What Happened in Portland

[Edgedancer he/him]

Ray strode forward, passing Nighthound, she didn´t want to give him another opportunity for just about anything, and reached the door. She threw it open and found a man and two women on the other site. Both women dressed somewhat eccentrically but neither matched the “glitter abomination” description she got for Doctor Funtimes. However, the man did fit the description Nighthound gave for the Traveller, although his face was more angry than smug.

 

Before she decided what to do with these people, Nighthound hugged her around the neck from behind, get this Calamity forsaken creep of my back, and said, “Hello, Traveller. I see your taste in women is as questionable as always. Funny how both of us picked up new pets, although from the face you are making you don´t seem to be all that happy with yours.”

Sounds like my signal. Ray head-butted Nighthound in the underside of his chin, sadly, in his usual sick manner he seemed more amused by that and just gripped her tighter. “She tried to attack me, while I was out gathering territory, and well fiery red-headed Epics just fit right in my strike-zone, so I couldn´t hold back. Say hello Ray.”   

 

She continued to struggle against his grip, with no avail, even if she did manage to hit him in the ribs, he simply shrugged it off. She looked at the Traveller. “Please tell me you hate this guy as much as I do.”

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

 “Hello, Traveller. I see your taste in women is as questionable as always. Funny how both of us picked up new pets, although from the face you are making you don´t seem to be all that happy with yours.”

 

A girl in a dog collar. Even for an Epic—even for you—that's pretty sick. 

 

That was what Nathan wanted to say to the Epic holding the squirming, struggling girl, whose collar he had glimpsed before he grabbed her from behind. 

 

No means no, you slontze. 

 

Another thing he wanted to say but never would. She kicked at his legs and tried to land an elbow in his ribs, though Nathan was sure she knew it would do no good. Funtimes had drenched him in acid and he was still well enough to find himself a new "pet." Her glare softened slightly when she met his gaze. "Please tell me you hate this guy as much as I do." 

 

Acid. 

 

Here was a chance to make a good impression and perhaps gain an ally. Not a powerful one like Nighthound, but barring a miracle, Nighthound would never be their ally. Nathan smiled, cupped a hand around his mouth, and called through the rooms without breaking eye contact. 

 

"Darling! Nighthound has a new suit!" 

 

"Ew!" Her reply echoed a bit, muffled by distance. "I don't want to see him naked again! What else do we have?" 

 

"There's plenty of rubble here." 

 

"Ooooohhhhhh!" She veered around the bend, her Converse sliding on the part of the floor that had not yet become grass. After skidding to a stop, she jumped and clapped her hands. "I'll cover him in exploding gummy bears!" 

 

Nathan laughed, though the thought of seeing that much mangled flesh—for the instant before dark mist obscured it—turned his stomach. "He brought a friend, dear." 

 

"She looks fun!" Funtimes pranced forward and, before Nighthound could stop her, fluffed her hands through the girl's hair. "It's so pretty! Like Traveler's, only girly and awesome!" She pulled back and clapped her hands, squealing with glee. "Are you fun? Do you like chimichangas? What's your name?" 

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Flashpoint had mixed feelings about being left in charge. On the one hand, he was in charge and he liked that feeling. On the other, he was left behind a lot. It did show Altermind's trust and faith in him. Most times, he would lounge around in the big Planning Room, which doubled as the throne room. Scribes would be sent to bring him refreshment and he'd wait for his Boss to return.

Today, though, he paced thoughtfully around the room. Altermind had promised him a new shotgun from the Sportsman's Warehouse, but he still wished he had been able to go. Once he got the news about the necromancer and his group of Epics in the area where the rest of his team was, Flashpoint had become even more nervous. He thought they could handle themselves, but Altermind could be cocky on occasion. Especially when he held the advantage in numbers. Hopefully his boss would remember that the other Epics, though less, were more powerful.

A spy had also sent in a report of Corpsemaker and Scorch and another Epic taking over the memorial armory. That was where Commander and Jetstream had been. The pair hadn't ever bothered Thoughttown and had even done business with them on occasion. The next report from that spy declared the two Epics dead and Corpsemaker in charge. Transformers, like the toys and movies, had been seen flying around the armory. Flashpoint had no idea what was going on in there or how they had procured such fantastical toys.

As Flashpoint paced, his brain racing with thoughts of how to stay alive and make sure his team made it through, an urgent call was broadcast to all the mobiles in Thoughttown. "Southwestern gate under attack. All units report immediately." Flashpoint reacted instantly. He grabbed his rifle and ran outside HQ and flew into the air.

He flew at his top speed, about as fast as a car on a highway. He arrived above the Southwest gate shortly. Landing, he found Captain Morse, the highest ranked officer there. "Captain, what's the situation?" Flashpoint had seen some troops from his flight, but wanted a rundown of the situation.

Saluting, the captain said, "Sir, there's around two hundred of them. They just showed up and began attacking. They don't seem to have much strategy or cohesion. They all just rush the gate and defend themselves." Flashpoint nodded and decided that some type of Epic must've made some zombie-type soldiers or something along those lines. If they had no structure or organization, they were probably just sent to overwhelm Thoughttown's forces.

"Captain, set up your best snipers in the closest, highest rooms you can find. If you can get a couple up on the wall, that'd be great too. Get me an explosive technician. We need the biggest bomb they have," Flashpoint ordered. The captain saluted and ordered his lieutenants to find their best snipers and he called over the Explosive Technician.

