The Avengers of Justice--new static team on Virtue

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Does guildportal really make things easier? Ive never touched the thing myself, so i have no real opinion on that matter.


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Guildportal is a website host. Allows you to make webpages for free with ads on them. Kinda like having your own SG page.

Onto another topic I just thought about. The Avengers of Justice is going to be an SG, correct? If you would like I can go ahead and create it and have it ready to go for the group by tuesday so we can start gaining prestige right off the bat, then remove that toon from it. Figure classic SG vibe, old red,white and blue with the shield emblem. Any thoughts?

only that I wont be using the chest emblem since it would make my suit look retarded and hinder its solar power colection

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only that I wont be using the chest emblem since it would make my suit look retarded and hinder its solar power colection

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Not this again, stutter flash back . j/k. My tanks look is pretty set in stone also but thought I'd throw out there for any takers.

Naw, its not as bad as Stutter. I can change the arm color if needed lol
Altho they are already red, so i wont need to MUAHAHAHA!

I actually wasn't planning on this being a formal SG, just a group of toons that met on a regular basis.

But we could still use guild portal without being a formal SG.

As for quorum, now that I think about it, maybe quorum just needs to be whatever the minimum number is to start whichever TF we are going to start that week.

Thanks for updating your origin by the way Datguy. It might be after our first run before I get a chance to update the running story though.

I'll also probably continue to mull over the GP site until after the first couple of runs too--get a feel for what turnout is like.

Looking forward to Tuesday guys!! Post here or PM me if something comes up and you can't make it.

Thanks!

Hey guys just wanted to send out a quick reminder that we are scheduled for our first run tonight at 7pm (east coast time).

We will just farm the sewers until about level 7-ish, then sell/train/whatever and head to King's Row to get some temp travel powers (bank missions). After we get the travel powers, we can start the Positron TF anytime after we all are level 10.

Since we are stopping at 9:30 we might not start Posi tonight, and even if we do we surely won't finish. Nonetheless, here is some info on the TF for the curious:

http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/Positron_task_force

Thanks again and I am really looking forward to this!!

I'll be there with bells on!!!

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Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

Right, Doc and his gimpy tank will be there laying the shadowy beatdown on the sewer rats

Blind Justyce is all to ready...and praying he puts the pointy sticks in the bad guys and not his team mates :P

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Right, Doc and his gimpy tank will be there laying the shadowy beatdown on the sewer rats

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With all the buffs this team is carrying I don't think it will be possible for your tank to be gimpy

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Right, Doc and his gimpy tank will be there laying the shadowy beatdown on the sewer rats

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With all the buffs this team is carrying I don't think it will be possible for your tank to be gimpy

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Maybe @ lvl 2 it will be...

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Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

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Right, Doc and his gimpy tank will be there laying the shadowy beatdown on the sewer rats

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With all the buffs this team is carrying I don't think it will be possible for your tank to be gimpy

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Maybe @ lvl 2 it will be...

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My guess is gimped until level 8 for dark regeneration or mid 20's for when I can fit stamina in

Damage protection we got...You'll have a heavy dose of flame shield and warmth that will make you feel all gushy inside.

Now help with Stamina? I got no answer.

Hey Doc, what happened? did you LD or have an emergency? Well, we all got raptor packs, if you want ill help u get yours before next tues.

Was having major mapserver DC's then when the final one hit I couldn't log back in till after 10pm. Had to reboot whole computer. Should be able to catch up by Tuesday and hopefully figure out the problem.

Logged out at lvl 9.7. Made a quick side-trip to Steel Canyon to trade out pink for blue (much more PPD) and waiting excitedly back in KR. I really think the team was starting to pull together. Too bad we were missing that tank

One thing that last night did was confirm my sense that sleep wasn't going to be much use with so many people. I'm skipping my first AoE because its a mass sleep. We're just too good and too many.

Hey guys. First of all great run last night. We definitely bounced back well after a slow start. This should be a lot of fun.

I wanted to suggest a few things for our Aug. 12 run. Posi is a TF for levels 10-15. From what I've been reading, Posi can be tough trying to tackle right at level 10. It could be a potentially frustrating experience, much like our initial attempt at the sewers with eight toons at level two.

Also, the second temp power from doing bank missions is available in the 11-15 range. It is another travel power--essentially a temp power version of super jump. Here is some more info on the safeguard missions:

http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/Safeguard_Mission

I believe that the safeguard missions will generally be the best way to fill in the levels we'll need between TF's.

