates?"

"Erm, there was those two Yakuza girls, but I don't think it’s them. NWA have dispersed and Chang's moved on," said Pious, slipping into his fluffy slippers and exiting into the showers. "There is something else though. Mike Grayson came in with some Intel from the Rogue Isles. The err... well, Elizabeth Bathory and her court have issued a country-wide bounty on hunters. It's more likely to be linked with that... so I guess I'm going to be snipered. Hey, do we have cereal?"

"Kitchen cabinet, top shelf" said Rachel. "So the monster-hunters are being hunted by hunter-hunting monsters... classic. Tables turned and all that."

"Say what? Whose side are you really on?" Pious asked jokingly, getting out of the showers and reaching for a towel. He left behind a blurry trail as he sped around the house getting dressed. Arriving in the kitchen, he reaches into the refrigerator for some milk. "But on a serious note, you and Hazel should stay here out of harm’s way. Blade and Suraya think I'm top of the bounty list, which would place you pretty close up."

Rachel stood there for a while, watching her husband lean on the kitchen island, eating Coco Pops. Part of her wished he would back down from the case and stay at home, but she knew he wouldn't. Besides exorcising demons and vanquishing evil vampires, stopping bounty hunting monsters from committing human murder sort of falls into his category of work. She knew any attempts to change his mind would only be futile.

"You okay?" asked Pious. "You're sort of, staring."

"No I'm fine" Rachel sighed.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'll just... wait here with our daughter while you go out and fight wars. Just, don't die on me. The angels might not resurrect you a second time."

"Hunny, I promise you I'll never die" joked Pious, finishing his bowl and reaching across for his coat. He leant in and kissed his wife good-bye before opening a teleportation portal fixed into the back door. "Oh erm... Sabrina, Altair and Mike Grayson are working with me on this one. Is it alright if 'Brina's kid David stays here with you for a while? Monsters on a hunt for us and all that, it could get ugly out there."

"Sure, why not" said Rachel, smiling to her husband as he left for Primal Earth. "Yay, babysitter me."

1. Name: Rachel Grey-Hunter aka Damsel

2. Species: Human

3. Physical: Female with caramel-brown skin and long white hair. Often dressed in a black/white ninja-style armour and short skirt.

4. Power: Can manipulate nearby molecules to mimic the abilities of others as far as her memory serves.

5. Skills: Wields two modified handguns, a massive XM8 assault rifle and customised explosives.

6. Limitations: Until she's back to sleep, Rachel cannot change powers once it's been recalled. Powers can only affect an immediate radius of twenty-feet.

7. Weakness: Human physiology is prone to fatigue and unconsciousness. Though permanent death within Paragon City's mediport network is unlikely.

8. Reason: Wife to Pious Hunter; Nighthunter; MAGI-affiliate sent to aid on the mission.

Thanks all.

Yeah that sounds good. I have a good feeling about this one, better timing than last time.

"Well if it isn't Captain Harlem to the rescue," came a snide comment, shouting after the exiting man.

"I find it intriguing" said another voice, deep, with a New York accent. "Guy's only been here a few months and already he acts like one of us."

"Well technically, Axel" came another voice. "Err... he is one of us."

"Oh nasty!" came a voice from inside the hut.

"That's the third one this week" said another. "Dante, your turn to clean up out there!"

"Why!?" came a high pitched reply. "Man, I do all the work around here. This is bullying, you know that? It's because I'm the youngest isn't it?"