World War II - The Vanguard Issue #7 Battle for the fate of Albion!

Admin wrote:OOC Both ideas have merit. The Shadow Demon goes for 'kill everything, all the time' with a crazy laugh, but you guys are in charge so long as you make your rolls. Fairy Tales are full of instances where a magical sleep halts proceedings. Putting both the good and evil queen on ice will keep the balance as it is, and when you leave this place, that will tip it to the evil side, meaning the grail will right it and make more good forces. Of course, taking the grail away would solve every problem - it's the cure and the cause in this place. Bear in mind the Dark Queen is waiting for you, in her place, with appropriate counter measures. Your ideas are good ones, but mind your step. If you can get the grail away from her, she'll be de-powered enough to do your deep sleep thing. That might be easier said than done... So. How to proceed. Intangible? Or walk straight in? Perhaps try to use the Dark Power out here and affect her in there?

OOC:

1. Ok first of all I want to put all her forces into deep freeze/sleep etc whatever will do for that. I am so tempted to have our forces surround them, shackled them etc, but I realise that our forces are out numbered and it would mean sending Sentinel back form the action - not good.

2. I want to cast an anti magic, prismatic sphere, etc, bubble around us both - so that when we step into the Queens chamber her magic will not stop us being empowered by the Shadow Demon. After all even my powers are derived from its presence, if I don't have an effective counter measure I'll have no power.

3. I will suggest that Sentinel talks with the Grail, after all his affinity for metal cannot be far removed from that of the cup's base element, so he might be the best person to make the grail 'see' how its been manipulated and the consequences of its actions. I want to then ask Sentinel to suggest it returns to Victoria who kept it and whom it knows. Hopefully that alone might prompt the grail to recognise we're on the 'up and up'.

OK that is enough to be going on with right now, can't foresee every eventuality so rather than write reams we'll take it one step at a time, if step 1 goes well, then onto step 2, and we go to the Queen's castle before thinking about step 3. But there is no reason why Sentinel can't reach out to the grail after we've put the army to sleep/freeze etc.

Sj

OOC: Hmm I didnt think about the anti magic sphere, good call. Random random shot in the dark but what about boosting sentinel metal manipulation with the dark power to pin point the grail to whip it out of there to 'seek council' with it just the grail, frostbite and myself?

Or try to talk to the grail physically and secretly from where its being held

smaug wrote:OOC: Hmm I didnt think about the anti magic sphere, good call. Random random shot in the dark but what about boosting sentinel metal manipulation with the dark power to pin point the grail to whip it out of there to 'seek council' with it just the grail, frostbite and myself?

Or try to talk to the grail physically and secretly from where its being held

OOC:
Good call, lets see if you can try. Although don't be disappointed if the Queen hasn't thought of that or that the grail itself might resist. Nonetheless, if you can still talk to it, then that might still save some heavy lifting in this time.

The whole anti magic shield was because we were warned stepping in, with what she has in their would mitigate our powers, so I began to think what's a productive counter point to that. If all else fails I'll have to think of something else. As it stands I don't like our odds, so I'm trying to change that.

Sj

Silver Sentinel tried contacting the Grail with his powers... try as he might, the range was still too limited (20m) to reach deep into the structure. He was more disturbed that the place seemed to contain no metal that he could detect within range either. Looking at it, the structure appeared to have risen from the ground as solid rock! No blocks, building, form or structure, it was simply rough hewn and natural looking, as if it were a huge (enormous!) stalagmite jutting from the ground, save for being hollowed out! He hoped that he would be able to do something with the Grail. His command over metals was amazing, but the Grail was an unknown quantity.

"I'll have to get closer..." he muttered to Frostbite, out of earshot of the Queens emissaries. "Or extend my range with... you know what."

Frostbite nodded. He needed the dark power himself in order to gain the power he needed.

OOC Both of you are on zero dark power growth. Are you both using dark power, and if so, how much? Depending on how our posting goes, I expect this part of the adventure to be wrapped this week and will be posting every day. Short post right now (Sorry) but I've run out of time and need to hit the sack. So, both using dark power? If so, give me a number, I like numbers Frostbite has Dark power level 3 (meaning dark power points are multiplied by 3) and Sentinel hase level 1. Frosty has 9 hero points remaining, Sentinel just the 1. I might get chance to do the graphics for character tracking so I'll dig up the file and do some fiddling.