Most of us logged off last night at around level 9. I would propose that, if possible, we all try to solo our toons to level 12-ish before the next session. That way, we can immediately begin work on the next temp power. We can run a few radio missions, do the safeguard mission and then start posi.

That would probably put us somewhere in the 12-13 range as we start Posi, which should be pretty doable.

I would also suggest trying not to get too far past 11 either, as the level imbalance could take some of the fun away for other teammates. Also, once we start Posi, you won't be able to level past 15 until we finish.

Anyway, just a suggestion, not a requirement. Let me know what you think. Also try to let us know in advance if for some reason you think you won't be able to make it next Tuesday.

Otherwise see you next Tuesday in Kings Row at 7pm. Oh, and I'll try to post the updated "storyline" some time soon.

Thanks guys!!

P.S.--When we start doing TF's remember that if we are still in the TF when we call it a night--DON'T QUIT THE TEAM, JUST LOG OFF. If you quit the team, the game will remove you from the TF and we won't be able to invite you back. If you just log out, you will automatically be added back to the TF when you log back in.

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Logged out at lvl 9.7. Made a quick side-trip to Steel Canyon to trade out pink for blue (much more PPD) and waiting excitedly back in KR. I really think the team was starting to pull together. Too bad we were missing that tank

One thing that last night did was confirm my sense that sleep wasn't going to be much use with so many people. I'm skipping my first AoE because its a mass sleep. We're just too good and too many.

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Just a thought about my favorite mind tactic. Deceive any embalmed that you come across so they blow up on their own . I love doing that

Last night was alot of fun, It was nice to be playing an Nrg/ Blaster again, and I love the /Elec set for blasters, so I'm really loving this toon.
Next weeks plans sound good. We may want to get ourselves to lvl 12 either before Tues. or before we start posi at least, This way we can slot lvl 15 DO's/IO's, depending on the infl, we've managed to collect. I've heard Posi can be a pain with 8 people so we should probably take it slow.
I do have my snipe, so I can pull to make things a bit easier once we've started the TF.

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Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

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Last night was alot of fun, It was nice to be playing an Nrg/ Blaster again, and I love the /Elec set for blasters, so I'm really loving this toon.
Next weeks plans sound good. We may want to get ourselves to lvl 12 either before Tues. or before we start posi at least, This way we can slot lvl 15 DO's/IO's, depending on the infl, we've managed to collect. I've heard Posi can be a pain with 8 people so we should probably take it slow.
I do have my snipe, so I can pull to make things a bit easier once we've started the TF.

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Agreed, and I have modified my "suggestions" post to reflect Klyxx's thoughts about getting to level 12. The DO/IO thought is right on.

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One thing that last night did was confirm my sense that sleep wasn't going to be much use with so many people. I'm skipping my first AoE because its a mass sleep. We're just too good and too many.

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One thing Mass Hypnosis (AoE sleep) is good for is something that I believe happened to us just once last night. That is, if we accidently aggro a second group, you can put most of the second group to sleep while we deal with the first spawn.

However, this requires the entire team to realize that strategy. Which is no easy task in the heat of battle with numerous AoE's going off.

It can also set up containment on your (eventual) AoE mezz that does damage as well (Terrify).

Having said all that, I tend to agree with your assessment. Solo or in small teams, I swear by it. In a group of 8 it has diminishing returns. There are probably other powers you can get that would feel more useful in a full group of 8.

Just my two influence.

BTW, I love the binds you set up that "encouraged" us each time you gave us a buff!!

Well on a good note, I should have my PC fixed or will after I restore it and turn it into just a game rig . At level 12 I'll have all 3 armors, taunt and regen. I'll be able to hold aggro and we'll be fine, will be putting off travel powers though till 26 to make sure I get fitness in there and my fear powers between 14-22.

If anyone wants to get their toons to 12 by Tuesday give me a shout and I'll help out, and as for influence, I have a toon that has access to it if anyone needs it.

First and formost I wanted to say what a great time I had inspite of the rough start,and what a pleasure it is to meet you all.I hopefully will be ready by next tuesday (I really don't see it a problem even if I solo it for the next 5 days,lol)
Compare to most of you I am the real new (noob) guy so I try to shut up and keep up.See yas soon! =)

Ok gang, here is the latest story. I'm re-posting the whole thing because it contains some slight retcons to adjust for the most recent origin stories. Also a few editing changes here and there. Nothing major though. The new stuff is mostly in "Issue 4: Lessons". Also, to give credit where's its due some descriptions of in-game items or characters were pulled from either the main CoX site or COH wiki.

