"[censored]!" Pariku cursed. He didn't know much about the gases of this world, but this one raised a red flag, mentally.
Nena was one thing - she was a Paladin, and as such was immune to poisons. But she was injured and loopy. And Pariku had no protection against poisonous gas.
"Hurry out!!" he called. "Someone get Nena! We need to get out, NOW!"
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"FOR GREAT JUSTICE!" Wielder shouted as he slung the Painpipe at his side and grabbed Nena.
Looking around, Wielder saw Reggie dive into the portal, a sight that seemed to make up his mind.
"INTO THE JAWS OF EVIL!" Wielder shouted as he ran for the portal. "FOR THE HAMMER OF GOOD CANNOT BE STOPPED BY THE FLIMSY ENAMEL ON THE TOOTH OF-!"
And then he was through.
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.
Jon had no protection against the gas, and was already hacking and coughing, trying to make his way out of the tunnel. Xander, in his Nova form, didn't need to breathe, but recognized that his father would not survive unless he got out immediately.
The boy flew at his father, shifting into his Black Dwarf form as he did.
"Hang on, dad," he said, lifting up the detective and leaping them both through the portal.
El Guapo Grande got about ten feet before he realized everyone else was diving into the portal.
Shrugging, he followed.
((Alright, I guess I've decided not to let this die after all, partly because quite a few people have characters in here whose conflicts need exploring. 
But please, no more powerposting - it creates a very large gap when most of the characters are 'normal' and then one throws the invincible people in there.))
The Rikti may have been in a rush, but they weren't stupid - the first hero to try and jump through the portal was viciously repelled by the matrix even as the Rikti next to him dove through without pause.
DNA key! shot through Hotaka's head even as he gagged on the foul-tasting Halon. For various reasons, it wasn't venomous to him, but manifested itself in a very different form - a gagging odor that, in his opinion, could raise the dead in less than a second and have them tapdancing the next!
"Yeeeech." Ryuu's face twisted as he tried to get out of the quicky growing noxious cloud, "Forget this, we're outta here! It's not worth it!"
Walking in a more or less straight line - alright, so he staggered like a drunken man - towards a door on the floor level, he tossed a vile-tasting concoction at all the heroes around him, as well as Waziri and Katashi.
The Jounin were grateful, soaking cloths with the mixture and placing them in front of their mouths. Not only did this prevent a large amount of the Halon from getting through, but the stuff also went into the bloodstream, strengthening them immune system as it worked.
With a loud creak that could be heard across the entre room even with all the noise already inside, the rusty door opened wide, if under protest.
But as he stepped into the frame, Hotaka's nature once more got the better of him. He should've just left well enough alone and disappeared, but noooo...!
"Come on, all of you!" he yelled back, inhaling a large cloud and instantly starting to gag again. Alright, so that had been a bad idea...
---------------------
Above ground, the day in Paragon had been going as close to normal as a day here could go. Once more, a squad of Longbow Eagles were chasing down a frantically flying supervillain, the winged evildoer dropping piles of cash as they doggedly pursued.
On the streets, half the super-powered gangs were busy ODing on drugs while the other half were wasting their time in entirely different manners, generally giving the cops a large headache - just as on any other day.
Until the alarm at Terra Volta sounded.
Well, this of itself was nothing special. After all, the reactor was so overstressed just looking at it in the wrong way probably caused the core to take damage in some way or the other. An attack by Rikti was nothing new either, and the team of random heroes that had banded together to stop them was just as routine.
As happened on a good numer of occasions, the team couldn't hold together, and the Freedom Phalanx was called in to mop up the invaders and save the day from the attackers the up-and-coming heroes couldn't handle.
This was when the first oddity of the day reared its ugly head - none of the hero team had appeared in the hospital, even though the machinery showed their mediporters had been activated.
A failure of the mediport system wasn't above suspicion, and the hospital technical staff went to work without a second thought, making note to the Phalanx to recover the heroes that they still expected in the field.
But as Statesman and his team entered the cordoned-off power plant, the second oddity surfaced - every single one of the Rikti wore their powered armor, no matter what class of soldier.
The Phalanx was also confronted with a very familiar threat - a hovertank just like the ones the mystics Dawn Patrol had confronted in the invasion!
And by the time the third oddity was doscovered, it was too late. The last thing a plant security camera transmitted was a Rikti taking aim at Statesman with a sadistic-looking, three-pronged weapon.
The newest creation of the Malta Group.
An Orestes Rifle.
