A figure clothed in nothing but black rags that covered every aspect of his body stood in the shadows of the skyscraper. He had watched as the Techno had attacked the Outcasts. The Techno had taken out the Block and Freezer but he hadn't seen the Shocker who was flying up behind him.
The black clothed figure shot out of the shadows with preternatural speed. Where his fingertips landed on the Shocker's skin wounds opened up as if he had been cut with knives that were sharper than razors.
The Shocker let out a surprised scream before turning in the air. Before he could bring up a fist to fire off one of his electrical bolts, the figures fingers ran across his arm opening them to the bone. The Shocker seemed to realize he was in over his head. He turned and flew into the air away from the figure.
The figure looked across at the Techno. The Techno suddenly heard a voice speak within his mind, "You really should be more careful. Lots of unseemly characters are out today"
I do not know my reasons for posting, but post I must. ~~Build
"We can't stop here, this is bat country."
--Johnny Depp
"I ain't bi-curious, I'm a man. Why do you think I'm wearing this tight spandex and got all these muscles?" Meatwad
Nanospectre looked more than a little horrified at the mysterious man's methods, but he quickly shook it off. Nanospectre spoke to the man garbed in black, "Well, who else would come out of the woodwork after the fall of the 'glorious' Nemesis Rex? Their kind always waits in the shadows until they see an opportunity."
Nanospectre suddenly realized how his comment could be interpreted, "Present company excluded."
Nanospectre turned towards the figure, "Now, I wouldn't suppose it would be too much to ask for an introduction? At least to know who so graciously took care of that Shocker for me."
Two Weeks Ago
Two members of the Tsoo entered the dark halls. The building they had entered had used to be a stone emporium, the brass left-overs of the Nemesis Rex age still left over.
The inside of the emporium might as well have been a different world entirely.
"Greetings." Said a dry voice with a hint of an English accent. "Welcome to Pantheon Studios. I believe you are the representatives of the Tsoo...Correct?"
The dark figure was leaning against the nearby wall.
"Indeed." Said the Green Ink Man. "What do you have?"
The figure pulled a battered, old suitcase from seemingly out of thin air, and flipped it open. It was filled with an even dozen nalgene bottles, all of which contained a few fat and round dark grey tablets.
"I present to you the replacement for Rage." Said the dry voice.
The two Ink men wern't impressed. They had seen plenty of cons like this one pulled. Idiots who kept painting aspirin with lead paint.
"And just to get the business started...This first case is on the house." Said the figure. He closed the suitcase, and tossed it at the mens' feet.
They had not been expecting that. Still, they would not show weakness. The Yellow Ink man picked up the case carefully, opened it again, and observed the contents. Each Nalgene Jar had two labels on them. One was decoracted with some sort of emblem. An advertisement, or brand marking perhaps. What stood out were the letters printed in white bold.
TOMB STONE
"What...Should we expect?" The Green Ink man asked.
"There are details included inside the third bottle." Said the dry voice.
The two men glanced at each other.
The Tsoo needed this. Nemesis had hit the gang hard during his reign. The Family had replaced them as the number one dealer of illegal merchandise. If this stuff...Tomb Stone...Was really as potent as it was made out to be...The Tsoo would run Paragon.
It still did not hurt to exercise caution.
"And why for free? What makes you so sure we won't just take this and replicate it? You won't make a penny." The Yellow Ink man snarled.
There was a hollow chuckle.
"Good luck with that. As I said before...This is just to get started. Once you get to know it, you are going to need more to satisfy the mob. And my friends?"
There was a slight pause.
"We are going to be the only purveyor of this. If it were up to ME, I would just let what remains of your sad group rot. But as it is...It ISN'T my decision. The boss says there needs to be a middleman, so here you are."
The dark figure suddenly turned on his heels and began to walk away.
"Now piss off before I kill you. And next time, bring plenty of the gold that folds."
The two Ink men left.
-----
Present Time
The Freak Slicer held the nalgene bottle up to his eyes with his good arm.
"Tomb Stone, eh? Catchy. Alright n00b." (How the Freakshow manage to pronounce l33t speak without going insane will always be beyond this writer's grasp) "Juice up on this."
The chopper looked at his feet. He was only two days in. A nice new green mohawk and lots of leather. No metal yet though.
"I dunno man...Alk is one thing...But I've heard some pretty freaky stuff bout this..."
