The aSafehouse was well equipped in fact only a little less prepared then the Legacy's New HQ but that could be accounted for the fact it was smaller. From teh outside it looked like an ordinary two story house but make it into the basment you could see a high tech computer station, several fucntioning workbenches as well as an arms locker  A med bay and holding cells. Throughout the hOuse were hidden compartments for various Demon fighting essentials as well as several booksshelves full of the subject mattter.

<<FRom Porche Dealership<<

Brother Joshua pulled up to an ordinary looking house and pulled into the garage. Stepping out he turned to the others. "I'll get the other inquisitors and we'll begin searching for Ahriman's host feel free to speak to the Armoreer read any of the tomes within the safehouse or take care of any other preperations."

Iris gave Meg a ride on her hoverboard and collapsed it just as they reached the ground in front of the Order's house. Trusting and niaeve, Iris danced right in behind the self-proclaimed holy-men.
She took Brother Joshua at his word and began methodically going through the Order's library at superspeed. When she was younger at the Facility, her thirst for knowledge had once caused her to wreck havoc upon their library. She was taught very quickly to take books out one at a time and return them to their proper place. Although the process happened at superhuman speed, it was also very neat.

  Meg smiled at Iris, and walked through, looking everything over.

Gate got out of the van and hearing about the library hurried over to it. Perhaps there would be something there that could help him. However when he got there he saw Iris and Meg were already there. Iris in particular was going through the books that made Gate's jaw drop. He had thought he was a fast reader only having to glace at a page to know what it said and remember anythign he wanted but she was moving faster than he could see.

"Umm do you think I could help out?" he says kinda weakly.

 Meg said "Please do.  I'm not really reading, I'm just, well, at a loss for how to help Andy.  If he can be helped."

"I wish I could help save him too but I don't think there is anything I can do. While I think I might be able to stop him I don't think i can without killing him and possibly alot of people around him." Gate says picking up a book and flipping through it as fast as he could.

Ozzy was more interested in the Order's library than he was their armory. His magical weapons had seemed effective enough, and maybe they had something on transferring the essence of good into magical spells.

"Maybe you should use your powers more as a shield, then. Gate, what if you opened a gate between us and him that would send that black lightning to where it wouldn't hurt anyone? Like, say, way up in the sky?"

Gate looks up noticing Ozzy. "Well I might be able to but its really hard to create gates fast enough to react to him. He's not really slow and neither is that lightning so I'd have to anticipate his attacks or get him to target me somehow. I could make gates for you guys to attack and then retreat through if we could coordinate well enough."

  Meg said "There's a way we could coordinate.  But, it feels really weird to get it done.  And no, it doesn't hurt.  I was the guinea pig for it.  Gives us an unhackable network, though.  But, only if you're sure you want to work with us.  It's sort of not undoable."

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea. Key and I are kinda unique. What exactly do you do?" Gate says thinking. He wondered briefly if Key could do something to help but while his power was alot more versatle Gate hated putting him in danger.

  Meg said dryly "We give you a little critter that merges with your brain, and lets you talk to anyone else who has one mind to mind.  That's ALL it does.  But it REALLY feels weird when you get them.  I got the first one, because their designer wanted to make sure they were survivable.  It just feels REALLY weird.  Which, yes, by the way, I regenerate like mad."

Gate gives her a really incredulous look. "Ewww! Umm I think that I'll pass. Besides even if it worked with you guys can you say with one hundred percent certainly it wont do something weird with Key and I? As far as I know theres not really many people out there like us so our brains kinda unique."

"I actually kinda enjoyed it. That squishy feeling... it was like having that 'Gak' stuff Nickelodeon used to sell. You know, the really slimy silly putty? Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting feeling. Of course, I'm just freaky like that," said Ozzy as he pored through the Order's tomes. If they didn't seem like they had anything for a demon-fighting wizard, then he'd check with Orthos to see what he/it had to say on the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gysbourne had once again offered his services as a Seer to the Order. He wasn't all that interested in directly fighting the demon if it was at all avoidable.

