What Happened in The Dalles

[Guest]

Lester floated in a sea of blood. Or maybe it was fire. It really didn't matter and Lester didn't care. After all, he was dead. Hold up a sec. Is that sauce?! It was sauce. A voice spoke.

"Lester, you have actually made me laugh."

Okay.

"For this, I am giving you a power that is unique to you. Arise, son."

Leader's eyes snapped open. He lay on the searing hot asphalt. Lester quickly jumped up. A body was on the ground next to him. Its face was smashed in. Lester felt a tingling in his hands that was entirely unusual. He somehow soothed it, like scratching an itch. He didn't know how. Lester looked down at the ground, more to take his eyes off the sun than anything else, and noticed mounds of ravioli under each hand. He frowned, confused. Suddenly, ravioli began shooting out of his hands with incredible force, almost lifting him off the ground. Lester chuckled. Then laughed. Then cackled with glee. Well, well, well. Lester spun in a slow circle, ravioli painting everything around him. He started to walk towards the guard booth.

************************

Ozymandias Blurred through the Dalles, smirking. Oh, that guard's face. Priceless. Just priceless. Tiny bits of gravel and dirt pinged against his shades as he ran. Ozy liked to run. It was his way of escaping. Sometimes literally, sometimes not. Ever since Mastermind had used that e--No! Ozy glanced over to one side and noticed a minotaur walking towards two men. He dashed on. Wait, what? A minotaur?! He stumbled to an ungainly halt and turned just as a man utterly wrecked the minotaur. That. Was. Awesome. He Blurred toward the two men. One of them, at least, must be an Epic. I'll see if he knows what's going on. He ran directly behind the Minotaur and stopped, putting a look of awe on his face. In a Southern accent, he said, "Hot diggety dog! You keeled him! That was my pet Hershey!" The men looked at him, bewildered. One of the men had a broken nose. "Just jokin'," Ozy said, and dropped the accent."So what's up?"

[Voidus]

(Part 1/3 of the final post from the Destructors in Connel collaboration between Voidus, Mail-Mi and Mailliw)

Colonel Kernel of Connel sat leaning against a building, eyes closed as he rested. It was yet another day spent avoiding the eyes of everyone he could. Some days Colonel Kernel wondered if his entire life was just one big practical joke. From the day his parents had named him Connor O’Connell to the day they had moved to Connell to the day Calamity had joined in, giving him the powers which had given him the nickname Colonel Kernel. No matter how he had tried to get rid of the nickname news of Colonel Connor ‘Kernel’ O’Connell had spread throughout the city.

 

Cracking open an eyelid he looked across the street at the eye-shaped glyph on the wall. Blasted Hundredeyes made him so uncomfortable, he was never sure when the Epic was watching him, sure that he secretly took every opportunity to watch and laugh at Kernel.

He’d been hearing noises in the distance for a while now from the direction of the factory, preventing him from getting any sleep.
Probably the Architect on another ‘construction project’. He thought to himself, closing his eyes once more.

A moment later he was kicked in the side.

“Get up soldier! Didn’t you hear the call? We’re under attack!”
The guardsmen drew his foot back for another kick. Colonel Kernel glared at him, fingering the badge on his lapel that marked him out. The guard stopped immediately.
“Sorry sir, but it sounds serious, you should head out too.”
The guard didn’t look very sorry, while they showed him a modicum of respect they never feared him the same way they did the Architect, nor held him in awe as they did Maodun.

Colonel Kernel sighed, charging the ground under the guards feet and waited.
A few seconds passed in silence, the guardsman not entirely sure what to do with Kernel’s lack of reaction.

“Um… ok, well I’ll meet you there Colonel.” He said, beginning to back away. It was on his second step that the ground under his feet glowed briefly before the guardsman shot into the air. He tried to grab onto the roof of the building but missed, soaring still higher before beginning a rapid descent that ended with a crunch.

“We’re going to need more guards” Kernel mused to himself, dusting off his military suit as he stood up. He slowly began to walk back to the factory, stifling a yawn as he did so.

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

Chaos. The factory had devolved into complete and utter chaos, shots fired everywhere, the previously smooth concrete had rippled, forming barriers and holes to trip unwary ankles. Colonel Kernel briefly considered leaving the city in the confusion, he could be far gone by the time Maodun could pursue him. But there was always the possibility Hundredeyes would see and report him before he went two feet though.

Kernel sighed. He headed towards the gunfire, following the trail of holes in the concrete where the Architect had been. As he turned the corner a bizarre scene unfolded before him, a hail of concrete soared towards a man but all of it disintegrated before it hit, the man stood before a naked form held suspended in the air.
Someone beat the Architect? Kernel wondered. Not a High Epic the Architect was still powerful, together with Maodun he’d defeated all opposition in Connel.
Kernel leaned down, brushing the ground with a fingertip he charged it, feeling his power flowing out in an arc in front of him, covering the entire battlefield. Scraps of concrete, bullet shells, small things which littered the field immediately began leaping into the air. He couldn’t control what moved or when, only dictate an area and wait. So he waited, soldiers began soaring into the air around the battlefield, joined by the bodies of their deceased enemies. Soldiers watched in confusion at their allies sudden flight. The man holding the Architect hadn’t been affected yet, he just watched the chaos erupting around him. One man, another Epic soared over the battlefield amid all the other flying debris, he alone did not fall back down.

Mike was about to drop the Architect onto the ground, killing him, but suddenly his fellow commandos began popping into the air. Dead bodies from the pit also bounced up and then fell. Suddenly, Mike felt himself pushed into the air by the ground itself. The Architect had more than one concrete power it seemed. Mike caught himself in the air as he watched the other commandos fall back to the ground. Some bones had to be broken if they weren't dead.

"Architect! This will not save you. I will kill you still!" Mike felt a chunk of concrete whizz past his head. Another disintegrated at his feet. Looking at the ground, Mike saw another man standing in uniform. He hadn't been there earlier or else he'd be dead as well. Mike vaporized the ground underneath the man, dropping him a couple feet.

 

Colonel Kernel watched both Epics, the one on the ground had finally been launched only to immediately catch himself.
Great, both fliers. Of course they are, my powers couldn’t possibly be useful could they?
Other bodies began falling back to earth, the occasional snap of a bone breaking pierced the eery silence.
Before he had a moment to think the ground beneath his feet collapsed, dropping him to the ground. Landing awkwardly Kernel twisted an ankle, collapsing as his weight could no longer be held.
Sending his power into the ground beneath him Kernel waited until he suddenly surged up and managed to pull himself out of the ditch the Epic had created.

