Meanwhile-
Mellissandria watched over Meg Sr.'s shoulder as they both read the report.
"This isn't good, Mellie." Meg looked up at her mentor of sorts. As a teen, she had been Mellie's assistant in creating new inventions..and was now one of Mellie's best researchers as a grown woman. Three kids didn't leave much time for adventuring and inventing..although she still worked on her prosthetic wing project- a sideline that many a bird sanctuary cheered, for allowing injured birds to fly again- even if they couldn't be released back to the wild.
"I know," Mellie sighed. "Looks like the bloody Pratorians, and the Rikti, are on the move. We'll have to get ready." She looked at Meg. "And no, I am *not* going to risk you or Caleb out there, if I can help it...Especially you." She gave Meg a sharp look over her glasses. "I'll also have to contact Mike Carter over at PJSA. He's going to need to discourage the students from joining the front lines."
"What about you, Mellie?" Meg asked.
"I'll be trying to figure out a way to sabotage both of them." Mellie grinned as she picked up her tool kit. "You can do so much with the right equipment.."
Global is @Mellissandria
I don't have that much art, but I do write stories and I do collect art on
my DA account
Meanwhile further--
In a small chamber, surrounded by candles, a youthful, handsome blond boy arranges multicolored crystals in front of him in various patterns, his violet eyes reflecting the colors.
A voice comes from behind him, "Mika...what are you doing here...?"
The boy turns around, flashing a smile to the black-haired woman standing before him, his fangs catching the flickering candle-light.
"Hallo Silara, I thought I'd borrow your scrying kit...you knew that this was all going to happen, Ja?"
The woman crossed her arms, her blue eyes piercing through the light of the candles, her face cold, emotionless.
"of course...however, unlike you, it isn't my job to protect /humans/ and you know that very well. The others don't care either. It's better to ask the help of Lexander and Lenora, they're more apt to helping your cause..."
The blond springs up, rather perkily. "naaaaa jaaaaaaa Silara. The coming fight isn't a threat to me, but I'd rather not have all those smelly Praetorians invade my personal space....at least not while I'm still gathering relics."
The woman smiles lightly, turning to walk away, "then kill, brother...take their blood into you and expel them yourself."
Mika frowned, walking out the door opposite of silara's, into the outside. Looking up at the sky he sighed. Slowly, reaching up to wipe some hair from his face, he chuckled.
"That's Magisterum to you, Madame Silara...."
and with that, he would proceed to return to the stronghold, his mind eager to test the power of the praetorian forces.
Magisterum- 50+3 Fortunata--Virtue
Lukerion- 33 Emp/Rad Defender--Virtue
Noah Heartily- 34 SS/SD brute- Virtue
Mika Heartily- 50+1 Fire/MM blaster-Virtue
Snaerr sat in the M*A*G*I vault, staring at the portal with a frown.
"I doubt it'll be anything like the Circle of Thorns portals, Jack."
He turned and found Azuria in the doorway watching him.
"Small favors, huh?" He grinned. "At least this place nobody's trying to abduct and possess people."
"I hear Emperor Cole's averse to that sort of behavior," she said.
Snaerr turned toward the portal again.
"And they're not likely to put any curses on your soul, either," She added quietly, "Believe me, this is going to be candy compared to the dimensions you've seen on a regular basis since you came to this city."
"Yeah. Big Brother candy. Some tastes more equal than others."
"So it's a bit rigid. You've visited dimensions where the entire human population was held in slavery and tortured for fun, or eaten alive as a delicacy."
"I saw a place where the whole dimension was run by imps once."
She blinked for a moment at that, then shook her head. "The point is, why does this bother you so much?"
"Because that was demons. Demons, you pretty much expect that sort of thing."
"You've spoken to a few people loyal to Cole, Jack, you know it's hardly a black-and-white evil dictatorship." She shrugged. "He might be the hero they make him out to be. Crime is nonexistent. The supernatural world is regulated. People can walk around the city hall without somebody grabbing their purses." She paused, then added "He's long-since eliminated the Circle of Thorns there."
"Emperor Cole. Heh. The name he uses with his followers." He turned toward her and gave her an empty half-smile. "What did we call him before the more advanced contact?"
"Well, it was more of a codename than-"
"What did we call him, Azuria?" He repeated, more sharply.
She grimaced, meeting his eyes, then finally answered. "Tyrant."
"And how did we first discover him?" he continued.
"He kidnapped Statesman, and Ascendant had to rescue him."
"Yeah. Statesman." His voice became more agitated, and he snapped, "Why did he kidnap him?"
