for the sick and injured

====> from the Streets.

Landing as softly as possible in front of the ER, Peregrine walks inside with Construct.

We need some help here!  He's a paranormal villian, but he's close to death.  I need him patched up so he can live to see jailtime.

She smiles grimly.

If she's able to hand him off to some ER docs, she'll monitor the situation telepathically, in case he wakes up and causes some trouble, and tries to find a phone to call SCU to update them.

Peregrine has no problem finding a doctor for her buddy, and after some surgery he seems to stabilize. She also reaches Captain Jordan with slightly more difficulty and he promises to send an officer for both perps.

Peregrine is relieved that Dragon Fist was able to keep his guy under control.
During surgery, she'd sneak out to call, as Friday Winters, her office to reassure Jamie Ellison that she wasn't dead.
When Construct was safely in custody, she'd fly back to find Dragon Fist.

======> to the streets.

(-----> From Weston State)

Arriving at the hospital, Rodger chose a parking spot a fair distance out, leaving the better ones for people who needed them more. One parcel came out of his trunk here. Dr. Owens was not only a physician, but an active man in the community, who helped considerably in the fight educating the younger generation about the dangers of drug abuse and drunk driving. He came to speak to elementary school children yearly, with amusing and educational presentations.

Entering the hospital carrying this parcel, Rodger approached a nurse at the front desk when he wouldn't be in the way of any patients needing her.

The nurse looked up as soon as she was free.

"Yes sir may I help you?"

"Is Dr. Owens currently in? I have a delivery for him."

The nurse replied, "He is with a patient at the moment, but if you will take a seat, I will let him know you're here, Mr...um?"

"Eskin. Rodger Eskin. I'll wait."

And so Rodger took a seat and waited quietly. Although the display popping up to tell him that Alfred Thompson was online, and the matching gem changing from grayed out to a red ruby, was enough to make him rub his temples ruefully with one hand.

Dr. Owens emerged from one of the patient rooms, going over a clipboard. He stopped at the nurse's station.

"All right, make sure that Mrs. Haliburton doesn't overdo her painkillers. Anything else of pressing business..."

The nurse replied, "There's a man needing to speak with you. He is in the waiting area..."

Dr. Owens then approached...and saw Rodger. "Rodger! Hello there! It's good to see you..."
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 05:25, Sat 14 Nov 2009.

"Hello again, Doctor. I hope you aren't going to be too angry about... this." he said, holding out the parcel containing the physician's new costume.

The good Doctor grinned.

"I knew that there was going to be a courier dropping this off to me...but I had no idea it would be you Rodger."

Rodger looked sheepish, "I really don't want to be involved in this, Dr. Owens, but apparently I don't have much of a choice about delivering them. It was that or, well, you probably know a lot better than I do what would happen to me."

Dr. Owens looked upon Rodger, almost with a sense of pity.

"Rodger, there are things that must be done which might be...distasteful. But such is the way of life. If this works out like it's supposed to be, then it will be worth it. Oh...you can give me the package now..."

He handed it over immediately.

"It may be worth it, but from where I'm standing, I can't see what the goal is. Or much of anything about what's going on. Richard said that everyone I'm delivering these suits to agreed to participate, that you signed a contract. I never had that chance to know what I'm getting into."

His mind was still slowly clearing, with the proper mana type powering certain systems that had previously been running on what was available instead. The psychological and physiological side effects of that improper fuel were starting to be cleared from his system, and Rodger was beginning to realize just how lousy he'd been feeling ever since his return. And hadn't even known that he was feeling terrible. It would take a little time, and a continued supply of the different mana types as fuel, before he was back to his normal health.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Sat 14 Nov 2009.

"All things to those who wait, Rodger. Be assured that there will be a payoff. It's only a matter of where and when..."

DR OWENS PLEASE REPORT TO ER CENTRAL...DR OWENS, PLEASE REPORT TO ER CENTRAL...

"I must be off...thank you again Rodger...and you are starting to look a lot better now...definitely a lot better since the death warmed over look on your face left....Take care now..."

And with that the Dr. rushed off with his package to the ER...

Rodger took no offense at the doctor rushing off like that. This was a hospital, and he had his duties. ER? Hmm, he hadn't known that Dr. Owens was with that ward... perhaps it was a existing patient of his, or a drug overdose situation.

And what had he meant by 'death warmed over'? Rodger puzzled over that as he made his way back out to his car. He hadn't been feeling well, true, but that sounded pretty bad. And why hadn't he realized that he wasn't well? What had those demons and their device done to him?

And why couldn't he get the memory of Richard inflating out of his mind? That kept bouncing around, shading his reactions to the others and their suits.


Oh well, two more deliveries and everyone would have them.

Stopping off at home again, Rodger packed the last pair and set out once more.


(Exit to The Streets)

PM

PM

PM

  Meg settled to the earth before the front doors of the hospital.  She then walked into the lobby, and asked the receptionist (or greeter) at the front desk "Hello.  I'd like to visit Captain Jordan, if possible?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>From Legacy HQ>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lucas went into the hospital, and found out from the receptionist where Detective Martinez was recuperating. This was incredibly tough because he hadn't seen his brother in some time. But considering where he was...and what happened...he had to go see him.

He arrived at the room where Esteban was recuperating from the rib injury he sustained. With a slow knock at the door, he said softly, "Hey bro...sorry I've been out of touch..."

"L-Lucas? Is that you? Ow..."

"Yeah bro...it's me. I...uh...I heard about what had happened. I'm just sorry that I wasn't here sooner..."

"Well I'm glad you're here now...but I've got some questions. Like...where in the hell have you been? Ever since you were...well, you know..you just disappeared. I was this close to filing a missing persons report on you..."

Lucas looked at his brother square in the eye.

"I've been to a lot of places, bro...some I'd like to tell you about...but others...well, let's just say through hell and back."

You're bein' pretty cryptic, man...

It's the truth. I'd like to tell you more, but at the moment...I was concerned about you. What happened? Who did this?

Hunter...Hunter did this. He shot Captain Jordan...took me off guard. You'd think with all the shit I've seen in the SCU I would've been better prepared.

Bro...listen, you can't blame yourself. Just like you can't blame yourself for what happened to me...and why I got thrown out. You've done well for yourself...even without me. I'm proud of you...

Then a middleaged Hispanic man and woman walked into the room. The man gave Lucas a stern look. Gerardo and Ines Martinez...Lucas and Esteban's parents.

Gerardo then said,"Hello...son."

Lucas returned the stern look with one of his own. "Hello...Dad."
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 01:34, Wed 10 Feb 2010.

Lucas was about to get up and leave as his parents walked in.

Ines looked sternly at both men, and said, "All right...you two need to mend this fence between you. RIGHT NOW. Otherwise I'm going to throw BOTH of you out. Gerardo..I think you have something to say to your son. Lucas...listen up..."

"Lucas...I am sorry for throwing you out..."

Lucas stayed silent for a moment, then said. "It's OK Dad...all is forgiven."

Esteban looked up from his bed. "About damn time you pig-headed people stuff the egos..."

Lucas then said, "I really do have to go...got stuff goin' on...but it was good to see you guys again. Stevie...Mom...Dad...take care...there's so much I have to tell you..but now isn't the time."

Lucas then excused himself from the room. It looked like Esteban was in good hands. Now he could turn his full attention to what needed to be addressed: Tracking down Hunter. Lucas was trying not to harbor any malice for Hunter hurting his brother, but the issue with Hunter needed to be addressed...

But that could wait for a moment. The Martinez family was at peace at last. Inwardly, Lucas hoped that he wouldn't get killed before he could get together with his family again...

This was indeed a momentous occassion. The only thing that would have made this day perfect...were if Friday were here...but she wasn't. But Lucas knew that she would always be with him...if not physically, then spiritually...
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 04:03, Wed 10 Feb 2010.

Lucas had really hoped for an answer to his question from Ethan. After all, the original Defenders had worked with The Golden Dragon back in the day. And while he could ascertain that he had to be of Japanese descent based off of what Machinesmith had told him, that was all he had to go on. That...and that his help was greatly beneficial to the Defenders. Then again..so was everyone's.

Answers will have to wait for another day...what's going on now...well, it can't. I never wanted to be viewed as the leader of the Legacy. Friday was the one who could lead...who could make all of our personalities come together and get us all together...no matter how stubborn any of us were. Friday...I hope everything is going well with you, baby...

Taking out his cell phone, Lucas sends a text.
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 15:40, Sun 14 Feb 2010.

Lucas looked down at his phone and frowned. It seemed that like Friday...Mirage was also a million miles away...though more of in the figurative sense than in the literal sense. He couldn't help but wonder what her thought process was at the moment. She was a complicated person...but also one of his greatest allies...and friends.

But a good thing happened today. His family was together again...even if it was only in principle. Lucas' Mom certainly had a way with words. But he had more important things to worry about....this Builder...the Bertellis..and Hunter...

Once again, discreetly entering the alleyway beside the hospital, he then summoned the Dragon Fist armor.

I've gotta find Hunter...

>>>>>>>To Weston City Streets>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>From The Builders Safehouse>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lucas came into the hospital as quickly as he could. Making his way to the front desk.

"Excuse me....there was an Esteban Martinez of the SCU hospitalized here....I'm his brother, Lucas..."

He holds out his driver's license.

"I heard he signed himself out and went with another man. Do you know where they might have gone to?"

--== The Next Day ==--

The nondescript black car pulled in front of the hospital.  The driver, wearing a black suit with a crisp white shirt opened the rear passenger door.  Mirage, wearing a womens knee length skirt suit, slid awkwardly out of the car, her driver helping her.

"Thank you, Thomas." Mirage said.  She started to make her way to the front door of the hospital.

"Do you need me to get the door for you, ma'am?" Thomas asked.  He made to walk ahead of her, but Mirage stopped him with a wave of her hand.

"That's not really necessary.  I can open a door by myself now, Thomas, but thank you."  Mirage entered the hospital while Thomas took the car to the parking lot and waited.

Her first stop was the fourth floor, room 104.  She informed the floor nurse that she was visiting and made her way to the room where her sister lay.  Mirage paused at the door to the room.  Her sister looked so peaceful resting there that Mirage was hesitant to wake her.

The womans eyes slowly opened as Mirage turned to leave.  "...helena..." she said weakly.

Mirage turned and moved to beside her sisters bed, taking the other womans hand.  "Morning Toria.  How are you feeling today?"

Victoria smiled a tired smile.  "I'm doing well.  The doctors say that I'll be well enough to go home in a few more days.  I just need...to rest is all."

Mirage patted Torias hand and smiled at her sister.  It had only been a few days earlier that Toria had nearly overdosed on sleeping medication.  It was an accidental if not desperate attempt to find some peace from the nightmares that had been coming back to plague her.  Mirage knew well what the nightmares were about.  "I'm glad to hear that.  Don't you ever scare me like that again."

Toria laughed softly.  "I won't.  I worry that you might go over the edge with worry about me."

The two women talked for a while.  It was nothing too heavy, just some small talk.  Mirage had indeed been worried since her sister lapsed again.  She made a mental note to speak with Torias therapist about the nightmares.  They were supposed to have gone away but were now coming back.

A soft chime sounded, Mirages phone giving off an alarm.  Mirage bade her sister a farewell and went down to the first floor.  She entered a womens change room and changed out of her work clothes and into a pair of sweats.  A muscular man greeted her when she emerged.

"Morning, Helena." he said with a pleasant smile.  "You're early for your physio again.  Ready to begin?"

"That's it, Helena." The physiotherapist, named Tony, was cheering from one side.  He was standing close enough that he could provide aide should something go wrong but offered no other support.  "Keep it up.  You're doing good."

Helena grunted and gripped the parallel bars tightly.  A thin sheen of sweat dampened her forehead from the exertion of slowly making her way from one end of the bars to the other.  The effort was too much for her and her arms gave way, causing her to tip over to one side.  She managed to avoid crumpling to the floor by hanging on to the one bar.  Tony, the physiotherapist was at her side instantly.  He helped her to a sitting position on the floor, even though she was struggling to pull herself back up.

"Take it easy, Helena." Tony said soothingly.  Frustration marred her attractive face and Helena looked like she was either going to cry or scream.  "This is a long process and you're lucky that you can do this much.  Most injuries like yours never heal.  You're making good progress."

Helena tried to calm herself but she punched a fist into the padded floor mat.  She knew that Tony was speaking the truth.  The prognosis from the doctors was dire and she had pretty much resolved herself to the fact that there were going to be things that she would never be able to do again.

Not as Helena.  Mirage was a different story.  Mirage was freedom where Helena was a prison.  Mirage could laugh at danger while Helena was fragile.  Mirage could leap and swing about the rooftops where Helena could barely...

She slammed her fist into the mat again.  She hated this feeling of utter helplessness.

"Let's get you back up and see if you can finish todays exercises.  Okay?   Let's not give up just yet." Tony said.  Helena nodded weakly and had to accept Tony's help to get back on the bars.

Mirage finished changing out of her workout clothes and back into her skirt suit.  She sighed as she put her clothes into the small gym pack.  Her performance today was less than satisfactory and she slammed the small locker door in frustration.

She hadn't been able to make it to the other end of the parallel bars.  Her longest distance so far had been almost half way before she faltered.  Tony had been encouraging as much as he could but it didn't help matters.

She sighed again.  Did she really have a cause to be so upset at her lack of progress when multiple doctors had told her that her condition would never change and that she was just damaged goods.  They hadn't called her damaged goods of course but that was how Mirage interpreted their results.