 

Hawkwing had stayed out of the way this long because he'd seen new Epics before. One did not want to get in the way. Mike was a powerful one. He had an invincibility, two major powers and a minor one. Even Jag would have a hard time against him head on.  Hawkwing really wasn't that powerful, especially compared to the other Destructors. His intelligence gave him his edge. Hawk waited for Jag to come so they could figure out how to calm Mike down.

Hawk watched as the Connell Epic bounced out of the depression in the ground Mike had made. He had some strange energy powers. He seemed to be able to spread random kinetic energy throughout surfaces.

Mike appeared to lose his concentration long enough for Architect to make a concrete slide for himself as Mike dropped him. The new Epic absorbed Mike's attention. Hawk heard Mike shout, "You are nothing! Jumping can't begin to compare to my powers. Prepare to die."

 

Metalmech commanded his tank forward, followed by his 5 Commandos. He was making his way over to Smasher to help him, well, smash that part of the city’s defenses. The city seemed empty on the inside. There either weren’t any vanillas in this part, or the Epics holed up here liked their playthings like they liked their enemies.

 

Dead.

 

It was a quiet journey. They were about halfway there, by Metalmech’s estimations, and they’d be there in about--

 

BOOM!

 

A section of building just behind Metalmech exploded, killing one of his Commandos and sending another flying to the side. Metalmech whipped around, searching for the source of the blast. A third Commando knelt over the dead one, and Metalmech heard weeping. Furious, he went over to the pair and pulled the alive one up to his feet. “We are in Calamity’s world! Men are going to die! And if you refuse to accept that fact, you’ll join the--”

 

Metalmech was cut off as the building started to collapse.

[mail-mi he/him]

(Part 2/3 of the final post from the Destructors in Connel collaboration between Voidus, Mail-Mi and Mailliw)

 

Smasher watched in awe as the Epic's spear managed to push the forcefield. The amount of force it took to bend one of his forcefields was huge. Jag was only able to cause it to ripple if he hit it as hard as he could. Smasher himself, fully densified, couldn't budge it. But somehow, this Epic's spear and fists were able to stretch the forcefield out around them. His punch hadn't managed to affect the man either. It would take more than densified strength and forcefields to kill this man. The angry Epic's yells were distorted a bit by the forcefields, but Smasher got the gist of it. He was angry, yep. Wanted to kill Smasher, yep. Disbelief in the fact that he isn't the best Epic ever, yep. Standard Epic who had a power even slightly useful.

Smasher ignored the yells and decided that he would deal with the enemy soldiers first. His own commandos had lost two of their number, but were fighting valiantly. Smasher roared and picked up his shield. He rammed a guard with it and then created a forcefield just barely on his side of the shield. The bubble expanded outwards, pushing the shield away, which slammed the guard into another and pressed them onto the ground. He dismissed the forcefield and began to lay about him with his fully densified fists and metal-reinforced gloves. Soldier after soldier fell unconscious or dead after Smasher's brutal blows. The bullets just bounced off of his skin. This was what it felt like to have power. This was how Smasher had always wished he could've felt back in his younger days. Back then, he hadn't felt the power like this. His father had held all the power. No more. Smasher let no one have power over him, not even Jag. He worked with Jag as an equal, not as an inferior.

Soldiers littered the ground about Smasher and his commandos. He had lost another Commando to a bullet wound in his neck. Now that all the enemy soldiers were dead, Smasher went to deal with the trapped Epic. To Smasher's awe, the Epic had managed to push his way forward slightly, stretching the force field. It wouldn't make a difference, but Smasher appreciated the strength it took to do that.

War Smasher went intangible and passed through the force field walls. He reached his hand into the Epic's throat and, grabbing his vocal cords, made his hand sense again. He squeezed, causing extreme pain in the Epic's throat. Then, with his other hand, Smasher grabbed the Epic's heart. He pulled on the vocal cords a he crushed the heart.

Maodun struggled forward through the force field, straining against this force that tried to restrain him. Hands stretched out he tried to grab the Epic by the throat, determined to break through this barrier one way or another. The Epic was laying about him, killing Maoduns elite troops, bullets bouncing off of him.
Glaring at him with hatred Maodun struggled even harder, hands shifting the field with agonising slowness.
Finishing off the last of the soldiers the Epic returned, standing before Maodun. No more words passed between them, just an air of power. The power of two powerful Epics locked in combat.
The Epic reached through the forcefield, hand passing through it as though it weren’t even there. He reached for Maoduns throat, somehow passing through the flesh as well before solidifying. Pain lanced through his body, his throat closed up, every nerve ending screeching in agony.
One more hand pushed through, reaching his chest before entering. Maodun stareed down at the arm protruding from his chest, fear entering into his previously rage-filled gaze as the moment seemed to stretch. Ages seemed to pass before Maodun saw the muscles on the mans arm tense, a quick sensation of pain in his chest and then Maodun fell.

Hundredeyes stayed as far back as he could from the traveling party. He switched his vision to the nearest eye glyph and waited for them to cross in front of it. As soon as he saw one of the vanillas cross right next to it, he triggered the explosion that was the second part of his powers. If he was close enough, he could obliterate any of his glyphs in a small-scale explosion.

His sight always faded back to his normal vision after he triggered an explosion. He prepared to switch to the next glyph, when he heard the building start to collapse. He grinned maliciously. They’re done for. There was no chance they’d survive an entire building falling on them.

But...just in case...

Hundredeyes ran up ahead to a small choke point where the group would have to cross. He lined the ground with glyphs, and found a place safely out of the explosions’ range, but where he could still watch.

After all, killing was no fun unless you got to watch.

* * *

Metalmech pushed himself out of the ruins, metal plates forming to cover his wounds. He scanned the area, looking for surviving Commandos.

None.

Metalmech screamed in rage. This sparking Epic had killed every single one of his followers. “You will die, little Epic! You hear me?! You will DIE!”

He left his tank behind. He was more than capable of taking out this Epic on his own, and he wanted to feel his bones crushing between his hands. He scanned for the Calamity-cursed Epic as he moved through the streets. There! A glimpse of movement. Metalmech charged forward, not noticing the line of glyphs on the asphalt. He was almost to the Epic! He--

An explosion rocked the buildings around him, the fire engulfing him.

