Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 8
Chapter 8
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 22:23:28 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010972
>On Fri, 13 Sep 2K2, "SkyeFire" Said:
>>Morgan Said:
>>>Dhyrclhanc Said:
>>>
>>>Then, when he arrives, he creates six other "Human Torches" from
>>>his flame and all seven fly towards the outer borders of Manhattan
>>>Island in an ever-widening looping spiral.
>
> Roger slumps, and exchanges a jaundiced glance with Franklin.
>"Tell me again -- *why* do we even *bother*?"
For some unknown reason, an unbidden thought occurs in Roger's mind.
Not that this is the first time, or probably the last,
something like this has happened to him
The memory is that of Delenn saying that the mark of a true seeker is
not that it isn't that it isn't possible to find what it is that he is
looking for, it's that even if it is, this doesn't stop them from
still looking for it.
Or something like that..
> Roger produces a dog-eared copy of CAoL Field Manual
>FM-001.A.12.b.7 ("Standard Field Operations") and makes a show of
>looking up the reference. "Plan B: charge ahead blindly and attack
>the enemy's fists with your face until their offensive capability is
>exhausted."
> Franklin hugs his Unca BenjaMike plushy doll and scowls like only
>a 5yo can. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
> "Sidebar," Roger continues. "In order to confuse the enemy,
>disregard any and all attempts at tactical coordination and act alone
>whenever possible. Keep in mind that acting in concert invites the
>enemy to wipe you en masse when you concentrate against him."
...And it wouldn't be so funny if it weren't so true!
Much to everyone's surprize a screen in Reed's lab shows "Johnny"
actually trying to be stealthy and cautious.
Although, the argument can be made about exactly how steathy, or
cautious, a person can be when they're, quite literally, a glowing red
humaniod "firebug" surrounded by six seemingly identical copies of
oneself.
/Somebody remind me what Destroyer's island is supposed to look like,
'cause I haven't seen it yet./ sends "Dhonny" back to the members of
the erzatz FF still back in the old Baxster Building./
^^^^^^^^
Try saying _that_ ten-times fast
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Sat, 14 Sep 2002 12:30:19 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010974
>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 16:18:10 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010968
>
>>On Mon, 9 Sep 2002 21:30:10 -0500
>>Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010962
>
> R.R. raises an eyebrow. Again. "The mental linkage creates quite a
>potential for synaptic cross-bleed, 'Dhonny.' However, you forget,
>this is by the visiting group's standards a very early version of the
>Fantastic Four, and the original Fantasti-car is right over--" R.R.
>begins to point to a distant section of the "L.Z." when he realizes
>that the ever-efficient Mike/Ben amalgam has already brought the
>Fantasti-car in. He sheepishly changes his gesture to point a few
>meters away. "--here."
Ben Seven shrugs, leaning against the side casually. "I ain't the
fanboy 'round here, I leave that ta you two. You said modules, this is
what I thought of."
>>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 10:41:13 EDT
>>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010966
>>
>> "Sidebar," Roger continues. "In order to confuse the enemy,
>>disregard any and all attempts at tactical coordination and act
>>alone whenever possible. Keep in mind that acting in concert invites
>>the enemy to wipe you en masse when you concentrate against him."
>
> R.R. scowls furiously in a very Roland-like way, even with Reed's
>features. "I did _not_ write that," he almost growls.
>
>"Maybe you _will,_" Morgan-Sue responds innocently.
"Sounds like his Aunt Zia's brand of humor ta me," Mike Grimm quips.
>"I think we should stick to the names that belong to these bodies,"
>Morgan-Sue comments. "It'll be less confusing if anyone overhears us
>or we have to talk to anyone other than each other."
>
> R.R. nods. "Probably wise, Sue.
Mike Grimm nods, "Alright, 'Ben' it is."
> "At any rate. Unless I'm mistaken, 'Doom' will begin with a volley
>of Doom-bots, most likely armed with weaponry designed to thwart us
>specifically. As Johnny's vulnerabilities are the most obvious, he
>will need assistance. Sue, your powers are best suited to that
>defense. Ben, Roger, begin running interference, a sort of 'zone
>defense' around the building . All of you, watch each other's backs
>while eliminating as many of the Doom-bots as possible. Translation:
>do what you do best. I will be along momentarily."
"Okie-doke," 'Ben' replies, taking a space wherever Ben would normally
be when Reed isn't around. Mike mentally settles back for the ride,
giving the original Thing the proverbial wheel since its the easiest
way to look normal.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Sun, 15 Sep 2002 18:30:11 GMT, In alt.callahans
Ziactrice Keenan Said As CAoL Message # 00010975
>On Sat, 14 Sep 2002 12:30:19 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Post # 00008722
>
>>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 16:18:10 -0700
>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010968
>>
>> R.R. scowls furiously in a very Roland-like way, even with
>>Reed's features. "I did _not_ write that," he almost growls.
>>
>>"Maybe you _will,_" Morgan-Sue responds innocently.
>
>"Sounds like his Aunt Zia's brand of humor ta me," Mike Grimm quips.
@Hey, no fair clueing in the Square One. You're the only one who twigs
to my particular style. Besides... I _did not_ give Roger permission
to flinch my parody version of the Ops Manual. Not to mention he had
the chutzpah to _edit me_. I'll have to settle that score with him,
later. And, no, I'm not listening all the time, just for mentions of
my name when I have my Trump deck out. So, unless you actually had
something to say to me, other than unfortunately deserved suspicions,
I need to deal with a certain hostage situation. QX?@ The petite
Amberite's mental voice is faint with some other task preoccupying
most of her attention.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Sun, 15 Sep 2002 18:06:09 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010976
>On Sun, 15 Sep 2002 18:30:11 GMT, In alt.callahans
>Ziactrice Keenan Said As CAoL Message # 00010975
>
>@Hey, no fair clueing in the Square One. You're the only one who
>twigs to my particular style. Besides... I _did not_ give Roger
>permission to flinch my parody version of the Ops Manual. Not to
>mention he had the chutzpah to _edit me_. I'll have to settle that
>score with him, later. And, no, I'm not listening all the time, just
>for mentions of my name when I have my Trump deck out. So, unless you
>actually had something to say to me, other than unfortunately
>deserved suspicions, I need to deal with a certain hostage situation.
>QX?@ The petite Amberite's mental voice is faint with some other task
>preoccupying most of her attention.
/QX,/ Ben Seven sends with a smile, "Figured that'd get her
attention."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 18:50:55 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010977
>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 16:18:10 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010968
>
> R.R., noticing the slightly perplexed look on Rio (who had
>mercifully taken Rog/Frank Jr. in hand), added, "Ah. Ms. Lancer, this
>is 'Iron Fist,' an extraordinarily talented martial artist and
>acquaintance of the Fantastic Four's. Or will be in several years. I
>believe you would think of him as an...'Akashic Brother.'"
"Alright, that's enough gum flappin'. Daniel 'r whatever, the guy with
Rob in his head, you comin' wit' us?" Michael Seven/Ben Grimm/Thing
asks, slipping into the driver's space and starting up the
Fantasticar. "Cause it's clobberin' time!"
Sue (OOC: With Morgan's permission) climbs into the car, ready to go.
"Move it or lose it, people," Ben Seven calls, slowly 'rolling' the
Fantastic Four's vehicle toward the exit to the rest of the city.
Once outside, Mike Grimm raises the car over the city, scans briefly
for his target, then drops down between the buildings again and turns
the car towards the Blimp-O-Doom-N-Destroyer and floors it.
"Doom-Bots, here we come."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 23:27:50 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010978
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010977
>
>>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 16:18:10 -0700
>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010968
>>
>> R.R. blinks, then sighs and nods again. "Ah. Daniel. It is a
>>rather complicated story -- with us, they tend to be -- but I
>>believe the short version is, you were the best cross-dimensional
>>amalgamation 'fit' for your current guest, a talented young martial
>>artist by the name of Nishikawa. I wish I had the time to explain,
>>but I must prepare a surprise for Victor, who is currently sharing a
>>mind with the most dangerous conqueror of _another_ dimension, a
>>pleasant fellow originally known as Sharma-Gorath the Destroyer."
Iron Fist takes this in with a slight look of confusion, which fades
away with the help of some internal dialogue.
>> R.R., noticing the slightly perplexed look on Rio (who had
>>mercifully taken Rog/Frank Jr. in hand), added, "Ah. Ms. Lancer,
>>this is 'Iron Fist,' an extraordinarily talented martial artist and
>>acquaintance of the Fantastic Four's. Or will be in several years. I
>>believe you would think of him as an...'Akashic Brother.'"
[Akashic Brother?]
[I don't understand it either, Mr. Rand.]
[Call me Daniel.]
>"Alright, that's enough gum flappin'. Daniel 'r whatever, the guy
>with Rob in his head, you comin' wit' us?" Michael Seven/Ben
>Grimm/Thing asks, slipping into the driver's space and starting up
>the Fantasticar. "Cause it's clobberin' time!"
"We're in," Iron Fist replies. [You're sure you want me 'driving?']
[Absolutely, Daniel. Fighting by committee is a bad thing. Plus, if
they think it's you and start playing to your weaknesses, I can switch
in.]
[Got it.]
With that settled, Iron Fist vaults into the Fantasticar.
=================================
Subject: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 21 Sep 2002 13:08:50 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010979
>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 18:25:26 -0700
>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010969
>
>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010968
>>
>>"All of you, watch each other's backs while eliminating as many
>>of the Doom-bots as possible. Translation: do what you do best. I
>>will be along momentarily."
>
>/*"Roland, I cannot allow the innocents of this city to be
>endangered. To that end, I will erect a one way force dome to protect
>the city.
>A translucent dome of energy appears over the city, any airplane
>in danger of impacting the dome is displaced to a nearby airport,
>parked and engines off. Those drivers approaching the dome from
>either side, startled by the sudden appearance of the dome, find
>their brakes and steering won't respond. Reaching the "other" side of
>the dome, they relax,
...having practically grown accustomed to this sort of thing with
the FF in town. (Heck, after Galactus, all New Yorkers get Unfazeable
for free. ;^)
Meanwhile, on the Kirby-Doom-zeppelin, the two Doctors are reaching
an understanding in their tete-a-tete. After some threats, mental
warfare, and severe grumbling...
[Eh? The Human Torch? What is that adolescent fool doing?]
[Coming in preparation for us, I suspect. Why is that temporally
challenged -- ah. I see. The dragon was placed in the fire elemental,
not the Seven.]
[Hm. Perhaps we can reach an arrangement after all. If our combined
deductions are correct, and I cannot calculate a way they could not
be, your greatest foe is trapped in the form of my hated enemy!]
[Without his vast powers. I, too, lack my Eternals' powers, but
with your combination of technology and magic, added to our collective
genius...]
[We can destroy them once and for all!]
[It's almost a pity, really, destroying him in this vulnerable
state. I will miss the challenges Defender provides me.]
[Bah! He is a brainless buffoon, as much a brawler as that
fire-throwing fool or Richards' living stone fist.]
[DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE PHOENIX,] Destroyer booms in Doom's head.
[Even cosmic mentalities have done so, to their sorrow! He lacks
Richards' and our technical genius, though he improves even there, yet
his ability to develop unorthodox tactics is considerable. Combined
with your "Mr. Fantastic," they will remain a formidable foe.]
