The New Vanguard! FROSTBITE ISSUE #10 "Fallen"

The near complete darkness meant that what meagre offering came from the torch lit corridor via the barred window on the door didn't help much. His chestplate would light up the cell but tell his guards instantly that the power sapping shackles had not done their job!

As it was, there was barely enough light to reveal... a dark clad hooded figure who glanced at the doorway before speaking quietly. "Well we both find our way here in a roundabout way." said Nowhere Man. "I would apologise to the others for leaving them to deal with Dark Knights but I used the opportunity to slip away and follow the trail to this place. I'm sure they coped just fine. Bigger picture. At some point I learned to care less about the details and more about the grand design. Probably contributes to my 'not a nice guy' reputation, not that I care."

"Thoth is here, somewhere. I've been looking about whilst trying to avoid detection. Things are going to get unpleasant. Dr Mystical is no longer a good guy and is seeking to drain the magic from Thoth as well as the broomstick artefact. Once he does that he unlocks a new level of power and abilities he does not have access to and that spells trouble for us. The problem - as I see it - is that he is still too powerful to directly confront. I'm reasonably resistant to magic given it's how I started out but still not partial to getting blasted by something that burns what's left of my soul." he says quietly.

"Hmmm. Time to go. I'll be about." says Nowhere Man, moving to the wall. "Anything you need? Aside from letting out but..." he glanced at Frostbite, up and down. "I don't believe you need any help do you? You have a strange aura. You seem to be unpowered... but have a ghostly aura about you. That has power in spades."

Admin wrote:"Hmmm. Time to go. I'll be about." says Nowhere Man, moving to the wall. "Anything you need? Aside from letting out but..." he glanced at Frostbite, up and down. "I don't believe you need any help do you? You have a strange aura. You seem to be unpowered... but have a ghostly aura about you. That has power in spades."

"Elsieth, I've come to this to free her. If she isn't safe, then it's all for nothing. Secure her." Frostbite wanted to ask what Nowhere Man meant about him having power within - he assumed he must be talking about Frostbot, but that couldn't be right. Frostbot was a lot of things but power in spades! What did that mean, as long as he had, had these powers and his companion he had achieved a huge range of potential but still limited as his being 'housed' in Frostbite showed. A question for another day, he told himself, not time to think that one through now.

No, now the real struggle was to find how they could take down Elias, Dr Mystical as he was once known as, without themselves suffering what even James, Nowhere Man feared. He was no slouch and Frostbite wondered how even Battle Bug would fare against Elias, powerful though he was. Well, for the time being, he had lots of time to think! He wasn't going anywhere fast, and he wondered how long Elias would want to keep him here, probably scrying on him now to see if he might give the game away. With a sigh, Frostbite asked Frostbot for his evaluation, then out of curiosity said,

"Do you have any idea what Nowhere Man was referring to about strange aura and "power in spades" was supposed to mean? Did he have some untapped abilities he knew not of?"

Sj

With Nowhere Man departing Frostbite turned inwards for a quiet conversation with the artificial life form that was part of him.

'An interesting question. As you know I have no knowledge of how I was formed or how I became part of you. I was hoping Frostbot of the Future could shed light on that but it is mindful of revealing knowledge that may affect or even nullify the future that it comes from. Your powers and abilities have grown spectacularly in the time we have been active and Nowhere Man has a number of special senses that may reveal more about our nature than we know. We have never taken the time to let Wandafar examine us from a scientific point of view. Perhaps a mystical, or spiritual view may be beneficial. I think of myself as a device or a creation of something or someone. Perhaps there is more to it than that.' said Frostbot.

Time passed. Frostbite rested, hanging against the wall and was woken when a torchlight shone into the cell. The sorcerer in robes had returned, flanked by Dark Knights.

"I am not happy with what I sense about you. I wonder... are you trying to fool me somehow? I was warned by the master not to underestimate you. With that in mind I am placing an EXTRA pair of shackles upon you to fully dampen your powers..." said the Sorcerer as a Dark Knight came in with a rust covered pair in his hands, ready to place it on Frostbite's ankles!

There was the sorcerer and half a dozen Dark Knights in the cell now. Frostbite was in trouble!

Admin wrote:There was the sorcerer and half a dozen Dark Knights in the cell now. Frostbite was in trouble!

Up till now, the ruse had been a good one, but in truth, it was a ruse that he had not planned but one that had served only to give him a sense of hope. Now that hope was about to be dashed. He should have guessed Dr Mystical would have had another means of detecting his powers. But what could he do, fight? He had no idea if Elsieth was safe? And until he could be sure he felt he had no choice but to go along with it. But not without seeking one last chance.

"What, do I frighten the great Dr Mystical...that is how you used to be known. A hero...but one who now, having turned to the way of power, is frightened! Frightened of me who, even in their prime couldn't win against you, yet still, you feel the need to reassure yourself and calm your anxious heart before you risk stamping on me! What a joke all this power and deep down inside your just a coward. A little boy afraid of the light so retreats into the cupboard or under his blanket where he hopes no one will notice.

Sure put as many shackles on as you like. After all if what you detect about me is true, surely another bunch of shackles won't make any difference - but try if you like. Who knows maybe in this land I've got some untapped magical powers that even a hundred shackles couldn't subdue - but go ahead. After all, it's not my power you want to shackle, it's your own fears Elias."