I hate new Epics. Kernel thought to himself as he zigzagged his way around the field, jumping periodically incase the Epic decided to remove his footing again. He pulled out his old Beretta M9, the weight of the pistol in his hand felt right as he haphazardly fired shots towards the yelling Epic. Running for his life Kernel headed towards the Architect, neither of them seemed to be able to hold off this new Epic but perhaps if they regrouped they’d be able to at least escape. Hundredeyes had to be able to find a way out didn’t he?
The Architect had managed to slide safely to the ground again, his naked form cowering against the broken concrete that littered the area.

“Get up!” Kernel yelled, grabbing the prone mans arm as he passed. “We have to get out of here!”
His foot caught on a piece of rubble, hurling him to the ground. He tried to roll, absorb the impact and get back up but the ground beneath him dissipated once more, leaving him lying prone next to the Architect.
Well that’s us done for. Kernel thought despairingly. His thoughts firmed a moment later as he felt the weight of his M9 still in his hand.
He fired the last shot towards the Epic, slapping his other hand to the ground he charged it with the most force he was capable of imparting. While the area he could cover with this much force was barely larger than his own body it was still an extravagant effect. Rubble began streaking upwards as though intent on escaping the atmosphere. Kernel felt his ribs creak as his own body was suddenly launched upwards with great force, several of his bones broke immediately, he could feel the splinters of bone piercing through his body as he soared. With his final moments of consciousness he hurled his M9 straight at the Epic, the gun itself now charged with all the kinetic energy he could muster. His eyes glazed over before he could even tell if his improvised projectile hit.

 

Mike watched as the jumping Epic bounded across the field of broken concrete. He vaporized section after section of cement, trying to catch the Epic, but he kept leaping upwards unpredictably, making it difficult. Just as Mike was about to catch the man with air and lift him up, the Epic shot up high into the air, surrounded by concrete pieces zipping towards Mike. Like all the others, they disintegrated a few inches away from his body.

The Epic hurtled upward at an extremely high velocity and threw his gun at Mike. It flew through the air with more speed than it should've. Mike instinctively flinched, but the gun still vaporized before it hit him. The Epic hadn't been able to survive the velocity he had thrown himself up at. His lifeless body crashed to the ground, bones sticking out at odd angles.

The Architect lay in shock on the ground. Mike turned on him and lowered himself to the ground. "Architect, you have failed this city," he in a low voice. With flaming hands, Mike gripped the Architect by the throat and lifted him up in the air. "Say goodbye." Mike slammed his body back down onto the concrete, the life draining out of the Architect's eyes instantly.

Mike looked around at the desolate area he had created. Only one of Hawkwing's commandos had survived the battle and he had broken both of his legs. The rest of the area was completely empty. A desolation. Desolation: that's what he would call himself.

Desolation used his powers to extract two concrete bars from the ground and propped them up next to the steel factory. He lifted the two dead Epics onto the posts and hung them there. They, like the dead soldiers in the pit, would be a sign to the citizens of Connell that the Destructors, that Desolation, was not one to be messed with.

Edited February 18, 2015 by mail-mi

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Part 3 of the final part of a compilation between me, Mail-mi, and Voidus.

Only one survived the building collapse.

Hundredeyes watched in glee as his trap went off, completely immersing the survivor. There’s no way he’ll survive, Hundredeyes thought. I’ve won! There’s no chan--

Something emerged from the flames.

A broken body stepped out of the explosion. The skin was completely seared off, and bone showed in several places. How... Hundredeyes thought in shock as metal started to grow over the Epic’s body. It sprouted from all over and grew until it covered his entire body. The shining sheets remained there for only a moment. They started to flake off, revealing the completely healed Epic beneath.

He’s invincible... Hundredeyes’ shocked mind thought. Calamity.

I’m dead.

He was paralyzed from shock. He couldn’t stop what was coming. The invincible Epic’s face contorted into a scream of rage, and his eyes immediately found Hundredeyes. His hands were around Hundredeyes’ neck faster than he could shift vision. The Epic lifted him up to stare into his eyes. “You killed each of my followers, and now their leader is here to do the same.”

There was nothing Hundredeyes could do.

“Goodbye, little Epic.”

As Hundredeyes struggled for his last breath, a final thought crossed his mind. If I’m dying, this town is dying with me. And he triggered the explosion for each one of his glyphs.

Every. Single. One.

Explosions rocked the city of Connell, putting on one last show for its masters’ deaths.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/Mailliw73/bjicon_zps07dbf362.png/img]

Jag hated when his plans were interrupted. He had almost reached Hawkwing when some more soldiers had decided to charge him. He had to go out of his way and kill them now. They were simple to kill, but annoying. Why did they get in his way? Couldn't they see that he was superior? Jag growled as he decapitated the last soldier. He called his four remaining commandos over and told them to get in the Lightning and be ready for trouble.

New Epics were unstable. When one became an Epic, everything changed. The humans got in your way and the inconvenience infuriated you. New Epics went on a rampage most of the time, killing indiscriminately. Jag would need to stabilize the commando, Mike, before he killed all the commandos or demolished the other Destructors.

Black Jaguar came around the corner just in time to see two bodies hung on poles by a dark-skinned man in a tank top. Mike. He remembered when he had taken Mike from the prison in Vegas. He had been angry and Jag had channeled that anger. Now he would have to do it again.

"Mike," Jaguar called out. The new Epic turned around.

"Mike is dead. I am Desolation," he spat.

"Desolation, then. The Destructors could use an Epic like you. Will you stay on with us?" Jag inquired.

"I am no slave to you," Mike, Desolation, said.

"You never were. But now, you will be a full partner."

"I will be the only leader," Desolation yelled. His fists lit on fire. Jag leapt with all the power his enhanced muscles gave him. Hawk had said that Mike had vaporizing powers, but that was unlikely to affect Jag. He extended his claws and swiped at Desolation's face. He caught a flaming fist in the mouth in exchange. His hit had landed as well. Desolation gingerly felt the cuts, surprised that he had been harmed. New Epics were always so arrogant.

Jag felt himself being lifted into the air, as was Desolation. Wind powers. Jag nodded at Hawkwing and the flying Epic let loose with his bullets. Not one hit Desolation. That meant his power was also a passive one. Jag stood still, waiting for Desolation to make a move. Suddenly, his stomach felt like it was moving up his throat and Jag felt air rush past him. Desolation had let him fall. Jag smiled and waited for the impact. When it came, he absorbed the force with his knees and taunted Mike. "That's all?" He saw Desolation's eyes narrow as he flew down lower. Jag was ready. He grabbed the new Epic's neck in a headlock and wrenched one of his arms behind his back. Desolation fought back powerfully, but Jag's strength triumphed.

