Arrow and the others stepped into the Atlas Park gate. The first noticeable sight was that the statue of Atlas had been pulled down, the globe lay a few leagues away. It must have rolled off, judging by the long path of destruction, even crushed buildings, that had been left in its wake.
Overhead several modified Mayhem fliers were patrolling the area, dropping the occassional batch of troops. Shots from the Mayhem clubs could be heard in the distance, making this place seem by far the most like a warzone.
Before Arrow and the others could take a step further, the sounds of teleporters came in all around them. Men and women in blue and silver uniforms with large stars on their chests appeared around the group.
One, wearing a large helmet, stepped in front. "We're with Windsong. I'm assuming she's right behind you?"
"She told us to go on without her," said Arrow, casting a nervous look behind him. They were surrounded...
The Resistance soldier bowed his head. "I'm sure she knows what she's doing. The name's Steve Power."
"Wait, little Stevie Power?" said Arrow, his jaw dropping from behind his helmet.
"Not little anymore, but- wait... Haven't I seen you before?"
"It's me, Steve. Obsidian Arrow. Remember at all?"
Behind the visor, Steve's eyes widened. "Sybil will want to see you all right away. Put these on." Steve handed them all a small orb, a little button blinking on the side. "Press these." He pulled out his own and did so, vanishing in a flash of light. The other Resistance soldiers waited to make sure the others did so. Obviously they had little choice.
Arc ID: 475246, "Bringing a Lord to Power"
"I'm only a simple man trying to cling to my tomorrow. Every day. By any means necessary."
-Caldwell B. Cladwell
((Nice of you to um...wait for the others to catch up. Maybe I should just step out now before getting left in the dust >_>
)
((I thought I nabbed everyone when I saw Arashi log on for a bit, then off without posting. Missed Prodi. Trying to manage myself a bit better here, it's always hardest for me in the beginning of these threads to get people to the right spot without dragging it along.
My apologies. 
))
Arc ID: 475246, "Bringing a Lord to Power"
"I'm only a simple man trying to cling to my tomorrow. Every day. By any means necessary."
-Caldwell B. Cladwell
Jake examined the device, noticing that it wasn't too far off from something he was wanting to create. "Feh, looks like I was beaten to it..." he muttered, pressing the button and teleporting to some unknown location.
Soul Striker chuckled to himself, Steve Power huh? Hah, what a cheesy name! Hey, you know, maybe I can study this orb for later... Whispering to himself, Soul Striker saidm reluctantly, "Ah well, I really hope this doesn't kill me or anything..." Pressing the button, he was whisked away to...wherever.
"Be my guest," Vendetta said as he hastily typed at the main computer. "Just give me a second to see what we're up against."
A flickering image appeared on the main screen, revealing a picture of the hidden entrance in washed out black and white. The image seemed unstable with static washing across it every now and then as if the camera providing the image was malfunctioning or broken. But regardless of the poor quality, it still managed to show the two forms of the demon and martial artist clearly enough to get a good idea of what they were.
"Crap," cursed Combat Toy as it looked over Vendetta's shoulder. "Looks like a hit squad of metahumans. Knowing the Masters', those two should be hopped up on enough combat drugs and stims to take down an army, let alone us four."
"We've handled their like before," muttered Vendetta as he zoomed in on the face of the demonic looking being. "But something seems off here. I could swear I recognize them..."
As Vendetta resumed typing at the computer, Small Toy moved up to the door and rapped in the exit code. The drone motioned for Psycho to follow it as it stepped outside into the tunnel.
********************************************
The miniature camera hidden in the ceiling of the tunnel panned over the two figures for several more seconds as Vendetta consulted his files. Finally, the two had barely managed more than ten steps down the long tunnel when a hidden speaker located near the floor activated with an electronic squeal.
"Long name, quality villainy, right?" came a heavily distorted voice from the speaker.
************************************************
"We shall move forward to an advance position," Small Toy said to Psycho. "Multiple defensive measures are primed to activate upon intrusion, but they shall need assistance in holding off the enemy long enough for the base to be relocated."
Fading to almost-invisibility, Small Toy started trotting down the tunnel toward the instruders.
