Sooner

Very well said. Communication and information are always important. However, this still shows a real lack of understanding and appreciation for the wonderful population of this game.

...they really really really should make this an account wide badge. *sigh*

Exactly.

Except for the photobombing. That's just a way to get visual evidence that you weren't helping your team in the sabotage phase.

The one time I did it, I was still in the hospital when I heard the team declare they'd found the last crate and I knew that there was no way at all I could get be through the map to help them before they finished it off.... so I photobombed.

I think everyone should get a chance to do it one time... and then get over it. It's already stopped being funny or cute.

Other than that, you should either be helping your team or - if you're new or laggy - trying to help your team.

But yes, Flower is exactly right. Most of this stuff is jerk behavior, not the behavior of people trying to learn what to do and where to go. Those people have an entirely different set of behaviors and most of us are pretty patient with that as long as you're trying.

One Day in Paragon City...

Quinlan was helpless to stop it. There were more than a dozen Council soldiers between her and her friends, and more joining the fight every moment. Green Faery crouched, hands up in a warding off gesture, a warning Ici Cold tried to ignore as she pelted her enemy with a last few punishing blasts of ice. Then the rocket exploded between them in a fiery blast of noise and chaos. Green Faery bounced off a cubicle wall with one last terrified wail before she dropped. Ici was picked up by the blast and thrown back into the brick wall. Quin winced in sympathy at the sound of Ici's head bouncing off the bricks and the “Ooof!” as the air was knocked from her lungs before she crumpled bonelessly to the floor.

“It's my fault!” Quinlan thought. She'd charged in, too overconfident, not paying enough attention, and her friends had paid the price. Now Council thugs clustered around her, punching, kicking, shooting. It would take them all day to do her any real harm, but it would take her even longer to fight her way free.

Quin jumped up, trying to see over the crowd. Green Faery lay curled up, coughing, her wings twitching, but Ici Cold was down and still. “Can you get up?” Quin called to the tiny fae.

“Too.... close.” Faery answered with a cough.

Quin smiled grimly. “Hang on, Faery.” She began to back away slowly from her tiny friend. Most of the Council soldiers were already so frustrated with Quin they would have followed her to Praetoria if that's what it took, but a few were hanging back watching her fallen companions. “Hey!” she bellowed. “I know you're afraid of girls and all, but I'm over here!” Once she had their attention focused on her, she followed her challenge up with a most unlady-like gesture.


The soldiers exchanged a few choice words at her expense and raced after her while she chattered away, buying time for her friends.

Quinlan stood strong and proud in the mass of soldiers. She was a tall, muscular woman with bright blonde pony-tails and wide blue eyes. Her shorts and shirt were snug, scant, and deep blue, while her blue cape sparkled with golden stars that matched the gold belt at her waist. She performed a lively quick-step with the Council soldiers, a diversionary dance full of banter and bravado. She kept one eye watching Green Faery, the other on her grim-faced enemies. She'd let her friends down once, she didn't intend to repeat the mistake.

Behind the fight, Green Faery quietly pushed to her feet. Quin could see her struggling to stand straight, and even her usually perky green and pink wings sagged and wobbled. One of the Council started to turn around and Quin slapped him on the cheek. “Hey!” She affected a shocked expression. “My EYES are up HERE!” When the soldier turned back to her, surprised and angry, she slammed both her fists into his belly.

Green Faery fluttered into flight. She gave Quin a confident smile and nod and then looked away, clearly trusting Quin to keep her safe. Quin's heart swelled with pride, she wouldn't fail them again. Bright green energy flared behind the Council where Ici lay, but Quinlan determinedly kept them focused on her. Chatter and insults, punches, and slaps, all the while making sure not a single Council eye turned to her vulnerable friends before Ici climbed to her feet.

“Hey, boys...” Quin said with a wide smile. She was a pretty girl, but these soldiers were not going to be at all interested in her looks in just a moment. “Have I got a surprise for you...”

Before they could even react, Green Faery gestured and the entire group began to glow with a debilitating green energy. Then Ici Cold threw her arms high and a winter storm erupted in the narrow corridors. The Council soldiers slipped and slid, and those few still on their feet could barely walk between the chill from Ici's attacks and the draining effects of Faery's. And all the while, Quin refused to let them turn on her friends.

One by one, the Council fell, and in the end, Quinlan, Green Faery, and Ici Cold walked out of that office victorious – and safe. It was one of Quin's proudest moments, and one that defined her. Her job was to keep her teammates safe, no matter what, so they could do their jobs. She'd heard it before, but that day, she saw it and learned to live it.

If that offer is open to all, I might just take you up on it. Of course... for me... 10,000 words is too short... but I think I know the right story for this, and it will end up between 600 and 800 words, I think.

....and now I've played it on my ipod 1/2 dozen times today. Such a good song.

That was an epic, intense, heroic battle. Nearly 20 minutes of 16 characters working together as a team, supporting each other, and everyone putting their entire attention toward one goal. That fight could have been the climax of a movie.

It was awesome, and that was a badge we EARNED.

♪♫♪If one guy's colors and the other's don't mix
They're gonna bash it up
Bash it up! Bash it up! Bash it up!

Hey, man you talkin' back to me
You gotta keep'em separated! ♪♪♫