Their screens lit up with the sight of Aurora's force field.
[He also has considerable allies. Behold. One of his cosmic team
members shields the entire city. That is not Mrs. Richards, after
all.]
[Then they are fools to underestimate DOOM! I am prepared!]
[With my assistance, as you may recall.]
[A minor detail.] "Reece! Your presence is required on the bridge!"
Back at the Baxter Building.
The sounds of tinkering, whirring, and even blunt hammering echo
from Reed's workshop as the rest of the FF prepare to engage Doom's
forces. "Well done, Aurora. That should give even Von Doom pause --
what?!?"
An aperture opens at the prow of the Doom Zeppelin, and what for
all the world looks like a gigantic magician's wand, sparking at the
end, emerges from it.
[Hmph. Rather interesting connotations there.]
[Mr. Phoenix, please!]
[eep. Sorry, Dr. Richards. Forgot it's still the 60s.]
A beam of cosmic power lances forth, slamming into the force
field...leaving it untouched.
The Doom Zeppelin.
"AAGH! My arm! It hurts!" Reece howls.
"I _did_ warn you," Doom chuckles. "Again."
"But--"
"AGAIN," Doom insists, flipping a switch on his console. "Behold
the might of Doom."
The beam lances out again. The force field wavers, shifts, howls,
and vanishes.
Owen Reece, the Molecule Man, stares in wonder. "How...?"
"Your vulnerability to ionized energies is a simple enough matter
to rectify through application of subatomic forces. You are now a
cosmic power, as is your destiny. Now GO FORTH, and rid me of this
creature that I may bring DOOM!"
The Molecule Man clutches his new wand with devilish glee. "It will
be my pleasure, Doom!" [But once I have repaid you, we shall _see_
whose might is greater, and who will rule this world! You have made me
like unto a GOD!] With that, Reece vanishes.
[He will betray you,] Destroyer notes calmly.
[Then he will die,] Doom replies. [For now, however, he obeys Doom.
If his intellect is greater than his megalomania, he will continue to
do so.]
Then...
>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 22:17:04 EDT
>RogFrank Said As CAoL Message # 00010970
>
>>In a message dated 9/13/02 7:31:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>rolandx writes:
>>
>> The Kirblimp is approaching the city, however, and time is simply
>>not on the side of such frivolities. "I'm going to suggest using
>>only one set of names at a time; as we all know each other, which
>>each individual chooses is unimportant. Ben, Sue...and yes, the
>>older Franklin, you three should go and back up Johnny with the
>>Fantasti-car. I will be along shortly."
>
> "Dibs on the ring!" elder-Franklin chortles, while his younger
>self sulks.
"Younger Franklin, you remain here and help Ms. Riordan," R.R.
says, managing to avoid condescension (barely), in an effort to cheer
up the lad.
>> Translation: do what you do best. I will be along momentarily."
>
> "What I do best?" Elder Franklin looks dubious. "Well, I'll try,
>Dads, but I don't think Doombots *can* laugh."
"Force bolts. Systems scrambling. Molecular rearrangement--GREAT
SCOTT!"
That's when Reece shows up.
"Except you do _not_ confront _him._ It appears that Doom has
enhanced his abilities to the level he reached after the Secret Wars
-- whatever those are -- and he must be left to Aurora for the nonce."
The sounds of clanging and whirring accelerate.
THEN...
>On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 22:23:28 -0500
>Dhonny Said As CAoL Message # 00010972
>
>Much to everyone's surprize a screen in Reed's lab shows "Johnny"
>actually trying to be stealthy and cautious.
>
>Although, the argument can be made about exactly how steathy, or
>cautious, a person can be when they're, quite literally, a glowing
>red humaniod "firebug" surrounded by six seemingly identical copies
>of oneself.
Which occurs to R.R. "loudly" enough for Dhonny to hear it.
>/Somebody remind me what Destroyer's island is supposed to look
>like, 'cause I haven't seen it yet./ sends "Dhonny" back to the
>members of the erzatz FF still back in the old Baxster Building.
/He's not _using_ Destroyer Island, Johnny,/ R.R. sends, /it's one
of Doom's vehicles. Armed as never before, if the Molecule Man's
appearance is any indication. It appears like nothing so much as an
armored zeppelin held aloft by cosmic power rather than
lighter-than-air gases./
As R.R. sends this, the Doom Zeppelin is close enough to the city
(particularly with the shield down) that it is, in fact, a large
vaguely cigar-shaped flying ship with Kirby tubing along the bottom
and a really big "antenna" sticking out the front. (Ever see the '80
Flash Gordon? Remember the rocket ship Flash flew into Ming? Not
exactly -- more Kirby-ish -- but something like that.)
And THEN...
>On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 18:50:55 -0400
>Mike Grimm Said As CAoL Message # 00010977
>
>"Alright, that's enough gum flappin'. Daniel 'r whatever, the guy
>with Rob in his head, you comin' wit' us?" Michael Seven/Ben
>Grimm/Thing asks, slipping into the driver's space and starting up
>the Fantasticar. "Cause it's clobberin' time!"
R.R. can't help smiling at hearing his old friend's/the classic
hero's battle cry.
>Sue (OOC: With Morgan's permission) climbs into the car, ready to go.
>"Move it or lose it, people," Ben Seven calls, slowly 'rolling' the
>Fantastic Four's vehicle toward the exit to the rest of the city.
>
>Once outside, Mike Grimm raises the car over the city, scans briefly
>for his target, then drops down between the buildings again and turns
>the car towards the Blimp-O-Doom-N-Destroyer and floors it.
>"Doom-Bots, here we come."
And there they are, in all their grim (as opposed to Grimm)
gunmetal glory: dozens of Doom-bots, flying in V-wing squadrons of
five as they descend upon the city. All are aimed directly at the
Baxter Building, and some are armed with energy guns, techno-lances,
or even stranger gear!
Finally...
>On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 23:27:50 -0700 (PDT)
>Iron Rob Said As CAoL Message # 00010978
>
>"We're in," Iron Fist replies. [You're sure you want me 'driving?']
>
>[Absolutely, Daniel. Fighting by committee is a bad thing. Plus, if
>they think it's you and start playing to your weaknesses, I can
>switch in.]
>
>[Got it.]
>
>With that settled, Iron Fist vaults into the Fantasticar.
As the Fantasti-car rises to meet the threat, one squadron of
Doom-bots (armed with tanks ending in nozzles) veers off to dive at
Dhonny, while three others dart toward the Fantasti-car. The
anti-Torch Doom-bots close and, the moment they're within twenty
yards, fire jets of thick white foam! Meanwhile, two of the three
Doom-bot squadrons headed toward the Fantasti-car are also armed with
special equipment; one set has thick plates on their knuckles, which
crackle ominously, while the others are thinner, with strange vanes
protruding from their backs.
As the Fantasti-car takes off, Morgan and Sue hold a brief internal
conference. They agree that Sue knows her powers far better than
Morgan does, so Sue will lead and Morgan will "ride shotgun."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 21 Sep 2002 20:01:13 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010980
>On Sat, 21 Sep 2002 13:08:50 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010979
>
> And there they are, in all their grim (as opposed to Grimm)
>gunmetal glory: dozens of Doom-bots, flying in V-wing squadrons of
>five as they descend upon the city. All are aimed directly at the
>Baxter Building, and some are armed with energy guns, techno-lances,
>or even stranger gear!
> As the Fantasti-car rises to meet the threat, one squadron of
>Doom-bots (armed with tanks ending in nozzles) veers off to dive at
>Dhonny, while three others dart toward the Fantasti-car. The
>anti-Torch Doom-bots close and, the moment they're within twenty
>yards, fire jets of thick white foam!
> Meanwhile, two of the three Doom-bot squadrons headed toward the
>Fantasti-car are also armed with special equipment; one set has thick
>plates on their knuckles, which crackle ominously, while the others
>are thinner, with strange vanes protruding from their backs.
"I'll be danged if I know what them guys with the funky peacock
feathers're for, but the guys with the 'lectric brass knuckles look
like they was meant fer me," Grimm announces, well, grimly, then
gestures, "There's a button ya gotta hit, Daniel, right dere, it'll
split yer cab offa dis train an' let ya fly it yerself. We don' seem
ta be gettin' all'a their attention, might come in handy ta chase'm
down."
"Now, let's do us a li'l scrap collectin'."
[Was that a New York accent or a Southern drawl?]
[Beats me.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 21 Sep 2002 22:38:00 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010981
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010980
>
>"I'll be danged if I know what them guys with the funky peacock
>feathers're for, but the guys with the 'lectric brass knuckles look
>like they was meant fer me," Grimm announces, well, grimly, then
>gestures, "There's a button ya gotta hit, Daniel, right dere, it'll
>split yer cab offa dis train an' let ya fly it yerself. We don' seem
>ta be gettin' all'a their attention, might come in handy ta chase'm
>down."
[Do you know how to fly this thing?]
[Not a clue, Rob. Do you have any idea?]
[No, but if you hum a few bars...]
Fortunately, Reed Richards is a genius at user interface design as
well, making the Fantasticar pilotable by a complete novice. This
does, however, assume that the novice in question is not trying to
dodge a truckload of Doombots on his first flight.
Iron Fist takes one hand from the controls to smash a Doombot away
while slipping around another one, while Rob quietly studies the
controls, looking for anything useful.
[We need to get out of this thing, and inside Doom's ship.]
[Can't argue with that, Daniel. I'm open to sugges-yow!]
Iron Fist ducks as a Doombot goes spiraling by, then hangs a left
around the Empire State building, with a pair of Doombots in pursuit.
(TBC)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 13:26:05 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010982
>In a message dated 9/21/02 4:16:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>rolandx writes:
>
>> "Dibs on the ring!" elder-Franklin chortles, while his younger
>>self sulks.
>
> "Younger Franklin, you remain here and help Ms. Riordan," R.R.
>says, managing to avoid condescension (barely), in an effort to cheer
>up the lad.
YF, unfortunately, is either sufficiently perceptive, or overly
sensitive, and scowls mightily (taking on a startling resemblance to
Roland in Dyspeptic Mode). His "older brother's" cheerful abandonment
of him to the nursery (figuratively speaking) doesn't help much
either.
>>> Translation: do what you do best. I will be along momentarily."
>>
>> "What I do best?" Elder Franklin looks dubious. "Well, I'll try,
>>Dads, but I don't think Doombots *can* laugh."
>
> "Force bolts. Systems scrambling. Molecular rearrangement--GREAT
>SCOTT!"
EF produces a roll of toilet paper from...somewhere, looks at it in
surprise, and drops it covertly behind a nearby piece of KirbyTech,
hoping no one noticed...
> That's when Reece shows up.
> "Except you do _not_ confront _him._ It appears that Doom has
>enhanced his abilities to the level he reached after the Secret Wars
>-- whatever those are -- and he must be left to Aurora for the
>nonce." The sounds of clanging and whirring accelerate.
EF stares, a bit wide-eyed. "Uh...HUH. Yeah. Probably for the
best..."
YF, however, suddenly takes on a subtly calculating expression...
OOC: Uh oh. I've got a nasty, NASTY idea... Tee hee!