Frostbite hoped he'd given him pause for thought, building off the fact that the apparent failure of the shackles might make putting more on seem pointless and affording him some way out of this cell. If only he could satisfy himself that Elsieth was free, or safe, then possible he could think about revealing the truth and making some kind of attempt to stop Dr Mystical.

Sj

The man in Robes paled but then looked determined! "Watch him! Any sudden moves... kill him!"

He reached down to put the shackles on around Frostbites' ankles...

OOC Multi Attack on all Powers and Str (Multi on 15) Neutralise 25 + Roll(2d12)+0: 11,5,+0 Total:16 (41) vs
Highest OV 15 + Multi 8 + Roll(2d12)+0: 12,10,+0 Total:22 (45) Attempt failed! Huh. However they do attack round on round...
The Sorcerer stood back in triumph as the rune covered shackles clicked into place. "There, TWO pairs of shackles! Even if - somehow - the first did not work correctly the second should do the trick!"

Frostbite was unsure of just how much time he'd spent in this place. Hours, definitely, days, probably. He waited for the nullifying effect of the shackles to kick in and accepted his fate.

"I don't think so." rasped a disembodied voice behind the sorcerer. The Dark Knights spun and Nowhere Man stood in their midst for a moment... before the room plunged into total, absolute darkness!

OOC You can use your strength (whilst it still exists! The shackles try again next round!) to snap the shackles. Nowhere Man is somewhere in this total darkness and he hears confused stumbling and cries from the darkness!

Admin wrote:OOC You can use your strength (whilst it still exists! The shackles try again next round!) to snap the shackles. Nowhere Man is somewhere in this total darkness and he hears confused stumbling and cries from the darkness!

Spotting an opportunity, albeit not the one he had counted on, Frostbite sought to use his strength to break the shackles around his ankles. He had to hope Nowhere Man had decided to attack now of all times because Elsieth was free, if not this all could be for nothing. But he couldn't very stand back and let his 'friend' go it alone. Reckless he may be but he had a peculiar kind of code and was consistent in his attempts to do what was right.

OOC: OK let's see if we can snap off these ankle bracelets, its funny in that if they had not also failed I'd have no choice but to stand around and wait to be rescued. Not that there is a whole lot I can do, since the darkness makes it impossible for me to attack easily. I might think about dispersal and escape in the direction of the door so that I can at least appear to have been whisked away. However, not before I know if Nowhere Man has come with a plan of some sort - don't want to go and leave him nor charge off without knowing the reason for attacking now! Hoping its a good one!

Sj

Frostbite flexed his vast superhuman strength...

OOC As per Lionheart is may be advisable to spend 25HP to add Strength to your repertoire of powers that can be boosted by Power Reserve. Even better, Density Increase. That will increase Strength AND Durability and spending a few points on Density Increase (I'll have to do the math) will boost it so it does not reduce Dexterity. That wasn't a thing when Frostbite was cooked up but using the latest rule set as we are now, it's something I'll allow albeit needs to be paid for.

In the meantime Density Increase boosts Strength to 15, causes the stone floor to crack around where Frostbite is stood and...

Str 15 + Roll(2d12)+0: 8,8,+0 Total:16 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 2,4,+0 Total:22 (37) vs
OV8 (enough to restrain a normal human) + Roll(2d12)+0: 4,1,+0 Total:5 (13)
+7 (22) vs RV8=14RAPs. The Shackles SHATTER!

With a flex, grab and tearing the enchanted metal shackles like paper Frostbite tossed them aside and stepped forward.... to the mass of darkness! Somewhere in there was Nowhere man, the Robed Sorcerer and half a dozen Dark Knights! If Frostbite fired... might he hit his ally?

Suddenly a dark form burst from the impossibly black bubble and turned to look at Frostbite. "Time to make a move. Your Elven Queen is safe, for now. It will be a short while before they discover her guards are... gone." rasped Nowhere Man.

Suddenly a Dark Knight spilled from the black sphere and Nowhere Man spun. He reached out, grasping the head of the Dark Knight and ... breathed in...

Frostbite gasped in shock as Nowhere Man drained the life from the Dark Knight, causing the enemy to fall back, drained, a husk! Nowhere Man turned to Frostbite, and the hero saw within the dark hood a pale white skull like head, the flesh drawn in tight, the eyes, red!

"You see now... the PRICE ... I had to pay for powers after they ... the other Lore Knights... the land... drained them from me for 'falling' from the path of the just and righteous. The weak more like. Justice? THIS ... " he said, waving a hand at the skeletal Dark Knight on the floor, "THIS is justice." he spat, flexing a fist and snarling. The rage faded and his face took on a more... human aspect. He was Nowhere Man, James Caldwell again. Frostbite had seen something though in the dark vigilante. Something dark, demonic... evil...

Admin wrote:"You see now... the PRICE ... I had to pay for powers after they ... the other Lore Knights... the land... drained them from me for 'falling' from the path of the just and righteous. The weak more like. Justice? THIS ... " he said, waving a hand at the skeletal Dark Knight on the floor, "THIS is justice." he spat, flexing a fist and snarling. The rage faded and his face took on a more... human aspect. He was Nowhere Man, James Caldwell again. Frostbite had seen something though in the dark vigilante. Something dark, demonic... evil...

Frostbite wasn't used to an involuntary shiver, but right then something ran cold, even for him. But for now, he shook it off, wondering if at some point James was a man who'd strayed so far he'd forgotten what the path looked like. But the news that the Elven Princess was safe was good enough for now, priorities matter and it mattered that she remained safe. Nodding at his 'friend' Frostbite followed where he led, allowing his body to once again ice up diamond hard.