"I'll admit the things kinda freaked me out at first but they're very practical. Hotwire is Scary smart."Ex said walking up to the tohers. He wasn't sure how much he could help against thsi demon besides being the human shield it was shrugging of fhboth his blows and his sonic scream with ease.

  Meg pointed at Ex, and said dryly "That's easy, Ex.  You're my ambulance.  You can move faster than I can, and get the injured to me."  She sighed as she said "Guys? Make sure you cut Andy OUT of all group comms.  He's got a mindworm too, recall?"

Ozzy grinned at that thought. "Hmm. Interesting. I wonder what it would take to freak out a demon? If they were a human we could just apply Rule 34 over the mindworms until they freaked, but I don't think that'll work. Maybe start sending Bible verses directly into his brain?"

  She approached Oswald, and said courteously "We would be pleased to have your services as a seer, Mister Gysbourne.  We are attempting to find t he Demon's Lair, and would deeply appreciate your expertise and aid in this endeavor."

"What preparations would you suggest against this, Brother Joshua?" Dragon Fist asked. After all, he had the Elemental teachings from Kimeran and Dancing Clouds. But perhaps more was required against Ahriman...

Oswald nodded, "Of course, M'lady. I shall begin scrying at once. In fact, unless you have a particular room for it that enhances scrying, this library shall suffice."

With that, unless there was indeed a scrying chamber, Oswald found himself a comfy chair and peered into the polished onyx orb that sat atop his cane. While it served as a knob for him to comfortably grasp his cane, it also served as a portable crystal ball of sorts, allowing him to scry wherever he went.

"I would suggest those of you with any magical midn talk to one of our cleric's downstairs or read from our tomes others I would suggest sspeaking to our armorer or  merely stealing yourselves for battle. But I must aid in the search for Arhiman I shall return if I have any news." And with and audible POP Brother Joshua dissapeared once  more into thin air.

  She smiled, and said simply "Thank you."  She then turned to the New Age Defenders and Dragon Fist.  "As Ahriman is a Demon, and a Major one, you will need blessed weapons to fight him effectively.  We can provide those.  What we need most, is to bind Ahriman.  Before he completes the Ritual of Ascendance."

Dragon Fist then began to read from the tomes that were present, getting more information about the demon known as Ahriman.

  The Tome spoke quietly to Ozzy.

"Binding? 'kay. Well, physical binding I think I can handle. I'm a rune mage who focuses on protective magic. If I can get close, or get him to attack one of my golems, I can essentially wrap him in iron. At the very least, that'll slow him down, yeah? Maybe... hmm... do you think that with the help of an artifact, like say the Tome of Orthos, I could stand a chance at blocking the demon's willpower for long enough to you guys to bind him? It'd be dangerous as all Hells, but I think it would work better, if it worked at all. And, by the way, do you think putting Scripture or something straight into his brain might stun or stall him?" asked Ozzy, pondering his options.

However, hearing the Tome speak to him, Ozzy pulled it out, saying, "Heh. Speak of the Tome, and it will speak back. What've you got for me, Orthos?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Sun 10 Oct 2010.

  The Tome opened, the pages flipping and flipping, until it held an elaborately runed diagram.  One that would require a great deal of patience, and take some time to draw.

The library was getting a little crowded but maybe someone would could help him figure something out. A voice pipes in the back of his head as he thinks and he gains the blank look of when he converses with his other self. "I think I may be able to do something Gate." Gate shocked at the statement and worried about Key forgets to keep the conversation just inside their head. The voices would be quiet and very fast but anyone listening really hard or with enhanced hearing could probobly pick it up.