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 01:27:02 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010983
>On Sat, 21 Sep 2K2, Roland X Said
>>Dane said
>>
>>A translucent dome of energy appears over the city, any airplane in
>>danger of impacting the dome is displaced to a nearby airport,
>>parked and engines off. Those drivers approaching the dome from
>>either side, startled by the sudden appearance of the dome, find
>>their brakes and steering won't respond. Reaching the "other" side
>>of the dome, they relax,
>
> ...having practically grown accustomed to this sort of thing with
>the FF in town. (Heck, after Galactus, all New Yorkers get Unfazeable
>for free. ;^)
Boo, Hiss.
> The Molecule Man clutches his new wand with devilish glee. "It
>will be my pleasure, Doom!" [But once I have repaid you, we shall
>_see_ whose might is greater, and who will rule this world! You have
>made me like unto a GOD!] With that, Reece vanishes.
Whoops! With the late Owen Reece involved the stakes suddenly
get a whole lot higher.
> As R.R. sends this, the Doom Zeppelin is close enough to the city
>(particularly with the shield down) that it is, in fact, a large
>vaguely cigar-shaped flying ship with Kirby tubing along the bottom
>and a really big "antenna" sticking out the front. (Ever see the '80
>Flash Gordon? Remember the rocket ship Flash flew into Ming? Not
>exactly -- more Kirby-ish -- but something like that.)
/Ah. I see it now./ sends the Half-Human, Half-Dragon, Torch. /My, my,
my, my, my, makes you wonder if those two are trying to compensate for
something. Er... Sorry, Reed, this _is_ a kid's show after all./
"Dhonny" flies in a zig-zag pattern towards the Doom-Blimp, flying at
an altitude just below roof-top level and still accompanied by the six
flame construct decoys.
> As the Fantasti-car rises to meet the threat, one squadron of
>Doom-bots (armed with tanks ending in nozzles) veers off to dive at
>Dhonny, while three others dart toward the Fantasti-car. The
>anti-Torch Doom-bots close and, the moment they're within twenty
>yards, fire jets of thick white foam! Meanwhile, two of the three
>Doom-bot squadrons headed toward the Fantasti-car are also armed with
>special equipment; one set has thick plates on their knuckles, which
>crackle ominously, while the others are thinner, with strange vanes
>protruding from their backs.
The five Guardsman Doom-bots partially surround the "Human Torches" in
a rough semi-circle, as they each send another spurt of foam from the
"foam-thrower" devices that they are armed with.
[Either VVD&Guest still purchase their targeting algorithms from the
Imperial Marksmanship Academy or that first volley was a warning
shot.] "Dhonny" thinks as he tries to evade the weapons' fire.
The first two Guardsman's blasts go wide but the third's is right on
target...
Of one of the flaming decoys.
[Well... scratch one of the Storm brothers.] "Dhonny" quips mentally,
as the remaining two Doom-bots' weapons hit him square on and
extinguish his flame.
"This could get old, real quick!!!" Dhonny yells at the Doom-bots as
he begins to rapidly plummet toward the asphalt, at least several
thousand feet below.
[This shouldn't be too hard for you in this body, Dhyrclhanc... ]
"Dhonny" thinks to himself as he plunges downwards, falling at least
10 or 20 feet per second, [Just figure out where the pilot light is
and re-light the stove. Ah ha! There it is!]
There's an audible "Whoosh", as the Human/Dragon Torch's flame
re-alights.
The five remaining decoys had since disappeared when "Dhonny's" flame
was extinguished, but the Doom-bots waited for him to re-ignite his
flame before pursuing him.
However, as he flew away from the main battle, "Dhonny" hurls two huge
bardiche-style flaming axes at the five Guardsmen Doom-bots. The axes,
in turn, smack right into the faces of the two end Doom-bots
completely obliterating both Robot's heads, sending two worthless
lumps of several hundred pounds of scrap-metal hurtling down towards
the street below.
"Flame On and Game On, you electro-mechanical travesties!" shouts
"Johnny" as he speeds back towards the remaining three Guardsman and
manifests a huge, two-handed, flaming sword with a solid
basket-hilt-style hand-guard.
Inwardly, however, he was silently praying to all of the Gods of Light
he knew that Aurora would be able to contain The Molecule Man because
he knew that none of the others, in these current bodies, were up to
the task.
(TBC)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 13:51:09 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010984
>In a message dated 9/21/02 8:05:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>technomagetimelord writes:
>
>"I'll be danged if I know what them guys with the funky peacock
>feathers're for, but the guys with the 'lectric brass knuckles look
>like they was meant fer me," Grimm announces, well, grimly, then
>gestures, "There's a button ya gotta hit, Daniel, right dere, it'll
>split yer cab offa dis train an' let ya fly it yerself. We don' seem
>ta be gettin' all'a their attention, might come in handy ta chase'm
>down."
"I won't need mine," Elder Franklin points out, going airborne
under his own power.
[Now...We/I need something new, something unexpected. Something
just a little bit silly...ah. Oh, yeah, that'll do it.]
/Everybody, watch your ears -- Heavy Metal comin' down!/
EF soars, going for altitude well above the incoming wave of
DoomBots. The air around him crackles with a strange mixture of
psionic, cosmic, and 'toon power that would send Reed scrambling for
his instruments if he weren't otherwise occupied. His voice rolls out
over the cityscape like the Voice of God in "The Ten Commandments"
(IOW, Charlton Heston recorded at 33&1/3, played back at 23&1/2, with
the reverb cranked Way Up).
"BEHOLD, EVILDOERS, THE POWER OF...MY MIGHTY AXE!"
On the streets below, an inhabitant of Greenwich Village looks up
through his Lennon sunglasses and almost spills his latte on his
tie-dyed t-shirt. "Whoa, man...that's a *big* freakin' guitar."
It most definitely is. Roger Franklin, Combined Cosmic Entity and
Occaisional Avatar of Slapstick, has channelled the power of the Norse
God of Rock&Roll: Val Hallen.
OOC: too many eps of "Dexter's Lab." I'd say I was sorry, but I'm
not. So nyah!
[And as a side bennie,] EF muses as he quickly adjusts a tuning
knob, [is that Thor might show up to complain about copyright
infringement.]
With that, he wraps his left hand around the neck of the axe,
fingering the strings lightly. His right hand raises high into the
air, perperatory to delivering a truly massive riff, and for a single
moment all of NY becomes silent in anticipation -- even the battle
seems to pause momentarily.
Then his hand falls, and the first massive bass note rolls over the
city like thunder...
Music Cue: Queen/A Kind Of Magic/Gimme the Prize (Kurgen's Theme)
Lightning flares around the guitar and streams off into the
DoomBots, arcing from one to another and leaving behind charred
patterns of...music notes?!?...etched into their outer shells. The
blasting chords seem to concentrate into great waves of sound that
tumble DoomBots through the air and into each other. And, unseen,
waves of EM energy (plus maybe of bit of Bardic Magic) drive the tune
straight into their circuits, trying to swamp their cybernetic
functions the way an overpowered CB radio swamps out a television.
The rest of the city, spared these focussed effects, are getting a
free concert. A pretty darn loud one, yes, but hey, this is New York.
Their TVs and radios may never work quite the same way again,
though...
As for the rest of the team...well, EF's being careful not to hit
them, but they may still end up a teeny bit hard of hearing just from
sheer proximity...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fantastic Foul-ups
On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 12:15:00 -0700
Rio Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010985
>On Thu, 29 Aug 2002 18:57:21 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010953
>
>>In a message dated 8/28/02 10:38:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>ljwolfe writes:
>>
>>/"What about me?"/ Rio asks, looking down at her own body. Other
>>than being stiffly animated in the 60s style, it is unchanged.
>
> "Hubba..." Comments the older Roger.
> "...Hubba," finishes the younger. The older frowns down at him.
> "Give it up -- you're too young for her."
> The younger Franklin sticks out his tongue. "Oh, yeah? Maybe she
>*likes* younger men." Trying to strike a sauve pose (rather ruined by
>the Thing plushy doll he's still holding), he gives Rio his cutest
>smile. "So, how 'bout it, babe?"
"There's younger," Rio smiles indulgently, "and then there's
_younger_. I'd ask you just what you think you'd be up to doing in
that body, but I don't want you traumatizing little Franklin by trying
to answer."
> His pose falls apart as the elder Roger falls over laughing
>hysterically, and the Younger begins kicking him in the ribs.
"Then again, maybe the little tike _does_ need someone to keep an eye
on him," Rio adds, with a very deliberate undertone of baby-talk.
(OOC. The tone adults tend to use when talking to the pre-K set.)
>On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 13:26:05 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010982
>
>>In a message dated 9/21/02 4:16:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>rolandx writes:
>>
>>> "Dibs on the ring!" elder-Franklin chortles, while his younger
>>>self sulks.
>>
>> "Younger Franklin, you remain here and help Ms. Riordan," R.R.
>>says, managing to avoid condescension (barely), in an effort to
>>cheer up the lad.
Rio raises a questioning eyebrow at R.R. Not only did he use her
middle name with a title, he used her _full_ middle name. "You can
call me _Rio_," she says to little-Frankie. /And if _you_ call me "Ms"
anything, you'll pay for it later,/ she adds, mostly good-naturedly.
> YF, unfortunately, is either sufficiently perceptive, or overly
>sensitive, and scowls mightily (taking on a startling resemblance to
>Roland in Dyspeptic Mode). His "older brother's" cheerful abandonment
>of him to the nursery (figuratively speaking) doesn't help much
>either.
Rio frowns at YF's scowl. "Come on, Frankie," she says to the younger
child of the super-couple, flashing him a big smile, "you can sit on
my lap at the monitor station and help me keep an eye on things."
[_That_ ought to cheer him up,] she thinks, trying not to let the
transparent "cheer up the kid" ruse show on her face.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Tue, 24 Sep 2002 16:07:18 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010986
>On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 13:51:09 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010984
>
> "BEHOLD, EVILDOERS, THE POWER OF...MY MIGHTY AXE!"
> Music Cue: Queen/A Kind Of Magic/Gimme the Prize (Kurgen's Theme)
"Oh fer the love'a me Aunt Petunia," Mike Grimm says, slapping his
hand over his face, then over his ears. He rips out the pockets of his
pants and stuffs them into his ears, then gets down to business,
Thing-style.
The electro-brass-knuckled Doombots speed in for the attack on the
Blue Eyed Time Lord, who turns it into a game of chicken. As the first
passes, Ben Seven ducks the punch, grabbing the robot off it's mount.
The bike, riderless, slows drastically, the Doombot behind the lead
cycle plows into it.as the rest of the formation veers off. There's a
loud grinding of metal and the second Doombot has to struggle to keep
the pair of suddenly mated cycles aloft.
Meanwhile, the Doombot that Benjamike plucked from his craft, grabbed
the arm around which he was being held aloft and sent a large jolt of
electricity through it!
"YEOUCH!" Ben shouted. Mike slipped in, forcing Ben's free arm up and
back down on the robot's head. There was a very satisfying crumple.
Ben was about to chuck the robot over the side, then stopped and
snapped the arms off, then dropped the machine into the bottom of the
craft.
The Doombot on the amorous skycycles came in for another pass at
Grimm-Seven. The Thing grabbed one of the arms and his big mitt
pinched at a couple bits inside the elbow. The fist crackled with
energy.
"I ain't normally one ta use da kid gloves, but you look like you
could use a hand," Mike Seven quipped, lashing out with the electric
fist. It wedged itself up next to the first bike's gas tank. Ben sent
the fantasticar, or what was left of it, down out of the way as the
pair of bikes and their rider exploded.
