"Nemmy, you owe me a new costume once this is done!" Billyboy yelled as rushed and beside him charging was the massive Star Granite with his club ready for action.
Nemesis swung his great staff in an arc towards the advancing pair creating a great energy wave like an electric scythe which would have demolished normal people, instead it was simply a punch to Star Granite, forcing him backward a few steps, while Billyboy absorbed the portion which hit him and channelled it into another leap forward to assault the towering steam powered villian.
Regaining his momentum, Star Granite charged ahead while Nemesis was busy smacking Billyboy like a croquet ball with his mallet. Bringing his mighty club in an upward arc, Star Granite caught Nemesis directly under the chin, making Nemesis appear to have a new double chin. The blow staggered the Prussian Prince backward, almost causing him to lose balance. But suddenly the steam began pouring forth from his back creating great propulsion jets which righted the massive frame. However, Mutai Kid and Valiant came in from behind and simultaneously hit him from behind causing the moving mass to continue forward in a stumble toward another upswing of the club, this time accompanied by an uppercut from Billyboy. The four heroes continued this rhythm, rocking Nemesis on his heals and trying not to let up, denting the brass frame of the great suit making it look more like an old steamship boiler.
As Mutai Kid and Valiant were coming at the Prince again he did the unthinkable, he actually threw his staff at them, causing them to have to alter their attack path. This gave Nemesis just enough time to activate his force bubble. The four heroes were blasted backward before they realized what had happened. "Fools! You will not stop me from building New Prussia! I have not waited so long just to be thwarted by a few heroes!"
Nemesis began projecting a larger repulsion bubble and walked to where his staff had fallen and picked it up, raising it far above his head and swinging it at ever increasing speed. The heroes began their next assault on the Prussian Prince, but now they were all showing signs of fatigue. Psiearth and Hellcat buffed the heroes with radiant aura's increasing their stamina for this protracted fight. "We must keep up the pressure! But watch yourselves! Nemesis has many more tricks up his brass sleeves I'm sure." Psiearth said this with a wary and troubling tone which spoke of experience in battling powerful foes.
"It is that balance, the ground between EB and AV, where the PvP struggle should exist. Where a 1v1 becomes a struggle of equals, and 1vMany gives the benefit to the 1."
Freedom: Fireocity, Electro Imp, Gotya
Infinity: Meteor Storm, Mutai Kid, General Bot, Da Smasher
Iron Fist's eyes were glowing with an unearthly light. His and Lord Dire's power was starting to overpower Nemesis Rex. He used attacks similar to Nemesis but his battle skills were nothing compared to the incarnate of War and the cyborg giant. Lord Dire shot at Nemesis Rex with his deadly rays. While the other-dimensional Nemesis was blocking the blow, Iron Fist tackeled him and scorched him with his flaming armor. Iron Fist had a score to settle. He pounded into Nemesis Rex over and over again, relentlessly pounding him into the dirt.
Nemesis Rex swiped Fist with his staff, knocking him off for a moment. As soon as Iron Fist was out of the way, Lord Dire started attacking. He cried, "Call me a fool will you?! I will destroy you! Nothing will stand in the way of me! You hear me?! NOTHING!!" His monolouge was interuppted by a force field going up around Nemesis Rex. Lord Dire was caught by surprise, he flew up into the air and landed on the ground with enough force to crush a house. Iron Fist yelled out and ran into the force field with the sound of electricity crackling. He stood there, vainly trying to get into the force field. His energy was building up again. You could visibly see the thermonuclear energy moving around him, gathering.
Iron Fist's eyes were no longer glowing, they were burning. The battle crazed Incarnate of War finally got through the force field. The built up energy could not continue to be trapped in his body. He released it in an explosion similar to the one that had burst from him in Steel Canyon. If it had not been for Nemesis Rex's force field, everyone in the sewers would be dead. All you could see from the force field was a red light as bright as the Sun. The force field grew with the energy. It doubled in its size. But it held. After the light faded, the force field shrank and eventually dissapeared. Iron Fist was laying on the ground, practically unconcious and in a total daze.
Lord Dire took this moment to slam into the badly wounded Nemesis Rex. The powerful Archvillain finally fell. Nemesis Rex had finally been defeated. Lord Dire looked over Iron Fist. He thought about how they had fought together, for once not trying to kill each other. He set down a healing beacon to help the wounded Iron Fist. Lord Dire would think about Iron Fist's offer about joining him as partners. Partners. But not today. Lord Dire had had his revenge. He no longer needed to stay here. He said a few words into his intercom and was teleported away. Iron Fist slowly gained his health back. Why did he do that? he thought, He had the oppertunity to destroy me and yet he did not. Perhaps he will decide to join me... His thoughts were distracted by the heroes. After all this, maybe he would help them finally defeat Nemesis. But that would not be the case.
Like Lord Dire, Iron Fist was only here for revenge. He had had his revenge. With a single thought, Iron Fist and every single one of his soldiers dissapeared without a trace.
Back at his hidden base Lord Dire sat on the throne like command chair from which he made his many plans to rule.
At his side the holographic representation of Delphi filled him in on the battle that though slowing down was still ongoing below the streets of paragon city.
He had no worries that Paragon would collapse into the sea. He had taken care of that. as the battle had began Lord Dire had carefully cloaked himself and backed out of the fighting. slipping off to the control rooms center he had used a sophisticated code breaker and altered the command sequences to the generators. So they would shut down in stead of activating. leaving the city safe.
then he had had Delphi send drones to each of them and teleported them away to a secret location. where they would wait till the day Lord Dire could use them.
To his other side Vim, the lethal assassin watched the battle unfolding. she stared with a particular intensity at Billyboy. She despised the hero with a passion that Lord Dire could appreciate.
Vim he saw was wearing the energy disrupting gauntlets and belt that she would use very soon to finish off her hated rival.
SO when do I get to kill him." she spoke dripping the venom of hatred from her voice. she had earned a new found respect watching Lord Dire battle as well as form the little bit of history Delphi had given her about him.
"Soon Vim. very soon." He spoke imperiously. "Have patience; he well die at your hands as I promised, and you may make it as painful as you like."
Vim smiled wickedly she was beginning to like this Lord Dires Style. "So whats next then."
"Next." he said. "We hit our enemies while they are reeling." he replied in that doom laden tone of his. "Brass Monday is far from over."