"So have I, but I've seen this stuff in action first-hand. Spark-Plug set this guy on fire from two hundred meters away. Electroneg started spittin' acid after takin this stuff. I hear Dreck is upgradin to get nothin but this runnin through him 24/7."
The slicer waved the Nalgene bottle in the chopper's face.
"C'mon [censored]. Nothing ventured..."
Half a minute later, the screams began and the lights in the warehouse flickered out, one by one.
The two were interrupted by a flare of blinding white light and a cloud of dust and smoke.
As their eyes and the air cleared, the sound of someone roundly cursing something called "Portal Corporation" with quite astonishing creativity and invention became gradually audible. The owner of the youthful voice questioned the provenance of the builders of whatever device he blamed for bringing him to this plane, their intellect, work ethic, hygiene, emotional stability, and worked his way back several generations before moving on to those who had manufactured the parts of the machine and doing the same, eventually switching to several other languages to do much the same.
Eventually, the air cleared enough to reveal a startlingly young (around thirteen) figure, clad in blue jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt with a large bulls-eye painted on it, and holding some kind of high-tech device. He prodded it with an angry finger, and caused it to produce a dispirited sort of "Bloop" noise.
With a shout of anger, he hurled it into the air, blurringly produced a bow with arrow nocked and shot it to pieces, at least six arrows slapping through the tough casing before it burst apart in a shower of sparks. Then he glared challengingly at Nanospectre and the figure in black. "Oh, what are you looking at?!?" he snapped disgustedly
Then he glared around at the ruined city. "Great. So what hellhole did I land in this time?" He looked a little more closely, and groaned. "Aw, not that..." his voice changed, deepening slightly and taking on an extremely bad fake Germanic accent "... Prussian Prince of Automatons..." his voice returned to normal "jerk. Least it looks like he didn't manage to hold on here, although I'm not sure this is an improvement." he finished with a wave of his bow arm.
He glanced back at the other two, who were giving him very odd looks, and offered a brittle smile and sarcastic bow. "Target Lad, 'heroic' archer and perpetual butt of the universe' less pleasant jokes, at your service."
"A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head." Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates
MA Arcs: #12285, "Small Fears", #106553, "Trollbane", #12669, "How to Survive a Robot Uprising"
Nanospectre wasn't surprised to see yet another inter-dimensional traveler. The beings from the place called "Primal Earth" had a habit in mucking with the affairs of other worlds, including this world. Nanospectre had even worked with quite a few of them, while he worked to help topple Nemesis Rex.
"I'm Nanospectre, and he," Nanospectre gestured to the black figure, "is a stereotypical mysterious figure." He turned back towards Target Lad, "I take it you are another 'Primal Earther'? We could definitely still use your help. I don't know how fast news has spread, but Nemesis Rex is gone, and he no longer holds dominion over his empire."
Nanospectre looked forlornly over the twisted remains of Steel Canyon, "But, as you said, the world without him is not much better. We're having a tough time re-establishing law and order."
"Look what the cat dragged in." Said the dry english voice as no less than eight Death's Heads walked in, accompanying the two Ink men who had come last time. "I thought that last time we had settled with a ranged business plan?"
"Indeed." The Green Ink man agreed. "I also believe you promised to kill us should we ever come back."
"And I still intend to do so should you not give me a damn good reason as to why you're here."
That took the entire group by surprise. Either he was too ignorant to know about the Death's Heads amongst the Tsoo, or he was suicidally cocky, or he really was strong enough to take them all on.
They didn't let their surprise show, however. They went right along with the plan.
"Grave Stone...It's everything you promised and more. We distributed several dozen cases of it in Terra Volta amongst the Freakshow population." The Yellow Ink man said carefully.
"I thought I had heard a nuclear detonation going off." Said the voice, suddenly smug.
"And who else should barge in to our hideout two days ago..." Continued the Ink Man, ignoring the figure, "But Dreck and a horde of Freaks? He says that this is the best stuff he's even seen since Rage. He was going to grind us all to a pulp and just take everything until we told him that YOU were the supplier."
"And yet I see you here and not him." Said the voice, returning to its normal dry tone.
"We struck a deal with Dreck. We take over Pantheon Studios, take Grave Stone, and we get to sell it to the Freakshow at a nice discount. Not to mention..." The Ink Man waved vaguely at the surroundings. "This place will make an excelent stronghold for the Tsoo."
Each Death's Head drew their dark blades and advanced a step.
"Our assimilation of Pantheon Studios begins with you." The Green Ink man said, and suddenly his was the smug voice.
"There's always that snag..." The figure before them said cheerfully.