"Dat's better, don't seem right if them things don't blow up nicely
when ya hit 'em. Oops, here comes da udder half."
(TBC)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:36:05 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010987
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010981
>
>Iron Fist ducks as a Doombot goes spiraling by, then hangs a left
>around the Empire State building, with a pair of Doombots in pursuit.
...then...
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010984
>
> "BEHOLD, EVILDOERS, THE POWER OF...MY MIGHTY AXE!"
> Roger Franklin, Combined Cosmic Entity and Occasional Avatar of
>Slapstick, has channelled the power of the Norse God of Rock&Roll:
>Val Hallen.
(snip)
> Lightning flares around the guitar and streams off into the
>DoomBots, arcing from one to another and leaving behind charred
>patterns of...music notes?!?...etched into their outer shells. The
>blasting chords seem to concentrate into great waves of sound that
>tumble DoomBots through the air and into each other. And, unseen,
>waves of EM energy (plus maybe of bit of Bardic Magic) drive the tune
>straight into their circuits, trying to swamp their cybernetic
>functions the way an overpowered CB radio swamps out a television.
Iron Fist comes back around the ESB just in time to run smack into
the blast, losing his pursuers and control of the Fantasticar at
almost the same time. Leaping clear of the plummeting vehicle, he
catches hold of a Doombot's ankle, nearly pulling it off of its
skycycle. Using that pivot point, he swings under the vehicle, kicks
the robot off of its perch, and takes over where it left off piloting.
[Your friend isn't into precise strikes.]
[True, but we like him anyway.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Thu, 26 Sep 2002 17:18:27 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010988
>In a message dated 9/26/02 1:46:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, peng
>writes:
>
> Iron Fist comes back around the ESB just in time to run smack into
>the blast, losing his pursuers and control of the Fantasticar at
>almost the same time. Leaping clear of the plummeting vehicle, he
>catches hold of a Doombot's ankle, nearly pulling it off of its
>skycycle. Using that pivot point, he swings under the vehicle, kicks
>the robot off of its perch, and takes over where it left off
>piloting.
> [Your friend isn't into precise strikes.]
> [True, but we like him anyway.]
OOC-Roger: Hey, didn't he read the part about how I was making sure
*not* to cause any friendly-fire incidents?
OOC-Dave: Yeah, but he: A)knows about your aim, and B)this is the
TOONiverse, remember. Friendly fire is funny.
OOC-Roger: Oh. Yeah. Okay. Hey, wait, what did youy mean about my
aim? I'll have you know--SIGNAL INTERRUPTED.
Roger-Franklin almost misses a note as this happens, looking
mortified, but Iron Nishikawa recovers before he can lend a hand.
Resolving to start paying a bit more attention, he lets the Queen tune
peter out and segues into AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," trading in the
massive wave-attack for more directly targetted thunderbolts.
It's still freakin' LOUD, though...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Thu, 26 Sep 2002 17:57:09 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010989
The Dhyrclhanc/Johnny Storm gestalt swoops back up from street-level
holding the giant flaming greatsword just in time to get hit full in
the face with "Roger Franklin's" audio/visual fireworks display and
almost gets blown back into the asphault for his troubles.
/Show-off/ he sends, while at the same time noticing that "R.F.'s"
soundshow pyrotechnics also somehow more-or-less vaporized the remains
of the two doom-bots that "Dhonny" had "neutralized" earlier.
[Now, now, Dhyrclhanc you're just jealous that you aren't capable of
those kinds of displays in this body.]
[How observant of you. But did you forget that I've still got three
Fire-extinguisher equiped Doom-bots that I've got to deal with?]
[By all means don't let me keep you.]
[You're too kind.]
This internal dialogue lasts long enough for the three, aformentioned,
remaining Doom-bots pursuing the Half-Human/Half-Dragon Torch to
catch-up to him.
"Whoops! Whoa there fellas! No fair trying to sneak up on a guy like
that. ...And I didn't even bake a cake!"
Not moved by the humor in the slightest, the closest Doom-Bot aims a
"foam-thrower" at "Dhonny" while the other two reach around and
unholster two nasty-looking rifles from their backs and fire.
Even while "Dhonny" evades their shots, the first 'bot's weapon's fire
hits him but, thankfully the second 'bot misses him.
"Yeowch! That hurt!" "Dhonny" pulls the greatsword in half, producing
two flaming greatswords of the same size and proceeds to slice the
nearest flying Doom-bot into four equal pieces.
Unfortunately his attempt to hit the second closest one on the
backswing completely fails, leaving two intact Doom-bots.
At which point, the 'bot with the "foam-thrower" re-aims and fires...
(TBC)
=================================
[Note: See the Spin-off story "Sword and Heart" for Squee and
Mischief's adventures leading up to this point.]
Subject: AAE8: Jumping in on the Fun
On Mon, 14 Oct 2002 21:21:34 -0400
Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010990
Squee nibbles idly at the little sandwiches and watches with some
amusement as Caprice and Mischief chat and catch up. Little by little
he lets himself relax and quits watching out of the corners of his
eyes for heroes to come bursting in and trying to start a fight
because the recognize him.
Perhaps this is going to be able to be a relaxing quiet meal after
all, he lets himself ponder as he sips at his tea. His gaze moves to
the front of the restaurant and his eyebrow raises in curiosity as he
sees some of the patrons staring out the windows and occasionally
pointing to the skies as they talk.
He closes his eyes. Probably another superhero fight. But perhaps
there's a bit of cat inside him as well because he keeps finding
himself looking back to those windows. Finally he clears his throat,
"Hrrmm seems to be something going on outside... Perhaps we should go
see?"
Legion nods, "Let's all go... I sense the CAoL in the area, but... it
doesn't quite feel like them. I haven't said 'Hi' yet, as I'm still
trying to figure out what is going on." Essex rises, leaving enough
cash on the table to pay for the meal, and a generous tip.
Mischief frowns, "The Army of Light here? The whole reason you come to
this niche of the Marvelverse is that it's out of the way..."
Squee blinks several times as he looks out the windows trying to
figure out what the big flying thing is supposed to be. He decides
there might be a better view outside. Stepping outside his gaze is so
captivated with the sight he doesn't pay any attention to the cries of
people on the sidewalk or the garish looking purple and green
checkered cab that's driving down it headed right towards Squee.
Impact and Squee goes flying, the world spinning around and his head
feeling like its been placed inside a paint shaker. He give out a
groan and runs his face with a hand. He blinks in surprise at how long
and pointed his head seems to be. Then he notices that his skin is now
green.
"What's going on?"
[I dunno, but it's interesting! I've never HAD someone inside my head
before... or my body either for that matter.]
The Squimpossible man blinks as he moves a bit, trying to get used to
the feel of this body.
[In your head? who's head am I in? And if I'm in your head where's my
OWN head?]
[Oooo I never thought of that... wow this just gets more and more
interesting. Lots more interesting than chasing humans on the
streets.]
[You're an odd one alright... Are you Chaos?]
[Chaos? Nope Here they call me the Impossible Man! I'm from Poppup!
So who are you?]
[Ummm I'm Squee the Destroyer from Arcadia.] he thinks sheepishly
[Oooo like Conan the Destroyer?]
Squee erps a little as the body starts morphing on its own until it's
a spitting image of Conan wielding a huge broadsword... well a
spitting image if Conan were green with a purple loincloth and sword
that is. Squee experiments and finds he's able the shape the body as
well but cant' seem to get rid of the darned color scheme.
Squee morphs into a form of himself and looks for Mischief Legion and
Essex, 'Well I seem to be a superhero now... well sort of... I guess
we could go investigate?" He shifts and turns into a 50's sci-fi
rocketship with three seats on top of it, "I'll supply the lift up
there!"
Mischief until this point has been held back by a cautionary hand from
Legion. She darts forward, kitty ears and tail now showing, and leaps
about. Legion and Essex exchange looks, and climb aboard at a more
dignified pace.
Steam hisses and billows out form the back of the rocket, but it
doesn't go anywhere, so a fin turns into a arm and reaches back to
pull a string out of the tail. Flickign his fingers the Squimpossible
Man causes a flame to spurt out of his thumb with which to light the
fuse, then returnign the arm to a fin again.
"5...4...3...2...1... BLAST OFF!!!"
[Isn't a count down supposed to start at 10?]
[I don't wanna sit here and count all the way dwon from 10! the
excitement's up there!]
Flame bursts forth from the back of the rocket and purple lapbelts
appear to hold everyone in place as it goes careening towards the
airship.
"Wing one to wing two. wing one to wing two."
"Wing two to wing one go wing one."
"Bogies spotted at 1 o'clock!"
"What time is it now?"
"Nearly four."
"good gods we're late!!"
The fires at the rear of the ship bursts up even bigger as it pickes
up speed and a pair of maxim machinegun-like guns appear on th nose of
the rocket. As he gets closer to the doombots flying around he opens
up with them, sending pingpong balls flying that pummel the Doombots
they strike into junk.
=================================
Subject: AAE8: Back in a Flash
On Tue, 15 Oct 2002 23:06:42 -0400
Xander Opal Said As CAoL Message # 00010992
Some time ago...
Xander walks into the Place, and squints as sie thinks about the
X-windows. "OK... Uncle Roland mentioned something about him and his
being in the DCU Earth-9. The coordinates are... (concept), right?"
sie mumbles to hirself. A hesitation, then an X-window pops up, and
sie steps through, onto the side of a road; a sign states 'Keystone
City, 2mi' proudly.
"Oooo-kay," sie says, blinking at the sign. "He must be visiting
friends here, or something. Keystone City... why is that familiar?"
With a shrug, the dragon takes wing, looping up a thermal and gliding
into town. It's a wonderfully warm, summer day, with nice, uplifting
heat rising from the pavement hundreds of feet below. Shortly after,
sie came over the city proper, and saw a red blur below.
"Oh... the Flash! Now I remember!" Sie half-folds hir wings, stooping
in a sudden dive. Snapping them back out bare feet above the ground,
sie made an impressive sight; the expression on the young man in red's
face was /very/ surprised... mere moments before the world shifted.
The day was cloudy, and... flashCRACKBOOM, an errant bolt slams into,
and through the dragon, suspending hir mid-air and spread-eagled. The
semi-amusing moment passes, and the draco-lensman, sometimes
bolo-transformer fell to the ground... now wearing odd, blue-ish
fingerless gauntlets, shin-bracers... and torso-armor with a yellow
lightning bolt over hir upper-left breast.
"What the heck was /that/?!" sie yelped in stereo, clambering to hir
clawed feet. Concentrating on hir Lens... sie finds nothing.
"What the /hell/..." sie snarls. An attempt to shift into a Mecha form
is likewise unsuccessful.
And then something strange happens. A second bolt of lightning arcs
down... it seems to slow, oozing down like molasses, giving Xander
time to step out of the way. The moment sie's a good twenty feet away,
things speed up again, and the blast half-stuns the two-headed
hermdragon.
"How dare you resist my efforts to blow you away!" a figure floating
above c alls down to Xander. "You shall rain on my parade no more!"