"What! Key your powers not really suited to combat you know that. What do you think you could do?"
"Well when Ozzy said something about sealing his powers it got me thinking. I think I could lock the demon's power inside Andy's body."
"Thats a big stretch Key. I know our powers are supposed to work on a symbolic level but it would be really dangerous. I mean you have to touch him to use your power and you'd have to lock away a major demon."
"That was something the Gentlemen were going to try isn't it? It was in the book."
"Stop Key I told you not even to think about that."
"Well it is... anyway I think I may even be able to save Andy. After all the demon must have him locked up inside his own head. I should be able to let him free maybe he could do something then. It worked in the stories after all.""Its still too dangerous Key. How are you going to get close enough even to try? That thing could kill us with a flick of his hand and I can't use my powers while your in charge.""You should still ask them what they think."

In reply to Sister Janice (msg #23):

"All right Sister...direct us then....or could my newfound teachings grant me the Blessed weapon that we will need?"

  She pointed to Dragon Fist, and said "Pray for a weapon of Divine wrath to fight this Demon, and perhaps that will be granted."

Dragon Fist nodded at Sister Janice, and then bowed his head.

Reverently, he said "I beseech you for the strength to defeat this demon...the one known as Ahriman...not for my own glory, but to save us all...."

  He felt within his spirit, a light.  A shard of Chi that felt like it had a purpose.  Flowing, within him, from the Light that gave Souls birth, and then to his hand.  Crackling slowly into being, a sword of his own Chi.  Dazzling, azure-white.

The Champion of Light was in awe at the gift that was granted to him. A weapon of divine wrath had been granted to him to defeat the demon known as Ahriman.

Perhaps a higher power was indeed at work here. Perhaps the extraordinary ordeal of Lucas' life and death had begun yet another chapter. New techniques...new armor...a redefined purpose...

And perhaps even the means to defeat the demon. The one who boasted about being everything that the primitive people called demons and devils.

Ahriman.

Icepick, unsure of what to do next, went to the armorers and clerics.

"Um...hi...I'm with them outside. I can do ice and stuff...how can I help?"

Ozzy began memorizing the seal, tracing it on a spare sheet of scrap paper or something. He had to be able to get it perfect, or else it wouldn't work.

"So do I have to draw this on him, or do I put it on the ground like a trap and lure him into it?"

Iris didn't look up from the books, but spoke up anyway, "Um, Gate? Key? Whoever you are right now? The mindworms are a lot like babelfish from Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galexy. They feed off of transmitted brain-waves from others around you and transmit thoughts of others into understandable language. Completely harmless, like Earth. I'd think the worst you'd get is an echo." That being clarified, she added, "You lock and unlock stuff, right? Well, how's this for phrasing. The real Andy is being locked off from his mind so that this demon can have control. The demon needs to be locked off from his powers - or even Andy's body. I'm not sure how you work, so I don't know if you can force him out to lock him down. He also needs to be locked off from wherever it is he's getting his energy and/or backup from. I'm not sure how Gate can help with his thing, since opening a gate to hell and pushing Andy in would be effective, but also needlessly dangerous and really mean to poor Andy. And opening a gate in Andy, while likely also effective, would have similar consequences. Perhaps you could open a mental gate for Andy in his mind to regain access. I haven't had the chance to observe how your metaphorical locks and gates work, so I couldn't say for sure."
Shutting the book she was working on and pulling another, Iris continued, "Cutting Andy off from the mind-cycles may not be the best idea. From strategy, yes, but he's in there somewhere, and we all know that he's a good guy. We have worse people in on the loop. Andy's just this guy, y'know." Catching herself lapsing back into Hitchiker's Guide, Iris jumped topics, "At any rate, he is part of the team and would want to help us fight. He'd feel uber guilty when he got back if he thought that he allowed himself to do this and didn't fight it. We need to be able to tell him that he did to prevent any... well, I don't understand this emotional stuff, but Dr. W assures me that repeated failure result in despondancy, even if the failure is mearly a perception. Why don't we use the worm to call to Andy and encourage him to try to fight his way out from the inside. At least that way, we can tell him that he fought as hard as he could! I can recite some good battle-verses from him, like the trumpet knocking down the walls stuff, if you think it'll help. Honestly, I don't think they'll have a holy laser pointer and my experience with using actual weapons is limited - usually I just helped make them."
She returned that book and pulled another. Her voice had, the entire time, been uncomfortably fast. She was obviously trying to slow it down, so occasionally it slowed into the realm of comfort. She did manage to keep it from drifting into the realm of unintelligable.

