NationStates Jolt Archive

Aenima would be lieing if he said he wasn't enjoying Matergy's company. However, he needed to get down to work. "Matergy, I would be most pleased to work with you. I have only one request. You say you have travelled here in search of your nemesis. If I assisst you in your endeavors, I only ask that you assist me in my own." Aenima explained to Matergy his plans to conquer LA. "So, do we have an alliance?"

OOC- King A, sent you a TG.

Matergy meets Aenima 3 / Down to Business

Matergy smiled as she saw Aenima checking her out and said, "An Alliance what a perfectly fabulous idea. Of course I'll help you conquer LA, but wouldn't you rather conquer the whole world instead? I know I would!"

Lady Moonette’s ship comes in

After marking the location of the cavern that would become her secret base Moonette returned to the Star Car at the mouth of the tunnel entrance. Immediately she keyed in the code to turn off the cars anti-theft device, opened the door and sat down in the pilots seat. After closing the door behind her she quickly went through the pre flight check list as she fired up the cars anti gravity thrusters. Then she lifted off turning the cars nose around to the east and the clearing where she knew her companies construction crew was busy building Moon Manor.
Minutes later as she over flew the site she saw that the basement had been poured and the framers & stone layers had started constructing the first floor. Turning the car towards the marina’s future location on the beach she could see that her yacht had finally arrived. As she landed the Star Car on the yacht’s helicopter pad she decided it would be used as her base of operations in Gotham until construction was completed.

Metropolis

Roger nodded. "You're invisible, but not mute. Slide into the next room to be on the safe side. Be quiet, but you might want to listen in." Roger waited until the footsteps were gone before pulling out a set of slides. The two men walked in a few brief seconds later.

"Alright, what do you two want this time?" Roger asked without taking his eyes from the microscope.

"Dr. Hartigan, we've come with a bit of bad news. And where is Duo?"

"He's far enough away so that I feel comfortable, though I'd probably add a couple extra dozen miles if you keep plan on snooping around. Now, what's this little gift that you bring to me?'

"We're serious about the bad news, Doctor. One of our extraction teams was ambushed last night by a man with rather impressive psionic powers. The men don't remember anything, but a hidden recording device, which they didn't know about, was able to get it on record. This meta-human is seeking out others, and knows that their is a psionic blocker in Metropolis. He may very well come for you soon. We can help you. Come with us, we pick up Duo, and we get you out of his way. Otherwise, he will find you."

"No, Mr. Hrocko, He will find me no matter what. If what you say is true, then I will not be hidden no matter where I go. Duo I can hide, though. I have a way, and it severs any link. But if this guy wants me, then he'll find me." Roger paused for a minute, before continuing. "Duo, I know you can hear me, so get in here. You've got a decision to make."

Aenima smiled once again. "I suppose that would work out. We have an alliance, and a goal. Now, would you be so kind and tell me more about you nemesis. After all, this nemesis is my nemesis now."

With in an hour and a half the street knew that there was a new player in town. The actions hadn't been much -

Rio'd 'ported in and 'ported out of a busy street crossing - but that out port had been with a elderly lady, her arms filled to over flowing with grocery bags....right before an inattentive bus driver would have flattened said little old lady. The little old lady had managed to bash Rio with the iconic brick filled purse, and screamed bloody murder, but Rio didn't care. It had felt so damned good she'd just laughed and wrapped herself in the cape that her suit had suddenly manifested about her. "Go cook your grand kids that dinner you were so intent on thinking about" She called as she teleported away.

The old woman and the small crowd of on lookers just babbled with near hysteria, though some had the presence of mind to use the cameras attached to their cell phones. The smart ones sold the blurry pictures they'd captured to the National Enquirer, as the main stream media wasn't willing to pay much ...yet...

A drug deal that found itself going sour as Rio invaded it netted her a brief fight. Five against one had stretched her abilities a bit. The largest tough, the wiry Puerto Rican dealer's personal security, had cracked his knuckles and announced that " Little white girls with funny clothes ought not to be hanging round school yards where they see thing they oughtn't." He might have been the intellectual of the group, but neither that, nor his size, saved him.

Rio reacted by not waiting for any of them to jump her and a blast of telekenetic power, her bejeweled hands glowing though the gloves, sent him crashing backwards into a construction dumpster that oblidgingly declined to move under the impact. The impact left a mark on the dumpster, a large dent caving in the side, and a worse mark on the knuckle cracker, the force of the impact having crushed the back of his skull like an egg shell.

As his corpse had slidly limply down to the cracked cement Rio looked back at the other four, who were more than a little stunned and not yet reacting. "I think the classic line will do" She said with cool amusement "Who's next"

Columbus Terrorized / Part Nine

Immediately the security corpsman started checking out the young woman’s health. After a moment he turned to SheBat saying, “ Other then a few cuts and scrapes she’ll be fine madam, she just needs to rest." Looking relieved SheBat said, “ I’m glad to hear that Thank You corpsman.” turning to Hawks SheBat said, “ Lieutenant we need to get to shelter until this blows over or we find evidence of where we might find one of the other bombs. I suggest we use the short north entrance to my underground transport hub. We can regroup in the companies basement facility.” “ Good idea boss it is the closest hub entrance. [/I]” Just then a company van pulled up to whisk them all away to the hub entrance just as Nikki spotted Police helicopters in the air to their east. Moments later the van pulled into the alley where the hub entrance could be found. Quickly SheBat got out to enter her pass code into a pad beside the elevator. The elevator doors responded by opening to transport them down to the hub below. SheBat then entered her secret password into the hub computer, next she sat down in the fighter like cockpit, strapping herself in while the others strapped into the seats behind her. Seconds later the module streaked away following the short north tunnel to finally stop in the basement of Matergy International. As they entered the guest suite SheBat said, “ Lieutenant please lay our young friend on the bed in the guest bedroom 3 and ask your corpsman to stay with her until she wakes up.” “ Yes Madam ” said Hawks as SheBat disappeared into her private suite.

Where am I Chandra thought as she slowly woke up. looking around, she found herself in someone's room. except...

"I see you're awake. Good." someone in a uniform of some sort spoke quietly. "aside from some cuts and bruses, you are in perfect shape."

"Where am I?" Chandra asked. she slowly got up and looked around. sparse, no extra decorations and nothing to indicate where I am... no windows either.

The young man looked uncertain as to what he should say. "you're safe now. Don't worry, you helped the boss so we're returning the favor."

He spoke quietly into his wrist... a communicator of sorts.

The commander will be coming down to see you. untill then, I suggest you relax.

some of the guardians dissappeared... we fear someone is hunting those with power. Bruce's words echoed in her memory as she eyed his sidearm and waited for her chance for escape.

Where am I Chandra thought as she slowly woke up. looking around, she found herself in someone's room. except...

"I see you're awake. Good." someone in a uniform of some sort spoke quietly. "aside from some cuts and bruses, you are in perfect shape."

"Where am I?" Chandra asked. she slowly got up and looked around. sparse, no extra decorations and nothing to indicate where I am... no windows either.

The young man looked uncertain as to what he should say. "you're safe now. Don't worry, you helped the boss so we're returning the favor."

He spoke quietly into his wrist... a communicator of sorts.

The commander will be coming down to see you. untill then, I suggest you relax.

some of the guardians dissappeared... we fear someone is hunting those with power. Bruce's words echoed in her memory as she eyed his sidearm and waited for her chance for escape.


Several minutes later the door of the room opened and Nikki entered the
room and said, " Hello, I am Nikki, also known as SheBat .... I wanted to thank you for saving my life. Oh just in case you are wondering you are not a prisoner here, you are free to leave at anytime, but I would appreciate if you would hear me out. I brought you here to make sure you were ok, to make sure you weren't arrested, and to offer you a partnership of sorts. We are both meta humans who are being hunted for just that reason. If you are interested I would like to work together to find the remaining bombs mentioned in the documents I found in New York City. If you agree I will be glad to set you up with your own base of operations anywhere in the country after we find and get rid of all the other bombs. Until you make your decision you have the run of most of this facility. There is a kitchen, and showers just down the hallway. Please make yourself at home and if there is anything else you need, please let me know. Now I have somethings to take care of, I hope to see you later. " Then both SheBat and her corpsman left the room leaving the door standing wide open.

Metropolis
"Duo, I know you can hear me, so get in here. You've got a decision to make."

Having hidden, Duo listened. When it came to what they were saying and Roger asking him to get in there with them, he became worried. Making himself visible again, he walked back into the room still looking very worried.

"Ok."

" Hello, I am Nikki, also known as SheBat .... I wanted to thank you for saving my life. Oh just in case you are wondering you are not a prisoner here, you are free to leave at anytime, but I would appreciate if you would hear me out. I brought you here to make sure you were ok, to make sure you weren't arrested, and to offer you a partnership of sorts. We are both meta humans who are being hunted for just that reason. If you are interested I would like to work together to find the remaining bombs mentioned in the documents I found in New York City. If you agree I will be glad to set you up with your own base of operations anywhere in the country after we find and get rid of all the other bombs. Until you make your decision you have the run of most of this facility. There is a kitchen, and showers just down the hallway. Please make yourself at home and if there is anything else you need, please let me know. Now I have somethings to take care of, I hope to see you later.
*Chandra stared at the open door. trying to absorb what she was told.*
well... this is... different...

Guess this is what a Guardian does... and my responsibility doesn't just lie with the Romany...

*Chandra smiled as she pictured herself in a similar suit. Swinging on spaghetti lines through Gotham's skyline.*

*she peeks out the door and wanders around the corridor.*

an operation like this... in Gotham? *she chuckles.*

I better be getting ba... wait... remaining bombs?

"Uh... Excsuse me..." *she called out hoping there was a mic or something since Ms Nikki didn't say how to contact her.*

"Did you say... bombs"

Metropolis

"Duo, I had you listening for a reason. The way I see it, you've got three choices ahead of you. One involves going with Mr. Hrocko and Mr. Baerdin here to a safety house. The other two involve staying with me. Both involve what we talked about in the park earlier. One involves doing it now, the other involves waiting until you feel you are ready. I leave the choice to you." Roger had made his decision.

It felt wrong to force a kid to make these decisions. Roger didn't have much of a choice. This villain would find him. So he had to stay, and to fight. But Duo could hide. It was unfortunate that he was young, that he had been given talents that would either haunt his conscious or weigh on his shoulders.

Gotham

Wager left the park smiling. Though as he thought about the elementalist and the boy, his thoughts turned to what he had learned from Aenima's earlier statements. The guy in Metropolis that the feds had mentioned. Possibly another one to join their cause, and based on what he knew, a powerful weapon to have on the team. If he didn't find Aenima soon, then it looked as though travel was in his plans.

Julian had continued his run, moving at a speed that would get him a full athletic scholarship at the university of his choice for he had the speed and agility that many a wide reciever would covet. He didn't have anything special in the stamina department but his speed was better than even professional runners.

He had decided to somewhat all out and was doing some rather conspicious activities that no normal person could do such as pseudo-webslinging and briefly running along walls. While Julian wasn't anything like fearless, he wasn't very concerned about accidents because he knew he could protect himself.

Had he been paying more attention he'd have noticed that there were people around who were gawking but fortunately for him it was dark enought that he wasn't easily identifiable as he ran passed the man he'd seen walking nearby the fire guy. In a moment of humour he decided to pull a spidey and used his forcefield to create a short ropelike length to allow him to swing onto a burnt out lightpole.

Realizing he was starting to get tired, Julian lept down onto the concrete and headed home. However rather than roll or even have his knees bent, he landed flat-footed, and with a quick loud bang, which should have shattered both legs but he just kept going, disappearing around a corner toward home.

Duo chewed the nail on his right thumb as he thought about it, he could be useful he knew that. He could also hide but leave Roger alone and as much he knew that Roger could hold his own, he'd never forgive himself for what he'd see as abandoning the first person who had any truthful interest in him.

"I can be of help," he then said. "He doesn't know of my invisibility right?"

He nodded.

"I'll stay with you."

The dealer reacted first, pulling out from underneath a far too expensive trench coat a sig of some calibur and brandishing it in fine action movie style, the whole thing held parallel to the ground and snarling "You come to bust my meet, seal my good? Well you thought wrong" as he pulled the trigger.

He didn't realise that Rio could port faster than he could boast. She was behind him before he finished pulling the trigger, and a armor spike elbow caught hin just at the base of the skill. The spike slid out easily as Rio lunged toawrds the nearest of the others. Blood and brain matter dripped off of it before the spike simply wan't there any more.

He screamed and tried to scramble backwards as the dealer's body convulsed, the finger tightening again on the trigger. He yelped again, a high girlish sound, and a large dark splotch grew on thr front of his baggy jeans as the fashionable jeans proved his downfall by making him trip.

Rio had missed with her first grab due to his unintentional face first into the dirt enhcrusted cement.

Aenima smiled once again. "I suppose that would work out. We have an alliance, and a goal. Now, would you be so kind and tell me more about you nemesis. After all, this nemesis is my nemesis now."

" I like a man who gets right down to business. commented Matergy matter a factly as she walked over to a bus bench on the street corner and sat down as she continued.
" Come sit .... although true this may be hard for you to believe. First of all my nemesis as you call her is called Lady Moonette, she is a type of government agent where we come from. That is to say that she works directly for the Triadian Federations leader, an immortal man called Lightwalker. Lady herself is a very powerful sorceress and is extremely rich with connections everywhere in the Federation. She hasn't been here long but she is already building a power base from which to work from. She is very hard to get to because of her protection magics. I did manage to get close enough to know where she was a few hours ago but didn't want to give away my presence to her just yet. So we need to gather more people to our cause .... would you know any other meta humans that might be interested?"

So far so good. Ed was back in the inner city area and hadn't even been approached by anyone that looked like they wanted to stab him just for the sake of it. Turning a corner, Ed moved into a particularly dark looking street but wasn't phased, he knew he could defend himself with more than enough force if necessary.

Thinking back on his encounters in the park, Ed couldn't help but wonder how the first stranger's search was going and whether he'd end up running into him again. Whilst he knew there were thousands of meta-humans in Gotham alone, Ed had never really known any and had always thought of himself as special, even if he had silently cursed his powers more than once. When Ed thought about it, Rio was the only meta he even remotely knew and he'd only just met her today.

Moving further down the street, Ed could have sworn he heard someone move behind him and readied himself to unleash a wind strong enough to launch someone high into the air.

"Hey buddy?"

Ed spun around quickly at the sound of a voice calling out to him. As he did so a lead pipe flew out of the darkness and smashed into the side of his head, knocking him onto the street. Bleeding and disorientated, Ed was able to make out the shadowy shape of a large man before the pipe was used upon him once again, plunging him into a world of nothingness.

With Ed now unconscious, several other men appeared, some holding flash lights. One of the criminals that Ed had attacked from the book store stood above his unconscious form, a toothless grin upon his face.

"We'll teach this bastard a lesson or two about playing hero. Let's get him back to the warehouse, no one will hear him scream out there."

Several others chuckled as two men picked up Ed and dragged him towards a parked van, evidently intent on throwing him in the back.

" I like a man who gets right down to business. commented Matergy matter a factly as she walked over to a bus bench on the street corner and sat down as she continued.
" Come sit .... although true this may be hard for you to believe. First of all my nemesis as you call her is called Lady Moonette, she is a type of government agent where we come from. That is to say that she works directly for the Triadian Federations leader, an immortal man called Lightwalker. Lady herself is a very powerful sorceress and is extremely rich with connections everywhere in the Federation. She hasn't been here long but she is already building a power base from which to work from. She is very hard to get to because of her protection magics. I did manage to get close enough to know where she was a few hours ago but didn't want to give away my presence to her just yet. So we need to gather more people to our cause .... would you know any other meta humans that might be interested?"

Aenima was indeed a bit surprised as Matergy explained this Lady Moonette, but after all he had seen, he knew nothing was impossible. "I have at least two meta humans. One is a man named Wager. His skills are quite useful." Aenima explained to Matergy all of Wager's powers. "The second man is a man named Josh Oliveri. He fought against me, but I placed a powerful mind altering ability on him. Soon he will be forced to do my bidding, and after a few days, he will completely enjoy it once the mind altere takes full effect."

Rio, grimmanced inwardly, taken off guard by the mans face plant, but she reacted quickly, and as she pivoted she used her telekenetics to grab the man up from the ground. He was stunned from the unexpectedness of his fall and did not struggle as he was lifted and tossed forcefully into the other two who were just then beginning to act.

The trio went tumbling.

One of the two, in a ragged hemed tee displaying a fire spewing dragon and faded, torn out knees jeans managed to draw a pistol. And as he was hit with the upper torso and head of the man Rio had thrown, the gun went off, eliciting a howl of pain from the man tossed into him. The large bullet ripped through faceplant man and blood sprayed every where. Dragon shirt lost his footing and the gun, which went spinning off into the dark shadows crowding the edges of the small school yard.

The other man had been fumbling with something tucked down the pocket of his cargo pants but had not maneged to free the unknown weapon before the legs of face plant man hit hin in the face sending him stumbling backwards as his nose broke, adding it's own blood trace to the scene. How ever his stumbles knocled over the sports bag near his feet, and bundles of bills spliied out.

Gotham

Wager stood on the roof of one of Gotham's higher skyscrapers and held his hands to his mouth, as if he were shouting. Having located Aenima and his new accomplice, he sent out his message in sound waves, targeted specifically for Aenima's left ear.

Boss, I found two more. Will follow up later. I'm traveling to Metropolis, and shall attempt to contact unknown mentioned during your interrogation. I'll contact you as soon as I get within mental range. Wager Out.

Metropolis

Roger stood, and showed the men the door. "Very well then, gentlemen. I think we've decided on a course of action.'

"You can't do this, Hartigan. You can stay, yes, but Duo is a ward of the British Crown..."

"Temporarily released into my custody, and the paper work alone will give me a 48 hour headstart. What then? Bring in very specific equipment to track down Duo, and a battalion of armored tanks to take down me? Please, I'll stop you from doing the former, and your own covert nature stops you from the latter. Worst thing that happens, there's a showdown between me and this guy, all three of us die, along with a bunch of people, and Uncle Sam officially recognizes your status and authorizes public action. You win!" Roger was smiling broadly as he said this. "Though, if you want to get this over with quickly, I have a shopping list that might help expediate this process."