OOC: I am loving what you said about density increase with no loss of strength. For sure its the case that without strength, I'm all about movement and blasting, not much else. The increase sounds practical and purposeful. Lets file that away so we can do it when the next round of HP rolls out - unless there is some rattling around to use up now?

Sj

Frostbite made himself diamond hard and ultra strong (OOC with -7HP because of buying that suit it will be a while before you get the points to add Density Increase to Power Reserve (25HP) and change the power so it doesn't subtract from Dexterity (40HP) but it will basically make Frostbite as strong as Superman (25 Str) and far more durable (RV26, 27 with Fluid Form because you can add one power to existing stats and anything else that adds gives +1, just the way the game works) to give you some idea of how powerful Frostbite is. it will *almost* elevate him to Lionheart levels of power, believe it or not, for 65HP)and rammed a punch into the darkness!

His fist connected with someone and he swung again, and again!

Nowhere Man was the same, seemingly able to drain the life force from his targets and redirect that power into physical strength, dexterity, a mix of the two or even morphing his body from 'living shadow' so he would grow claws or some other physical weapon he could use to smite his foes with.

OOC I can go through the motion of rolling the dice and having you guys batter the Dark Knights into the floor but there really isn't any point. Nowhere Man can reduce their opposing value (their ability to avoid blows) to zero with his Darkness power and all you have to do is blast or punch into the mass of darkness to land a blow. Pretty much like shooting fish in a barrel. They can't use their Density increase in here because the floor would shatter (they have the Density increase power at 10APs with Increases Strength/Doesn't reduce Dexterity which also increases their weight to around 100 tons!) so they aren't anywhere near as durable. It's a foregone conclusion.

In moments the darkness vanished. What was left were battered, unconscious, floored opponents. Dark Knights and the Robed Sorcerer.

"It's a mistake to leave them alive to rise up behind us and threaten us..." said Nowhere Man, reaching with one of those ink black hands towards the Sorcerer's head... His voice had that chilling edge to it...

Admin wrote:"It's a mistake to leave them alive to rise up behind us and threaten us..." said Nowhere Man, reaching with one of those ink black hands towards the Sorcerer's head... His voice had that chilling edge to it...

Frostbite stopped his friend, "No James, no. Where you operate there might not be jurisprudence but Elias comes from the UK and a representative from there he has to face the full face of the law. Moreover, he has caused harm in this realm to the sovereign elect and has to face that as well. By all means incapacitate him, remove his ability to use magic, but do no make his life easier by removing the opportunity for justice to be acted on. There has been too much death, for his to go the way of others - people need their day in court. But please do render him impotent if you can. We do not want him pulling one last rabbit out of any magical hats - if you'll pardon the expression."

OOC: Wow shooting fish in a barrel indeed. If James relents, I hope he does, then we get this place sorted and free Thoth and the broom regroup with the others and start to set things straight - I hope.

Sj

OOC Bit of confusion... this guy in the robes is just some Sorcerer type aide to Dr Mystical/The Dark Lord/Elias and not the man himself!

Nowhere Man paused then seemed to struggle with some internal conflict, muttering to himself. "As always they fall short of doing something that they need to do... the bad guys hold the upper hand... we will always be weak... never win..." then a pause and "No!" he hissed. "If we stoop to their level we will be not better than they are! We HAVE to be better. This man is the standard by which I judge others... see his soul..."

"Weak... compassion? Hope? Redemption? I see all these things and more as part of the mans make up..."

"NO!" he said, louder and Frostbite looked on as Nowhere Man seemed to have a full blown conversation with himself. He waited, sucked in a deep breath and turned, pulling his mask down to provide an inky black appearance under that dark hood. He rasped "Apologies. I... struggle to contain that within me which gives me these powers. That is a story for another day. We must find Thoth and free him if we are to have ANY hope of defeating the Dark Lord. These... minions are nothing compared to him. Indeed, their powers come from the Dark Lord. Cut off the head of the snake..."

"... and the body dies with it." finished Frostbite.

"Quite. Work your way through the castle. I have to check something out..." he said, fading from view and becoming incorporeal...

Frostbite stood alone in the cell. There were downed scattered Dark Knights and the sorcerer who'd planned to torture a depowered Frostbite on the floor. They would rise again, thanks to Frostbites intervention. It seemed Nowhere Man dealt with literal inner demons rather than the figurative type...

OOC Any precautions to take as you move through the castle looking for the Dark Lord's inner sanctum?

Admin wrote:OOC Any precautions to take as you move through the castle looking for the Dark Lord's inner sanctum?

Frostbite grabbed the robes from the sorcerer since there was no point drawing attention to himself he felt it best that he try and move about without using his powers if at all possible. He hoped the deep robes would give him sufficient cover to move about without drawing attention to himself before moving out into the corridor taking a good look both ways and then starting off.

OOC: Starting off in what looks to be the best of directions, given all things. I will also close the door after putting the sorcerer in any shackles I can restore or use here!

Sj

OOC The bad guys will be out for an hour and that should - hopefully - provide enough time for Frostbite to find the heart of the Citadel...

Frostbite moved down corridors, finding the place maze like. Orcs, Trolls, Humanoids of various kinds marched in rough unruly groups with weapons ready.