Then did Lord Dire Laugh, low and malevolant at first then loud and long. He would rule yet. it was merely a matter of time
Behind him on the holoscreen a view of a warehouse appeared. In it row upon row of malta Zeus class titans appeared. some 4000 in number and armed to the teeth. It was an Army built carefully and in secret for one purpose. To destroy Paragon City and its defenders utterly and completely.
So you mean you'll put down your rock, and I'll put down my sword; and we'll try and kill each other like civilized people?
Dubbed first knight of pep-istan by her majesty Queen Pepcat. first catmonaut to walk onna moon.
PENGUIN!!!...(^)>
...............C(...)D
.................m.m
Iron Fist was currently listening to reports. How many troops had fallen, who had died, what had been acomplished, etc. In this particular report, Fist was paying strict attention. Silver Skull had sneaked off and inplanted a probe onto Lord Dire before he left. The combination of magical spells of invisibility, powerful psychic powers, science, and Rikti technology had successfully made it impossible for Dire to detect them. It seemed Lord Dire was trying to sink Paragon City into the ocean.
"This must not happen." said Fist to Psy, "If he does this, all our work will go in vain. Paragon City must stand. Let me talk to him personally."
===at Lord Dire's base===
Lord Dire was still watching the battle go on when he was surprised by the sudden appearance of Iron Fist in front of him, hands behind him, one eye glaring. Lord Dire immediately lept to his feet and charged at his rival. Lord Dire's hands shot right through Fist. He was a hologram. "Hello, Lord Dire. I came to thank you for healing me. Oh and while I'm here..." Fist's one eye burned with that unearthly aura. "Do not attempt what you are doing. If you attack the city, I will destroy you. Although you saw what me myself can do with my energy, how would you like to imagine my explosions, 50 times more powerful? I can tell by your face that you don't believe me. If you look to my left..." The picture changed. Now there was a perfect image of thousands of fuel tanks. Iron Fist's voice continued. "These are what I keep my stored up energy in. If you start your attack-and I will know if you do-I will launch 50 nof these at every single base that you have on the planet. Has my message made a dent in your plans? Good. Well, that is all I had to say. Goodbye for now..." Iron Fist's image dissapeared as quickly as it came.
While Nemesis Rex was being defeated by the pair of extremely powerful masterminds, this universe's Nemesis was busy trying not to have the same happen to him. The concerted efforts of the heroes was steadily weakening his power level, and he could only hold his repulsion bubble stable for about 30 seconds at a time, not long enough to give his steam powered suit time to regenerate it's energy stores. His plan to take over Steel Canyon had not factored in the level of interference Iron Fist and Lord Dire had inflicted. Those fools will pay! Their meddling will soon come to an end, and I will have my vengence upon them. My infiltration units should be setting off explosives anytime now! And these heroes, they will feel my wrath too, once the generators explode!
Entirely unknown to the two masterminds who had thwarted his plans, Nemesis had been monitoring their actvities much longer. He had positioned spies in their networks at very low level positions, people who now were leading elite units to destroy stockpiles of energy and weapondry. Nemesis had planned to seize Iron Fist's stores of energy and steal the Zeus Titans which Lord Dire thought were so secret. With that energy and those titans he easily would have overrun the entire complex of cities, founding New Prussia.
But early in the day when he saw their level of meddling in his plans, he dispatched newly designed stealth Jaegers who were essentially invisible Komikazee units. The stealth technology was undetectable by any means, and would have been a great help in establishing New Prussia, but now they would at least bring vengeance upon those who had thwarted his plans.
====================
Lord Dire was fuming, How dare Iron Fist challenge me!
"
Behind him, Vim was still looking at the hologram projection of the warehouse filled with mechs. "Lord Dire! Lord Dire! Look!" Vim shouted with alarm.
"What is it!" Lord Dire turned in time to see an explosion on the holoscreen. At first it appeared only in the far background, a series of explosions which were blowing several of the Zeus Titans apart, but a chain reaction was starting, and it was readily aparent to Lord Dire that the whole warehouse would soon be gone. In an instant the explosions became more numerous and massive as the 4000 mechs were systematically exploding in ever increasing numbers. The camera image began to degrade and finally the signal was lost......
The holographic image of Delphi began speaking... "Sir, it appears that Nemesis has attacked the warehouse, we are receiving reports of pieces of brass mechanisms scattered all around the warehouse."
"Nemesis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Lord Dire was in a rage and began to amp up his energy output. Vim discreetly ran towards a nearby exit, she didn't think the energy gauntlets would be of much use on Billyboy if she was dead.
=======================
Across the complex of cities, far from Lord Dire's secreted base was Iron Fist's own complex. He had just shut off the communication with his rival. That should take care of Lord Dire's plans. "Psy, keep me informed on Lord Dire's forces, we must ensure that he complies!"
"Yes, well, umm..... we have a problem here sir..." Psy said this with fear and trepidation, the report he had just received might end his career in Fist, and maybe his life too.
"Well spit it out! What is it!" Iron Fist was in no mood for suspense.
"I'm receiving reports that three storage locations are under attack by unknown forces. Roughly 1/2 the energy reserves are at risk! I'm bringing up an image now!" Nearby consoles lined with screens of various images flickered and began to display the 6 main energy storage locations Iron Fist used for his reserves. On three of the screens the same scenario was playing out, first one energy storage unit would explode, then set off a series of explosions which ignited other tanks.
"What is going on there! Who is attacking?! Is it Lord Dire!?! Why didn't the early warning system detect his forces!" Iron Fist grabbed Psy around the neck, almost crushing his windpipe.
"Ittttt'sssss noooooot....... Loorrrddddddd Ddddddiiiiirrrrrr" Psy attempted to speak further, but the crushing force of Iron Fist's grip was restricting his oxygen causing him to lose consciousness. Iron Fist released his grip and allowed the unconsious body fall to the ground.
"Nemesis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Iron Fist was building up a great deal of energy, and the control room was being vacated rapidly by his soldiers, they didn't want to be nearby when he blew.
===================================
Back at Nemesis' control room, the Prussian Prince was trying to fend off the attacks of the heroes. "You may defeat me, but my generators will destroy Steel Canyon and you as well!"
Nemesis was not aware that his generators had been transported away, otherwise he might have not been so confident in his bragging.
"It is that balance, the ground between EB and AV, where the PvP struggle should exist. Where a 1v1 becomes a struggle of equals, and 1vMany gives the benefit to the 1."