Hearing Iris talk Gate snaps out of it and realizes what he had been doing. Well I guess the cats out of the bag. I wonder how much they heard though.

Then he really thinks about what Iris said. "Open a gate to his mind..." He knew that he could do other things with his power but could he really open a gate into someone's mind? How would you even start to do that. If he did it the normal way he would have to somehow believe that their mind... soul... was the same as his or someone elses or perhaps that it was the same as the area. This was really confusing. Maybe he could do it the quick way that had always felt weird when he used it for physical places maybe it would work for this. But how would he practice it? It was something he'd have to look into but it gave him a weird headache thinking about it.

"I still don't think its a good idea for Key to try anything. He has to touch the thing to use his power. How are you going to get him close enough to touch Andy without him getting killed? Besides I know he's strong but do you think he can really over power an archdemon? I mean he's never tried something like that before and I don't know if we could even practice it before we try." Gate actually was sure that Key could do what they were suggesting. Key had alwasy been able to do anything he though he could with his power so since Key believed he could then he probobly could. However Gate wasn't going to let him try unless he was sure he'd be safe. He rather just kill Andy and the demon with him than put Key at that sort of risk.

Iris looked up from her latest book long enough to fix Gate with a slightly offended look, "Dude, that's why you fall in with a team. Those old eighties TV flicks had one thing right - team-work will really up your chances." Returning to her book, Iris continued, "We can assume that the demon knows what Andy knows about us; it would be unsafe to assume anything else. I seriously doubt that he did any crazy research, and even if he did I think I'm really the only one that there's a lot of avaliable information about. Andy's not going to be thinking of you as a threat because nobody knows anything about you. You're the new guy. You can port. You're textbook 300.14. You weigh enough that, if he needed to, he could fly off with you. That's about it. However - and this is something we should all keep in mind - if anybody's got some weaknesses and Andy knows 'em, then the demon probably knows them as well."
Another switch of books and she advised, "We'll be a very, very good distraction with the right weapons. The liklihood of him bothering to notice you - unless you went armed to the teeth - is not high. Demons are prideful creatures by definition. Even if we sent you in without a distraction, you'd likely be fine. But we'd never do that. No, up the probability of success. That's the game here." She frowned at the book and then added, a little bit slower, "I'm not sure if I'll be a good distraction, now that I think about it. Maybe you want me to stick with you? I can get you in and out pretty fast. I think. How much do you weigh?"

  The Tome answered "Lay out the diagram, make sure it is perfect in every detail, and lure the Demon into the Seal."

"85 pounds but I saw how the battle was going before. He doesn't have to even notice me to kill me in that chaos. Plus how is the fact that he could fly off with me comforting? What if Key fails to seal him away and he decides to take us and leave?" Gate says in a heated voice. The problem wasn't so much that he disagreed with he assesment it was that it just went against his nature.

"Oh, Andy's still in there.  He just has the misfortune to be of a Fallen bloodline.  Megaira, bear in mind that faith can do things few other things can."  The woman who spoke looked just like Meg, but with green eyes.  She'd appeared without fanfare, then gave a nod to everyone, and vanished!

Ozzy grinned, "Don't worry about the sealing, Gate and Key. I've got that. Orthos here just gave me a doozy of a seal that'll definitely work. The only thing we need to worry about is whether or not we can lure Ahriman into the seal. Yo, Dragon Fist, you think you can push Andy into the seal?"

As he spoke, he continued practicing the seal, not wanting to have to constantly refer to the Tome when the time came to draw it for real.

  The tome repeated the diagram for him, giving him close-up views of the runes for the Seal.