Duo shook his head.

"Take it up with the orphanage," he replied. "It's all legal. I'm staying with him, you're not taking me anywhere."

Ed slowly climbed back into groggy consciousness, his head throbbing, his hair matted by dried blood. As he gained his bearings, Ed realised he was tightly secured to a chair, the rope used to bind him was cutting into his ankles and wrists. Opening his eyes, Ed found himself in a poorly lit warehouse, several men stood all over the place, some visible within the glow of a dying light bulb, others hidden in the shadows.

Managing to let a breath escape, Ed challenged his captors.

"How about you lot release me and we'll see what happens?"

A few of them laughed and watched as a single man approached, a small blade within his hand.

"I don't think so... you've got some debts to pay."

Ed recognised that voice yet couldn't quite place it immediately. A few moments later the man stepped into the light and Ed silently cursed, it was one of the thieves he and Rio had dropped in the dumpster earlier today. Attempting to keep his cool, Ed replied.

"You did all this just for me???"

Grinning down at Ed, the thug flicked his blade towards Ed and sliced across his cheek. The wound wasn't deep but it was enough to sting like hell.

"Don't worry, once you're done we'll go find your little bitch... what we do to her will be much more entertaining..."

Ed wasn't exactly sure why but the thought of anyone hurting Rio made him very angry. He was well aware that she could protect herself but she was the only person that had been civil to him since he'd entered the city and he would not allow the idiot before him to even consider going near her.

"There's no need for that... you have me."

Whilst Ed attempted to show no emotion, it seemed quite obvious a nerve had been struck.

"Haha... and you're going to stop me?"

Ed could feel the heat rising within him, yearning to escape and burn everything. Sweat began to pour down his face as Ed matched the gaze of the man before him.

"I'm giving you a chance."

"Well I'm not giving you any!"

With that said, the thug kicked Ed hard in the chest, knocking his chair over with a loud thud. Now giving into the heat, Ed released all inhibitions and simply let it flow free. He didn't think about using his ability, he simply did it, regardless of what might happen.

Flames erupted around Ed, instantly burning through his ropes and expanding quickly. Ed could feel the heat but the fire wasn't burning him, as if it were sentient and knew not to burn the source of its existence. Growing brighter, the flames roared forward, engulfing the knife wielding man in an instant, not even allowing him to scream as the flames flowed down his mouth and incinerated his organs.

Others screamed in terror but to no avail as the inferno spread, devouring everything and everyone in its path. There was no stopping it, Ed wasn't in control, he simply stood there, witnessing the hunger of the flames as it licked up the walls of the warehouse, feeding upon the ample wood.

Within minutes everyone was dead and the warehouse was pouring smoke into the air. With the flaming urge subsiding, Ed fell to the ground, physically and mentally drained. He knew he had to escape the warehouse before he was either burned or choked on the smoke, but he couldn't will himself to move.

Rio augmented his backward stumbles with a swift jolt of telekenetic force, taking him off his feet completely. He was on the ground in an instant but responded more rapidly as he rolled to hands and knees in an attempt to get up. Then an invisible hand grabbed him by one ankle wrenching it out from under him so that he went to his belly with a strangled groan and a loud thuwomp.

Another gunshot shattered the night, and Rio cursed as a searing burn and intense pain spread across her right bicept, where the bullet grazed her. It left a deep gouge carved in her flesh and her blood ran freely. She stumbled back a few steps and her left hand flew to wrap around her right arm, but that caused shooting pains to race down her arm and she cursed again, her head spinning in pain. She gazed for a second at her blood covered palm and her face twisted with rage.

Her eyes narrowed and the gun wrenched around in the thugs hand and once the muzzel was pointed at his head, the figner on the trigger depressed and the gun fired. Dragon shirt died instantly.

Cargo pants had more than a bit of a beer gut, and beer in his gut as well. The jolt of landing belly first on the pavement had brought about an unfortunate repsonse. He barely managed to turn his head to the side before he started puking violently. This went on for some time, he'd had a lot of beer before heading to the meet, and now every last bit of it was revisiting his mouth. He was too busy to notice when he began being telekinesed off the ground, but then a cold, determinedly clear voice caught his attention. He began shivering and attempting to plead, to bargain for his life. Quickly he found himself unable to open his mouth.

"Drugs Kill" Rio said as she looked over her handiwork. It had taken more than a minute or two, what with her head spinning - she'd never been shot before- oh shot at yes, but had never been hit and the pain was surprizingly debillitating. She hadn't been prepared for the apin, but this was a exellent learning experience.

The cocaine that had been in the dealers possession now spelled out what she had said, and the sports bag, repacked with the bundles of bills, was in her left hand. Rio was going to take the survivor to the river and toss him in, but she intended to take it slow, just teleporting line of sight, roof top to roof top, it was easier and less tiring. She also had to admit that her head was fuzzy from the pain and visualizing teleport destinations wasn't going to be really possible at the moment.

She was three quaters of the way to the river, the still dry heaving intermittently man wrapped in invisible telekenetic bonds floating next to her, when she spied a building merrily ablaze, and looking as if it would spread to others about it.

Rio dropped her captive and the sports bag on the roof and left them without a second thought. She knew that most of the abandoned warehouses were home to the homeless, either the truly poor or those like herself not wanting to be in the authoritie's eyes. In the blink of a thought she was standing one the roof of the nearest building, looking down into the burning warehouse trying to see if there was any one with in.

Since the flames were no longer under Ed's command, they surged forward in every direction, quickly devouring the warehouse in preparation to leap across alley ways and onto nearby buildings. Within the centre of the warehouse Ed continued to lay still, conscious but unable to move. Despite willing himself to do something, anything, Ed simply lay there, helpless as the fires of his own creation approached with an insatiable hunger for anything that would succumb to their touch.

Ed couldn't help but think about how his parents had died, in a situation somewhat similar to this, surrounded by relentless flames that were persistent in destroying everything. Enraged by the thought of dying in the same manner as his parents, Ed gathered the strength climb onto his feet. Examining his surroundings, Ed realised he wasn't getting out of the warehouse on foot since he was surrounded by flaming debris.

Following the smoke upwards, Ed noted part of the roof had collapsed, presenting itself as a viable escape route. Trying not to breathe in the smoke, Ed realised he probably only had one chance at this and he was about to do something he'd never tried before.

Closing his eyes, Ed gathered all that was left of his strength and channelled it into his abilities. Immediately the fire was held at bay as an intense whirlwind of air encircled Ed, protecting him from the flames. Not content to keep the flames away, Ed concentrated specifically around himself and grunted with exertion as the air around him began to surge upwards at incredible speeds. Intensifying the winds as far as he could, Ed finally began to lift off and once airborne the wind seemed to catch him and hurl his body upwards as if he weighed nothing.

Almost instantly after passing through the gaping whole within the roof, Ed's control of his power failed and the winds died, randomly flinging him across the street to land upon the rooftop of a small pub with a hard thud. Ed wasn't quite sure whether he'd broken anything but didn't have time to find out as he fell into the abyss of unconsciousness once again.

Metropolis

Roger admired the kid's spirit. Baerdin, apparently finding little alternative, decided decided to at least hear what Roger had to say. "Alright, what's on this list?"

"Simple stuff," Roger said smiling. "First, one of those new zero-point energy personal vehicles that you guys are producing. And if you threw in the Thanagarian cloaking, we'd be much obliged. Also, those super conducting mag-lev belts you're developing? I'd appreciate one of those."

Hrocko cut in. "Those things aren't ready for human use yet. You'd need to be wearing twenty pounds of metal, and that would be cruching you. Useless, even with your advanced healing."

"Or," said Roger, clearly enjoying the conversation, "you'd need to have about 50 pounds of titanium incorporated into your skeletal structure, which would alleviate all of these problems. I wonder which condition I satisfy?"

Hrocko paused for a moment, then remembered something, the feeling of being punched by a trained fighter wearing lead gloves. "Alright, I can get you that stuff. But remember, we're going with full deniability. It'll take time, and you're going to need to be cleared for access to documents regarding security system features. We have working models finally off testing, but to get those, you'll need to 'steal' them. And you're going to need to save a lot of lives to get the Presidential pardon that will save your ass when all of this is over. What about the kid? What does he need?"

"A suit, one with nickelide fibers. It's the only thing that not only protects him, but it won't interfere with his powers. If I die, this guy will go after Duo, and though you'll have a chance to grab him from my safe house, I want to be ready for any scenario. A tranquilizer pistol might serve him as well." Hiding Duo was, of course, nowhere on Roger's objectives. But keeping these guys guessing was.

Duo placed his hands in his pockets as he listened to Roger talk to the other two. He definitely didn't want to go with them as he knew for certain that they only wanted to use him, they weren't interested in what was best for the boy. They would probably try to grab him if something were to happen to Roger. Since Duo knew that Roger would have something up his sleeve in case of that eventuality, they would certainly find a fight on their hands if they tried.

Baerdin scoffed at the mention of nickelide fibers. "Do you honestly expect Duo to get that? A suit like that would easily cost about three-quarter million euros, not to mention that you're not supposed to know what nickelide is."

"I read," said Roger, "and besides, I've got justification. First, we know it works, otherwise the reports about it wouldn't have such a high publication rate in the papers and magazines. Second, and this is my main reason, is that it is the best thing available to keep Duo alive. Lastly, and this is the one that you'll want to take to your superiors, is that here's a perfect opportunity to field test it. You're not gonna get another shot for a couple of years. But here you have the perfect test subject. So, gentlemen, do we have a deal?"

Hrocko and Baerdin whispered to each other, yet Roger was still able to make it out. "If we do this, it's our asses on the line."

"And yet, the situation is changing, and here's a chance to at least buy us some time. Not to mention the fact that Codename Dragon Blood still hasn't been fully analyzed for hsi weaknesses. My superiors want to know how to bring him down. Invisible Boy can be tracked, though I wonder how the nickelide will work on the infrared spectrum. I say we go with his ideas. He's playing us, but we can let that roll for now."

"Fine. Make the call." Turning back to Duo and Roger, Baerdin addressed them. "We need to get the initial approval first. If it goes through, then you'll have your vehicle, belt, and arms, but the suit for the kid might take a day or two."

Rio gasped in surprize and took a few quick steps backwards, the better to keep her eyes on whatever it was that came flying out of the burning building. She couldn't tell what it was at first, not until Ed's unconscious body landed with a thump on the building next to the one she ws atop of.

"Ed?" Rio muttered softly and teleported to his side as he lay unmoving. Going to her knees, she was dismayed to see him pale and shocky, deeply unconscious. And he looked like he'd taken more than a bit of a beating. "Oh Ed, I ned to get you out of here!"

Carefully she gathered him into her arms and slowly stood, her cape swirling around to envelope the both of them. "Warmth, food, and sleep..the warehouse is not warm...where, where?" She muttered under her breath as she tried to decide.

The inspiration struck. Rio teleported them back to where she left her captive. Without a second though she telekenised him into the furnace that the warehouse had become. Laying Ed down she searched his pockets, finding his room key. She looked at it and grinned, she knew where that motel was. With the key tucked back away she once again picked Ed with care and caught the sports bag's handles with just her fingers. Rio began heading to where Ed had been living.

Duo managed a smile. Boy was Roger good at this, he quietly thought to himself. Though he waited to see what more Roger had to say.

Hrocko got off the phone, nodded at Baerdin, then turned to Roger and Duo. "Alright, the two of you have what you want. The gear will be in the craft. You've got access to Hangar 25-G at the airport, right?" Roger nodded his affirmation. "Then be there after midnight tonight. Your stuff will be there. And kid," said Hrocko, addressing Duo, "don't ruin that suit. The American taxpayer will kill you if we can't justify making it for you."

Finished, they left, allowing Roger to return to Duo. "Nickelide isn't the only substance that will accomplish both protecting and concealing you. It tingles when it's transconducting EM waves. This way you'll be able to know when you're invisible. And they were right. We're not supposed to know what Nickelide is. So do us both a favor, and keep a lid on it." Turning his work station off, he and Duo left, leaving to go get lunch from a local deli. They had a long night ahead of them.

"OK," Duo promised, nodding slightly.

For the most part he was glad that it would help him know when he was invisible. That was going to be a huge help, especially in times when he couldn't afford to be visible when he thought he was invisible.

Roger and Duo spent most of the day waiting, Roger using the time to get caught up on some back paperwork that had been sitting in the "inbox" for the last few days. He knew it was best to simply get it out of the way, as he didn't know when he'd be able to get back to it for the next few days. He finished sometime before dinner, and as the night approached, he and Duo prepared. "We're going back to the hangar where we parked the bird after we landed. Are you ready?"

By the time Rio, and the still unconscious Ed reached the hotel. She'd done too much this night and exhaustion suddenly dropped like the proverbial ton of bricks. By the time she'd gotten the service entrance door telekensised opne her head was pounding and she could barely see. A slight whimper escaped her lips as she carried Ed down the narrow hallway.

Luck was with her and the staff elevator was empty. The card key had read 605 and it while it took several tries for her to punch the floor number the elevator didn't stop along the way.

She barely made it into the room and over to the bed before her weary arms dropped Ed with a bounce on to the bed. Wobbling she staggered over to a chair and dripped into it with a thud. Her head spun and black spots danced infront of her eyes. She was asleep before she could settle herself comfortably.

Duo nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready," he replied.

*
*Chandra continued to explore the 'Base'.*

If there are other bombs, we gotta find them and... what... disarm them?

It was just before dawn when Ed jumped awake, immediately scanning his surroundings for any immediate threats. It took him a few moments to realise he was surrounded by the darkness of his hotel room, safely away from the flames and thugs. The last thing Ed remembered was being engulfed by flames before being launched out of the building, out of the inferno's grasp.

Head throbbing and bruised in many places, Ed switched on a light a noted he was covered in dried blood, a lot of it seemed to have come from his head, which would explain the throbbing. Looking around the room once again, Ed noticed a woman dressed in a strange outfit, wearing a small mask. Upon taking a closer look, he realised who it was and spoke with a soft tone of surprise.

"Rio?"

Ed wasn't sure if she was awake and could hear him, the question was more posted to himself, as if he had to speak it in order to gain an answer. Evidently Rio must have taken him back here, he'd been in no condition to go anywhere.

Managing to get on his feet, Ed took a few slow steps around the room, stretching his legs and assessing any other injuries he may possess.

Roger and Duo made it to the airport without incident this time. It was still busy, but significantly less so than it had been yesterday. The late hours always slowed things down. It wasn't until the airport shuttle let them off on the tarmac that they were truly alone. The night air clung in the silence. As they entered, Roger stopped for a moment. The craft was an interesting creation. It reminded him of a hybrid between the fighters used in Star Wars Episode III and the X-wing fighter. He couldn't suppress what was about to come.

"May the Force be with you, young padawan. Now, let's see what goodies they left us."

"Rio?"

"ooooohhh ooowwww, what truck flattened me?" Rio gasped faintly as she tried to sit up and found she couldn't. Her mucles felt like they had been locked in one position for a century or two. She gritted her teeth and only screamed a little as she went to rise from the chair.

The effort was a complete failure, and the little bit of movement she managed set her head to throbbing something unbearably. "Ed, I think I'm going to die now. Resurrect me later please." She tried to find some humor in the situation. Then she noticed her Uniform changing itself, becoming a warm, fluffy, ankle length pink robe instead of a barely there distraction.

Still exhausted, that set her to giggling, but even that hurt.

"Ed, you don't happen to have some asprin do you?" She begged.

Ed was somewhat surprised to see Rio's costume shift right before his eyes, he thought he'd been somewhat open minded but nevertheless it was a strange sight. Getting over such, Ed realised Rio seemed to be in worse shape than he was. Still stiff and sore, Ed hobbled into the small kitchen area of his hotel room and managed to concoct two glasses of dissolving aspirin.

Returning, still on wobbly feet, Ed manages to place both glasses on a small table between the bed and chair that Rio is resting in before collapsing onto the bed, unable to hold himself up any longer. Several moments passed before he was able to sit up once again. On top of his bruises and wounds, the over use of his abilities the previous night had seriously taken its toll.

"Rio... would you care to fill in some of the blanks from last night?"

"May the Force be with you, young padawan. Now, let's see what goodies they left us."

Duo gave him a strange look at what he had just said. The young boy had never seen Star Wars and so he didn't get the Force remark. Instead he looked up at the craft.

"Yeah, can't wait to try on my suit."

Lady Moonette aboard her Yacht 1

After shutting down the star cars engines Gwendilynne saw her butler Rodney walking towards the car. Opening the door she said, “ Rodney I need you to have one of the maids to draw me a bath while you lay out my starship uniform. Then fire up the long range transporters because I need to talk to Captain Karrarili about the underground cavern we will use as our Star Port. ” Bowing wit respect Rodney replies, “ As you wish madam, your bath will be ready in five minutes.” As Gwen starts towards the bridge of the yacht she says, “[I] Thank You Rodney I will be there directly.

OOC- Kor, waiting on you.

Roger caught the look that Duo gave him. "Have you ever seen Star Wars? Or at least heard of it?" Leaving that topic for now, he climbed in, throwing a few things out as he entered. The first thing out was a metallic gauntlet, followed by a silvery looking set of clothes, a pair of black boots, a belt, another guntlet, and some red cloth. Climbing back out, Roger nearly tripped as he read the note in his hands.

"The clothes are for you. But the boots, gauntlets, and belt are for me. And..." his voice trailed off as he continued reading. "They can't be serious. Though, it might be useful..."

Putting on the gauntlets, he took the red cloth and held it out. Just as he suspected, it was a cape, one quickly unfurled to a fixed structure as electrical current from the gauntlets coursed through the material. "Well, what do you think?"

Duo just shook his head.

"Cheesy, definitely cheesy," he said of the cape. "Personally I wouldn't wear it."

Rio had gulped down the first of the glasses in one long draught, but nudged the other over where Ed could get it without having to stretch too far.

"I think we both over did it last night. You very merrily set an entire warehouse ablaze, and pretty quickly at that,but I don't know anything about the 'why'. I saw the blaze flare up and thought to check on it. I'd..." Her voice caught then went defiant "I stopped a drug deal going down, killed them when they attacked me. I over extended my self, but when I saw you come flying out of the burning ware hourse, I couldn't just leave you, you were unconscious. I brought you here and passed out myself."