Freedom: Fireocity, Electro Imp, Gotya
Infinity: Meteor Storm, Mutai Kid, General Bot, Da Smasher
Needless to say, Toy Dispenser and Ghoul were a bit thrown off by the sudden disappearance of Iron Fists's troops. Thankfully, the remaining enemy soldiers were easily mopped up, leaving Ghoul to agonize over the incompletion of his bet and Toy to wonder what the hell was going on. Toy's newly summoned minions following behind, Ghoul and the android ran back to where Iron Fist was last seen and witnessed the real Nemesis fighting four other heroes that Toy hadn't seen before.
"Hey! Crazy lady!" shouted Ghoul at Knight, "Get your friends over here! We've found the mother lode!"
The undead brute grinned and charged up his energies once more. He stomped once on the ground and leapt at the Prussian Prince. He managed to hit Nemesis between repulsion fields and landed on his head. Ghoul got in a few good hits that mangled Nemesis' head before the field came back up and knocked him and one of the slower heroes away. While Ghoul was doing his best frontal assault tactics Toy was able to quickly deduce that if Nemesis' repulsion field could be negated, then the prince would go down. A set of hasty commands sent his own minions circling around behind Nemesis to keep him in one place. Then, when Nemesis brought up his shield again Toy reversed the polarity of his shield generators.
His wrist flanges glowing red from the power overload, Toy shoved his hands into the shield and began to pry it apart.
"Get him while he's not expecting it! Go!" Toy shouted.
Never one to let an opportunity to smash something escape him, Ghoul dived through the hole in the shield and rolled between Nemesis' feet. He located a previously weakened patch of armor and shoved his fist into it, pulling it back out clutching a tangle of pipes and wires. Nemesis' leg sagged as its hydraulic pressure was released.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
Iron Fist's soldiers were gathering into the emergency helicopters. They had NEVER seen their leader so angry. When he blew, they would have to down there to get him, no matter what. Even if they lived in fear of him, Iron Fist was fair. He gave them all food and clothing. He sheltered them when they would usually be in the Zig. When one was caught, Fist would simply break them out again. But under any circumstance did they want to be near when he blew. They had finally all piled in.
Psy had regained conciencousness and was thinking, Iron Fist's explosion might be bad... but what about the fuel tanks? Once they all go off... He didn't even want to think about that. He knew there would be some traitors in their troops. That was the only way that Nemesis could have gotten the fuel to go off. Psy would have to do a mind scan... but not now. They had to get away. Finally, all the troops gathered into the helicopters. They took off, getting as far away as their Rikti-enhanced jet engines allowed. Some of the troops were shouting. Psy used an advanced form of Mind Control to see through the eyes of one of the soldiers. What he saw was not good. The entire compound was glowing. The waves that constantly beat against the base were moving around it. It was as iff some humoungous invisible force was holding it back. Finally, a gigantic Sun-bright light burst from the top, going into the atmosphere. The beam quickly enveloped the whole base, and kept expanding. It was getting closer to them.
"Go faster!" shouted Psy panickedly. The pilot nodded and forced the engines to go faster. Now the beam was pulling in one of the other helicopters, making it disintergrate even befor it got to the beam. And as suddenly as it came, it vanished. Just like that. The beam had sort of 'imploded.'
"Take us back." commanded Psy. The pilot nervously complied. The base was not there. Something much stranger was. "Atlantis." breathed Psy.
============
"Aughh... where am I?" Iron Fist had woken up and was staring at the marvelous structure with awe. He was strangely undamaged, all of his skin and bone, even his clothes. He looked up again. He was standing by a massive statue. "Ares." Fist turned his head. Every single Greek god was standing majestically before him. Fist walked out of the circle. There was another circle a few yards away. In this one, there were Aztec deities. There was yet another circle another few yards away. This one had Chineses gods and goddesses. And it went on and on. There was a circle for every myth Iron Fist could think of, and a few he couldn't.
But that was not the strangest of it. These circles were also part of a bigger circle which Fist's troops were staring amazed at right now. One of the troops spotted Fisyt and the pilots of the helicopters landed in front of Fist. Psy came running out. "Are you OK sir?" he panted. He looked around at the statues. "What is this?" he said, even though he already knew. "This is Atlantis." replied Fist. Wait. How had he known that? Fist thought. He felt different. Even stronger than before. All the raging energy inside him had finally made peace. Whatever it was that laid him in the circle of Greek gods, must have healed him too; in more ways that one.
"Where is Silver Skull?" asked Fist, "I would like to see what he has to say sbout all this. He is an expert in obscure mythology. " Psy was dumbfound. "I-I'm not sure. I-I have not seen him all day." Fist was not pleased. He suddenly knew who the traitor was. "So did Psy. "Set up the base!" said Fist savagely, "I don't know how this got here but we will soon find out. Bring out the Magi and have them study this place from top to bottom. Also, try to telepathically link yourself with anything on this island that has a mind, and is not a member of my army. We will scour this place until we find out everything it has to offer." Psy saluted and walked off to gather the troops. Why did this suddenly appear here? thought Fist, And why was I before the god Ares? I know that his power runs in my veins but how did I get to go before him? With these thoughts going in his head, Fist set out to explore the marvelous island.
What strange bedfellows.... to be fighting again alongside those I'd normally be hauling off to jail.
These thought's crossed the mind of Mutai Kid as he continued the assault on Nemesis with the aid of not only heroes, but now Ghoul, Toy, and his entourage. The aid was well timed, as Valiant had just been thrown back from Nemesis after miscalculating the approaching repulsion barrier. The Prussian Prince was weakening rapidly, steam escaping from damage all over his massive framework. With the onslaught by the adversaries, Nemesis' power level was draining at an alarming rate. Nemesis himself seemed to be realizing this might be his last battle. In desperation he began moving toward the portal from which Nemesis Rex had arrived. If only he could get through it and somehow escape, he could then regroup and in time truly create New Prussia.
Psiearth and Hellcat had seen the approach of Toy, Ghoul, closely followed by Knight, Physic, and Hidden. When they determined the new group was there to help take down Nemesis they cast auras around them to aid in the battle. Physic joined the other two healing types and boosted their stamina as they were beginning to look weary from the constant battle.
Psiearth was the first to spot Nemesis' attempt to get near the portal. "Star Granite, attack the portal, we must keep Nemesis from using it to escape!" As he said this, Psiearth cast a quicksand trap between Nemesis and the portal.