And with that, he gestures with a glowing wand, forcing Xander to
dodge about, a lightning-shot blue blurred line showing where sie
/was/. Chunks of asphalt and concrete ricochet about, driven by the
steady onslaught. The Weather Wizard howls with glee, as each bolt
strikes closer, closer... then a ruby beam narrowly misses his head,
and the lighting stops, as has Xander, one arm raised, a glowing ring
showing on hir right gauntlet. "Drop the toy, mister; I don't know who
you are, aside from that you're a Bad Guy. And when I'm around, Bad
Guys go down. Hard."
"Your words are but hot air, dragon," Wizard declares, his eyes
crackling with lightning, his wand circling; a tornado begins,
centered on Xander, picking up speed. Sie clamps hir wings tightly to
hir back, digging hir claws into the ground, but to no avail; sie's
ripped free. Still, the air has been hir element since hatching, and
again sie speeds, a flat streak rocketing out of the Tornado, making a
right-hand turn midair, and slamming straight at Weather Wizard... and
past.
Leaving Wiz without his wand.
The human plummets towards the ground; the dragon-blur vanished over
the horizon, then reappeared as he was about to strike, carrying him
off. A mere moment later, a Weather Wizard sat outside the police
station, arms and legs held together with bent steel.
"That... was passing strange," sie says, tossing the wand to Mike.
"Put that someplace safe, would you?" sie asks him, before turning to
see another X-window, focused on a cartoon... the Fantastic Four
dealing with some robots.
"Hey... doesn't Sue look like... OhGods." And with that, Xander
plunges into the X-window.
Marvel-toonverse:
An X-window very briefly pops open, then closes behind a flat blur of
blue, shot through with red and white lightning, which smashes
/through/ two robots, before it resolves into the new Xander, hovering
in place with hummingbird-fast wings.
"Now... could somebody /please/ tell me what the heck is going on
here?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 21:56:06 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010993
>On Sun, 22 Sep 2002 13:51:09 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010984
>
> /Everybody, watch your ears -- Heavy Metal comin' down!/
[What on earth...?]
[No. Oh no.]
R.R. watches a monitor screen in horror as the show begins...
> EF soars, going for altitude well above the incoming wave of
>DoomBots. The air around him crackles with a strange mixture of
>psionic, cosmic, and 'toon power that would send Reed scrambling for
>his instruments if he weren't otherwise occupied. His voice rolls out
>over the cityscape like the Voice of God in "The Ten Commandments"
>(IOW, Charlton Heston recorded at 33&1/3, played back at 23&1/2, with
>the reverb cranked Way Up).
> "BEHOLD, EVILDOERS, THE POWER OF...MY MIGHTY AXE!"
The Fantastic Defender covers his face with one oversized palm.
[Fascinating. His use of sonic reverberation --]
[Dr. Richards? Please. I beg of you. Not now...]
> On the streets below, an inhabitant of Greenwich Village looks up
>through his Lennon sunglasses and almost spills his latte on his
>tie-dyed t-shirt. "Whoa, man...that's a *big* freakin' guitar."
> It most definitely is. Roger Franklin, Combined Cosmic Entity and
>Occaisional Avatar of Slapstick, has channelled the power of the
>Norse God of Rock&Roll: Val Hallen.
[Does Thor know about this?]
[No. Pray that it stays that way.]
> OOC: too many eps of "Dexter's Lab." I'd say I was sorry, but I'm
>not. So nyah!
OOC: Just be glad I didn't merge poor Roland with Major Glory in
the PPG Universe. I was tempted...
> Then his hand falls, and the first massive bass note rolls over
>the city like thunder...
> Music Cue: Queen/A Kind Of Magic/Gimme the Prize (Kurgen's Theme)
Briefly, Roland becomes significantly ascendant as the music hits
him in his core. Power Cosmic crackles around his eyes as he reaches
for a sword that isn't there, feeling for an energy no one in this
universe has...which is a good thing, since the dark Quickening he's
taken resonates to the music.
> Lightning flares around the guitar and streams off into the
>DoomBots, arcing from one to another and leaving behind charred
>patterns of...music notes?!?...etched into their outer shells. The
>blasting chords seem to concentrate into great waves of sound that
>tumble DoomBots through the air and into each other. And, unseen,
>waves of EM energy (plus maybe of bit of Bardic Magic) drive the tune
>straight into their circuits, trying to swamp their cybernetic
>functions the way an overpowered CB radio swamps out a television.
Roland "snaps back" into the Fantastic Defender amalgam. Reed is
distinctly nonplussed.
The DoomBots, having been created by a man who is both one of the
greatest scientific minds of all time _and_ one of earth's most
powerful sorcerers, resist well. Several do fall, however.
"Fool, to defy Doom. We shall see how he fares against...stronger
force."
> The rest of the city, spared these focussed effects, are getting a
>free concert. A pretty darn loud one, yes, but hey, this is New York.
>Their TVs and radios may never work quite the same way again,
>though...
And as the song hits "I am the one, the only one..." a red-pink
energy field fires out of the blimp, directing the sound back at Roger
and the heroes. "Fool! Using musical powers against Klaw, master of
sound!" echoes throughout the city.
And Doom laughs...
Then...
>On Tue, 24 Sep 2002 16:07:18 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010986
>
>"I ain't normally one ta use da kid gloves, but you look like you
>could use a hand," Mike Seven quipped, lashing out with the electric
>fist. It wedged itself up next to the first bike's gas tank. Ben sent
>the fantasticar, or what was left of it, down out of the way as the
>pair of bikes and their rider exploded.
>
>"Dat's better, don't seem right if them things don't blow up nicely
>when ya hit 'em. Oops, here comes da udder half."
One of the Doombots swings a heavily-knuckled fist, barely missing.
Instead of electricity, however, a wave of force brushed the
ever-lovin' blue-eyed Time Lord's rocky frame.
{Thunder punchers,} R.R. sent via Fantasti-car radio. {Be careful.
Those increase the force of impact.
{You have Doom on the ropes, team, but as soon as I'm ready, I want
us to take the offensive. As long as we're reacting to Doom's assault,
we're playing his game.}
Next! 8^)
>On Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:36:05 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010987
>
> Iron Fist comes back around the ESB just in time to run smack into
>the blast, losing his pursuers and control of the Fantasticar at
>almost the same time. Leaping clear of the plummeting vehicle, he
>catches hold of a Doombot's ankle, nearly pulling it off of its
>skycycle. Using that pivot point, he swings under the vehicle, kicks
>the robot off of its perch, and takes over where it left off
>piloting.
> [Your friend isn't into precise strikes.]
> [True, but we like him anyway.]
Two ordinary-seeming Doombots flicker and vanish. A few moments
later, they reappear, thinner, sleeker, and noticeably faster...
>On Thu, 26 Sep 2002 17:57:09 -0500
>Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010989
>
>This internal dialogue lasts long enough for the three,
>aformentioned, remaining Doom-bots pursuing the
>Half-Human/Half-Dragon Torch to catch-up to him.
>
>"Whoops! Whoa there fellas! No fair trying to sneak up on a guy like
>that. ...And I didn't even bake a cake!"
>
>Not moved by the humor in the slightest, the closest Doom-Bot aims a
>"foam-thrower" at "Dhonny" while the other two reach around and
>unholster two nasty-looking rifles from their backs and fire.
>
>Even while "Dhonny" evades their shots, the first 'bot's weapon's
>fire hits him but, thankfully the second 'bot misses him.
>
>"Yeowch! That hurt!" "Dhonny" pulls the greatsword in half, producing
>two flaming greatswords of the same size and proceeds to slice the
>nearest flying Doom-bot into four equal pieces.
>
>Unfortunately his attempt to hit the second closest one on the
>backswing completely fails, leaving two intact Doom-bots.
>
>At which point, the 'bot with the "foam-thrower" re-aims and fires...
At the exact moment the Doombot fires the flame retardant at
Dhonny, Morgan-Sue (who has been having no trouble before) suddenly
finds Doombots' body parts vanishing...and reappearing _inside_ her
forcefield! Gauntleted hands clamp on each wrist, as well as one on
her neck. A head also appears inside the field and begins
disassembling itself, for what dire purpose only Doom knows.
In that exact moment R.R. bursts forth from the Baxter Building,
his body shaped as a flying wing and propelled by a small Kirby-box at
his feet/tail. Several smaller such boxes fly out, disrupting Doombots
as he lands on one of the attackers harassing his beloved.
"Dimensional antennae..." he mutters as he examines the spines on
those grappling the Invisible Girl.
Meanwhile, one of the boxes has intercepted the fire extinguisher
aimed at Dhonny, opening a small "mouth" and vacuuming the foam into
itself.
"Endeavor to alternate specialized opponents with fellow team
members!" Mr. Fantastic shouts as he drops a small device into each of
the two Doombots who sent body parts inside Sue's field. They
immediately reassemble outside Sue's field.
"ENGLISH!" Morgan-Sue shouts (probably in unison with several people
;-).
"SWITCH TARGETS!" R.R. replies as electricity-charged Doombots
charge at him. He continues to concentrate on the porcupine-Doombots,
growing several extra arms to stretch teleporter-neutralizing devices
into them. As he does so, Morgan-Sue instantly goes to "wingman" mode,
crushing shocker-Doombots that come too close with her forcefields.
=================================
Subject: AAE8: FlashBack
On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 22:29:03 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010994
>On Tue, 15 Oct 2002 23:06:42 -0400
>Xander Opal Said As CAoL Message # 00010992
>
>Marvel-toonverse:
>
>An X-window very briefly pops open, then closes behind a flat blur of
>blue, shot through with red and white lightning, which smashes
>/through/ two robots, before it resolves into the new Xander,
>hovering in place with hummingbird-fast wings.
>
>"Now... could somebody /please/ tell me what the heck is going on
>here?"
(OOC: She asks Exposition Man. )
R.R. looks at the Fastest Dragon Alive with a mixture of surprise,
confusion, and amused enjoyment. "Ah. Well. The Fantastic Four...and a
few friends...have been super-amalgamated with some of your colleagues
in the Callahanian Army of Light, much as you seem to have done with
Quicksilver's counterpart in the Distinguished Competition. The
difference being that they--er, we--ah, the amalgamated persons herein
are possessed of two sets of mental faculties." R.R. notes Xander's
twin sets of features. "Ah. Two sets of mental faculties that are not
normally merged. The physical forms are not so merged, instead
remaining in the form indigenous to this reality. Hm! Perhaps that is
the difference in your case; for some reason, your
mentality--mentalities?--remain as they were, while physical features
have been subtly altered!"
[SUBTLY?!? Light, Reed, you call that _subtle??_"]
[Well, the change must be at the subatomic level, as it was with
the transformations of myself, Sue, and Johnny, making it rather
subtle in the physical sense--]
[Forget I asked.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE8: Jumping in on the Fun
On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 22:30:37 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010995
>On Mon, 14 Oct 2002 21:21:34 -0400
>Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010990
>
>Mischief until this point has been held back by a cautionary hand
>from Legion. She darts forward, kitty ears and tail now showing, and
>leaps about. Legion and Essex exchange looks, and climb aboard at a
>more dignified pace.
[Hm. New players,] Destroyer-Doom thinks, examining the Impossible
Rocket while coming up with counter-strategies to deal with the FF and
Val Roggen (much like a chess master can play several games at once).
> The fires at the rear of the ship bursts up even bigger as it
>pickes up speed and a pair of maxim machinegun-like guns appear on th
>nose of the rocket. As he gets closer to the doombots flying around
>he opens up with them, sending pingpong balls flying that pummel the
>Doombots they strike into junk.