Admin wrote:OOC Both of you are on zero dark power growth. Are you both using dark power, and if so, how much? Depending on how our posting goes, I expect this part of the adventure to be wrapped this week and will be posting every day. Short post right now (Sorry) but I've run out of time and need to hit the sack. So, both using dark power? If so, give me a number, I like numbers Frostbite has Dark power level 3 (meaning dark power points are multiplied by 3) and Sentinel hase level 1. Frosty has 9 hero points remaining, Sentinel just the 1. I might get chance to do the graphics for character tracking so I'll dig up the file and do some fiddling.[/i]

OOC:

Ok will be happy to get things wrapped up here, I've found this last battle quiet difficult.

Yes will take on dark power, I'm going to need quiet a bit I imagine to put the army to sleep and keep them that way, the spell, the ego check and the necessary means for fly unhindered into the Queens castle. So lets say 7, and this time I will use some of those hero points to do something heroic, like try and survive this massive onslaught of power use.

Ross/Sentinel don't use too much, you've at present only got to extend your range, although having the power to also warm stone - might come in handy if you know what I mean. But keep your number choice low, so you don't fail the ego check. Otherwise all bets are off.

Sj

OOC: I hear what you're saying mate because my dark power isnt very high at the moment I would like to delay my turn to see what frostbites out come is. If it all goes well (it doubt its that easy) we could just walk up to the grail rather than plucking it out, plus the grail might be upset in us doing so.

Can I 'sense' metal ore in this mound?

Admin wrote: Assuming you weren't caught in the blast radius, it would make an impressive - and terrifying - sight![/i]

OOC:
Ok lets go for it as suggested, dark blast HTC, all the power and pump in a hero point for good measure. I will hold on until sentinel is at least above me, so I can try and fire down and around, away from him but out toward those around me and all below.

Having been aware of the changes that Frostbite underwent, Sentinel wasn't surprised when his friend glowed electric blue his eyes shone brighter than ever and his whole form seemed to undergo a change as the dark power flooded his system. Then in that voice that was only partly him, as it fought both to use and hold back the dark shadow, he spoke "Get away, far away as you can!"

Allowing him time do that, but not so much that the dark riders could close in and hamper his aim, Frostbite roared as he let loose the tidal wave of force that was the pent up dark energy in one full on blast.

OOC:
Well lets hope that ought to do it.

Sorry to hear about your home hassles mate, just as well you can go with the flow.

Sj

Sentinel was flying up and away, but knew he wouldn't make it when the sky above him instantly boiled inky black, flashing with purple lightning! Then all hell broke loose!

Frostbite made a light gesture towards the ground, and a small sphere of force, about the size of a tennis ball, struck the ground... and the day exploded! Black/Purple energy roared up, and those caught inside it had purple lightning play across their bodies! Thousands of the enemy troops screamed in pain and agony as the lightning danced amongst them, and the noise was deafening to behold!

OOC let's see how loud. Roll to hit plus hero point. Roll... 3,1... ugh. Follow up 4,8. Total roll 16. That is multiplied by 6 for 96htc, and dividers are dropped by 5. Only the intangible creatures have a chance of staying conscious, as do some of the big beasts with 100+ htc. The rest - thousands of orcs, trolls, evil humans, dark elves, hobgoblins, gnolls and many other fantasy bad guys, all scream, writhe about and fall to the floor! Sentinel takes 96htc, putting him on 14htc. Frostbite is on 1 Dark Power growth, 8 Hero points.

=========

On a distant hill, some miles away...

The leaders of the good forces stood in shock and awe as they saw the lightning cloud engulf the entire enemy army, with lightning playing about the creatures! "Gods!" muttered one Knight. "What manner of devils have you aligned with, Elesieth?"

The Queen was unsure, and hoped that Frostbite would remain in control!

Another Captain spoke. "We should move in, finish them off! Most are down, and if not, dazed!" he said, looking through a spy glass.

Merissa, the Pirate Queen, laughed. "Ha! You think that the end of it? Those wizards ARE powerful, but the Dark Queen has more than simple parlour tricks up her sleeve!"

=========

As the Dark Power wore off, Frostbite stood amidst a sea of bodies!

A couple of the creatures who'd escorted them in were still conscious, but stunned. Most, thousands, were out for the count! He looked at his hand, and the power he'd wielded! Never before had he...

The ground began to rumble.. and there was a screeching, cackling laugh echoing out from the stone castle, amplified and rolling down the valley!

OOC anything you want to do (1 action) before the Queen replies?

Admin wrote:OOC anything you want to do (1 action) before the Queen replies?

Seeing how the queen was preparing to respond, Frostbite knew he didn't have long. "Sentinel, quick call on the dark power, so you can heal up and get ready"


OOC:
Ross you need to take at least 4 points and get vigour to get instant health bonus and then hold on and see what happens next. If the Queen takes me on, as I am she might take me out in one go - in which case its all up to you mate. No pressure ;-)

Meanwhile I'll be ready to call on the dark power a second time, this time to get 5 points myself, of which I'll use a couple of grades to get vigour myself and be ready to take out these flying beasties we've got with us. Use hero point(s) as necessary again here.