Star Granite reached the portal and began swinging his club with terrifying force against the bulwark. Each swing caused large pieces to fly from the piece of technology.
"It is that balance, the ground between EB and AV, where the PvP struggle should exist. Where a 1v1 becomes a struggle of equals, and 1vMany gives the benefit to the 1."
Freedom: Fireocity, Electro Imp, Gotya
Infinity: Meteor Storm, Mutai Kid, General Bot, Da Smasher
Physic was there from the beginning, standing stock still as the early events unfolded around her. She was in slight shock not by being Nemesis face-to-face, nor by the miraculous appearance of some new heroes ( heroes at last. she had managed to think through the furious whirlwind of other thoughts), but by the appearance of Nemesis Rex.
Her predictions and theories had proven themselves true. For only the fourth time in her life, she had been absolutely right in her work. Not a single flaw in her theory or equations. She sensed the slight rift in the gravity, the tugging of the injured space/time structure, the delicate morphing of all the physical laws that she had strove to shatter through all her years of research. It was wonderful.
She gazed at the proof before her eyes, and then watched in horror as Iron Fist and a man she had never seen set about destroying the thing.
It was with a slight shake of her head that she returned to reality. Now was a time for fighting not thinking.
She took on the Nemesis.
His force field was tough, the heroes tired, and the action dizzying. Unfortunately Nemesis's protective contraption had one fatal flaw that was often overlooked: he was still susceptible to gravity.
Discreetly, she increased the gravity around his body. It crushed with a steady, almost unnoticeable force. His movement was slowed like moving in water, or space. He apparently didn't notice it, for the other heroes were doing a fantastic job he was busy with other problems than the constant, but not too powerful, force.
Toy and Ghoul had arrived too. She fell back to healing and boosting sometimes re-adjusting her hold on the gravity inside Nemesis's bubble. A bubble that was growing weaker.
Hidden joined her at her left side, boring radiation into Nemesis's body every time the bubble flickered. Knight stood by and felt useless, deciding that the best thing to do was beat all remaining enemies into pulps. So she did. She kept the allied force from being plinked to death by the handful of remaining soldiers.
She blinked as the room suddenly seemed empty she realised that all the soldiers she wasn't allowed to touch had gone. This was a good thing in her eyes it was easier for her mind to process who was enemy and who was friend. She cried gleefully.
"Fun fun! No?"
Brutish Ghoul was a source of both hatred and admiration for the tanker lass. She of course hated him because he was taunting, strong, determined, and such a worthy opponent that she couldn't help but hate him a tad. She admired him for much the same reason. The bet had been a failure: no many obstacles in the way. That was all well, the battle was almost over, and the girl could use some eats to fill that bottomless stomach of hers.
Physic slowly increased the gravity to which Nemesis was subject. His progress toward the portal was progressively slowed imperceptibly so that like a frog in boiling water, Nemesis was expending more energy and yet moving slower and slower. Finally, he had expended so much energy that his repulsion shield would not operate and he was unable to stop the persistent attacks.
Star Granite had been joined by Mutai Kid, and the duo had damaged the portal beyond repair, and as the last large piece fell it sounded with a mighty ring like a great bell. Nemesis knew his escape had been thwarted, there would be no New Prussia, no great empire of Brass which he could rule over. The hundreds of years of violence which were his legacy would be merely a chapter in the history of Paragon City.
"You may defeat me, but your seconds are numbered heroes! My great generators shall now explode, taking the city and YOU with them!" Nemesis fell to his knees and flipped open an access panel on his wrist bracer, punching two buttons before any of his attackers could stop him. "In ten seconds your city will be no more! Nemesis commands it!" A countdown clock next to the buttons began the slow tick to doom. 10..... 9....
Valiant and Billyboy each grabbed one of the crouching villians' arms and pulled. The arms pulled out of their sockets causing showers of steam and electrical pops. ....8.....7.....
Toy and Ghoul severed Nemesis' legs leaving just the head and torso, spewing more steam and sparks. ......6......5......4.....
Star Granite raised his mighty club and severed the torso from the chest, yet Nemesis lived on, the battered head showing a smirk of satisfaction knowing that his attackers would be dead in mere seconds.... 3....... 2...... 1.............
Silence.......
No explosions were heard, no muffled sounds, no tremors or quakes of the ground.
"Noooooooooo!" The final word from Nemesis' mechanical mouth.
Knight came over and smashed the remnants of Nemesis' head and chest into a mass of tangled machinery. "Brass man talk too much!" As her last attack fell, a final gasp of steam escaped the heap and rose into the air and dispersed.
An erie chill fell upon each person standing there... had they really done it?
Was Nemesis' reign of terror finally at an end?
They were certain this day was over, but was Nemesis gone.... forever?
Psiearth was the first to speak, "What we have done today, Brass Monday will no longer be remembered as a dark day for heroes, but a ray of hope that evil like Nemesis cannot prevail."
"Are you sure? Is he REALLY gone?" This from Mutai Kid.
"Yes, Nemesis is no more, I do not perceive his spirit any longer." A great sigh of relief echoed in the chamber. "Thankyou for the help Star Granite... you can return to your rest." With those words a spacial distortion surrounded the giant rock creature and he faded from their sight.
"I vote for getting out of this place!" Billyboy said with a grin on his face.
"I second that motion!" Valiant said with laugh.
"Out it is!" said Psiearth, "Physic and Hellcat, lend me a bit of mental energy and I'll transport us all to the surface." With their aid, Psiearth generated a large aura around the whole group, and in an instant they were transported to the surface, finding themselves standing in the center of Blyde square where the days events had begun.
================================
"Damn!! Where'd they go!!" Panda Doll turned off her cloak, she was the sole living person in the cavernous room. "Stuck in the sewers again!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she yelled and screamed at the top of her voice, but no one could hear her.
It took her days to find her way out of the sewer. And when she went to Perez Park to find Mutai Kid, all she found was a vacant penthouse. Her master was so displeased that he sent assassins to kill her, but she escaped to the Mercy Isles where she now works for Lord Recluse.
((So ends the part of Panda Doll in Brass Monday))
=================================
"It is that balance, the ground between EB and AV, where the PvP struggle should exist. Where a 1v1 becomes a struggle of equals, and 1vMany gives the benefit to the 1."