Only that was slowly changing.  The fact that she could make it part of the way along the parallel bars was almost being called a miracle and a medical curiousity.  The doctors had no explanation for the miraculous recovery and healing, but Mirage knew.  She couldn't tell them though.

If Mirage took a moment to consider things, her life was starting to look up.  Her sister was on the mend and her permanent injuries were slowly becoming less permanent.  She might almost be able to live a normal life in a short while.  This called into question her nighttime activities as Mirage.

Mirage had been born out of her anger over what had been done to her sister and her.  It fueled her, gave her the motivation and drive to leap along the rooftops and punish those breaking the law.  Mirage was there to make sure that no one else would suffer as she did.

So what would happen when that anger was gone?  When her life recovered, what would happen to Mirage?

Thomas was there to meet Helena at the front door to the Hospital.  He held the car door open for her and helped her into the back seat.  "Did everything go well, Miss Helena?" he asked.  Helena liked that about Thomas.  He seemed genuinely interested in what was going with her, treating her more like a friend than his boss.

"About as well as can be expected." she replied.

"I'm sure things will get better.  You're making great progress I hear."

"Oh?  And who were you hearing this from?" She said in an amused accusatory tone.  "Chatting up the receptionist again?"

"Tony.  I was talking with him while you were changing.  Home or the office?"

"Home please.  I'm not feeling up to going in to the office right now."

The car pulled out of the hospital and merged into traffic.  In the back seat, Mirage stared out the window, her thoughts on other things beside the traffic.

--> To the Rooftops
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Thu 03 June 2010.

---> from Derring Condominiums


Arriving about 10 minutes early, Rodger parked, and headed inside to report in to Dr. Owens for his check-up. He fidgeted nervously as he walked, feeling apprehensive about this.

The receptionist greeted Rodger, took care of any co-payment needed, and then had Rodger sit down in the waiting area.

A few moments later, a slim blonde nurse came out. "Rodger Eskins?"

Well, that was fast, Rodger thought as he got back up from the chair he'd only just taken a seat in. Not even time to look through whatever health pamphlets were out.

He walked to the nurse, prepared to follow her.

The nurse led him back to the Doctor's office, weighed him, took his temperature, and then took him back to the exam room.

There, she took his blood pressure.

"Dr. Owens will be here shortly, Mr. Eskins..."

A few moments later, Dr. Owens then made his entrace.

"Hello Rodger....and how are we feeling today?"

"Physically, fairly well, I'd say. A far cry from how I was feeling the last time I was here," he said, referring to the day he'd delivered the suits. "Still having trouble getting enough sleep."

Dr. Owens smiled at Rodger.

"Well...you are making some excellent progress in adapting. As are we all. Tell me...how're Brenda ahd the children?"

"Oh, the boys are both doing wonderfully. Harold's grades have been excellent, he's in fine spirits. John's actually learned to pronounce 'no' well enough that most people can understand him. And Brenda seems to have something up her sleeve... either that, or she's found something aphrodisiac."

"It hasn't been easy, trying to keep this a secret from her, Doctor. I keep worrying that I'll see my marriage fall apart in divorce court."

"Oh yes....I know this must have been difficult for you Rodger. Having to skulk around, keeping secrets and such. If you think about it, you sound a lot like the so-called heroes that abound in our fair city. Speaking of them, what have you found out about our young intrepid heroes, hmmmm?"

"Quite a bit, considering that I'm their official 'chaperone' so to speak," he said, getting thoughtful as he considered things. "You did hear that one of them, Erinyes, can spot us, didn't you?"

"Heard...but I didn't want to truly believe until now. If she can spot us....things might become problematic."

He took out a clipboard and seemed to consider something.

"Do any of them suspect how it truly works though?"

Suddenly a voice comes over the hospital intercom. "Ladies and Gentlemen Please stay where you are, armed men have been posted at each exit and throughout the building. THe Mayor has been contacted with a price for all of your lives if he and you cooperate this will all go smoothly, thank you."

"Hotwire can, too, but his range is mere inches. Erinyes seems to be able... oh drat..." Rodger cut off, listening. "That isn't... that sounds like the same voice who held the condos hostage..." he said worriedly.

"OH fantastic....another of Weston's colorful denizens has made their way here," Dr. Owens added.

"Lovely indeed," Rodger's tone dripped with sarcasm as he sat there on the examination table. He reached up with one hand, for the tie that wasn't there, before remembering that he'd left it and his commlink button at home in case Iris could eavesdrop through the device. He didn't want her - or any of the kids, really, to overhear any suit discussions.

Returning to what they'd been discussing, he told Dr. Owens, "Considering that what I know about how any of this works could be boarded in a mustard seed and still find it roomy, I haven't a clue what any of them suspect about us. I know that Erinyes has seen three of us firsthand, maybe more."

"Well...Rodger...you know that we all depend on each other now...and our lifeforce is one...so if one of us dies...we all die. I think we've been through this before. Have you attempted any of your spells on your menu? I would have thought that you'd be dying to try things out..."

"I've been trying them, reluctantly. There's only two or three I could honestly say I'm comfortable with. Most of those I have cast, I'm struggling to understand WHY I have something like that, what use they could be. And a lot of them have names that scare me off. Erm, I've stuck with the green, red, and blue spells only. I'm too afraid that my black magic might really hurt someone, and I have so little white mana I'd rather not waste it."

"All in due time, Rodger. All in due time... But right now..you have the power to end the standoff, since you're the wizard. Use the spells to deal with this person.."

"HOW? I don't know what they'll do, and except for the one that somehow got a hotkey gem, I have to search all over to try to find the one I want. Which takes time, Doc. Plus, if I do somehow beat them, my registration card says I'm a supervillain. Not a hero. Won't I get in trouble for that?"

Dr. Owens shrugged.

"I don't know how the law will look on you in that regard. But...if you're needed...don't you owe it to the rest of us to act? After all...YOU are the Wizard...you're the one that's needed for this whole thing to work. So focus Rodger...find a spell that you feel that can deal with this situation...for the moment, you have time..."

"I owe it to you all to make sure I don't do anything that puts all of us at risk. Risking my own life to help save others is one thing, but now that we're all connected, I don't dare because I might be risking yours! I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the whole 'blow my friend up until he pops' idea without ending up in a straitjacket."

"Um...Rodger? In THIS situation...right now...we are BOTH at risk...either this Para psycho offs both of us while we cower in this office...or we can do something to stop him from imposing that kind of fate on us..."

"Than perhaps we should call those 'intrepid young heroes' for help? I don't have my commlink with me, but I have at least a few of their phone numbers."

"Well...then I suggest you get calling, if you're not going to try to tap into the potential within you...otherwise...we are all dead..."

Dr. Owens looked at Rodger. "You're going to have to let this...morality of yours go. It's hindering your development as The Wizard..."

"Development as the evil wizard? Why the Hell did I have to end up having to be him, anyway? I never volunteered for this game, never had a choice about joining it or not. Why couldn't I have just been another player, suffering at the hands of a properly trained evil wizard? I don't want this sort of responsibility, Dr. Owens, so forgive me for trying to keep from losing what little I have left of who I really am in here." he said, poking a finger at his own chest to emphasize his words.

He hopped down off the examining table and retrieved his coat from the chair in the corner of the room, fishing through his pockets until he found his cell phone. And fast-dialed Meg's number.

"Fate never comes to us at a time of our choosing," Dr. Owens replied. "The sooner you grasp that fact, the easier things will become for you."

"Still doesn't make it any easier to deal with, Doc," he answered while waiting for Meg to answer her phone.

"You don't want me to become just another 'Para psycho', do you?"

"No," Dr. Owens replied. "Of course not..you're destined for something far greater than just another Para psycho....you're the Wizard..."

"A wizard who changes chocolate into earwax and makes rubies that turn into poo-poo, big whoop. I've only even tried 2 that seem like combat spells, and one is completely worthless. Duckings that go off like firecrackers. The other one? I see myself in a mirror and it shuts down."

Hanging up, Rodger growled and practically slam-dunked his phone back into his coat pocket before sitting back down on the examination table with his head resting on both hands, annoyed and depressed.

"Erinyes is missing, kidnapped. That was Dragon Fist with her phone, and apparently he's not on speaking terms with Excelsior, either. I don't dare ask any of the other kids to come with all those thugs presumably out there, Doctor Owens, since only Erinyes and Ex can handle being hit by a bullet. And it sounds like Dragon Fist can't come, either... so, maybe you win. I might have to risk trying spells after all."

He didn't sound at all happy about it. Nor confident.

>>>>>>>>>The Dragon And The Tiger>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist flew towards the hospital...and saw the armed men posted at every exit. This was going to be tricky....very tricky...

Setting down on the roof, he began to sneak towards an air vent. Hoping to gain access to the inside through it...

In reply to Rodger Eskin (msg #59):

"How else can you realize your potential, Rodger, if you don't use what is at hand? Now is as good a time as any..."

He sighed morosely, not liking this. But given the situation, he had to admit that the Doc was right. Much as he feared his magic, he did have to learn to use it. But would he be able to maintain Ancient Spirits of Evil long enough to get any good done? Would throwing random spells do more harm than good? Could there be a silver lining in having She's Your Granny hotkeyed? What would he do if they started killing kids to discourage heroics? He didn't have the answers to any of those questions.

His gaze unfocused, as he began searching through his spells for Ancient Spirits of Evil once again. The only real combat spell he'd yet uncovered, and it had a ridiculous weakness of seeing his own reflection, but at least it was a spell that gave him other powers to work with. Powers to try to help with.

As Dragon Fist lands on the roof  Two menin body armor come out of the roof access door They have sub-machine guns strapped to their backs but their hands are hoolding lighters and ciggarette packs. ONe spots DF and reaches for his weapon.

Shit...

Dragon Fist leaped forward with a flying kick at the man who had reached for his weapon. Hoping to knock him out before he or his comrade could alert anyone to his presence.

Thefirst man hits the groun dunconcious whil eth esecond one drops his ciggarettes and lighter. Backing away he reaches for a radio at his belt.

This message was deleted by a game moderator at 14:30, Fri 02 July 2010.

Down in Dr. Owens' office, Rodger found his spell.

*click*

The display of various options came up. Two were greyed out; he didn't have enough of those mana colors to invoke the spell using them. Three weren't.

He clicked on green.

"Ancient Spirits of Evil..." his deep spellcasting voice intoned as he looked up.

Over the hospital, dark clouds gathered with alarming speed, and poisonous-looking green lightning boomed and cracked overhead, not hitting anything but staying up in the air. A feeling of menace gathered, and, Dragon Fist being the Champion of Light, the words being spoken came to his ears during Rodger's transformation.

"transform this mortal form..." his voice continued, as a green disc glowed on his chest and power began forcing his clothes to shift and unravel.

"into the Rich Man!" And a wave of green energy pulsed outward from the disc, re-making Rodger's garments into something resembling what Ted DiBiase had worn in his wrestling days as the Million Dollar Man, but finer and more expensive in make. His hair, beard, and brows changed, becoming strands of metallic gold, and a diamond-headed cane appeared in his hands, the gemstone handle the size of a tangerine. And his eyes turned solid black, with dollar sign-shaped pupils filled with flickering hellfire.

The impression of evil radiated from him like light and heat did from a roaring bonfire. And in his head, in the new screen overlaying but not replacing his vision, there were a number of icons and readouts.

Aura of Blasphemy: On
Coinshield: Active

Several icons with special powers that he could invoke, Throw Money, Branding Beam, Send to Mechandising, Know the Bribe, Payday, Fiscal Vision, Mercenary Will, and a handful more. The hotkey jewel for She's Your Granny glowed and throbbed, as if being in this mode enhanced that spell somehow.

And most importantly, the power bar, showing how much energy he had left before he reverted back into Rodger again.


And with the change completed, the lightning stopped and the dark clouds started to fade away.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Fri 02 July 2010.

Dragon Fist the ran towards the other gunman and went for a one two combination a ridge chop to knock the radio out of his hand and an uppercut to try to knock him out.

As he did so, he heard several words in his head.

Ancient spirits of evil? Transform this mortal form? Into the rich man? Sounds like this has gone from bad to worse...

  The radio went flying, and the fellow went down like he'd cut a puppet's strings.  Leaving him two sets of clothes he could steal, if he wanted.

Dragon Fist considered something: disguising himself as one of the gunmen. Retracting his armor, Lucas then got to work on taking one of the gunman's clothes. Taking also a radio and any other accessories. Then dragging both bodies out of sight, he then made his way into the rooftop access.

Looking down at his new cane, Rodger hefted it experimentally, holding it by the wooden shaft. He grumbled, then told Dr. Owens, "Well, here goes nothing," unhappily before walking over to the door and listening for anyone immediately outside.

If he didn't hear anyone, he cautiously poked it open and stuck his head out, looking each way.

Dragon Fist manages to make it downstairs and off the roof without encountering anymore gunmen.

Rodger however would not be so lucky. As he exits the room a man in body armor holding a sub machine gun steps out from around the corner. SPotting Rodger HE shouted "Hey get back in the room!"

Lucas, now disguised as one of the gunmen, continued to sneak through the hospital, seeing if he could get an idea of how many there were, and what their placement was.

"Why should I?" Rodger answered with far more appearance of bravery than he actually felt. His hellfire-filled eyes met the gunman's gaze (assuming that he's not wearing any sort of mirrored headgear, which Rodger would avoid looking at).

Dragon Fist manages to move throughout the hospital with little difficult once he gets tw floors down a gunman stops him. "Hey why'd you leave your post? ANd where's your parnter?."

When Rodger challenges the gunman he rasies his weapon adn aims at Rodger and pauses. He stands there for a minute before saying. "They don't pay me enough for this." ANd taking off in the opposite direction.