Fifteen minutes later, Terra Volta went up in flames. More than half of Paragon lost all power...
---------------------
"My Lord, Kuhr'Rekt to see you."
"Can enter."
The Rikti ambassador to Arachnos entered without a word.
"You wished to speak to me?" Lord Recluse questioned, not taking his eyes off his monitor for a moment - the same monitor that showed a sudden wave of chaos befall Paragon.
"Answer: affirmative. Deliver: news."
"Would these 'news' be that your people have finally grown desperate enough for a second strike?"
Kurh'Rekt said nothing.
"I am no fool!" Recluse spun about, his eyes blazing as he stepped towards the Rikti, "Arachnos keeps tabs on its allies...to determine if they are loyal, if they are useful. And it seems you vermin have failed at both. Paragon is mine and mine alone! This world it to be ruled by me, none other! You will not take this any further!"
"Agreed." the Rikti answered, giving Recluse pause, but only for a moment as the villain realized what he meant. The mastermind's clicking spider legs rushed at Kuhr'Rekt, but it was too late.
"Plans: already at completion." were the ambassador's last words. Even as the legs pierced his body, his mental signal went out.
To the charges...
---------------------
To a bystander, it had to appear as the end of the world. Without warning, the base of Recluse's tower burst into a raging inferno, flames and debris flying every which way as the massive structure began to list.
The Tangle's cables snapped and twirled all about, the massive tendons of the demented project skewering and slicing through whatever was in their way. Multi-ton supports became lethal projectiles, and one of the main cables sheared right through a Grandeville skyscraper as if it was tissue paper.
The city in the sky, the plate of Spider City, collapsed one section at a time, buring the old grandeville underneath itself in a cacophony of thunder and a sea of flames. From the ocean, the scene could have looked almost surreal, if it weren't for all those trapped and dying in the madness...
---------------------
And in high orbit, the true invasion force now drifted from their portals. The Rikti had learned. In pace, their ships were safe - and they didn't have nearly as many as last time. They had to be careful with their resources.
On the bridge of the command ship, order and a sense of calm belied the masive coordination effort.
[Have all Warmasters reported in yet?]
[Still pending. Our present forces are ninety percent accounted for, though the locations of some are still unknown, including Chertak.]
[Keep searching. But do not delay. The second objective must be secured as soon as possible.]
Though the mental conversations continued across the bridge, they werte of little importance now. The Warmaster's eyes hung on a high-zoom picture of a single location.
Objective 2.
Portal Corporation...
((And welcome to Act II. Want to know what Objective 3 is? Well, you'll have to figure that out for yourself! Take control of a Rikti platoon and raze the streets of Paragon - or coversely lead a team of freedom fighters to stand against the evil alien invaders. How will this end? No one knows. The position of GM has officially been reduced to administrative purposes, as this thread has turned from a story RP to an all-out war for the Earth...))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Nena, immune to the poison, caught the foul-smelling vial with a blink.
"Come on, everyone!" she chirped, scurrying after Hotaka with the sword neatly sheathed on her back. As she went, though, she nearly tripped over a figure half in and half out of the water...
...Pariku. The man was facedown, quite unconscious. Nena scowled.
"Come on, you big load." she said, swinging the man over her shoulder, and holding the cloth to his mouth as she bull-rushed through the door.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"I suppose. . ." Reginald said, as he floated in front of the portal, the gas creeping closer and chaos breaking loose, yet still calm as always, "this is my destiny. . . in a way. . ."
"Reggie. . . go through already," the Oracle sighed.
And Reginald flew through without further hesitation. . .
And bounced backwards as he was repelled by the matrices.
He floated there for a second. . .
"That was embarrassing," the Oracle said, laughing.
"Whatever," Reginald said as he caught one of Hotaka's vials, poured some of it onto his sleeve, and held it over his face as he flew after the others. . .
* * * * * *
"Lord Schizophrenias."
"What? What the heck is it now, Iisperiax? I'm trying to watch something! Down in front!"
"My Lord, the Rikti have mounted another invasion. This could mean the end of the world as we know it. . ."
"Cool."
". . .Is that all you have to say?"
"Sure is! Now get lost, the Cubs just scored despite being shot at by Rikti energy rifles! It was awesome!"
". . . But what if they fail?"
"S'true," Schizophrenias said, considering. "They MIGHT. Stupid heroes always mess everything up! Well, guess that's that. Iisperiax, prepare to contact the Rikti. Y'know, I always wanted to join up with them. They're cool."
((I do hope it is okay for me to play both sides. 