Freedom: Fireocity, Electro Imp, Gotya
Infinity: Meteor Storm, Mutai Kid, General Bot, Da Smasher
Iron Fist was amazed at the enormeous city. It was gigantic. The strange part was, there were circles everywhere. Where ever Fist went, circles was what he found. But this was only the outside. As he ventured in, he noticed strange markings on the wall. He also saw large murals, unscratched as if they had been made recently. Everything he saw was incredible, almost on the point of disbileiving.
Then he got to the center. In it was a huge pyramid and on the top was a giant staue of... "The Kracken." Iron Fist spun around to confront the mysterious voice. There was a man standing there, he was wearing white robes and his facial features were nuetral. In his hand was a large book. "Hello 'Iron Fist' and welcome to Atlantis."
((OOC- Cliffhanger! Don't worry this ties in with the story. And by the way, when is Brass Monday over? I just want to know so I can wrap this up. Thanks.))
YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH! Billyboy yelled, playing the air guitar. We kicked that Prussian posers sorry [censored]! USA! USA! He gave Mutai Kid a high five, then looked at his watch, which didnt tell him much, seeing as how it was smash and half melted. He looked down at the rest of himself, seeing his costume was entirely in tatters. I should get to Icon and have this fixed
. But thatll have to wait, I guess, since everyone ran away when the Nemesis Army attacked. Ah well, I guess I should get going, Im freaking tired. Nice work, everybody, Id stay longer to party with you, but my parents are gonna be worried sick, so I gotta change to street clothes and run off!
Billyboy waved a goodbye and shot off into the air toward the alley he had left his backpack, eager to get back to his home town, Arcadia. The dumpster he had hid it under was turned over and burnt, but his backpack was mercifully unharmed inside the concealing cardboard box. He changed with a happy sigh, ponytailing his hair back in the process, and walked to the green line, which he suddenly remembered was entirely shut down for the moment being, so it wouldnt be of much use. He groaned and kicked a nearby lightpost, which hurt his toe.
-----------------------------
I WANT HIM NOW! Vim screamed as she saw the hero talking to himself stupidly, wondering aloud how he could get back home.
Physic lent much of her remaining energy into getting the hell out of that place of death. She was glad to breathe relativly unpolluted air, and her lungs swelled happily.
Hidden peered around himself, noticing the absense of his master for the first time. Was that.. emotion glittering behing his glasses? He was noticably downtrodden, tired, and obviously insulted as being left behind by Iron Fist.
Physic took that moment to inform him of Fist's true allegience.
Hidded Incognito straightened his back, glared at the ground for a moment, and then muttered a defiant "I knew it the whole time. I was just playing along."
Knight panted on the ground as her friends exchanged words. She was sprawled upon some rubble, exhausted. Her mace clattered to the cement as she passed out cold.
----
A blurry face swam into view, and reluctantly focused. A man with spiky black hair and pink glasses was staring at her. She moaned.
Upon my awakening, will I find the gods have favoured me? Or have the allowed this hellish torture to continue?
She blinked again, and groaned as she saw not the familiar stone masonry and open plains of her homeland, but the soaring cement structures of her personal hell.
"Why have you forsaken me, my God!" she screamed, utterly distraught.
----
Hidden called Physic over to his side. "It's Damsel." he said crypticly. Physic padded over to Knight - or Damsel, as her new mind was - and poured a small vial of health-boosting liquid down her throat.
"She'll be fine. We're just lucky she didn't switch over halfway through the battle." Physic turned to Hidden.
The two stared at the heroes around them. While some of their allies departed, others remained.
"What now?" Hidden couldn't help but ask of them.
Physic, observing the blank stares of the heros surrounding them, added:
"The gates might still be blocked. There are wandering enemies. The hospital hasn't been repaired yet. What sort of actions are we expected to take?"
((I'm guessing we're nearing the end of this storyline? To those that are leaving, it was an honour to roleplay with you. Maybe I'll see you around the boards. To the others, it's up to you is we want to keep this going, or kill it off within the next few posts.))
If Toy Dispenser could smirk then he would be doing so right now. Just before one of the heroes had teleported the whole group away, Toy had managed to toss a transporter bug on Nemesis' carcass. He flipped open a control panel on his wrist and pressed a button, feeling a nice glow of satisfaction as numerous wrecked machines and the remains of Nemesis teleported to his base. Judging from the looks on the faces of the heroes around him they hadn't noticed the adrupt teleportation, which was for the best as Toy did not think he and Ghoul could silence them all. Gathering his minions to him, Toy prepared to make his evil monolouge and glanced around for Ghoul.
Then he sighed.
Trust that imbecil to make things more complicated then they need to be.
Ghoul walked over to where Knight was lying on the rubble next to Physic and Hidden and stopped a few feet away. He scratched his bald head and looked away before focusing on Knight again.
"Hey, uh, no hard feelings about before, ok? Toy always tells me to, you know, restrain myself, but I don't do that good when I'm fighting." He said nercously, "Sooo, before we go and Toy does that speech thing he likes to do I just want to say-"
Ghoul stuck out his hand.
"It was really nice to meet you." He said with a smile.
From next to Toy, Mini Bot snickered. Combat Toy bonked him on the head.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
"Who are you?" asked Iron Fist savagely to the white robed man. "Why am I here? I don't know why but I can tell it was you who brought me to Atlantis." The robed man just smiled. "My name is incomprehensible in your langauge. You may call me 'Hermes' if you wish." "Hermes?" asked Fist, "the Greek god of travel?" "Yes, people called me 'god.' I am no god though. I am merely a being of incredible power, such as yourself. We gained our powers through numerous 'Fountains' such as the Fountain of Youth, or the Fountain of Zeus." "And why am I here?" Iron Fist did not know why, but he completely trusted this strange man. Hermes smiled again. "You died, that is why you are here Ares."
=========
Psy was confused. He knew his leader was somewhere on this island, but he could not find his mind. It was as if Atlantis had a mind of its own. Every time he tried to locate Iron Fist, all he got was mind numbing pain. There was so much psychic energy on this island, his powers were short circuiting. There was something else though... something more powerful than he has ever experianced. His master has played host to many powerful beings, yet nothing like this. But he said nothing. He didn't want to upset the troops. They did as Fist commanded, setting up the equipment and exploring the island. Psy sighed and tried to find Fist again...