He twisted Desolation's neck slowly, letting him feel the pain. "You cannot kill me and I can kill you. Last chance. Will you join us?"

Desolation nodded. "Good." He released the hold on the Epic and stepped back. He reached out and caught the fist that Mike threw. He knew it would come; Epics like this always wanted the last word. "You're done. You are an equal member of our team now. The Fifth Destructor. Do well."

Hawkwing flew back down to the ground and spoke, "You did well today, Des. You'll be an important member of our team. Let's go find the others." Jag agreed and, with Hawk, began walking to the other side of the building. After a moment, Desolation followed. The Lightning with Jag's commandos followed behind. Suddenly, explosions throughout the city rocked the ground itself. The opposite side of the building crumbled.

Jag ran, his two fellow Destructors flying behind. As he rounded the corner, he saw Metalmech drop a body to the ground. "Metal! What the Sparks just happened?!" Jag yelled. A city in ruins was not worth staying in. He had no idea what was happening.

“Another Epic,” Metalmech growled. “He could set off explosions. He must’ve decided to rig the whole sparking city! Gah! He killed every one of my Commandos, too.”

Smasher came running around the building with his commandos in their jeep just as Metalmech answered. A quick report concluded that all the major Connell Epics had been killed.

"We can work with this. Plan to move on in two days. This ruin of a city isn't worth much anymore. I'm heading to the prison with Hawkwing to gather new commandos. We'll set up base there. Meet us there in two hours, but otherwise, you have the rest of the day to yourself," Jag said. He brought War Smasher up to speed and headed off to the prison to establish a base for the remainder of their short time here and to replenish their commandos' ranks.

[Voidus]

"I'm Edgerunner, or Emma. This is Lucy, or Scribbler. It's nice to meet you,"

MV turned her attention to the flying Epic, away from the creepy girl who looked like she wanted to murder them both on the spot.

 "We could use your help fighting these animals. If Autumn let you come, we must really need more help. Will you fight with us?" The flying girl smiled at her, the sentiment echoing hollowly through MV she tried, and failed to force a smile back.

Looking back at the army she at last managed a grim smile.

"If you're attacking these things then I'll help you as long as I can, I have a sister, a twin and we got kind of separated in the fighting, she's alive somewhere I think, I'd know if she wasn't but she still hasn't found me yet. There's another Epic who came with us who could help me find her, but first I suppose we need to get rid of all these stupid animals."

MV glared at the animals below, eyes darting as she spoke she shifted momentum from animal to animal, tripping up the large charging beasts as they were suddenly robbed of all movement and sending it into the more delicate footsoldiers to send them flying through their comrades. She wrought havoc wherever her gaze fell.

"And then kill whoever sent them."
 

[Queen Elsa Steelheart she/her]

Elsa stepped forward on the ice cloud. 

"I'll help too. In fact, I'll do whatever it takes to win."

 

Hit by a sudden flashback of when she ran away from Arendelle when Epic Hans took over her and she had done things she'd rather forget.

 

Elsa then looked back at the girl. "Like I said, I'll do whatever it takes."

[mail-mi he/him]

 

Reader crumpled to the ground, his entire head screaming out in pain. He watched through blurry eyes as Ethan destroyed....something that Reader couldn't see, and frankly, did not care to see. 

 

That sparking Epic, thinks he's so much better than I am, he thought as feeling started to return to his face, making it hurt even more. Ethan turned back to him and said something that Reader couldn't quite make out because of the ringing in his ears. It had something to do with Ethan's original question. Just because everyone but me has combat powers doesn't mean I am not great! I know everything! 

 

Or, at least, everything he could see. Another Epic appeared next to Ethan, and Reader could only tell that his Epic name was Ozymandias as information slowly filtered through his watery eyes. 

 

Reader forced himself to sit up, trying to ignore the wave of pain that shook his body. He started to say something cutting to Ethan, but, reluctantly, stopped himself. He'll kill you if you say anything more. "I will tell you everything that you want to know, Ethan. Just take me back into the city and take me where I direct you, and I'll tell you everything." 

 

He fought back every insult he could throw at Ethan. Curse Calamity for not giving me any defensive powers. Curse it. 

[Voidus]

Lucy watched the two carefully, the belligerent one, Elsa was it? Seemed to be the one manipulating all the ice. Lucy subtly prepared some more fire based tattoos, the ink pulling out of her skin and hovering in the air under her hands.

"So we're just supposed to take their word for it I suppose?" She asked Emma "They could be spies sent by whoever sent this army in the first place."

Neither of the two had done anything obviously hostile to the Dalles so far, but Lucy didn't trust any Epics, new Epics who arrived in the city at the same time as an invading army were even more suspicious than most.

 

Well if they knew about Autumn then there wasn't much of a case to be made against them for now.

"Fine. But if either of you do anything suspicious then we're well within our rights as members of the guard to use lethal force against any suspicious or threatening Epics in the city limits."

Dealing with the two had give Lucy a thought, a way she could help the city guard in future with her abilities.

She maneuvered the ink through the air in front of the two new Epics.

"I must insist that you both wear these around your necks while you're fighting. If either of you do anything I can use them in an instant, I'm sure you can guess what they do."

Twin renditions of the word 'break' hovered in the air between them.

[Newan he/him]

"Epics, then?" asked the leader of the slontzes. "You are cowards. Get out of the Dalles. Immediately."  He then released waves of energy at them, knocking them to the ground.  Current Event cried out in pain.  

 

Planeshift stood up and steadied his breathing.  He hated epics like these.  Once he was certain that he would sound submissive and agreeable, he shouted back to the frequency epic, "That was our aim before our vehicle was destroyed.  Do you know where we could find a new one?" 

 

Planeshift helped Current Event up.  The miserable man was still suffering from his previous injury, and now blood was running out of one of his ears.  Then Planeshift walked over to Memori.

 

"So we're letting them think they're in control?" she asked softly.  

 

"No," said Planeshift, "They are in control.  These kind are too powerful to work with.  As soon as we have something that they want, they'll kill us out of convenience.  Start making them forget what they like about each other.  If their alliance is weak, you may be able to break it.  Also, act strong, but not strong-willed.  We don't want them to--"

 

Planeshift cut off as a herd of animals poured into the street.  "AUGH! What the sparking sparkamity is wrong with this stupid city?" he yelled.  He turned back to Memori.  "Forget whatever I just said.  It's time for kill.  Make them forget where I am."  