Lucas shrugged.

"He wanted to take a smoke break and asked me to check to make sure that the perimeter is secure. It sounded odd but he said he had everything under control.."

His heart pounding, even after the gun was lowered and the gunman headed away, Rodger watched the man's retreating back for a few moments. That had been scary, but trusting that his spell would protect him seemed to have worked.

He didn't like it any better, despite that.

Now, where could that villain be and address the entire hospital at once like he had? Hmm. That could be any number of places. So, the Rich Man strode down the corridor, looking for a directory or more guards. Or a terrified nurse or three who he could ask directions from.

"What is it with our proffesion and cancer sticks? I just don't get it... Alright you should probably head back up to your floor tha boss doesn't want any 'Heroes' reachin him."

Rodger Finds the hallways deserted though most of the rooms have people in them.

"Sounds good," Lucas replied.

If the gunman turned his back on him, Lucas would attempt a chokehold to knock him out.

Pausing by a likely-looking room with an open door, Rodger very cautiously glanced inside for a doctor or nurse to ask. But wary of mirrors, to an extreme.

The man goes to walk away when Lucas grabs him letting out a "ACK!" before lucas manages to get him unconious.

Lucas then dragged the man out of sight, hiding him in a closet. He then remembered what he had said. To get back to his position.

Lucas then changed out of the gunman's uniform he was wearing and put his on. He then checked for anything else that this man may have had on him that the previous gunman didn't.

There is a lack of cigarettes and a nice watch other than that same gear.

Lucas then set about trying to find out anymore about the band of gunmen that had seized the hospital. He had to be sneakier this time...the other one nearly caught him offguard.

Silently he creeped through the floor, and if unabated, he would then sneak down. He also was listening for whoever might be behind this recent scheme.

In reply to Rodger Eskin (msg #80):

Rodger finds a nurse hiding behind a counterAs Rodger enters she pops her head out from behind it "Wh---who are you?"

"Not one of them," said the Rich Man/Rodger, evil still radiating from him like a furnace.

"Whereabouts in the hospital would that announcement have to have been broadcast from?" he asked the nurse, those obsidian and hellfire eyes watching her face with a dreadful intensity.

  The nurse blinked, and said "Umm.  Nurse's stations on each floor, administration offices, ER main nurse's station.  And the security office on the ground floor.  Most of the announcements come from the ground floor."

In reply to Dragon Fist (msg #84):

As Dragon Fist is making his way down the stairwell to the next floor he hears a crackling on the radio he stole. "Keep your eyes peeled, theres a super around here gold beard and fancy suit..." Another crackle and then he hears "Already? Damn... YOu boys keep this place locked down I need to get out of here, I'll stay within range but if they find me this whole plans kaputz."

Damn...he's gonna move...gotta get to him..

Lucas then began to run and went on the radio.

"Uh boss...how many are here? I think someone else besides the gold guy here.."

"Another one? Which one...Damn, Car's too risky I'm headed to the roof and see about getting a helicopter.

"All right boss...to the roof then..."

Lucas then started to run up the staircase and made his way to the roof access. Whoever this was, they were going to be stopped.

"Thank you, nurse."

And Rodger left the room she was in, jogging to get to an elevator with the intent of heading for that security office. Unfortunately he'd have to keep his eyes shielded with a hand most of the time in it, either that or be very careful of the angle he looked at things with. Some parts of most modern elevators were quite reflective, he reminded himself.

Dragon Fist makes it to the roof to find it empty. Moments after he arrives however a man in a black suit runs through the door, stopping when he sees Lucas. "Wait...Who are? Your! Stop right there or I'll bring this whole place down!"

This message was deleted by a game moderator at 23:17, Tue 06 July 2010.

"No you won't..."

In an instant, Lucas armored up and moved towards Cataclysm and attempted to choke him out...

Cataclysm puts up both arms bin between lucas's to block his hands from reaching his neck before pushing Dragon Fist with incredible force, much more than would be expected for a man his size.

Dragon Fist didn't know the extent of Cataclysm's abilities. One thing was certain....he had to take him down.

Extending his wings, he flew at Cataclysm, both of his fists pulsing with mystic energy...

As Dragon Fist and Cataclysm collide the man stumbles backwards and  falls off the edge of the roof.

Dragon Fist, seeing Cataclysm fall off, flew after him and grabbed him.

Inside the hospital, Rodger was impatiently waiting for the elevator to arrive.

With a ding the elevator arrives.

When Dragon Fist catches the mysterious man he throws a punch at the Mystic Martial Artist.

The punch connected with Dragon Fist's helmet.

"You idiot! I'm trying to save your life!" He then went and attempted an empowered backfist at the mysterious man, hoping to knock him out.

Entering the elevator a bit too fast, Rodger caught a brief glimpse of his face in the extremely shiny handrail. A warning message flashed across his vision, Reflection!, and his power bar started to drop rapidly until he twisted to keep from seeing it. Down to 78? Eek, that could have been nasty, he thought.

Looking over the buttons, he punched ground floor, and waited for the elevator to resume moving.

"Who says I needed Saving?" The man retorts, He goes to throw another punch but  Dragon Fist lands his blow knocking the man out.

The eleveator begins moving and in a mtter of minutes he reaches the ground floor.

By the time he'd reached the ground floor, the power bar was down to 76. Apparently something was expending energy over time, in addition to the risk of losing power from seeing his reflection. But this wasn't the time or place to go puzzling over the vagaries of mad apparently designed by a madman. Or a committee, come to think of it.

The doors opened, and he emerged into the hall,looking left and right trying to decide which way to go to reach that security office.

Dragon Fist landed with the man in tow, and placed a call on his cell phone..

Within moments a van arrives to take the Man off of Dragon Fists hands.

Dragon Fist nods as the SCU takes care of business. But there were still gunmen inside. He then took towards the roof, hid and retracted the armor, still wearing the gunman's garb. And then would proceed inside, to try to take them out one by one..

When the Men learn their employer has been taken care fo, they give themselves up turns out they were nothing more htan common mercenaries.

Dragon Fist, seeing that the disguise was no longer needed, saw that the police had things well in hand.

The hostage crisis was over, and he felt pretty good that he was able to do what he could to end it. He then took to the air, and started to head for the dojo via rooftop...

>>>>>>>>>>>To The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>>>>

With the gunmen giving themselves up to the police, Rodger snuck off back to the floor where Dr. Owens had been, looking straight at his reflection on the way up to drain off the rest of the spell's energy. His complexion was a bit on the grey and ashen side when he reverted to human form, though. All that stress wasn't something he was used to yet, and he had been using a significant level spell during it.

Not-quite-staggering, Rodger re-entered Dr. Owens' office. He kept one hand on the wall to steady himself as he walked, more for psychological than physiological reasons, however.

Dr. Owens was not present in his office. But he did see a note on the table...

Rodger read the note. He sighed deeply. This had to be the worst medical check-up he'd ever had.

Hopping back up on the table, he waited for his physician to return. Hopefully.

Dr. Owens returned to the exam room.

"Well..now that the drama has concluded, we can get on with your examination, Rodger. Why the sad face? You may have just saved our lives.."

"How, I don't know. I only encountered one armed man before the police made their announcement. And not the villain at the heart of it. So who actually saved us, Doctor?"

Dr. Owens replied, "The police say that Dragon Fist apprehended the perpetrator of this scheme. But..the lone gunman you dealt with..could have and probably would have killed us at his master's command. So while you didn't get the bad guy..you still made a difference."

He looked at his clipboard. "Vitals are relatively normal..all looks fine. You're free to go..and say hello to the wife and kids, would you?"

Two eyebrows hit his hairline.

"Dragon Fist?!? But he said on the phone... oh, that just burns me up." the patient grumbled.

"I'll tell Brenda you said hi." He gathered up his coat from the chair, made sure everything was in his pockets, and was on his way out when something dawned on him. How had the doctor checked his vitals without examining him? Had he meant normal vitals, or something android-related? Oh dear. Could all this have been some kind of... test run? No, no, don't go down that path, Rodger, that way leads to paranoia.

A rather disturbed Rodger walked slowly out of the office, considering this.

Slowly exiting the hospital, Rodger made his way across the parking lot back to his car. Sitting down in the driver's seat, he buckled up and started the engine, but didn't shift into gear immediately. Instead, he sat there, and tried to dial Meg's phone again, having decided that he wanted to have a word or two with Lucas about poor communication.

With a message left, Rodger pocketed his phone, and began the slow process of getting out of the hospital parking lot while it was busy.

He briefly considered just heading home, with a stop at one of the ethnic groceries for interesting ice cream, but reconsidered after he recalled Dr. Owens' annoying note.

He still didn't want to be the demons' wizard, on so many levels, but it seemed like everyone was conspiring against him, forcing him to develop in that direction.
And if he was going to be casting spells more often, at any level, he needed to talk with the other 'suits' and come up with some kind of understanding of how they were generating mana for him, and how much he could use on a semi-daily basis without depleting their supply for life support. Dastardly's comment about 'our pain is your gain' still hung over his thoughts on that subject, worrying him immensely at times. On the other hand, Richard had warned him right at the start that their suffering was needed; but he'd also promised that Rodger would only be mistreating the other players, which was apparently not the case.

He drove around aimlessly, keeping a careful eye on the road and the other drivers while mulling over this internally.


-----> the streets

>>> From Derrton >>>

The Mages Gysbourne appeared in a convenient alley roughly a block away from the Hospital. They made their way into the Emergency Room, with Ozzy clutching the back of his head where a bump was indeed coming up. While the armor had protected him, that baton to the back of the head had still hurt!

Still, hopefully they wouldn't have to wait too long for a head injury.

After a bit of a wait, the doctor checked Ozzy out. They were a bit curious as to how he'd gotten his injury, but he managed to give them a satisfactory explanation involving him being the 'victim' of a failed mugging. Fortunately, the doctor decided not to press much more than that, especially seeing as how his guardian was a well-known and VERY good lawyer who happened to be standing in the same room.

Ozzy emerged from the hospital with a bandage around his head, instructions to sleep on his side for a few days, and to call them if he felt woozy or dizzy or anything. Other than that, however, he seemed to be fine. Oswald the Elder paid what insurance wouldn't cover, and the pair left.

Oswald the Elder 'ported home to retire for the night. Ozzy, however, wanted to remain out a little later. It had been a busy night so far, and somehow he didn't think it was over.

>>From the Mall>>

Iris had sat the crazy color man as gently as she could on her hoverboard, making driving a little bit complicated and slow. Luckily, her refelxes were such that they got there safely. Iris had tried to use her labcoat to prevent skin-contact with the strange blood that squirmed about the villian that she transported. She stayed with him for a while, still not in heroic clothing, awaiting the arrival of officials.

----> from the Mall with Iris


By the time Iris had reached the hospital, the 'crazy color man' had turned back into Rodger Eskin, and the blood sample she'd collected had returned to being normal blood along with all the rest he'd bled.

Once the emergency room staff had found his medical records, a Dr. Owens was paged, and Rodger was taken into surgery (still unconscious) where Iris wasn't allowed in.

He passed away on the operating table... with some help from his doctor.


---> to Weston P.D. via casting of You Got Better

Iris, who had sat fidgeting nervously in the waiting room almost but not completely impatiently, frowned when she recieved the report. She squinted at the docter, shook her head, then replied, "No. That won't do. Fix him." She told him, offering as politely as she could manage, "I can try to help if you need it. I have the technology. No, really, I'm not joking. Look, Mr. Eskin is very important and I brought him to the hospital because you fix people. That's how it works. I bring broken people, you fix them. I can't do the fixing people thing yet because I haven't read the technical manuel all the way through, but I'm on it. Mr. Eskin was leaking fluids, but he's not allowed to die. He's got a wife and kids and they need him; plus he has students and they need him; plus he's got us, and we need him. Can you at least upload him?"

She appeared to be being completely and totally serious. The only death she had ever dealt with previously had been Machinesmith's, and she was still working on locating some of his consciousness on the hard-drives of the computer at the NAD base. She understood the concept of 'death' roughly, but not in any concrete way. And with people who had been or were mostly technology... well, that just confused matters.

She began to telepathically send messages rather impulsively.

After generally making a nusience of herself in the hospital, Iris suddenly stopped moving, staring in confusion at a wall for a short time. A top-to-bottom search of the hospital finally flooded out the doctor who had 'broken the news' to her and she cornered him, "Hi again! I'm sorry I was so rude to you. I understand now why you wouldn't let me download him. You're really good at fixing people, you know?" She told him brightly, then gave him an uncertain look, "Though if you were picking at me, then karma is going to bite you on the butt."

She waved at him cheerfully and left the hospital as though she had said nothing odd at all. She started to take out her hoverboard, then stopped. She wasn't supposed to ride it out of costume, was she? Well, the whole Mr. Eskin thing had been an emergency after all. So she'd forgive herself that at least.

She waited for the bus headed home instead, climbing on and grinning at the driver. She showed him the school ID card that allowed her to ride public transportation for free. A little while later, she had her laptop out and was ordering the necissary supplies for her experimental prototype. Meg would be thrilled.

  Andy had teleported into the hospital.  And opened up his senses.  He LOOKED human, at the moment, except for his eyes.  And he had no sunglasses on.  Following the tug he wanted, he walked into the 'long term' ward, and frowned.  Following his senses, he came to a stop before a door, and  then plucked the chart off the wall.  When a doctor challenged him, he turned, and the doctor faltered at the inhuman orbs of ebony with deep purple irises floating in them.  The doctor said "What are you, and why are you looking at that young man's medical records?  He's going to be unplugged tonight, you know.  He's brain dead."