Ozzy continued studying, though a concerned look did draw across his face.

Dragon Fist looked at the sword made of his chi. This would be the weapon to help stop the menace of Ahriman. He bowed to Lin after she appeared. She was one of the ones responsible for helping Lucas realize his potential.

PM

Ozzy nodded, taking a deep, calming breath before doubling his focus on his work, looking almost grimly determined.

  Oorthos kept giving him the diagrams he needed.

Gate nods kinda relieved but somehow a little disapointed. He realizes that its Key's feelings seeping through to him and stops. "Thats not supposed to happen." He says and then puts a hand to his head where the weird ache was growing stronger. What was going on? Ever since he started thinking about how to link minds that weird ache had started. Could he have done something unconciously?

"Oh, good, then don't worry about it." Iris suggested, continuing, "It's good to know what your enemy knows about you. Then you know what he might try. If he's hunting for you, you know where he's going to set his traps and what sort of traps he's going to set. It's all about intelligence - not just the 'I'm smart' kind, but also the 'I know what you're planning' kind. It allows more of a chance of success. As a matter of fact, don't discount your help yet. Stick with Ozzy; if his thing doesn't work, then we'll need you as backup. And, as a bonus for you, Andy's body will be focused on Ozzy since it'll have been him that just tried to take him down, yeah? It'll increase our chance of success substantially." Iris frowned, lowering her book, "As a matter of fact, I'm the only one whose inclusion in this effort is neither harming nor benefiting the chance of success, as far as I can see. Perhaps... Perhaps I should just concentrate on calling to Andy through the mindworm. He and I aren't very close; I think he likes you guys more. It must be a boy thing. Chuck says that some boys are like that. But I can't imagine that it'd hurt, a familiar friendly voice."

As the ache continues to grow Gate's vision starts to fade and he staggers from side to side unable to control his legs. After half a second he blacks out collapsing to the floor unless someone catches him. His breathing and his heart start to slow down each comeing slower than the last.

  Meg caught Gate, and let her healing energies flow into him.  If he needed no healing, it would do nothing, but if he needed it, the energies would go where he needed them most.

Gate's vital signs seem to stabilize but other than that nothing appears to happen. It would feel as if there wasn't anything physically wrong but it seemed like there wasn't anything there keeping the body alive. Like his soul had disapeared to somewhere.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Tue 12 Oct 2010.

  Meg told him quietly "You know, I don't know what's up with you, but I really don't feel like losing more than one friend on any given day.  And since MachineSmith died?  The quota is already full."

Gate seemed to the voice. At least his head twitched and he seemed to mouth something.  _"-om". However he still layed still. Whatever was happening didn't seemed to be getting any worse but it wasn't getting better yet.

  Meg gently massaged his temples, his head pillowed on one leg.  She had the two of them floating three feet in the air, a comfortable seating level for her.

Suddenly there is a sizzling sound and smoke starts to rise from the knife at Gate's side. At the same time Meg can feel Gate starting to stirs his conciousness seeming to be straining against something. With a sudden snap and an audible click Gate sits bolt upright reachs for the dagger. Instead of throwing it away from him though he clutches it to him and mutter a prayer under his breath. "Thanks mom thanks dad." He looks around sheepish and notices that he was laying on Megs lap. "Umm sorry to worry you guys."

  Meg said "It's okay.  I'm the fixit girl."  She offered him her hand, and asked "Let me know if you want back down on solid ground."  They were both floating three feet in the air.

Brother Joshua appeared flanked byt he two lesser inquisitors. "We've found him, he's in a penthouse suite at the Cirandon hotel surrounded by servants they're not very security concious though they're higher rankers must be defending wherever they're setting up the ritual of ascendance."

"I say meg and I go and lure him out, We're the fastest flyers and we can take anything he dishes out. Then we'll lure him to wherever you set up the trap."

