Robots are not supposed to know fear, but Blue Battlebot cannot suppress the emotion within him as he considers the endless mob of Devouring Earth in front of him. He has used everything he has to protect the innocent hostages of these monsters. He has no strength, no power left to him, and the Devouring Earth are coming for him
and the people in his care.
If only he had a little more strength!
Perez Park.
Patrick Duncan can remember when this place was once filled with happy families having picnics and shopping at the nearby stores. How many times had he taken Megan to the park while her mother attended to Freedom Phalanx business? He had a lot of good memories of this place
Of course that was before it became a home to monsters, madmen, magicians and assorted gangs
He is safe. Even here, the City protects him, conceals him from those who would do him harm. He walks safely among Hydra, Clockwork, Lost, Vahzilok, and the Circle of Thorns without even the most powerful Mages being aware of his presence.
Finally, he comes to the Tree of Atlas.
In 1941, Atlas widow Gloria Branson had planted this tree in memory of her husband. In spite of all the dark magic, the twisted science, and the sheer evil that has permeated Perez Park, the Tree remains
Patrick Duncan lays his hand on the thick tree trunk. Rest easy, Atlas. The City remains. The City endures because of you.
And when he draws his hand back, his fingers glow with a faint blue light
And suddenly, the strength is there. Its not much, but its enough
enough for him to launch himself once upon his fearsome foes and lay about him with shadow-shrouded fists
enough to save lives!
And though it may sound odd, a robot gives thanks to whatever unknown force gave him the sudden burst of energy when he needed it
Patrick Duncan smiles as the City takes him to his next destination.
Hunter From Ice frowns as he uses his newly earned magic to hover in mid air. There is much he does not understand about the strange new world of this time, but he knows good, and he knows evil. He knows that he must act.
The Council Archon rants and raves, while the innocent girl cowers beside him. The Archons free hand is wrapped in her hair; his pistol is pressed up against her forehead. He shouts threats at the Paragon Police Department as they try to talk him into releasing the girl.
Hunter From Ice knows that he has but one chance to make his shot. If he fails, if he misses, then the girls death will be on his head. Nevertheless, he draws back his bow and prepares to let loose his arrow.
He must not miss! He must not miss!
Kings Row.
The wind whistles around him on the high voltage tower. He would not be human if he did not feel a certain twinge of fear, but he trusts the City to keep him from falling. He is not here to fall.
Manticore, he whispers. How many times did you stand here, watching over the City before you finally made your presence known? Keen sighted archer, the City honors your service.
He kneels down and touched the platform he stands on, and when he rises, his fingers glow with a pale yellow light.
Hunter From Ice fires. As the arrow leaves his bow, he knows that it will hits target. He has never been surer of his target in his entire life.
Straight and true, the arrow flies, knocking the pistol out of the Archons hand. The gun discharges as it lands, creasing the Archons forehead and causing the Council leader to fall to the ground with a heavy thud.
Hunter fires arrow after arrow at the other Council thugs as they scramble to get him. He has no fear; he knows that each arrow will find its target.
He has never been so sure of his accuracy in his entire life
Patrick Duncan smiles. Straight and true
Monday Blaze curses as she strikes down yet another Rikti with her flaming sword. I knew I should have waited for Sunday!
We have to get out of here! Arnold Decker shrieks. Monday doesnt blame him for being afraid, but she wishes that he would shut up.
Shes hurting. Shes tough, possessed of an iron will, but the energy blasts, psychic powers, and Rikti swords have sapped her strength. Each step takes more energy than the one before, and she feels so weak that she knows she wont get up if she falls.
She hurts so much
Galaxy City.
Patrick Duncan nods respectfully at the statue of Kelly Graham. He remembers her, remembers the countless times she worked with Alexis, the innumerable times they shared late meals, holiday parties
The City remembers you, Galaxy Girl, he whispers as he touches the pedestal at the base of the statue. It remembers your courage. Your power. The sacrifices you made for it, and for the people you loved. The City treasures your memory.
His hands glow with vibrant green energy
Suddenly, shes whole, healed of every injury as though it had never been. She laughs and brings her flaming sword down on the surprised Rikti Chief Soldier. Come on, Arnold! Were getting out of here!
And she doesnt know where her newfound strength came from, but shes thankful for it all the same
The City remembers you, Kelly, and so do I. Thank you for your friendship, your courage in dark times, and thank you most of all for saving my wifes life. I miss you, Kelly.
But the City has need, and there is little time for grieving, so Patrick Duncan closes his eyes and lets the City take him where it will once more.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
Mjollnir Blue knows that Frostfire has to be stopped. There are no other heroes available, so he will have to do it on his own. He has fought his way through Frostfires stronghold, and now he stands just outside the Outcast leaders throne room. Theres still a room full of Outcasts in there with him.
He has no choice. Hes going in
but he desperately needs all the luck he can get.
Skyway City.
Patrick Duncan knew Robbie Prescott, too. The self-proclaimed hero Dauntless had been something of a joke, back in the day. A young kid with no powers whatsoever, a delivery boy, no less, armed with just fists and his wits and a heart as big as all outdoors. Everyone who met him knew he was carrying a Talos-sized torch for Galaxy Girl, but neither of them ever acknowledged it.