  Andy rumbled quietly "His soul has left.  When you unplug the boy, his body will live for perhaps an hour.  Give him to me, and I will bring you a healthy young man in two hours."

  The doctor sputtered, then Andy touched his mouth.  His body shifting to his Demonic form, the doctor (and the nearby nurses) fainted.  He stepped into the room, and gently disconnected the IV, the respirators and monitors.  Picking up the slender, somewhat wasted body of a young man, the back of his head mis-shapen and indented, and cradled the body against him.  Wrapping his wings around the young man's body, he teleported them both to the Cliffs.

------------->> Cliffs

>>>>>>>>>From The Streets>>>>>>>>>>

Lonnie and Renee pulled in with the unconscious Leo in tow. They both helped him inside where they flagged down a nurse or an orderly.

"This man needs help!" Lonnie proclaimed, still carrying Leo almost like a sack of potatoes.

Several nurses came over and a resident Doctor came to work on Leo as they laid him on the stretcher.

"This man has some internal injuries. Get him to a room stat!" the male doctor ordered as they began to wheel him away.

Lonnie then turned to the nurse who was getting Leo's hospital stay set up. <Brown>"Don't worry none...we've got a good medical plan," he said as he handed her a card. "You'll find that he's gonna be covered...you just take good care o' him."

Leo soon found himself in a hospital room in a bed, hooked up to an IV, resting, but still unconscious.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

Leo could soon feel his essence...his lifeforce....being drawn away from his body. He wasn't dead, however...but all of his abilities...his mental faculties...began to go to a place he never thought he would see again.

>>>>>>>>>>>To The Edge of Shadows>>>>>>>>>>>>

Leo's body stirred his vitals rose up to inhuman levels and dropped to almost to the point of flat lining and than resumed a normality. As this happen he broke out in a heavy sweat and his breathing become irregular but his vitals showed he was stable.

>>>>>>>>>>From Weston Park>>>>>>>>>>

Both Lucas and the mysterious woman appeared in the woman. She now had a T-shirt, jeans, and white tennis shoes on. She led Lucas quickly to Leo's room.

"He's the one who needs our help...Leo Black..."

"The name sounds familiar," Lucas replied. "So....what is it that I need to do to help him?"

"Be his guide....his Spirit is trapped elsewhere...he must rejoin with his body, for he is another servant of Balance..."

Lucas looked at the woman.

"Woman...there is a lot that I still don't know. I hope you'll provide me with some answers. If not today, then someday...as Champion Of Light, I deserve them. But...I will be this beacon that you need..."

He quickly went to shut the door, and then summoned his armor.

"Leo Black...come back..."

Leo woke up his eyes slowly opened. He glanced at the woman and than at dragon fist. He was not sure of the time he was out.

"h...hey how long have I been out? and thanks for the help...I hope I never return to that plane." his voice was wheezing and scratching an rough

"Not sure how long you were out," Dragon Fist replied. "All I know is that you needed a guide to get back, and here you are. What...what place did you say you came from?"

Dragon Fist knew a little something about going to different dimensions, and dealing with the timing afterwards.

Leo slowly sat up and stared around the room till his eyes fell on a mirror and stared at his reflection. His eyes widened as he was staring at himself but he changed...drastically. His skin no longer pale like a vampire but he had a faint tan his skin had gained a great deal of pigmentation to further his shock his eyes were golden and his hair had bright blonde streaks among his raven black hair. He shook this off as a side effect of his powers.

"Well to answer your question...I just came from the dimension I am from...its called the edge of shadows. The closest dimension to the land of the eternal night. It is so close that most cant leave it and a door way tends to let more than yourself out. I have also learned much while inside that land of evil. I learned what Blackhand is up to and what his cohorts plan to do. Their is a great evil in the edge of shadows waiting binding his time for freedom and to slay and kill everything on earth. Dragonfist I am still to weak to move I need you go find the spellcaster ozzy his master must know. I must speak to the wizard immediately."

Dragon Fist looked at Leo. The eye holes on his helmet flashed an azure blue light only briefly.

"You seem to be on the level," he replied. "Let me see if I can contact Ozzy."

Leo nodded and slowly sat up his body was sore and heavy was it from the fight with the old man or was it from the time he spent spiritually in the edge of shadows. He slowly reached for his cell phone to make a phone call to lightstrike and punch out.
He flipped the phone open and pushed the number 2 button and let it ring.

After Dragon Fist relayed his message to Ozzy, he turned back to Leo as he was making his call.

"Sounds like you've already had a run-in with Oswald."

The woman shook her head.

"I will leave you for now...but I will always be close, Leo. And as for you Champion...thank you for guiding his soul back. He stands on the fulcrum of being a great force for Light.."

And with that, the woman disappeared.

Soon, Oswald arrived at the hospital. After asking for Leo's room number at the front desk, he headed up to the injured lawyer's room. Once he'd found the proper room, he gave a polite knock on the door, hoping not to disturb any of the other patients.

Dragon Fist turned away from Leo, and in a brief glow of azure light, retracted his armor. Leo would soon see as he wsa talking on the phone a young, early to mid-20's Hispanic man, dressed in a black turtleneck, black pants and sneakers.

Lucas slowly opened the door, seeing the elder Gysbourne.

"Hello sir....one day, I swear I'm just going to stop by and visit, and not try to bring any world-shattering emergencies to your door."

Oswald smiled and chuckled, "Quite all right, Mr. Martinez, quite all right. Though, regardless, you are welcome in my home at any time, though I would appreciate a bit of forewarning for a purely social visit. Besides, given my fellow lawyer's current track record, I seriously doubt that this is something that is not already well in hand."

He entered the room proper, looking towards Leo and saying, "Ah, Mr. Black. How... good to see you again. I must say, if you'd sent your lovely associate Miss Lancaster in your place from the start, we could've avoided that nasty business before. Quite a charming young girl, she was. You could stand to learn a thing or two from her."

Leo would of shook his head but he was on the cell phone. He stared at the wizard and was glad he used his magic to make his trip faster at the same time annoyed. He stared at dragonfist and nodded for him to make himself comfortable. He pulled the phone from his ear and finished leaving a voice mail saying "hey its leo come to the hospital with punch out please." He hung up the phone.

"First off thank you for coming, second I am a rebel and I may use the front door BUT most of all respect me I am injured and in the hospital and your rude manner to an injured man is not helping me none. Now have a seat if I didnt need your help and I am going to emphasize YOUR help. We shall start have a seat gentlemen its time you learned what I have experienced an uncovered and Oswald I hope your familiar with the edge of shadows.....if you are its time you stopped the act and act serious. Oh yes Dragonfist thank you for the help and its an honor to meet the best of this generation of heroes."

Oswald smiled, "If we're going to get right to business, Mr. Black, please allow me one moment."

With that, Oswald mumbled the words to a spell, drawing a small sigil in the air with one hand.

Once he'd finished, he said, "There we are. We should now be able to talk freely. Wouldn't want those outside or in adjacent rooms to overhear anything... incriminating, now would we?"

Leo actually laughed he wouldnt admit it but the drugs were making his head rough and fuzzy to focus but when you fight a gravity master its kinda hard not to walk away with a sore body.

"yes thank you....I would like casual talk but time is something I am not sure we have....over the past well...I actually can tell you how long going in and out of the edge of shadows it drains you."

Lucas sat down, ready to listen to what Leo had to say.

"Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Black. And I appreciate the secret saver, Mr. Gysbourne. Now then....tell us more about what's going on.."

Leo stared at the two and was not happy of making friends since they never lasted long. He always considered himself bad luck to peoples life spans. Since he was placed with a destiny he no longer considered himself totally free of his own choices. Which increased his paranoia to the world at large.

"Well....if you know of Blackhand or not is only a small player in a larger game. Consider him a powerful piece but a piece never the less. He serves a man with no name...well no name given yet but this man stated he was alive during a war ...the war between order and chaos...the death of an entire civilization was wiped out. In the process he was sealed in my land the edge of shadows. He wants to escape as he said and bring down his fury to those that sealed him."

Leo took a deep breath and clenched the blankets. He looked up his golden eyes shinning from the light.
"He wanted me to join him he said I have changed and well this change I dont fully understand it is a confusing bit. To further matters this person trapped in the edge of shadows has powerful minions working for him....this is all I can tell you if you have anyone that could help us plan a strategy to gather your allies if you choose to assist in my efforts of stopping an evil I came from I would appreciate it."

Oswald smiled and said, "You're quite welcome, gentlemen. After surviving the Crusades and the various Inquisitions and Witch Hunts, I have more than a few tricks for concealing things when it becomes necessary. Old habits die hard, after all, and that is a very large part of why I don't take a more active role in the city's defense. I tend to prefer to stick to the background myself. My grandson, however, never knew such fear. I only hope that his openness about his gifts will not see the return of such things."

He then turned back to Leo, replying, "In answer to your earlier query, Mr. Black, I do indeed possess knowledge of the Edge of Shadows. However, I fear that my knowledge is not quite the practical sort that you might be seeking. I am a Seer, Mr. Black. I am afraid my talents in dealing with extraplanar entities are far surpassed by those of Miss Victoria Castillo. I believe she was present when you... came to us the other evening. However, for the moment I believe she is indisposed. I shall, of course, endeavor to inform her of any imminent threats. As Black Jaguar, it is her duty to deal with such things, after all. And, while I cannot stop them, I am a Seer. I can help predict any interdimensional incursions, assuming they do not have some way to block me that I cannot circumvent."

"Who or what is Black Hand?" Lucas asked. "You make mention to him like you know him."

Leo went pale he hated the fact he was once this man's apprentice and friend. His colleague in death and destruction.

"Yes Lucas I do know him...cause I was once his apprentice several hundreds of years ago. I broke off and started the offence against him I have never known his plans in full till just now.....the creature he wants to free.....it scared me and he didnt even do anything at all just in this mans presence made me wanna die. When I fight Blackhand he was beatable he was a challenge he pushed me but this person......the man with no name I am like a drop of water while he is all the oceans and seas and lakes rolled into one."

Oswald considered Leo's words seriously. This was certainly more than he expected. Still, after a moment he replied, "This... being you speak of is not the first to try to take our world by force. Ahriman tested himself against the defenders of this city and failed. Though the fight may be fierce, I have faith that, if this being manages to cross over, we will be able to return him to whence he came from as well. Still, we must prepare, and forewarned is forearmed. Thank you for the information, Mr. Black."

Lucas nodded at Leo's explanation.

"Thank you for the information. I know of two other people who can be of assistance as well. Mist Dragon and Nagah's Fang...they are both long-lived and can offer both great martial prowess and a unique insight, being that they are both former Champions of Light."

He then turned to Ozzy.

"So, this...Black Jaguar may know more about this? Guess I've got a full itinerary then. I just need to wrap up a couple of details at the dojo, and pray that neither Mirage nor Katy have filed a missing persons report on me yet," he said with a chuckle.

Leo nodded but the old saying goes greater the pride greater the fall. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily.

"I see your point in your faith in this youthful bunch...I fear they may be over confident and.....if he breaks free let me say this...it took an entire civilization to seal him in a realm that was already sealed off from the outside."

Lucas replied to Leo "If you're referring to the New Age Defenders, yes they are young...maybe even somewhat headstrong. But they are wise for their years. One of them is my student....a very bright young man, with a promising future. I'm not much older than he is though, and honestly, there's little more he can learn from me."

He paused for a moment.

"The Legacy and the Defenders have fought side by side before. And most likely will do so again. That is the faith that I have in these young people. They are as much my teammates as the members of the Legacy are."

Leo shook his head not sure how to explain it was not his lack of faith but his concern for the fact this person was older than the wizard in this room by countless years.
"I understand but its not my lack of faith but the reason is this person has had countless amount of time to plot and plan his revenge and if he has gotten strong enough to gain followers while being sealed away...its just all we can do is prepare and gather allies an build a force to knock them back...with my knowledge and this woman Oswald mentioned and his seers power we shall prepare. so Master Lucas go forth gather the Legacy as me and Arch Mage Oswald shall brief the new age defenders....well thats if I am welcome to the manor."

Oswald nodded, "You seem to have learned your lesson about teleporting into people's homes uninvited. So, yes, do stop by. Though, if at all possible, I would like some warning first. I may be a Seer, but I am not omniscient."

He then turned to Lucas, saying, "It is good to hear that Oswald is excelling in his studies of the martial arts. And I must share your faith in the Defenders, Lucas. With their teamwork, there is no threat they cannot face."

Just as they were talking, a knock was heard at the door, then a voice.

"Leo...open up...it's Lonnie.."

Leo nodded to let him in. He still shook his head at their uncanny believe these teenagers are unbeatable.
"let the man in he is a friend."

Lucas got up out of his seat and opened the door.

"Come on in..." he said, then looking at the man. "Hey....you're Lonnie Robertson, aren't you? I saw you fight in London, you fought great there."

"Thanks man.." Lonnie replied, shaking Lucas' hand. "A lot's happened since those days....long story. But, I'm not here for a recollection of past events. I'm here because Leo asked me here. He an' I....we been friends for a long time."

Leo was confused but smiled at his friend.
"Hey bro whats up why the pause and you look shocked about something whats up?"

"Renee should be here in a little bit. Um....have you looked in a mirror lately, Leo?" Lonnie replied. "You...uh...you look different.."

Lucas shrugged, not sure what Lonnie meant by the change in Leo's appearance seeing as this was the first time the two of them met in their civilian identities.

Oswald, too, was not very familiar with Mr. Black. While the both of them were lawyers, Oswald could hardly say that he knew the other man.

Soon after, a dark-haired woman knocked on the door. "Leo? It's Renee..."