Looking down Gate flips over and smiles. "Umm yeah if you don't mind." He look suprisingly well for someone that apperntly had almost died for no discernable reason. He looks around as if seeing them for the first time still a little overwhelmed by what had just happened. His usual pessimism and caution seemed to be gone for the moment.

  Meg lightly touched Gate's hand, setting him up on his feet, and slowly let gravity take hold once more, until he settled, feather light, to the floor.  SHE still floated midair.  She nodded to Ex, and said "I'm game, Ex.  Everyone else like this idea?"

Gate turns when he notices Ex and them. "I'm going to help too." He says firmly. Whatever had happened seemed to have really changed Gate at least for the moment. "As fast as you guys are. I can get you there faster. In fact I can get probobly get us inside the building without anybody noticing."

"Sounds like aplan Gate'll 'port us in and Me and Meg will lead him on a merry chase to wherever you want to set up the trap.." Ex then turned to Darren bringing up a hand to stroke his face lovingly. "I'm afriad I'm going to have to leave you behind on this one love, we don't know enough of what this guy can do and the others might need you if anything happens to me or Meg. Just stay near some water pipes and be ready to give him hell if this goes wrong."

  Darren (currently looking fairly normal) nodded, and said "Okay.  Just keep yourself in one piece, or you'll break my heart."  He tipped Ex's chin down for a kiss, then added "Don't make me be salt water."

"Alright everyone get ready." The hotel was a big landmark and the penthouse was easy enough to find. "Do you want to go directly to the penthouse or should i put you just under or over it?"

Ex kissed Darren. "I will as long as you do." Before turningto Gate "Over it will work I can get through the ceiling easily enough."

"Alright over it is." With a quick motion Gate does his thing and soon a portal to right over the penthouse suit is opened. "Watch your step. You don't come out on solid ground or anything."

  Meg nodded, and straightened, her eyes bright as she touched the pendant at her throat, suddenly wrapped in her 'costume'.  Then she stepped through, six inches off the floor already.

In reply to Brother Joshua (msg #59):

"I'm in also," Dragon Fist said as he extended his new wings, and brandished his chi sword.

"Long as your sure you can keep up Dragon Fist." Ex added. "Remember we're just the bait." And with that Ex stepped through the portal to the other side.

>>TO CIRANDON HOTEL>>

Ozzy remained silent as the others were preparing to leave, which was odd. Normally he'd have made a few jokes, especially about Meg's 'friend death quota', but now he was strangely serious.

"So, where are we setting up the trap?" he eventually asked, wondering where a good spot was near the Cirandon Hotel. If Ex and the others were going to be aerial bait, then it would probably be best to pick somewhere up high, so they could get to it easier, and hopefully Ahriman's attendants COULDN'T get to it very easy.

"I think one of the nearby rooftops would work. See if we can't get a taller building between us and the hotel, so that Ahriman's followers or whatever can't get line of sight on us for attack spells without being close enough to deal with."

Oswald turned towards Ozzy, noticing that his grandson had perked up.

"Are you ready for transport, Oswald?" he asked, standing up. He then held a hand out, continuing.

"Anyone who wishes to come with us need only put their hand in. We'll be teleporting to an appropriate location shortly."

  Meg's answer to Ozzy came in a schematic of the area with 'wireframe' buildings in EM signatures, letting him see the layouts.  She transmitted it very specifically to him through the mindworm net.

Ozzy nodded, "Let's go, Grandpa. We've got a demon to seal. I know just the place, too."

With that, Ozzy stood up and took Oswald's hand. Oswald waited a few seconds for anyone else who wanted to come along before the pair disappeared with a flash of light and a pop.


>>> To the Hotel >>>

  Darren went with them, popping his hand up, and said simply "You may need the backup, and I'm flexible that way.  Let's do this."  Becoming a being of pure water as he spoke.

"Yes I can," Dragon Fist replied to Excelsior. With that, he extended out his new wings, and followed with them.

>>>>>>>>>>>To The Hotel>>>>>>>>

Icepick watched the others leave. He hoped Andy would be OK. He had suffered too much loss as it was, with the death of Machinesmith.