Flashpoint said to the technician, "Get grenades for all these soldiers. Captain, I want all our men inside the perimeter and shooting out. Get them to throw their grenades out and it'll destroy their clumped together attack. I'll bomb them from the air." Flashpoint grabbed two grenades from the nearest soldier and flew up over the wall, so that he was fifty feet above the opposing zombie army. He hovered over the middle and, as explosions began killing the soldiers, he dropped his grenades in the center and back of the horde of soldiers. Once he had dropped the grenades he had, he began firing with his rifle. He took out any soldiers that he could see.

After a half hour of fighting, the explosions and snipers had taken out the zombie green soldiers. Thoughttown's soldiers had only taken five casualties at the very beginning. "Good work, men," Flashpoint told the guards. "You prevented an invasion today. You will be rewarded. For the rest of the day, the guard will be doubled. Those not on duty may go home now."

Flashpoint left the soldiers, tired from the stress and from the fighting. He reported the attempted invasion to Altermind. Altermind was pleased with his work and would try and find out the cause of the zombie soldiers. When Altermind informed Flashpoint of his plan to meet the necromancer, Flashpoint warned him, "Remembet boss, they have some powerful Epics."

[Kobold King he/him]

There was something grand about marching down a city street, closely followed by mounted soldiers atop living dinosaurs.

 

Lightwards couldn't help but smile--he was beginning to think these mood swings were just going to become a part of this fourth life. People gawked at the man in the green hat, and even more so at the feathered raptors that waited on his beck and call. They pretended not to, of course; when he looked at them, they would turn away and scurry about on their affairs, or else give an awkward bow or shuffle before running indoors. Maybe at some point he'd establish a clear code of respect for interacting with him and his allies. But assuaging his own ego wasn't important right now. If he was to keep this new territory of his, he had to follow an undead vulture wherever it took him.
 

Claudius circled over a parking lot near the boundary of the land they'd staked out. As he drew nearer, he could tell that it was a Sports Warehouse. A Sports Warehouse, he noticed with a twitch of his lips, that didn't seem to be much cause for alarm. The building was more pristine than most buildings these days. It hadn't fallen into ruin, nor did it appear to have been looted heavily in the past. The windows were still whole, and the outside walls were not covered in foul graffiti.

 

"There's nothing here," Lightwards snapped at the vulture. The bird simply stared at the warehouse, vacant and confused. Lightwards contemplated kicking it across the asphalt, but ultimately decided against it. Claudius looked a little worse for wear with every resurrection.

 

Like me, he thought uncomfortably. He turned away from the still-distant warehouse and started to head deeper into the territory.

 

"Epics," said one of the twin Warriors tonelessly.

 

Lightwards snapped his head around, peering everywhere. "Where...?"

 

He saw them. There was a small crowd of people settled just outside the Sports Warehouse. They appeared to have seen him already.

 

"Huh," Lightwards said. "Didn't seem them there. Good eye."

 

Clearly the Warrior must have had the better vantage point, atop the Deinonychus as she was. Lightwards smiled as he began walking towards the warehouse. "Come along. Let's meet these folks Claudius is so worked up about."

 

He began walking across the parking lot, the small group of people growing more distinct in his view. At least some of these are Epics, he thought--part nervously, part angrily. He really didn't feel like getting into any more Epic duels today.

 

There were six people standing outside the warehouse, all armed with various items he presumed they'd scavenged from its interior. Stopping about a dozen yards away from them, Lightwards surveyed their group with caution and interest.

 

The first one to catch his eye did so because of her dress. It wasn't mad and chaotic like Funtimes'--it was the opposite, in fact. She appeared to be a very young woman, young enough to have been one of his students back at the college. Her clothing was pure white in color, as was her hair. The latter he was quite confident was bleached.

 

The white woman was leaning against a much larger, rounder man who wore a tee shirt. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to the proceedings, and was instead contentedly consuming a greasy sandwhich that smelled like cheap McDonald's fare. How the fat Epic had gained access to fast food in post-apocalyptic Oregon was a mystery well beyond Lightwards' comprehension.

 

Perplexingly, one of the men in their strange little group wore a black blindfold, his pockets bulging with what may have been very large knives. Though by all rights that blindfold should be impossible to see through, the disturbing little man stared straight at Lightwards as if his vision were completely unimpeded.

 

A pair of very regular looking people stood to the sides--either they were less eccentric Epics, or they were vanilla folk who were just along for the ride. Probably the latter--all large groups of Epics had servants.

 

Finally, there was the man who stood with confidence and grace at their head. He looked almost like a pre-Calamity superstar, standing almost 6' 6 with wavy blonde hair. His skin was tan and covered large and well-toned muscles.

 

Lightwards swallowed in spite of himself. What he was facing was a large and well-established group of Epics, at least as powerful as Quickslide's gang from the Museum. It would be prudent to come back with some support.

 

But no. Prudence was for the weak. Prudence was for those who could die. They'd already seen him anyway; if he turned back now, he'd look weak.

 

Instead, he strode up to the tallest man and gave his widest smile.

 

"Good day to you, sir," he said cheerfully. "My good vulture here reported some kind of trouble stemming from this warehouse. Naturally, I felt the need to investigate--this is my land, after all, and what kind of ruler would I be if I did not do my part to stop turmoil when I see it?"

 

He picked up Claudius and set him on his shoulder. "To whom do I have the honor of speaking?"

[Voidus]

Purple Phoenix continued through the museum, looking for his dinosaur, picking up some pieces of rubble as he went and charging them. He was not going to be caught without any weapons again.