She looked down at the pale pink robe and blushed "I'm sorry if the suit "She searched for suitable words "has a mind of it's own I'd guess you'd say. I guess it knows I'm not a good girl any more."

Taking the glass Rio nudged towards him, Ed downed the contents in a similar fashion before falling back onto the bed once again. He didn't have a lot of faith in pills for this and that like many Americans seemed to but he was at a point where he was willing to try anything.

"I'm sorry if the suit... has a mind of it's own I'd guess you'd say. I guess it knows I'm not a good girl any more."

Ed smiled, not particularly worried about Rio's attire.

"It looks as though I owe you my life, Rio. You will of course have my gratitude but if there's anything else I can do to help you, please let me know.

Taking a moment to think back on the previous night, Ed began to recall the events that had led up to a flaming warehouse.

"I was walking back towards here when I got jumped by one of the thugs from the book shop and a few of his friends. I woke up in a warehouse and they roughed me up a bit, then threatened to go after you next. Considering my situation... I figured it was time to stop playing nice and show them the consequences of their actions."

Sighing slightly, Ed sat up once again.

"Admittedly, it got somewhat out of hand... I barely escaped with my life. But on a lighter note... I think I can fly."

It had only just come to Ed that he had used his control over air to lift himself out of the warehouse. Technically, he could fly, or at least glide.

Columbus Terrorized / Part Ten

As soon as her suite’s door was closed Shebat crossed the room to her private elevator car. Once inside she pressed the transportation hub button and waited as the doors closed and the elevator started down. Seconds later the doors opened on the hub level and she ran to the waiting transport. Inside she again used her code to enter the cars cockpit and sat down in the seat. Once seated her fingers flew over the controls causing the car to start moving and as it arrived at the track intersection she turned it into the air base tunnel. She needed to get to the Navarone to pick up the Air Bike she had gotten from Gwendilynne’s Company in New York. The sensors on if might be able to help her find any other explosives in the city. SheBat was glad her company had discovered the system that kept passengers from being thrown around within the transport cars because of there great speed …. something her engineers called inertial compensators. Soon after this thought was completed the transport car started to decelerate and entered the air bases hub. As the car came to a halt SheBat shutdown the cars systems and secured it before heading for the Navarone. Once aboard the Navarone she immediately went to the Air Bikes launch bay. Using the controls of the launch bay she opened the bay doors as well as the sky light launch doors in the roof of the hanger bay that the Navarone was housed within and set the timer for automatic closure as soon as her bike cleared them. Satisfied that all was in order she jumped onto the bikes seat, fired up the engines, plotted her course & search patterns into the bikes navigation computer then hit the launch button and held on tight. The bike responded by exploding out of the launch bay, then angled towards the hanger bays sky light doors. Seconds after launch SheBat exited the hanger bay through the sky light door at breakneck speed. The sensors in the launch bay and the hanger bay immediately closed the doors just after her passage through them making it impossible for entry by anyone else. Soon She Bat was starting her first search pattern over the city and with any luck she would soon find what she was looking for.

Matergy meets Aenima 3

Matergy thought for a moment then said, “ Excellent Aenima both of these men sound like they would fit the type of henchmen we are in need of. But we will need to add more people of the correct caliber to our little group. To this end I would like to know if you have ever heard of a gang of hoods with organizied crime connections that hid out in Gotham City's labyrinthine subway system in Batmans time called, “ The Molehill Mob”. If they still exist and we can find them I think that between the two of us we could convince them to join us. Also one other thing, we need an impressive name for our group …. a name that will cause fear in the hearts of our enemies … can you think of any possibilities? After all you probly have more knowledge of local fairy tales then I. Finally if you are familiar with any groups similiar to the molehill mob in california we could do the same with them to get the ball rolling on two fronts. Then later on we could move on to all the major cities of the world. What do you think?

Roger nodded, discarding the cape material. They could be lethally impractical. He might recover, but it was better to not risk it. "Well, get your armor on, I want to take this craft out to see how it handles. You can ride shotgun, if you promise not to touch any of the controls."

At the terminal, Wager picked up his luggage, sending taking to the shuttle service that would take it to his hotel. That being taken care of, he turned his thoughts to the incomprehensible noise that was drowning the rest out. Whoever this guy was, he was easy to pick up, though his thoughts were so obstructed that it was nigh impossible to get a reading on what he was thinking. At least he had a location. It was probably in one of the hangars, based on where it felt it was coming from. Time to put on his game face.

"OK, I promise," Duo said with a nod.

Picking up his armour, he looked at it. As quick as possible, he then put it on and looked toward Roger.

"I'm ready."

Lady Moonette aboard her Yacht 2

Upon reaching the bridge Gwen decided to check the meta sensors log. After bringing them up on one of the many screens on the bridge she started to read. Most of it was normal except once during her trip into the caverns a familiar power spike showed itself for just a few seconds. ‘ Well, well, well …. so she has followed me … I thought she might. This time you will not escape me dear sister! ’ she thought as she smiled to herself.

Aenima replied to Matergy. 'I have not heard of the molehill mob. However, I know for a fact that there are several gangs and such in California. I believe a few of them are made up of superbeings who just use their powers for petty crimes. I could easily bring them under my power. I'll return to LA and start there, picking up minions, and possibly an army of these gangs. As for a name, I have nothing on my mind as of now, but I am sure one will come. So, the plan is in motion. I will return to California after I set somethings straight here."

Down to Business

Matergy listened to all Aenima said then replied, “ That sounds like a plan. Likewise while you do that I will endeavor to find and recruit the Molehill Mob or any other gangs I can find to our cause in Gotham and the entire east coast. Soon the world will have a reason to fear us. Mahahahahaha! "

"Ed, you don't owe me a thing. In a way you helped save mine. I'm...I'm not what I was. And though I think I'll always miss the way it was, I can live with what I have become. The sort of Hero I was before wouldn't survive in this city, in the way the world's become."

She listened intently to his recounting of what had led up to the fire. Though his statement of them threatening to go after her and his response had her blushing faintly. She was glad that he was laying down and couldn't really see her face. That was so very gallant of him. Michael never showed the slightest bit of gallantry about thim, past common politeness. Rio thought with a touch of sadness that passed wuickly.

"People have forgotten that actions have consequences, and in this city there is a deep need to remind them I think." She said said in a firm tone as she accepted what she would be doing in the future.

She laughed at Ed's comment about being able to fly. "I think that's great. My dormmate was a windwitch and could glide, claimed it was the greatest way to travel. But you have a wider spread of powers. I've seen you use water, fire and air. You're what I'd call an Elememtalist. They're fairly rare, or at least as far as I know they are."

As Roger gestured for Duo to enter the craft, he was suddenly aware of a small tingling inside his mind, like a feather slightly tickling his thoughts. His hearing picked up the footsteps a minute before a man opened the door with a somewhat disorienting burst of noise, undoing the lock Roger had flipped upon entering. Quickly putting on the provided mask, he watched as a well dressed man that smelled of a casino stepped in.

"Just who the Hell are you?" he asked.

"The sort of Hero I was before wouldn't survive in this city, in the way the world's become."

Ed chuckled slightly, inducing a minor fit of uncomfortable coughs. Obviously his lungs had taken somewhat of a battering from the smoke in the warehouse.

"I don't blame you, it's difficult for anything to survive in this place..."

"People have forgotten that actions have consequences, and in this city there is a deep need to remind them I think."

Ed nodded vigorously, completely agreeing with Rio's statement.

"I couldn't agree more. Ever since I've come here I've known this place wasn't right, it will take quite a bit of work to fix it, but I'm beginning to think it can be done."

Whilst Ed knew that Rio was a meta, the revelation that she was a 'hero' somewhat convinced him that it was the right thing to do. She may not be the essence of what most would call 'morally just', but she was a far better example than anyone else these days. Ed had learned a valuable lesson today, never leave an enemy with the opportunity to strike back.

"I've seen you use water, fire and air. You're what I'd call an Elememtalist. They're fairly rare, or at least as far as I know they are."

Ed shrugged, not thinking it was a particularly big deal.

"I've never met another elementalist, but I've never met a psychic either. Some of the things you can do are pretty amazing."

Entering the craft, Duo kept quiet as he watched the man. He was slightly worried by the fact that Roger didn't know who he was, thoughts that he could be the one they had been warned about entered his mind.

Columbus Terrorized / Part Ten


*Chandra began running through the corridors. Finally stopping a technician out of fustration.*

WhereisthatladyNikkiIgottagetbacktotheConventionshementionedmorebombsandIgottagoseeifmyfriendsareok.

*Realizing that she was rambling, Chandra took a deep breath and forced herself to speak slowly...*

HOW DO I GET OUTTA HERE!

"I am Wager. I can see by the costume that you do not want people to recognize you. Believe me when I say that I can empathize with you you on that note very much."

Roger waited, and not hearing anything further, spoke rather carefully. He had managed to make his voice deeper, and a bit more rough, allowing tones of anger and wrath to permeate his language, as opposed the normally careful and obligatory scientific disinterest that he normally used in public. As he spoke, he knew he would come across as rather rude, but such was the nature of his character. "Well, Wager, it's pleasing to meet somebody with talents above the normal level of human, but why exactly are you intruding in my affairs?"

Wager smiled as he responded, "I'm sorry, but you see, I've been trying to find others like me for a long time. I'm a bit of a sound user, and when I heard the power in your mind, I couldn't resist investigating. I'm trying to find others, those like myself, in our attempts to fix the world."

"We?" Roger cut in, surprised by the plural remark. This guy has friends, and might be working for that nut job Baerdin mentioned. That is, if he isn't the nutjob himself.

"Yes, we. My collaegue Aenima, he was the one that initiated this movement, and inducted me. So far our numbers ore few, bout our potential is great, and you show that same potential. Will you join us?"

Roger was glad that the kid had hidden himself in the plane. So far, this Wager hadn't detected him, and Roger aimed to keep it that way. "Before I sign up, I'm wondering about something. You or our buddy didn't happen to be set upon by a group of those annoying Feds anytime recently, has he? They've been dogging me."

Wager smiled. "Actually, yes, Aenima has. I see that you share the problem he has. Though tell me, how did you deal with him?"

So, this is a guy working for that nutjob. I'm gonna hate this part. Roger looked at the gauntlets has he thought. Forming two fists, he was pleased to see that they began charging with current. "As it happened, they offerred me a job. I take you and your buddies out, and then I walk away." Roger hoped Duo was invisible. Things were about to get ugly.

Aenima laughed as well. "Alright. I will return to my hotel to check on the other two, and then I shall go to California to check on the situation and recruit to our grand army. I will contact you as tthings prgress." Aenima bid farwell to Matergy, give her a nod, and then teleported back to the hotel. Wager was not there. Josh however, was progressing perfectly. Within an hour he would be his slave. Aenima called out Wager. Wager, where are you?

The fear and worry had actually turned Duo invisible. Though he would have willed himself invisible anyway. Sat in the plane, he stayed as quiet as possible while relying on what he had learned back at the orphanage while hiding from those that wanted to hurt him. Duo hoped that it would be over soon.

The poor person probably thought I was nuts *Chandra thought as she stepped out into the cool Columbus night. she looked around for some sign to show where she was and began running down the street.*

*After a moment, she came across a com hub. pulling out her credit card, she punched in local information.*

"yeah, I need a cab company. no, anyone will do... thanks."

"I need a pick up at...* looking around, Chandra reads the two nearby street signs* and I need to get to the convention center... quickly."

*She hung up the phone and waited in the com hub.*

"I've never met another elementalist, but I've never met a psychic either. Some of the things you can do are pretty amazing."

Rio just shook her head with a laugh. "They may look amazing, but me they're just what I can do. If I remember correctly what you do is easier on you than my abilities are on me. Oh not in the area of control, as I understnd that can be tricky for Elementalists. But my abilities wear me out, they're fueled by my internal energies. She slid off her glove and showed him the dimly glowing gems inset into the back of her hand and up her wrist. "This is my Talisman, they store the energy that my body creates, and gives me a greater resivoir to draw on." She explained as her jewels shifted in hue and brilliance, though their glow was not very bright given her depleted state.

Ed shifted his gaze onto Rio's jewels, somewhat curious about the technology involved. Despite having been a meta human for many years he knew very little about his kind. Evidently Rio had come from a place where those with such abilities were embraced, unfortunately that wasn't the case all over the world and Ed had found himself hiding his abilities in more places than he'd been able to freely use them.

"Yeh, it's really a matter of practice from what I understand. Fire is the element I'm least practiced with and so I can't always control it. Unfortunately that can go either way, I may end up only being able to shoot off a spark or I could end up engulfing a warehouse."

Despite the bad memories of what Ed could do with his fire abilities, the notion of not being in control was even more bothersome and thus he was determined to master all four elements.

"I've been thinking lately... in all the books I've read about elementalists and the sort, there has never been a significant amount of detail on how they control their elements. I know that I can create and manipulate, but I wonder how far that manipulation could go. I can control the density of water, keeping it tightly packed so nothing could pass into it. That got me thinking back to high school chemistry, if I altered the temperature I could shift states of matter, turn water into ice or gas. If I could play with the temperature of water, I could probably do it with other elements too."

Ed took another moment to consider what he was saying before he spoke again.

"This is all just guess work, you probably know more about this sort of thing than I do."

Wager, where are you?

I was investigating that one dude they found in Metropolis. I don't think he's going to be joining us, so I'm tying up this loose end. Wager turned to Roger. "Sorry to hear that you won't be joining the club. Unfortunately, we're trying to keep it secret, and I can only gurantee that by doing one thing."

Roger laughed. "I must say, you 'villains' are all of the same mold. And your lines are all the same as well. What's next, you start monologuing?"

"No," said Wager, firing blasts of sound energy at Roger.

Roger merely grunted, stating "That tickled." Running at Wager, he attacked, thankful that the guantlets let him through the full weight of his blows into the punches. "You know, you guys really piss me off." As he punched, Wager grabbbed one hand, transmitting high frequency energy into it. Roger fell over, his face in anguish.

"Well, it looks like you can be stopped," said Wager, standing while still attacking Roger's hearing. "Let's see, this piece of metal looks rather sharp, yes?" Swinging down, he aimed for Roger's chest, only to have it stop at his ribcage. Taking the weapon out, he was amazed to see mettalic looking bones under the wound. "What the hell is that?" he asked rhetorically. Unfortunately for him, he had dropped the sonic pressure when he saw the wound, and was promptly kicked to the floor by Roger.

Standing over him, Roger made sure that Wager saw the wound close. "Healing factor, buddy. Strengthens the bones. Now, I've got a f..." Roger doubled over as Wager unleashed the sound again. He stood over him, hitting him in bursts to keep Roger down.

"I like the costume. Reminds me of a dragon. That your name? Dragon?" He laughed as he poured on the sound, sending Roger'smind spinning. "You know, your presence diminishes considerably when you're under the sound. I think your mental defenses are failing. Shame though. I can't read minds while I'm attacking your ears. Guess I'll have to take you to Mr. Aenima, see if the two of us together can't take care of you."

"I see. Well, if things to not go well, either kill him or make sure he doesn'tbecome a problem. I have matters to attend to know in California. In a couple of hours, Josh will be on our side. I have also found a powerful new ally, a being equally as strong as I. She and I talked, and no we have plans. I shall inform you of them when I return from California."

Duo sat back and bit his lower lip. He could hear a little of the fight and Roger talking to the other man, but couldn't make out what was being said. The thought of Roger losing had entered his mind but he really didn't want to think of that possibility. Instead he concentrated on staying as silent as possible and waiting for it to all die down.

This is all just guess work, you probably know more about this sort of thing than I do."

"I had just graduated from Ni-Hero Academy when "Her voice died as she gulped hard for a moment to hold back tears. But she athered calm about her and spoke firmly.
"Nuevo Ni-Hongo has always had others - not just other races, but humans who were 'other'. And while they were never very many they had always been honored, as they used their abilities for good. We stayed out of the wold wars and other such, for we were poor and technologically backwards. And the rest of the world little troubled us.

Back in the ninteen thirties the Ni-Hero Academy was created, a university to train 'others'. Not every graduate becme a Hero, but those that did, made it so that our police force were little more than traffic wardens giving out parking tickets, our military non existant.

And we Herto's were honored, feted, paid good salaries for our hard work and dedication. Then it changed, overnight all but. We were..."That Rio couldn't bear to speak of, her face pale and set as she remembered the attrocities visited up on her friends.

"Lets just say that I turned and ran, left Ni-hongo to save my hide. This is the first time I've put on the suit in four years. Tried crawling into a bottle, but that didn't work."

She shook off more bad memories and looked at Ed. "I don't know much about Elementalist specifically, but I can coach you on general things, if you'd like. Don't know how good at it I'd be though"

Jpsh awoke, feeling very sick. His head was spinning. He stood up, then collapsed on the floor. What's going on? I feel... weird... As he lie there, he begn thinking about what Aenima had offered him. Perhaps it was unwise of him to refuse. Maybe he should have gone with him. Maybe...

Roger couldn't scream. The pain hit him in waves, as Wager toyed with him. He could barely let out a groan each time the bastard started again.

Wager was sitting now, keeping enough pressure up to keep Roger down. He knew Aenima was still keeping the mental link open, so he used it to communicate. Boss, we've got a problem. This guy can't be killed. He's got a pretty fast healing factor, and I won't be able to keep him immobilized while I'm figuring out how to get rid of him. Also, I can't get a read on him. My telepathy isn't strong enough to read him while I'm keeping him down. I need you here.

Smiling at Roger he couldn't resist a dig at the prone figure. "Forgot to ask, you, but the dragon motif, that is your name right? I gotta say, it kinda works. Guess I'm your Saint George. Ha ha ha ha."

Aenima rolled his eyes. He teleported to where Wager was. "Alright Wager, what seems to be the problem?"

Ed listened to a brief outline of Rio's past in silence. Obviously it was difficult for her and he could understand the difficulty of recalling painful memories. Evidently he wasn't the only troubled person with special abilities around these parts. At the offer of being coached by Rio, Ed smiled slightly and gave her a nod.

"I'd be honoured to learn from you. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of cleaning up this city. It won't be easy, but it needs to be done and I don't exactly see a line of people waiting to do it."