Gate quickly grabbed the Ozzy's hand before they left. He wasn't going to get left behind now. He had found a reason to fight for and he wasn't going to some demon ruin it for him.

>>>> to Hotel >>>>

Iris finished her book and joined the teleportation group.

>>To Hotel>>

Icepick followed as well.

>>>>>>>>>To The Hotel>>>>>>>>>>

From Hotel

As Gate gets back he keeps the gate open for anyone that wants to follow and starts going through the books again. He had to figure out about what he ahd done and at the same time look up any more knowledge he could get about the hell they had sent Andy too. As soon as it looked like noone else would come through he lets the gate close.

  Meg stepped through after Gate, and said quietly "I don't want to leave him there.  But I don't want to bring the wrong Demon back either.  I know, from . . . all too personal experience, that they're bloody hard to dislodge if they like a host."

"I can get him out. At least I think I can. Remember when I collapsed on the floor?" Gate says quietly back to her. "After Iris started talking about opening gates between minds. I starting thinking about how to do it... and so did Key." He pauses before continueing. "Well I managed to open one between me and Key though I wasn't planning on it." He stops about remembering what its was like to actually meet his other half.

  Meg nodded, and said "There's a chance the other Demon might have vacated his body, since it's no longer where it wants to be.  I just, I want to make sure we don't get an imposter.  You understand?  I had a Demon possess me.  Well, it was actually PUT in me, by a DemonSummoner.  It tried to put down roots and set up permanent housekeeping."

"That must have been terrifying." Gate says thinking about what it would be liek to have a demon his head.

"I'm pretty sure I can open a gate between Andy and someone or something else. At that point if the demon isn't already out of his body Andy can kick it out. Expecially if we all help." Gate says. "We might be able to go inside Andy's head and kelp him fight the demon there. Where we and Andy have all the advantages. Who knows we might even be able to kill it and not just drive it out. However this is all theory. Just because I did it with Key doesn't mean I can do it with anyone else and there are other dangers as well."

  Meg nodded, and said simply "Andy's a good man.  He might have been born Damned, but he's got a good heart, a good soul.  He's already lost his home and his family because he's a Demon.  He shouldn't have to lose the rest of his mortal span."

Ex steps int othe room where Key/gate/whomever and Meg were talking. "not only that but he's one of us, he got a bad roll of the dice and instead of whining or being mad at the world he tried to give back. He's stuck by us through thick and thin eh's gone above and beyond the call of duty, He's one of us, and we look after our own."

Iris followed along behind the others, beelining for the library again. She started reading again, keeping an eye out for a certain name.

"Well Darren I are going to head back get some rest I think, YOu comin Meg or you doin some work here?"

  Meg considered, and said "I think I'll head home too.  Feel like giving me a lift, Ex?  You fly faster than I do unless I really feel like burning the energy."

Ex nodded and once FLuid was attached and He had Meg in a firm grip they were off.

>>TO DERRING CONDOMINIUMS>>

Oswald appeared in the Order's safehouse after dropping Ozzy off back at the mansion. He waited patiently for Iris to get done reading, more than likely falling asleep in a comfy chair as time ticked on. He was an old man, after all.

  She was leading the drill with the other Knights in the back yard, their swords all flashing in a perfectly matched, deadly pattern.  And as they moved, she was reviewing, in her head, all the victims.  Brother Joshua would be bringing them a mage to help them combat this menace soon.

Joshua faded into view next to Janice. As he appeared he pulled back his hood revealing a handsome man in his early thirties with short brown hair and Piercing blue eyes. "The mage and his wife are on their way as well as another I hadn't met. How goes the training, will they be ready?

  She lowered her sword, and said "They will.  We are only practicing to keep our edges keen as razors while we wait for the mages."

He smiled at her. "Excellent, something tells me this will not be easy." He turned to her reaching over and taking her hand in his own. "Its been a bit since we had an assignment together. I hope they'll keep us together more after the wedding."