-----
Half an Hour Ago
The Yellow Ink man paused. There was this strange feeling about the crate...
Tub Ci raised an eyebrow.
"Well?"
The Ink man pointed to the wooden crate behind him. The shipment had come in at the usual time.
A few minutes later, the crate had been pried open and its contents were revealed.
"Hmmm. I'm not too sure if our benefactor hates us or loves us..."
He pondered over the contents of the crate.
"Take all the Grave Stone and distribute it immediately. Make an index of the rest, check for instructions and details."
He glanced back at the crate.
"And prop the poor fellow against a wall somewhere."
-----
"A pleasure." Said the Tsoo dealer, fading away into the shadows.
"Ooooh yea...So this is the stuff, huh?" The Chief Swiper looked at the Nalgene bottle, which was being helpfully held up to his face by another Freak. (Both his arms had been replaced.) "Le'ts pump up and cause us some pandemonium!"
The was lots of howling and roaring as the caps of the bottles were torn off. Each person in the ten-man group took a single dark grey pill from one of the three bottles, and swallowed.
Not even waiting for the effects to take effect, the Freaks started whooping and hollering and rushed for the nearest entrance to Steel Canyon.
The figure looked at Target Lad and then at Nanospectre. His voice spoke within their minds, "Stereotypical? Not really. I just didn't have enough time to answer before we were interrupted. I am Tegra the Shadow. It is a pleasure, I'm sure."
As he finished he gave a deep bow. He motioned with his right hand toward the alleyway, "I would suggest we move out of the light and into a more defensible possition. Standing out here we are nothing but a target,"
Tegra began to move toward the shadows that cloaked the alleyway. "Do try to keep up. I can't protect you if you fall behind."
I do not know my reasons for posting, but post I must. ~~Build
"We can't stop here, this is bat country."
--Johnny Depp
"I ain't bi-curious, I'm a man. Why do you think I'm wearing this tight spandex and got all these muscles?" Meatwad
"Under other circumstances, it would be nice to meet you both. Right now, standing in the ruins of a 'civilization' built to spec by the King of Brass, I'm not so sure anything counts as nice." the boy commented. Then he raised a cynical eyebrow. "Nothing but a target? Why should now be any different?" He shrugged. "I'm happy to hang with you guys, but I wasn't kidding when I said I seem to be the perpetual butt of some of the universe' nastier jokes. My luck just seems to run that way, and those around me tend to get caught up in it."
He rose smoothly into the air and soared after Tegra, catching up with him easily and then matching his pace so that he was slightly behind the Shadow. Then he glanced back at Nanospectre. "If others from my world... Primal Earth? Eesh, we are an egotistical lot, aren't we?.. have been here, that's good... means there's at least a chance that I'll be able to get home."
"A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head." Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates
MA Arcs: #12285, "Small Fears", #106553, "Trollbane", #12669, "How to Survive a Robot Uprising"
Nanospectre flew behind Tegra, able to keep pace to dark cloaked man. "I was simply cracking a joke, Tegra. But you are right, we should move into a defensible position, No telling when the next riot or Nemesis Army re-invasion will march through."
He turned towards Target Lad, "Yes, many heroes from your world have come here, trying to free us from the yoke of Nemesis Rex. I've aided many personally, I'm a bit of a, " Nanospectre paused for a second, "freedom fighter, here on my world. All the others seemed to have no trouble returning home after they clashed with Nemesis Rex, but please feel free to stay as long as you wish. We need every available hand here if we ever wish to restore order."
As the group flew, Nanospectre released a few shots of negative energy, hitting the stray rioters and thugs, stopping them in there tracks. It was obvious he was experienced at this, and was quite a somber figure.
Nanospectre saw a small platform near the side of a building, which looked to be easily defensible. "Here's a good spot." He said, landing on the small outcropping of concrete.
Nanospectre sat down, cross-legged on the concrete. He looked across at the other two heroes with him, and sighed heavily.
"Well, who's up for rebuilding the entire social structure of the planet?" Nanospectre said jokingly, trying to lighten the tension. The smile faded from his face, and he looked as if he was deep in thought.
"We are going to need more than the three of us, even if our only goal were to reconstruct the city around us. We are going to need lots and lots of help. I don't suppose either of you happen to have a particularly large list of friends?"
Tegra mentally grunted a little, "My friends are all on assignment. . .and they don't really know that I'm not in the base. So they won't be any help."