Frostbite readied himself, like it or not, he was powerful outmatched within his own suit of powers, without the assistance of his Shadow ally. As he called on the dark powers again, he realised the enormous potential for harm his actions caused. When had he become so reckless! Then again when had he felt so completely overwhelmed by the weight of his responsibilities and the foes he faced?

Steeling himself, he spoke so only Sentinel could hear, "We have to get the grail away from the Queen, this might be tricky, we've played our hand and it might well resist us! So be prepared for a fight!"

Sj

"OUCH....you werent joking when you said get far away" he said trying to shake the ringing out of his ears but glancing down he could see that it was worth it.

"Does it look like we got them all?" he knew the answer all ready but what he didnt know was how many fowl beasts might lerk below.

OOC: Im just guessing the blast didnt effect the dark queen so.....

And as if what lied beneath could hear him something awakened

"Er...Joe...now we have her attention what say we 'draw' her back to out ranks, not run but 'draw' *cough*

OOC: Okay scrap that last part I didnt see SJs reply. You have a point if we do draw her back she could kill a lot of innocents or turn them so heal up and see whats what is a better idea.

OOC I assume SS goes with 4 Dark Power points, Frostbite with 5. SS first (26 total) Dark Power (24 total after a double...) Frostbite (27 total) Dark power (22 total). You're both in the clear. Sentinel gets 4d10... 28 (after a double) - assume he uses those to heal, or add vigour (a temp solution, and when it wears off, he's still toast - your call). 25 points for Frostbite, buys but a single grade of vigour (+12, and +72 htc/htk) and 10 points left over. Meanwhile...

In the dark tower, the glow from the corner was almost blinding! Shackled and beaten, lying in the corner, Morgana hid her face from the grails light. Her evil twin, Morrigan, laughed as she raised the glowing cup to her face and drank again! "More... MORE!" she cried, laughing. Morgana spat blud from the last beating she'd taken and tried to search something out in the vast room that she could end her life with - and hopefully break the enchantment of the grail! Morrigan seemed to sense it, and turned, wandering over. She exuded power from every pore, and it was difficult to look at her directly! Smiling, she crouched and raised the chin of her counterpart, identical save bruises and cuts from numerous beatings, and smiled evilly. "I'm almost ready... " she breathed. "Your friends rush to save you! How gallant!"

She stood and wandered past the finery of gold and art that decorated the room, and to a far window, looking out. "Time to end the game, I think. I just need... one more cupful..." She looked at the sea of dazed or unconscious forces that followed her. "Incredible. I never knew the power one being could wield. Your friends are gods, did you know that? Do they?"

Morgana raised herself up. "They will defeat you. Balance will be restored to this land!"

"Balance? BALANCE you say? I am balance! The Grail empowers me because of the imbalance in the land, created when your friends visited last time!" she laughed.

Morgana fought back tears. "They didn't know. They only try to do what is right! They did it... for ... for me..."

Morrigan whirled, eyes alight with power, and hissed "That's right! It shall be you who is responsible for the death of this world!" She looked out of the window again.

"Spirits of Darkness, Spirits of Earth,
Rise from the ground, A fiery Birth!
Do my bidding, heed my will,
Feast on souls, Take your fill!"

She shouted, arms raised and robes standing open as wind blew on her bare skin! She laughed all the while, and turned to glance at the Grail...

=========

Elesieth looked about. "Somethings very..."

Her forces cried out as the ground began to crack and open up! A deadly red glow of lava shone from the rents in the earth, and the ground rumbled! Suddenly a huge tearing, cracking sound rang out and rocks burst from under the soil! Overhead the sky boiled and blackened, lightning dancing about and touching the plains in places!

"I didn't sign up for this!" shouted Merissa the Pirate Queen, over the bellow of thunder!

Everywhere Elesieths forces were scattering as a huge spire of rock pushed from the earth, and kept coming! It was already several hundred feet high, and pushing towards the sky! It started to part, becoming open at the top, and the ground, after what seemed an age, shuddering, rumbled and shook! Then lava exploded from the new born volcano, and spat fiery death into the air! Where the white hot rock landed, there was a crack, sizzle and a being, made of fiery lava, stood! It made for the nearest living flesh, there to sizzle and burn life from them!

=========

As they healed themselves Frostbite and Sentinel looked in the distance to where they'd left the main force

A volcano now jutted in the midst of Elesieths forces, though it was too far to see her army scurrying like ants to escape the fiery raining death that spewed forth!