Lucas got up and let Renee into the room.

Renee walked into the hospital room, smiling at Lucas, then turning her attention to Mr. Gysbourne, Lonnie, and then lastly, to Leo.

Her eyes went wide and her mouth went open in shock.

"Wh.....what's happened to you, Leo?" she asked.

Leo didnt smile back cause he was not sure of what happened to him. He cleared his throat and sat up some.

"I believe its my powers...finally fully evolved well in the manner of going to the good side...or me reaching the pinnacle of my destiny soon to become in full light."

"So...we're here. And looks like you've got some powerful company too, Leo. What's our next step?" Lonnie asked.

Oswald chimed in, "Indeed. I admit, this whole affair has been something of a curve ball for me. While I believe it would be best to prepare as much as we can, I will defer to your expertise on matters regarding the Edge of Shadows, Mr. Black."

Leo nodded and stared at the wizard and dragonfist.

"I am still weak from the ordeals of the edge...you punch out and lightstrike help and assist Oswald and Lucas to the best of your abilities."

"I've dealt with quite a bit when it comes to my various duties, what else do we need to do aside from waiting?" Lucas added, also indicating that the issues with the Edge of Shadows was not his area of expertise.

"Our first priority would be to inform either Miss Castillo or her mentor, Adri, of what is transpiring. They would best know how to prepare a defense. Afterwards, any immediate threats here should be dealt with swiftly and with great prejudice. We cannot afford to be fighting a battle on multiple fronts, so we need to be ready to leave things to the police, at least for a little while. I'm sure the people will forgive us for not stopping a bank robbery or two in order to make sure that unspeakable horrors from beyond the stars do not devour them mind, body, and soul," said Oswald, who took a moment before adding diplomatically, "At least, that is my suggestion."

"And a good one at that," Lucas replied. "Let's go and talk with this Black Jaguar then. Nagah's Fang and Mist Dragon have an uncanny way of showing up when they're needed, so let's get things started."

Renee nodded at the suggestion.

"Leo....you going to be all right? I mean, we don't know when exactly this is going to happen. What will you do?"

  A voice came from an empty corner of the room, and some fog puffed out of it as it came.  "Do I hear my name being taken in vain?"  The form of Adri seemed to materialize out of the fog in the corner, and she smiled at Oswald with a wry, amused expression.

Lucas quickly turned towards where Adri was appearing, unsure if this was a friend or foe. The way she was talking to the senior Gysbourne however, it indicated that she may be an ally, so he relented somewhat.

Oswald looked mildly surprised, but smiled nonetheless as he said, "Ah, Adri. Lovely to see you again. In fact, this saves us some time. According to Mister Black, here, some nameless and terrible entity from beyond the Edge of Shadows is attempting to come into our world. We thought it would be most prudent to contact either you or Miss Castillo, given your expertise in dealing with such things. My knowledge of the realms beyond our own world tends to be purely academic, to be honest."

Neither Renee or Lonnie knew what to make of this new interloper. Renee looked over at Leo.

"Um...I'm guessing she's an ally?"

  Adri chuckled, and her gray eyes flashed greenish as she said "Oh yes.  You could say I'm a bit of an expert on extradimensional creatures, Oswald.  I spend . . . .a lot of time out of this world.  Time is fluid, and I'm immune to temporal paradoxes, so I tend to be where and when I want, when I want to be where I want to go."

"Pleasure to make your acquantince, Adri. I'm Lucas Martinez...though I suspect you probably know that there's much more to myself as well as everyone else here."

Oswald nodded and said, "Indeed, Miss Lancaster, she is an ally. Along with her student, Miss Victoria Castillo, they are probably the best allies we can have against the threats Mister Black has described. Hopefully there is actually something we can do against the threat. Mister Black, given that you are the firsthand witness to this... thing, would you please recount your tale for Adri? I imagine your account would likely be best for informing her of what exactly is coming our way."

Lonnie looked at Leo after Oswald said his piece.

"Yeah Leo...I think it's time to fess up, man. To all of us.."

Leo took a deep breath.

"Well while I was PULLED from my physical body into the edge of shadows....I encountered a man with no given name from the war of chaos and order...it took an entire civilization to seal him inside that land. While I was their i unlocked what I believe is my full power hence the actual physical change in my human form but anyways this man while despite being sealed has gathered several powerful allies in our world their leader was Blackhand...he still has many power minions left one of which was a sorcerer strong enough to pull me into the edge."

  Adri said quietly "Describe him.  Try and include scents and sounds, if you can, but if not, go for auras.  I may have to do some reconnassance in this matter.  Of course, I make no promises on not scaring the whey out of someone next time I show up either."  As she spoke, her gray eyes flared a strange and phosporescent green shade that was unnatural at best.

Lucas saw Adri's eyes flare with an unnatural energy, and he couldn't help but wonder who this woman was. Or...WHAT she was. What mattered was that she was an ally, something they might need in the coming days.

He then turned his attention to Leo, listening to what his answer might be.

Lonnie had seen a lot in his life. The rigors of being a top prize-fighter, and his mercenary experience. But nothing could have prepared him for what he had seen from this woman who was called Adri. Only for a brief moment did he let his unease show in his face, but only for a moment.

Renee also wasn't sure what to make of this woman. But she seemed to be an ally, no matter what her appearances might be so she was going to relent for now, unless she did something threatening to Leo.

Leo took a deep breath and closed his eyes trying to remember. When he opened his eyes he glanced around the room. In a short time he was finally making allies but he feared it was to late but being him he was stubborn and that was being polite way to describe him.

"He was tall...pale skin no smell...he was able to talk to me from across the castle...aura...evil it scared me in all honesty i would say a pure chaotic aura full of a large side order of vengeance to those that sealed him. He describe me as  once useful till I changed into what I am now. He seemed like a man waiting for his move like.....a cup slowly getting full till it just over fills. He is a man who has waited for a very....very ....very long time he in fact I hate to say it....he seemed to speak of revenge and his out look on life was very poetic and well I can relate to the person on a small level.His knowledge just the way he spoke with out leaving the chair he had everything in order...he had a castle inside a barren land a place where their are no cities or towns or homes of any sort but he, HE had a castle a large elaborate well decorated and lavished castle."

  Adri nodded, and said "Nobody move, and don't freak out."  She stretched upward, and then her body morphed, becoming something like a great coppery-furred wolf with lambently glowing phosphorous colored eyes, and fangs as long as a man's thumb without any trouble.  Then she padded close to Leo, and sniffed at him, deep breaths that carried information to her, and apparently hit some resonance, as a soft growl escaped.  Then she padded to, and into, the corner.  Vanishing.  Fog had welled up from it as she approached, and now it began to die away once more.

Oswald blinked in surprised as Adri morphed into a Hound of Tyndalos and gave Leo a good sniff, then exited the same way she'd come in.

"Well, that explains her extraordinary ability to be wherever and whenever she wants to be. I am now quite glad she's on our side," he said.
This message was last updated by the player at 16:23, Thu 05 Jan 2012.

Lucas witnessed the anomaly that was the woman known as Adri, and....whatever she was....it made him shudder. Whoever this woman was, she walked a razor's edge between humanity and...SOMETHING ELSE.

He turned to Oswald.

"A Hound of...what?" he asked.

The two battle-hardened mercenaries saw what appeared to be mist, and were not sure what had happened, their faces both holding a shocked expression. Only that it sniffed Leo, and then was gone.

Leo's face went pale during that moment and to that of the killers mind set could see the fear edged in his eyes. He couldnt remember where it seemed familiar but that creature was something he had encountered NOT directly but seen. When he heard Oswalds comment his eyes widened. He didnt know this woman but if the others trusted her he had to as well.

"Tynadalos wolf...damn Oswald you keep some ....deadly allies close by you must either have some powerful defense against that wolf or she must owe you something aweful either way.....glad its on our side." he said this and his gaze drifted towards the window as he glanced into the outside.

Leo went silent his fear slowly dying down. He was scared it was one thing to make him unnerved it was an entirely other thing to make him scared. If Adri  could find something on this powerful person he encountered he would be glad. The more he new the more he could prepare himself.

Leo's gaze returned to the others. He stared at Oswald.

"Oswald may I speak to you privately please....just lawyer to Lawyer and if you could bring some papers if you have any and a pen I would need them please."

Punch-Out arced a curious eyebrow as Leo asked to talk to Oswald privately.

"Yo Leo....this isn't somethin' you can share with the class?"

"I'm sure he has good reason," Lucas said. "Everyone has things that they would rather not have others know about."

He then turned to Leo.

"Then again Leo...these two, Lonnie and Renee...they are your closest friends and associates. If you plan on doing something, such as either making out some sort of final will and testament, they deserve to know what's going. As for me...since I am an outside third party...well, except for the whole 'coming from the Land of Eternal Night' thing...I can probably excuse myself then. Besides, I do have some other things I have to look after. Namely, two women that might be slightly worried about me."

Oswald smiled and replied, "She is simply a friend, Mr. Black. She does not owe me anything, nor do I think I could mount much of a defense if it came to it. I would be happy to speak with you privately, if that is your wish, though I do agree with Lucas that at least your two friends here be allowed to listen."

He then gave a nod to Lucas, saying, "Good luck, my friend. I hope to see you again."

"Thank you, Oswald," Lucas replied to the long-lived sage. He then exited the hospital room, and began to head down to the lower levels.

Before catching a bus, he then sat down at a bench for a brief moment, and concentrated. Then made his way to the streets.

>>>>>>>>To Weston City Streets>>>>>>>>
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Wed 11 Jan 2012.

Leo nodded and waited for everyone to get seated and for Oswald to get his paper and pen ready. He was scared he had never been this scared I guess a creature such as himself was allowed moments in his long life to be scared.
"When ever your ready sir."

Lonnie sat down, ready to listen.

Renee sat down as well, looking intently at Leo, wondering what he would say.

Oswald produced a pad of paper and a pen, quite literally out of thin air. He smiled and said, "Whenever you're ready, Mister Black."

Leo took a deep breath and stared around the room his stomach turned at the idea of what the woman who saved him multiple times before and said of his foreshadowing demise.

"......Oswald we are discussing my Will...infact we are going to make it right now cause...a woman appeared to me multiple times in the past week spoke of my destiny as a warrior of light and informed me....my death is the death of a martyr. I wont my life savings which is rather large split in two fifty fifty half for punch out and half for lightstrike....as for my base of operations and office I wish for you to have the catch with that is they are destroyed but your a man with a large sum of money I imagine you would put it to great use. I want you both to use this money in whatever you choose to use it for being my trusted friends you will put it to good use...as for my law firm it has many good clients folks I was and still am trying to set on the path of recovery I wish for you Oswald to take up those clients...thats it that is what I needed to say. I wanted my Will done before the final days arrive AND please dont say your gonna fight destiny its cliche and I have accepted this scared yes but I shall go down fighting and swinging I will make any evil force tremble at my fury and make the land and skies above shake from my power and make this world all the evil in it quiver in fear at my last moments that they shall remember their are powerful heroes still alive today."

Leo finished his speech and drank down the glass of water. He waited for the response and lectures from his friends.

Lonnie was not whether to be angry or sad. At this moment, he was both.

"What? HELL....EMPHATICALLY....NO! You not just gonna lie over and play dead, Leo. God-damnit! We have been through too much shit for you to have an attitude like that. I don't know what the hell happened to you in this place, but I ain't gonna let you just kill yourself!"

He looked at the wall, and he looked like he wanted to hit it. But that would have been bad.

"Y'know man....I didn't get my ass kicked just to see you roll over an' play dead."
This message was last updated by the player at 14:45, Thu 12 Jan 2012.

Renee looked at Leo, tears streaming in her eyes. She made her way over to him, and clasped his hand, looking into his eyes.

"Leo....I don't give a damn about some prophecy that you heard. You're going to make it. You HAVE to! Because....I see....I still see...a future where you and I...."

Her message was clear, she didn't need to utter it. She had fallen for Leo.

Oswald took down Leo's Last Will and Testament, just as he'd been asked. But at the end of Leo's little speech, he couldn't help but laugh.

After taking a moment to regain his composure, he smiled and said, "Mister Black, are you really so naive as to believe that time only takes one path? That we have no choice, and are but puppets in a play, with no ability to do anything but what our Grand Puppeteer tells us to? As a Seer, Mister Black, I must say that the whole 'Grand, Unavoidable Destiny' line is a great load of poppycock when we're referring to anything but the universe itself. Yes, eventually, everything will fade and die. That much is certain. But between the Big Bang and the Great Darkness? Nothing is truly certain. I've seen more visions of doom than I care to recount, young man. If every vision I ever had came true, this conversation wouldn't be happening right now. Fate can be changed by our hands. You will die, yes. That is unavoidable. But whether that is now or in fifty years cannot be certain. You must live for today, Mister Black. Because the path you seem to have chosen ends only in regret and despair."

Leo shook his head and actually got out of the medical bed an paced back and forth.

"Listen I have been around for countless hundreds of years. This person is older than I and in my years me and my ex mentor we were almost destroyed by her prophecies she told us. In our ...no IN my time alive whenever she made a prophecy someone died...not me nor master but everyone we new...died this time I will not let it happen I will not let my last two friends die. If no when I die its time for you two to take over my mantle of justice. I have seen what happens when you try and fight destiny.....or fate its my time."