From here on out, I will only post the most recent "Issue" unless some major retconning is necessary. Anyway, here you go--hope you enjoy it:

Just after helping the police isolate a mysterious outbreak, several of Paragon's newest heroes decided that the events that brought them together were more than mere coincidence. With that banded together to form:

The Avengers of Justice!!! A group that faces threats beyond the abilities of any hero standing alone. ROLL CALL:

1) Liberty-Flame (Fire/WP Science Scrapper): Nuclear powered melee dynamo;

2) Lightson (FF/ENG Magic Defender): Wielder of the amazing “light-force”;

3) Solar Tech (Fire/ENG Tech Blaster): Aging genius whose technology harnesses the power of the Sun;

4) The Directrix (Mind/Sonic Natural Controller): Police negotiator extraordinaire with uncanny abilities of persuasion;

5) Blynd Justce: (TA/Arch Tech Defender): Sightless inventor whose technology makes him the world’s greatest archer;

6) Mutant X-7 (Energy/Electric Mutant Blaster): Mutant manipulator of kinetic energy and electricity;

7) Doc Midnight (Dark/Dark Mutant Tank): Nigh-invulnerable child of shadow; and

8) Burnt Sacrifice (Fire/Thermal Mutant Controller): Devilish appearance, heart of an angle–fire and brimstone obey his will!

JUSTICE IS SERVED!!

I. Issue One: Some heroes are made.

Elizabeth Moore, a highly patriotic scientist working on the S.O.L.A.R. (Soldier Optimization and Longevity Amplification Research) project. The project was designed to enhance the performance of our soldiers in the field by exposing them to various energy fields. She was on the verge of a breakthrough. It just might work after all. One more late night in the office, and the power transfer might actually be ready for its first human test subject. So determined, Elizabeth was oblivious to the vibrating of her cell phone or the digital timer counting down underneath her desk . . .

Unlike Elizabeth, Steward Fritz was an aging scientist on the outside looking in. No doubt, his designs for harnessing solar energy in combat situations were revolutionary. Unfortunately, they were also unappreciated. He KNEW they worked. Nonetheless, every time he pitched his ideas he was met with nothing but rejection. It seemed few understood the potential for powerful weapons that cleanly, efficiently dispatched of the enemy without creating any byproducts which harmed the environment in the process. Running out of options, Steward pitched his ideas to Crey Industries. They, unlike everyone else, were very interested. But something felt wrong. They knew things about his prototype they shouldn’t have. They were obsessed with they punch his weapons packed, but seemed to care less about their environmental benefits. They wanted all proprietary rights in the equipments exclusively transferred over to them. Ultimately, Steward declined their very generous offer. Although willing purchasers, Crey obviously misunderstood the true purpose of the technology: environmentally clean warfare. After his business meeting with Crey, Steward returned home to collect his thoughts. Donning his working prototype, he paced around his house trying to think of what his next step would be. He liked putting the suit on, it helped him work out the kinks. Despite all the disappointments, Steward was constantly refining his life’s work. Lost in his thoughts, Steward was oblivious to the assailant approaching him from behind . . .

Dr. Ian Greyson, was a man living a charmed life as the lead developer for the Smart Suit project. The device would improve the quality of life for countless people. So long as it stayed in the right hands, that is. Which is why he would never let Crey have it. Despite Crey’s facade, Ian had heard the tales from his M.I.T buddies who had gone to work for them. He knew, deep down, it was an evil place. He would never let them have the suit. Not if they offered him a fortune. Not if they ruined his life. Not even if they took his sight. Some things even a blind man can see, Crey was evil . . .

Bryson Walker was a materialistic and prideful doctor. His whole world revolved making much of himself, and making even more of his bank account. That’s why his first job out of med school was with Crey Industries–they paid the best. He started out a little more than an overpaid errand boy, but he worked his way up the ladder. On the way up, he learned some of Crey’s dirtier secrets–like their proclivity for espionage. His most recent job had him posing as a doctor examining the animal test subjects of the S.O.L.A.R. project and reporting his findings back to Crey. However, something happened when news reached him that they were going to bomb S.O.L.A.R.’s facilities to halt its progress. For the first time in his life he was concerned for someone other than himself–Elizabeth Moore. He couldn’t let her die like that. Racing for the door, he sped off in his car to warn her in time. Little did he know he had already become expendable in the eyes of Crey . . .