He gave pause at the corner of corridor to see a larger area where many corridors converging into one wide open area. There a multitude of forces gathered, took orders from Dark Knights and moved one. Coming and going constantly, hundreds of them at any one time and going out to issue orders to hundreds more. The Dark Lord, the former superhero known as Dr Mystical, had conquered this world and needed only a few more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to finish the task of gathering the power required to open a gate into his former homeworld.

He was about to move, to find another way, when a voice called out. "Sorcerer! Where is your escort?" Frostbite looked to see another Sorcerer in robes with an escort of Dark Knights. A quick glance... a dozen. Too many for Frostbite to face on his own? One or two trolls looked over, and a group of Orcs changed direction to head towards where Frostbite stood.

=========

"This is madness! Look at them! There are ... thousands!" said Melody, desperately trying to stay hidden and out of sight.

The Sorceress, former wife and team mate of Dr Mystical/The Dark Lord could only agree. "If Elias finds some way of controlling you - both of you - and turning your power against the free peoples, all that you have accomplished of freeing people will be smashed in moments! You are BOTH too powerful" she said, referring to Melody and Battlebug.

Billy Watts rolled his eyes. "Then make sure he DOESN'T do that. He uses magic! Stop him! If he has a physical form, I can take him down, and if not? I got... I got another plan." he said, looking at the vast city size citadel.

"What plan?" asked Frostbot of the Future who lay on his belly looking over the ash covered hill in the valley at the huge citadel and massing forces of thousands gathering on the plain below.

"Best I don't say. You'll freak out and Melody will start shrieking and Sorceress will wave a spell at me to make me forget it." replied Battlebug.

Sorceress started "I don't cast those sort of ..."

Melody butted in "Battlebug, you need to tell us what you're planning!"

"I concur." said Frostbot of the Future.

"What if either of you are captured? Huh? Then the plan is discovered and they can stop it! We need to attack the citadel from different directions, draw them away then anyone who gets their chance can get in there and help Frostbite. If I get the chance, and if my crazy mad powers can hold out with my pushing them to their limits so often and crossing my fingers they keep working... well... I'll have a crack at that army." said Battlebug.

"Impossible! You can't take that many on your own!" hissed Sorceress.

"I could if Frostbite helped me. Between us we could..." started the youngster.

"BUT HE'S NOT HERE!" hissed Melody. "My powers have returned but they aren't reliable. It's you, me, Frostbot of the Future and whatever Sorceress can manage. I don't think that... am I boring you Battlebug?"

She was annoyed, seeing the youngster turn ... then she gasped!

Moving from the shadows of rocks, sparse trees and foliage and seemingly appearing out of nowhere were dozens... hundreds even, of Elven warriors!

Prince Elesian, Elesieths brother, marched forward, flanked by serious looking bodyguards! "There will be no assault on the Dark Lords castle without my personal guard and I." he stated. "We are only 300 but we have some of our magic back, our skills are consummate and ..."

"Jabber, jabber, jabber." said a gravelly voice as the ground seemed to rumble and crack and short stubby fingers pulled a ... Dwarf out! Clad in armour, ready for battle and followed by dozens of Dwarven warriors, a Dwarf leader stepped forward. "You Elves are your own biggest fans. The rest of us aren't so keen..."

"You dare...?" hissed an Elven guard.

As one the Elves - hundreds of them - instantly nocked arrows and took aim! The Dwarves pulled up shields and readied axes and hammers!

"Woah! Woah!" said Battlebug. "We need to... uh... help me out here Melody..."

Admin wrote:He was about to move, to find another way, when a voice called out. "Sorcerer! Where is your escort?" Frostbite looked to see another Sorcerer in robes with an escort of Dark Knights. A quick glance... a dozen. Too many for Frostbite to face on his own? One or two trolls looked over, and a group of Orcs changed direction to head towards where Frostbite stood.

OOC: Is it me or is anyone else having to sign in every time you come onto the boards?  It used to be if I haven't been on for a few days now it's every time?  1st world issues  

Frostbite moved over to the Sorcerer and spoke as best he could like the one who he'd had his recent altercation with, and whose robes he know wore.  

"Ahh yes, my escort was with the prisoners, but then a dark fellow, shadows and darkness greater than that of our master, attacked me, I am not myself...he did something to me, my escort...yes where are my escort - he must have drained them.  Quick come with your cohort and we can stop them before they can escape."

It was the longest of long shots, but with the prisoners being so important - Frostbite was hoping and playing for time.  It was either that or try and run...and how far would he get with the whole citadel after him.  However, it did occur to him, if this ruse didn't work, then he might well be running for his life, since Elesieth was now freed, assuming James was right and not playing some sort of twisted game.  He was stuck so fast in the filth he couldn't see what he had become.  But that was a fight for another day.  

Right now, Frostbite was ready, tensed as best he could be to make a run for it.  He had hoped to get close to Thoth the broom or both, but he wasn't so sure now.  

OOC: PS loving the ongoing story with the other characters, with the dwarves and elves at each other I was like...Stop! Stop! But of course, I am not there :-) Ha!

Sj

OOC yeah I have to log in practically every time... but tonight I didn't. Bizarre.

Frostbite tried to Persuade the other Sorcerer and his escort that he'd been the victim of an attack by Nowhere Man. Would they believe him?

OOC in this game persuasion is an attempt to fool the soul/mystical abilities rather than trying to outsmart someone. That means even the smartest guard can be fooled. Unfortunately (for Frostbite) Sorcerers require high mystical stats (in this game Influence, Aura and Spirit are used to resolve these personal interactions) and so...