Well then try not to fall out of any more buildings, kay? His Voice said sarcastically, finally finished with it's long rant about the improbability of the structure they were in.

Ignoring it he continued through the museum, habitually juggling some of his new found ammunition in one hand, again he caught movement at the corner of his eye and whirled thinking it could be Falcon. The result was far less impressive, a small mouse was observing him in the corner, trembling slightly.

Poor thing's probably terrified of all the dinosaurs. His Voice said.

"Who cares about such a pointless creature?" Purple Phoenix replied, flinging one of his smaller pebbles at it to put it out of it's misery, the mouse quickly darted away.

"Stupid thing" he growled, sending another pebble at it, again it scurried away, stopping almost precisely at the edge of the explosion and turning to watch him again. It was almost like one of LightWards zombies, had he left it here to spy on everyone?

"Alright, I don't know what you are but I know you're watching me, now go back to wherever the hell you came from before I use some bigger explosions" he told it, half preparing to blow up the entire museum just to get rid of the annoying thing.
Don't do that! his Voice cried, Explosives in the museum remember?
Oh yeah, well the mouse didn't know that. He watched as it quivered again in fear, then stood up. The air next to the mouse... rippled, and a moment later a man was standing there, complete with a bowler of his own that looked like it had been stolen from the nearby stand, wearing simple street clothes like one would find on many vanillas throughout the city.
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"Alright, I don't know what you are but I know you're watching me, now go back to wherever the hell you came from before I use some bigger explosions" The creepy bearded guy said, looking right at him. He remembered watching this guy destroy half the restaurant to kill Hotwire.
Alright, keep your pants on. Soulswitch thought to himself, leaving the body of the mouse and returning to his own body.

"SoulSwitch at your service mister Phoenix" he said in his best cockney accent. "Surveillance extraordinaire, and possessor of animal and vanilla alike" he said, bowing and introducing himself.

"What the?" The bearded guy said, somewhat taken aback. "How did you know my name?"

"Been here since y'all arrived, watching you. No one notices the occasional mouse or bird going past them" He said, switching to a southern drawl.
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Purple Phoenix was deep in thought as this new Epic explained his presence, being trapped when the museum took to the air and not being able to find any flying creatures nearby. This new Epic could be very useful, not only for the group as a whole but for him personally. He grinned to himself as he looked to SoulSwitch.
"From now on you obey me, the others as well if they don't conflict with what I say but other than that monstrosity of glitter I'm the most powerful Epic here" he said in his most menacing tone.
SoulSwitch looked as though he very much doubted those words but he went to one knee in any event.

"Glitter? That'll be Doctor Funtimes as she calls herself, but yes you are definitely the greatest of those present, I would be honoured to help you destroy your enemies" Soulswitch said, switching accents again to Australian.

Glad to finally have names to put to faces Purple Phoenix continued.
"Good. Now tell me everything you know about the others." he said.
This was going to be very interesting.

[Edgedancer he/him]

So that´s Funtimes, on the upside she didn´t seem to like Nighthound and somewhat affectionate on the downside she also didn´t seem to mind to blow up her allies and had no sense of personal space. Still better than him.

 

“I´m Ray and Burritos sound good. So how-“

Before she could finish that sentence Nighthound pushed forward and also slung his arms around Funtimes, pressing both women together. “Doctor, I can ignore you complaining that you saw me naked, when you are the one that stripped me and explosives are really more of a greeting for me but how about we make a deal. You leave alone what is mine and I don´t touch your stuff or if you don´t like that I can go and play with that Goth over there.”

 

Understandably Funtimes hated being hugged by Nighthound just as much as she did, sadly his grip was still strong and coming up with something that faced Nighthound but didn´t hurt them as well apparently took some time, although she could hear something fizzling on his back.

 

However, Ray did have a little bit more wriggling room. Using that, she kicked against their captor´s leg and shot out two lances, one through each of his hands. In that moment they managed to stumble free from him.

 

Looking back behind her, she could see him still smiling and slightly shaking his hand that gave of a huge amount of that black mist, obscuring how much of his hands she actually hit. “Ladies, I only wanted to have a little talk with everyone listening to me instead of running around, no need to become violent.” What does it take to wipe that smug look from his face?

[Voidus]

Purple Phoenix wandered back to the entrance hall, SoulSwitch in mouse form following him. He'd gained quite a bit of information about the others, apart from just their names, apparently his new underling had been keeping tabs on all Epics who were new in the city, he'd witnessed their fight last night and so knew a good bit about their capabilities, although he said he had no idea as to any of their weaknesses.

Walking towards where Traveller and Funtimes were together he noticed that NightHound had also arrived, with someone new behind him wearing a collar. They seemed to struggle briefly as he tried to hug first his new help and then Funtimes.

Purple Phoenix was about to go and assist them but then he saw the new one fire twin beams of energy into NightHounds hands, freeing them both.
Pain. All the memories flooded him at once, the Epic tossing glowing balls of crackling energy everywhere, destroying the lab, incinerating his team and then finally throwing one towards a young man named Jeff Carlisle, a name he'd not used in a long time, only for his wife and co-leader of the project dive into the ball to save him.

No, don't do this Phoenix, I know it hurts, but this one had nothing to do with it! His Voice cried, realizing what was happening.
She's an Energy Epic just like him, she needs to die, they all need to die. He snarled back, grasping one of the pebbles in his hand so hard it nearly detonated.