"Because they were mirror dimensions of the same man. You know all this."
"Of course I know all of this! Of course I get it!" He yelled. "How do you not-"
He stopped. Azuria was meeting him with a dead stare. He noticed slight puffs of mist as she breathed, and a thin sheen of frost had formed over several of the crystal and glass items in the vault. He held up his sunglasses and was met with a cold blue light from the reflection of his own glowing eyes. He looked back at Azuria, who was still staring at him.
"No, I don't 'get it.' So tell me."
He forced his powers back under control, meeting her eyes for a long time, then finally sighed and pulled out his pocket flask.
"Must you?"
"Yes." He took a long draw of whiskey, winced, then screwed the cap back on. "Have you ever wondered what she's like?"
"Who?"
"You." He looked back at her. "The other you. The Azuria from Praetorian Earth."
"I never thought it pertinent."
"I wonder all the time." He unscrewed the cap. "Not yours, I meant... what happens to Jack Chiaro in Praetoria?" He took a drink, moved the cap toward the flask, then considered it and slipped it into his pocket instead.
"He may not even be known as Jack." she mused. "But why does it matter?"
"It just does." He took another drink. "If... if even Marcus Cole can be turned into a power-hungry dictator who kills those who oppose him in cold blood, then..."
"Then what would happen to you?"
"What would happen to a bitter, jaded mystic with massive amounts of arcane power in his library and an apparent affinity for the most violent and evil nature spirit on record? As it is, I'm already an alienating, obnoxious, violently antisocial borderline-alcoholic."
"Perhaps not borderline." Azuria suggested.
"Oh, hush. Not all of us can handle the Sight as well as you."
Azuria sighed. "Is this about that... doppelganger you encountered?"
"He was an arsonist. A thug. Not evil, as much as... violently unbalanced. But this isn't an arson and unbalance place. This is a machiavellian Evil Mastermind with a brain so twisted it looks like an Escher place."
Azuria suddenly did something Snaerr had never seen her do before. She looked uncomfortable.
"What?"
She said nothing.
"Azuria, what's going on?"
"Nothing." She frowned. "It is simply a disturbing notion. As you say."
Jack looked at her for a moment, but when he opened his mouth to press further, she cut him off. "Remember to reactivate the wards before you leave. We don't want the Lost cure disappearing on us again. Don't loiter."
She turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his flask and his portal.
"Yeah, that's encouraging." He sighed and took another draw of whiskey.
Ice/Ice Blaster. Dedication to concept is an ugly thing.
Claws/WP Brute. Sex without the angst.
Every CoX character lies somewhere on this spectrum.
The red haired woman stared out the window at the fog covered landscape of Salamanca, she was just able to make out the waters of the bay. She was dressed in her Seer Taboo costume, the PSI symbol emblazoned on her chest, her eyes covered by a visor that not only protected her light sensitive eyes, but fed her information on its miniaturized HUD as well. Her left arm stretched under her breasts and held her right arm that was at her side, her hands and forearms covered by black gloves. Anyone who'd even been to Praetoria would instantly recognize the garb of a Seer.
She sighed to herself, she could feel that time was growing short, how exactly she didn't know, but it was a sense. It was akin to the same instinct that animals got when a natural disaster was on its way. Being a telepath she could also sense the thoughts and moods of others, and all around there was a heighten sense of anxiety. Of course her life was in turmoil right now, but this feeling was different, separate somehow.
Strong arms encircled the slim red head, she smiled as Renato Angeles came up behind her and hugged her close. He had just gotten up, and was dressed in a simple pair of sweat pants, his chest bare. His brown eyes scanned the horizon briefly, as if looking for what held her attention.
"You okay Courtney?" he asked in a gentle voice.
In answer she just leaned back and closed her eyes, sighing contently. She couldnt help herself, she felt safe in his arms, protected. Even though shed only been on Primal Earth for a few months, it felt more like home then Praetoria did. She was worried about her adopted home, as she knew those she left behind. Emperor Cole and his Praetors wouldnt let what they considered a threat to rest idle for long. She had also worked hard to protect the innocents of Primal Earth, though when many discovered she was from Praetoria she was regarded with suspicion, and even fear. How bad would that become if, no not it, when Emperor Cole made his move?
"Its only a matter of time Ren," she finally said, "I know the rulers I left behind, and Emperor Cole will not sit idle for too much longer."
He nodded and kissed the top of her head. "I know." He said, "But, we can handle what comes at us Courtney, together."