))
((It's not just okay, it's encouraged - so long as you can keep track, anyway. ))
Peregrine was in chaos. The Rikti portals brought troops down directly from their ships in orbit, and the meager forces that had time to assemble at Portal Court fought desperately against not only stacked numbers, but superior technology.
Heroes found themselves confronted with power sappers and strong mystics, and it seemed that super-powerted folk were now in the same boat as the military. The Rikti had learned. Worse, they had adapted. The only thing the defenders had going for them was that these new threats were not omni-present - only a few squads had been outfitted, as there simply weren't enough to go around.
Yet.
The destruction of Portal Corp, however, was an objective the Rikti Warmasters had ranked high, and the attacking force had been equipped with as many of the new tools as could be spared. They and the force that had taken Terra Volta were most likely the best-equipped units at this point, with the forces in other parts of the city being assigned what was available.
It wasn't a perfect system, but it showed results. A single power sapper in a whole squadron often caused heroes to turn tail at the mere mention. If they didn't, the anti-super troopers seemed to be more than they were thanks to quick teleportation from one end of the fight to another. Through cunning and tactics, the Rikti made themselves appear a bigger threat to heroes than they actually were.
But the force attacking Peregrine had no need for that. They were all they seemed, and the defneders found this out much more quickly than they wanted to.
If the Rikti could take or neutralize Portal Corp, the contigents in the Shadow Shard, as well as many other worlds, would be cut off...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
[When did you recieve this report!?!] rang out a telepathic shout.
[Just moments ago, Warmaster!] cried out a Conscript as it flinched back from its commander's glare. [I brought it to you as soon as it arrived.]
The heavily armored Rikti, one Warmaster Chertak, slotted his repulsor rifle back into the holding rack and turned away to once again read over the transmission.
Around him, the normal crack and sizzle of the repulsor rifles that was a constant sound in the firing range in the secret sewer base had gone silent as the soldiers therein waited anxiously to hear what their leader said.
[There is to be war,] Chertak announced and then held up his hand to silence the joyous shouting that started. [This will be our last attempt to seize control of this planet. The heroes of the Freedom Phalanx have already been removed, as have the leaders of Arachnos.]
There was an eery silence as not a single Rikti talked or shifted in the slightest, listening to their commander raptly.
[The first offensive was scheduled to have begun thirty human minutes ago. Portal Corp will be destroyed in the first wave as planned. Our objective is to take and hold City Hall. With the leaders of both the heroes and civilian population either dead or captured, our conquest of this city will be greatly expedited.]
[Shall we begin preperations, Warmaster?] asked Chertak's second-in-command, the Chief Mentalist named Dra'tix.
[We shall not begin ordinary preperations,] Chertak replied, making sure that all of his men could hear. [Everything will be mobilized. Every drone, every monkey, every suit of power armor.]
A quiet murmuring started up at that command. Normally the lower ranks didn't wear power armor due to the amounts of reaction mass they consumed and the lack of supplies to keep all of the armor functioning. This was one of the reasons adventuring heroes only encountered leading Rikti wearing armor.
[This is our moment of glory,] Chertak said, crumpling the paper message in one hand and throwing it into the small stream of sewer water that was in this room. [We shall not fail again. Regardless of our affiliations or faction, the time is now. Withdraw your weapons, link with your squads, and suit up. We are going to war.]
*************************************************
SHaking his head to clear away some of the muzziness aquired from ramming an apparently immovable object with his head, Wielder stood up and looked over at the ninja leader. Lifting his pipe in the air, Wielder waved it around a few times before sucking in a deep breath and running for the door and beyond.
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.
[Objective; Portal Corps. Primary Mission; Capture Asset, secondary mission; neutralize. Unit Chezret Assignment: Rear Guard. Field Deployment; Aquatic Vessel Hub.]
The message came clearly into the minds of Chief Soldier Chezret and his men. The unspoken message was clearer still. They were being punished for their lack of total resolve. Chezret had, at one point, had the misfortune of wondering if the invasion of this world had been worthwhile. Since that time his unit had suffered some of the least desirable assignments in the Rikti army. This latest one, he assumed, was meant to simply kill him.
The earth men would scramble their best heroes directly to the objective site, where they would meet a concentrated resistance. Chezret, on the other hand, would have to deal with the waves of heroes that would inevitably pack themselves onto the Talos Island ferryboats and storm Peregrine in response. It was clear that he was to be allotted no reinforcements, as the Warmasters had decided that a mobile rear guard comprised mostly of urban assualt squads patroling the southern half of the island would be tactically superior to a large, stationary, defense force. Perhaps, if his perfomance here today were adequate, he might be permitted an honorable remembrance after his death.