  From the corner came her voice before the mist swirled, and Adri stepped forth.  "As usual, Oswald, you are dead on the mark.  And I, more than any of you, know precisely how fluid time is.   Since I exist outside your technical timespace continuaa, and can park myself in it when and where I please, and am immune to temporal paradox, it means I'm pretty familiar with it.  Nor do I age anymore.  Seers, ALL seers, see thr POSSIBLE futures.  I can go VISIT those possible futures, and come back, or go back, then come forward.  I do, however, generally discourage others from trying to mess around with time travel, mostly because it tends to attract other Hounds of Tyndalos, and they aren't very nice to people who go mucking around in time."  She was now in jeans and a comfortable blouse of green silk, and barefoot.  She hopped up onto the windowsill, and put one foot on it, the other one dangling and kicking.  She LOOKED about 21.  She sounded far, far older.

Renee huffed for a moment, astonished by Leo's casual attitude towards all of this, then turned with an angry look and crossed her arms, looking out the hospital room window.

"C'mon man....you never bought into that destiny bullshit," Lonnie said to Leo. "It's not like you to just roll over an' play dead. That sure as hell ain't you Leo...and you know it."

Oswald harrumphed, "Age alone does not bring wisdom, Leo. And, if you are wanting to compare the length of years, I myself am almost a thousand years old, Adri here likely older than that. And given our particular specialties, she a Hound of Tyndalos and myself a Seer, I think we are a bit more qualified than you to speak on matters of 'preordination' and 'destiny'. Just because this foe is powerful does not mean he is undefeatable. And just because someone has said you will die at a certain time does not mean it will happen then."

  Adri nodded, and said quietly "I don't live time in a linear fashion anymore, because I'm no longer human, Leo.  I haven't been for a very long time.  I gave up trying to track it, because it got to be too much trouble.  I'm free and over 21, since I was that old before I became what I am now.  And yes, once upon a time, I was a normal young human woman.  Destiny had me being destroyed by the books at Miskatonic, driven insane.  That didn't happen.  Instead, I becamse what I am now.  Not even remotely human, although I look it most of the time.  I'm actually a fusion of two discrete entitiies, Adri, and a Hound of Tyndalos.  They don't have souls, you know.  It's one of the reasons that they like to catch time travelers.  They rip their souls out.  I have a knack for turning up where and when I am most needed.  And you, and Vic, will need me for this, I think."

Leo shook his head he new they were old but to stomp on what he was told was rather annoying and harsh. He had to fess up and tell them who it was that kept appearing over the course of the days.
"it was a watcher.....a woman has appeared over the days telling me of my destiny and saving me from certain doom."

Soon, a woman shimmered into their presence, dressed in a radiant white toga dress. Her hair was dark, her eyes green. She looked at Leo, Oswald then at Adri.

"Do not be afraid. We are all compatriots here, all seeking the same thing. And that is the prevention of the ruination of your realm..."

She paused for a moment.

"Destruction perpetuated by the fallen Elder known as Konnish...."

Oswald's eyes widened, his face paling as he grasped at his chest for a bit and he hurriedly sat back down in his chair. After a moment, he regained his composure and replied, "Well, at least we have a name to our foe, now. Dear God, THE Konnish? This is bad. Still, nothing that can't be handled, I suppose. We've sent a Demon Lord packing, so this doesn't fall into the realm of the impossible."

Lonnie was not sure what to think of this new visitor, and neither was Renee.

"Who is this...Konnish creep, or whatever he is?"

"Konnish is an immortal evil being of GREAT power. Legend has it that long ago, he gathered an army and rose up against the forces of Light. He was banished, but at great cost. An entire civilization was destroyed in the fight. For all these years, he has been waiting, biding his time. And apparently, his time is coming soon. To put it simply... we are facing something akin to Sauron, assuming you are at least familiar with the recent movies. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, there IS no 'One Ring', nor any other sort of Achilles' Heel that we might exploit," replied Oswald, still looking somewhat grave. This was clearly something he hadn't expected, and something that was worrying him, even if he tried to hide it.

  Adri said quietly "We have at our disposal some factors which were not available last time.  For one, we have parahumans.  The last time, those were not available, so there is a small difference.  Two, we have two immortals on our side, as well as one Demon-Knight.  A Guardian, a Champion of light, two retired Champions.  Me.  You, Oswald.  Leo, you and your friends as well.  Do not decide anyone is too young to fight in this battle, or you may have signed everyone's death warrants."

Leo finally decided to pipe in his last comment before he has his private or well wanted his private conversation with the watcher.

"Which is why I am getting my personal affairs in order. So for your young heroes and all those that aid in this up coming ...war and yes I am not over exaggerating. To those you wish to aid us that is to everyone in the room....inform them that this is a battle that they or anyone else may not walk away from be it physically or mentally. Yes I am aware of your young apprentice and his team have done battle with some heavy weight villains I admire their courage but sadly this is a battle I want to win and I would rather have everyone who is willing to die aid us not time for hesitation. I may not be as old as Oswald and Adri and the watcher but that does not mean I have not experienced events that Oswald and Adri could understand. I have been on the side of darkness which I believe to be at this moment an asset on our side I know how the minions think and will probably act which leads me to my next question. How soon can you gather your allies and where can we meet....I would prefer Oswalds manor its protected and luckily only a small handfull could ever penetrate it but i am sure Oswald increased his manors defenses."

"You know me Leo...I was a merc...I pretty much been ready to die almost every day..." Lonnie said, now anxious to get underway.

Renee nodded.

"It comes down to this evil or us....I'm picking us....he has to be stopped, that much is clear. But this is war."

"This does indeed seem very promising," The Watcher said, pleased that the defense of the realm was coming along nicely.

Oswald chuckles, "At the very least, you underestimate my grandson once again. He will be with us, that much I can assure you. I do not know about the rest of his friends, though I can sense they are all quite dedicated. If they are not willing to go with the war itself, perhaps they can keep things quiet while we prepare. Evil never sleeps, after all."

He then nodded and said, "But, yes. My mansion should be safe from any prying eyes that might try to ferret us out. After all, I do not doubt that Konnish has somehow managed to maintain a cult of mortal followers. There are always fools who are hungry enough for power to throw the rest of us to the wolves, so to speak."

Leo chuckled himself and leaned forward.
"Correction Oswald its not that I dont believe he is up to par but more to the fact I would prefer if possible keep the youth out of it use them as the last line of defense. Let us old soldiers take up the front line...I would rather keep this worlds future in tact along with its new defenders alive and well. This war will be  much more ....more than a test. Yes they have defeated demons or devils." leo laughed at the idea. "The creatures from where I am from is a force you cant fight with magic or fist or steel though you can it will only make some of the denzens stronger. Either way we shall discuss this later if your boy is insistant on joining the war you are fine with a high factor of loosing him as in not just physically cause for those that perish...you may loose more than your body."

Oswald nodded, "I see your point, but I know Oswald. He would never listen to an order to 'just sit back'. Not when the world is at stake. And while I would very much like to keep him safe as well, I would rather have him be part of the plan than trying to do something on his own which might ruin our plans. Besides, as I have said, he can handle himself quite well. He is a highly trained professional, after all."

He then stood, taking up his cane before saying, "Now, if you will excuse me, I believe the Champion of Light needs to be informed of what exactly is happening. Not to mention our other allies."

With that, Oswald stepped out of the room and exited the hospital before opening his phone and dialing the Dojo.

After Oswald walked out of the room to make his phone call, Lonnie looked to Leo.

"So...you have a plan? We'd better start coming up with one if we don't have one already.."

"The outcome of this battle is not known..." the mysterious woman replied. "But, to make the odds in your favor, it sounds like what can be done is being done. Which is the gathering of any and all who can defend this realm."

Punch-Out and Lightstrike soon got up and left, going to their safehouse and preparing themselves for the upcoming conflict.

The Watcher however stayed with Leo.

"There is but one more thing I need to make you aware of, Leo Black..."


The Watcher simply looked at Leo, wondering what his thought process might be.

Leo shook his head not sure what to think no what to say but the words came out.
"what do you mean....what did that image mean? I am not sure what you want me to do watcher....what is it I am suppose to do? go forth fight Konnish full fill my destiny fight him and die? what is it I am suppose to do that image it made no sense to me."

The Watcher smiled reassuringly at Leo.

"Leo....the future is not set...what you saw was one POSSIBLE future. Because you are the embodiement of both Light and Darkness, you are among the ones most suited to stand against Konnish. Fight with all of your might...fight for your world...fight for your friends...but most of all...fight for YOURSELF. You say that this person was your mentor at one time, correct? Show him what you have learned, throughout your journey to this moment. Do not admit defeat.."

Leo had to stop and wipe tears from his eyes in his entire life he had walked with a solid back and strong strides confident and he always won he always pulled through and was the victor at the end of the line. This time he was scared he had finally reached that level of humanity. He finally had accumulated enough friends and time to call a place home. Yet he was scared cause he was fighting the person that had been his mentors teacher....the great powerful Konnish the name finally sunk in to Leo and he was scared.

"Watcher....if I go back to the edge of shadows and fight Konnish....will it give the others time to prepare defenses? I know now what I must do...he is powerful indeed but if I destroy ....the edge of shadows he will be sucked into the void the emptyness of nothing he will be pulled into a world of timelessness and the force of that realm collapsing should kill him if not fatally wound him yes?"

"Difficult to say....but if it doesn't kill him, it will most certainly weaken him enough for you and your friends to take one concerted blast at him."

Leo nodded at this information and got up throwing on his clothes and shoes.
"Watcher...my last favor inform Adri and Oswald well they should see the signs...when the edge explodes that should be a big enough wave of magic to be the red light to attack...just tell them to contact me when everything is ready."

he said this and walked out of the room.

The Watcher nodded as Leo left, a sad smile on her face. The future was not set, so it was possible that Leo may not lose everything. There was the possibility that he could, also.

Shimmering out of the room, she floated into the air and out of the hospital area.

Leo faded into the shadows vanishing.

<<<<left to the rooftops>>>>

LEo came to as the ambulance pulled into the hospital hearing voices.

"This is wierd man."

"Your telling me you see those scars?"

"Heart surgery?

"More like Autopsy...And we found this guy in a morgue in the superhero capital of the world...

"No...way."

the lights of the hospital flashed as he was rushed down the hallway. As they hurried taking him to the exam room flashes of fragments of some previous time either yesterday or a week ago flashed before his eyes. Battles and battles him doing wild things with light and darkness flashes kept going he closed his eyes and saw the image of a woman in white whispering "Leo Black" awaken.

"Vitals look stable, but he sure as hell looks like he's seen better days. We'll just have to question him when he wakes up to find out what the hells going on."

his vital's were stable but his heart rate went through the roof as waves of flashes of images shot through his head as he lay unconscious. His body did not stir nor did he make any sounds. He kept seeing blurred images and kept hearing a voice which started as a whisper..."Leo Black." kept going slowly getting louder.

OOc: I'ma just let you be till you decide to wake up so just post whatever.

Eventually he sat bolt right open screaming. He stopped looking in all directions frantic his vision blurred and the white walls and the lights hurting his eyes. He finally collapsed back on the bed breathing heavily and slowly sat up.

"What...where...am I?" he gasped as he stared around the room unsure of what to do or whom to speak to.

As he screamed a nurse ran into the room. Her mouth opening and closing several times as she stood in the doorway before running off to get the doctor.

Leo stumbled and flailed wildly and fell out of the bed with a loud thud. He slowly staggered to his feet and stumbled forward with his iv and other such attachments being ripped out. He reached the door and glanced left and right and stumbled forward crashing into the other side of the halls wall. His blood leaving a trail to others to follow as he walked down the hall blindingly trying to grasp where he is and and why.

The nurse returned with the doctor  only to find a blood trail coming from the room. They both rushed after him. "Sir! You need to return to bed, your not well enough!"

Leo turned to see the nurse and doctor rushing towards him he raised his hands and as he did the shadows began to bend and form a wall between him and the nurse and doctor.

"s s stay back....where am I!! who are you people!!" he shouted as he closed his eyes.

The doctor held out both hands in a non threatening manner. "I am a doctor, you are in a hospital, you were found in a morgue where you collapsed, a man found you and called the ambulance you were brought here to heal.."

Leo stumbled back at the news he was not sure who he was nor how he was at the morgue but he collapsed falling down on his knees. He took deep breaths letting this settle in.

THe doctor knelt next to the mysterious patient. "Sir you really need to get back to bed."

Leo nodded and let the doctor and the nurse guide him back to his room. He felt weak scared not sure of what was going on nor how he was hurt.

The Doctor and nurse lead Leo back to the room, though the nurse seems a little nervous, the doctor is the picture of calm as they slide you back into bed. THe doctor shuts off the lights as he leaves.

leo watched them leave and the lights went out he slowly got his breathing and heart rate back to a good level. He tried to remember what happened before he woke up in the morgue but he kept bring up a blank slate. He couldnt think of what he did he had memories but all of them scattered no link nothing common among them. In fact trying to remember was giving him a headache so he stopped. He stared into the depths of the darkness of the room.

"the doctor..should have answers to tomorrow." he whispered and closed his eyes.

[From: The Streets]
Atlas arrived at the hospital finding the closest hospital personnel that seemed to know what was going on within this place of healing. "Hello I am Atlas I have come to bring life to those who have passed recently, heal the wounded, and wake the comatose. Though I ask you bring only those who require it most... my powers are quite draining and those who may not survive the day require my aid first."

  Doctor Taylor blinked, then said softly "Let me take you to the pediatrics wing then.  For the terminal children.  I think they need the most help . . ."

"Save the children save our future." He said as he followed after the doctor.

  He led Atlas to the entrance of the children's wing, the terminal ward, and said "In here.  Don't give them false hope.  Just do your thing, and don't tell them what you do."  Leaving Atlas to decide whom he should bestow his gifts upon.