 

A panda was a hundred yards in front of him, but then it was right in front of him.  It was also paper-thin.  Before it even realized he had stretched out to meet it, he grabbed its paper-thin knife from its harness, then planted his foot and returned to normal length and the knife felt normal in his hand.  Then he flattened downward, the panda appearing to tower above him.  The knife flattened with him, but from the panda's perspective, it would be much sharper than before.  He swung in a circle and cut off all four feet, then reached his hands upward and locked his elbows, and then stretched upward quickly enough to launch the panda into the air.  Blood sprayed from its stumps across Planeshift and the other animals.  He returned to normal size.  

 

This all took about a second.  The other epics could talk smack about his powers all they wanted.  It didn't change the fact that Planeshift was sparking fast.  

 

Stretch cut grab shrink cut launch stretch.  Blood coursed and animal parts flew across the street.  

 

Planeshift shivered with glee.

[Tulir he/him]

It was time to tend to his garden.

 

He walked through the trees he had grown, enjoying the shade.  He knelt down next to a tree, noticing that a root was cut.  "It's okay," he whispered to it, "You'll get some more water, so you can heal from this wound." he said, cooing to the tree.

 

The worry that overcame him for the rest of the garden made him pause, and quest out with his senses.  The healthiness of the garden flowed through him, and he relaxed slightly.  "Everything is fine," he said to his plants, and resumed his care of them.

 

Flowers, vines, grasses, small trees, big trees.  He frowned, saddened that he still hadn't found any seeds for dragon blood trees.  They would be a good addition to his collection.  He started petting the floor of moss he was cultivating, extending his senses again and amplifying it's growing process slightly.  Despite his hopes, the moss wasn't growing as well as he wanted.

 

The dwarf trees he had cultivated had entwined nicely with the vines and flowers on the ground.  An explosion of color, the dwarf trees small and gray and green, vibrant blue and orange flowers encircling them, and green vines creeping across it all.  He smiled to himself, proud of what he had created.

 

He walked back from his garden to his alcove, smiling to the plants and giving them surges of strength as he passed.  He stopped to pick some apples and plums, thanking the trees afterward.   He took them with him, and sat in his alcove in the trees.

 

"Thank you," he said, closing his eyes and relishing in the hum of the plants growing.  He took a bite of the apple, saddened that the tree had lost part of itself.  "I thank you for my renewed life, and mourn your lose," he called to the fruit trees.  To console them, he added some of his strength to their's, and just focused on the trees and their growth.

 

The last few days had been quite unusual for him.  The assortment of animals had tried to destroy his garden, but he kept them out.  Eventually they stopped coming, and he had his peace again.  It seemed like the type of situation that would cause a visit to happen.  Maybe from the Leader, maybe someone else.  He grew his garden more as he waited.

[Mailliw73 he/him]

The bruised man, Planeshift, and Memories stood. As Planeshift helped Current Event from the ground, he shouted at Frequency, "That was our aim before our vehicle was destroyed. Do you know where we could find a new one?" Before letting Freq respond, he muttered to the woman and they carried on a quiet conversation as Frequency's temper rose. As he was about to yell, pandas and other animals flooded the street.

Planeshift cursed obscenely, "AUGH! What the sparking sparkamity is wrong with this stupid city? Forget whatever I just said. It's time for kill. Make them forget where I am." Frequency watched as Planeshift stretched and shrunk in strange movements, quickly dispatching a panda.

Blitz and Canis had already begun their own battles with the animals, lightning streaking and blurs of blood flashed past Frequency's vision. He muttered a plan to Terraform and she smiled. She raised the dirt around them into a ring around the animals and the three cowards, trapping them inside. She raised a pillar of dirt, carrying Freq and herself. He shouted to the three Epics, "Prove yourselves! When you take care of these creatures, you will be worthy enough to leave. If you defeat them all, I will provide you with a mean of transportation.

He smiled, knowing that they didn't have a choice now, they were stuck in the ring with these beasts. If they died, it was no big loss. If they won, they proved themselves better than animals and Frequency would happily kick them out of Koschei's city.

[Newan he/him]

"Planeshift!" Memori yelled.

 

A rhinoceros charged toward Planeshift, so he reached out and grabbed the fur of a bear that was fifteen feet away and pulled himself out of the path of the charging beast.  He kicked his feet up and did and handstand on the bear so he could stretch out and kick a bird.  Then the bear stood up on its hind legs.  Planeshift fell off, but he went flat so by the time it turned around, he was out of its direct line of sight.  The bear didn't even look down.  It turned and started to walk away from Planeshift, so he stood up, and casually raised his knife.

 

Current Event grabbed his arm, and Memori put her hand over his mouth.  What are these morons doing? I was dominating!  Planeshift grabbed Memori's hand with his free hand and was about to bite it when he saw a puckered, half-healed gash across her palm.  She got that when Blastaway appeared behind me, Planeshift remembered.  He was going to stab me, so she grabbed the knife with her bare hand.  Planeshift stopped struggling.  

 

"Look around, you stupid slontze." Memori whispered angrily.  

 

All of the animals were clamboring and trying to climb over a circular dirt wall.  The three epic fugitives stood at the center of the ring, but the animals were completely ignoring them.  

 

"While you were busy relapsing into jerk mode, the earthbender epic decided to prove our worthiness, Ancient Roman-style." Memori held her arms out like Russell Crowe in Gladiator and turned all the way around.  "They said that they would let us leave the Dalles if we killed all of these animals.  Whenever an animal looked away from us, I made it forget we were here."  

 

When Calamity chose Tektonix, I made him promise never to use his powers.

 

"I'm slipping," said Memori.  "These aren't normal animals.  Their minds are stronger.  Each time one starts to look back towards us, I let it remember its worst fear, but I don't know how long that will hold them off."  

 

"It's ok," said Planeshift.  "Give our memories back.  It's not like running into a telepath is the worst thing that could happen to us right now."

 

Images and thoughts flooded into Planeshift's mind.  His life started to make sense again.  Except for the army of pandas.  That was still confusing as heck.  

 

"Um, I don't know if I can keep going," said Current Event.  He was bleeding in multiple places.  "So if you need like, a distraction or something..." He trailed off.  

 

"What?" said Planeshift.  "No.  You're not going to sacrifice yourself just because you have an earache."