Just then a voice rang out... "Your lives, for theirs!" Both heroes turned to look up at the rock citadel, knowing it had come from there, somewhere...

'Unleash me!' hissed a voice in the mind of both heroes. 'This world is doomed anyway!'

Admin wrote:'Unleash me!' hissed a voice in the mind of both heroes. 'This world is doomed anyway!'

Frostbites mind leapt about. He had made the first move, a threatening one. And the Grail countered his actions with an equal or opposite one. The power that it was pouring out, was to counteract the very steps he'd taken to fight it! At every point, as they increased their power, the grail would do the opposite. More than that, he knew this had come about as a result of what had been done to the land before! Forcing the Grail to take steps Putty nor he had foreseen.

Now it was happening all over again. At the unleashing of his Shadow Companion, only destruction would follow. Destruction that was total, for the Grail would fight to restore balance and in loosing might itself be destroyed. So if upping the anti wasn't working then maybe they needed to do the very thing he feared most.

"Sentinel," Frostbite said in a clear commanding voice.

"Every time we move to counter the Queen and bring more power into play, the more the Grail compensates. Compensates through the vessel it has been convinced to obey - the Queen. I don't like what I'm about to say and neither will you. But we have to power down and go in to the Lion's Den, as weak as we can. Every act of aggression is seen as a threat and the Grail is compensating. To stop it, we have to stop."

With that Frostbite lowered himself to the floor returning to a tangible state. He ignored the Shadow Prince within, knowing he was taking a terrible risk. But it was not in a Shadow Princes' nature to do what must be done. So he wasn't surprised with his reaction. Nonetheless, steeling himself, Frostbite lowered his defences, even removing his hard frosted armour. For what had been weeks he'd looked out on the world as Frostbite, now he stared at the gaping maw of the Queen's fortress only as Joseph Rigdon.

Stepping over debris and bodies, he walked forward to confront the queen.

OOC:
Ok you are not obvious in what you telegraph, either that or I am just slow. But in any case since ramping up the power hasn't worked and the game, I'll take a chance, possible one of the biggest and see what happens now. I realise I could loose Frostbite, but he'll be reborn in someone else. A nightmare for the rest of the guys, esp if Sentinel joins me and we both end up dying. As we'll be de-powered and back to square 1.

But I have racked my brains and tried to do everything I could to counter the Grail without making things worse and its only made things worse. So I see no other option. Ultimately being a hero means taking risks by putting your own life in danger selflessly for others. That sounds familiar ;-).

Anyway lets get on with this. I'm going in de-powered and switching off everything. Either I am going to get hammered or finally we'll see the biggest upset as things might even go our way, at last.

Sj

Steve couldnt believe his eyes after seeing frostbite power down and making his way towards the grail, he just hovered there for a minute in shock

"Sod it" he shock of the disbelieve and gentally lowered himself on the dry soil then started to will his suit of arms till it was nothing move that a puddle on the ground slowly solidifying

"I cant believe Im doing this" he muttered "Hey wait up....I cant let you die alone" he added in a raised tone trotting to catch up

Flanked by the evil undead guardians on the flying lizards - those that remained conscious at any rate - the heroes landed and powered down. Everything, every voluntary defensive power that they had, they turned off. In their heads, they heard screams of anguish, fustration, fury, from the Shadow Princes, knowing full well that in order for the Grails power to be thwarted, they would have to remove the main reason the Grail sucked the land dry of magic and fed it to Morrigan.

Themselves.

Back on the plateau, men screamed and ran about, some afire, others battling with living fire creatures that melted blades and torched skin! The Ogres and Trolls Sentinel had recruited knew little of fear or tactics, seeing only an enemy that needed bludgeoning. Even with their prodigious strength though, for every lava man that was pounded flat into a puddle, half a dozen sprang up, to surround and envelop the creatures, drowning out their screams into a horrible gurgle!

The Pirates stood their ground even as Knights and their men sprinted past! Merissa laughed "Try not to kill each other in the stampede lads!" she shouted. The Queen, Elesieth and her entourage, including the deadly Crimson Knights, fought coolly, steadily, and forged a path towards the volcano. Merissa nodded. "There's a Queen worth following! Even as her army falls back, she fights on! Look! She summons magicks to counter the volcanos' fire! To me lads! Then to the Queen!" she bellowed, and started sprinting across the battlefield even as fireballs rained from the sky and the earth shook!

It shook for other reasons too - sprinting giants thundered across the plains, some faster than others, and more followed, streaming over hills that were hurdled like low walls to the largest! They smashed like a terrific wave into the lava creatures, and sprayed hot lava high into the air with their huge clubs and weapons, forging deep into the mass of living fire creatures that sprang from the volcanos heart!