Atlas nodded solemnly as the doctor left the ward. He once more slid his knife across his palm. he placed it upon child after child healing much of their wounds depending on how great their illness was he either cured it completely or sent it into at the very least a long term hibernation.Though Atlas only managed to get through a quarter of the children before his vision began to blur. He pressed on he was a Savior he may not be able to save everyone out there... but at the very least he had to here.

He was nearly half way through the patients when he tripped over his own feet his body no longer capable of supporting himself from blood loss he simply laid there hoping he'd regain his strength soon.

His mind flashed with fuzzy thoughts of problems and worries...In order to heal them he had to make contact with them which meant he also took away their worries and cares. Those memories assaulted his conscious in mass... children fighting the realization of cancer and the future of death was not give strength ot anyone's mind let alone Atlas'.

  One of the nurses found him, and they put him in a room, with a bed and an IV, giving him fluids and nourishment.  They didn't want to try and transfuse him, but they wanted him to recover.

Leo lay in his bed asleep but the room around him seemed alive the shadows waved and danced the lights seemed to flicker and stretch as if reaching for Leo's body trying to heal him. When Leo felt it the power of that which was supernatural he awoke. He still lacked any memories of himself he still waited for something to trigger his memories in hopes of them being restored.

Martine, disguised as a doctor walked through the icu looking for any ripe prizes. As he was passing a particular room he stopped sensing something, strange. A soul, broken and not in its original body. How curious. He reached for the handle walking in. This could be a real prize.

feeling the presence of someone entering the room Leo opened his eyes. He slowly sat up staring at the door. He was not sure of who to expect but he was ready to leave this building.

"who is it?" he shouted

"Don't worry, I'm a doctor. I"m just checking your vitals, feel free to go back to sleep." He said as he entered the room. This one was wounded both in body and soul, but the soul while wounded seemed quite the prize indeed. His eyes lit up and an invoulntary smile broke out on his face the smile of a predator eyeing their prey.

Atlas woke up still light headed though he was now capable of standing at the very least. His vision blurred but he stayed his course. He had to let his body replace the blood he had lost in his healing so he decided to see if his other powers would be able to help anyone. He called for a doctor. "I am still spent for healing physical wounds... but I should be able to help relieve stress such as PTSD... I should also still have the strength to call those who've recently died or are comatose back to our coil... though I won't be capable of doing many... resurrections..."

  The doctor told him firmly "You want to go anywhere, you do it in a wheelchair.  Or you will fall down."

"Very well... Duty surpasses Pride... where a wheelchair..."

  He brought a wheelchair over, and assisted Atlas into it.

"I believe those who've just recently died are on the top of my list... My powers can only give life back if there is still a spark of life...  which fades rather quickly. So... how many are there who have recently passed within say a thirty minute period?"

  The doctor headed down the hall, and he said "I have two pediatric patients who just coded.  Minutes ago.  If you can do it, resuscitate them.  Four and six, in a house fire.  Smoke inhalation."

He nodded once he arrived where the Children's bodies were being kept he stood over the youngest first. Breathing Deeply he exhaled allowing a strange silvery substance to escape his mouth. It moved like one's breath on a cold day but resembled molten silver in color and texture. It Streamed into the child's mouth and nose. It was only a matter of moments before the child gasped for air before keeping the steady breathing pattern of sleep. "There... one down." The images that graced his mind were black and white.. The souls of countless thousands stood in line before a vast river the same color of pitch. A single figure stood separate of the others standing a top a small boat an oar in hand. The Ferryman's hand extended as it pointed directly towards Atlas. It had played every time he had brought someone back to life... but it still brought chills to his body. The pain would arrive within a minutes time so he forced himself to quickly call forth the same silvered breath to breathe life back into the second child.

By now sweat was visible on his clothing  and face. His skin had turned pale and his body recoiled from the pain that now raced through his body. He felt their dying moments... all their fear and pain was given to him...  "There..." The taste of copper filled his mouth as the crimson ooze began to stain his teeth but he swallowed to prevent it from escaping his mouth.

  The doctor asked him softly "Do you want me to call the other specialist in to handle you?  All I have is a pager number for them, but they work miracles . . ."

Leo stared at the man who entered something doesnt and didnt feel right about this man. He stared at him and spoke up in a harsh voice.

"Stay where you are!" Leo moved and pulled the varies items connected to his body.

He stood up and stared at the person who claimed to be a doctor.

"Your not the doctor assigned to me nor are you the nurses they assigned to me. I suggest you leave my room I'l wait for my actual doctor or nurse."

The man smiled again this one slightly more heartwarming if a little fake. "Your Doctor went home, his shift is over. I'm the overnight doctor." He said as he slid a hand into his pocket.

"I'll be fine...what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! I'll need that strength so one day I can aid all who need me rather then just some of them..." He slunk back into the wheelchair.

Leo felt something pulling at his inside a power growing and he glared at this man he felt some sort of malice evil presence unlike the doctor or the nurse this man had some sort of evil presence.

The shadows moved and waved a portion of the shadows slammed the door closing it.

The man looked as the door behind him closed. "Well that wasn't your smartest possible move." He said drawing producing a kukri from his pocket. "Your soul has power, it will be a great prize indeed."

Something seemed to awaken inside Leo some sort of inner evil as the shadows began to move closer to the claimed doctor as the lights began to flicker on and off and soon a stream of light shot towards the claimed doctor.

Leo stood up from the bed his physical appearance changing his eyes turned into a blood red and black his hair slowly turned into a solid white as streams of black and white energy began to cover his body as his voice grew into a deeper tone.

"Your mistake was thinking you could take me."

The man chuckled. "Well this just got a whole lot more interesting." There was a flash of light and suddenly the doctors uniform was gone replaced by a fox mask a demon faced breastplate gauntlets with two long nasty blades and a pair of spiked greaves.

Leo didnt flinched he was no longer himself as he gathered the shadows around him to his hands creating two kukri like daggers in his hands.

"I faced many foes all of which make you seem like a fly on a wall what hope do you have"

Once again a flash of light shot towards the gothic looking man. the blast came from the ceiling lights in a straight beam.

In a blur of motion the man dived to the side avoiding the beam and rolled coming up right next to Leos bed, where he slashed at him with those blades.

When he landed and slashed Leo he stepped back from the pain as several pillars of shadow spikes shot up filling the entire room and shot up around Leo leaving him unharmed.

THe man bounced upward and then fell back down in a crouch. "It appears your not as wounded as I thought. Perhaps we shall meet again." And too fast for Leo's eyes to follow properly the man dived out the window.

  The Doctor nodded, and said "Give yourself time.  If you work with our other specialist, you could probably do even more than you think."

With the threat gone Leo's body began to spasm as it did the shadows returned to normal and the energy that engulfed Leo faded and he collapsed onto the floor falling into a world of darkness. unaware that his powers had activated on their own saving his life this day against the mysteries Bokor.

"I guess so... are these medical specialists or... parahumans with powers to heal like me?"

  He said "The specialist I am discussing cured a boy of cerebral palsy.  I don't know how though."

"Maybe it'll be beneficial to meet this 'Specialist' then. If their power or skill is truly healing then I should be able to aid them fairly well."

  He nodded, and gave Atlas a phone number.  "Calling this will get you in touch with the specialist.  If you want to meet them."

Leo's body began to shake and stir as the shadows in the room began to ripple like a tidal wave and the lights that where on began to grow brighter and brighter till the bulbs burst an the light did not go out it hovered growing and growing. The shadows began to grow as if fighting the orb of light as both light and darkness began to seep into the unconscious body of Leo.

Leo's eyes slowly opened and he heard it barely it was a faint whisper.

he spoke his voice groggy and throat dry. "w what was that?"

the whisper grew louder as the light and and shadows grew more furious with each other.

Leo seemed to be staring at a corner of the room where the shadows had grown more dense and seemed to take form.

Leo repeated once more "w what did you say* his voice was rough and dry

the shadow like figure raised hand like claw and pointed at him.

"Daedric THE TRAITOR"

the orb of light grew and soon something slowly fell from it a figure of light a woman as if adorn with golden braclets and rings and earrings and necklaces wore a blue toga.

the voice was elegant and kind and polite.

"no..it is Leo Black of the twilight no longer is he the prince of shadows. He has shed that life and taken a new one."

Leo was confused and scared not sure of who they were talking about but it was from what he could tell directed towards him.

with the sound of the nurse outside opening the door did Leo awaken.

Leo awoke still unsure of who he was except for the strange conflict growing with in himself. He decided he was not getting answers laying here in a hospital he got up unplugged himself from the multiple medical devices. He walked over to the closet pulled his washed typical clothings of a white shirt red hoodie and worn jeans and sneakers. he pulled off the medical garment and put on his clothes and walked out of the hospital.


<<<left for streets>>>

--------->> From Owsald's Via Ozzy Air :)

  She giggled as they reached the hospital, and he heard her whisper {{GODS this is fun, but I want to be cuddled up to your chest next time.}}

Ozzy grinned as he landed, a little softer than last time, but still kinda hard. Then again, he DID weigh a lot, so landing quietly was probably not on the table.

{{You got it, babe. How was it up there? I could feel you grabbing on real tight! You didn't think I would let you drop off and fall, did you?}}

  She laughed, and bounced over his shoulder and into his arms to give him a hot kiss, answering {{If I fell, you'd catch me.  I hold on tight, because it's exhilarating, and I love being snuggled right against your own warm self.}}  Her tail flicked up and down his chest, a long caress of silken plume.

Ozzy caught her as she bounced over him, kissing her back as he held her close. When the kiss broke, chuckled and said, "C'mon, love, let's go see your Mom."

With that, he walked towards the hospital's doors, the biggest ones he could find. No need to make this any harder on himself than he had to, after all.

  She kissed him, and whispered "Thank you, my love.  I adore being cuddled in your arms."  She let him carry her as long as he was comfortable with it, pressing little loving kisses on his skin as she cuddled him.

Ozzy grinned as he ducked into the hospital, carring her in one arm while he 'gorilla walked' with the other, smiling at the people inside who were no doubt a bit freaked out by his appearance.

"Ah, hi! We're here to see Mrs. Clemmons?" he said when he got to the front desk.

  The receptionist smiled, and said "Ah!  She's in room 305.  Up to the third floor and go to the left."

  Clarissa smiled, and said "Thank you, Ma'am.  I want Mom to know I'm glad she's okay."  She had, in her purse, the paper Oswald had given them, and she was going to ask her mother to sign it.

Ozzy chuckled and said, "God, I love this town. Everyone's so used to all the weird shit."

He then kissed Clarissa and said, "Plus, it's got you in it. Definitely gives it some serious 'ups'."

He took the stairs up, not wanting to try fitting in the elevator, much less seeing if it could heft his bulk.

  She giggled, and said softly "You're the best ever to happen to me, Ozzy.  I love you so much."

  When they got there, he could immediately see her Mom's room.  Her mom was watching a game show, and he could tell she was sort of sleepy.  She looked to see who was coming in, and frowned, then asked (a little overly loud, as they still had her ears packed with gauze from reconstructing her eardrums) "Is that you, Clarissa??  What HAPPENED to you?  And . . .Ozzy?  Oh my GOD, that thing, it hit you and you're . . . it made you STUCK!!"  She held her hand out to him, tears welling.  SHE knew, she REMEMBERED, he'd gotten the monsters distracted from HER . . . and if he hadn't been there, it would have been HER.

Ozzy smiled as he plonked his massive ass down in the best space he could find, and then reached out with his hand to gingerly take Mrs. Clemmons' hand as he said, "It's okay, Misses C. Clarissa's really helped me in getting used to this form... it's almost an upgrade, really! I just gotta get used to the proportionately low ceilings everywhere, hehe."

  Mrs. Clemmons took his hand, and said "I never would have expected you to give up looking normal for me, Ozzy.   But I appreciate it.  How . . . are you doing, other than that?"  She arched an eyebrow.

  Clarissa smiled, still perched on his other arm, and said "Oh, Mom.  We're good.  We got you a Mother's Day present!"  She held out the teddy bear, and he could see happy tears well up in Mrs. Clemmons' eyes.  She fished in her purse, and got the paper Oswald had given them out.  She said softly to her Mom "But Ozzy and I are a set, Mom.  He needs me, and I need him.  Will you please, please sign this, Mom?"

Ozzy smiled and wrapped his arms gently around Clarissa as he said, "Please. We want to get married, but we can't. Not without your permission. I love Clarissa with all my heart, and she loves me. That won't change. But... for that to be legally, officially recognized? We either have to wait, or we have to have your permission. Would you, please? I... I know you and Mr. Clemmons must think poorly of me, after what happened the other day, but I'll protect her, I swear! You can trust me."

He then chuckled and said, "Besides, it's not been that bad. People in this town are pretty used to seeing weird stuff, so I haven't been yelled at or anything. There hasn't even been a hint of a torch-and-pitchfork mob yet."

  Mrs. Clemmons looked at the paper, and then at the pleading looks in the eyes of her daughter, however inhuman those soft, chocolate eyes had become, and her lover, his glowing phosphorescent eyes pleading as well, and she said "I will sign, but you had better keep her safe, Ozzy.  She's the only daughter I have.  And you haven't explained how she got turned  . . . into a catgirl?"  She fished for a pen, and Clarissa handed her one.  She said softly "One of the bitches from school did it, Mom.  She wanted to hurt me, because I refused to just give her what she wanted.  So she tried to go after MY weak points.  She just didn't know what she was doing.  I'm  lucky, Mom.  She. . . when she hit me, I couldn't feel my toes.  I couldn't feel anything but the needle in the middle of my back, and the second one didn't even register.  If she hadn't screwed up and gotten mutagen, I think she'd have put me in a wheelchair."  She hadn't mentioned THAT to Ozzy earlier.