 

"Come on, man.  We all know I'm the expendable one.  I got us this far, but you'll be taking a freeway to Boise, not a river.  You can step over that wall, but I doubt you'll get through those animals quickly enough to avoid notice while carrying two people."  

 

"Pfft, I could do it,"  said Planeshift.  Current Event and Memori looked doubtful.  

 

"Current Event," said Memori, "We're not just going to let you die out of convenience.  But you're right, it would be difficult to bring you along.  Plus, the frequency epic already seems to have singled you out as the weakest member of the group.  You might not make it if you come along.  But there may be another way."  

 

***

 

Snaboon didn't really understand why he was a baboon, or why he had snakes for arms.  He was confused about a lot of things right now.  Where did this wall come from?  Why was he surrounded by animals?  And why did his third grade teacher keep appearing in his mind when he turned around?  

 

He turned his head slightly to the left.  He saw standing above him.  She had a mole right next to her lip, with a single black hair sticking out of it.  Behind her was a window.  Through the window he saw a tree.  He remembered that tree.  He used to climb on that tree during recess.  But then a few years later it had been cut down.  He had actually cried when they chopped the tree down.  No epic could bring things back to life.  This was definitely just a memory.  

 

He turned around completely.  Memories of his insane, evil third grade teacher filled his mind, but he focused on what he saw in front of him.  An epic stuck his arms straight up, then became flat.  The other male epic stood on the flat one.  Then the first epic sprung into length, launching the bleeding epic high into the air toward the river.  

 

Wait, aren't we supposed to be killing these epics? thought Snaboon.  He started screaming at the other animals.  A few of them turned toward him.  He pointed his slithery snake arms and hissed.  But by the time he had gotten the attention of the army, the female epic had climbed onto stretchy epic's back, and Stretchy was running toward them.  He was also hundreds of feet tall.  Some of the animals cowered for a moment, but Snaboon ran toward Stretchy.  It doesn't matter how tall you are; a snakebite's still poisonous.  

 

Snaboon's left hand struck toward Stretchy's leg, but the tall epic hopped over him.  Snaboon shrieked, then turned around and showed the epic his buttocks, but that didn't even slow Stretchy down.  Before any of the other animals could reach the epic, it had stepped over the wall.  

 

***

 

Planeshift adjusted his height so Memori was at eye-level with the epics on the pillar.  He held onto the pillars with both his hands so he wouldn't fall over in case of a gust of wind.  

 

"All right," said Memori to the frequency epic.  We killed plenty of the animals and left the rest of them trapped.  You must be growing tired of these games too.  Your earthbender can kill the rest of them with a wave of her hand."

[Queen Elsa Steelheart she/her]

                                                                                   

Elsa looked at Lucy and smiled as she agreed for her and MV to be able to help them. It was nice to be appreciated for once, which hadn't really happened since Elsa had decided to runaway from Arendelle after all the chaos.

 

Lucy then maneuvered the ink through the air in front of the two new Epics. Elsa was confused. She had no idea what the girl was doing, even after they were handed two necklaces. She guessed they were pretty tough about trust here. 

 

Not wanting to start an argument with the two new girls, Elsa put the necklace on. 

I wonder what other powers this girl has. Maybe we're quite similar....

[Aonar he/him]

Reader began to stir when a voice drew Frostfire’s attention. "Hot diggety dog! You keeled him! That was my pet Hershey!” He spun, readying himself in case this new Epic was dangerous. His affected accent and melodrama suggested more on attempt at humour than a threat, but you could never tell with an Epic.
 
“Just jokin'." Dressed in pink aviators and green flip-flops, he certainly looked anything but a threat. "So what's up?" 
 
Confused and annoyed, Frostfire was about to respond when Reader interrupted. "I will tell you everything that you want to know, Ethan. Just take me back into the city and take me where I direct you, and I'll tell you everything." 
 
Good. He’s obviously learned at least a little humility. “I’ve been looking forwards to seeing some of the Dalles. It’s a deal, then, Goldilocks. Lets avoid the massive army of pandas this time though. I'd prefer not to spend too much more time waiting around.”
 
Turing back towards the newcomer, he spoke again. “Sorry about my companion’s rudeness. He’s not in the best mood right now. My name is Frostfire, or Ethan. And this is…” Frostfire stood for a moment, thinking, one hand gesturing towards the telepath. “Well, I don’t actually know his name, but I call him Goldilocks, and that works well enough for me.”
 
Ethan stretched out his hand to shake. “We’re heading to the Dalles. Assuming you don’t plan on destroying anything, do you want to come with?” When dealing with unknown Epics, it was usually best to be courteous. You never knew exactly what they could do. Edited March 3, 2015 by Aonar Faileas

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Frequency watched Planeshift grow and stretch and shrink at rapid speeds as he took care of many animals. He could be a valuable fighter, why does he want to leave? The animals began wandering away from the three Epics and headed for the edge of the ring. It must be the Memori Epic. She somehow caused the animals to ignore them.

The weaklings left the distracted animals completely alone instead of killing them where they stood. Memori must be the reason Planeshift won't keep fighting. She's the weak one. Planeshift grew extremely tall, and after throwing Current, he had Memori riding on him, and stepped over the wall of dirt. He grabbed hold of the dirt column Frequency stood on with Terra and Memori spoke.

"All right. We killed plenty of the animals and left the rest of them trapped. You must be growing tired of these games too. Your earthbender can kill the rest of them with a wave of her hand." She said.

Frequency took a moment to regain his composure. "You weaklings!" He shouted. "Get your unworthy selves out of Koschei's city," he sneered. He nodded at Terra and she collapsed the ring of dirt onto the remaining animals, killing them instantly. "If you don't follow my rules, you don't get the prize." Frequency clapped and sent the Epic on Planeshift's back stumbling.

Unfortunately, they didn't fall off. Frequency whistled and tried to break Planeshift's leg. Nothing happened. Furious, he shattered Memori's nose instead, blood began gushing. "Leave. Now!" He shouted. "Or fight us, and die."

Edited March 3, 2015 by Mailliw73

[Voidus]

MV eyed the strange liquid-seeming necklace suspiciously, an Epic offering her something to wear around her neck that said Break that she could 'use in an instant'? Well it didn't seem like it would be anything good but it seemed that she would have no choice unless whe wanted to fight with the entire execution squad.

Watching Elsa carefully to make sure that nothing happened she mimicked the ice Epic, jumping slightly as the ink sunk into her skin slightly.