Whilst Ed still had some doubts about this course of action, Rio's presence was comforting, she was almost like a mentor in that regard. The idea of further enhancing his abilities was also an exciting prospect, one Ed was looking forward to. Unfortunately for the moment he was still too drained to do much of anything, save for talking to Rio.

"Have you noticed anything strange happening in Gotham lately?"

The memory of the two men Ed had encountered in the park had surfaced once again, something about them just didn't seem quite right.

After a long nap, or a short sleep Julian woke back up. It was the last day of school for they'd finished exams and just had to go back to pick up the report cards which meant a chance to relax and hang-out for the youths of the city. It also meant that Julian would have the chance to practice his abilities as soon as he found somewhere to do so.

In addition he might get a chance to do some good and save a few people.

"Have you noticed anything strange happening in Gotham lately?"

Rio frowned as she thought back carefully over the last few weeks. "No, but I've been so concerned with keeping my head down and going unnoticed that pink elephants could be invading the city and I might not have noticed." She blushed at her inexcuseable, in her eyes at least, lack of observation.

"What have you been noticing, Ed?"

Roger suddenly heard silence, and the pain assaulting his ears went out. Wager had said he wouldn't be able to detect such things, but if the new one had any psionic abilities, he would be suddenly aware of Roger's unique mental signature, a blaring flare but hard to break.

Reaching out, Roger pressed the electrical gauntlet into Wager, doubling the villain over and causing his body to convulge as electricity coursed through it. As he stood, the sound clame slowly back, and Roger could hear blood flowing in his head. Of course, he blew out the blood vessels, and made me go deaf.

Turning to the new man he looked at him once over. "Aenima, I take it? I figured out how to stop your pawn. You and I can do this hear and now, but just so you know, the feds looking for you will probably know that you're here, and knowing what they told me, they'll come gunning for you faster than you can say 'Shazam!' You wanna do this here, or do you and I settle up later?" Wager was still on the ground, effectively out for now, leaving just the two.

Aenima smiled a bit. "The feds have been taking care off. I'm ready if you are. And by the way, once this is over, you'll be Wager's replacement if he dies. He's a good soldier, and you will be punished at first, but you'll get used to it." Aenima also sent a quick signal, to be noticed, to Josh.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Josh felt a strange urge. He walked down to the lobby, got in his car, and started driving.

"What have you been noticing, Ed?"

"I was in Gotham Park earlier today, practicing with my abilities. It was quite deserted, then this bloke jumped out of nowhere and approached me about helping him and a friend of his fight someone that attacked them at a big convention yesterday. He claimed this guy was a light bender. I wasn't quite what he was looking for, but it just gave me the feeling that something big might be happening that most people aren't aware of."

Ed then turned his thoughts to the second stranger. The guy had been somewhat annoying but he wasn't quite sure if he was a meta.

"I was also approached by a second guy, I'm not sure if he was a meta but he did disappear pretty quickly. Anyway, ever since then I haven't been able to shake the feeling that something is going on around here that has the potential to influence all of us. It's weird."

"Fine," said the man in the draconic costume. Roger didn't know the limits of Aenima's power, but he could already see that he could teleport, and probably had psionic powers. At least his mind was safe from probing.

Even as he spoke, he was already moving, attacking his adversary with his fists in an attempt to knock him off balance, and to see just how good the guy was on a physical level.

Aenima didn't move. The man's fist came close to his face, and then he stopped dead. "It'll be harder then that." Aenima then flung the man throw ta wall. He followed him, keeping back to make sure he didn't strike while he was down.

"Out of curiousity, how long can you do this for?" Roger asked as he recovered from the mental throw. Grabbing a couple of anchoring bars, Roger threw them as he stood, aiming for different parts of the man's body while trying to close the distance again. This time he put on the speed, hoping to offset Aenima with his advanced reaction time.

"As long as it takes." Aenima said. He dodged to the side, but one of the bars hit his arm. He was in a lot of pain, but it hardly kept him from fighting. He pulled a steel girder out of the wall of the building and slammed it into the man.

Roger grimaced as he positionied his arms to move the girder off him. Damn, he's got power. Though he didn't seem to take that blow too well. Picking it up, he managed to lift it up, feeling the pressure on his bones, thankful that his powers had fortified his skeleton. Climbing out and standing, he felt the sting as a few gashes from sharp tears along the girder stitched themselves together.

"As long as it takes, eh? Does that include forever?" Roger asked, hopping on his feet to make sure nothing was seriously damaged. Nothing grated, meaning that he was still at peak condition, thought his shoulder felt sore. Probably sprained that. Might have to give it a few minutes. Roger picked up a portion of the girder that had come loose, a rather nice six foot pole good for whacking. Again, he attacked, this time pressing the conduits on the guantlets to the staff, hoping to land another blow before he was taken down again.

"As I said, as long as it takes." Now sooner had Aenima said these words did a crashing blow land on his shoulder. He fell to the ground in pain, but wasn't finsihed. He used his powers to cuase the staff to wrap around the man's neck, choking him, before flinging him up through the ceiling.

Wager managed to pick himself up, staggering over to Aenima. "Nice hit. That bastard won't stay down, though, long as I can't blast him with sound. I need rest."

Meanwhile, rammed into the ceiling, Roger was struggling to pry the metal off his neck. In doing so, he managed to loosedn the hole enough to cause him to fall, breaking it on a few crates beneath him.

"I was also approached by a second guy, I'm not sure if he was a meta but he did disappear pretty quickly. Anyway, ever since then I haven't been able to shake the feeling that something is going on around here that has the potential to influence all of us. It's weird."

Rio paled a bit and spoke hurriedly "Thats not good Ed. I had weird feelings - to the point that they were making me ill with worrying about them, and ended up with pneumonia. My being in the hopsital was what saved me from the first round of violence directed towards the heros. If something is going on we should seek to discern what it is." Then she sighed and chaffed at her arms, trying to dissapate the sudden chill she felt.

"However as still exhausted as we both are going out like this would be fool hardy since there is no open threat that we know of. Can I borrow your shower? Also we need to eat and I can afford to treat us to room service." She toed the sports duffle that was bulging iwith the drug dealers money.

Aenima turned to Wager. "You alright? We should leave, the pipe around his neck will slow him down. I'll have someone pick us up."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Josh's car pulled up to the building. He sat there, waiting.

Columbus Terrorized / Part Eleven

After hours of patrolling the skies of Columbus Shebat was again close to her companies building and was considering a short break. Suddenly a few blocks away a huge explosion rocked her air bike. Turning towards the explosion she could see that the roof of the downtown bus station was partially gone and was on fire! In seconds she was over the ruined bus terminal and had placed the air bike on hover mode at two hundred feet above and to one side of the fire below. Then quickly summoned her psionic power infusing it into her cape to form batwings and took to the air by diving off of the air bike Using her built in cowl connection she called 911 to report the explosion as she dived towards the burning building.

Hunt for the Molehill Mob

As Aenima left there meeting Matergy spotted an entrance to Gotham City's subway system and started walking towards it. Entering the station she quickly walked to the stairway going down to the underground terminal below. As she entered the terminal she decided she would use one of the trains to start her search of the labyrinth of tunnels. Unfortunately the most recent train had just left leaving the terminal almost empty except for one of the cities gangs who immediately upon seeing Matergy tagged her for an easy mark.

"However as still exhausted as we both are going out like this would be fool hardy since there is no open threat that we know of. Can I borrow your shower? Also we need to eat and I can afford to treat us to room service."

Ed nodded in agreement.

"We should be able to find some info about what's going on, the character of men in such shady activities usually leads to a leak or two."

At Rio's request to use his shower, Ed waved in the direction of the bathroom.

"Of course, but on one condition. I'm paying this time, you covered the book store so now it's my turn."

Whilst Ed's expression wasn't particularly serious, it was a point he wasn't going to drop, regardless of how much money Rio had.

"Of course, but on one condition. I'm paying this time, you covered the book store so now it's my turn."

While Rio didn't think that coffee and pastry would equall the size of the meals they both needed, she wouldn't argue with Ed. He didn't show it much but he seemed quite determined about it and that brought a shy smile to her lips.

"As you wish Ed, and you are quite right. If there is something coming down the turn-pike we have a good chance if we smart about it. Even the Costa Nostra of old had its loudmouths." Rio nodded as she slowly stood, trying hard not to groan too much.

Eventually she managed to stand "However since you are paying you get the pleasure of deciding what we eat as well. I'm not picky about food except no small smelly fish."

She started stretching movements, to loosen her muscles. "Fist lesson. Using your abilities is exercise, and while yours aren't as 'fuel' consumptive as mine you'll still find your appetite and nutritional needs 'up' so to speak. You don't want to try and live on junk foods or calorie restricted diets."

Wager held on to his boss as Aenima teleprted them out of the hangar. Roger could see them vanish, and after not hearing them anywhere else in the building, called out for Duo, albeit quietly. His throat was still constrained as he spoke. "Duo, get this off of me..."

Chandra sat in the cab as the driver slowly made his way towards the convention center through a congested Friday Night DownTown Traffic. she sighed as she thought about Bombs, Terrorists, and her new role as Romany Guardian.

Do I just protect the Romany? or should I be protecting everyone?

Bruce's warning about those with power dissappearing drifted up from her memories and her little stunt downtown wouldn't help with her being kept hidden. I guess I better stick to saving only the Romany... Rom.. GINO!

Guiltiy, Chandra pulled out her cell phone and dialed Gino's number.

"Gino? It's me... yes, I'm ok, the other woman helped me until I recovered my strength... I'm ok, really... I'm in a Cab on my way back... infact I'm passing the Bus Terminal... yes, I'll be there in"

The Cab rocked as a huge eplosion erupted from the Bus Station, the passenger glass shattered inward as the air was filled with screams, shouts of pain and the heat... The Cab driver was on his radio, telling dispatch to call for help as Chandra stuffed the phone into her pocket and sprinted out of the cab and towards the ruined building.

Along with other bystanders, she began pulling and carrying the injured away from the building, suddenly, there was screaming as a figure stumbled out of the burning building, flames wreathed his body as he screamed and flailed about.

Reacting almost on pure instinct, Chandra tackled him, covering him in a thick layer of cold ice cream to smoother the flames and to fight the heat damage done to him. The cab driver who was also heading towards the man with his car blanket stopped and stared at her, she pulled the goo covered man and motioned to the driver to help her. with a smile, the driver assisted in getting the man away from the building as sirens could be heard in the distance.

Chandra conjured up some water and soaked herself down... covering her nose and mouth with the collar of her blouse, she ran into the building, coming out with other suvivors... some injured, some...

She staggered out, the limp and charred body of a child in her arms. She couldn't have been older than Chandra was when she decided to take Gymnastic lessions, whatever future this child wanted, she would never get the chance now...

Another pair of hands took the child from Chandra's arms. Her tear streaked face looked up at the cab driver as he motioned for her to take a break as he bundled the tiny body in the blanket. She smiled and shook her head. There were others still trapped inside...


and...



for better or worse...


SHE IS A GUARDIAN.

Aenima teleported Wager, an Josh back to the hotel. "Wager, from now on, don't reveal yourself to the superbeings. Just track them. And ive Josh's boss a call, impersonate him or something, just tell him he's sick. I need to go. Aenima then teleported to California to find some supergangs.

Gotham

Wager nodded at Aenima, quickly taking to the bed. He needed rest, and Josh's boss wouldn't be up till the morning, so he would deal with Josh's alibi then.

Metropolis

Roger couldn't speak anymore. He hoped Duo had heard him, and would get the pipe off of his neck. Things were going black.

Duo had heard Roger, barely but he could understand it. Slowly he crept out of the craft still invisible. He found Roger and pulled the pipe off him.

"Are you still with me?"

Metropolis

Roger sat for a moment, thankful for the gasps of fresh air, feeling the strength return to his limbs. "Well, that could have gone better than expected. Well, we got a few things oing our way now." he pulled the mask off, feeling the air across his face.

"I have an idea of what he can do, I know he's got people working for him, and I know that he's recruiting. Hopefully, the recording equipment that Baerdin and Hrocko hope I don't know about will have gotten enough for me to review that little tussle. You see much?" He turned to Duo, thankful that the boy had stayed out of harm's way on this one.

Duo shook his head.

"No, sorry," he replied.

In his invisible form, he could have easily seen what was going on without being seen. At least he could, he didn't know if there was anyone who could see through his invisibility.

Julian had gotten his report card, well stocked with As and very lightly smattered with Bs and a single D in gym. Had he realized and focused his abilities much sooner he could have easily gotten an A in that subject as well except if an unathletic started to show up the athletics then suspicions would be raised.

With his report card gathered and delivered to his parents, Julian was free to enjoy his summer holidays. He took the streets while wearing a low slung ball cap to partially disguise his appearence for he was out 'superheroing'.

Passing a long and much darkened alleyway Julian heard the muffled sounds of a struggle and wimpering. Walking into the alley he spotted a man being restrained by two others with his trousers around his ankles and another man approaching him with a large cheese grater. A fourth gangster who seemed to be the leader stood in front of the depant's man.

"Now tell us where you hid the money you owe us, or you'll be one cheek short."
"I told you, I needed it to save my sister. If you just give me a bit more ..."

Just as the cheese grater was about to begin grating the man's butt cheek, Julian struck. His field of force proceeded to demolish the cheese grater and deliever a fair beat-down on the four criminals. While he could only strike at one at a time, the blows lanced out at a speed that seemed to strike all four within seconds. None had more than minor breaks and major bruises but none would be waking anytime soon.

Quickly departing with his speed enhanced to its max, Julian took a seat on a bench a few blocks away to rest from the exertion while his rescuee pulled up his pants, gave the leader a kick and hurried away. The only impressions that had been left on the five was a teen male in a ball cap, thought the sight of the four made the cops who'd been called quite happy.

"You don't want to try and live on junk foods or calorie restricted diets."

Ed nodded in agreement. It made sense that his body would need to be well fuelled to function normally, let alone using his supernatural abilities. Fortunately he'd had the importance of good nutrition drilled into him when he was part of the athletics squad at high school and had maintained a healthy diet ever since.

"I don't know about you but I could definitely go for something like a steak, preferably the biggest one they have."

Also making it his feet, Ed took slow steps forward, stretching out his limbs. Besides being stiff from over exerting himself, Ed also suffered many bruises and scratches, adding to his discomfort.

"Anything else you'd like to add?"

"Anything else you'd like to add?"

"Steak sounds wonderful. Could we have a big salad as well. I remember the first time I ever really over extended myself. I ate every thing but the klitchen sink and was still starving. I like mine rare, Ed" Rio added as she watched him move stiffly about.

"Do you need any stitches?" She asked with compassion, looking carefully for any blood sign on his clothes that might indicate deeper wounds. "I should have checked you over last night." Rio said guiltily.

Metropolis

Roger nodded. He hadn't expected Duo to notice much. "Don't worry about it. C'mon, we'd best get this thing out of here." Roger was happy about one thing: their recently acquired transport wasn't touched, which meant that they could still move.

Climbing aboard, Roger strapped in as Duo did the same. "Alright, we know that they're recruiting, so we have to decide our next step. What do we do from here?" He fell silent in thought as the hangar bay doors opened, and he moved the craft outside.

Ed flashed a brief grin at Rio as she fussed over his injuries.

"It's alright, a few cuts and bruises but I'll be fine. A whole deal better than those that crossed us last night, at least."

Hobbling towards the phone, Ed dialled the room service number and began listing the long order of desired foods. He wasn't particularly worried about cost, money was in adequate supply for a few months at least. Once the order was confirmed to be correct, Ed thanked the staff and hung up, flopping back onto the bed once again.

"The food will be about twenty minutes. I'm hoping my stomach won't implode before then."

Grabbing a glass his bedside table, Ed glared at it with intent and grunted as it half filled up with water. Evidently still tired, Ed decided not to try that again as he downed the glass quickly. Next time he'd make the effort to reach the sink.

Duo sat back and shook his head.

"Avoid running into any of them again," he mentioned. "They definitely failed to notice me didn't they?"

Roger shook his head as he flipped a switch. The signature of the craft went silent as he keyed the entry to close the hangar behind the two of them. "They didn't notice you Duo, and that's a good thing. But I can't stay low. The one said something about being able to telepathically track me, that I had some form of mental shielding. I guess it made me immune to probing, but it means he can find me anywhere I go. Hrocko mentioned something about that."

He sat in silence for minute as he engaged the vertical thrusters. Throwing the propulsion to forward, they sped off into the night. "I have to take this battle to them, Duo. It's the only way I can stop them. My dad has a safe house, I can still hide you there, if you want. I'd recommend that you do it. But if you're going to go out, then I think you might as well stick around. We two could learn super-heroics together."

"The food will be about twenty minutes. I'm hoping my stomach won't implode before then."

"I'll be out by then" Rio called over her shoulder as she vanished into the bathroom.

Just before the waiter knocked on the door she was back out, finger combing her platinum blonde hair. Her costume had modified it'self on it's own into what resembled a currently fashionable but modest outfit in roayl purple accented with touches rich gold.

"Done and I even left you dry towels" She exclaimed happily, feeling much refreshed now that she was clean. Her stomach growled loudly and Rio blushed. "But I do hope that food gets here soon"

A know on the door had her automaticall raching out with her telepathy to check who was therre "Breakfast" Rio edxcalimed then "ouch! I'm still sore in places one shouldn't be sore...my mind." She made light of it with another smile to reassure Ed. She didn't want him worrying over her and she was pretty sure that it was just temporary.

Duo nodded.

"The one most important thing I learned at that orphanage is when you make friends you stick by them no matter how badly you get beaten," he mentioned. "They're the ones who would do the same for you."

Duo looked over at Roger.

"I'll stick around, I'm sure I said that before."

Roger smiled as Duo said that. "Alright then, Baerdin and Hrocko said our boy Aenima was in Gotham recently, and that Wager character said something about moving on to California. As Gotham's closer, I think we should check that out first. What do you think?"

"I say Gotham it is," Duo replied with a slight nod. "Sometimes you have to look back to see forward, a ghost told me that."

Duo managed a smile. That had been one of few friendly ghosts he had encountered.

"He could be anywhere in California, Gotham may leave clues."

"Aye," said Roger, then paused for a moment. Reaching down, he groped around for a few minutes under the dash, before drawing his hand back, a small red plastic object in his hand. He crushed, it saying in an offhand manner, quietly, "hope they picked that up..." before he heard a subsonic squeal.