Crey Industries, a corporation obsessed with developing its own secret cadre of super powered security troops. So obsessed, it would spy on and then blow up a military research facility. So obsessed, it would murder a man in cold blood if he refused to sell them what it wanted. So obsessed, that it would turn a miracle of medical technology into a weapon–destroying a man’s life in the process. So obsessed, that it would eliminate anyone–even one of its own employees–if he knew too many of the corporation’s dark little secrets.
And so, five strands become one tale:

A laboratory explosion that should have brought death, instead brought forth the first–and only– fully successful project S.O.L.A.R. test subject . . . Liberty-Flame, the nuclear powered sentinel of freedom is born;

A home invasion and attempted murder becomes the first true field test of one unsung genius’s technological masterpiece. It worked better than he had ever dreamed, and the assailant was defeated effortlessly. With a little investigation, Steward discovered that his assailant had connections to Crey. What’s more, Steward unearthed bits of evidence regarding another Crey plot involving a cryptic “outbreak.” It was then Steward realized he could kill two birds with one stone: he could create demand for his inventions and do some real good in the world by using his technology to become a super-hero. And he knew exactly what his first mission would be–stopping the Crey outbreak!! Solar Tech is born;

A blind man–still adjusting to life without sight; still mourning everything that had been taken away from him so quickly–somehow manages to disappear with his life’s work before evil can get its hand on it. The Smart Suit will still help countless people. He will turn his disability into a strength. A man with sight occasionally misses. The Smart Suit never misses. Crey wanted to see the Smart Suit’s combat capabilities–he will show it to them. He will develop even more technology to take advantage of the Smart Suit’s capabilities. He will become justice. Blynd Justce is born;

An expendable doctor’s brakes fail as he races down the street to do one of the few good things he had ever done in his life. Was he unconscious? Was he dead? Bryson will never really know. He just remembers the searing question from the angelic being: “Bryson Walker you are fallen, you have been a force for darkness in this world, I can make you a force for light . . . do you accept?” Yes–I do . . . and Lightson is born . . .

All the while, the obsessed corporation continues to plot . . .

II. Issue Two: Some heroes are born.

Nature versus nurture. Heredity versus environment. What makes us who we are? A complex question for any person. Even more so for a mutant–a person born with amazing powers and abilities. A question made even more complex for mutants in Paragon City. For in Paragon City, mutants are pawns to be sacrificed in Crey’s quest for power . . .


“Stay hidden, the shadows will protect you.” Chad Wyrick–at least that is what he calls himself now–heard those words 10 years ago. They were the last words his mother ever spoke to him. Before Chad could even respond, his mother darted away in the opposite direction. You see, they were being chased. Being chased because Chad was a mutant. Which of course meant that, to Crey Industries, he was little more than a lab rat. Another pawn in their obsession for power. But they would not catch Chad that day. His mother’s last words had a deeper meaning: she was reminding her son one last time of his power. The power of midnight. Powerful. Terrifying. The darkness made him strong. Protected him. Sheltered him. No, they would not catch Chad that day, for how does one catch a shadow? Ten lonely years later and the young man had become an adult. And he was no longer using the shadows to hide, he was using them to hunt. Indeed, by day Chad Wyrick now works for an unsuspecting Crey Industries as a research assistant. By night, however, the vigilante known as Doc Midnight–at least that is what Chad Wyrick calls himself now–emerges from the shadows to combat the Crey at every turn. Those rescued by Doc Midnight always note the he told them one last thing before he disappeared in the night: “the shadows will protect you . . .”

“God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart . . .” John Mark took solace in that Bible verse. Many mutants, despite the great abilities they were born with, have normal outside appearances. Some, like John Mark, do not. He was an orphan taken in by nuns. They treated him well. But when his latent mutant powers began to manifest, his appearance also changed. A boy, raised in a cathedral, began to take on the appearance of a demon. Even though he looked evil, his surrogate family understood he was not. They tried to get him help. Crey, of course, was more than willing to “help.” The nuns had no idea the expert they turned to was in fact a Crey operative. In the blink of an eye, John Mark went from living with a loving, godly family to being an experiment. He would eventually escape, but Crey would extract its revenge. They murdered the very sister who had helped him escape. And they also had every intention of bringing him back in for further experimentation. However, John Mark’s powers to control heat and flame had grown stronger. Crey was no match for him on that occasion. “ . . .The Lord looks at the heart . . .” John Mark took great solace in that Bible verse, and he now realized he had the heart of a hero. He would use his powers to protect others from evil-doers like Crey. He would put himself on the line–sacrifice himself–for the good of others. John Mark would become a Burnt Sacrifice.