"Warning. Warning. Blatant violation of physical law in progress,"
computers intone calmly both in the Baxter Building and the Blimp of
Doom.
R.R. merely groans; he knows the Impossible Man all too well and
has guessed the resident...utterly incorrectly. [Hello, Driscoll,] he
comments dryly to himself.
Meanwhile, D.D. is...smiling. He says only one word. "Blastaar."
A huge, hulking gray figure (no, not _that_ sort of Hulking ;^)
emerges from the top of the Doom Blimp on a circular platform. Then he
flies out, one hand behind -- firing beams from his fingers, which
provide propulsion -- and another pointed in front, shooting deadly
blasts that cause explosions along the street below. (Yes, this is a
hideous violation of the laws of physics. Blame Marvel. Besides, the
Squimpossible Man is blowing up Doombots with ping-pong balls. 8^)
"Fall before the power of the Living Bomb-Burst, fools! And as you
fail, know that the fate of the Negative Zone is sealed with your own!
HA HA HA HA HA!"
(OOC: Blastaar is powerful enough to bat the entire FF around by
his lonesome, but not much of a thinker. IOW, have fun. )
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE8: FlashBack
On Fri, 18 Oct 2002 07:35:27 -0400
Xander Opal Said As CAoL Message # 00010996
>On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 22:29:03 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010994
>
> R.R. looks at the Fastest Dragon Alive with a mixture of surprise,
>confusion, and amused enjoyment. "Ah. Well. The Fantastic Four...and
>a few friends...have been super-amalgamated with some of your
>colleagues in the Callahanian Army of Light, much as you seem to have
>done with Quicksilver's counterpart in the Distinguished Competition.
>The difference being that they--er, we--ah, the amalgamated persons
>herein are possessed of two sets of mental faculties." R.R. notes
>Xander's twin sets of features. "Ah. Two sets of mental faculties
>that are not normally merged. The physical forms are not so merged,
>instead remaining in the form indigenous to this reality. Hm! Perhaps
>that is the difference in your case; for some reason, your
>mentality--mentalities?--remain as they were, while physical features
>have been subtly altered!"
Xander blurs sideways a few times, to dodge various projectiles and
energy beams sent forth during R.R.'s exposition, then at the end of
the speech, blurs into invisibility for a few moments, as sie cranks
up the Speed, and ponders. "Not exactly. Upon consideration, I have
quite simply... become a Flash, much as my predecessors."
And with that, one of the few who can actually /comprehend/ R.R.'s
dissertations flies into the fray...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE8: Jumping in on the Fun
On Fri, 18 Oct 2002 20:56:22 -0400
Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010997
>On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 22:30:37 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010995
>
> Meanwhile, D.D. is...smiling. He says only one word. "Blastaar."
> A huge, hulking gray figure (no, not _that_ sort of Hulking ;^)
>emerges from the top of the Doom Blimp on a circular platform. Then
>he flies out, one hand behind -- firing beams from his fingers, which
>provide propulsion -- and another pointed in front, shooting deadly
>blasts that cause explosions along the street below. (Yes, this is a
>hideous violation of the laws of physics. Blame Marvel. Besides, the
>Squimpossible Man is blowing up Doombots with ping-pong balls. 8^)
>"Fall before the power of the Living Bomb-Burst, fools! And as you
>fail, know that the fate of the Negative Zone is sealed with your
>own! HA HA HA HA HA!"
Caprice steps out of the ImpossibleRocket while it is mid air. She's
clad in a white poet's blouse tucked into black slacks tucked into
riding boots. Her hair is dark brown, nearly black and pulled back
into a tight ponytail. Her eyes are hazel, and not amused. Somehow the
look is very... british. Squaring off in front of Blastaar she says in
an oddly resonant voice. "We are many, yet we are one. Our name... is
LEGION!"
While the others have undergone various mergers, Legion feels...
something different. Already multiple, she has... snapped into clear
focus. To her it is as if someone finally wiped the vasiline off the
camera lens, and she can /see/. Through everything, in everything she
sees... strings. The very threads of reality. She grabs a hand full of
'threads' and twists, and several explosions happen early, avoiding
damage to the city below. Another handful, another twist, and innocent
bystanders who were in danger of becoming civilian casualties are a
block away. A faint frown crosses Legion's face as she tries to figure
out /why/ her powers are suddenly so much easier, which voice inside
her is responsible for this. And of course, she's set up as a lovely
target...
Mischief leans down, commening to ImposSquee... "Mom's gone and made
herself a target... let's hit whatever goes after her from behind."
Essex, stuck in the back seat, just sighs. "All I wanted was a quiet
afternoon out...."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 19 Oct 2002 21:44:37 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010998
>Roland X Said In CAoL Message # 00010993
>
> Two ordinary-seeming Doombots flicker and vanish. A few moments
>later, they reappear, thinner, sleeker, and noticeably faster...
...fast enough to challenge the speed of Iron Fist. As Daniel Rand
fends them off, they speed up, until punches start passing his
defense. [I can't fly this thing and handle these robots!] he
concludes, as the skycycle begins to wobble.
[I know what you mean. We need a floor.] Rob runs through a few ideas,
then smiles internally. [I need control.]
[You've got it.]
Abruptly, the red glow that marks the manifestation of Chi fades, and
the skycycle goes into evasive maneuvers. In the noise of combat,
nobody hears the spell being whispered, but the effect is obvious; red
spheres around Rob's hands.
The skycycle, however, is not faring so well, mainly because Rob is
using it as a shield. As the engines fail, Rob yells, "I need a
catch!" just before he jumps off...
> "Endeavor to alternate specialized opponents with fellow team
>members!" Mr. Fantastic shouts as he drops a small device into each
>of the two Doombots who sent body parts inside Sue's field. They
>immediately reassemble outside Sue's field.
>
>"ENGLISH!" Morgan-Sue shouts (probably in unison with several people
> ;-).
[What did he say?]
[Rob, I think he means...]
> "SWITCH TARGETS!" R.R. replies as electricity-charged Doombots
>charge at him.
[...never mind. I hope free-fall isn't the only part of your plan.]
[No, I plan on slowing the fall, like this-] Rob lashes out, the red
intensifying as each hand slices a "thunder puncher" equipped Doombot
in half. As a minor bonus, this slows his fall.
[What was that?!]
[A minor spell. I think it translates into English as 'Cesti of
Cyttorak.' It's never worked so well before...]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 19 Oct 2002 22:05:58 -0700
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010999
>On Sat, 19 Oct 2002 21:44:37 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010998
>
>[...never mind. I hope free-fall isn't the only part of your plan.]
>
>[No, I plan on slowing the fall, like this-] Rob lashes out, the red
>intensifying as each hand slices a "thunder puncher" equipped Doombot
>in half. As a minor bonus, this slows his fall.
A few moments later, he lands in an invisible cushion, which becomes a
wide, solid platform a moment later. Morgan-Sue and R.R. share a quick
glance, and the Fantastic-Defender points one of the small Kirby Boxes
at it. A second later, the platform turns the same shade of blue as
the FF's suits. R.R. hands (or rather, "pseudopods") the device to
Morgan-Sue, fighting off the spined Doombots while she defends him
from the electrical ones. /Thought you'd be more comfortable if you
could _see_ what you're standing on,/ she sends with a smile.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Thu, 24 Oct 2002 10:30:27 -0700 (PDT)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00011000
>On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 21:56:06 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010993
>
> One of the Doombots swings a heavily-knuckled fist, barely
>missing. Instead of electricity, however, a wave of force brushed the
>ever-lovin' blue-eyed Time Lord's rocky frame.
> {Thunder punchers,} R.R. sent via Fantasti-car radio. {Be careful.
>Those increase the force of impact.
> {You have Doom on the ropes, team, but as soon as I'm ready, I
>want us to take the offensive. As long as we're reacting to Doom's
>assault, we're playing his game.}
The Squimpossible man sees this and morphs into a giant bunny rabbit
with sunglasses, a bass drum and rocket skates. "They keep going and
going and going..." He beats his drum as he continues flying towards
the fortress, pausing only to bring one of the sticks down on the head
of a Doombot as he passes.
> "SWITCH TARGETS!" R.R. replies as electricity-charged Doombots
>charge at him. He continues to concentrate on the porcupine-Doombots,
>growing several extra arms to stretch teleporter-neutralizing devices
>into them. As he does so, Morgan-Sue instantly goes to "wingman"
>mode, crushing shocker-Doombots that come too close with her
>forcefields.
"Oh that's Too easy!" The Squimpossible man raises his arms as his
forearms become odd looking beam weapon looking kirbytech devices. He
aims for a thunder puncher with one arm and for one of hte Doombots
with the teleporting limbs with the other. A purplish glow starts
enveloping each, then suddenly they've switched places.
>On Thu, 17 Oct 2002 22:30:37 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010995
>
> R.R. merely groans; he knows the Impossible Man all too well and
>has guessed the resident...utterly incorrectly. [Hello, Driscoll,] he
>comments dryly to himself.
At about that moment, an X-window opens up on the forward edge of the
flying fortress and two figures locked in mortal combat come tumbling
out, followed by a wolf. Driss rolls to his feet and reaches into his
boot for a new squirtpistol of Dip, "This ends NOW Controller!"
The Toon Controller laughs a long evil snarling laugh and raises a
hand, a blue beam of energy shooting forth to engulf said hand,
vaporizing the pistol and turning the hand into a charred lump of
blackness.
Already Driss is healing the damage though as Roscoe leaps at the
Controller from behind, knocking them both off the edge of the
fortress. As he falls, the Toon Controller opens up another X-window
directly below himself. Driss sees this and curses, diving off the
edge of the fortress to reach with window before The Controller can
get away, "Oh yeh Jim owes me BIGTIME for this one..." he grumbles as
the three figures disapear once more as the window closes again.
> Meanwhile, D.D. is...smiling. He says only one word."Blastaar."
> A huge, hulking gray figure (no, not _that_ sort of Hulking ;^)
>emerges from the top of the Doom Blimp on a circular platform. Then
>he flies out, one hand behind -- firing beams from his fingers, which
>provide propulsion -- and another pointed in front, shooting deadly
>blasts that cause explosions along the street below. (Yes, this is a
>hideous violation of the laws of physics. Blame Marvel. Besides, the
>Squimpossible Man is blowing up Doombots with ping-pong balls. 8^)
Oh did I forget to mention they were depleated uranium ping
pong balls?? ;-) hehehehe
>"Fall before the power of the Living Bomb-Burst, fools! And as you
>fail, know that the fate of the Negative Zone is sealed with your
>own! HA HA HA HA HA!"
The Squimpossible man looks down at the wreckage below Blastaar,
'Wow! that's the second biggest mess I've seen today!!"
>On Fri, 18 Oct 2002 20:56:22 -0400
>Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010997
>
>Essex, stuck in the back seat, just sighs. "All I wanted was a quiet
>afternoon out...."