=========
Hermes' smile suddenly vanished. His eyes glazed over and he looked as if he was in considerable concentration. He then sighed and smiled again. "Your friend has incredible abaility to control his powers." he said, "that time he almost manged to find you." Iron Fist's one eye perked up. "He is looking for me? Why?" Hermes smiled his strange smile. "You might not realize it, but your troops depend on you. You might think they live in fear of you. Some of them do. But most have more respect than fear. Especially Psy. You took him in when he needed it the most. He is now trying to repay the favor. You might not even know it, but you have a small sense of responcibillity for those under your command."
Iron Fist merely scoffed. "I do not need them. I need only myself." But his eye told the truth. It was full of fury, sadness, anger, and even love. The only person who knew where the love came from was dead. The only one who ever truly understood Fist was gone. That is where the anger and hatred came from. That is why he had his goal. His goal was peace, yes, but his own personal goal was to find a way to revive the only person he truly loved.
"The only reason I have them with me is to further the cause. There is no other reason." But in truth, the real reason, the reason that Iron Fist himself did not know, is that he was lonely. He had none that could give him comfort, so he searched for people to take his anger out on. Hermes seemed to know this. He smiled his mysterious smile and simply nodded. He did not believe a word Fist had said.
"But how did I die?" Iron Fist was trying to get off the subject. "Isn't it obvious? Your body could not handle that ammount of energy. It disentergrated. I have more power than anyone alive on this earth currently. I knew what your destiny was, so I brought you back to life. This-" he gestured at the city, "will be your new headquaters. I have been waiting for you to come for over onethousand years. I will die in exactly one year and one day. My power will be bestowed upon Psy. Until the day I die, I will show and teah you how to control the powers of Atlantis." Iron Fist smiled. "When do we start?"
============
Psy was in a complete state of exuastion. He had tried to contact his master dozens of times, each time being blocked by... something. Suddenly, the mental block that was covering Iron Fist dissapeared. Psy could feel it. He frantically searched the island with his mind. He found their long lost leader almost immediately. But something was... different. He felt stronger, if that was possible. He called out with his mind, asking if Fist needed teleportation. Fist replied with his own mind, only saying that Psy needed to come to him quickly and alone. Leave the soldiers there. Then the invisible curtain covered Psy's mind again. Psy immediately teleported to Fist, letting the troops have a break. When he got there, Fist was looking more pleased than he had looked since... well, forever. Iron Fist looked at Psy and said, "Hello Psy. This is Hermes. He has much to tell you..."
And so, that is how Iron Fist gained the power of the lost, moving city of Atlantis.
((OOC- Hey, thats all that I have to say. My part of Brass Monday is over. I am probably going to incorerate the whole 'Atlantis' thing in another RP. It's been great RPing with ya'll. Thanks! 
))
Underneath the sky that was black with smoke, a small group of heroes took a moment to breathe. There was much work to be done, many lives to be saved, and of course the most tiring task of all: To keep the crime out of Steel Canyon while the repairs are being made. Steel Canyon would not go the way of Boomtown or the Hollows, if Physic had anything to do with it.
The two had left Damsel to collect her thoughts before they took her back to the base. Neither had the heart to knock her out again, even in the hopes that it would be Knight who awoke. Damsel wasn't really that bad - she could even occasionally remember things that had happened while her body was taken by the mind of Knight.
She was having one of those queer memory-surges right now.
As Brutish Ghoul approached, Damsel's eyes grew wider and wider in fear. She pressed herself against the pile of rubble and dirt, in a feeble and instinct-driven attempt to distance herself from the beastly creature.
And then it was speaking, and she knew that she had a reason to both hate and like Ghoul, although she couldn't remember exactly why. The part of her mind that raged and fought was slightly soothed by his words, but Damsel herself found no comfort. She took his preoffered hand none-the-less, both shaking it breifly, and using it to haul herself to her feet.
Physic saw her rise out of the corner of her eye, and immediatly stepped to her side.
"I'm sorry, uh.. Ghoul. Knight isn't herself at the moment. Personality disorder, you know." her eyes flickered down to where Damsel grasped Ghoul's hand.
"Yet perhaps she recongises you?" An inquirey glance to Damsel's face brought no answer. The medieval girl couldn't even tell herself. Still, that feeling of familiarity scratched at the back of her mind. So she spoke to him:
"I think, sir, that even though I don't know your name, You are forgiven for whatever hardships you caused me."
There was a strange sort of bond foraged, but Damsel shyly took back her hand, and diverted her eyes from the villian. Hidden had approached the trio, a clook of puzzled concern on his features.
"We best be going, Fiz. A longbow just dropped by and said there was a disturbance caused by some Clockwork to the east. Mangey scroungers."
((Hey, Khellendrosiic, I just noticed we're on the same server. :P Maybe we'll cross paths in the PvP soemtime.
Physic Defiance's me name. Crushing the bad guys is me game. XD))
OOC: Maybe yes, maybe no. Toy Dispenser tries to stay away from the whole PvP thing. What with all the heroes targeting him and not his minions while flying in the air so that said minions can't hit them. Although if you want, I could arrange a fight. 
BIC: Ghoul was about to draw breath to speak again when Toy's hand clapped down on his shoulder. Ghoul's breath whooshed out and he sagged a bit before turning toward his boss. Toy's electrical discharges had picked up, crackling red lightning over his body more often than usual which meant that his power plant was working over-time which meant that he wasn't happy.
"Quit the lolligagging, Ghoul. We have to go, now." said Toy and to illustrate his point he pointed to a Longbow agent that Combat Toy had stunned and several figures approaching from the distance.
Ghoul's brow furrowed with the effort of hard thinking and then his eyes widened.
"I bet that's that positive cape."
Toy nodded, "Positron, yes. It is most likely him and other heroes that were trapped outside when Nemesis blocked the highways. His arrival must coincide with our departure so go stand next to Block, I'll be with you in a moment."
Ghoul nodded and, casting one last glance at the now Damsel, headed over to Toy's minions. The mastermind then turned toward Physic and made a short bow. He flicked his wrist and a business card appeared in it which he handed to Physic.
"It has been an honor and a pleasure serving with you and your group. If you ever have need of our services you may contact myself or another of my compatriots using the information on that card." he said as he began backing toward Ghoul.
"Farewell, fair heroes. I fear the next time we meet may not be as profitable for me as this turned out to be. I wish you luck when Recluse makes his bid."