Infl 9 + Charisma 2D + Roll(4d12)+0: 3,12,5,6,+0 Total:18 (27) vs
OV8 + Suspicious 2 + Roll(2d12)+0: 7,3,+0 Total:10 (20)
+4 (to 11 Aura) vs RV9 + Suspicious 2 (RV11)=0 RAPs.

Frostbite thought the guy looked to have been fooled... then the Sorcerer barked "Take him! We will probe his mind to see what he knows about this intruder! He may not survive the attempt but death under questioning is far more merciful than the Dark Lord!"

The Dark Knights started forward to surround Frostbite!

The hero made a break for it, the only clear path being back where he'd come from !

"Get him! Take him alive!" barked the Sorcerer!

Frostbite, phased, moved at speed through walls and corridors, ignoring surprised guards and officers!

Confusion reigned and the Dark Lord's forces spilled into the citadels' passageways making it easier to ...

BONNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!!

A Clanging sound, impossibly loud and deafening everyone including Frostbite, was accompanied by the walls, floor, ceiling... ALL of the entire citadel, suddenly pitching, leaning to one side! Steadily at first then more and more! What on earth was going on?

Frostbite was safe for the moment, but the Citadel - the entire metal structure, was slowly, steadily, leaning to the side and moving, inch by inch!

[quote="Admin"]A Clanging sound, impossibly loud and deafening everyone including Frostbite, was accompanied by the walls, floor, ceiling... ALL of the entire citadel, suddenly pitching, leaning to one side! Steadily at first then more and more! What on earth was going on?[/qoute]

Floating up from the floor, he wondered where James had put Elesieth, what on earth could do this to the citadel. He knew nothing of this earth, especially considering its stricken state since the Dark Lord had been draining it of all its magical life and energy. But surely this couldn't be...could it? Battle Bug was powerful sure, but could even he push himself this far? If it was the rest of his team or even just Billy, he had to go check it out.

Moving effortlessly through the floors walls and the increasingly steepening structure, he allowed himself to fully disperse to move as fast as he could unimpeded by the need to go around obstacles. If the team were making some sort of rescue attempt then they'd need him and he'd need them, for only together could they stand a chance against the Dark Lord, and even then...who knew.

OOC: Wow didn't see that coming, right off to see a wizard and my mottle crew, or whomever else might have entered the fray.

Sj

The Dark Lord strode about, then grabbed hold of a desk as it started to slide across the floor!

"What's happening?" he roared. A group of robed sorcerers looked shocked, one offering "Earthquake, Lord?"

"What could move THIS fortress?"

"It's made of metal!" "

"It's impregnable!"

"It weighs as much as a mountain!"

Elias, the former superhero known as Dr Mystical and now fallen from grace to be the villainous Dark Lord, glanced at the wall where Professor Thoth, archmage and mysterious time travelling superhero, was shackled like Houdini in layers of power sapping chains!

"You know don't you?" asked the Dark Lord.

Thoth looked up. His face was bruised and puffy. He'd been surprised, overpowered, stripped of his magic and humiliated but he was defiant. "I could cast a spell and find out, Elias, but we both know you have sapped me of my magic. Which means you'll have to find out yourself, Dr Mystical."

The Dark Lord positively seethed! "Don't.... CALL ME THAT!" he screamed, lashing out with an aura of magic that caught up a cowering Sorcerer who burst into dark flames and disintegrated! The rest of them backed off like rats, cornered and petrified!

Thoth grinned. "You can't kill me. I know how to unlock the secrets of the artefacts you've gathered. Until you do that, you won't get the power you need and let's face it Elias, you are spread thin. To conquer this world, and you're a long way from doing that, you need your Dark Knights to suck the magic from the land. The heroes - the Vanguard - are smashing them where they find them! Somewhere in this place is that nutjob Nowhere Man. You know about him, right? He's magical. You should like him. On the other hand... let's face it. The guy is a few cards short of a deck. He is a living conduit for the spirit of Vengeance in our Earth Dimension. In another Dimension, they call him the Spectre. In another, the word for him is 'Vengeance'. The guy is a basket case, and he's loose in your citadel. Try using your magic on him! It will take all you have and it's still not enough!"

The Dark Lord ground his teeth and paced about, holding onto the wall as the Citadel tilted slowly, steadily, inch by inch. "He's doing this? Where does he get the power? He's using... telekinesis? Some kind of... magnetic power?"

Thoth shrugged. "I'm just glad I'm strapped in because someone is tearing this place up, physically, off the side of this mountain. What's that mean? He's moving... millions of tons! Do you know ANYONE with that power?"

Elias, Dr Mystical, the Dark Lord... paled. As his ENTIRE fortress shook around his ears!

"The Ultrahumans?" he muttered, looking about in fear. "I need to.. need to recall my power!"

=========

"THIS is your plan?" asked Melody, looking about as rock and mud fell about her ears and glad she was phased!

"Seriously?"

She looked at the figure in the darkness, trying to find purchase as rock impacted under his feet with every straining heave!

"Can you... just... I mean... this isn't... as... easy ... as it... looks!" spluttered the figure in the darkness.

A blue light appeared in the cavern. "The Citadel has moved several feet. It is breaking free of its moorings and has tilted several degrees. You must apply more pressure." stated Frostbot of the Future.

"I can't believe you let him try this!" screeched Melody. "It's... it's insane! He's LIFTING a city sized fortress!"