The Squipossible Bunny comes to a screeching halt in midair and spins
around, turning his own back now tot he fortress as he looks around
for something attackign Legion's back. He twists his head around to
look at Essex with a smirk, "I've sort of given up that concept myself
after Deva. though you've got to admit this is FUN!"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Fri, 25 Oct 2002 12:14:53 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011001
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010999
>
>A few moments later, he lands in an invisible cushion, which becomes
>a wide, solid platform a moment later. Morgan-Sue and R.R. share a
>quick glance, and the Fantastic-Defender points one of the small
>Kirby Boxes at it. A second later, the platform turns the same shade
>of blue as the FF's suits. R.R. hands (or rather, "pseudopods") the
>device to Morgan-Sue, fighting off the spined Doombots while she
>defends him from the electrical ones. /Thought you'd be more
>comfortable if you could _see_ what you're standing on,/ she sends
>with a smile.
[I've got it.]
[So do I. Your turn, I think.]
The red aura shifts again, back to the manifestation known as the
"Iron Fist," as two of the slimmed-down Doombots land on the platform,
with more on the way. As Iron Fist demonstrates the advantages of
giving full attention to a fight, Rob deals with another issue.
/We've got the platform memorized. You can turn off the coloring
now.../
At that moment, Iron Fist steps off of the platform to dodge a
punch, catching the edge and swinging back up, to deliver a
chi-enhanced kick to his robotic opponent.
/...we'll be fine./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Fri, 25 Oct 2002 23:34:47 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011002
The Time Thing... no, wait, Ex-Blue-eyed-Lord... er, no...
^Get on with it already,^ Ben/Mike think at the narrator in unison as
one of the Thunder-Punchers skirts the orange-skinned amalgam's rock
hard chin.
Right.
Mike lets Ben do his Thing-thing and concentrates on tactics
momentarily before Reed Roland Richards Phoenix (Hey, if it were Creed
Roland Richard Phoenix, the initials would be just like on the Soviet
rockets-^DON'T MAKE US COME OVER THERE!^-sorry!) provides the solution
RRRP had suggested originally, namely....
>On Sat, 19 Oct 2002 22:05:58 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010999
>
>>On Sat, 19 Oct 2002 21:44:37 -0700 (PDT)
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010998
>>
>>[...never mind. I hope free-fall isn't the only part of your plan.]
>>
>>[No, I plan on slowing the fall, like this-] Rob lashes out, the red
>>intensifying as each hand slices a "thunder puncher" equipped
>>Doombot in half. As a minor bonus, this slows his fall.
Ben/Mike's eyes widen, then narrow in relief as...
>A few moments later, he lands in an invisible cushion, which becomes
>a wide, solid platform a moment later. Morgan-Sue and R.R. share a
>quick glance, and the Fantastic-Defender points one of the small
>Kirby Boxes at it. A second later, the platform turns the same shade
>of blue as the FF's suits. R.R. hands (or rather, "pseudopods") the
>device to Morgan-Sue, fighting off the spined Doombots while she
>defends him from the electrical ones. /Thought you'd be more
>comfortable if you could _see_ what you're standing on,/ she sends
>with a smile.
/'N tanks fer the save. Dhonny, pass dem extinguisher bots dis way,
you try da last one o' dese thunder punchers, see what temp dey smelt
at./
Grimm/Seven ducks a second swing, catchs the arm as it passes and
gives it an over the shoulder fling in the general direction of the
extinguisher bots. One of the fists strikes the skull, with it's
thunder-punching field still working, extinguishing the extinguisher.
[Dis'll be a piece a cake,] Ben thinks.
[Don't let me stop you, I'm just trying to think of the best offense
we could put up for going against the Doom-Blimp.]
/I'm a bit rusty at this, guys,/ Mike sends over the link as Ben
starts clobberin', /But I'm thinking the best bet from this angle is
getting around behind the blimp and kicking their back door in. Reed,
Roland, you know these two better than me, thoughts?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 26 Oct 2002 20:41:15 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011003
>On Fri, 25 Oct 2K2, Mike Knight Said
>
>/ ...Dhonny, pass dem extinguisher bots dis way, you try da last one
>o' dese thunder punchers, see what temp dey smelt at./
>
>Grimm/Seven ducks a second swing, catchs the arm as it passes and
>gives it an over the shoulder fling in the general direction of the
>extinguisher bots. One of the fists strikes the skull, with it's
>thunder-punching field still working, extinguishing the extinguisher.
/You can have that last one that's curently trailing me, there
Benji-Mike./ sends the Half-Dragon, Half-Human Torch flying towards
the Rocky-facaded Ex-Time Lord. /Unfortunately, it looks like now
we've got bigger fish to fry./
He points to the incoming flying reinforcements as the lead three fire
energy beams at him. Luckily the first two miss and the Half-Dragon,
Half-Human Torch is able to evade the last one.
/They look like Doom's Usu-form Guardbots. I guess the
Doctors-in-attendance have decided that the 'bots that they've already
thrown up against us aren't exactly up to the job but themselves. Not
exactly just what the Doctor ordered. On the other hand, maybe it is./
He quips as he blasts two of the Thunder-Puncher equiped Doombots
still swarming around the craggy-faced orange form currently shared by
both the Brooklynite ex-Test Pilot and the Ex-Time Lord/Technomage.
>/I'm a bit rusty at this, guys,/ Mike sends over the link as Ben
>starts clobberin', /But I'm thinking the best bet from this angle is
>getting around behind the blimp and kicking their back door in. Reed,
>Roland, you know these two better than me, thoughts?/
/Excuse me for possibly buttin' in here, I'm sure, but don't we need
to get through these things first?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Sat, 26 Oct 2002 18:37:45 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011004
>On Thu, 17 Oct 2K2, Roland X Said
>
>> Music Cue: Queen/A Kind Of Magic/Gimme the Prize (Kurgen's Theme)
>
> Briefly, Roland becomes significantly ascendant as the music hits
>him in his core. Power Cosmic crackles around his eyes as he reaches
>for a sword that isn't there, feeling for an energy no one in this
>universe has...which is a good thing, since the dark Quickening he's
>taken resonates to the music.
When did this happen? If you don't mind my asking.
> "SWITCH TARGETS!" R.R. replies as electricity-charged Doombots
>charge at him. He continues to concentrate on the porcupine-Doombots,
>growing several extra arms to stretch teleporter-neutralizing devices
>into them. As he does so, Morgan-Sue instantly goes to "wingman"
>mode, crushing shocker-Doombots that come too close with her
>forcefields.
Another small retcon. After finaly reading the MSAG FF Roster, I
realized that the 'bots that Doctor Destroyer Doom sent after us were
what the MSAG rules calls "Doombots"; the duplicate Dooms that come in
both the "combat" and "diplomatic" flavors, and I thought that they
were what the MSHAG rules calls "Servo-Guards"; the silver and purple
humanoid, "heat and serve", robot guardsman/shock troops.
With Roland's permission, I'm going to say that the 'bots that came
after "Dhonny" are the latter of the two types; the "Servo-Guards".
'Sides, Susie not withstanding, I always thought that the Torch the
most underestimated member of the FF, anyway.
Dodging out of the way of R.R.'s Kirby-Tech box, the Half-Dragon,
Half-Human Torch wove to the left in mid-air and, crossing one arm
over the other, and blasted the other two Doom-bots into molten slag.
/Sis? If you could take care of that?/ He sends, mentally indicating
the two rapidly plummeting molten chunks of silver and purple metal.
/While we're all at it,/ He continues to send while flying ever closer
to the Doom-Blimp in the distance, /Can somebody send one of those
unmanned sky-cycles my way? If what I'm about to try works, I'm going
to need it. Heck, even if it doesn't, I'm still going to need it./
Trailing close behind the Half-Dragon, Half-Human Torch, in addition
to the requisite long tail of fire, are a number of R.R.'s flying
"foam-eater" Kirby-Tech boxes.
However, following close behind the "foam-eaters" is the remaining
"Doom-Guard-Bot" armed with the "foam-thrower" rifle.
Inside the Doom-Blimp, the hand of D^3, still sheathed in it's armored
gauntlet, depresses a series of buttons and another aperture opens on
the exterior of the huge vehicle and six more 'bots, each one a large
metal sphere placed on the top of a delta-shaped flying wing, fly out.
=================================
Subject: Re: Jumping in on the Fun
On Sun, 27 Oct 2002 18:28:19 -0600
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011005
>On Mon, 14 Oct 2002, "Caprice/Legion" Said
>
> Steam hisses and billows out form the back of the rocket, but it
>doesn't go anywhere, so a fin turns into a arm adn reaches back to
>pull a string out of the tail. Flickign his fingers the Squimpossible
>Man causes a flame to spurt out of his thumb with which to light the
>fuse, then returning the arm to a fin again.
> "5...4...3...2...1... BLAST OFF!!!"
> [Isn't a count down supposed to start at 10?]
> [I don't wanna sit here and count all the way dwon from 10! the
>excitement's up there!]
> Flame bursts forth from the back of the rocket and purple lapbelts
>appear to hold everyone in place as it goes careening towards the
>airship.
> "Wing one to wing two. wing one to wing two."
> "Wing two to wing one go wing one."
> "Bogies spotted at 1 o'clock!"
> "What time is it now?"
> "Nearly four."
> "good gods we're late!!"
> The fires at the rear of the ship bursts up even bigger as it pickes
>up speed and a pair of maxim machinegun-like guns appear on th nose
>of the rocket. As he gets closer to the doombots flying around he
>opens up with them, sending pingpong balls flying that pummel the
>Doombots they strike into junk.
/Ah, Reed, er Roland? One incoming Impossible Man with what looks like
reinforcements for our side./
The Half-Dragon, Half-Human Torch cocks a thumb back in the direction
of the "Impossible Rocket" and it's passengers as he flies ever closer
to the Doom-Blimp and is still waiting for somebody to send a
pilot-less sky-cycle in his direction.
Meanwhile the flying Doom Guardbots get even closer as well, and
continue firing their "ionic lasers" at the amalgamated FF &
Friends/CAoL.
/Just in time from the looks of it, too. Watch out folks, unlike the
Doombots we've been fighting so-far, these things have a self-destruct
feature that'll take out anything within 20 feet of it if it goes
off!/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:38:06 EST
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011011
>In a message dated 10/18/02 1:00:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>rolandx writes:
>
>> OOC: too many eps of "Dexter's Lab." I'd say I was sorry, but I'm
>>not. So nyah!
>
> OOC: Just be glad I didn't merge poor Roland with Major Glory in
>the PPG Universe. I was tempted...
That would be so right... and so wrong, all at the same time.
>> Then his hand falls, and the first massive bass note rolls over
>>the city like thunder...
>> Music Cue: Queen/A Kind Of Magic/Gimme the Prize (Kurgen's Theme)
>
> Briefly, Roland becomes significantly ascendant as the music hits
>him in his core. Power Cosmic crackles around his eyes as he reaches
>for a sword that isn't there, feeling for an energy no one in this
>universe has...which is a good thing, since the dark Quickening he's
>taken resonates to the music.
Momentarily, Roger Franklin feels a slight sense of "I forgot
something," but shakes it off -- sing now, deal later.
> The DoomBots, having been created by a man who is both one of the
>greatest scientific minds of all time _and_ one of earth's most
>powerful sorcerers, resist well. Several do fall, however.
>
> "Fool, to defy Doom. We shall see how he fares against...stronger
>force."
> And as the song hits "I am the one, the only one..." a red-pink
>energy field fires out of the blimp, directing the sound back at
>Roger and the heroes. "Fool! Using musical powers against Klaw,
>master of sound!" echoes throughout the city.