We all laughed at you, Robbie, Patrick Duncan murmurs, his voice heavy with regret. Heroes. Villains. The public. We all laughed.
But you proved us wrong, didnt you, Robbie? When Protean defeated Kelly, when he was about to murder every man, woman, and child in that charity kitchen, you proved just how dauntless you were in the defense of those you cared about. Those you loved.
He lays his hand on the plaque of the statue of the vibrant young man, and when he pulls his hand back, his fingers glow with an amethyst light. To the last breath, you defended those who could not defend themselves, Robbie Prescott. The City is humbled by your service, and you will be remembered forever.
Mjollnir Blue rushes in, and its like nothingno onecan touch him.
One by one, the Outcasts fall to the crackling electrical power of his armor. Long after his followers have gone down, Frostfire fights on, cursing, but never once begging for mercy or offering to surrender. He fights on until he cant fight any longer.
But he never once touches Mjollnir Blue.
Guess its true what they say about fools and children, MJollnir Blue murmurs to himself. I have never been that lucky in my entire life
.
Patrick Duncan removes his glasses and wipes his eyes and nods his head in salute to Dauntless once more as the City takes him to his next destination.
The Peacebringer calls itself Drake Griffin because the Kheldian part of it has never stopped grieving for its lost soul mate, its prior host. The human part of it knows that something is missingsomething vitalbut Drake Griffin is not a man to stand idly by and allows innocents to be hurt regardless of his own inner pain.
The Freakshow have taken innocent people hostage in the name of their twisted game, and he must escort them to safety. His massive White Dwarf form has taken what they throw at him, but as the cybernetic madmen swarm over him once more he is not sure he has the power to stand against them once more
He is not afraid. He is angry. But anger by itself is not enough
Dark Astoria.
This place saddens him. He remembers when Astoria was bright and vibrant alive. He remembers teaching in the schools here.
These are dark times, he murmurs to himself. Death and destruction. Perhaps the darkest times of my life. And yet
The living members of the Banished Pantheon do not see him as he walks the streets towards Moth Cemetery. Those who do not live shudder and turn aside. The restless ghosts of Astoria know a moments peace in his presence, and he is saddened that he cannot offer them the eternal rest that is denied him.
Someday, he promises them. Someday Dark Astoria will be alive once more, and you will be no tormented no more. The City promises you this.
In the Cemetery he comes to a crypt. On this crypt is a plaque. He shuts his eyes as he lays his hand on the plaque.
Heroes who fell in defense of the City against the Rikti. You could have run. You did not. You chose the life of heroism, to put yourself in harms way to protect those who could not protect themselves. You could have used your powers to take what you want, but you did not. You gave everything you had for the City, and the City treasures you.
Be at peace, heroes. You have done all that anyone could ask for, and more. Rest now in this place of the restless dead. Leave your hatred and fears behind youand your rage.
When he draws his hand back, his fingers glow with a furious red light.
And suddenly his anger is a source of power. The Freakshow scatter before his heavy, slow blows
and when they fall, they do not get up. Inch by torturous inch, he batters his way through them, leading the sobbing citizens behind him.
The anger frightens him, but it sustains him too, and when the last hostage has been escorted to safety, he wonders where it came from
Patrick Duncan takes a deep breath. He does not like taking anger upon himself, even for the sake of the City, but he knows that it was something that had to be done. He takes another look at Dark Astoria.
This will change. The darkness will be driven back. The dead will rest in peace.
And with his promise hanging in the cold air, he is taken once more by the City.
The creature called Colorific is not a man or woman. Its not exactly sure that it is even alive as humans understand life. It is a dream
a dream given shape and form and vibrant color. A dream that does what the dreameror dreamerscannot.
Protect the City.
Its not doing such a great job of it now.
You really think your pitiful powers are a match for mine? Mother Mayhem shrieks at it as she sends blades of concentrated thought into his mind like daggers dipped in acid. I do not understand what you are, but you have a mindand what thinks, Mother Mayhem can destroy!
Colorific groans in agony and clutches its hands to its forehead as it falls to its knees. It cannot fight, but it must fight. Somehow
somehow it must break free!
Atlas Park.
The nondescript warehouse shows no sign of the horrors that had once been unleashed in it. The plaque in front of it tells the story, thoughhere the heroine called The Grimm Fairy rescued the innocent victims of the Lost messiah Ishmael. It was the greatest adventure of her young lifeand the last.
Sometimes the greatest heroes are the ones who acknowledge they cant do everything on their own, Patrick Duncan whispers as he touches the plaque. When you saved them, you knew that you could not stop the Lost on your own. You swallowed your pride, and you went to the Freedom Phalanx for help.
No one knows where you went after Ishmael was defeated, Grimm Fairy. I would like to think that youre out there somewhere, doing what has to be done without regard to fame or self promotion. I would like to think you will be there when you are needed again. The City still stands because of your service, and we thank you for that.