Five years. What does one do when he has five years taken away from him? Alex Kent has learned the answer to that question gradually, day by day. Not all mutants are as “fortunate” as Chad and John. For, despite all they lost, they ultimately escaped Crey’s clutches relatively quickly. Alex Kent did not. He went to them for help. To learn how to control his abilities. He remembers them taking a blood sample, and then . . . Five years. He awakened five years later. What does one do when he has five years taken away from him? He learns as much as he can about the one who took it. So he could try to learn something–anything–more about what was done to him during those five years. So he could prevent it from happening to anyone else. So he could bring them down. Alex was no detective, but he had studied Crey closely enough to hear whispers. Whispers that Crey was going to let some Rikti mutagen slip out in the area near Rivera Medical Center. They wanted to see how it would contaminate the populace. Another twisted experiment. Sure, Crey would make it look like the mutagen was stolen by common thugs, but Alex knew the truth. Crey was up to its old tricks, and Mutant X-7 would be there to stop them. But not before he made sure that the heroes in the Outbreak zone would have a little back-up from the PPD.

III. Issue three: The adventure begins.

Helen Ambriel stared at the note in her hand, even as her mind was a million miles away. Am I really going to do this? Am I a cop? Am I a super-hero? Both? Am I deluding myself about my gift. No, no I’m not. That’s fear talking. I CAN help these people. I can help the victims AND the criminals. Make them see that there is a better way, a better life for them. That violence isn’t always the answer. I’ve trained my powers of persuasion my entire life–much longer that some of these heroes have had their powers. I’m a trained police officer. Yes, I can fight if I have to. But I can also show Paragon that its heroes don’t always have to fight. They can be better than that. I can inspire them, but not as Helen Ambriel. These risks I’ve been taking lately, its all pointing me to one thing. I’m going to do this. Oh . . . but focus Helen, right now you’ve got another job to do!! Ok, what does this note say again: “Crey’s planning something big near Rivera Medical Center, get some cops down there now. And heroes if there’s any more to spare. I promise you at least one hero will be there–Mutant X7" Make that two, Helen, thought. And the Directrix was born . . .

And then an Outbreak! Eight heroes arrive on the scene to assist the police during the outbreak–some of them in costume for the first time. Soon, without even realizing it, they were working in unison to isolate the outbreak. During the melee Directrix noticed something different about this group. Other groups tended to disrupt her attempts at negotiation. They didn’t see the point in it. But not this group. Maybe it was because they were new, but they followed her lead. Negotiate first, fight second. They arrested the ones that surrendered without violence. To be sure, there was still a good dose a fighting. But they understood. They wanted justice, however they could get it. “And I can help them,” she thought to herself, “with my connections at the PPD, I’ll know where the trouble is . . .”

Her thoughts were interrupted before she could finish the thought. At that moment she was startled by Doc Midnight emerging from the shadows. He had been there the entire battle, fighting alongside them, unseen. Doc Midnight addressed Mutant X-7 first, “Glad you were able to pick up on the clues I was leaving for you. Sorry I wasn’t more direct, but I was being watched.” He then turned to the entire team. “I know whose behind this–Crey.” The tension rose at the very mention of the insidious corporation. “And I know where they are going. They are going to use the Atlas sewers to get what’s left of the mutagen back out of the city. We can catch them if we leave now.”

Solar Tech was the first to respond. “I can confirm all of that, and add that their ultimate destination appears to be Kings Row.”

“Lead the way,” Blynd Justce responded, “I’ve got some personal business to settle with Crey . . .”

“No,” Lightson interjected, “it can never be personal. It not about vengeance.”

“Oh I don’t want to avenge myself,” Blynd Justce responded, “Crey has to answer to Justice.”

And the Avengers of Justice are born . . .

JUSTICE IS SERVED!!

IV. Issue Four: Lessons

Some lessons cannot be taught in the abstract. They must be learned from experience. For fledgling super-heroes in Paragon City, learning lessons from experience can be dangerous and painful. And so it was for the Avenger of Justice . . .