No, somethings wrong, something bad, I haven't felt this before. The Voice continued, sounding oddly muted.
Purple Phoenix was about to throw the stone towards them, but his limbs felt off, his vision went black as the pain in his head peaked.

It hurts! What's happening?
I don't know, are we dying?
"I am..."
The pain peaked, his vision went completely, and he heard again his third voice.
"I am Penumbra!" he yelled
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SoulSwitch watched as Phoenix stopped at the sight of the newcomer shooting lances at Nighthound.
Nothing particularly impressive. He thought to himself. Standard Energy constructs.
Purple Phoenix seemed to struggle with something and was reaching for one of his explosive pieces of rubble when he stilled again, panic and rage warring in his eyes, then his voice boomed across the room, reaching those standing at the entrance together and nearly deafening Soulswitch.
"I am Penumbra!"
SoulSwitch watched in horror as his new masters shadow exploded.
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His shadow exploded, forming into a horde of obsidian spikes, seeking other shadows to merge with and grow, they shrouded his body again obscuring him completely. The pebble in his hand was crushed, the explosion completely absorbed by the shadowy mass. The spikes formed into hands, grabbing rubble, signs, even some leftover bones, hurling the collection of items towards the object of his rage.

The Energy Epics must die. The three thought as one.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Voidus

[Edgedancer he/him]

What a cheeky little girl, still she´s pushing it now. Before Nighthound could deliver a response he heard someone scream. “I am Penumbra!”

 

The new arrival wore a hat and a beard; didn´t he meet that guy already? Penumbra started to throw rubble at them, which turned into… pink cotton. Funtimes. 

"Honestly, Penumbra? We didn't like you the first time you showed; why would you try a second time?" The Traveller said to him.

“I feel you there, T; he seems like a pretty rude jerk.” Nighthound chimed in. “Anyway we are having a conversation here, so how about you leave us alone for a bit. Don´t worry, we can kill you later.” He turned back to the two female Epics. Let´s do some emotional maipulation.

“Funtimes really, why do you think she´s your friend? She´s using you for protection, in fact I´m willing to bet everyone you know is only using you for protection or as an attack dog. Also I never said anything against chimichangaritos.”

Nighthound clasped his hands together. “Right, isn´t this shadow guy the homeless one that blew up the cars woman in the museum? Weird he seemed right up your alley.” 

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

"I feel you there, T, he seems like a pretty rude jerk." 

 

"Don't call me T." Too late, Nathan realized he had doomed himself to being called T for the foreseeable future. ​He could've come up with worse. 

 

"Anyway, we are having a conversation here, so how about you leave us alone for a bit. Don't worry, we can kill you later." 

 

The idea of shrugging off a living shadow didn't strike Nathan as prudent, but he didn't particularly feel like confronting one, either. Before he could object, Nighthound turned to Funtimes. 

 

“Funtimes really, why do you think she´s your friend? She´s using you for protection, in fact I´m willing to bet everyone you know is only using you for protection or as an attack dog. Also I never said anything against chimichangaritos. Right, isn´t this shadow guy the homeless one that blew up the cars woman in the museum? Weird he seemed right up your alley.” 

 

Nathan expected her to object, or lash out, or look confused, at the very least. He certainly was. She smiled a moment, then laughed. 

 

"He was in our alley, not up it." She hugged Ray even closer as pink cotton was buffeted about. "And once Purple Phoenixface finds his hat, we'll all be friends together! I'm nice to my friends." As if to prove her point, piles of pink cotton became piles of tamales. 

[Matrim Bloody Cauthon he/him]

Psy-fi realized that he couldnt get a shot off without exposing enough of him to be an easy target. He quietly sat patiently thinking through the situation. "We need to get out of here. There is a fire in the front room. If its keeps spreading we could all die."

A voice called back "the fire wont hurt us. You are the one in trouble. You killed Frank, therefore you must die."

Psy-fi slid two throwing knives out of his boots. He crouched down behind the boxes, careful not to let his back show above them. With a flick of his wrists he sent the throwing knives flying towards two of the gunmen. He sprinted out from hiding as soon as the knives left his hands. He ran towards the epics as his knives buried themselves into the chests of two of them.

Psy-fi dodged two bullets, sliding on the floor under a shelf. He jumped to his feet his dagger leaping to his hand as he spun slicing through the stomach of the first epic. The second epic dropped his gun and pulled out two hunting knives. He leaped forward attacking with speed greater than that of a normal human.

Great a speed epic, Psy-fi thought as he began another fight with someone who could counter him easily.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Altermind saw Joshua run back inside the store and tell that he'd be right back. Confused, Altermind turned and saw a man in a nice, new-looking suit coming towards him. He was flanked by a pair of women, each toting a rifle and riding a dinosaur. If Altermind remembered correctly, they were Deinonychus. The vulture from a few minutes ago flew above the man's head. This must be the necromancer. He didn't look like the "professor from hell" his spy had described, but a man could always change clothes.

"This is my land, after all, and what kind of ruler would I be if I did not do my part to stop turmoil when I see it?" The necromancer said. His land? He just shows up in town and thinks he can claim land? Altermind stewed inside. "To whom do I have the honor of speaking?" The necromancer continued.

"I am someone you just annoyed. That probably wasn't a good idea," Altermind said, creating a hallucination of storm clouds collecting above the professor's head. Small bursts of electricity burst out. Altermind created a hallucination of fire lighting his fingers. "You'll put those guns down, if you have any sense," he told the dino riders. "As you can see, we outnumber you and outgun you. Don't make a move or you'll have five bullets through your head in a moment," Altermind threatened. He used his telekinesis to lift a bullet from the pouch at his side and lined it directly in front of the necromancer's forehead. He pulled out his machete in his right hand.