Speaking up, he looked at Duo again. "Now that they're not listening in as easily, we can speak more freely. We should probably fly in off the radar. Aenima, if he has had the opportunity, will have a lookout checking the skies. After that, we're on ground transport around Gotham. You up for a little walking?"

Duo watched him crush the small red object. Figures they would have been trying to listen in.

"Yeah, I'm up for walking," he replied with a nod.

Aenima sent in a telepathy message to Matergy.

Matergy, I have found a large superbeing gang in LA known as Forty Six & 2. I am in negotiations with their leader in forming an alliance. Aenima out.

.
Chandra ran back into the burning building. Searching for anyone else trapped inside, she heard a man shouting. Following the sounds, she found a middle aged man trying to pull at some fallen beams.

"Please, my wife is trapped."

Concentrating on her hand, Chandra formed an Ice Axe and began chopping at the burning wood. the axe shattered from the heat just as the Beam gave way, revealing a woman unconcious beneath it. Quickly, Chandra and the man pulled the woman out and was carrying her when an omnious crack was heard above her.

Looking up, Chandra saw several Beams and other debris fall from the ceiling, directly towards them. thinking fast, she pushed the man and woman down to the ground and raised her hands to create the first thing she could think of.

"What the fuck?!" the man stared in wonder at the gummy arch that caught and held the debris above them.

oh shit... Chandra thought as she could see the heat from the burning debris melting through the gooey confection. "C'mon, this won't last long!" she pulled at the woman as her husband stared at the shimmering brace.

With the husband pulling, and Chandra pushing, they managed to clear the melting tunnel as it finally collasped in a mess of debris and liquifed fruit slush. Chandra screamed as the hot, liquified mess soaked through her sweater and as several large blocks of building landed on her, pinning her foot beneath it.

Damit... always my right leg! she blinked through the smoke and tears as the stranger tried to lift one of the stones from her foot.

"No!," she cried to the man, "Get your wife out first. I'll be ok, but she needs medical attention now... get her out!" He looked torn, between getting his wife out, and not leaving the woman who appears to be trading her life for his wife's "GO!!" she coughed out and reluctanly, and he shouldered his wife and made his way towards the door.

Conjuring more ice cold water to douse herself with, Chandra sighed as most of the burning sensation died away. she then twisted to see if she could leverage the debris off her foot... as suddenly, more cracking suddenly sounded above her...

"oh shi..."

Outskirts of Gotham

Roger brought the craft down, choosing a small clearing of trees that had just enough room to land in. He and Duo disembarked, Roger tossing a two-way walkie to the kid. "Alright, now we decide on whether or not we split up. Thoughts?"

Gotham

Wager rolled out of bed, picking up the phone. He dialed the number Aenima had left him, doing his best to sound alert. He called Josh's boss, leaving the message about Josh coming down with something. Then he sat back, pondering his next move.

Duo caught the walkie talkie and shook his head.

"We're not splitting up," he said.

Columbus Terrorized / Part Twelve

As SheBat dove she suddenly spotted Chandra laying in the mist of the hellish inferno that the downtown bus station had become with her right leg trapped beneath several large blocks. To make things worse part of the roof above Chandra that had survived the explosion was starting to crack! SheBat immediately changed her flight path towards Chandra’s position while summoning more of her psionic power into her hands then flipped over and spread her wings wide flapping for all she was worth to slow her decent. As she landed beside Chandra she pointed her right hand towards the cracking timber of the roof using her power to stabilize it. Then used the power of her left hand to lift the blocks off of Chandra’s leg and set them down a few feet away. Looking at Chandra she said, “ Are you alright? Can you walk? If not I will use my psionics to lift you out of here because this roof is not going to stay up there for much longer even with me holding it.”

“ Are you alright? Can you walk? If not I will use my psionics to lift you out of here because this roof is not going to stay up there for much longer even with me holding it.”

"Yeah *Cough* I can walk. dunno how many are still trapped tho."

Chandra got to her feet and looked around...

"guess we can let this place..." her eyes fell on an overtuned baby carrage, the large type that usually indicates twins. "um... how long can you keep the roof up?"

Roger wasn't surprised. They emerged from the woods near the highway leading into Gotham, the city itself not far off. There was a bus terminal nearby that serviced those wanting to get close to the city without actually entering in. "Keep yourself visible for now, but when we get to the city, then you can vanish. Work?"

Columbus Terrorized / Bus Station Bombing

"Yeah *Cough* I can walk. dunno how many are still trapped tho."

Chandra got to her feet and looked around...

"guess we can let this place..." her eyes fell on an overtuned baby carriage, the large type that usually indicates twins. "um... how long can you keep the roof up?"


" Good I'm glad your alright said SheBat as she turned her head towards the direction of Chandra's gaze .... don't worry I can hold it long enought for you to check that baby carriage and still get out.

I can also use my air bikes sensors to sweep the rest of the structure for any other trapped people." SheBat said as she worked some controls on her utility belt. Immediately a ghost like image of the bus stations floor plan appeared in the air. It showed twin infants in the carriage otherwise no other life signs besides the girls inside the structure.

" You get those children out of here Chandra, there should be a emergency squad here by now. If the police give you any trouble about your powers I will intervene if needed." said SheBat as she removed a small comunicator from inside a pocket on her belt and handed it to Chandra. " Use this to communicate with me if we get separated."

Duo nodded.

"Ok," he said. "So where are we heading first?"

Hunt for the Molehill Mob

As Aenima left there meeting Matergy spotted an entrance to Gotham City's subway system and started walking towards it. Entering the station she quickly walked to the stairway going down to the underground terminal below. As she entered the terminal she decided she would use one of the trains to start her search of the labyrinth of tunnels. Unfortunately the most recent train had just left leaving the terminal almost empty except for one of the cities gangs who immediately upon seeing Matergy tagged her for an easy mark.


Matergy makes some new friends

In seconds the gang members had surrounded Matergy believing her to be helpless while the leader said, “ Give us your money babe then get undressed so we can show you a good time or we will kill you! ”

Matergy smiled evilly at the gang leader and said, “ So it’s money and a woman’s body that you want is it. I can help you with that but not in the way you think!” Immediately Matergy summoned her power and enveloped all the gang members within it then triggered their transformation.
Matergy watched with satisfaction as all the gang members bodies started their tranformation to womanhood. As each realized their fate they began to scream but realized there wasn’t anything they could do to stop it. In the end they decided that they didn't want to stop it .... they realized they now enjoyed being girls. Even their clothing changed to reflect their new sex as the their transformation continued until all were beautiful girls that believe themselves to be working for Matergy.

So where are we headed first?

Roger took out the tracker that Baerdin had given him. "Wherever this thing tells us to go. It's got a homing feature. You ready?" he asked, looking at the bus stop coming up. They would disembark here, and take the subway further.

"Ah," Duo said with a nod. "Yeah, I'm ready."

Roger and Duo descended into the subway station, waiting until a train arrived. A few people gave them glances as they boarded, notably since they were the only ones to board. "Alright, Duo, vanish as soon as the station disappears. My guess is that this particular route has some gangs along the way, and the cops haven't bothered to smoke them out yet."

Roger wasn't minding the ride until his scanner started going off. They were closing in on another meta, although it had an extremely unique signature. Roger tried to see if said anything else, but all it said was "Alien." He grabbed his helm, put it on, put on his aviator glasses, then drew the top of his hoodie over his head. He held the scanner out for Duo. "Whatever is in the next station, I don't want to be unprepared. This has a record feature. Stay invisible. Until I discern that it's not a threat, I'd rather take the full brunt of the attack."

Duo nodded. Once the station disappeared he turned himself invisible.

As the train came to a stop, Roger stepped out, pausing for a minute. Women together were not unusual. A group composed entirely of healthy females in somewhat flirtatious clothing at this time of the night in the city, however, was unusual. He looked around for a moment, trying to see if any of them stood out by posture or body language that conveyed assertiveness. "This is odd," he said as he walked.

Duo stayed close by, still invisible he kept quiet.

Lady Moonette‘s Hunt Begins

After finishing her bath and getting dressed in fresh clothes Gwendilynne returned to the Bridge of her Yacht to look at the sensor log again. As she reviewed it her memory returned to past confrontations with Matergy. She knew she must hunt her down once again in order to save this planet from her. Lost in thought she was suddenly brought back to reality by a sensor alert going off. This time however the spike was much more powerful confirming that Matergy had indeed traveled to Earth and was now in downtown Gotham City using her powers for god only knew what for sure but no good would come of it that was a sure bet. After notifing her crew of her intentions Gwendilynne changed into her Lady Moonette persona then took to flight towards downtown.

Another second, and Roger had her picked out. The leader of this group. The way she stood was borderline pompous. Still, if anybody, she would know something. "Excuse me miss," he said, as he walked by, "These ladies all with you?"

Matergy meets Roger

Just minutes after her gangs transformation is completed Matergy watches as a train enters the subway station and passengers begin to disembark. She gazes at the passengers as some of the guys stare at her girls and express their appreciation of their presence by whistling, while most of the women either ignored them or give them looks of disapproval as they passed by. Then she spots a tall well built masked man looking at their group and finally starts walking towards her. As he is about to walk by he says, “ Excuse me miss," "These ladies all with you?" Turning to face him she said, “ Why yes they are, why do you ask ? " And why are you wearing a mask? "

Aenima had been in negotians with the leader of 46 & Two, a powerful gang, for almost days. However, no one knew that he was just using his powers to gain control of the leader. As soon as everything was finished, he returned to his old house in LA and rested. He would need time to recover from all of the energy he exerted from keeping the leader under his control.

Ed couldn't help but grin a little as he rose, from the bed once again. He didn't need mental powers to realise it was likely to be breakfast knocking on the door but Rio's manner was somewhat comical, despite the serious injuries they'd both sustained.

Thanking the waiter and giving him a generous tip, Ed brought the tray of food into his room and began laying it out upon the small table situated next to the kitchen. Despite being so hungry he could almost eat out of the trash, Ed managed to maintain some form of manners and waited for Rio to be seated before they began their meal.

"Enjoy, it's not common I sit down to a breakfast like this."

Breathing in the aroma of the meal before him, Ed began thoroughly devouring his steak, barely giving his taste buds enough time to savour the flavour before it descended into his gut.

"Thank you very much, Ed"

Rio took the other seat and sniffed the enticing aroma appreciatively. "Ahhh, a good breakfast is the best foundation for the day...." She paused a moment and smiled at her words "While they are true they do sound rather old fashioned, don't they? One can't say that Nuevo Nihongo was progressive though."

She shrugged, and after watching ED tuck into his steak for a second, set about eating hers and the giant baked potato that had took up the rest of the plate. The salad too was devoured.

"Oh I just adore a properly done steak!" She sat back, dabbing her lips with the napkin as she surveyed the wreckage of the meal. Nothing remained save a few radish slices and the foil the potato had been wrapped in.

" You get those children out of here Chandra, there should be a emergency squad here by now. If the police give you any trouble about your powers I will intervene if needed." said SheBat as she removed a small comunicator from inside a pocket on her belt and handed it to Chandra. " Use this to communicate with me if we get separated."

Chandra pockets the communicator in her jeans.

"Will do. and feel free to call me if you need any assistance with those other bombs. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I'll help in any way possible... the next time you're in Gotham, drop by."

Chandra runs to where the carriage is and picks up the two infants. she covers their mouths with some cold bread (to filter as much smoke as possible) and runs for the exit. Giving Shebat one last glance and dashes out into the cool night air.

The fire fighters begin hosing down the building as she ran through the flames. one of them tosses a blanket over her to lead her to EMS but she distracts him with the twins long enough to slip into the crowd. Tearing off the sweater, and filling her pockets with barbeque sauce to make it smell like she came out of a texas bbq fest, she slipped through the crowd and made her way to the Convention Center.

***

Gino took one look at her and nearly fainted.

"Chandra... what... where... are you ok?"

*cough* "yeah... it's been quite a night... I'm gonna head back to the hotel room and clean up. By the way... thanks for inviting me here Gino. it really opened my eyes to what needs to be done."

and with a smile, a soot covered, BBQue smelling new superhero left to get a bath... and some sleep.

Columbus Terrorized / Bus Station Conclusion

SheBat smiles and replies, “ I appreciate the offer Chandra, I will keep it in mind. Don‘t forget the offer I made you at my office still stands. Also as soon as I can wrap up this case I need to contact Lady Moonette who had some business in Gotham City so I‘ll try to drop by then. ” as Chandra runs to the carriage, picks up the two infants, and runs for the exit. Shebat waves with her free hand as Chandra glances back one last time before dashing out into the cool night air where she gives the infants to a firefighter then gives him the slip by disappearing into the crowd.
As the firefighter looks around for Chandra he spots SheBat still within the burning building by dumb chance and points her out to a News Crew who is taking pictures of the fire. Immediately they turn their camera’s towards SheBat and start filming. Noticing this SheBat decides its time to make a hasty departure. Calling her Air Bike down to her in a fast dive she grabs a hold of it as it rockets past with her psionic power and seemingly disappears from the burning building seconds before the roof collapses.

"Sorry, I'm headed to a comic convention. The hoodie and glasses are so that I'll arrive incognito. And I was asking since you look like the alpha female amongst this group, and the similar outfits made me think that they were all with you. It's just, well, I don't mean to be rude, but I got this funny feeling in my stomach when I first saw all of you. That, and a weird headache. I'm sorry if I seem crazy, it's just very unusual, and my curiousity is infamously dangerous." Roger didn't want to come right out and ask her about the possible metahumans, not yet at least.

Matergy meets Roger 2

Matergy looked at Roger with a blank look on her face as she replied, " I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, and I understand wishing to travel incognito. But what exactly is a comic convention? "

Roger was surprised. Comic Cons were well known events, even if they were still associated with nerds. "It's a large gathering of comic book and graphic novel fans, or rather, fanatics. They pull together the best of Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Horror. Where exactly have you been all your life?"

Over thirty six hours of little but sleep and eat had Rio feeling much better, the headache that had made it almost impossible to concentrate had gone completely.

Night had passed and come again.

She'd arranged to meet with Ed at a small park near his hotel once dark had fallen. They were going to have a little training and a little waste disposal in one session. Or so she'd planned, but if they didn't find any thing needing attention, getting to know the city better was never a bad idea.

Rio waited in the deepest of the shadows, stretched out and ready for action, in what ever guise it might come in. She'd advised Ed to eat lightly, but not go hungry, to wear dark, non descript clothing that didn't bind and sports shoes..

Roger was surprised. Comic Cons were well known events, even if they were still associated with nerds. "It's a large gathering of comic book and graphic novel fans, or rather, fanatics. They pull together the best of Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Horror. Where exactly have you been all your life?"

Matergy meets Roger 3

Matergy grined evilly at Roger as she said, " Let's just say that I am a visitor from a far away land for now and leave it at that ok."

Ed exited the lobby of his hotel wearing a navy blue t-shirt and a black track top whilst a part of dark jeans and sneakers covered his lower half. It was most likely a fashion disaster but Ed was never one to pay attention to such things, he didn't have patience for the fickle opinions of the masses.

Keeping very aware of his surroundings, Ed crossed the street and kept himself at the ready in case he ran into anyone else that felt compelled to knock him out and drag him off into some warehouse. It hadn't exactly been a pleasant experience and would best be avoided if possible.

Ten minutes later, Ed found himself entering the park in the approximate area that he and Rio had agreed upon. With the sun down, most people avoided poorly lit areas such as this park unless they were up to no good. Ed figured Rio would be in hiding so he wandered around a little, not saying anything but simply keeping an eye out for her. Either she would see him eventually or he'd catch her lurking in the shadows somewhere.

Whilst Ed was now feeling much better after ample food and rest, he did hope tonight's activities would far less dramatic.

Josh's hotel room

Wager paced about the room, thinking. He flicked on the news, waiting until he saw a report of a fast moving kid, one that wore a baseball cap. There were no images, just sightings. That kid from the park. I wonder what else he's been up to?

Subway station

Roger looked at the girl with a slight curiousity in his face. "Well, I hope the city hasn't been too mean. Good day," said Roger, excusing himself and walking up and out of the station. Finding a bench outside, he sat waiting for Duo to join him.

Duo sat down on the bench having regained visibility some time before. He hadn't known when he'd regained visibility but it must have been as they left the subway.

Matergy finds Arkham

Matergy watched as the man walked away from her. Although she couldn’t put her finger on it yet there was something odd about that man. The whole time he was talking to her she could feel another presence nearby. Although she couldn’t see any others her gut feeling and the hair on the back of her neck was screaming a warning to her and she had learned the hard way to always trust these feelings when they made themselves known.

She decided that she needed to put a tail on him to keep an eye on him. Moving back into a dark corner with one of her girls she again transformed her gang member into a young boy this time only with twice the strength of a normal man so he could defead himself if needed and dressed him in the street clothes of a skateboarder. To finish up the transformation she gave him the power to transform at will from male to female and back again and informed him his new names would be Randy or Brandy according to which sex he was using at the time. Then she transformed an old broken skateboard she found lying in the corner abandoned into a brand new version of itself, gave it to him, instructed him of his duties, gave him one of her cell phones so he could stay in contact with her, as well as a wade of money and sent him on his way. As Randy left on his skateboard heading for the street level he realized that he needed to be like a ghost and figure out a way to track this man from a distance without being made. As he emerged from the subway he immediately spotted the man sitting on a bench talking to a young blonded headed boy.

With that taken care of Matergy rounded up the rest of the girls and asked them if they knew of any good places that could be made into a secret base of operations for their gang. Fortunately they had cased the entire city in the months past since there arrival here from New York City so they did know of one she could use. After getting directions they all got on the next train going to the Island on the northwest side of Gotham City where Arkham Asylum was located.

Josh finally awoke from a trancelike state. He held his head as he got up. "Where am I?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aenima sat at his house, planning on how to transport the gang members. It would be tough, as a mass exodus of a large gang would be noticed, especially from such a large distance. He could teleport them in smaller sized groups, but he would need a place to send them. He used his telepathy to contact Matergy. Matergy, its Aenima. I have managed to gain complete control of a large gang of superbeings, called Forty Six and 2. I have thier leader completely under my will. I can teleport them to Gotham, but I need a place that they can stay and not be noticed. Do you know of any such place?