The stench of the sewer network was nearly overpowering. Even inch of its slippery, slime covered surface emanated a foul odor. Even more disconcerting were the sounds. Drips echoed throughout the chamber. And splashes. But where were those splashes coming from? Were they footsteps? And that muttering, was that a human voice?

“Ok, we know that they were planning on transiting through the sewers to Kings Row.,” Solar Tech nervously stroked some grey whiskers on his chin. This place made him uncomfortable. It reminded him of exactly how much Atlas Park had been polluted by its citizens. Not to mention that one powered by the sun never feels completely at ease underground.

“But,” the Directrix added, “they also know by now that we’re onto them. They may have altered their intended escape route. We know they entered here, but we can’t assume they still plan on exiting at Kings Row. We’ll have to track them from here.” What she didn’t add were all then “boogeyman” stories she had heard about these sewers in the PPD. Even without a Crey presence, this was not a safe place. They handled the outbreak well, but were they ready for this?

“Agreed, and they’ve got a head start, so let’s get moving,” Doc Midnight said. For a child of the shadows, he felt more comfortable in the current environment than the others. Without another word, he began to lead them through the maze of tunnels. At first the search was fruitless, but then . . .

Thanks to the sensitivity of his Smart Suit, Blynd Justice was the first to notice something out of place, “Uh guys, we’ve got company up ahead, and from these readings I don’t think its Crey. There’s just something . . . odd about them.”

Then the sounds became a little more clear. The sickening snick, snick of a sharpening blade, the slick wet sounds of blood, the sizzle of toxic bile as it dripped onto the sewer floor.

The Directrix was the only member of the team that clearly understood the great danger they had stumbled into. “Vahzilok,” she gasped, more to herself than anyone else.

“Vahz-i-what?” Burnt Sacrifice blurted.

“Vahzilok. PPD is constantly responding to abduction reports thanks to these guys. Crey might be evil, but these guys are twisted and demented to boot. The things they do with human flesh is unnatural. Unwilling human flesh I might add” the Directrix explained.

“Well, whether it’s the evil we came looking for or not, they must be stopped.” Lightson declared.

With a crackle of electricity, Mutant X-7 added, “After sloshing around in this sewer I’m ready to let off a little steam anyway . . .”

In unison they let out a cry of “Justice is Served!!” As they leapt into battle, they could not help but be reminded of their overwhelming success during outbreak. Perhaps those memories lead to overconfidence.

Some lessons cannot be taught in the abstract. They must be learned from experience. Lesson the first: the outbreak thugs were amateurs. Not all villains are amateurs.

Doc Midnight, as always, was the first the charge into battle. In seconds he was covered in corrosive acid . On top of that, a mass of fists pelted him from every direction. Although he withstood the initial onslaught, he was steadily weakening. Even his great resilience was not enough, and eventually he fell.

The Directrix , Blynd Justce, Burnt Sacrifice and Mutant X-7 thought they had assumed positions of relative safety behind Doc Midnight. Too late, they noticed a zombie like construct with numerous pieces of technological equipment protruding from its dead flesh. A walking time bomb, creeping behind them. KA-BOOM.

Solar Tech undid all the safety locks on his equipment and rained fire on his opponents. Although many succumbed, it was not enough. Already drained after spending this long underground, his battle suit could not sustain that pace. Depleted of energy, he was quickly overwhelmed.

Mutant X-7 thought he would have the upper hand by using his electricity on opponents standing in water. Unfortunately, the shock did little more than anger the undead creatures he was facing. Before he could change tactics he was pin-cushioned by a spray of poison darts. Another avenger falls.

Lightson flung his light energy at friend and foe alike. His shields were ripped through like paper by the crazed villains. Energy blasts hurt them but didn’t stop them. In one last gasp, Lightson put all of his power into his personal force field, hoping that he could survive and help his allies escape. But there were too many of them, and soon his force field crumbled under their numbers.

And then there was Liberty-Flame. The mild mannered former scientist. She was the most introverted of the lot, and so far had spoken rarely. Liberty-Flame fought bravely. Water boiled, bubbled and steamed at her feet as her internal temperature rose. Although she didn’t see each defeat, she sensed that her allies were falling. Yet still she persevered. Her enemies burned at her touch. First one villain fell. Then another. For a brief moment, she thought that–against all odds–she might yet prevail. Yes, she was tiring, but their numbers were thinning. Or so she thought, until another wave surrounded her. And then another. She was the only one still standing, and now she knew that she would not be standing much longer. The Avengers of Justice had been vanquished.