This man shouldn't have bothered him so much, but he did. Something about his attitude and automatic claiming of land got on Altermind's nerves. He reminded him of his teachers in high school. They had ignored the bullies that had made fun of Altermind and acted like they knew everything. He saw hints of the same traits in this man.

[Kobold King he/him]

Lightwards froze. He expected the other Epics to tread carefully around him, given the friendly carefree demeanor he had presented them with. They should have assumed--no, realized--that he was a powerful Epic that deserved a little respect.

 

Instead, the tall blonde man glared, apparently taking Lightwards' existence as a personal insult. "I am someone you just annoyed," the sandy-haired man said angrily. "That probably wasn't a good idea."

 

Before he could issue a retort, miniaturized storm clouds began to whirl around Lightwards' head, spouting glowing blue bolts of lightning from their fractal patterns. The well-toned Epic flexed his fingers, showing off an impressive display of flames growing up around his hands and quietly blazing at his fingertips.

 

 "You'll put those guns down, if you have any sense," the man continued threateningly, speaking to the raptor-mounted twins. His eyes settled on Lightwards again. "As you can see, we outnumber you and outgun you. Don't make a move or you'll have five bullets through your head in a moment."

 

In illustration of this last point, a bullet floated up from the man's pouch and aimed itself directly at Lightwards' face. He continued to glare at the professor, his other hand unsheathing a massive machete.

 

This could be going better, Lightwards thought, suppressing a wave of rising panic. He considered attacking, but he really didn't like the thought of experiencing another death in one day. And there was no doubt that this Epic, with his fire and lightning, was more than a match for Lightwards even on his own. No... Lightwards would have to rely on his wits for this confrontation.

 

So instead of growing angry himself or raising a pistol of his own, Lightwards fixed his rival with a teeth-baring smile. "Five bullets? That's nothing. I shook eleven out of my skull this morning."

 

He'd felt. Every. Single. One of them.

 

He raised a hand in defiance of the muscled man's orders, snapping his fingers. "Girls," he commanded. "Lower the rifles. You're making these gentlemen fidgety."

 

While his hand was in the air, he noticed something. Lightwards was familiar with weather Epics--back in Sacramento, where he'd first discovered his powers, he'd briefly encountered the Epic Snowfall. Weather Epics had a distinctive way of moving the air, shuffling vapors from different parts of their surroundings and adjusting the temperature around them. It caused cool breezes or warm winds to materialize whenever they used their powers.

 

Lightwards smiled as the realization dawned on him. Since the air felt completely normal... this man was not a weather Epic. He waved his hand through the clouds, feeling no resistance or shocks of electricity. They vanished in a puff of smoke.

 

"Let's properly introduce ourselves," Lightwards said, giving the angry Epic the same look he once gave to particularly dim-witted students. "My name is Lightwards. I am the Emperor of Light--I rule this part of the city, and Death itself cannot stop me. You, my sour friend, are an illusionist by the name of..."

 

He left the sentence hanging, allowing the other man to finish it. Maybe he could actually intimidate these slontzes, just enough to get out of this alive.

 

Maybe he could even have fun doing it.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Eleven bullets? This "Lightwards" was either a healing or reincarnation Epic. He moved his hand through Altermind's illusion and Altermind saw Lightwards make the connection. ""Let's properly introduce ourselves, my name is Lightwards. I am the Emperor of Light--I rule this part of the city, and Death itself cannot stop me. You, my sour friend, are an illusionist by the name of..." Lightwards said to Altermind.

Altermind dropped his hallucinations. Since Lightwards had figured him out, there wasn't a point for bluffing any more. He left the bullet hanging in the air though. He wasn't going to let his guard down completely. "I'm Altermind. I rule Thoughttown. I've never heard of you or this so-called Empire. Last I knew, Corpsemaker ruled this part of town," Altermind replied. He decided it was best to not reveal everything he knew from his spies.

[Kobold King he/him]

The illusions vanished.

 

Lightwards smiled with both genuine pleasure and a touch of relief. If he'd been wrong about that...

 

But no. He was Lightwards. Youngest professor in the university, overall clever man. He was never wrong. Or, was seldom wrong.

 

 "I'm Altermind, said the tall man, the bullet still levitating in front of his face and aimed at Lightwards. "I rule Thoughttown. I've never heard of you or this so-called Empire. Last I knew, Corpsemaker ruled this part of town."

 

Altermind. Thoughttown. Lightwards felt a moment's panic. Not only were these powerful Epics--they were some of the most powerful Epics in the city. Altermind was one of the first names he'd heard in the city, Thoughttown being the only specific region of Portland old Donald the zombie had mentioned.

 

Instead of panicking and trying to shoot the man, Lightwards continued smiling. Just pretend he's a student who's late with his assignment, he thought to console himself. Just pretend that you're the one with all the power.

 

"It's surprising you haven't heard of me," he said contemptuously. "I've rubbed shoulders with many powerful Epics. From Snowfall to Möbius, my name is known across the west coast." He neglected to mention that Möbius had murdered him, and that Snowfall had come close. Altermind didn't need to know any of that.

 

"And now, Altermind himself is added to my list," Lightwards crooned by way of continuation. "I'm making all manner of new friends here... what say you and your friends meet me in a restaurant hereabouts? It would be so much easier to have a good conversation without so many guns and hostile feelings. We could chat about our holdings, our friends... and maybe have a word or two about that Corpsemaker fellow I keep hearing mentioned."