A press of a button and Toy, Ghoul, and the six robots were gone in a flash of light.
The card read:
The Legion of Mismatched or Otherwise Unorthodox but Still Very Evil Villains official calling card.
If you wish to ask for our services, burn this card and wait ten to twenty minutes for a reply.
If you wish to curse the name of one or more of our constituants, drop this card in a carbonated beverage.
LMOUSVEV, long name, quality villainy.
OOC: And that is that for me as well, unless someone says something that pertains specifically to me. Otherwise, see you in the Zig, whether you're in it or guarding it.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
((OOC: I think it's time to wind up the thread of Brass Monday, It's been a pleasure to RP with you all and if you see toons with the names I've used here, say hello and I'll try to do the same.))
Positron and Valkyrie had finally been able to clear the entrance back into Steel Canyon once the statues in Boomtown had either been destroyed or gone inactive with the removal of the great generators. Manticore too had finally managed to decloak the portal which had been transporting forces to Perigrine Island and was just now entering the ruins of Steel Canyon. The remaining Nemesis' forces had either been defeated or were retreating into Siren's Call, the entrance to which was now the last scene of combat in Steel Canyon.
Psiearth and the remaining heroes who had fought Nemesis in the sewers were just finishing that battle when Positron, Valkyrie, closely followed by Manticore and a host of other heroes arrived on the scene. "Glad to see you finally broke through! We've got good news though, Nemesis is gone, for good this time!"
"Nemesis is gone? I don't believe it!" Manticore said.
"Yep, and Nemesis Rex too! You all missed the big bout, Lord Dire and Iron Fist took out Rex while we handled our Nemesis. Then they disappeared, leaving us to take out all the trash!" This came from Valiant.
"Well at least their gone, though I suppose we do owe them some thanks for the help they gave, but I think that help was because it fit into their own diabolical plans. I think on another day we might not have been so lucky." Mutai Kid said.
All the heroes agreed, a bullet had been dodged today, and though Nemesis had been defeated, the subtlety of the infiltration was a worry, and something would have to be done to stop this kind of infiltration through the sewers.
"I'll suggest to Statesman that we set up an on-going taskforce to monitor underground activities throughout Paragon, with heroes patrolling the sewers and caves we may be able to stop future attacks like this one and the one that brought down the Hollows." Positron was already planning specifics for the taskforce as he said this.
Manticore looked around them, "Well it looks like we've got alot of cleanup to start here. The trains should be running soon, and once we completely clear the Atlas and IP gateways there should be enough help to get Steel Canyon functioning again."
So the heroes began to disperse across the broken city, lending aid to the hurt, transporting some to the makeshift hospital; clearing and moving debris so that workmen and construction equipment could get to the most damaged neighborhoods.
.................................................. .....................
((OOC: Add anything to the following as you see fit to wind up your characters participation))
Prologue [One year later, Blyde Square]
.... "So in conclusion, as Mayor of Steel Canyon I would like to thank all those who helped to stop Nemesis from making Brass Monday a repeat performance. I would also like to thank you, the people of this great city for returning Steel Canyon to a vibrant and active community of people who care."
A great round of applause errupted from the crowd seated and standing in the rebuilt Blyde Square. The great statue had been rebuilt, saluting the city, and all the other statues too had been replaced, but now they all included special material in the concrete which would keep them from being turned into roving giants. Buildings which had been toppled or damaged were now rebuilt, and stood gleaming in the morning sun. All around the city there were no real signs of the epic battle a year ago. But residing on the platform which held the great statue was a new plaque that read as follows:
"This plaque commemorates those whom we choose to call 'Heroes' who regardless of their lives or own ambitions, fought and defeated Nemesis and his troops. Brass Monday will now and forever more be celebrated for the bravery and resilience of these individuals who put their lives forward to protect the citizens of Steel Canyon"
Standing in the crowd, but remaining anonymous was Mutai Kid. This was his first visit to the new Blyde Square, and he was amazed at how the city had rebounded. He knew Psiearth would appreciate the hard work of the citizens, and wished his friend could be there to see, but Psiearth was far away, helping other heroes fight the villiany that still persisted.
Mutai Kid had left Steel Canyon once his assistance was no longer needed. He moved from Perez Park to Peregrine Island, finding the tranquility of the sea more appealing to his concentration. He'd heard that Panda Doll was no longer hunting him, and had in fact a price on her own head. The few assassins who had attempted to come after him since Brass Monday were easily dealt with, and he avenged the death of his master when their master had personally come after him. So now Mutai Kid could stand in a large crowd like this without fear for his life, and he was happy. He hadn't heard from Billyboy or the other heroes since shortly after Brass Monday so he hoped he might bump into them today, but he hadn't seen any of them.....
"It is that balance, the ground between EB and AV, where the PvP struggle should exist. Where a 1v1 becomes a struggle of equals, and 1vMany gives the benefit to the 1."
Freedom: Fireocity, Electro Imp, Gotya
Infinity: Meteor Storm, Mutai Kid, General Bot, Da Smasher
"I, too, feel it was an honour."
Physic glanced at the card Toy Dispenser offered, and for once, didn't shudder. She could see another side of villiany, one that most heroes didn't have a chance to meet. There was a strange sort of honour there, one that the street thugs didn't radiate. The card got tucked away into her belt, for future inspection.
It didn't feel like paper. That called for some investigation.
Damsel had backed away again when Toy Dispenser had appreached, the figure lacking any sort of flesh and blood. This time she didn't act on familiarity, as the figure did not tug any sort of emotion. She stepped away into the shadow of one of theose towering buildings, crumpled into a defeated heap, and started to cry silently to herself.
Hidden didn't try to comfort her - she cried a lot when she was Damsel. He only saluted his fellowes, nodded at Toy, and scooped the lady Damsel up into his arms.
"Fiz." he said quietly, and Physic put her mullings on pause. KNowing exactly where they were going, she teleported away in a flash of blue light, and a moment later the figures of Hidden and Damsel had dissapeared too.
------
Knight resurfaced roughly four days later, festering a deep hatred of any statue, and a little angry that she never had a chance to duel it out with Ghoul. Hidden Incognito was still both dissapointed that his master left him behind, and angry that his master just-so-happened to be a Villian. Physic Defiance had made no leeway on the mysterious substance of the calling card.