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.
Psycho13 cocked his head to the right until there was a popping sound. He didn't know why, but doing that usually put him into a killing mood. He figured he might need it in the next coming situation. The rush of adrenaline told him at least that was working alright. It felt like lightning running up and down his spine.
Still, he understood Small Toy's urging for discretion. There was little telling what was going to be waiting for them on the other end.
"Lead the way," his voice took on a peculiar edge, almost manic, "Tell me when we're ready to hit."
He drew the blades from his belt. Sharp, curved, and durable, they would probably serve him well.
Pants and a rigger's belt... His only original possessions in this blasted... Future? Alternate timeline? What was this? In any case, he'd need to replace the pants, but the belt seemed fine, even after holding the sharp blades. Still, his whole appearance needed retooling.
"What I wouldn't give for my old gray-tan hoodie..." he whispered as he put the blades into the backhand position, "I'll really need to get some handles for these, too..."
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
"Did that thing just spit out our slogan?" the tall man questioned in amazement as he examined the speaker.
"I do believe so." the demon retorted, crossing his arms as he looked about the cavern, "Is this what our base is to become? I thought we were working with a much higher budget myself."
"Doubt it." retorted the man, turning his attention to the speaker again, "They probably knew we were coming. And yes, you are correct. LMOUSVEV's here, so if you're one of those Masters of Chaos..."
The demon cleared his throat, interjecting, "...Mayhem..."
"Whatever..." sneered the tall man, "...then...dangit, now the moment's gone. Thanks. Either way, we got hired to take you out. So save us the trouble of looking for you and we'll go easy on you..."
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
"I thought I recognized you two," replied the crackling speaker. "Baalial and Dragon of Decay, right? But what the hell are you doing still alive? Last I saw of you, Baalial had been banished back to Hell for one hundred years and Dragon had been trapped in the base when a coalition of Mayhem sorcerors trapped it in a null-dimensional bubble.... then crushed it into the size of an atom."
The speaker fell silent for an instant before hissing up again.
"You two wouldn't be from some sort of alternate dimension to kill the Masters of Mayhem in order to keep this dimension from unravelling, would you?"
*********************************************
Small Toy suddenly paused and held up a clenched fist.
"There appears to be a complication," the robot said in explanation. "Hold here until further orders."
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.
"Toy?!" Baalial's demonic eyes grew wide, "Is that you? Yes, of course it is, I can feel the soul of the machine!"
"So that's why this place smelled so familiar." the tall man remarked with relief, "I thought my sense of smell was going nuts from the dark gateway. And didn't I tell you not to call me that? Arachnos may have labeled me that way, but I don't recall ever introducing myself as anything other than Ryuu Hotaka."
Hotaka seemed quite insulted by the address, crossing his arms in a pout, but the person at the other end of the speaker knew well he was just playing around - Ryuu spoke fluent Japanese and more than enough English to know that his name translated to Mountain Dragon.
Still, for some reason he didn't like to be called anything referring to any sort of dragon. He even detested dragon symbolism, especially when worn by those who just wanted to look 'cool' or 'tough'.
Toy knew this, of course. He also knew the reason, but had been sworn to secrecy. And after so long a time, one couldn't even blame a robot for forgetting one little detail.
"You'll need to tell us more of this." Baalial continued, "Truly, the only reason I'd stay in Hell for that long is due to a very, very profitable compact."
"Quite." chuckled Hotaka, not commenting on his own other self's fate for the same reasons, "And we are...though not quite with the terms you're using. We'll explain it in person. Be there in a minute."
Even though there wasn't anyone around to see, Hotaka pulled the bamboo coolie far down for a few moments, hiding his whole face in deepest shadow. A few sniffs could be heard, and then he gave a nod to Baalial.
The two quickly proceeded down the correct passage...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Watching the others teleport away with the help of the strange device, Lithanika stared at hers for a while. She even sniffed it.
"Oh, what the hell? This place is a dump anyways..."
And she pressed down on the device.
((I waited a while for the others to catch up here. Gonna move things along and they'll have to write themselves in.))
Arrow looked down at the orb. It could be a trap... But then again, if it was, they were so far in now it couldn't get much worse. He pressed the button and disappeared.