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Lightwards wanted to know about CorpseMaker? He didn't sound pleased with him either. Maybe they could work together. The man was cocky and arrogant as Calamity. "You have one hour. The dinosaurs and rifles stay outside," Altermind countered. He wouldn't let dinosaurs inside a restaurant. If the man made a move, Altermind could give him a pain hallucination and then shoot him. Kathy could fry him or Voidgaze could blow him up. He had his assets.

[Jo and the Bush all/any]

Sightline reached into his pockets and grabbed his Kukri's, feeling their smooth handles before teleporting himself onto a rooftop behind the Tyranitar. They already knew that Altermind was an Illusionist, so they would simply assume that he was turning his fellows Invisible in case stuff went down. He got down on top of the rooftop, leaning on his elbows as he examined the Dinosaur riding Epic. He looked Scholarish, yet slightly Mad as well. Like something dreamed up by Lewis Carrol. The two gun toting thugs riding Dinosaurs behind him had vacant looks on their faces though. Some sort of Mental lock was on them. Probably the same one that was on the Vulture. But that vulture looked, frazzled, as if it hadn't gotten a good grooming in a long time.

 

He looked over to his right, and teleported to a closer roof, trying to get a better view. That's when he saw the Soldier. He had teleported right behind a Soldier with a camra, who was also laying down. Though he was watching Altermind's group. Sightline carfully and quietly edged around the roof until he could see the Soldiers face. His Expression was also Vacant. Huh. This Epic, is not to be trifled with.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

(((This is a compilation post between Voidus, Edgedancer, and myself.)))

 

"Honestly, Penumbra? We didn't like you the first time you showed; why would you try a second time?"

Penumbra fumed as one of those across the museum taunted him and his projectiles were rendered useless. He remembered that one from the alley earlier, one of those he’d left alive against his better judgement. Time to rectify that? No, priorities, the Energy first.
Alright, well if a secondary attack won’t work I’ll just stab them with the shadows directly. he planned, stretching his shadow until it connected with dozens of others, giving him a mass of darkness to use. They formed into dark tendrils and lifted off the floor, rushing towards the Energy Epic.

 

With a giggle, Funtimes took Ray by the hand and spun her out of the way.

 

As she spun out of the way Ray realized that the shadows were aiming for her. What did I do to deserve all this, I´ll even eat the Tamales. Swallowing down her thought she out an energy lance at Penumbra´s chest.

 

Attempted property damage is where I have to pull the line. A growling Nighthound jumped away from the shadow mass and onto the wall behind his back. Using it as an handle to prompt himself up and ran along it, trying to jump into Penumbra´s side.

 

Penumbra watched as the Epic was pulled out of the path of the approaching tendrils, but they moved as fast as thought, twisting in the air to give chase, however the Energy Epic turned towards him and shot a corruscating lance of energy straight towards him, he pulled some of the mass back along the tendrils forming a tighter armour, but the lance was brushing aside the tendrils he’d reached out, it couldn’t cut them, they were harder than steel or stone but the light properties of it seemed to cause the shadows to be knocked back. The lance reached Penumbra himself and tossed him across the room, just as Nighthound tried to jump into him.

 

Funtimes laughed at the energy lance as it connected with Penumbra’s chest. “Shiny, shiny, I like the shiny!” she sang, waving one hand at Nighthound and the other at Penumbra. The floor beneath them became tile--slicker than the other patches of tile, and colorful. If Nathan wasn’t mistaken--and experience with Funtimes told him he wasn’t--she had even added colorful flashing lights beneath the tiles.

 

Nathan wished he could have stayed behind with the servants.

 

Nighthound jumped a moment to early, as it seemed. His target was pushed away before he could make a connection. Not only that that but the floor suddenly became slippery and littered with lights. Never heard anything about coordination, given what you did to the floor, did you? Trying to avoid falling to the ground he gripped on to Ray´s lance.

 

The lance worked better than expected pushing away Penumbra or was it the now slick floor? One way or another it was ripped away from Penumbra, when Nighthound almost fell on her lance. She pushed against him, which caused him to slide out of the slippery area and shot another lance at Penumbra.

SoulSwitch watched as Penumbra tried to regain his footing, stumbling over the newly slicked floor, Nighthound seemed to be having similar troubles, another lance shot towards the prone shadow Epic but he pulled himself out of the way with a claw of shadow, pulling him across the slippery surface until he found enough traction to stand again.

Drawing himself up again Penumbra assessed the situation, a matter manipulator powerful enough to change the floor like that, energy beams that could actually harm him and a strength Epic, given that his only assistance was still in the form of a mouse he didn’t like his chances at present.
“We’ll settle this later” he growled to the one shooting lances at him. His shadows formed another claw reaching all the way to the entrance of the museum and yanking him into the open air.

SoulSwitch watched the shadowy mass zip around the room finally hurling itself into the open air and sprouting a pair of bat-like wings. Time to be going then I suppose. He thought, running to the entrance and leaping into the body of a nearby bird to follow his new master. One who was much more powerful than he’d first seemed.

[Edgedancer he/him]

As Nighthound pulled himself up he could see the shadow Epic pulling himself away. Seems we´ll have to deliver on kill you later then.

 

He turned back to the female Epics. Ray relaxed visibly after the attack disappeared. “Well then, that was an unexpected interruption wasn´t it? Where did we leave of again? Oh yes, Doctor, your denial.”