Elesieth chanted the words she knew to be of a spell beyond her skill, but tried anyway. Somewhere, the power of the Grail responded, and boiling clouds clashed overhead as thunderstorms met ash and turned into rain, wind, thunder and lightning!

A new danger erupted from the bowels of the earth - demons from the pit, black skinned and vile, burst forth in a multitude as the numbers of combatants evened up, perfectly matched by the grails magic!

Across the world, fey creatures of myth and legend looked on in dismay as their places of magic, holy grounds and relics alike, were sucked dry of magical power! Elves cried as age old Trees of Life wilted and died, and the Rocks bellowed their rage to the tunnels in which they dwelled as their artefacts were drained of power! Everywhere, magicians, warlocks, necromancers and magical constructs cried out, for their power was siphoned and drained from afar to feed the distant warring Queens!

Oblivious to all of that, Joe Rigdon and Steve Jenson walked into the dark rock halls of the castle, instantly feeling the chill and hearing the distant sounds of battle mute...

Ahead, half a dozen warriors (OOC 5 shown in pic...) stepped from the darkness.



"Weeee are here to take you to the Queen... but fffirst..." hissed one.

They pulled weapons, and closed in...

OOC I'm posting this as I wait my turn to tip my train in Drax power station (see pic - X marks the spot I am at right now...) so will chop off my post there and will check in later to post reaction to your actions. Am aware that we're behind/dragging a bit with this storyline but determined to see it through to completion this week, if it can be done without rushing. You took the right path - you just need to survive long enough to see the benefits!



Oops signal just came off - time to go!!!!

Admin wrote: Am aware that we're behind/dragging a bit with this storyline but determined to see it through to completion this week, if it can be done without rushing. You took the right path - you just need to survive long enough to see the benefits!

OOC:

I had thought that both this thread and the Lionheart/Anyman thread seemed to be waiting a bit, in this case clearly for us to do the right thing. Anyway...Nice picture of the Drax power station. Next time you'll have to use street view to show us you driving the train ;-).

Frostbite whispered to Sentinel, "This may seem crazy, but already we've thrown them into confusion, more importantly if we're attacked the grail, will see how wrong its been, but only if we don't retaliate. So hold you ground! That's an order!"

Frostbite knew that the guards didn't have to bring them to the Queen in one piece, beaten and tenderized might well be how she likes her prisoners to come before her. But Frostbite didn't care, whether a careless stupidity or a wisdom some might call madness. He knew, his gut feeling, instinct, nothing more, but somehow he knew that he was onto something. If they could but hold their ground, then they may not even need to fight back. But in his minds eye, his one nagging doubt was for a beautiful elf maid and her brave army fighting on alone....

Sj

"Orders is orders.......lord I hope your right about this" sentinel whispered back trying to resist every muscle screaming out telling him to fight, fight no matter what the odds.

His mind flashed back although briefly of when he was nine and the other kids in his class surround him in the cold school yard, taking it in turns to punch, tease him 'sssstttutttering Steve cant read sssssttttuuutttteerrringg Steve cant read' they chanted pushing him to his nees, bloodlying his nobbly white nees under his tan colour shorts but he kept getting up just like his daddy told him.
'Fight, fight no matter the odds. Dont let the bullies win son' was the only help him gave him. He didnt understand at the time as he cryed himself to sleep night after night. But look at the tough young man he had become, hopefully his father would now be proud.....where ever he is.

The world rolled...

It homed into sharp, painful focus as Sentinel groaned and rolled onto his front, coughing blood. A kick to the gut brought more up, but he grit his teeth and took it, like so many of the other hits. One eye was closed and bleeding, the other eye swollen painfully, and his face was a mass of puffy bruises. With bruise blackened fingers he probed his ribs, feeling them crunch and crackle beneath his touch, and he was reminded of his predicament when an iron shod boot kicked him in the back of the head, sending the world spinning again.

The armoured warriors had moved in, weapons drawn, expecting a fight... Looking for one, even... They'd thrown the first punch, and Sentinel had started forward after Frostbite was rocked, blood spraying from his mouth. With a waved hand and look, he'd stepped back in line. Then the other warriors had moved in, sheathing weapons but adjusting metal studded gauntlets, and the pain had begun...

Frostbite felt rough hands hoist him up, felt his broken collarbone shift under the skin. Someone pulled his head back, and the half dozen blows had sent his senses reeling! The Dark Power inside was like a caged animal, shaking at the bars to get free and unleash awesome fury on Frostbites' enemies, but a colossal effort of will and firm hope - that he was right - held him on course even as his body was subjected to a most awful beating...