And when he draws his forth hand, a purple light surrounds his fingers
And Colorific is free!
Its mind is its own again. It lowers its hands from its head and stares at Mother Mayhem with eyes that no one can see
eyes that may not even exist.
In its strangely sexless voice, it says, Lets try that again, shall we?
And the colorful Phantom Army it unleashes surrounds the stunned Mother Mayhem.
Break free. Patrick Duncan smiles.
Lord Recluse himself is pounding on the Granite Tank called Bedrock Blue.
Bedrock Blue groans as his heavy body is slowly forced by the onslaught of the super powerful Lord of the Rogue Isles.
Do you really think you can stop me? I have defeated the mightiest champions of Paragon City! Statesman himself has fallen to me more than once! And you think you will stop me from robbing this bank?!
I dont have to beat you! Bedrock Blue retorts. I just have to keep you here till Statesman and the Freedom Phalanx get here! The only way youre getting out that door is over my dead body, Recluse!
Indeed? Then let us see how long it will take for stone to shatter!
Great fissures began to form on his body, but still Bedrock Blue does not relent
Galaxy City once more.
Patrick Duncan stares at the great statue in front of him.
Matthew Barnes. M1. When the world needed heroes more than ever, you were there. Against the greatest human evil the world has ever known, you held the line. Thanks to you and others like you, freedom endures.
He touches the statues mighty leg.
The City respects the sacrifices you made, M1.
And when he removes his hand, an orange glow surrounds it
And though the damage is terrible, the cracks do not deepen any more on Bedrock Blues armor.
Fall! Recluse shouts. Fall!
Im still standing, Recluse! Bedrock Blue taunts him. Im still here!
Recluse! Statesman yells as he bursts through the doors of the bank. Surrender!
Granite cannot smile, but inside Bedrock Blue grins as he is joined by Paragons greatest hero
I held the line
Hold the line, hero. Hold the line, Patrick Duncan murmurs.
He waits, but the City is silent.
Wish you could have made this trip a little more convenient to me, he mutters good-naturedly. Now I have to take the Yellow to Atlas Park!
In a way that only he can hear, the City laughs in response.
Daddy! Ms. Liberty sounds in uncharacteristically girlish glee as her father comes walking up to her.
Hello, little girl, Patrick Duncan smiles at his only child. Your mother suggested that we have lunch today. Your old man will spring for it. I hear Hero Burger has a Ms. Liberty Fun Meal
Ms. Liberty laughs and hugs him. Sure. Just let me activate the hard light hologram and well be on our way. What did you do today?
Oh nothing special. I just took a walk around the city.
Sounds kind of boring, Daddy.
Oh you know your old man, Megan. Im just a boring kind of guy.
You know thats not true, Daddy! Youre one of the most inspirational people Ive ever met
And Patrick Duncan smiles in response
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
This is the first time I've logged into the forums in four months or so.
This story made it worth it.
Thanks, BB.
First time commenting in this forum, though I've been enjoying your work for a while and always like the way you seamlessly integrate actual game play mechanics into the story.
This is a brilliant example of that. Great story.
Beeyooteeful.
Okay, rationally, I sense a bit of cheese, but it's hard to criticize when I'm gritting my teeth, feeling Recluse's strength hammer down on the bulwark that WILL NOT YIELD.
I love this work. Makes me think of "unsung heroes", types who can't really go toe-to-toe with villains, but work behind the scenes, doing what they can to fight the good fight.
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
Patrick Duncan wakes up alone as he so often does these days. He feels the old aches and familiar pains that have come with age, and he finds himself wondering again how many mornings are left to him. Sometimes he finds himself envying Marcus Cole for his prolonged youth, and then he glances at his wife and he is thankful that he will not share Marcus fate of having to outlive those he loves.
That at least was something that was promised to him when he took up the task that was offered to him.
Theres more than one way to save the world, he murmurs to himself as he showers and shaves. He slips on his well worn suit and shoes, and eyes himself critically in the mirror.
He is not a tall man, and what hair he has left has long since gone gray. His eyes had always been his best feature, and Alexis tells him that they are still the same vibrant blue they were when she met him, but these days the thick glasses he wears obscures them. For a man his age he is in surprisingly good shape, but theres the hint of a potbelly that remains with him no matter how much walking he does.
Vanity, he says with a chuckle. You know that Alexis didnt marry you for your good looks.
Theres a note on the kitchen table along with his breakfast. In crisp, clear handwriting Alexis has told him that she wont be home for lunch today, and suggests that he see if Megan would care to join him.
Suggests is perhaps not an accurate turn of phrase, though, as Alexis has a way of expressing her opinions quite strongly: one doesnt grow up as the only child of Statesman and Maiden Justice without developing a strong will.
Patrick Duncan does not mind, though. He had not expected a demure housewife when he asked her to marry him. Even after all these years, he still loved everything about hereven the way she sometimes drove him crazy.
And then he feels it.
The City is calling to him.
He drinks his orange juice and dutifully finishes his bran muffin.
All right, he murmurs. Im ready.
And the City takes him.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links