"I'm just..." spluttered Battlebug as metal crunched in his hands. The metal was enchanted, tougher than anything available like steel or... or diamond... figured the youngster. He still wasn't sure what he intended to achieve by tipping the Citadel over onto its side but figured the place was full of bad guys and if he could.... shake them about... he could ... well. He didn't know really. "It seemed like a good idea at the time." he spluttered as he grunted with the effort!

Outside, the forces of the Dark Lord spilled out onto the plain... into the waiting weapons of the amassed forces of Elves and Dwarves!

=========

Frostbite saw the forces of the Dark Lord sliding about, scrabbling for purchase, struggling. They'd forgotten about him, now they were just trying to stay on their feet!

Whatever was happening, it was a distraction he could use! The steel walls were not much of a barrier to his phased form and he moved upwards, or rather slanted upwards now, whilst screams, cries, roars of rage and confusion rang out!

Passing through the floor (also made of metal, like the walls, floor and ceiling of this entire massive place) he suddenly paused. "Get the prisoner!" snarled a Dark Knight using hands to steady herself against the tilted corridor.

One prisoner? One specific prisoner? He knew he needed to take advantage of the tilting citadel but...

==========

"You need... to get... clear..." grunted Battlebug. Scrunched up and tortured metal was mangled and twisted in his hands, bunched up and wrinkled where the superhuman had ignored any physics laws to tear up the massive citadel from its place on the mountain!

"What? This is ridiculous! What do you suppose you are going to... wait." said Melody. "That crack of light... are you REALLY lifting this place...?" she gasped.

Admin wrote:One prisoner? One specific prisoner? He knew he needed to take advantage of the tilting citadel but...

Frostbite looked to see where the Dark Knight indicated or looked...did he mean Elesieth - no he suspected that it had to be someone of greater value. After all, now they thought him captured, Elesieth might be of little importance to her. He suspected they must mean Thoth and that meant trying to get to what passed as the command centre - or throne room. Noting the direction the Dark Knight indicated, the general layout and the fact that giving his towering pride, the control room was likely to be the 'penthouse' option, that is where Frostbite sped toward. He wanted to rush, but knowing he might miss something or even barrel into a trap meant he had to be careful even in the chaos.

OOC: OK heading for the throne room, which I guess should be toward the top of this steadily tipping place. I was going to head south to the reason for the tipping, but [and in this I might be reading too much] I think you're tipping my hand or winking toward what I'm going to now do and hope for the best. Nice write up, good to see a bit more of Thoth than slightly eccentric mage and some idea of where James is coming from. Up till now, I thought he was a sort of Batmanesk type figure but I like this spin on him.

Sj

Frostbite stayed 'hidden' in Robes apparently trying to stay level as the ENTIRE colossal structure weighing... millions of tons suddenly groaned, and listed quite violently to the side with a 'sinking feeling' in the stomach as it lifted several inches, a foot...

Corridors skewed, ceilings and floors stretched and tore, the metal shrieking in protest and walls were suddenly bent at an angle!

The entire fortress, five or more MILLION tons of it, was being physically lifted...

'Warning! This entire structure may collapse under its own weight if the geometry of its internal construction is radically altered due to the extreme forces being stressed upon its mass.' stated Frostbot, which was nice but not too necessary to explain to Frostbite as cries of confusion and fear rang out through the corridors!

Locked doors literally exploded outwards as the frames twisted and forced the door open, shredding the locks and hinges as if they were made of paper!

Panicked prisoners climbed, stumbled, staggered, wobbled and more besides from doorways along the corridor and Frostbite set off towards the top of the city sized castle, trying to get his head around the strength required to tear up a castle/citadel/city made of iron and steel and lift it from the floor...

It rocked again and 'hopped', as if someone was hefting it... as if... as if it was going to be thrown.

He didn't have long!

=========

"WHAT IS GOING ON! GET SOMEONE OUT THERE! FIND OUT!" Screeched the Dark Lord. His stumbling, falling, fawning, terrified sorcerers spilled from the room which was now looking decidedly sideways and bowing inwards.

Even Thoth looked somewhat alarmed.

"If this place collapses in on itself you - in your unpowered state - will be killed along with everyone inside!" said Elias/Dr Mystical/Dark Lord.

Thoth pulled a face. "I'm painfully aware of that Elias. I'm starting to think that maybe you SHOULD stop whoever this is. Aside from smashing your ambitions into the dust it appears that Nowhere Man is happy to break a few eggs to make his omelette of vengeful justice. I always said that nutcase was a liability and not just some grief stricken lunatic with a Batman fixation."

"A what fixation?" asked Dark Lord.

"Different universe.. time... place..." muttered Thoth, eyeing the ceiling which was screeching and closing in on top of him!

The Dark Lord started muttering a spell and the metal around him started pushing outwards... only for the room in another part to collapse and start groaning as twisted metal fought against physics, gravity and its own weight!

=========

Up, up, through ceiling and floor, wall, door and all over again.

The ceilings were closing in, the walls were skewing and the floors were tearing up! This place was rising up off the floor!

Frostbite sped through, lost his way, changed course and looked about. It all looked the same, as if painted by some surrealist on drugs with a wonky ruler! This was going too far! Whoever was doing this - and Frostbite had an idea - was risking the lives of innocent prisoners as well as the Dark Lord's forces!

He hoped Elesieth had gotten ... oh no.