Unable to stand, barely even able to hold his head up, on the very cusp of unconsciousness, Solar Tech looked on as Liberty-Flame fell. He heard the instructions of the reapers and mortificators. It was clear the victors planned to do unspeakable things to their conquered foes. If they didn’t get out of there now, the Avengers of Justice would become zombies just like the rest of these cadavers. Thankfully, his battle suit had absorbed just a touch of the energy Liberty-Flame emanated during her final stand. “Please be enough,” Solar Tech thought to himself as, with his last ounce of strength, he pushed a red button on his belt. And then everything turned black.


An undetermined amount of time later, the heroes awoke one by one in the hospital.

Blynd Justce spoke first. “What happened? Where are we?”

“We had our heads handed to us, that’s what happened!!” Burnt Sacrifice exclaimed in frustration.

“Yeah, but how are we still alive and how did we get here?” Mutant X-7 asked.

“My suit teleported us here. Part of my ‘clean battlefield’ theory included being able to teleport casualties quickly away from the fray.” Solar Tech explained.

<<OOC: I’ve always thought the idea that all heroes were always automatically teleported to the hospital when defeated was a little unheroic. So, for story purposes, that convenience doesn’t exist>>

“You might have let us know you could do that before we charged into the fight,” Doc Midnight chuckled.

“Well, honestly, I wasn’t sure it would work. Not on eight people. As it is, it almost didn’t work. If not for Liberty-Flame’s last ditch effort I wouldn’t have had enough power to pull it off. And the trick almost fried my suit. It’ll take me some time to get it operational again. Long story short, its not something we should rely on.”

After a long silence, Mutant X-7 replied, “So, basically you’re saying we almost died back there.”

“That would be an accurate assessment of the situation, yes,” Solar Tech answered matter-of-factly.

“Yep, justice just got served,” Burnt Sacrifice retorted sarcastically.

Sensing her teammates’ discouragement, the Directrix quickly noted, “Yes, we were defeated, but that will only make us come back stronger. Every minute we are learning more about our powers; more about our strengths; and more about our foes’ weaknesses. This was just a temporary set-back, nothing more.”

“Agreed,” Lightson responded, “but the sewer trail is certainly cold by now. What do we do next.”

Fate answered the question in no short order. Just as Lightson finished his query, a report screeched out over the police radio that the Directrix kept clipped to her utility belt.

“All units be on the lookout for a gang of Skulls near the Gish in Kings Row. Suspects have stolen a batch of Formula 13 from a laboratory and should be considered dangerous . . .”

Liberty Flame interjected, “Hey! I know about Formula 13! We used it for a while in project S.O.L.A.R. It was used during the Cold War in attempts to create a super-trooper serum. It never worked right but it was a precursor of Superadyne . . .”

“So,” the Directix added, “we have a lab in Kings Row that just happens to have Formula 13 on hand, AND those Crey flunkies were headed toward King’s Row too. Might just be a coincidence . . .”

“Or it might be the lead we are looking for,” Lightson finished, “Form up Avengers of Justice! Blynd Justce, Mutant X-7, help Solar Tech get his battle suit repaired and powered up. As soon as he’s functional we’re headed to Kings Row!”

In fact, it was just a coincidence. The laboratory was conducting legitimate experiments and was robbed by the Skulls. There was no Crey connection. For now, the trail was still cold. But that is not the final note of this chapter. Rather, the final note is that the Skulls were defeated and the Formula 13 recovered. In many ways, the group of Skulls was more powerful and dangerous than the Vahzilok lurking in the sewers. But the Avengers of Justice had learned. They understood their own powers better. They understood teamwork better. They no longer allowed their surroundings to distract them. They Avengers of Justice were becoming formidable.

Some lessons cannot be taught in the abstract. They must be learned from experience. For fledgling super-heroes in Paragon City, learning lessons from experience can be dangerous and painful. And so it was for the Avenger of Justice . . . but as those lessons are learned, Crey, Vahzilok, Skulls and all others who prey on the innocent would do well to beware. Because, inevitably:

JUSTICE IS SERVED!!

To be continued, Tuesday, Aug. 12 @ 7pm. See you in Kings Row.