                                                            

 

There were dinosaurs, real living dinosaurs and they would have dinner with them, maybe, kinda. Ignoring the greeting Altermind and Lightwards exchanged Voidgaze walked up to one of them. It tried to bite her. Oh, the poor thing is scared.

 

She bound a sleeve around it´s snout, to keep it calm and started snuggling its head. Big Al kept a safe distance from the animal, even after she tried to wink him over. The poor guy is missing out.

 

Still petting the big reptile she turned to Altermind. “I´m in favor of a good chat with the dinosaur people.”

[Voidus]

Hammelin strode into Oregon, cape flaring behind him, pipe held loosely between two fingers. He couldn't actually play it, he'd tried, but it was in theme so he kept it around. Behind him flowed a river of mice and rats, a flood of vermin to bury the city in.
His first step in this new city was to make himself known, he raised the pipe to his lips, pretending to play a song that only his charges could hear and mentally commanded his army of pests to invade the city, leaving nothing alone. They would likely consume vasts amounts of food that the -soon-to-be-his- city would need to support it's citizens but Hammelin didn't worry about that.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Penumbra flew through the window and was soon lost to distance. Nathan relaxed a bit, but before he could get too comfortable, Nighthound opened his mouth.

“Well then, that was an unexpected interruption wasn´t it? Where did we leave of again? Oh yes, Doctor, your denial.”

Funtimes gave Nighthound the same confused look she'd given Nathan when he asked if she knew what carpet bombing was. "Denial? Isn't that a river somewhere?" She stuck out her tongue. "That's not mine, silly. Not like the glittery jacket you're wearing!"

Nighthound's jacket was not glittering. It was shining, catching every bit of light in the entrance hall and reflecting it all around in a hundred tiny rainbows. Nathan tried not to stare, but found it impossible. It drew his attention and held it—commanded it, even. With a satisfied smile, Funtimes hugged Ray again. "There. A shiny jacket to go with her shiny powers."

She skipped over to Nathan and took his hand. "And don't try taking it off just yet," she said, nudging him out if his reverie. She then teleported down the hall, finishing her sentence from two rooms away. "Those buttons will bite you!"

Edited August 24, 2014 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Edgedancer he/him]

Funtimes turned Nighthound´s bloody shirt into a proverbial rainbow dispenser. This might be the first time I meet someone even more disrespectful of other people than myself, a disgusting thought. It didn´t help that the Traveller was staring at him again, which slowly started to add another weird element to his many oddities and suspiciousness. First quiet moment that last more than ten seconds and that guy is done for some probing.

 

Using the confusion her audacity created, Funtimes gave his Ray one last hug, skipped over to her boyfriend, spewing some more exposition about his new jacket and grabbed the Slontze´s hand. After a short nudge they blinked away. A bit fast given how he stared at his clothes as if they were the only thing in the world. Definitely some questions needed, oh well, I´ve got an easy way to check.

 

You underestimate me Funtimes, so very badly, not everyone is a toon. Instead of continuing to worry about the whacko he turned to Ray, which looked as if it took all of her willpower to not simply run away, a bit like a cute kitty hiding in a corner.

 

“Look at this, your new friend gave us a couple look, how… supportive of her.” He slowly started walking towards her, ignoring the energy she shot through his stomach. As he reached her he pulled her body close to his. “Tell me, what do you think about that?”

 

She met his eyes and her adorable little defiance seemed to return. “I think that you can storm your couple look and go die on your own.”

 

Nighthound let go of her, prompting Ray to jump away from him. He raised his hands up to his head and said. “Fair enough. For our next activity, how about you sit down. I know the ground isn´t exactly comfortable but you´ll have to deal with it”

Ray looked at him, apparently wondering, if she should do so.

“Sit down!” Nighthound repeated, putting more force in his voice. This time she complied.

 

“Good, good, now wait a moment.” He grabbed the collar of the atrocious jacked and ripped it open, from top to bottom, freeing himself from it without touching the buttons. Scantly clothed yet again. He tossed the monstrosity to the ground.

 

With a new surge of uneasiness Ray attempted to stand up. Her tormentor kept her from doing so by pushing a foot down on her stomach. After she settled down again he walked to one of the docile dinosaurs and took control over it.

 

Finally, he returned to his pet and laid himself down, resting his head in her lap and watched as the other dinosaurs started to snap out of their stupor, as one of them started to attack the others. This should make for a nice enough show. 

Edited August 24, 2014 by Edgedancer

[Voidus]

Reaching the ground beneath the museum Penumbras wings collapsed back into him, forming into a shadowy armour. He turned to see the bird that had followed his descent alight behind him, and a moment later a man in nondescript clothing appeared, bowing to Penumbra. Who was this? He almost remembered, catching at the edges of the memory until he regained it fully.
"SoulSwitch, I will have uses for you, but bear in mind I am not so lax as the one you talked to before." He said, fixing the Epic with his most menacing glare.
"Of course sir." SoulSwitch replied in a welsh accent. "I could see right away that you were different, powerful."
Of course he could, no one could deny the awe that they felt at witnessing the full might of Penumbras power, he might not be able to blanket an entire city in night like Nightwielder could but his powers were still formidable. Motioning SoulSwitch to follow him again, Penumbra strode off towards the nearest residence, lights shining through the window although it was still some hours before full dark. A tendril of darkness ripped the door off its hinges as he entered and the frightened family clustered together on the far side of the room, their dinner forgotten.
"Can you take over people like you can animals?" He asked of his new minion.
"As long as they're not an Epic I can, yes."
"Perfect, take that one and start asking around, I want to know everything you can find out about what's happening in this city, I'll expect a full list of all the Epics present, what their capabilities are and where they are based. Go now." Penumbra ordered.
SoulSwitch vanished from sight and one of the family members stood up and strode out the door, leaving the rest of them looking incredibly confused, a quick slice from the same tendril that had removed the door and all of them lay still. Penumbra sat down to finish their meal.