One year later, Physic stood watching the ceremonies of Brass Monday. She hadn't met up with any of the heroes - or villians- that had helped, and she expected that she'd never get to see them again. She was curious, though, and wanted to see how the other heroes managed to arrive right on time. This was the only way of maybe finding them.
But the crowd was large and varied. There were certainly many heroes in disguise - even some that weren't - but none she recongised form that fateful day. She sighed to herself, and then lept into the air, using her newest technology to soar over top of the buildings, back to their base, where Hidden was loyally tending to the demanding Damsel.
((Have a very nice life, everyone. I mean that scincerly. ))
OOC: One year later, eh? Last post then.
BIC: Toy Dispenser, Brutish Ghoul, and several other members of LMOUSVEV were sitting in the main living room, watching the televised broadcast from Paragon City. Ghoul was once again regailing the Malevolith and the Refurbished One about how many Nemesis he had taken down, a number that had grown expenentially over time. Toy, Outlaw Jack, and Cpt. Commie reclined on the big sofa, occasionally making comments regarding the foolishness of heroes in general and Paragon City in particular. As Jack and Commie laughed at one of their jokes Toy moved a bit closer to the TV and grabbed a keyboard of one of the computers he had strewn about the base.
A few minutes of typing and Toy was controlling the camera whose feed was on channel. Since the camera was a hover drone, one of the expensive types, there was no human operator to force it back into place and Toy had locked the station's controls. As he heard the reporter's cry of annoyance he panned the camera over the crowd, picking out here and there a few of the heroes that he assisted on Nemesis' last Monday. He also caught Physic's departure and smirked inwardly. Relinquishing control before the authorities could even be alerted, Toy stood up and walked back to his workroom. He had seen what he needed to.
Soon, soon this will all come to an end.
OOC: I like those kinds of ending lines. And ditto as to what Bagle said, a pleasure working with all o' ya.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
Prologue:
Brass Monday was forever changed into a day of celebration rather than a memorial. While the first Brass Monday had shown the dire need of the city for heroes, this new Brass Monday now showcased how heroes could come from many different backgrounds and defeat a common enemy. Though great damage was done to Steel Canyon, the resilience of the people to meet the challenge was another reason to celebrate Brass Monday.
Heroes and villians alike who participated in that day would always remember it, and though they might meet on opposite sides of a conflict, the bond of shared struggle would never be forgotten.
((This ends my posts to Brass Monday))
"It is that balance, the ground between EB and AV, where the PvP struggle should exist. Where a 1v1 becomes a struggle of equals, and 1vMany gives the benefit to the 1."
Freedom: Fireocity, Electro Imp, Gotya
Infinity: Meteor Storm, Mutai Kid, General Bot, Da Smasher
"You're mine, Nemmy!" Billyboy yelled as he rushed forward, his hands swirling and his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Nemesis swung his staff forward, sending a bolt of force at Billyboy and hitting him dead on. The hero staggered, but refused to relent as he ran on. He was nearly there when the staff swiped his feet out from under him, then proceeded to smack him into the ground.
"You've drawn my wrath for too long, foolish boy." Nemesis proclaimed as he stomped forward to finish the hero off. "Your death shall usher in a new age, an age under the rule of Nemesis!"
Billyboy leapt to his feet and laughed. "Death? What the hell, man! I'm just the distraction!"
Nemesis turned just in time to see Mutai Kid come in for a kick at his head, and receive it directly in the face. A loud clunk resounded through the caverns and Nemesis roared with anger. He grabbed the hero's leg before he had time to land and threw him toward a wall, which Mutai Kid used to kick off again as he made another kick at the Prussian. Hellcat shot a burst of radiation at Mutai Kid, surrounding his body with a soft glow just as he came up to Nemesis, who had his staff ready to uppercut him before he got close.
An energy covered fist slammed into the villain's back, causing him to stumble forward and directly into Mutai Kid's foot. The hero gave Billyboy a thumbs up as he kicked Nemesis with super human speed, the extreme boost from Hellcat allowing his feet to work faster than the eye could see. Billyboy rushed in and smacked Nemesis in the chest over and over again as just above him Mutai Kid continued his assault, the force from his kicks allowing him to stay airborne as he drove the villain back. Valiant took his chance and ran in also, driving his fist into Nemesis's upper back and creating a large dent.
The Prussian Prince had had enough. He'd lived for this day for over two hundred years, and these heroes would not stop him now! With a mighty bellow, Nemesis threw his arms to his side and activated his force field, which proceeded to expand around his body, sending the trio of attackers soaring every which way. "ENOUGH!" the villain screamed. "New Prussia is mine, I am the king of America, and you will allow obey my will or die!"
"How bout we don't do either, you cracked old megalomaniac!" Billyboy shouted as he sent a bolt of energy from his eyes and straight toward the Prussian, cutting through the force field. Nemesis reacted quickly and slapped it away with his staff angrily. "There's plenty more where that comes from, ya old coot!" the hero laughed. "Don't think deflecting one shot is gonna do much good! I'm the bane of your robot army, and I'm the death of you!"
Billyboy shot forward and slammed his fist into the force field, causing it to shatter for a moment. A moment was all he need to get through. Energy shot from his eyes and was once again deflected, but he been expecting and anticipating the move and quickly shot under the swinging staff to barrel straight into Nemesis's gut, his fists leading. There was a bright flash that illuminated the entire inside of the force field, even expanding it abit, as it seemed to have force behind it. The light dissapated quickly and once the rest of the heroes couldn't help but be impressed at the goings on inside the containment field.
Nemesis swung for Billyboy, who ducked and lashed out with his fist only to be forced back by the butt end of the Prussian's staff. The villain chopped at the hero, a downward swipe that could crush a car, but Billyboy was too fast and jumped back just in time. At the exact same moment, Billyboy's eye fired and the staff shot a force bolt, each hitting the intended target. Billyboy stumbled backward, as did Nemesis, and then they rushed forward again, Nemesis attempting to take the boy's feet from under him with a wide arc. Billyboy jumped it and smacked his fist into the Prussian's face, sending as much energy as he could in the moment he had his fist connected and screaming from the effort. He spent too long up there, however, and Nemesis slapped him away with a powerful backhand, causing him to spiral onto the ground.
Billyboy licked his lips as he stood and looked at his opponent with a newfound respect. He didn't expect an evil genius to be this good of a fighter, but that wouldn't stop him from taking him in.
"Nemmy, you owe me a new costume once this is done!" Billyboy yelled as rushed.