In the distance, they could make out the first of the ferryboats approaching.
Chezret hefted his massive sword upon his shoulder, the feel of it sliding against his power armor was reassuring. His personal Guardian wrapped him in a protective forcefield. With a quick mental glance he confirmed that his few loyal troops were in position.
His mind turned to his Communications Officer.
[Expendables; Begin Placement.]
The Comm Officer nodded, opening a portal near the dock through which swarmed hundreds of monkies and several dozen Conscripted Rikti. Chezret looked over them and pitied them; Not for their inevitable defeat, of course. But for their lack of significant numbers. He turned to Kanocht, the token power sapper he had been issued. Not being able to tolerate the sappers 'individual' attitude, Chezret turned from him just as quickly.
[Artillery Positions;] Chezret informed, [Target; Aquatic Vessel; Commence Bombardment.]
Two giant gouts of Rikti plasma-fire erupted from positions in the tall buildings nearby and streaked for the ferry. One impacted the water slightly off the starboard sie of the vessel, a huge torrent of near-boiling water blasted into the air like a geyser, and the ferry rocked hard, but harmlessly. The second ball found it's mark. A huge hole bored through the hull at a downward angle, burning many of the heroes onboard and forcing their mediporters to activate.
Chezret took a brief moment to appreiciate the cleverness of where they were truly headed.
The engines were ruined and the boat began to list. It was taking water at an unbelievable rate. Soon the air above the boat was full of flying heroes, buzzing about the mortally wonded vessel like confused hornets.
[Teleport Dampening Shield: Initiate,] he ordered, the Comm Officer obeyed. It wasn't long before the shield was flaring brightly, and confused heroes splashed down helplessly in the water a dozen yards from shore.
[Artillery Positions; Fire Commencement Priority: Primary; Additional Aquatic Vessels, secondary; earth heroes. Commence Fire: At Will.]
The air came to life with blazing Rikti plasma. There were very many secondary targets.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander quickly realized the energy surrounding the portal would block his attempts to get through, so he canged direction mid-teleport and went out of the chamber. He teleported quickly, trying to stay ahead of the gas, his father tucked under one massive hand.
"Don't worry, we're going to be ok," he tried to sound reassuring, which may not have worked as, so far as Jon could tell, his son was now a giant space lobster.
Ryuji grimaced at the portal.
El Guapo Grande had merely turned around and began running in the direction he had been heading before, his flames were fading, but offered enough protection to get him out of the Rikti base.
Ryuji, however, had a more effective solution that got him out faster.
He manifested an ice spike and drove it through his own heart.
Within seconds his hospital teleporter activated and he was in the local hospital.
He'd be unconscious for a while, but of course this wouldn't kill him.
He didn't know what could.
El Guapo Grande reached the surface and saw the smoke rising from the direction of Terra Volta.
Once more, he headed off to fight evil.
In the opposite direction.
With a loud creak, Waziri slammed the door shut as the last of their band existed. He'd almost been bowled over by the fire tanker, cursing Guapo under his breath for being so disrespectful. Just because he was a lot smaller than the luchadore didn't mean he was liable to be stepped on.
Wait...?
He didn't get time to finish that thought as Hotaka grabbed him and started slinking away. The three had no idea of the invasion going on above, and with a nunch of heroes around ready to go back to arresting villains, as they believed, it was probably better for them to amscray before the Halon wore off completely...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Nena didn't even notice Hotaka go. Her mind was on other things.
"Xander! Are you and your papa okay?" she shouted, the unconscious Pariku still draped over her shoulder. "Where did Ryuji go?"
Her eyes scanned the area for the others, particularly Wielder. He would know what to do...
------------------------------------------------
The lights in the underground laboratory flickered and generators hummed to life.
"What the hell?" Dr. Daniel West muttered, glancing up at the lights in his workroom. "...What's going on up there?"
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"FORCES OF GOOD! ASSEMBLE OVER HERE!" came Wielder's shout, even louder than before, from the door that Hokata had opened.
Due to the assisstance of Gladys, Wielder's voice operated as such so that whoever followed it would be able to go right to where he was, not confused my echoes or sound tricks like that.
*************************************************
OOC: Chertak's getting a nice, long post after I'm done with classes for the day.
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.
Reginald flew through without another word.
". . . Be careful, dear," the Oracle said as they passed through.