OOC- I'm thinking of making a new character to represent the leader of the gang, he'll be just a puppet, I just wanted to put up a bio.

SheBat tracks the terrorist

After a few hours of sleep and a shower Nikki again became SheBat and went to visit with her resident hacker boy friend who she had set up in an old building in the warehouse sector of Columbus International Spaceport using the cloaking device on her air bike to get there unseen. It had been awhile since she had seen him because of her trip to the east coast and wanted to see him as well as the new computer system her companies techs had built for his use. As she entered she removed her costumes cowl, walked up quietly behind him and started kissing him on his neck as she said, “ Guess who’s finally back baby!"

Outside the subway station

Roger watched as Duo sat down. The kid had managed to stay invisible down there, which was a good thing. "You get everything?" he asked. When Duo nodded, he stood up, hailed a cab, and got in. "Alright, let's review it, and figure out our next move."

Josh's hotel room

"You're in your hotel room, kid. C'mon, we've got work to do, people to gather. That whole deal. And I guess money to be made, while we're at it."

Aenima contacts Matergy at Arkham

http://usera.imagecave.com/Kormanthor/ArkhamAsylum.jpg

A number of hours after she left the subway station Matergy and her gang of girls has found a long forgotten section of Arkham. An old sub basement ward that had been used for medical procedures that could not be done elsewhere. Just as she was getting the girls started on a spring cleaning of sorts she receives a message telepathically from Aenima, ‘ Matergy, its Aenima. I have managed to gain complete control of a large gang of superbeings, called Forty Six and 2. I have thier leader completely under my will. I can teleport them to Gotham, but I need a place that they can stay and not be noticed. Do you know of any such place?
Figuring the connection goes both ways Matergy responds by saying, ' As a matter of fact Aenima I am in the process of setting up a secret base beneath the mental hospital, a place called Arkham Asylum. We have only begun to scratch the available living space here.'

"Hey Ed, it's me" Rio called softly as she approached, her foot steps silent as always. She'd been naturally stealthy all her life and the excellent training she'd had had just made it even more pronounced. She had to actively think about making noise, and had badly scared people in the past with unannounced approaches.

"So ready for a little out and about?" She asked as she fell in along side him, Keen eyes took all of him in loking for any residual ill effects. She diudn't see any obvious ones and she relaxed.

The night was only slightly cool, and there were no indications that it would storm, so it would probably be a slow night crime wise. Heat and storms seemked to kick petty criminal activity up, but that was what they'd be looking for tonight. Just little stuff to get into the swing of things and allow Ed the chance to start honing his powers and control over them.

Chandra made her way down to the dealers rooms. walking past myrads of books, comics, dice... until she came upon a rack of costumes people were selling for halloween... or so she hoped.

She browsed through the racks of costumes. some clones of those worn by Heroes of ages past, others... well... we'll just call them very eye opening.

"Hey miss, I'll give you a discount if you find something interesting." the dealer hawked, trying to entice another sale.

"Oh they are interesting all right" Chandra muttered.

she waved to the dissappointed dealer and headed back to the consession stand to resume her shift.

"She was strange though," Duo remarked.

The cab

"She's an alien," Roger said, very quietly. He didn't want the cab driver overhearing their conversation. "I don't know if she's with Aenima or not. If all else fails, I'll set Hrocko on her tail, see if he can smoke out anything."

Outside Josh's hotel

Wager and Josh stepped out, Wager looking around. "First thing is first," he said. "We need a bankroll. We're headed to the casino."

Duo looked up at him. "Really?"

Wasn't really much different from meeting ghosts. It was still a little strange to him though.

"How could you tell if she's working for someone without tailing?"

"Bored and boring." Those two thoughts where the ones that Julian was quickly developing on the life heros must live. Beside the group of gangsters, all he'd found where people jaywalking and littering. Here he had rather nice but, as far as he could tell, limited powers and the best or worst he could find were litterbugs.

He had set off a fair few traffic cams as he ran down the street which was sure to annoy any number of cops but then maybe if they were looking around they might stir up some criminals for him to stop. At least that's what his thoughts were as he ran about Gotham at speeds that would make any track team crawl through fire to get him.

The cab

Roger tilted his head at the thought. "I don't know. You pick up on the clues, I guess. It's funny. I'm a trained scientist, yet while I've been on the job, I've done bioterror drills and calls. That environment, the people you work with, it causes you to pick up on things. Part of it was my specialty. Recognizing medical symptoms, looking for common traits. It's a lot of spill over."

Streets of Gotham

As Wager and Josh walked, Wager heard a rustling noise. A fast moving person ran past. Wager merely raised an eyebrow, then concentrated on the person. The brief glimpse reminded him of the story on the news. He tried to reach out mentally, sending a question. "Speedster, where are you going?" He wasn't able to do any prying, and mental commands wer beyond his ability.

Duo nodded. "Well if it comes to the paranormal I might be able to help there," he then said.

Josh followed along with Wager, but not sure why. He just had a feeling. He felt something nearby, almost like something moving at superspeed. "Did you feel that?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aenima smiled at the thought of a place to stay. He contacted Matergy again. Excellent. I will begin transporting the gang there. It will take several hours though. Aenima turned to the gang's leader, Debaser, whom he had recently taken control off. He nearly exhausted his powers doing so, first to break Debaser's illusions, then to control him. But now he had him under his control. "Debaser, get you're entire gang iinto your headquraters. Have them arranged by rank. I will teel you what to do afterwards." Debaser nodded. "Of course."and sent out the order.

Lady Moonette tracking Matergy


As Moonette flew across the bay to southern Gotham she started getting stronger more recent readings of Matergy's powers being used again.
The signals were definately in the downtown area. Quickly following the readings she flew until she was just outside and above a Subway entrance where the signal went off the scale.

"Hey Ed, it's me"

Ed had expected Rio to be out there so he wasn't particularly startled when she seemingly materialised out of the shadows to meet him. Flashing her a brief smile, Ed looked around just in case someone was watching them.

Rio seemed to be back in good spirits and feeling well, which reflected Ed's condition. He still possessed several bruises that were a bit tender but it wasn't anything particularly notable.

"I'm good to go, do you have anywhere in particular in mind to begin the night?"

Rio seemed to know the layout of the city far better than he did so Ed referred to her whenever it was time to move to a new destination.

Outside the hotel

"Yeah, I felt it," said Wager, true on more levels than one. "I tried hailing it, maybe it was a fast cab." This was a bit of a joke on Wager's part, and not a very good one.

======================================
Across town, Roger and Duo's cab

Roger had the man stop at Gotham's park, and he and Duo got out after he paid the man. "Come on," he said. "I want to walk a ways for now."

As he was running, having just turned a corner into an alley-way shortcut, Julian heard what sounded like someone else talking in his head for a brief moment. The distraction caused him to trip over a tin can and go sprawling. Somewhat sore but without injury, he stood and looked about before heading out of the alleyway to see if anyone in the crowd looked familiar.

The only thing he could think of was that someone who knew him had recognised him and called out which would be problematic if they'd seen him running like he had. The brim of his cap was totally squished by the impact and seemed to call attention to itself.

"Ok," Duo nodded.

He actually liked the idea of getting out and stretching his legs.

"How far?"

Gotham Park

"I don't know, but I'd rather be walking right now." As Roger and Duo walked, Roger glanced behind him at the cab, and behind that, some dude coming up on a skateboard along the route that they had traveled to get to the park. It was less than a second, and Roger's head was facing forward again.

Outside the hotel

Wager wished he could have just compelled the kid to stop, but that was beyond his ability. As he saw the kid, he merely stimulated soundwaves in his ear that communicated his thoughts. Meet me two blocks south of here, Mr. Speedy. We need to talk.

He spoke to Josh as he walked, saying only "Let's go."

"Ah," Duo replied.

Julian was somewhat puzzled as it sounded like someone was talking to him, but there was nobody in the area. He was somewhat dubious of the fact that he seemed to be partially losing his mind but having nothing really better to do at the moment he decided to see what his mind's voice wanted.

As he walked southish he stopped to pick up a cola and jumbo smokie smothered in mustard, ketchup and relish. Arriving a couple minutes later with the hot dog mostly finished, Julian looked around to see if there was actually anyone here.

I'm good to go, do you have anywhere in particular in mind to begin the night?"

"The area around the book store would be a good place to start. It's got crime, but nothing too serious, nothing that falls into a 'war zone' type situation. We want to start off easy.,to see how we work together and to let you start flexing your elemental muscles. You were very skillful with water yesterday. Tonight why don't you try limiting your repsonses to purely air manipulation. The professors always maintained that it, in the end, wasn't how powerful you are, but how used what you had. Brute force isn't everything" Rio commented as she lead the way into that neighborhood, keeping a watchfull eye out for anything needing the pairs attention.

Gotham Park

Soon after Randy spotted the man named Roger with the blonde headed boy setting on the bench near the train station they hailed a cab. Following them through city traffic us easy until the cab jumped on a freeway going towards the park. Here Randy had to get more daring, so he grabbed the bumper ( and bent down so the driver would spot him in the mirrors ) of another car going there way and held on for dear life. As they entered the park area Randy let go using his momentum to continue following the cab. Once he had to ramp over a construction area blockade in order to keep up, unforunately as he topped the small raise the cab was closer then he thought and he noticed that Roger had turned around to look in his direction.

SheBat tracks terrorist 2 / Columbus, Ohio

That evening after hours of sifting through computer print outs of various data Nikki and her resident hacker boy friend Matt finally found what seemed to be pertinent information concerning possible terrorist activity in Columbus.

Alley way

Wager and Josh rounded the corner to find the kid with evidence of a recently eaten hot dog. "Would I be correct in stating that you were that rather impressive blur I saw a few minutes ago, my friend? I'm sorry about the unusual communication. It's kind of hard to get somebody's attention when they can't hear you by normal means."

Gotham Park

Duo and Roger headed into the sporadically lit portions of the park, generally a bad idea but not exactly something that worried Roger. He took a number of turns, using ubends in what appeared to be simply a pleasent stroll through the park. After passing under a tunnel, he listened, hearing Randy far enough behind to know he wasn't able to see the two of them. He tapped Duo silently, motioning for him to go invisible and move ahead just a little.

Duo understood and turned himself invisible. He moved ahead just enough as instructed.

"Would you? Be correct I mean?" Julian asked in a slightly sarcasticish tone. "From the way you sound I'd wager you aren't correct often."

As it was, he wondered at the men's motivation in speaking with him. Maybe they were part of one of those goverment organisations some of his more comspiracy minded net-pals warned him about.

Alley way

Wager grinned. "You're smart. I like that. But you're wrong, more often then not I'm actually right. Well, I should say that I'm often right about when somebody is bluffing me, as my livelihood came from card tables. As that takes up most of my time, I never really paused to consider how often I'm right in other instances."

Wager offered his hand. "They call me Wager. What do I call you? And, more importantly, do you want to use your talents for more than just simple fun and games?"

"What is the thrust of your thinking?" Julian countered without giving his name. He was inherently suspicious of Wager and his natural teen rebelliousness, concerning 'uncool' adults, was acting up.

"The area around the book store would be a good place to start."

Ed nodded in agreement and began following Rio. He too kept an eye out for anything that could pose a threat, the idea of being blind sided again was not appealing.

"Sounds good to me, I'd like to see that area cleaned up so people can enjoy a coffee and read without having a gun pointed at them."

Ed had a few ideas he wished to try out and his wind ability would be the perfect test as he was quite adept with it. Whilst at the time Ed had never thought much of his high school science classes, it was those lessons that were now inspiring his ideas regarding the potential of his abilities.

Ed noted now that they were coming across fewer people and their appearance was far more thuggish. It was more than likely they would come across a crime being committed very soon.

Rio had been noting much the same factors that ED had, and they exchanged knowing glances.

"Hmmm, you know Ed, I'm thinking the area has a decidely oh, how shall I put it...seedy air about it that is conducive to criminal intent? What say we note the location of some nice deep shadows to melt into, wander obviously out of the area, I'll teleport us back to the said pool of shadows and we keep quiet." She winked at him. "That way when the predators come out to play they will find they have bitten off more than they care to chew on" She kept her voice low, though currently there weren't many about.

Josh stood by Wager as he talked to the other kid.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aenima finally, after many hours, transported every superbeing into Arkham. He told Debaser to watch thhem, then went and found Matergy. "I've found an army."

Gotham Park

Randy watched as the cab came to a stop near some sporadically lit portions of the park. The man and boy immediately started off in the direction of some of the darker areas of the park. Obviously he had spooked them and now they were running away from him. Realizing that he needed to find them he decided to get help. After quickly hiring some of the locale talent that was standing around to watch the parks entrances and exits he stepped into the shadows of a building for a little privacy. Seconds later Brandy emerged from the shadows dressed in short skirt, halter top and tennis shoe roller skates. Quickly she crossed the street and entered the park.

Aenima arrives at Arkham

After an afternoon of shopping Matergy and her girls had just finished arranging the furniture and accessories in their office space and living quarters when Aenima arrived. " I've found an army, “he said he walked up to Matergy. “ Nice work Aenima, I too have recruited some new members to serve us. she replied.

SheBat in the News

COBC Breaking News Bulletin

(Slowly the Logo of COBC disappears and a very beautiful, yet professional looking young woman appears standing in front of a large bay window atop the COBC Skyscraper. Outside the building the Columbus downtown surrounds. Then you hear the voice of the young lady start to speak….)

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen this is Tabitha Shultz reporting for COBC News from our new downtown studios. Today a spokesman from the Columbus Police Department told this reporter that the mysterious costumed woman filmed at the bus station explosion has been identified as the same being that saved the convention center by flying a bomb high into the air over Columbus before it could go off. I say it would seem that Columbus has a new protector. However Police say that they have place an APB out for her to be brought in for questioning. More on this breaking story as it continues.

The alley

"The thrust of my thinking? Simple." Wager didn't move his lips, merely speaking to the kid with his power. "You are talented. Much like my friend and I hear. I want to know if you want to help us change the world."

"That depends entirely on what you mean to change." Julian replied as he wondered what both of the other's abilities were. While the one was a 'path, was that all he was. "So what are yours and your friends abilities anyways?"

SheBat in the News

COBC Breaking News Bulletin

(Slowly the Logo of COBC disappears and a very beautiful, yet professional looking young woman appears standing in front of a large bay window atop the COBC Skyscraper. Outside the building the Columbus downtown surrounds. Then you hear the voice of the young lady start to speak….)

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen this is Tabitha Shultz reporting for COBC News from our new downtown studios. Today a spokesman from the Columbus Police Department told this reporter that the mysterious costumed woman filmed at the bus station explosion has been identified as the same being that saved the convention center by flying a bomb high into the air over Columbus before it could go off. I say it would seem that Columbus has a new protector. However Police say that they have place an APB out for her to be brought in for questioning. More on this breaking story as it continues.

Gino shuts off the television and turns to look at Chandra.

"... now I know that's not you... and I can say thank god that you were not filmed... but really..."

Chandra stiffled a giggle. "and to think I was looking at costumes earlier..."
she disolved into laughter at the look on Gino's face. "don't worry, you won't see me in that getup anytime soon."

Gino mutter something about Bruce having his hide as he left the hotel room.

After calming down, Chandra went back down to the concession booth... fingering the communicator in her pocket.

maybe I'll buy a costume... just to freak Gino out... nah, he's been a great teacher and friend, that would be too cruel. I wonder who those men were working for... and she paused just before entering the main concourse are there more bombs planted?

Ed nodded at Rio's comments and began guiding her towards a safer looking part of town, moving at a brisk pace in order to create the appearance of wishing to get away from this rather uninviting portion of Gotham.

Once they were far enough away, Rio grabbed his arm and they simply disappeared, materialising on top of a grubby looking building. Ed gasped for a moment, gaining his bearings once again. He wasn't used to being transported from one place to another in such a manner and it left his head spinning.

The street was quite dark as only one or two street lights appeared to have any functionality left in them. Even so, they flickered on and off constantly, providing little illumination.

"Wow, that's an interesting way to get around."

Adjusting to the darkness, Ed gazed down upon the street and watched carefully for any movement. For a while nothing happened and Ed was beginning to wonder if they had picked a bad spot to wait. Before he could act on the thought, two men emerged from the darkness of a nearby alley, both panting heavily.

One appeared to be holding a gun whilst the other had a small backpack slung over his arm, the jingle inside suggest it was wall of metallic items such as coins and jewellery. Continuing to wait, Ed and Rio watched as they came closer, finally moving into earshot. Immediately Ed's suspicion was clarified.

"That was the easiest job we've had in a long while. Did you catch the look on the clerk's face? I think he shit himself... haha."

"Yeh, it went well. Now let's get inside somewhere before we're spotted."

Looking back to Rio, Ed nodded.

"On your mark..."

Josh finally said something. "I can control UV waves. Any kind. I mostly use radio and gamma waves though.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Excellent Matergy. And this place is a perfect fortress. No one will suspect a thing here." Aenima turned and saw that Debaser had finished ordering the troops. "Matergy, this is Debaser. He is the leader of the army, and has decided to join our cause." Debaser nodded to her, not saying much.

Alley

"And I can manipulate sound, as well as surface level telepathy. Nothing fancy, mostly I use it for communication, but illusions or interrogations are beyond me. My friend and I are actually based out west."

"As for how we aim to accomplish, simple: People think that metahumans are secretly sitting around, and going out and causing trouble when they're bored. We want to change that."

"Yeah but it has it's drawbacks, you miss all the great scenery" Rio chuckled softly before falling silent and waiting as tensely as Ed was.

Then, just when she too began to think their wait would be fruitless...

"On your mark..."

With a nod she placed her hand of Ed's shoulder, and once again everything vanished and they returned to reality about a dozen feet behind the two muggers. The perfect distance to have room to work in; close enough to snatch them up either physicaaly or telekenetically if they tried to run, close enought to lung forward into a phywical brangle, yet not so close that they could simply spin about and grab.

Her voice was ghostly in Ed's thoughts Okay Ed, unless you feel you aren't up to it I want you to handle the one with the gun, using your wind powers. I'll put the other one on 'hold', and keep an eye on you, backing you up if need be, but I don't think you will She telepathed to him with a confident tone to her mental voice. If you can do it completely from behind so they don't see us even better!

"Excellent Matergy. And this place is a perfect fortress. No one will suspect a thing here."