He looked across to see Sentinel being kicked in the back, and turned away. Was he wrong? What if...?

Rough hands hoisted him up, then headbutted him away. He seemed to fall in slow motion and crash onto the floor, and became aware that only his superhuman stamina was keeping him alive. The enemy warriors knew it too, and their frustration ramped up their violence after it was clear they would not break the will of these men easily. One pulled a weapon, a fierce looking serrated knife, and leaned in close to Frostbite. "Scream..." the warrior rasped "Beg for mercy, and I will not cut out an eye. If you do not..." he turned, and gave a grin with stained, fetid, sharpened teeth close to Frostbites face. "I shall cut his ear off first."

He knelt close to Sentinel, who was weakly scraping along the floor to find some solace in sagging against the wall. Blood trailed where he'd dragged himself, legs numbed by repeated kicks to the kidneys.

"SCREAM DAMN YOU!" howled the warrior.

Sentinel turned, bloody mouth grin across his face, and started to laugh at the warrior. "You think this is a kicking? You should've gone to King Henry school." he hawked, spitting a mouthful of blood and winced as his lip split again. "You wouldn't.. have lasted.. five minutes..." he said, chuckling.

Frostbite sagged back, looking up at the high, cathedral like ceiling high above. Then the pain started again, with more kicks and punches...

=========

Water - or liquid of some form - brought him awake...

That answered the first question - he was alive. He looked over to see Sentinel with his head sagging on his chest, which was scored with cuts from the dagger. He was on a rack, having been stretched for some time...

"The Queen wants to see you now." said an armoured warrior, dragging Frostbite roughly along by his hair and tossing him into a wall like a rag doll. Both he and Sentinel had been stripped, beaten, doused in... something vile.. and beaten some more. Every bone ached. At least the Dark Power had quietened down.

The five guards dragged the exhausted, shattered heroes through the halls of the Dark Queens citadel. Where before there had been other warriors, dark creatures, demons, and other vile creatures summoned from a nameless pit, there were less now, from what Frostbite could see through stinging eyes. He glanced at Sentinel, being dragged, limp, but was cheered a little when his friend gave a weak thumbs up showing he yet lived.

The stairs were hard on their battered bodies as the four guards dragged them up a seemingly endless series of them. The pain and torment was unceasing, and Frostbite wondered if he'd ever walk again. Sentinel found it hard to focus, as the pain from several missing toe and finger nails was excruciating. Humming the 'Green bottles sitting on a wall' song had annoyed his guards into delivering an even more severe beating, now the stairs thudding on him as they dragged him by his ankles made it hard to concentrate on anything.

By the time the three guards dragged their charges to the top, they were barely conscious, and as they were pushed, kicked and dragged along a long landing, both knew that even their superhuman endurance was broken beyond its limits. The human body, even an enhanced one, could only stand so much. Frostbite regretted many things, thinking back over his life and wondering how he might have done things differently. Clearly, this was the end, and a situation neither could escape from.

Finally the pair of guards halted at great, vast double doors, and rapped upon them. After a time they opened of their own accord, into a vast throne room come audience chamber, empty save for the identical women at the far end, around 100m away. One was regal, dressed in black silks and imperiously haughty. The other, Morgana le Fay, was beaten, bloodied and bruised almost beyond recognition, as well as being shackled to the wall. The Dark Queen turned to see a single guard grunting as he dragged both heroes by an ankle into the hall, smears of blood marking their paths.

"Where are the other guards? Six I summoned?" demanded Morrigan, voice echoing across the gap. The armoured warrior looked about. "Six, my queen? I saw no others, only me."

A look of horror crossed her face. Morrigan turned, and through stinging eyes the Vanguardians saw a plain cup, albeit one filled with sparkling light, set on a plinth near the throne. The Dark Queen lifted it, drank.. but barely anything came out!

She whirled, shouting "Guard! Take them and... Guard?"

The hall was empty save for the two battered lumps of meat that were the Vanguardians, Morrigan the Dark Queen, and Morgana Le Fay.

OOC You are both stunned and hospitalised. Some time (hours) has passed since you surrendered yourself. You have no clothes, no possessions. The Queen, it seems, has a shrinking guard retinue... something is happening... how will you proceed?

Admin wrote:The world rolled...
OOC You are both stunned and hospitalised. Some time (hours) has passed since you surrendered yourself. You have no clothes, no possessions. The Queen, it seems, has a shrinking guard retinue... something is happening... how will you proceed?

OOC:
Well that was a lot worse than I imagined, but not at all surprising. If there was one way to go, clearly its the one way to stay the course on now.