"We, those of us from Praetoria I mean," she replied, "people will not trust us, worse then it is now. Anyone from Praetoria will be looked on with suspicion, fear and hatred. It could effect your business if our relationship is discovered."
"I dont care," he answered in a determinedly strong voice, "I can handle it if need be."
Courtneys eyes were unfocused as she let her mind scan the nearby area, she felt the love and affection that radiaded from Renato and smiled. As her mind stretched forth she could sense the anxiety of others around her. A few had seen how she dressed and that she stayed in Renatos apartment. They knew that she wasnt from around here, but more they also sensed, in the primordial part of the brain, that something was coming. She didnt want to cause Renato trouble however she also knew she couldnt argue with him about her not staying around too much. He could be a stubborn man when he wanted to be, just one of the things she loved about him.
"I knew youd say that." She said softly, "But there are many from Praetoria who are here to help. I am worried about them too. Just as there will be those here to assist the Emperor in his cause."
Courtney, turned to face Renato, looking up into his kind face. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his bare chest. She brought her mind back to herself and her surroundings, keeping it close rather then letting it expand. She shuddered slightly, as a flash of anger nearby briefly touched her mind as she was bringing her senses in closer. She knew that soon that would be the prevailing emotion for her and her people, no matter where their loyalties lie
(One-month-late-bumping this thread for all the awesomeness it personifies. This one is about Skyrider, my former-Hellion-turned-modern-day-Joan-of-Arc)
Rosa's bike was a silver blur as she rode down the freeway, enjoying the proverbial wind in her hair as she lifted her face to the sunlight. She kept moving, faster, faster, as fast as she ever dreamed of going.
Just then, a cloud crossed over the sun, darkening the road before her. She looked ahead, and saw a storm in the distance, coming toward her. A chill set over her, and she wasn't sure if it was the wind or just her own foreboding.
She quickly flipped a u-turn, racing away from the oncoming storm, knowing somehow that those clouds could destroy her. But she couldn't outrun the clouds, and soon she was being pelted by enormous drops of rain, making her hair splash unpleasantly against her face as she rode. The road became slick, and she had to slow down to avoid skidding.
Lightning struck a tree, and it fell to the road in front of her. She tried to brake, she tried to turn, but she could do nothing but skid headlong into the-
Skyrider's eyes snapped open. Something was touching her shoulder. She turned and saw an unassuming young man in a grey suit. His eyes flashed golden-white.
"Michael?"
"Ah, yes, I apologize. Your pastor was busy, so I had to work with what I had."
She nodded, sighed, and reached for her vest. "Whose *** needs smitten?"
"We are not smiting anything, Rosa Marquez." He assured her.
"Yeah, hey, meant to ask about that. Why do you divine emissary types do that whole 'ominous recitation full name' deal?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Rosa Marquez!" She pronounced, in her deepest, most officious voice. "Thou hast been judged guilty of jaywalking, and must now help elderly ladies cross the streets!"
Michael raised an eyebrow. She withered a bit and stopped talking.
"I came because I sensed your anxiety."
"You do personal therapy sessions now? Man, the book makes you seem much more imposing."
"Re-read the book. Your copy never even mentioned my name." Michael pointed out.
"Ah, right. Apocrypha and such."
Michael smiled. "And such."
"Okay, so I'm a bit nervous, yeah. You still haven't told me why you're here."
He shrugged. "It concerned your calling."
"You know that?"
"We always know, we just don't always help. And don't start on that, I have no desire for a tired recitation of religious debate."
"Wasn't going to."
"So alright. Shoot. Why am I anxious?"
Michael pulled the chair from the table and set it beside her bed, sitting with such a stiff posture, her back hurt just looking at it.
"You are anxious because you are one of the few privileged to know about the impending invasion by the Marcus Cole of the dimension known locally as 'Praetoria,' so named for Cole's capital city." He said.
"Well, yes." She sighed. "Why does that concern you, exactly?"
"Because," he continued, "You fear that this is the Oncoming Storm that you were warned of, and you believe that because I asked you to leave your allies, you will be unable to help them."
Rosa nodded. "Pretty much."
"Ah. Don't worry. This is not it. You will stand with them when the time comes." He leaned his head to one side. "And I simply have to ask, why are you so concerned? Have you no faith in your allies' ability to defend themselves?"
"Oh, sure." She said quickly. "Come on, they'd trash anybody that came at 'em. Well, I don't know about that Ke'ros. Something about him never sat right, but... they'd be fine. They're tough. He'll be fine."
"He?"
She blinked suddenly. "They. I meant... they."