". . . What do you mean? Reginald said. "We are nearly out of danger. . ."
"Uh, yes, right!" the Oracle laughed hastily. "Let's go with that."
* * * * * *
"Pharaoh?"
"What is it now, Moonscribe?"
"Oh. . . there is some small amount of trouble going on outside your little mental sanctuary. . ."
". . .Like what?!? What's going on? Is Essex. . ."
"It is really of no importance, Pharaoh. But I appreciate your concern."
That did it. Turning off his communicator, Hallucinogen tore down the pure white hallway that connected the pieces of his mind and straight through the wall at the end, green smoke covering his bizarre, illusionary form. If there was one thing that made it certain that something was seriously wrong, it was Moonscribe assuring him that there was not.
"I think he's alright," Xander replied to Nena's question as he sat his father down. The Black Dwarf seemed to deflate and solidify once more into the teenager's form.
"What the holy hell is the matter with you, young man?! What are you thinking, running around in a sewer chasing Rikti and heaven-knows-what-else is down here," Jon berated, taking a moment to scrape something highly distasteful off his shoe, "Not to mention the company you're keeping," he growled, glaring in turn at Guapo and Weilder.
"Yeah," Xander whispered quietly to Nena from underneath his slumped shoulders, "He's fine."
"As both... men arrived to him, am nyet thinkink you are to be blamink son for them." Svetlana hissed to Jon as the Russian scientist walked forward, "Am also nyet thinkink is time. Rikti devise can nyet be good for weak capitalists above."
Pinnacle
Heroes
When in danger, or in doubt; Run in circles, scream and shout.
Nena just blinked at Svetlana.
"You talk funny!" she said cheerily as she marched over to Wielder.
"Ughh..." Pariku's voice groaned from his limp form. "Stupid poison.."
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
[ QUOTE ]
"As both... men arrived to him, am nyet thinkink you are to be blamink son for them." Svetlana hissed to Jon as the Russian scientist walked forward, "Am also nyet thinkink is time. Rikti devise can nyet be good for weak capitalists above."
[/ QUOTE ]
Jon blinked several times in shock at Rad Spike before opening his mouth.
"How many ways can one person go wrong in so short a space of time? Ok, Number One; Speak English! You're in America. Number Two; He's my son and not yours, so keep your opinions to yourself. And Three; There is nothing weak about capitalists, you self-important commie! It was YOUR government that collapsed, not ours!
The Detective grabbed Xander by the ear and headed uphill, "Come on, we're getting out of here!"
"Ow! Dad! Ow ow ow . . . ." the boy protested as he was dragged along.
"Bah, comunisim did nyet fail. Was fault of decident officials who were more like American politaians then true socialists they were claimink to be." Rad Spike ticked off each of Jon's points in reverse order.
"Am nyet tellink you how to raise boy, just informink you of facts you are nyet listenink too. Boy is workink for greater good of people. Would be proud to call him comrade. Finally, would like to be seeink you speak Russian half as good. Wait, nyet, would not want to after all."
After-Image drifted through the wall from the sealed Rikti chamber.
Bad mist has faded. Altered have all departed. Much problems above, suggest we render aid to citizens above.
Pinnacle
Heroes
When in danger, or in doubt; Run in circles, scream and shout.
"A good idea," Reginald said, landing and taking off toward the sewer exit. . .
Jon didn't stop walking as the debate with Svetlana intensified, so when After-Image suggested they keep moving he was already out of earshot.
"I don't speak Russian because I'm not in Russia! If I was in Russia I'd have the decency to learn to speak it, but I'm not going to live in Russia, I don't plan on going to Russia, and if you're a representative of your people I don't want to talk to Russians!"
"Ow! Dad! Don't take it out on me! Seriously, lady, stop helping," Xander griped. Jon's level of irritation was causing him to squeeze harder on his son's ear whether he meant to or not.
"And don't you even consider the things that come out of your mouth before you say them," the Detective demanded, un-disauded by his son, "If Russian politicians were like American politicians then the USSR would still be around. But they're not, and it isn't. If you're going to argue against capitalism, you should at least have an arguement that stands up!"
Jon looked from side to side, stumped by an intersection that he didn't recognize.
"It's that way," Xander offered, pointing left. They both headed that way a moment later.
[The time has come. Have the heroes organized yet?]
[No Warmaster. With the loss of the Freedom Phalanx and the sudden assaults, the heroes and the police forces have been thrown off balance.]
[Were the nearby military bases also disabled?]
[We have no way of knowing from here, Warmaster.]