As soon as the others had done so, the soldiers activated their own by pressing a spot on their chests, vanishing in a flash of light.
Everyone reappeared in what looked like an old warehouse. After a few seconds though, Arrow realized it was a very run-down lab, probably once owned by Crey, who were bought out by the Masters when their stock took a dive due to the take-over of Paragon.
An elderly woman stepped forward from the circle, her grayed hair pulled back in a tight bun. She wore a gray robe, the sleeves going just past her hands, concealing them. "Welcome," she said, her voice strong, and began to circle the group. "You were sent here to aid us, and if you do not wish to after I have explained things, you may leave. But tell a soul of what you have seen thus far and you will not survive it. I am Sybil.
"The Masters have been destroying our homes and loved ones for several years now, and it is our goal to stop them. We've come close. Very close, and have learned more of how their take-over was accomplished than any other thus far. We are your best, and only, chance to leave this world without passing into the next.
"We hold our position here, and know who controls each of the places you once knew. If you will aid us, then perhaps there is a chance for the world still." She had now gone all the way around and inspected them each in turn. She took her place within the ring of soldiers around them. "But without you, I'm afraid we stand little to no chance."
Arc ID: 475246, "Bringing a Lord to Power"
"I'm only a simple man trying to cling to my tomorrow. Every day. By any means necessary."
-Caldwell B. Cladwell
Cortianna easilly pressed the button on the shpere she had been given, the psionic having quickly pulled the intent of the device from the minds of the soldiers before them had even finished giving them out.
She listened quietly to Sybil's speech, listening with both her ears and mind to the woman as well as the minds of the ring of resistence soliders. Her face was carefully blank as she tip-toed amung the mental tulips before coming to her decision.
"I am called Cortianna out of the Rouge Isles, I will aid you to the best of my abilities."
Pinnacle
Heroes
When in danger, or in doubt; Run in circles, scream and shout.
Soul Striker saw all the pieces fall in place as the women explained what the Masters of Mayhem were doing, and whatever she didn't explain, he was able to fill in on his own. Hmm, pops, you still somewhere out there? No, it doesn't matter, I'll fix the future, for both of us.
Soul Striker took one step forward towards the woman and knelt down, speaking with a conviction he had never had shown before, "They call me the Soul Striker, and I'll put my life on the line to make SURE we take down these Masters of Mayhem." It's times like these, I know why I still need to be a hero. No longer am I just partying with T.A.C.T.I.C.S., no more just beating up hellions or just letting someone else do the mission for me, this time, our entire future is at stake. No one to take my place either. If I back out now, do I deserve to be a hero?
OOC: Blar. Sorry I took so long to post.
BIC: "There has been a change of plans," Small Toy said to Psycho as it deactivated its cloaking field. "The intruders are actually allies of some form. Please return to the base while I venture forward and guide them in.
With that said, the grey robot started running down the tunnel to meet Baalial and Hokata.
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.
"Aaaaaaaw..." Psycho13 moaned, "But I wanted to kill something!"
Sighing, he sheathed the new blades and wandered back into the base proper. According to the guys he was rooming with, apparently he'd get a chance to fight soon enough anyway. No need to rush things.
"At least now I can work on getting handles for these blades..." he muttered as he closed the hatch behind him, "Hey, you guys got any old rubber I could maybe melt down... Or some duct tape?"
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
Small Toy didn't take long to bring the 'intruders' back. Baalial's eyes widened a bit as he beheld the golden robot, stopping dead in his tracks a few meters from him. Was this really the colorful mechanoid of old?
"Toy!" Hotaka exclaimed with a broad smile, having no such doubts. The smell had been irrefutable. It was almost comical to watch the tall, lanky man in oriental robes close the remaining distance with speed, then embrace the living machine, going so far as to lift him off his feet for a few moments.
"Man, am I glad to see you." Ryuu laughed as he set 'Vendetta' down again, placing both hands upon the mechanoid's shoulders as he went on, "We'd already thought LMOUSVEV was over and done with in this timetrack. Well, spit it out already - who, what, where, when...?"