> And Doom laughs...
RF staggers in midair, stumbling in mid-chord before angrily
shutting down the music. His eyes glitter with suppressed rage.
"Master of *noise,* maybe, but Klaw, you got a LOT to learn about
ROCK...AND...ROLLLLL!!!!"
He shoots higher, spinning to take in the entire city below,
drawing every eye from the streets and windows.
"ALL RIGHT, NEW YORK," he booms out across Manhattan, "IT'S TIME TO
SHOW THE SPANDEX SET HOW WE DO THINGS DOWN TOWN!"
The words roll out across the city with a mild telapathic push --
to weak to be a compulsion, but just strong enough to get the entire
city syncrhonized...
As every radio, TV, and scrolling news strip in the city begins
picking out a simple, driving beat...
[Stomp-Stomp, Clap]
....as the NY Philharmonic drops their practice sesstion and begins
jamming to a new, unfamiliar but compelling tune...
[Stomp-Stomp, CLAP!]
...as every garage band in the Greater NY area start slinging their
instruments and cranking their amps...
[STOMP-STOMP, CLAP!]
...and every spare foot and hand in the city picks up the tempo, in
perfect time, and the streets begin to vibrate, and the buildings
begin to sway...
[STOMP-STOMP, CLAP!]
[STOMP-STOMP, CLAP!]
[STOMP-STOMP, CLAP!]
RF hangs in midair, turning slowly with a transcendant expression,
like a man glimpsing Paradise... or a conductor handed control of the
greatest orchestra ever created.
His hand rises above his axe, poised for the right moment in the
beat... and then crashes down with an avalanche of glorious sound, as
the entirety of New York City begins singing with him in perfect
harmony:
[Aah
Buddy you're a boy make a big noise
Playin' in the street gonna be a big man some day]
Imagine the combined latent willpower inherent in an entire city of
several million people... the inherent frustration of a people who see
themselves rendered helpless, time and time again, in the face of
threats that only a Favored Few are empowered to fight...
[You got mud on yo' face
You big disgrace]
...imagine all that suddenly given a focus, a release... and most
importantly, a chance to *strike back* for themselves for once,
instead of huddling in their basements and praying for the success of
their local heroes...
[Kickin' your can all over the place
Singin'--]
...imagine a City become Weapon, and finally given a long-awaited
chance to face its enemy.
Somewhere in the world, ever supervillain that ever attacked New
York just felt someone (about 5 million of 'em) walk on his or her
grave.
[We will we will rock you
WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOOOOOUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!]
Seismographs across the continet spike as New York stomps through
the last of the chorus and swings into the next verse, and an
avalanche of music driven by an ocean of unified willpower bears down
on the self-styled Master of Sound... who is rapidly learning that
there's a biiiig difference between "sound" and "music."
(Of course, RF is cheating -- what with Bardic Magic, Val Hallen
Power, and the fact that he's got the entire City of New York
telepathically united behind this one song... well, it's really not
fair to poor Klaw. Heh heh.)
> "Endeavor to alternate specialized opponents with fellow team
>members!" Mr. Fantastic shouts as he drops a small device into each
>of the two Doombots who sent body parts inside Sue's field. They
>immediately reassemble outside Sue's field.
/Right, Dads/, sends RF (his voice is a bit occupied, right now).
>"ENGLISH!" Morgan-Sue shouts (probably in unison with several people
> ;-).
[I understood that. Did you understand that?]
[Yeah. Maybe we're making too much noise for everyone else to
hear?]
> "SWITCH TARGETS!" R.R. replies as electricity-charged Doombots
>charge at him. He continues to concentrate on the porcupine-Doombots,
>growing several extra arms to stretch teleporter-neutralizing devices
>into them. As he does so, Morgan-Sue instantly goes to "wingman"
>mode, crushing shocker-Doombots that come too close with her
>forcefields.
[Oh. Maybe it was one of those lost-in-translation thing?]
Meanwhile, Klaw tries to take control of the sonic avalanche, only
to find that sound drriven by so much willpower isn't amenable to his
ordinary techniques. Oh, he might be able to control part of it... but
this is simply beyond his capacity. The scarlet sonic scoundrel barely
has time to say "oh, shi--" before the wave blows his shields into
oblivion and goes on to rip him into discrete wavelets. Oh, he'll be
able to reintegrate himself once the music stops...probably...but for
the moment, he's bye-bye.
And RF pivots slowly, massively, as the mental focus of NYC turns
ponderously towards the *real* target of its ire.
"DOOM," the City intones in glacial fury.
"YOU...ARE...NOT...WELCOME...HERE."
OOC: Okay, Roland, your ball. I'm sure Dr D&D has *something* up
their sleeve for smacking around upstart cities...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:13:52 -0800
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011012
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010979
>
> [DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE PHOENIX,] Destroyer booms in Doom's head.
>[Even cosmic mentalities have done so, to their sorrow! He lacks
>Richards' and our technical genius, though he improves even there,
>yet his ability to develop unorthodox tactics is considerable.
>Combined with your "Mr. Fantastic," they will remain a formidable
>foe.]
> Their screens lit up with the sight of Aurora's force field.
> [He also has considerable allies. Behold. One of his cosmic team
>members shields the entire city. That is not Mrs. Richards, after
>all.]
> [Then they are fools to underestimate DOOM! I am prepared!]
> [With my assistance, as you may recall.]
> [A minor detail.] "Reece! Your presence is required on the
>bridge!"
>
> Back at the Baxter Building.
> The sounds of tinkering, whirring, and even blunt hammering echo
>from Reed's workshop as the rest of the FF prepare to engage Doom's
>forces. "Well done, Aurora. That should give even Von Doom pause
>what?!?"
> An aperture opens at the prow of the Doom Zeppelin, and what for
>all the world looks like a gigantic magician's wand, sparking at the
>end, emerges from it.
> [Hmph. Rather interesting connotations there.]
> [Mr. Phoenix, please!]
> [eep. Sorry, Dr. Richards. Forgot it's still the 60s.]
> A beam of cosmic power lances forth, slamming into the force
>field...leaving it untouched.
Aurora frowns as she senses a power that could rival her own at work.
> The Doom Zeppelin.
> "AAGH! My arm! It hurts!" Reece howls.
> "I _did_ warn you," Doom chuckles. "Again."
> "But--"
> "AGAIN," Doom insists, flipping a switch on his console. "Behold
>the might of Doom."
> The beam lances out again. The force field wavers, shifts, howls,
>and vanishes.
> Owen Reece, the Molecule Man, stares in wonder. "How...?"
> "Your vulnerability to ionized energies is a simple enough matter
>to rectify through application of subatomic forces. You are now a
>cosmic power, as is your destiny. Now GO FORTH, and rid me of this
>creature that I may bring DOOM!"
> The Molecule Man clutches his new wand with devilish glee. "It
>will be my pleasure, Doom!" [But once I have repaid you, we shall
>_see_ whose might is greater, and who will rule this world! You have
>made me like unto a GOD!] With that, Reece vanishes.
> [He will betray you,] Destroyer notes calmly.
> [Then he will die,] Doom replies. [For now, however, he obeys
>Doom. If his intellect is greater than his megalomania, he will
>continue to do so.]
/*"I had hoped to be able to protect the city from collateral damage,
however it seems that my efforts must be applied elsewhere."*/ Aurora
tells the assembled heros. With that she shifts possition, and
manifests directly above Baxter building. The city has seen the like
only a few times before. Galactus, the High Evolutionary, and 2 or
three others. Now they look upon a woman who might have been the model
for the statues of Greek Goddesses, if those models were over one
thousand meters tall and had a nimbus of light radiating from them.
*"Molecule man. It MUST be you that Von Doom sends against me. Only
you Galactus and the Celestials have such levels of power, and
Galactus and the Celestials would not serve Von Doom. HMMM... I
perceive that you harbor a desire to conquer this world. If you and I
battle HERE this world will be utterly destroyed. Leaving you with
nothing to rule. Come, let us take our contest elsewhere, so this
world will survive."* Aurora says, her "voice" rolling out across the
entire city. With that she generates a portal to a small uninhabited
adjacent pocket universe. "*As you can see... the entire universe,
where I propose we take our encounter, is empty. So there can be
nothing pre-set to oppose you. The portal will prevent any energies
from exiting that pocket universe and will remain even should you
terminate my existance. After you?"*
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:35:31 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011013
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011011
>
> RF staggers in midair, stumbling in mid-chord before angrily
>shutting down the music. His eyes glitter with suppressed rage.
> "ALL RIGHT, NEW YORK," he booms out across Manhattan, "IT'S TIME
>TO SHOW THE SPANDEX SET HOW WE DO THINGS DOWN TOWN!"
> The words roll out across the city with a mild telapathic push
>to weak to be a compulsion, but just strong enough to get the entire
>city syncrhonized...
> As every radio, TV, and scrolling news strip in the city begins
>picking out a simple, driving beat...
> [Stomp-Stomp, Clap]
> ....as the NY Philharmonic drops their practice sesstion and
>begins jamming to a new, unfamiliar but compelling tune...
> [Stomp-Stomp, CLAP!]
> ...as every garage band in the Greater NY area start slinging
>their instruments and cranking their amps...
> [STOMP-STOMP, CLAP!]
> ...and every spare foot and hand in the city picks up the tempo,
>in perfect time, and the streets begin to vibrate, and the buildings
>begin to sway...
> [STOMP-STOMP, CLAP!]
As fighting begins to merge with the rhythm...
[block-block, PUNCH!]
And the harmonics begin to rattle certain components in the
slimmed-down Doombots. Resonance is a terrible thing to deal with.
Especially when it's affecting gyroscopes.
The robots stagger, as if somebody has found a way to get a mechanoid
drunk. Kicked from the platform, they lack the stability to fly in a
straight line; some crash into the street, one crashes into a garbage
truck, and one takes off with the apparent intent of spiraling its way
into orbit.
[Do you think that's what Reed meant when he said 'switch targets?']
[No idea, Daniel. But I'll take it.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 8: Clobberin' Time!
On Tue, 29 Oct 2002 00:07:27 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011015
>On Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:38:06 EST
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011011
>
> Seismographs across the continet spike as New York stomps through
>the last of the chorus and swings into the next verse, and an
>avalanche of music driven by an ocean of unified willpower bears down
>on the self-styled Master of Sound... who is rapidly learning that
>there's a biiiig difference between "sound" and "music."
> (Of course, RF is cheating -- what with Bardic Magic, Val Hallen
>Power, and the fact that he's got the entire City of New York
>telepathically united behind this one song... well, it's really not
>fair to poor Klaw. Heh
Harlock, having been recalled to his duties in Faerun rather abruptly,
nevertheless senses the events unfolding in Toon York. With a shiver,
he mutters "Gods of Light, who taught him that trick?"
Oghma glances over at the Bard somewhat quizzically and says
"why...you will, of course."
"I _will?_ But he just used it!"
"He's time-lost, boy. A few centuries hence, ere he travels back to
the present day, you will teach him that trick."
"And if I forget to?"
"You sha'n't."
"What was so important that my recall was needed, an I might ask?"
Oghma smiles slowly. "Preventing you from merging with that pink
fellow. Klaw, I believe his name is?"
Harlock blanches. "Ah. Aye, I believe that counts as a pressing reason
for my return."
=================================