[Very well. Let us begin the assault and may their false gods have mercy on the souls of those about to be slain.]
************************************************
In Atlas Park chaos was everywhere. Cars and trucks clogged the streets as civilians tried to flee, remembering all too well the Rikti attacks from six years ago. Heroes ran back and forth, stretched to their limits trying to keep the evacuation an orderly operation and keep some of the more enterprising gang members from making some 'emergency withdrawals'.
Ms. Liberty was consulting with several Longbow Wardens in front of Atlas Statue, trying to come to a consensus as to where they should focus Longbow's efforts. A small group of relatively low powered heroes gravitated to her, all of them unsure and more than a little frightened about what was going on.
But all this was brought to a halt as the distinctive whoosh and whir of Rikti portals echoed through the air. Dozens of the black and green portals opened all around Atlas Statue and even right in front of Ms. Liberty herself.
As everyone present stared in shocked disbelief, the first wave exited the portals. Dozens, soon to be hundreds, of Rikti Drones flooded out of the portals, knocking everyone nearby off their feet as they sought to gain altitude. The Wardens were bulled away from around Ms. Liberty, but the young heroine managed to keep her balance, if only barely.
And then the Rikti entered Atlas Park. At their lead was Warmaster Chertak, his white and black armor exiting from the portal right in Ms. Liberty's face as the other portals disgorged various other Rikti soldiers.
"Greetings: Hero," Chertak said as a guantleted fist rocketed forward into Ms. Liberty's chin, whipping her head back and lifting her a foot off the ground from the force of the blow.
Chertak followed this surprise attack up with a fierce kick that folded the leader of the Vindicators around his foot and then launched her into the raised platform that Atlas's statue rested on. As several other high-ranking Rikti emerged from behind Chertak and engaged the Wardens, ignoring the fleeing heroes, the Warmaster himself jumped forward to land in front of Ms. Liberty, water splashing them from the shallow pool Chertak landed in.
"Welcome: To the end," Chertak said as he grabbed Ms. Liberty by the throat and lifted her up in the air. A solid kick slammed into the Warmaster's head, showing that Ms. Liberty wasn't exactly down and out, but Chertak ignored the blow of desperation.
"Welcome to the end of your world," Chertak said, going the extra mile to form his thoughts the way a human would so that she could understand him. "You and your people: Die now."
With this, Chertak spun around and flung the heroine on the ground, where she bounced once before Chertak's boot landed on her stomach.
"Kill: Heroes: Armed civilians," Chertak said to his second-in-command as he stared down at Ms. Liberty's face. "Allow non-combatants: Escape."
As the hero blinked in sudden confusion, Chertak activated a button on his right gauntlet, causing his rifle to teleport into his hand. With a crack, he brought it down on Ms. Liberty's face, knocking her out cold. Taking his foot off the unconscious heroine, Chertak turned around and looked to see the City Hall already burning as a cloud of Drones fired on it from above.
[Glory to the true race!] Chertak shouted as he thrust his rifle up into the air.
[Glory!] echoed his soldiers as they fought, died, and slew.
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.
Reginald pushed open the door to the abandoned sewers. . . only to collide with some sort of invisible midget.
"Agh! Sorry!" Hallucinogen exclaimed as he picked himself up.
". . .Who on earth are you?" Reginald asked, drawing his bow, nocking an arrow and aiming it in the direction of Hal's voice in one smooth motion.
". . . Agh! Stupid invisibility AGAIN!" Hal groaned, and his trademark green smoke shortly billowed out, blurring the rest of his features, which seemed to include a gas mask, a small psychadelic cape, and a tail. But it was all illusionary anyway. . . all hallucinations, more accurately.
Reginald sighed, and lowered his bow. "All right. Hallucinogen. I think I've heard of you before. I cannot say what I think of your taste in women. . ."
". . . Is that all anyone CARES about?!?" Hal burst out. "Why is it such a big deal, I like her and she likes me, neither of us are human anyway, why--"
". . . Calm down!" Reginald said sharply.
". . .Sorry. I just. . .heh. Get that a lot. . . But be careful, please, all of you can't go out without being very careful. . . The Rikti. . ."
"Yeah," the Oracle said knowingly. "Too bad, isn't it?"
"I suppose. . ." Reginald said, as he floated in front of the portal, the gas creeping closer and chaos breaking loose, yet still calm as always, "this is my destiny. . . in a way. . ."
"Reggie. . . go through already," the Oracle sighed.
And Reginald flew through without further hesitation.