The ancient Queen stood on unsteady legs in a corridor, robes hanging off her spindly emaciated form. Frostbite appeared down the skewed corridor and saw the Elven Queen duck as the corridor crushed in from above! "Oh! Frostbite! I was rescued by a man clad in black, he told me to get out but... The way down was gone! The stairs are collapsing in and..."

GROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

The ceiling raced in to lower towards the Elven Queen who would be crushed for sure!

=========

"Are you sure about this?" asked Melody.

A muffled voice, blocked out by layers of fallen rock and metal, answered "Really? You're asking me this now, when I have like, thousands of tons on top of me?"

Frostbot of the Future, providing blue light in the cavern under the citadel spoke up "Thousands of tons is a wildly inaccurate estimate of the weight."

A pause then "All right, hundreds of tons then." replied Battlebug. "It isn't as easy as it looks! Look, just... just tell me which way to throw this thing! In one go we can take out the bad guy and all his forces around here... we just..."

"What about Frostbite?" asked Melody. A pause, then a groan. "He can phase, right? Become a ghost? Won't get caught up in it." replied the muffled voice of Battlebug.

"And what of the Elven Queen, Professor Thoth and any other innocents?" asked Frostbot of the Future.

Another pause. "Why didn't anyone mention this stuff when I came up with the plan?"

Melody and Frostbot spoke together "We DID mention it."

Battlebug groaned. "Go find Frostbite. Help him. I'll... hold this thing up until we figure out where to throw it."

Frostbot of the Future muttered to Melody. "The boy has no idea. I predict this structure to have a weight between five and ten million tons, and he's planning to 'throw it'."

Melody shook her head. "I know he's strong, but there's no way he can... no way that... he can't... can he?"

"CAN'T HOLD THIS FOREVER!" shouted the muffled voice.

The android and the heroine sped off, both intangible or able to slip through tiny gaps!

Admin wrote:Up, up, through ceiling and floor, wall, door and all over again.

GROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

The ceiling raced in to lower towards the Elven Queen who would be crushed for sure!

"Oh no you don't..." Frostbite muttered as he gently but firmly took the Elvan Princess in his arms and flew toward the nearest rent or exit he could find. Perhaps he should have done this from the first but the place was confusing enough and had he flown outside, he'd not have seen Elesieth.

OOC: OK get Elesieth to a safe place, where she can rest and then head toward the original point in the tower. - However, I might have to revise this depending on what goes on next as there is a lot happening outside that Frostbite isn't aware of. Like the Elves and Dwarves fighting, so might end up taking her to the Elves camp etc...

Sj

Using his energy blast and superhuman strength to first hold up the ceiling with one hand and blasting with another to cut a round hole directly through walls, ceilings, floors and anything else in the way whilst carrying the frail Queen Frostbite had to take his time and make sure that the collapsing structure - which couldn't harm him - didn't claim the Queen!

"Oh, I knew ... somehow... you would save me!" she coughed, looking about, fearless. "The man in black... he was... he freed me, and I thought he would help me escape then he left me to fend for myself!"

Sounded like James Caldwell/Nowhere Man...

After what seemed like an age but in reality was only seconds daylight peered through a hole in the outside wall and Frostbite blasted through it. Swooping out he...

Gasped.

The Citadel had been physically torn from the mountain and was 'moving' as something - or someone - presumably held it up from the bottom!

On the plain around a massed force took on the Orcs and other humanoids as well as the Dark Knights and forces of the Dark Lord, dust and a roar as the smaller forces of... he frowned, squinting. Elves and shorter folk. Dwarves?

Traditional rivals, almost enemies, they battled side by side against the much more numerous foe and used the fact that they could attack those who spilled from the shaking citadel in a panic, only to fall to the blades of the forces of good!

No stranger to war, Frostbite hardened his heart against the sight of beings living and dying on the plain below. He saw a distant camp and considered flying towards that until he heard...

"Frostbite?" It was Melody and she swooped up with a grin on her face, flanked by Frostbot of the Future!

"I know you ordered us to stay away but the boy... Battlebug... wouldn't do it! You know what he's like!" said Melody. "Plus I didn't... I couldn't leave you. I know you ordered but... sorry..."

Frostbot of the Future said "It was a tactically unsound error and we aim to correct it. Talking of tactically unsound, the youth has exerted a measure of vast superhuman strength and is physically supporting the weight of the entire citadel, free of any other support. His intention is to THROW the Citadel onto an empty plain and trap anyone inside in a kind of iron prison. It would - with one throw - disable a vast number of the enemy forces and possibly end this battle. He is waiting for direction on the throw itself and when to do it."

A pause then "The boy's power is... formidable. Yours is hugely impressive but the boy's speed, strength and durability are truly astonishing. Again, I must urge caution when dealing with him. I will not leave your side from this moment."

Admin wrote:A pause then "The boy's power is... formidable. Yours is hugely impressive but the boy's speed, strength and durability are truly astonishing. Again, I must urge caution when dealing with him. I will not leave your side from this moment."

Frostbite, possible for the first time in his life was lost for words. But then it came back to him, "We'll talk about all this later, for now Melody I need you to take Elesieth to her kin down below - she'll be safer there. Frostbot of the future me and you had better get Battle Bug from under this. Come on."

Handing Elesieth over to Melody, gently as he dared, she seemed so frail a wind would break her. He had to hope away from the Dark Lord's corrupting influence she might recover. Then having handed her over he added, "Come find us, we'll regroup to finish this. Don't worry, you did good, even commanders can't see every eventuality."