Edited August 26, 2014 by Voidus

[Kobold King he/him]

"You have one hour," Altermind said after a moment of consideration. "The dinosaurs and rifles stay outside."

 

Lightwards narrowed his eyes, considering. He didn't like the illusionist's insistence on setting the terms for the meeting, but it didn't seem like he'd have a great deal of choice. Altermind was firmly entrenched in the city, and any attempts at actively fighting him would have to wait until the Empire of Light had achieved its own form of security.

 

Besides, Lightwards thought with a sudden burst of optimism, it's not like they can disarm me in a restaurant, of all places...

 

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

 

He had the twins escort them to the nearest steakhouse, which was a remarkably well-kept place for a post-Calamity restaurant. The girls explained in a simultaneous monotone that the local Epics were enamored in anything related to hunter culture, going so far as to establish their headquarters in a local sports warehouse. Apparently they went to great lengths to keep the steakhouse operational. At this Lightwards spared a glance for his colleagues, who looked thoroughly unsurprised by the information. Judging by the specks of blood that dotted Altermind's sleeves, he guessed that the steakhouse was in for some rough times ahead, financially speaking.

 

The girls stayed outside on their raptors, drawing curious looks from people who knew better than to ask why dinosaurs were alive and well in Portland. The small group of Epics headed inside.

 

The steakhouse was crowded and noisy--they seemed to be in the middle of the dinner rush. Even so, the staff was well-trained in the art of serving Epics, and Lightwards was pleased to find that he didn't have to kill anybody to make himself a priority. They were very quickly brought to a choice dining table, a skinny, cautious, and exceptionally polite waiter assigned to their service.

 

"Bring me a large steak with baked potatoes, please," Lightwards said, not bothering to look at the menu. The steak was for protection--the potatoes were simply because he enjoyed potatoes, and hadn't enjoyed a good plate of them since he left Sacramento.

 

The waiter smiled and assured him it would be out soon before turning to take the Thoughttown Epics' orders.

 

Lightwards leaned back in his seat, doing his best to relax. He kept a watchful eye on Altermind and quickly memorized where all the nearest mounted deer heads were. He decided to savor the dining experience, take his companions' rudeness as it came, and above all else, try not to think about what Funtimes must be doing left to her own devices.

 

If that wasn't a recipe for a good time, he didn't know what was.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Altermind was pleased that Lightwards didn't counter any of his stipulations and that he let all Altermind's associates come as well. They easily could overpower him now. He didn't like leaving Joshua in the sports store, but knew his friend could take care of himself. The less he let Lightwards know, the better. Sightline had teleported off somewhere, which didn't make Altermind happy. He didn't say anything as he didn't want Lightwards to know anything was bothering him. He decided that he'd let the professor choose where they ate. When he chose a steakhouse, Altermind was a bit displeased. Steak had never been his favorite meat. Chicken was what he preferred. He ordered a nice chicken breast and decided to begin by finding out what the necromancer Epic knew.

"So, you wanted to talk about our mutually favorite death Epic?" Altermind began. "What do you know of him?" He glanced down at the table to make sure there was an assortment of steak knives he could levitate if he needed. Altermind kept one hand down under the table on his handgun.

------------------------------—–------------------

Kathy was nervous. She had ever been one to flaunt her powers. She always wore a costume when she had to use her powers sot hat no one would recognize her. Altermind had taken that away when he put her in prison and she'd been too scared to ask for it back. When hey met this new Epic, the one Altermind said was a necromancer, she said even less. All she had taken from the Sportsmans Warehouse was a small hunting knife and an air pistol. It wouldn't kill anyone, and she didn't want to kill anyone. She did make sure she was always ready to burst into flame if needed. The new Epic scared her more than Altermind. She sat silently next to Travis and ordered just a water and a salad. She hoped it wouldn't turn into a fight. She disliked confrontations.

[Kobold King he/him]

The other Epics settled into their seats, quietly placing their orders. Most of them, at any rate--the biggest one of them continued eating what appeared to be another greasy sandwich.

 

Where did he get that? Lightwards thought, flabbergasted. It almost looked as if he'd pulled it out from his pocket.

 

He didn't have long to ponder the mysteries of the sandwich-eating man, however, as Altermind seemed intent on getting straight to business.

 

"So, you wanted to talk about our mutually favorite death Epic?" the illusionist began after ordering a chicken dinner. "What do you know of him?"

 

"Not much," replied Lightwards, deciding that some semblance of honesty would be the best policy. "I only arrived in town yesterday, you see, and I've been too busy establishing an empire to make formal introductions. I understand that he makes corpses, but I've never known an Epic who didn't. His name is whispered, proclaimed and screamed all across the city, and I'm growing increasingly certain that our paths will cross before my time here is finished."

 

The waiter handed him a glass of tea, and Lightwards took a deep drink from it. Calamity he was thirsty. It had been a busy day.

 

"I was hoping you could shed some light on the subject of CorpseMaker," he continued. "Is he strong? Does he have many servants? Are the two of you on decent terms?"