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
"I thought he was Toy..." Psycho13 arched an eyebrow at the newcomers as he wrapped rags and duct tape around the bases of his blades, "Rather, Combat Toy... Whatever... I'm Caleb. You can call me K, Cale, or maybe my old moniker, H-K 900."
Wow, I might just be going too far on that one...
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
Jake scratched the bridge of his nose during Sybil's speech, only half listening and half caring; however, he didn't need to listen to know the jist of what was being said. 'We're your best shot against the Masters, so join us! We need you to win!' Your standard motivational jabber. He frankly didn't care about the resistance, he just wanted to be done with the assignment and go home, but this required siding with the best bet to beat the Masters. Namely, the resistance.
"Yeah, yeah, just count me in. My name's Jake, and I'll be helping you kick the Masters of Mayhems' faces in." He said confidently, smirking and folding his arms across his chest.
"Ryuu Hotaka." the tall man introduced himself with a short bow towards Caleb, a much-saying smile playing about in his half-hidden face, "Pleased to meet you."
"Baalial." grinned the draconic demon toothily, "Attorney at Law."
The briefcase gave a growl as it moved closer to Psycho13, the demonic lawyer adding, "And Balthazar, somewhere in there. It'll probably spit him out again sooner or later - hopefully before I require the services of my secretary..."
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Psycho13 stared at the briefcase, his eyes wide and mouth pursed in apprehension. That was certainly... interesting.
"Oh.... Kay...." he finally breathed out, "It's nice to make your acquaintance... I think..."
Against every fiber of his being urging him not to, he tapped the briefcase.
"Even you!"
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
Kommandant Thule teleported into the tower in Grandville. He walked up to the front desk.
"I want to speak to Elitst. Now."
The soldier standing their looked up to the ceiling. After a few seconds, he looked back at Thule and nodded, gesturing in the direction of the hall that lead to the elevators.
Arc ID: 475246, "Bringing a Lord to Power"
"I'm only a simple man trying to cling to my tomorrow. Every day. By any means necessary."
-Caldwell B. Cladwell
"Glad to see you too," Vendetta choked out as Hokata caught him up in a bear hug.
Combat Toy snorted in laughter as the big martial artist finally put Vendetta down and the golden armored man rubbed his arms as though they were in pain.
"Quite a lot has happened since whenever you came from," Vendetta said as he slipped loose of Hokata's arms and walked over to the computer console. "For starters, I go by the name 'Vendetta' now, on account of the vendetta I have against that turned my home into more of a hell hole than it already was."
Vendetta hit several buttons and navigated his way to a short propaganda clip detailing the Masters of Mayhem as the true rulers of all.
"Those guys are the Masters of Mayhem," Vendetta said, turning around to face his audiance and hooking a thumb back at the screen. "They are currently the owners of the Rogue Ilses and most of Paragon City. I say most because there's a pretty active resistance going on, though there's no telling how long it can last."
"The idiots are trying to wage a real war," Combat Toy snorted again.
"And about LMOUSVEV," continued Vendetta. "On my orders and with the sanction of the Malevolith, CptCommie, and Outlaw Jack, we allied ourselves with Lord Recluse's forces and tried to stop the take over of the Isles. We lost. Most of us were killed in the last few fights and the retreat that followed afterward. More of us were lost forever when the Masters of Mayhem got together a number of sorcerors and cut the dimensional anchor that tied our base to this world. As far as I know, those who were still on it are still there, but hopelessly trapped."
"We're the only ones who remain," Small Toy finished as Vendetta slumped a bit, overcome by painful memories. "Out of a force of dozens of superbly trained, equipped, and powered metahumans, only seven robots walked away. And even we didn't escape entirely unscathed."
"Welcome to the future," Combat Toy said. "It sucks."
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.
Jake laughed at the small act of physical violence. Couldn't live up to his threat, aye? ... Ah well, whatever, doesn't really matter, just proves that I won.
"Finally, I'm listened to." He spoke, hands still in pockets. He flipped the switch on his belt off, immediately shutting down his rocket boots and letting him land gently down on the ground. "Yeah, I'm coming." He said, nonchalantly beginning to walk ten or so paces behind them.