Frostbite coughed some more. He was finding it hard to bring a solid thought to mind, let alone bring his broken mouth into a semblance of order to form a word. He slurred unintentionally, but knew from what he could gather that the grail had already stopped empowering Morrigan. "Iizzz off're...Q...Q...Queen" Frostbite finished with a huge effort. But deep within he found a strength that determined his words before he fell back exhausted,"Weee're don ere! ....W...W...hen cn wwwwe live?" Frostbite had tried to say 'leave', but the word just wouldn't form and he fell back into the welcome embrace of the floor, his head throbbing from the pain and effort.

If Morrigan was a thing of the grail, then it was probably best that the grail deal with the imbalance. By attempting to leave, with or without an army, but without making another threatening move, then perhaps balance could be restored and a semblance of normality could at last be restored.

It probably mean not only that he couldn't return, but that the other Joe, would permanently take his place. And perhaps that was for the best, it was his body and look how Joe had treated it. Pretty shoddy. Slowly inky blackness rushed up to greet him, was this it for him anyway. Somehow if he died, he knew now it wasn't in vain. This was a good death to die.

OOC:
Ok we are continuing to not only make no threatening move, nor take advantage of the weakness our sacrifice has made so that the grail won't try to overreact again. Ross, Sentinel must act in the opposite to reaction, or confrontation. I see now that the only way to win, is to let the grail or this worlds people deal with Morrigan. From the moment we stepped in, and got involved its only strengthened her. Hopefully the real Morganna the real Queen will be able to take care of things!

Anyway nicely played out earlier, and brutal Paul but you knew it would be. Kind reminds me a lot of what happens most around Easter!

Sj

OOC: That was brilliant Paul, loved it. Thats how I would want sentinel to be played spot on.
Last Easter SJ???? I guess you mean in darkening shadows?

IC: Steve couldnt see what was going on through his one semi functioning eye as a constant trickle of burning blood washed over it nor could he hear for the ringing in his head was too great. 'Those guards really enjoy they're work' he thought 'pussies'.

He couldnt tell if he blacked out or sometime had passed but he suddenly felt content despite being beaten to a pulp, he knew Joe and himself had tryed their hardest and kept to the right path, the path of the just and righteous. He thought he smiled but he wasnt sure.......then darkness and he slipped away. Sentinels body lade still

smaug wrote:OOC: That was brilliant Paul, loved it. Thats how I would want sentinel to be played spot on.
Last Easter SJ???? I guess you mean in darkening shadows?

OOC:
Not last Easter, rather every Easter and another instrument of cruel torture used as the means to undo the worlds woes. A victory won, not by resistance, but by embracing the worst the world could do. As for us, in a similar way fighting only made things worse. But by resisting through taking the beating and damage, we've acted as sponges to all that is wrong and started the fight back in a manner of speaking.

Sj

OOC: Ah i with you now, i thought you were talking about a wild night out or something lol.
The suspense is killing me or sentinel rather, so is it the end of the two British heroes?????

Morrigan raged, sweeping an arm across and clearing a table of trinkets and food which clattered with an echo across the floor. She whirled, snatching up a dagger, and ran/jogged to where Morgana lay. The Queen chuckled, and blood dribbled from her mouth. She glanced at Frostbite, then nodded slightly.

"Tell them! You're their Queen! Tell them to FIGHT!" Morrigan spat. "Tell them or..." She turned, smiling at Frostbite and Sentinel.

Then Morgana screamed as the dagger was thrust into her eye, and twisted!

Frostbite turned away as Morgana slumped, clutching her ruined socket. Sentinel ground his teeth in frustration.

"I will take her other eye! I shall torture her in ways you cannot..." started Morrigan, then she looked about. There were cracks in the walls of her rock citadel forming, and shards of rock fell from the ceiling! "Noooooo!" she wailed. Then all turned, as a creature - a dragon - stooped through the great double doors, and Frostbite felt his heart sink as Raspandarr arrived, bearing the pairs clothes and items, including the horn to summon the dragons and the crystal blade to use on Morrigan!

"Master..." said the Dragon. "The fear effect worn off. I was too cowardly to resist and..." The Dragon stopped, looked at the broken Vanguardians on the floor, the sorrowful figure of Morgana le Fay chained to the wall and the Dark Queen, Morrigan, with bloodied dagger in one hand, grail in the other!

Morrigan laughed "You! You are a creature of evil, but somehow you conspire to serve this wretch! Obey me now, child of the Grail! I command you.. DESTROY THEM!"

The Dragon jerked as if struck, and turned to face the fallen pair! It sucked in a great breath, about to breath its fire...