" I'm glad you approve Aenima, I looked around the Gotham Metro Area and this just seemed right. replied Matergy.

Aenima turned and saw that Debaser had finished ordering the troops.

Matergy watched as Aenima turned then spotted a man commanding his troops.

"Matergy, this is Debaser. He is the leader of the army, and has decided to join our cause." Debaser nodded to her, not saying much.

" Hello Debaser, welcome aboard. " said Matergy in response.

Then turning back to Aenima she said, " We need alot of food to feed this army, as well as furniture and excessories for your crews living quarters. How about we send some of our people out to announce our arrival in town? "

"So what, you want to form a reincarnation of the League or something like that?" Julian asked with a bit of disbelief. As it was, one of them seemed like he should be in a nightclub as a Dj, while the other belonged in a tanning salon, at least as far as he was concerned.

ooc: Sorry about the disappearence, been sick for the last couple days.

Alley

"If only," said Wager. "The people aren't ready for a reformed Justice League yet. They find out who we are, they'll track us down and destroy us. No, for now we're staying anonymous, no official association, and keeping up cover identities."

Gotham Park

Roger kept moving forward, listening for Duo's footsteps as the kid came up behind. They didn't run across any other person, and since they remained alone, Roger found another well secluded spot where Duo could remain visible. "Something has got me looking over my shoulder, but I don't know what it is yet. You think we should keep going, or should we double back."

Brandy in the Park

Brandy skated on down the concrete walkway traveling west towards the center of the park. Carefully looking around she noticed that there were many places one could hide in this section of the park. Finally she came to another walkway running north and south and stopped for a minute. She knew that Wayne Botanical Garden and a good sized lake called The Reservoir was a few blocks north of her current location. Westward a walkway lead to three well lit buildings. She also knew that south two bridges crossed the Finger River and beyond that was the parks smaller lake. Trying to put herself in Rogers shoes she asked herself where she would go if the roles were reversed? Finally she decided she should get off the walkways and check the areas in between. Randomly picking a direction Brandy stepped off the walkway into the grass and headed off to the Southwest.

"So you mean just doing what we are already? And by the way, and no offence intended, but neither of you seem to have really useful abilities." Julian commented as he didn't see any real plan in what Wager was saying.

This time somewhat ready for the teleportation, Ed recovered much quicker and trained his eyes upon the two men before them. Nodding at Rio's mental communication, Ed began focusing his power. He was quite adept with his wind abilities but he was also about to try something new and wasn't quite sure how it would work.

All of a sudden the air around Ed, Rio and the two thugs became quite cold as Ed flexed his control over it. He hadn't expected it to be so easy but now they could all see their breath before them as the temperature continued to fall. The idea behind doing such was to slow down his target, reaction times are slower in the cold and when it came to guns, a quick reaction could be the difference between life or death.

Now imagining the air before him as something of greater substance, Ed gathered it into a tightly held arrow. Ed had read of the technique in many fantasy novels but had never thought to apply such thinking to his own abilities until recently. The idea was to hold the air particles tightly together, creating a sharp and solid mass that could do significant physical damage.

With such in mind, Ed launched his 'air arrow' towards his intended target, an icy breeze surrounding it. The gun wielding man didn't have time to react to the chilly breeze on his neck before the full force of compacted air slammed into his back.

Ed reeled back somewhat as his attack slammed into the thug and knocked him down. The air arrow had dissipated before it could penetrate his target but still remained effective in delivering a physical blow. As it had struck the target, Ed had felt an opposing force pushing the air he held outward. Evidently it had been an ambitious goal considering the density of his weapon, but it had served its purpose to some extent.

"Time so see what kind of damage that did..."

Debaser nodded to Matergy. "I'll send some of my best men to get some food." He turned around, and at once, three men walked up to him. "We need food. And alot. You know what to do." The men nodded, and headed out. "They used to get food for us in LA, they know exactly what to do. So, I sent some of my men out for food. Perhaps you will send some out for the furniture? Debaser left to check on things. Aenima turned to Matergy. "Acquiring him was a godsend. His power is immense, and he can increase the defenses of the base without any effort on our part almost."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Josh stood there, listening to the kid and Wager. He wasn't really interested in what they were saying, but Wager seemed to want to keep an eye on the kid, so he stayed just in case.

"Time so see what kind of damage that did..."

Rio had readied herself and as Ed struck one she wrappede the other in tight tendrills of telekenetic power holding him motionless, his arms trapped down at his sides as if lassoed. However the sudden cold left her shivvering and she couldn't get to Ed in time when he stumbled backwards slightly from the equal and opposite reaction of his 'Air Arrow.' He kept his feet while the arro had knocked his target not only off his feet but the forcefull fall had knocked him all but unconscious, dazed and barely moving. He'd cried out as he fell but the sound hadn't been loud- more of a surprized yelp thatn a scream - and the one that Rio was holding - she'd used her power to gag him.

"I think thats going to have to be a little more directed Ed, we don't want us freezing as well, but thats a good application! And on the arrow? Very creative! Perhaps if you create it out to the side a foot or so, instead of directly before you? That might mitigate the effect some. Did this tire you?" She asked.

Debaser nodded to Matergy. "I'll send some of my best men to get some food." He turned around, and at once, three men walked up to him. "We need food. And alot. You know what to do." The men nodded, and headed out. "They used to get food for us in LA, they know exactly what to do. So, I sent some of my men out for food. Perhaps you will send some out for the furniture? Debaser left to check on things. Aenima turned to Matergy. "Acquiring him was a godsend. His power is immense, and he can increase the defenses of the base without any effort on our part almost."


In response to Debasers question Matergy said, " We can definately do that. At this moment my enhanced warrior women have declared war on Gotham and the rest of the East Coast. Not only will we get the furniture we need. But we are evenually going to takeover or ally with all criminal organizations on the east coast in the next few weeks. " Then to Aenima she said, " I'd be interested to know what all there powers are exactly. But it will have to wait a while unless you would be willing to come with me as I travel to New York and Metropolis to recruit the gangs there while my warrior women do the same here in Gotham."

"I will accompany you on your trip. Debaser can handle things here. I'll explain his and some of the other superbeings' powers on the trip there."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Josh smirked at the "no use comment". "You know kid, sometimes the things you don't expect to be useful are the most useful in the end."

Alley

"Well kid, I always thought mind reading was useful. Though I guess I could be mistaken, and my luck at the tables really doesn't mean anything. As for what we're doing, well, I don't know about you, but we aren't organized, and we aren't going to remain effective. We don't have to go public, but we can act in concert. Or did I make a mistake in thinking you were ready for the big leagues, kid." Wager let the last word drop off lightly.

Gotham Park

Roger and Duo decided to head west, making it out of the park in an unlit and unpopulated spot, rather dark for that time of the night, and for that reason, abandoned. "Do we keep heading west?" Roger asked as they left the park behind them.

"So you're a cheat, not really the most heroic of past-times." Came Julian's snide reply, "And you think a human tanning booth and borderline crook are? Anyways, its not like there are any supervillians running around, and if you can't manage a regular thug on your own..."

Alley

Gotham Park

Roger and Duo decided to head west, making it out of the park in an unlit and unpopulated spot, rather dark for that time of the night, and for that reason, abandoned. "Do we keep heading west?" Roger asked as they left the park behind them.


By morning it was obvious to Brandy that Roger had somehow gotten out of the park undetected, she had gambled and lost. So now she had a choice to make, on one hand she could report in to Matergy and go take her lumps for her failure, or she could run and hope Matergy never found her.
Brandy knew though speaking to city gang members that a gang with very powerful members had found a home somewhere in the northern section of Gotham City. Because of this traveling south might be the best way to escape Matergies wraith.

waiting on you kor

"I will accompany you on your trip. Debaser can handle things here. I'll explain his and some of the other superbeings' powers on the trip there."


“ That’s great Aenima, we have three major gangs in New York to visit. The Vice Kings, The Blackstone Disciples, and The Harlem Titans. Our first stop in New York will be the the Titans turf . My sources say that their turf surrounds central park. The last place they were sighted was Central Parks Harlem Meer on the corner of 110th street and 5th Ave. Do you have transportation or should I provide it?” replied Matergy

"I think thats going to have to be a little more directed Ed, we don't want us freezing as well, but thats a good application! And on the arrow? Very creative! Perhaps if you create it out to the side a foot or so, instead of directly before you? That might mitigate the effect some. Did this tire you?"

Ed blushed slightly at his mistake. The cooling of the air was new to him and would be able to focus it with more practice, but it had been a rookie mistake to blast the air forward from a position directly in front of himself and Rio. After multiple years of using his abilities, Ed should have known better.

"Sorry about the backlash, I guess I was a little distracted with the cold thing, I've never tried it before but I'll work on concentrating it."

Moving over towards the two captive criminals, Ed maintained a certain amount of air pressure upon his victim whilst looking around to ensure no one was watching.

"So what do you suggest we do with them now?"

"I'll have to tell you my goofs!" Rio laughed, hoping to ease Ed's embarrasement. She'd been a raw student not all that long ago and had plenty of her own "was my face red' tales to tell. "It's not easy concentrating on two things at once, but it will get easier with practise " She added reassuringly.

So what do you suggest we do with them now?"

Well we could question them as to where their victom is and get the valuables back to him, or her as the case may be." She hesitatged a moment and then plunged on.

"I was supposed to be getting some 'graduate studies'. I know the basics but I've never tried it before...I might be able to get them to forget...and I didn't even think of that the other day!" She exclaimed suddenly upset at her self "If I had you might not have gotten into trouble with those creeps... I really am out of shape!"

"Let me see if I remember..." She quieted as she she began searching out what she could remember of the technique. Her breathing slowed, and her eyes drooped shut. Rio trusted Ed to keep her safe.

"I have no direct means of transportation. I can teleport though, but that takes a good amount of energy from me. I would prefer to travel by whatever method you will be travelling by."

SheBat go's Undercover

Nikki Farrar was in a hurry as she entered the main concourse of Columbus International Airport. The Police was looking for SheBat now so she had decided to investigate the airport undercover. She didn’t like hiding from the police, she would prefer to work with them and in time she knew that she would. But right now to much was at stake for her to allow their investigation of her to interfere with her finding the terrorist and stopping their madness once and for all.
Looking around as she walked she noted that more and more folks from the middle eastern countries were moving to the States. She couldn’t blame them for trying to get away from the mess that the war on terrorism had aggravated. She wished them well here in the melting pot of the world as the United States had once been called. After all America was started by immigrates looking for a chance to build a better life for their families. No she had no hatred of any people who only wished for a new start in life.
Only the terrorist & criminals of the world had any reason to fear her. Regardless of what nationality they were or how influential they were she would find them and erase their form of madness from the world stage. There had been terrorism in europe and the middle east for many years before it had finally made a move in the United States. It seemed to her that military intervention wasn’t the answer. At least not in massive strikes made by large armies. No surgical strikes would work better, just as the Batman had struck fear into the lives of criminals in past years she would now do the same with criminals and terrorist.

The Birth of a new Criminal Organization

“ That’s not a problem Aenima, I took the liberty to arrange transportation for us from my hidden starship. I had the ships engineers design a star car that resembles an earth automobile called the Cadillac Sixteen. Like our normal star cars it has the ability to fly in a planetary atmosphere as well as space travel. But this car does it in luxury and is armed to the teeth! My engineers have given it our newest engines, shields, energy weapons, and cloaking device. The prototype is waiting for us in a launch bay constructed into the cliffs overlooking the Sprang River between this island and Crime Alley to the north .... from now on we travel in style like crime syndicate bosses should. " said Matergy.

OoC: Sorry for the Haitus.

IC: Chandra put out another pan of bagged gummy figures and dice.

"Wow... how'd you do this" A lanky teen asked.
"Stupid, it's obvious, she used a mold of some kind." His friend answered, "Ms... we'll take these" he continued as he grabbed up 4 baggies of the fruity dice."

"Err... sure, that would be... 5 even." Chandra accepted his money and watched them leave.

"Too bad they can't do the same with candy..."
"oh man, that would be neat, but carving it would be a bitch..."
"too bad you can't grow the sugar chrystals in the polyhedrical shapes..." their voices got swallowed up by the crowd.

Sugar crystals... hmmm...

Chandra put the money in the till and walked to the back of the booth.

after all, don't they make lollipops in different shapes?

she was in deep thought, and deep in the book she bought when Gino returned from his break.

"yo Chica. something bothering you?"

"What do you call that weapon... with the metal ball on the end?"

"... Mace I believe" Gino replied after a moment's thought. Chandra quickly flipped through the pages...

"I got an idea... think you can find me some... unused popsical sticks?"

"I think I can get some from a confectonary supplier I know here, gotta call him anyway... your little candy idea has us running out of cellaphane baggies..." Gino grabbed his cell phone and dialed a number.

+++

moments later, some bagged lollipops in the shape of maces, detailed sheilds and swords and daggers began appearing at a certain booth. along with candy in the shape of laser guns, laser swords and even small star ships... and with them... more customers...

Gino looked at her. "you realize, the more popular we get here, the more work you have to do... right?" He quiped as he handed her an empty pan.

"I just did..." Chandra laughed as she filled it with Conjured Grilled Sausages and handed it back to Gino.

"Well, this is supposed to help improve my.... staying power..." she sighed.

Alley

Wager started clapping slowly. "Wow. I am impressed. You're a real rebel. I can't remember the last time I saw somebody your age speak so assertively like that. Like the world's got nothing to hold you on. That's totally original. I feel rejected and offended and affronted and hurt and I don't give a shit's worth about you, kid. I wanted to, I could probably figure out who you are and where you live, and based on your rebellious nature, then I go and see your parents and tell them just what their precious little boy has been up to. I'm thinking that's probably the best thing to do, both for your safety, and everybody else's. So tell me, because I truly wish to know. Do you think you know enough and are capable enough to work without destroying what you want to have? Cause if so, then I don't think there's any reason for us to stick around."

Outside of Gotham Park

Roger and Duo headed to the dirtier section of town, walking for a while before he felt the scanner vibrating. Taking it out, he saw a generalized signal. It was different from earlier, and it was large. They'd have to travel somewhat further in to the depths of Gotham to get a lock, as he only had a general bearing right now. "You up for this Duo?"

Ed wasn't exactly sure what Rio was trying but the expression of focus and closed eyes indicated he should remain vigilant whilst she performed her task. Taking another look around the street, Ed returned his attention to the two before him.

Focusing upon the man he had disabled, Ed concentrated on the air surrounding him, imagining it sealed off from the rest of the world. With that in mind, he began robbing the air of head, plunging it into icy temperatures. Whilst he could still feel the cold he was creating, it wasn't so bad from his current position whilst his victim was visibly shaking, his breath very clear as it exited his mouth.

Smiling somewhat to himself, Ed released his control on the air, allowing it to return to the normal temperature. It appeared controlling the heat of his elements was quite easy, perhaps more so than using it for forceful tasks. Ed contemplated this for a few moments, considering how this could apply to his other abilities.

It appeared as though he would have several days of practice ahead of him.

"No, you just piss me off for some reason." Julian replied as he was actually somewhat perplexed as why Wager was getting such a reaction out of him. It wasn't at all like him to be confrontational in such a situation, generally prefering to avoid a problem than to tackle it, especially to do so agressively.

"However my abilities are pretty simple, and quite effective." He added as his were essentially thought active or even in some cases automatic. As it was, if Wager was passively eavesdropping he'd realize that Julian wasn't quite as confident as he sounded.

ooc: Apologies for absence, have had much to do and few hours to do it in.

Rio's breathing slowed even further, only a tiny portion of her keeping vigil on her body, keeping it uprigth, as she searched her memories of the little she knew of the technique. Then she found it, recalling the day in class as clearly as if it were that day.

She and the five others in the clasws had all been group linked to the visiting 'hero', follwoing his discourse intently. Step one...

She reached out for the two minds as she had been shown. It was akin to telepathy but only minimally

Step two...

Now locate, then using telekensis, fine, fine ...on levels the student - and even now years later, she still almost didn't believe possible

Step Three...Her knees locked, whole body trembling ever so slightly, concentration so intent that she is completely unaware of her body.

[i]Twease loose, remove

She is white and shaking and cold, so cold, as she lets it loose, releases the pair from her mental grasp.

Their memories of the last couple of hours gone, forever unrecoverable. "Kick 'em loose Ed" Rio gaaswped faintly as she sagged gainst a nearby wall momentarialy exhausted.

Aenima smirked at the news. "Excellent. When do we take off then?"

Aenima smirked at the news. "Excellent. When do we take off then?"

" Right now, " said Matergy as she opened a compartment behind the big " M " in her mini skirts belt to remove a key then started walking towards what looked like a bookcase on the north wall. Then upon reaching the bookcase she reached up and pulled out on the top of one of the books. Immediately the case opened to reveil a private elevator, she then inserted the key and entered the elevator saying " Lets Go! "

Aenima followed behind Matergy to the elevator.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Debaser sta at a chair he had found, and began running the syndicate he had been put if brief charge of. He needed to make sure everything was right when his masters returned. He started mentally forcing commands into the syndicate members' heads.

Traveling Crime Syndicate Bosses 1


Upon arrival to the launch bay Matergy walks over to a garage like door built into the wall and places her hand onto a scanner built into the wall beside the door. This causes the door to start to open, seconds later the jet black Cadillac Sixteen star car within is rolled out on a conveyor belt that rises up out of the floor. Using another key she has Matergy unlocks and rises up the pilot side gull wing door and gets in, she immediately notices the seat is large and covered in very soft italian leather. She then unlocks the passager side door and places her hand on another scanner that is built into the top of the plush dash above the pilots controls. This causes all the systems to start powering up, then Matergy says " You can get in now Aenima"

She Bat Undercover

Finally Nikki arrives at the security locker room and enters after flashing her employee id and badge to the guard. Minutes later dressed in a airport security uniform Nikki starts her first night of patroling.

Aenima sat down in the car, looking at all of the impressive hardware it contained. "Alright, lets get moving."

Traveling Crime Syndicate Bosses 2

" Here we go " said Matergy as her fingers danced across the star cars controls. Immediately the Antigrav kicked in causing the car to raise off the bays floor a couple feet. The cloaking device then kicked in causing the car to become invisible. Then the powerful impulse drive activated and the car shot forward at breakneck speed. Within the car the passagers were unaffected by the sudden high speed because of the cars systems. After leaving the hidden landing bay Matergy steered the car down the river swooping under the Sprang River bridge towards the ocean then turned north towards New York.