Tegra shied as far into the shadows as he could to get out of the sunlight and use his black rags as camouflage in the shadows. He had a bad feeling about being outside today.
I do not know my reasons for posting, but post I must. ~~Build
"We can't stop here, this is bat country."
--Johnny Depp
"I ain't bi-curious, I'm a man. Why do you think I'm wearing this tight spandex and got all these muscles?" Meatwad
Target Lad made a half-hearted attempt to fade into the shadows, but as he was wearing a (mostly) clean, bright white t-shirt, it wasn't working too well. He did, however, position himself so that if anyone did jump him, they would be leaving their backs exposed to Tegra.
Then he shrugged. "I have a few friends and relatives who can bring the thunder, but unfortunately, they're all on 'Primal Earth', and I don't have any way of getting in touch with them."
He took flight again, rising a little to assume the lotus position in midair. "Nothing like a little yogic flying to take your mind off things..." he muttered to himself, sounding amused, although it was anyone's guess as to exactly what the joke was.
"A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head." Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates
MA Arcs: #12285, "Small Fears", #106553, "Trollbane", #12669, "How to Survive a Robot Uprising"
The only sign of the rift was a rustle of leaves, a shimmer in the air. With a screeching lurch and flash the Netherworld spat up It's bounty. Mortanis and Haliphar quickly brushed themselves off, looked around, and pondered about heir situation. Haliphar's 9ft. football player's build combined with his appearance of a human-bat hybrid unsettled some at least and threw him in jail on occasion due to being "a public disturbance". Not that a cell could hold his strength, amplified tenfold by the gifts from the Netherworld. Mortanis, a more cool and calculating individual, concluded they would stay there till dark. Strange how I cling to him as strongly as the Netherworld to our bodies Mortanis thought. In truth, both Haliphar and Mortanis were more than associates or partners, they were like two soldiers on a battlefield. They looked out for one another.
"Haliphar, any idea of where we are?" Mortanis asked.
"Looks like city."
"Yes, but what city?
"Don't know." Haliphar truthfully replied. He didn't like letting his friend down.
"Then we shall need to find out." Mortanis was eager to show the new world that he had plans for it, especially in who would eventually run it.
((This is my first time starting a forum role-play, so please be gentle, if I make mistakes.
This is a role-play that takes place in the dimension of Nemesis Rex, where one of the Prussian Prince's plots succeeded, and he took over the world! However, after multiple attempts from heroes of out dimension, Nemesis Rex's rule has finally been broken, and the Empire of Brass has fallen. The world has been thrown into chaos, as the entire government collapses. Nemesis Army only controls small pockets, but has stabilized them. Metas of all kinds are trying to fill Rex's power vacuum.
Characters can be natives of this dimension, or dimensional travelers. They could be independent, affiliated with Nemesis, or affiliated with some other group. And feel free to have powers that don't follow the normal rules. Most importantly, have fun, and try to not rip this thread to pieces! Hope I don't dotoo crappy of a job.))
Paragon City was decaying, one of the places hit hardest by Nemesis' downfall. Nemesis Rex had made Paragon his capital city, converting the whole city into brass structures, making it look much different to inter-dimensional visitors. But, now it even looked strange to the natives, buildings toppelled, giant fires, everyone scared, afraid of what the next day might bring.
But, one man just sat, watching the devastation. He sat on a ledge, of one of Steel Canyon's few remaining skyscrapers. His mechanical suit hummed quietly in the dawn air, as he watchedthe sun rise. His brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail, his head the only part not encased in high-tech machinery.
This man was a scientist, named James Siron. He was better known by his nom de guerre, Nanospectre. He would be considered a hero, on a normal world, but here, he was a revolutionary and insurrectionist, a social troublemaker. He had developed a high tech nanosuit, that could store the ectoplasmic residue left behind from ghosts and spirits, such as the Spectral Pirates of Port Oakes. It utilized the residue to generate ghost-like effects, such as flight, phasing through solid matter, and manipulation of dark matter from the Netherworld.
Nanospectre drifted down towards the ground level, spotting a few Outcasts trying to take advantage of the situation, and steal a family's food.
A blasts of necrotic energy hit a Shocker and he hit the dirt, hard. The Block and Freezer looked up, obviously frightened.
"I believe you will put the food down, and go away quietly." Nanospectre said, in as a commanding voice as he could muster. The mutant thugs did as he said, running back to whatever hole they crawled out of. Nanospectre couldn't help much with the situation, but he did what he could.
((And unlike others, my intro fits in one post.))