Raspandarr had been created from the magic of the grail as an opposite of the good dragon that flew the skies waiting for the call from Frostbite to come fight the Evil Queens forces. Little did those Dragons know that if they were to arrive, they would cause the Grail to pour more power towards Morrigan to even the scales! Even so, in that good Dragon, there was a part of its mind, its heart, its soul, which was dark. The part that was the beast, the part in all intelligent living beings that is anger, rage, fury, and the potential to kill. The good beings locked it away, controlled it, quelled it.

For the evil Dragon it was the opposite, with a good portion of its soul hidden, blocked off, ignored.

Until now.

"Master..." it growled through clenched teeth, then looked at the Queen. Her magic was undeniable! The Dragon felt itself turn physically towards Frostbite and Silver Sentinel, and take in the deep breath to power its breath weapon, to unleash it!

Raspandarr clamped his jaws shut.

Morrigan flew into a rage. "KILL THEM YOU USELESS REPTILE! DESTROY! SLAY THEM!" she cried, thrusting the Grail forward! It glowed, and the magic caused the Dragon to writhe, moving closer for a much better killing position! And still its mouth stayed clamp shut! Raspandarr tried to turn his head away, but failed! All the while, the pressure of his breath weapon built and built, burning away at his insides, churning and increasing until...

"Goodbye master." muttered the Dragon through clenched teeth.

Then Raspandarr exploded....

Fragments of flesh and bone splattered the inside of the room, raining down in a fiery shower of steaming gore!

"Useless Reptile." Declared the Dark Queen. She moved to Frostbite and Sentinel, raised the dagger, then reconsidered. "While you live, I have power, more power than this world alone can provide. That said..."

She looked about at the crumbling castle, out the window to where the land was breaking up, the lava glow from great rifts in the earth spewing up lava and deadly smoke! Morrigan gave a hollow laugh. "Time to go. Comfort the Queen in the last moments you have before this Castle falls in on you! I go to a better place... perhaps... your world?" she chuckled, then stepped over a chunk of the Dragons steaming flesh to leave the great chamber...

The place was silent, save for the cracking of stone and roar of the earth as the world of Albion, drained of much of the magic that gave the place life and its very existence, started to crack and break up! Across the world, people of all races screamed as magic failed, and all that they had come to know was being consumed in a rain of fire from the sky!

Chained to the wall, Morgana pulled at them, knowing it was useless. She turned, and despite the excruciating pain, called out to Frostbite and Sentinel. "She... means to go to a gate... between worlds... we must... go too... or ... we will die here... Get as many... as we can... through .. gate..."

Rocks started to fall with greater frequency from the roof!

Admin wrote:"Goodbye master." muttered the Dragon through clenched teeth.

Then Raspandarr exploded....

Frostbite cried out in a horse voice, his lips barely able to make the words form, Raasssspandarrrrrr!

He felt a cold chill as he was both humbled and stung by the death of a dragon he'd come to know as a friend and not just a humble servant. In the end the Dragon had proved he was far more than a construct of magic, but a noble beast able to rise above his heritage and the colour of his skin.

But Frostbite didn't have time to wonder, as the Queen passed he laughed. He sought to play her at her own game. If she left and came to another world, what could they do that the grail wouldn't counter act. Why was the grail still empowering her and not rebalancing the world according to its limited logic.

He laughed louder, "Where can you go, that there will be creatures who will not defy you. Even a magical dragon couldn't be swayed by your will. Eventually you will be killed but what will it gain you. You time will soon be over Morigan.

OOC: Ok assuming I've got her attention before she leaves.

With a huge effort, Frostbite got up and made to lunge for his sword, the sword that Raspandarr had brought to him. He wanted the Queen to take it, hoping that in so doing he might spring on her the trap that would forever free this world, before it was too late.

OOC:
Ok we've got to get this woman locked down and this I see as the chance to do it, whether its all in vain or not is another question. If she does take the sword then I will activate it, using the word I was given so long ago to trap her in the crystal form.

If this doesn't work out then you've left me scratching my head. I guess I imagined that if we were the reason the grail continued to empower her, then by going in powerless I thought the grail would need to correct the imbalance. But she remains as powerful and dangerous as before! So I'm left wondering, how can we beat her? If being all powerful sets the grail against us and being powerless hasn't worked what will? And surely going to another world fully empowered will only destroy that world all over again - surely? So I am at a bit of a loss as to why the Grail hasn't right the wrong esp if the world about us is falling apart?

I wanted to respond to the queen, but lets assume for the moment either my idea plays out, or I am in total confusion and overwhelmed by what hasn't happened and instead what has so she might need to snap me out of it. Not least of all because I'll be feeling pretty guilty over all the pain we've caused in making a bit of a mess of things.

Sj