"This quite a vehicle." Aenima said as he looked out to see them speeding past many landscapes.

Traveling Crime Syndicate Bosses 3

Moments later over New York’s Central Park Matergy lands the Sixteen on Central Park West where she pulls into a high security garage to park. Then after shutting down the cars systems she says, “ Let’s go Aenima we should be able to find the Harlem Titans somewhere in Central Park.”

Rio emerged from her trance like state obviously exhausted and Ed moved towards her, lending an arm for support. At her indication, Ed unleashed another gust of wind strong enough to blow the pair of criminals down the alley a little further, just for good measure.

With that done they strolled out of the alley, Rio leaning on Ed as they made their get away. Whilst not quite sure what she had done it had obviously taken its toll on Rio and Ed simply wanted to get her somewhere she could recover in peace.

"I'll get you out of here and we can maybe get something to eat, once you're up to it again we'll see what we can do."

Aenima followed behind Matergy as they began to search for the Harlem Titans. "So, what exactly is the nature of this gang?"

Traveling Crime Syndicate Bosses 4

As Matergy walked towards Central Parks Harlem Meer she said " I'm sure in the beginning the gang members join to just to feel like they belong somewhere and for the gangs protection. Afterward they realize that they can make alot more money as a criminal then they can working a normal job. Money gets them what they want, it gives them a feeling of power. Everyone has a price and the Titans are no differant. They are looking to become rich and powerful. Our organization can offer them a great many things they can't get elsewhere. If we sell it right we will have them eating out of our hand.

"I'll get you out of here and we can maybe get something to eat, once you're up to it again we'll see what we can do."

"Thanks Ed, Though it was not as bad as it could have been. Not like the other day" She gave him a smile as she felt a little better aftger a few mom,ents rest.

"But a good meal might well be in order." Rio went on to explain as they headed towards an all night diner they had noriced sme blocks back. "I erased some of their memories. I haven't any classes in it so I have to remember a demonstration I'd watched. As I do it more it will not be so tiring... I think."

The smells of meatloaf and other comfort foods cooking made her mouth water as they turned into the diner. "We can do some more hunting after we eat, it's not that late."

Aenima smirked. "Sounds like a plan. I'll let you do the diplomacy for this one. Something tells me you'd be better then I am at things like that."

Alley

Wager realized that he was getting to the kid, so he decided to put the finisher on. If the kid was willing to help, then he would, but if he was disinclined, then Wager would have to accept and deal with that as well. "Kid, I don't have any more time to waste. So if you feel like talking again, and you want me, climb to the roof of any building in the city, and shout, loudly, for 'the wagering gambler.' If I'm in town, I'll hear you."

Wager turned, motioning to Josh. "Let's go, we're falling behind schedule."

Near a Gotham Diner

Roger and Duo rounded another corner, still watching to see if they were being followed. As they did, the meter they had started beeping, then shorted out. Roger popped the casing cover, only to have a small amount of smoke come out from a partially fried mini-circuit board. "It overloaded. Looks like we go old-fashioned from here on out."

As they walked, they saw a diner, Roger noticing a man and a woman entering. They looked young, and Roger heard the words "some more hunting after..." before it became too garbled to hear. He watched through the windows as the two sat.

"Hungry?" he asked Duo, smiling. "I'm thinking we could grab some fuel from earlier." As the two approached the diner, Roger felt an odd tingling in his head. What he didn't know, or anybody else except for the woman, for that matter, was that the woman, Rio, would suddenly be aware of Roger, knowing both his location and his physical appearance, but little else without physically observing him.

"Yeah I'm hungry," Duo said as his stomach rumbled.

"We can do some more hunting after we eat, it's not that late."

Ed nodded in agreement, the aroma of a warm meal too much to ignore now that they were inside the diner. Being relatively deserted, Ed moved up to the register and took a quick glance at the menu.

"Meatloaf and some veggies good for you?"

Ed was somewhat in awe that Rio could remove someone's memories like that. He had met psychics before and knew they could do some pretty incredible things but it certainly made him feel defenseless to know that someone could come along and completely erase who he was and there wasn't much he could do about it.

"It's going to take a while to make a notable difference out there but I think we can manage something, at least more than the cops seem to be doing."

The more Ed thought about it the more appealing the idea of being a vigilante or 'hero' became. It gave him a new purpose as opposed to simply wandering around the world.

Roger and Duo entered, and took a booth somewhat distant from the two that Roger had seen going in just before him. Accepting the menus, Roger kept his eyes on the food selection, and his ears listening for anything of importance. He didn't know what to expect, but that didn't mean he had to miss anything for simple ignorance.

Noting the traditional diner fare, he simply ordered a burger and fries to quell the annoying messages his stomach was sending to him.

SheBat’s undercover work pays off

The day had started out nice but about half way through her shift the cloud cover rolled in and a heavy rain started. But Nikki didn’t mind because the news had been talking about the lack of rain for a while now and she was glad that the rain had finally returned.
Bored with the negative results she changed her normal routine by checking on the private flights arriving instead of the airline flights. After entering all the information into her laptop she waited for the results. She had written the search program herself. It would check for any known criminals arriving on Columbus in the last month. A short time later the computer chimed indicating it had finished its assessment of the information provided. Louis Guiteau a suspected french merc had arrived in Columbus the day before Orgins had opened and there was no record of him having left.

Duo ordered the same along with a milkshake. Since he was hungry, he quickly began to wolf the food down as soon as it was placed in front of him.

The waitress seemed to have thought they were getting the exact same fare, so Roger was given a milkshake as well before he noticed, and could thus do nothing about it without causing the scene that he didn't want. The burger was good enough, though, so he didn't complain too much, just upset about the fact that he didn't like operating on a stomach that was too full.

Watching the kid tear into the food like a ravenous wolf, Roger could only say one thing. "Ease up there, kid. You're going to eat yourself to an incapacitating stomach ache if you don't watch yourself."

Duo looked up from his food and slowed down. "Heh, sorry," he said. "I was starving."

After taking several gulps of milkshake through a straw, he returned to eating. Only this time he was eating much slower.

"It's going to take a while to make a notable difference out there but I think we can manage something, at least more than the cops seem to be doing."

Food period! sounded wonderful and meatloaf and veggies was entirely acceptable. Their orders came quickly and Rio tucked into her with manners but also with considerable relish.

Rio smiled slightly as she could see the idea was growing on Ed. "I agree..." her voice trailed off as the feeling she had been trying to ignore for many a minute now was just to strong to be ignored. Her voice was low as she stood. "Just a mo, I'm getting a funny feeling." She saunted back to the register and snagged a menu. All the while she discretely cased the joint trying to get a good a look at the few in the diner as possible. Then her eyes locked on Roger and she frowned. She knew him yet she didn't know him, and other things bothered her as well.

Taking the menu back to the booth she asked Ed "Want some dessert? Perhaps some pie." While mentally she she reached out to his mind, very carefully, directing it solely at him Ed take a trip to the mens room and see if you recognise this guy - she gave him a mental image of the man, Roger and the kid he was sitting with. -Something feels 'hinky' about him. I'd swear he's a meta

Heh, sorry. I was starving.

"Yeah, well, you keep up with that and then you'll be suffering from a bad case of indigestion. The human body can handle a lot, but over-compensating for something won't work. Besides, I am not going to listen to you moan on the ride out from here. I'll throw you in the trunk if I have to."

Roger felt a little pressure between his eyes, but shrugged it off, thinking it was just the onset of brain-freeze from the shake.

Duo grinned before raising his hand to his mouth before burping.

"I grew up in an orphanage remember," he then said. "Have you ever seen orphanage food? Eat that for years on end and your stomach will handle anything."

Ed noted Rio's wariness after a moment and whilst he couldn't pretend to know what her psychic senses might be detecting, he took a quick glance around the room as he stretched his arms, feigning tiredness.

"Want some dessert? Perhaps some pie."

"Sure, do you mind ordering though? I've just got to use the rest room."

With that said, Ed moved away from their table and passed the suspect pair, getting a good look at them before going into the male toilets. Considering he was already there, Ed began emptying his bladder whilst he considered the two people he'd just seen.

The kid kind of looked familiar but that could have simply been coincidence. Ed didn't have any kind of power that enabled him to detect other gifted people so he couldn't really tell.

Moving back past the suspicious pair and onto his seat once again, Ed slowly shook his head.

"Not familiar to me."

Eat that for years on end and your stomach will handle anything.

"Oh yes, and I'm sure that you just gobbled that stuff down in a ravenous manner while they fed you that stuff. What did they call it in Oliver Twist, gruel, right? Remember, it's not the material, it's how you handle it."

As they sat, one of the two that Roger had seen, the man, used the restroom. As he returned, Roger could smell him, a stench he had begun to find increasingly powerful, that of industrial grade cleaner. Nobody else he knew could seem to detect it, so he put it down to his changing physiology. He couldn't track a person by scent, but his nose was beginning to pick up on things he could not have smelled before.

What really caught his attention, however, was the phrase 'not familiar to me.' Had they made he and Duo. or was Roger getting paranoid again?

ooc: Drac, could ya get your sigs off the IC thread?

"Had to if you wanted to avoid the taste as much as possible," Duo replied before slurping down more of his milkshake. "Then you had to drink lots of water to wash the rest of it away."

Duo looked up at Roger, he seemed to be thinking of something else by then. Something had grabbed his attention and he wondered if Roger had listened to his last remark about orphanage food.

ooc: hey kor, waiting on you.

Traveling Crime Syndicate Bosses 5


Within Central Parks Harlem Meer Matergy found the Titans throwing a party for business associates. After dealing with uncooperative bouncers at the doorway by transforming them into beautiful girls who she made believe themselves to be high priced hookers brought in for the party by her as her donation to the party. They then entered the main ballroom where they found a band playing while hundreds of people danced and socialized as they ate and drank. Looking around Matergy recognized a number of men in the room from a database her starship was able acquire for her. They were all known to have ties with organized crime on the east coast and the mid western United States. Some of them held very high, powerful positions in these organizations. As she walked in she worked her magic on each of their minds so they believed that they had known and dealt with her for many years. One of the better looking, higher ranking ones she made believe he was her lover of many years. Because of this she and Aenima was excepted as part of the group and invited in, and offered whatever they wanted. Turning to Aenima she said, “ Which of these women would you like to be your woman tonight? If you don‘t see any you like I would be glad to make you one to order so you have someone to keep you company while I spend some time with my new crime syndicate lover. I need to place our requirements within his mind in more detail and enhance my mental hold on him.”

Aenima followed Matergy to the party. He instantly began to feel annoyed. Aenima was never one for socializing, especially with people he thoughts as retards and degenerates. He mostly kept quiet, only speaking when someone addressed him. Howwever, when he did speak, he saind something brilliant. When Matergy turned to him and asked him about a woman, he spoke up a bit. I'd prefer that its not one of the ones you made. The fact that they were once men is... uncomforting... Personally, I need no company, but if I need to keep up appearances, then I shall. Is there a female crime leader here at all? That would be the most beneficial. Aenima felt somewhat annoyed that he was being forced to put up appearances. But it was all for the sake of his goals. Healso felt annoyed that Matergy was acting as a lover for a man. He thought deep in his mind, shielded by his powers, Jealousy erhaps? Oh well. What must be done must be done.

Rio finished the last of her pie and sat back with a sigh. The meal had her feeling much better and she was now of the belief that she had just been paranoid about the man in in the booth.

Ed too looked like the meal had stood him in good stead. She felt that she was in many ways wretchely out of shape and internally scolded herself to keep a stricter eye on things. She wanted to be a good mentor to Ed.

"Sorry for all of that Ed, I must have just been antsy. Ready for the other half of the night?"

Snapped out of his reverie, Roger shook his head a little at Duo's remark. "Sorry, I must have spaced for a minute there." Roger still wasn't sure about the man and the woman, so he tried a litmus test. It wasn't difficult, but he had heard that small things like that could tip a person's hand. Since he was facing them, he pulled an old trick from a movie he had once saw.

"Don't acknowledge this. Just follow with your eyes, not your face. You got that?" Using his first two fingers, he pointed to his eyes, then jerked his thumb at the waitress that had her back turned. Since his eyes were on the boy, he couldn't tell what the other two had seen.

Brandy returns to the Train Station

After leaving the park Brandy started a slow careful trip back to the train station. She knew that Matergy had set up shop somewhere in the northern section of Gotham City. So she had decided the best way to go was south. If she could get to Port Adams on the southeast side of the island maybe she could find a way to escape before Matergy found out about her failure and punished her. Finally she arrived at the train station and after buying a ticket to Cathedral Square where she reasoned she could transfer to a train or bus going to Port Adams Brandy sat down on one of the bench’s to wait for the train to arrive.

the convention was going into full swing. and like all conventions, the food booths were also busy. Hot dogs, burgers and whatever else could be fried, grilled or saute'd was being served up.

and through all this bustle, something managed to catch Chandra's attention.

A small boy, well dressed, was hanging around the booths, yet not buying anything. he looked hungrily at the foods yet kept his hands in his pockets.

probably spent all his money at the hucksters booths.

after a few minutes later, she couldn't take it anymore.

"here sir, your burger and fries."
"Sorry, that's not my order."
"has to be... " Chandra gave the customer a confused (or so she hoped) look.
"Sorry, I ordered the small lasagna... remember? extra cheese?"
Gino handed the plate to the customer who walked away as he turned towards Chandra.
"not like you to get an order wrong... something up?"
"Yeah, play along..." she whispered as she looked puzzled and her eyes 'accidentally' settled on the boy.
"hey kid. c'mere."
The boy gave an annoyed look but quickly walked over.
"want a meal?" chandra chimed as he drew close.
"sorry ma'am, but I've no means to pay and I won't take charity." He held his head up proudly but the soft gurgle in his stomach betrayed his pride, Chandra could not quite place the accent he used.
"no problem then... see I got a problem here. can't resell food once it's in the package, but no one ordered this. right Gino?" She flashed Gino a meaningful look.
"err... yeah... health regulations and such..." Gino replied... understanding the situation.
"so basically, the food's going to be tossed anyway. and the big boss here," she nodded towards Gino, "hates to have food wasted.... soo..."
"but the food will still be wasted." the boy replied... mouth watering as pride and need waged an all out war inside his head.
Gino looked at him. "tell ya what. eat that, and if you want, you can work it off."
The boy gave an offended look. "Work like a commoner?!" he stepped back.
Great... Chandra shrugged.
"Of course not." Gino grinned. "else we would have to PAY you like a commoner, and union won't allow it. but you could do some... managerial work... you know... boss man stuff." He gave a sly wink to Chandra as he snatched the bag out of her hands and tossed it to the kid.
"I... I guess that would be ok... " the boy whispered as he held the bag and inhaled the smell of the food inside.
"come back here and eat. I'll tell you what we need done and let's see if you have any ideas."

Chandra turned to the next customer as Gino lead the boy behind the booth.

waiting on you kor

"Sorry for all of that Ed, I must have just been antsy. Ready for the other half of the night?"

"Don't worry about it, tis better to be wary of everyone rather than getting caught out by someone you didn't notice."

Rising to his feet and waiting for Rio to do the same, Ed gave the pair in question one last quick glance as he turned around to face the door. Whilst he wasn't particularly concerned, there was something about the pair that seemed 'different'.

"So where shall we head off to now?"

"So where shall we head off to now?"

As they left the diner - Rio for one feeling much better - she considered Ed's question.

"One of the first things they drummed into us was to get to know the area you 'worked'. And while the few instances of crime on Park Avenue and the other high class neighborhoods might be 'big ones' I think we need to stick to the lower end, at least at first."

She looked about, knowing that crime was far more endemic here, in this lower class area, than elsewhere. "Our actions might not bring as much attention here, but they also need us here. Lets really get to know this area -learn the best places to accost the forces of evil, so that we aren't as liable to end up on the nightly news just yet. We need to some how get you a costume too."

Ed nodded as Rio stepped outside with him, agreeing that they would do better to stick around the 'poor quarter' in order to deal with the criminals of the city. Moving quickly down the street, Ed kept an eye out for any sign of trouble, despite them currently being in what was deemed a reasonably safe area.

"Lets really get to know this area -learn the best places to accost the forces of evil, so that we aren't as liable to end up on the nightly news just yet. We need to some how get you a costume too."

"Agreed, I really don't have any desire to end up on the news, I'm not in this for the publicity."

The idea of a costume had never really crossed Ed's mind and to be honest he wasn't so sure he wanted to run around in fluro tights or any such thing.

"I don't know about the costume, maybe a mask or something but that's about it for me."

"So how's our newest recruit?" Chandra asked as she placed another full pan of noodles out for the servers.

"Nickoli?" Gino responded. "he's doing well. I had him design a new flyer and he's out there distributing them in the husker's room."

"well, that explains the increase of business. He didn't mind doing 'grunt' work?"

"well, he's happy he isn't serving the food." Gino smiled as he gave Chandra a newly emptied pan of Chicken wings.

"lucky him... She winced as she took the pan and headed into the back to Hearthcraft more wings.

***

Nickoli walked around. handing flyers out to hungry looking customers and merchandise venders. Marco was late... he said he would be back within a couple of hours but it's been much longer than that. dressed as a worker for that food booth, Nickoli felt that this was an adequate disguise, but he was still worried about Marco.

"I don't know about the costume, maybe a mask or something but that's about it for me."

"A costume, like mine, also protects you, keeps you from getting injured."

Rio thought for a second. "A good pair of steel shanked boots and some that body armor I've seen the police here wear might do." She also wondered if there wasn't some way to get her costume to give part of itself to Ed. However that might take more convincing than she was capable of.

Port Adams or Bust

After boarding a southbound bus Brandy sat in a window seat near the front of the bus just behind the door. As the bus traveled down the street she watched outside to see if she could spot anyone she knew. After a few minutes of watching she decided that she must be safe for the moment and relaxed a bit. She had seen mostly guys that were dressed like gang members, but none she recognized. She knew that Gotham City was home to many differant gangs that were constantly warring for control of the mean streets. She didn't care about the other gangs, she only cared about Matergies organization. All she wanted to do right now was successfully make it to the port so she could escape the city before Matergy found her!