"Will that do? Now that you have us collared we're allowed to help you fight off this stupid army?" MV said "Or should we wait for another round of stupid interviews with that Reader Slontze?"

Not waiting for an answer she began picking out targets again, felling pigs from the sky, stalling the charging elephants, her eyes darted back and forth across the battlefield.

She turned to Elsa as she worked, whispering to her.

"I'm sorry for getting you caught up with these people, they seem to take their security very seriously."

Distracted though she was with thoughts of her twin, MV did feel sorry for Elsa, she was the only nice person that she'd met today. Well except Bactrack but he didn't really count. And anyway she didn't like him or anything. So why did she keep thinking about him?

Shaking her head to rid it off such distracting thoughts she concentrated again on the enemies below.

[Queen Elsa Steelheart she/her]

                                                                                                    

Elsa looked down at her neck as the ink sunk into her pale skin. It looked a little weird, but she guessed the two other girls knew what they were doing. 

 

Elsa looked at MV as she began to whisper to her. 

"It's quite alright. When I was in Arendelle, people took security quite seriously as well. I'm surprised this ink thingy isn't hurting me. It's quite deep into my neck."

 

Elsa smiled at MV. It was always nice to meet someone actually nice.

 

After nodding to the two other girls, Elsa's wrists began to glow and she started to aim at the enemies on the battlefield.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Queen Elsa Steelheart

[Voidus]

Lucy watched the two as the ink settled into their skin, satisfied that it would control them for now she turned her attention elsewhere. Let Edgerunner pretend to be their friend if she wanted, Scribbler was not a friend of Epics, particularly not Epics who invaded her home at the same time as an army.
 

She did at least admire the efficiency with which the two worked, having powers that could work at long range like that would be handy, the speed with which they attacked was incredible too. While her abilities were quite nearly limitless in scope Scribbler required large amounts of planning and preparation to produce any kind of big flashy effects.

Still, she would show these new Epics that the Dalles city guard was something to be wary of, something which could crush enemy Epics like this invader and his army of animals.

Dipping a finger into one of her vials of ink, the Scribbler began to scrawl in the air, carefully using her power to ensure the ink stayed where she wanted it. With concentration she didn't need to write at all, she could simply form the ink into the word she desired, however this was a lot quicker.

Creating several grenades she lobbed them into the oncoming horde, explosions joining the attacks of ice and the strange shifts in momentum among the animals. The light from the explosions hitting a grim smiling face as it watched the destruction below with satisfaction.

[Newan he/him]

Frequency took a moment to regain his composure. "You weaklings!" He shouted. "Get your unworthy selves out of Koschei's city," he sneered. He nodded at Terra and she collapsed the ring of dirt onto the remaining animals, killing them instantly. "If you don't follow my rules, you don't get the prize." Frequency clapped and sent the Epic on Planeshift's back stumbling.

Unfortunately, they didn't fall off. Frequency whistled and tried to break Planeshift's leg. Nothing happened. Furious, he shattered Memori's nose instead, blood began gushing. "Leave. Now!" He shouted. "Or fight us, and die."

 

 

Memori's compromise was not taken well.  

 

"You weaklings!" yelled the Frequency epic.  "Get your unworthy selves out of Koschei's city.  If you don't follow my rules, you don't get the prize."  A loud rumble sounded behind them as the earth epic buried the remaining animals.  The Frequency epic clapped and Memori almost fell off Planeshift's shoulders, then he whistled and she felt her nose crunch.  

 

"Aaaaaah you sl...y dog!" she held back all the swear words as warm blood flowed down her face.  She held her ragged sleeve up to her nose to keep the blood from dripping on Planeshift.  

 

"Leave now or fight us and die!" yelled the Frequency epic.  

 

Through the pain and adrenaline, Memori looked Frequency in the eyes.  "It is true that our powers are weak when compared to yours, and I have no doubt that you could easily kill us.  I..." she grimaced, "gratefully accept your offer.  We will now leave.  May you find all of the glory and success that you deserve."  

 

Planeshift lowered down and she climbed off his shoulders.  They began walking away from the powerful epics, beaten, but alive.  

[Kobold King he/him]

  

 

 

The nice doctor smiled at Backtrack, kneeling down to look him in the eye. “I´m sorry you had to suffer through Reader. How about we go into my treatment room and I take a look at that gunshot wound. We can even bring the cat with us.”

 

Backtrack hesitated in thought for a moment. He'd somehow managed to push his bullet wound to the back of his mind, but now that the doctor guy brought it up, it was hurting again. It was hurting so much, it was probably going to fall off. And then he'd die.

 

So without any more hesitation, Backtrack nodded his head firmly. "Yeah. Uh, yes please. Let's do that. And let's bring the kitty."

 

The cat mrowed for more attention, which Backtrack obliged with one hand while wondering whether "kitty" was a word that cool Epics used.

 

And whether Koschei could reattach an arm after it fell off, because seriously, this is really aching right now and Reader's a terrible, brutish, inconsiderate slontze for doing this...

 

Oblivious to Backtrack's internal diatribe, the kitty kept on purring.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Kobold King

[Mailliw73 he/him]

Memori had the audacity to glare at Frequency, nose bleeding. "It is true that our powers are weak when compared to yours, and I have no doubt that you could easily kill us. I...gratefully accept your offer. We will now leave. May you find all of the glory and success that you deserve."

Frequency smirked at them. The cowards have up without a fight. Not even an effort. As they walked away, Frequency sent a clap of energy to hit them in the back. It wouldn't knock them over, but it would cause them to stumble. Terra lowered the dirt platform and they stepped off. "Canis, keep track of them. If they head back into the city, they're all yours," Frequency said.

Canis grinned. "Yessir," he slurred. He stroked the bloodstains on his arm lovingly. He was efficient, even if he creeped most out.

Blitz spoke up, "What's the plan now?" Canis blurred as he ran away. Moments later, he came back.

"The wimps here have fought back against the beasts. They're doing pretty good. Can we fight them now?"

Frequency asked," Did you see any noticeable Epics or places that would be best for us to hit?"

"There's a giant ice pillar over there, with four Epics up top, flying and shooting pandas. Over there, a guy with headphones just made the sky black and shot pandas with energy. Helicopters over there, and over there," gesturing one last time, "is a blonde with some kinda super strength powers. She's punching pandas and throwing them at each other. She doesn't have any kind of city badges or anything. I checked. The others all had soldiers with them. Can we go now?" Canis was almost jumping with excitement at bloodshed. The man was useful, but by Koschei, he was immature.