Ozzy growled, "YOU WHAT!? Oooooh, that... It's a good thing you didn't say anything at the mall, babe. I mighta returned the favor... at least if she would've got something else, babe, Megs could'a put you back on your feet. She can fix everything short of dead, after all. It's how I came back to you after this latest foray after the Builder. I did tell you I took three rounds, right?"

He then said to Mrs. Clemmons, "What she wanted was me. Namely, my dangly bits. Maggie, being the community bicycle she is, probably figured she'd finish her collection of the guys at school. Like I'd have touched her even if I was single, ugh. God only knows what she's got!"

  Mrs. Clemmons finished signing the paper, and slid it back to Clarissa, along with the pen.  She asked Ozzy "You keep her safe, okay?  Keep her safe, keep her out of trouble, and love her the right way, okay?"

  Clarissa smiled, tucking the paper and her pen back into her purse, and said softly "Ozzy's my world, Mom.  He's my courage and my strength, my happiness and joy.  I don't NEED any drugs, as long as I have him."  She cuddled against his chest, and added to Ozzy "I didn't mention earlier, because I was a LITTLE distracted at the time.  I don't know exactly how it felt when you mutated,  but I did NOT get a rush.  It HURT.  But I could feel my toes again, even if they ARE clawed now."

Ozzy smiled and said, "I will, I promise. I'll love her the right way. I'd rather die than hurt her."

He then grinned and cracked his knuckles as he said, "And anyone who tries to hurt her is going to have to deal with a mage that can crush an engine block and make it look easy. I was bad enough when I was pissed off before. You do not want to know what I did to the guy who hurt her the other day. Let's just say he shouldn't be coming back."

  Mrs. Clemmons nodded, and said softly "There you go.  I'm trusting you, Ozzy Gysbourne, to take care of her and love her right.  Give her everything, including happiness."  He could tel she didn't WANT to sign that paper, but she thought that it was the right thing to do, looking at the way her daughter cuddled into his arms.

  Clarissa said softly "Thank you, Mom.  I promise you, Ozzy makes me happier than I ever dreamed I would be, so I can only see my future with him as a delight.  I will never regret loving Ozzy."  She hugged him, and he heard {{Oh, love, do you think we can get a justice of the peace today?  I don't need a fairytale wedding, I just need you!  But we had better give your Mom her present first, okay?}}

Ozzy smiled as he said, "Thanks... Mom. Heh. I'd hug you, but I kinda have my arms full."

He then hugged Clarissa gingerly and said, "Mmm... I love you, Clarissa. Now we get to tell the world."

{{Yeah, a justice of the peace works fine for me, love. We can always hold a party or something later, to celebrate with our friends. I wouldn't want to throw together a big ceremony or something now, and step on Don and Nora's toes, or Jack and Penny's. And if we want to go someplace for our honeymoon, well, we've got wings, don't we? And what about rings? Ah, well... let's go talk to my Mom first, and give her all the news. She is going to FLIP! Michaela, too.}}

  She nodded, and said softly "Go, make her happy.  You know my husband won't approve.  He doesn't think Clarissa's living up to her potential, but I can see how much she wants to be with you.  He forced her to choose, and you won.  Don't let me regret doing this behind my husband's back."

  Clarissa nodded, and bounced over to give her Mom a kiss on the cheek.  "Thank you, Mom.  I mean it.  Thank you."  She stepped back into Ozzy's arms, and told him softly "Time to go visit your Mom, love.  I hope she's not too upset."  She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him lovingly.  {{We can go honeymooning, or just lock ourselves in our rooms and do what newlyweds SHOULD do!}}

Ozzy smiled and said, "I won't, trust me. And if he gives you any trouble, or lays a hand on you, let me know. Don't worry, I won't hurt him... just scare him straight, maybe."

He then stepped out of the room, Clarissa in his arms. He then exited the hospital, launching them into the air with a grin as he cuddled Clarissa close to his chest.

>>To Derring Condominiums>>>

Ozzy landed outside of the hospital again, kneeling once more to let the Judge off, though he kept Clarissa cradled in his arms as he said, "And here we are! How'd you like it, Judge? I'll understand if you want to take the bus back when we're done, of course."

  The judge laughed, and said "I think you are a fortunate young man.  Not only do you have a pretty girl, but you ALSO have wings that will carry you!"


  Clarissa giggled, and said "Ozzy, I am SO excited.  Today, I marry the man of my dreams!"

Ozzy grinned and said, "I am lucky, Judge. Luckiest guy in the world right now."

He then hugged Clarissa and said, "And I get to marry the woman of mine. I'm excited too, love."

  Clarissa gave him a hot kiss, even as he saw Meg and Lin discussing something.  In Chinese.  The exchange was rapid and pretty animated.  Lin spotted him, and smiled.  Pointing at him, she snapped, and he suddenly felt the presence of true FABRIC on his body, a soft, silky feeling shirt, a pair of sensually soft silk underbritches (somehow tailored for his tail), and a full tuxedo, ALSO tailored for tail and wings.  She grinned at him, and said "Looks like black and white will work just fine with your new color scheme.  Next question, hair.  Braided, loose, or partially tied?"

  The Judge grinned, and said "Let me have your marriage license, then I'll get myself ready here."

  Megs said "Do you CARE which side who sits on, Ozzy?  And Mom and I need to borrow Clarissa so she can get her dress on."

Ozzy grinned and re-absorbed the paint-clothes he'd been wearing as Lin put him in a tux. He chuckled and said, "It's fine the way it is. If you think the pink hair-clip will be too much, I can always change the color. This is the way my lovely bride-to-be did it, after all."

He then handed the Judge their license, and smiled as he answered, "No, I don't care who sits where. You're all family, far as I'm concerned. Ask her, though, it's her wedding. Though the hospital chapel may not be big enough for us to be picky, if a lot of people show up."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:19, Wed 27 June 2012.

  Clarissa smiled, and said "Absolutely not picky about who sits where.  You look HOT in that tux, love.  I'd have used a different color in your hair, but all I'm WEARING is pink hair fasteners.  Which will need changed.  Make it black so it matches your sexy tux."  She gave him another kiss, and told him softly {{Meet you at the altar, love.  They're going to doll me up pretty for you!}}

The Judge took the license, and headed into the chapel.  Ozzy could see it was a modestly sized chapel, with enough room,  but it was sort of a 'everyone is on the same side' type affair.  Not huge either.

  Candy appeared, bringing Jeff, Jack, Penny, Mr. Hurt, Nora and Diantha along, then disappeared long enough to bring along the rest of the housemates from Meg's, Halkor, Archeirae, and Azrith.  If Starshard was there, she was brought along too.  Then she headed into the chapel with the rest to be seated, waving to Ozzy.

  Bella came zipping in, both of her Dads in tow.  Darren forming out of the water covering Ex, then solidifying as they all three headed in to be seated too.

{{They're going to have their work cut out for them, improving on perfection. Lin and Megs are good, though, so they won't screw it up.}} he thought back as he kissed her back. He then made the clip in his hair black, before turning to wave and greet their guests, smiling the whole time. He was still on the lookout for a certain someone, though... Andy and Vic hadn't yet arrived!

  Andy and Vic appeared in the foyer, and he saw Andy shift from leather pants and vest to a proper, formal black suit by passing his hand over himself, although he was in his human form.  He grinned at Ozzy, and (black, Goth looking nails and all) headed into the chapel, shades on his face.

  Clarissa giggled, and let Meg and Lin step her into the ladies room.  While she was being 'dolled up', the Dragon Tats recalled from yesterday came zipping out, and landed on Ozzy's shoulder.  He said, in a surprisingly deep voice "Hello again.  Bring that thumb up here, my tall friend, and don't yelp.  Lin says I'm going to help keep your familiar up to date on Dragon magic, and help you out as needed."

As Andy entered, Ozzy stopped him for a moment and asked, "Um, hey. Andy, I was wondering... would you be my best man?"

  Andy smiled, and said softly "It would be my pleasure, and my honor, to be your best man, Ozzy.  Shall I tux my suit?"  Grinning.

Ozzy smirked and said, "Dude, you'd have been fine in your leathers. You know me and Clarissa."

He then noticed the dragon on his shoulder and asked as he brought his thumb up, "Oh, okay! Hiya. I'm Ozzy, by the by. And you are?"

  Andy grinned, and said "You're in a tux.  I want to look properly attired for the most important day of your life, Ozzy."  He waved his hand, tuxing himself so he matched Ozzy.

  The Dragon on his shoulder said "I am Zhang Xao, Imperial Dragon, and I have been assigned to you as a familiar by the Sorceress Lin."  Then he bit Ozzy's thumb just enough to draw a little blood to fix the Familiar-bond into place. Then he purred, and said "It is a good thing you like tattoos."

Victoria arrived as well, wearing a stunning black mini Marilyn Monroe style halter dress with black 3 inch heel shoes, walking along side the much taller tuxed Andy.

Regina was wearing her Air Force dress uniform which consisted of a blue blazer and knee length skirt. Her hair was pulled back in a conservative style, seated with her "cosmic friends."

Ozzy flinched a bit as Xao bit him, then said, "Welcome aboard. I'll introduce you to the misses in a moment. Heh. Wow. Gonna have to get used to that."

He then smiled at Andy and said, "Thanks, man. I'm just glad you guys are able to be here. Hell, I'm glad it's HAPPENING. I never expected her mom to actually sign that consent form."

  Meg stepped out of the ladies room, and sort of made a shooing motion to Ozzy and Andy.  "Okay you two.  Scoot toward your places.  Check if the Judge is ready.  Mom's about done dolling Clarissa up for you, Ozzy.  She's going to take your breath away."

Ozzy smiled and said, "She already does. But thanks. I appreciate what you two have done for us."

He then started towards the altar, saying, "C'mon, Andy. Let's take our spots, shall we?"

  Andy grinned, and said "Absolutely.  It's a good thing that the altar isn't decorated with a blessed cross though.  I don't think black-blood tears would be appropriate."  He followed Ozzy, noticing Lin coming out of the restroom to survey the chapel.  She glanced around, and drew a couple Chinese characters in the air.  The laws of physics bent and warped, and SOMEHOW, in a single-story chapel, there was plenty of room for Ozzy to stand up straight, and not be wed kneeling or crouched.

Ozzy grinned and said, "That's the good thing about most hospital chapels. They're pretty universal."

He then smiled at Lin as he stood up straight and tall, rolling his shoulders a bit to 'pop' the discomfort out of them. Being all hunched up was NOT good for him!

"Thanks again, Lin," he said with a chuckle.

  Lin smiled, and said "A man should be able to stand tall and proud for his wedding.  I'm just convincing the laws of physics of this as well."

Ozzy grinned and said, "Still, thanks. It probably would've just been easier to shrink me down for the ceremony, but... then I guess it wouldn't have been *me*, would it?"

  Lin smoothed his tux, and a crystalline rose butineer formed in his lapel.  She said "It is not fair to you, on your wedding day, to be made to conform to other people's sizes.  You shall stand proudly, in all your glory, before the Gods and man, and pledge your love to Clarissa before all gathered, and you will be proud of yourself as you do it.  Every inch of you, tail and all.  Take that as an order from a friend of your Grandpa.  Now, is everyone ready?  All the wedding party assembled?"  She looked around to see if the maid of honor was handy.

Ozzy grinned and said, "Thanks. And I will be. Umm... I think so? But where's..."

At that moment, Oswald appeared with Dave in tow, Oswald in one of his usual, dapper suits, and Dave wearing his leather jacket, and his best T-Shirt and Jeans.

Oswald chuckled, "I do hope we're not late. I had to rouse his layabout and make him at least somewhat presentable."

Ozzy smiled and said, "There you guys are."

Gina brought Michaela forward, looking a bit surprised that Ozzy could stand up, but said, "Here's the little maid of honor."

Michaela waved and grinned, saying, "Hi!"

  Lin smied, and said to Michaela "There you are, I have your bouquet to carry.  Are you ready to help make your brother become a happily married man?"  She handed Michaela a bouquet of crystalline looking roses, and positioned her by the door.  "When the music starts, you walk in and stand to your right, flanking the judge.  Andy should be on the opposite side." Then she made certain Mrs. Clemmons was in a good spot to see it all, and she set two crystal spheres up at the back, then two more up front.

This message was deleted by the player at 01:48, Thu 28 June 2012.

Ozzy grinned and said, "Wow. Gang's all here, then."

Michaela grinned and nodded, "Uh-huh! I'm ready! Stand on my right, flanking the judge. Got it!"

Ozzy smiled down and patted his sister on the head, saying, "Atta girl. I think we're just about ready to get this wedding started."

Oswald and Dave took their seats, and Ozzy's grin widened. He definitely looked excited, and if his grin got much wider, the top of his head would likely pop off.

  Once she'd made certain everyone was in place, Lin collected a Polaroid instant camera,  and she glanced at the Judge.  He nodded, and the introductory music began.  Lin held the door open, and took a polaroid of Michaela, carrying her bouquet of crystal roses as the Maid of Honor (Lin was SURE Gina Gysbourne would want this immortalized) as she began to process up the aisle.

Michaela did exactly as she was instructed, beaming the whole time, certainly thrilled that she was getting to help in a real, live wedding! She was a very good little girl as she took her place, and didn't fidget or run around. She KNEW how serious this was.

Ozzy couldn't stop grinning for the world, and Gina was starting to dab at tears of joy. Oswald and Dave were sitting on either side of her, with Dave shooting Ozzy the occasional 'thumbs up'.