"Mm." The noise wasn't precisely one of assent. "So you worry for... them." He said, putting a slight emphasis on the word 'them.' "You have every faith in... their... ability, but if you were there to look after... them... it would make you feel better."
"Alright, alright, point taken, madre de dios, knock it off." she said, scowling.
He mouthed the words 'madre de' and stopped, then shook his head. "Your capacity for irreverent profanity never ceases to astound me."
"Oh, hey, yeah, I probably shouldn't be invoking him right to your face, huh?" She grinned sheepishly, and he fixed her with a cool stare.
"I'd appreciate that."
(This one goes out to the Sentinels. I love you guys!)
Ice/Ice Blaster. Dedication to concept is an ugly thing.
Claws/WP Brute. Sex without the angst.
Every CoX character lies somewhere on this spectrum.
((This is something for the Virtue server. i19 is coming and with it, the beginning of the invasion. How is your character preparing? What are they doing? Are they from Primal Earth or here from Praetoria? Have fun and show it off be it in a picture you drew or in a role play post!))
Paragon City always looked beautiful at night.
Emily Engel sat alongside her bedroom apartment window with her coffee mug, filled to the brim with her favorite hot chocolate. A pair of fluffy slippers were on her feet with a pink robe to shield her from the cold. Her eyes stared out to the twinkling lights that decorated along the skyline outside of her window.
She always admired how so much beauty could be found in a city that she called home in the four years she had been here, defending it from Nemesis, to the 5th Column, to Arachnos.
The difference, though, was that it was so easy to interpret the good from the bad and arrest the villains who wanted to disrupt the peace and hurt the innocent. This new chapter in her career made her question even her own views on everything, from what she was fighting for to who she was protecting.
"Are you pondering about Praetoria again?" A voice called out in the darkness of the apartment.
Emily looked over her shoulder to see the green glow of her sword, one that was missing for almost a whole year. Seiken was her partner and her weapon of choice. He was someone who had been with her when she crawled out of a hole with little to no memory of anything. He was there when everything was crashing down and he was there when he flirted with the wrong mistress and it was Emily who had to suffer the consequences of the mistress' husband.
Ah, good times.
"I can't help it, Seiken," Emily spoke, sipping her cup of hot chocolate, "It just seems... odd. I thought I knew everything about Tyrant and the Praetorian dimension. I thought that they were all evil and that it was nothing but a dictatorship over there."
"But...?"
"... But now, when I got out of retirement once I got you back... and I met the Praetorians at Pocket D... Some for these loyalists, some for the resistance, I just... wonder if we made a big mistake with our assumption. As if.... As if I did something wrong."
Seiken grew quiet while Emily pondered her own decisions those many years ago with the other heroes. Her gaze went out to the window, keeping her cup of joe close to her lips.
"... Everything was so easy many years ago," Emily spoke up quietly, "Everything was so clear before. There was an evil, and I went in fighting with all my might. I didn't always succeed but I had the will to get back up, fighting... no matter what. If I ever felt alone, I had my friends... and the Steadfast Pact."
"I remember all of them."
"I do too," Emily smiled, "I remember True Silver and that crazy scientist... The might of Tiny the Tiger, and Unit v2.0's snarky comments. Everyone that was part of that group... We did everything together, from weddings to anniversaries to fighting any kind of evil that got in the way. Those really were the days."
Emily turned back from the window to walk over to her bed, staring at the costume she adorned for so long while fighting the good fight. The one that brought hope in some and a groan to some villains.
"So... What do I do, now?"
"Well... Right now," Seiken spoke, "You forget about the past. Whats done is done. If the rumors are true about this invasion, then the mistakes were made and we have to fix what all of us did."
"Yeah... I guess." Emily sighed out, taking a long sip out of her cup of hot chocolate. Her gaze went to the door where her adopted son slept, the boy she swore to protect and raise when she adopted him. The boy that gave her a deeper meaning in what she was fighting to protect, to preserve and to give him as well as others a safe future.
"So!" Seiken yelled out, "Whats it gonna be, eh? What're you gonna do now?"
"Personally? I still don't know," Emily grinned over to the sword, "I might never know until I learn the truth and see who is really right and wrong in all of this... but if this invasion is true, then... I guess I suit up and keep fighting as I always do.
"I mean, thats what I am.... I'm Luficia. I protect those who cannot protect themselves! Thats what I'll keep doing until the answers are clear and I can decide what to do then. Until then..."
Luficia turned her gaze out to the window.
"... Lets just pray everyone else is taking this seriously and are preparing for this storm."
Luficia's Virtueverse Page