"Let's. Take us to the strong blonde. Another recruit wouldn't go astray," Frequency said. Blitz nodded.

Terra agreed too, "That is an intelligent plan and one which would multiply our chances of success tenfold."

Frequency arrived with the three other Epics behind him as he watched the young blonde throw cars and trees and pandas at other pandas, efficiently eliminating them. The rage in her face was obvious. Frequency clapped and knocked pandas over and then whistled to shatter their bones. The blonde looked over.

"Hello there. My name is Frequency. You don't appear to be with the city guard. Would I be correct in that assumption?" He asked.

[Voidus]

Impact threw the last tree in the clearing she'd landed in at the army, the exhilaration of using her powers so freely was intoxicating, she'd always scrimped and held back before to avoid drawing attention.

But why? Why should I fear those other Epics, look at what I can do now! She told herself. You can fly, you basically have super strength and you're invulnerable, look at what Steelheart has done and he only has a few more powers than you Allison. No, not Allison anymore, Impact. I left that stupid name behind me.

She felt a brief pang of concern for her sister but quickly suppressed it, MV had only ever held her back and anyway she'd be fine on her own, she had friends in the city now after all. Impact was finally free to live her own life, not one spent looking after her twin but one looking after herself.

With glee she leapt back into the air, unused to using her powers on her own body like this it took some effort but she managed it, she was flying now like she'd always dreamed of. She glided back into the city, stopping just ahead of the armies vanguard of panda soldiers.

A grim smile crept onto her face as she confronted them, here she was, to all appearances a simple teenage girl and yet she knew she could attack this entire army and win.

She touched a nearby car, hurling it into the front ranks before flying after it, fists slamming into pandas and imbuing them with vast amounts of momentum she sent them hurling into the armies ranks.

This is what it's supposed to be like to be an Epic, unable to be stopped by any of these stupid creatures, going where I want and doing what I want and not letting any of these dumb things stand in my way!

She lost track of time as she slowly destroyed the ranks of animals, she'd killed dozens of the creatures and more kept coming, a growing rage was growing within her as this army refused to be defeated. Well she wouldn't stop until they were all dead!

A shockwave hit the pandas and several collapsed instantly from what seemed to be broken bones. Impact turned to see what or who had interrupted her, ready to kill humans too if they got in her way and noticed a group of people nearby watching her carefully.

"Hello there. My name is Frequency. You don't appear to be with the city guard. Would I be correct in that assumption?" One of them asked.

​Impact tried to surreptitiously move her foot under a nearby panda, ready to send it flying at the group if they did anything

"No I'm not, those Slontzes threatened to kill me far too many times for my liking so if you're with them you can just go back and tell whatever Slontze you work for that Impact is not working for them and if one more guard threatens me in any way then I'll start throwing buildings at them."

She nudged the panda with her foot, sending a surge of power into it and sending it flying into a nearby wall, breaking through the brick and mortar and almost certainly breaking every bone in the Pandas body that wasn't already broken.

"Capiche?" She threatened, eyeing the group with distaste. Edited March 17, 2015 by Voidus

[Edgedancer he/him]

It seems that the gentle approach worked with Backtrack, "Yeah. Uh, yes please. Let's do that. And let's bring the kitty."

 

Still smiling at him Baxter slowly nudged the Epic up, “Alright then, the treatment room is right there. Just follow me. The kitty is named Neko, by the way.” Somehow Backtrack reminded him of a little child and without thinking about it he started treating him like one… which surprisingly worked.

 

Before leaving he turned towards Autumn again, “Anything else I can do for you?”

“No, but be careful and stay close to a radio, in case-“Her answer was cut short by Shiny Sparkle throwing herself at Autumn and eagerly asking where they would go next.

 

Hoping that Autumn would be fine alone with her suitor he lead Backtrack into the next room and let him sit down. The Doctor poured the Epic a mug of hot chocolate before starting to work at his wound and handed it to him.

“So what brings you to the city?” He asked him in an attempt to keep his spirit up. Surely attempting the same, Neko for once rested on his lap instead of going back to the other patients.

[Kobold King he/him]

   

 

 

 

Hot chocolate?

 

Backtrack gratefully took the mug of cocoa, sipping it deeply as the vanilla doctor did his vanilla doctor things. Between the warm chocolate-y beverage the purring kitty in his lap, he was beginning to feel more comfortable than he'd been since leaving San Francisco. Except for the bullet wound, of course. That really sucked. And the sounds of war and devastation still passing through the clinic's outer walls were pretty stressful too, come to think of it.

 

Still though. Hot chocolate was hot chocolate, and moreover it was awesome.

 

“So what brings you to the city?” the doctor asked casually as he moved through the awesome.

 

Backtrack opened his mouth to respond, then shut it again as he tried to figure out what to say. How much detail should he give the man? Just what he'd told Autumn? More? Less? Should he start at the beginning? What was the beginning? Should he start at the part where he became an Epic, or the part where he left San Fran? Should he talk about Lightwards, or should he talk about a few months ago when he was working for Captain Carnogore, and then how he'd fled in a panic out of California after the Lord of the Silverfish killed Carnogore and declared he'd do the same to everyone who'd worked for him?

 

He then realized he hadn't spoken in a minute and the doctor was staring at him.

 

"Ah, you know," Backtrack replied, smiling weakly. "Work."

Edited July 12, 2015 by Kobold King

[Edgedancer he/him]

It’s always nice to see someone appreciating hot chocolate, even though it makes it hard to take his bullet wound very serious. Still, better for his wounds to be minor than for him to refuse hot chocolate, this way everyone wins.

 

Backtrack seemed to respond well to starting a conversation, after he tried to think of something to say for a couple of minutes that is. Nice to know that Reader didn’t traumatize him about people that ask questions after all.

Baxter wondered what kind of work would have gotten him to The Dalles, he doesn’t seem like the kind one would send for heavy work, as he’s neither strong nor durable enough from what he acts like, but for simple grunt work one could send non epic lackeys. Given that Autumn still let him move around in town after his talk with Reader, it probably wasn’t worth pressing him on the matter and risk sending him back in his shell.

 

First of all, he should deal with the bullet wound. Placing all he would need on a little table with wheels, he pulled it over and set down in front of his patient. “Work, huh? Sounds important, do you get around a lot? Oh, and could you make your shoulder free?”