And having reassured Melody Frostbite nodded to his future companion and headed to the base of the Citadel.

OOC: OK head back and plan to be nonchalant about things for now. I don't want to be heavy on the boy, but at the same time want to direct him. Having surveyed the area I'll tell him where to best 'put it down' or in his vernacular - throw it! Although I am aware Thoth is still aboard and we need to get him alive so perhaps put it down might be best. The Elves and Dwarves can clean up the hoards escaping.

Sj

Frostbot scanned and overlay with range and potential to damage to existing wildlife and/or innocents. To be honest most of the land round here was barren ash plain. The life and magic had been drained from the land and the Dark Lord/Dr Mystical had a lot to answer for.

Swooping, intangible, through rock and metal, the light from Frostbites' chest and Frostbot of the Future's form illuminated a crumbling cavern underneath the vast citadel!

The cavern was huge. Miles across.

Frostbite gaped at the scale and looked up. Underneath the citadel it was all black iron and few details could be made out but it was miles across.

"This way." said Frostbot of the Future.

They flew whilst outside the sound of distant battle grew quieter.

Ignoring the crumbling rock and sometimes huge chunks of iron falling from the huge mass of the city/castle/citadel being held up six feet off the hard compacted rock of the foundations, they rounded a corner and heard a voice call out from underneath a metal mass "Yo! Frostbot of the future dude? That you? Got me some idea of where to chuck this thing? I thought I'd struggle but I gotta say, I found a hard bit of rock that only crunched up a little and I think I gotta shot at throwing this thing. Not just a little way! I pushed myself... a little harder and I think ... maybe... I could toss it a few hundred yards or a mile or more. Good job it doesn't weigh that much cause I think like, a hundred tons or something is my limit!"

Frostbot of the Future glanced at Frostbite who looked back. "The youngster is holding the entirety of the weight of the structure above our heads." he whispered.

"What was that?" called out the youngster, unable to see anything other than a faint blue glow.

If he dropped the city now, the weight might crush everyone underneath! Frostbite was resistant but... he looked up at the vast mass over his head...

"Yo! Hay! I got an idea! I could... y'know, jump as high as I can and throw hard. I think - maybe - I could throw this thing into orbit! Whaddya say? Good job it's not heavier cause... well, otherwise this would be a really stupid idea." called out Battlebug.

Admin wrote:"Yo! Hay! I got an idea! I could... y'know, jump as high as I can and throw hard. I think - maybe - I could throw this thing into orbit! Whaddya say? Good job it's not heavier cause... well, otherwise this would be a really stupid idea." called out Battlebug.

"Billy you didn't need to show off to impress me. But hey we have to to stop needing to be rescued, your killing me with this routine, I can't keep up! But hey if you are looking for a place to set this down, can I suggest gently, Thoth and a good few prisoners are still inside. Besides if you smash it to the ground there is no telling what damage it will do to the surrounding area including the Army you seemed to have acquired, nice touch, outside."

Frostbite kept it light and casual, but in truth, his words nearly got stuck in his throat as he saw just how much the boy was carrying. And he was still a boy, he had a lot more growing in every sense to go and yet the vastness of his potential was clearly staggering.

Alighting next him, he gently slapped his arm and said more kindly, "You did good Billy, now let's get this thing off your back and go for this self styled Dark Lord out!"

Sj

"Boss? That... it IS you! Show off huh? How about you with the 'sacrifice myself only I can do this alone' routine." he chuckled. "Ok I'll set it down but it really isn't that heavy. From the outside it looks heavy and you think 'no way' but when you dig around underneath..."

OOC GFB +8/-12 Multi on 2 Adren Surge 23 + Roll(2d12)+0: 6,10,+0 Total:16 (39) vs
OV7 + 8 GFB + Multi 2 + Roll(2d12)+0: 6,5,+0 Total:11 (28)
+5 (to 28) vs RV7 + multi 2 - GFB 12 (RV-3)=31 RAPs. Str to 37, Power Reserve to 38. Str boosted to 38, power reserve scattered about to Dex and other abilities.

"Oh hey, check this out!" he said, and moved one arm by his side before pushing the citadel up and down with one arm! Above him the Citadel eased up and down with each flex...

Chuckling the youngster checked his footing and set the Citadel down. Stone powdered where metal touched it and Frostbite - no slouch in the strength department - saw the state of the scrunched up mangled metal.

Parting it like paper the youngster led the way out to the exterior of the castle where the battle raged with unbalanced Dark Lord forces and the Elves and Dwarves who had united to fight for their freedom!

"Check it out Boss!" grinned Battlebug looking at the war on the plain. "Should we pitch in or get in there and...man." he looked up... and up.. and up... and across... and back. "I know it looks big but .. well, massive but really, it's not as heavy as it looks. The most I ever lifted was like, a boat or something. It can't weigh more than that." he chuckled, but looking up at the towering citadel.

Frostbot of the Future appeared "Elesieth is safe, guarded by her brother and his personal guard."

Melody landed and looked at Battlebug, shaking her head. "Showoff." she said.

"What? Nahhh. Really, Mel, you coulda picked that up. It's like... like the place is wrong, made of cardboard or something. Maybe its lighter than it should be because of magic. Yeah. how else could someone make something like this from what looks to be one piece of metal? No welds either. Weird. Worlds lightest metal, heh. Even the rock turned to powder."

Frostbite glanced at the ground. The rock looked very hard and solid to him.

"Shall we go stop the Dark Lord?" asked Melody.