  She sheathed her sword as she held his hand with her other hand, and she said softly "I very much hope so.  That is normally the procedure.  I won't be able to teach the sword classes when I get pregnant.  And we both know we want lots of children."

Ozzy landed outside the safehouse, grinning as he did. He let Matt off gently, saying, "And here we are. Hopefully they're ready for us. Time is of the essence, after all."

  Clarissa was happy as could be to be cuddled against Ozzy's chest as he flew, and when they arrived at the safe house, she stole a hot kiss.

In reply to Sister Janice (msg # 98):

"Plenty of them my dear, plenty of them." He glanced over his shoulder. "The mages are here."

  She smiled, and waved Ozzy and Matt and Clarissa over, then called "Please come over here, we are ready to go see the bodies at the morgue.  We were waiting for you."

Ozzy nodded and said, "All right. Clarissa and I had probably better go human-form, then. Partly so we don't freak out the mortician, and partly so I'll fit in the building."

With that, Ozzy shrunk down to his human shape, summoning the clothes that were keyed to it in the process so that he stayed modest.

  Clarissa had hopped down, and tapped her shoulder, shifting herself to human, although her clothes looked a bit odd, as they were tailored for a tail and wings.  She said "Hmm.  Should we have our armors on, or wait for that?"

"I doubt it will be neccessary at this point though better safe than sorry."

  "Appreciate the lift Ozzy."  Matt enables the Stock Photo Man hologram, the trip to the morgue reminding him of why he hasn't gotten around to a copy of his old face.

  At least unlike Ozzy, Matt didn't suffer any pants mishaps.

  "Lead the way, I'm only familiar with most of the city, not all of it."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:01, Sat 08 Dec 2012.

Ozzy smiled and said, "We'll be fine, love. We're just headed to the morgue. If our prey does show up there for some twisted reason, I'll probably sense them before they can do much of anything. Of course, there might be OTHER stuff there, but who knows? I think it's best to lay low for now, don't let the soul-suckers catch wind that we're after them."

He then turned to Matt and said, "No probs. I'm strong enough to lift cars in mutant-form, so carrying folks really is more of a problem of 'available space' than it is wingpower. Heh, maybe I could grab a car people are sitting in and fly carrying that, yeah?"

"Dear could you pick two of the others to come with us, your more familiar with their capabilities than I." He said to Janice before turning back to Ozzy, Clarissa, and Matt. "Oh how rude of me this is my Fiancee Janice, I believe you've met her Oswald."

  She nodded, and then chose two of the sword-wielding folks who were still practicing, telling them softly to prepare for a trip to see the victims.

Ozzy nodded, saying, "Please, call me Ozzy. And yeah, I remember her from the Ahriman incident. You two are engaged? Awesome! Congrats! Heh, hopefully what goes on today won't be nearly so hairy as the fight against Ahriman-in-Andy."

  Sister Janice nodded, and asked softly "How is your friend?  Does he bear many scars from his possession?  Has his personality changed much?  And does he recall anything much that happened while he was possessed?"

Ozzy nodded solemnly, his expression changing from a smile to sad remembrance as he said, "Oh, there were scars and changes all right. The reason Andy was chosen for possession is because he's half-demon himself. It was apparently easier that way or something. So my banishment spell sent him to Hell along with Ahriman. I remember now, you guys weren't there for that. You were still at the car dealership, tending to your dead if I remember right. Anyway, Andy... he's back now. We got him back out of Hell, thankfully without having to make any bargains. Still, it wasn't easy. I've seen Hell twice now with my waking eyes. It's not pretty. But both times, it was worth the trip."

  Waves hello, "That's fine, I'm terrible at remembering to introduce myself.  I'm Matt.  Wish it was under better circumstances, but these days meeting new people tends to come alongside this sort of thing."  Well, okay the Wedding was actually pretty nice.

  "I'm not really up on the official lore situation, but your mind and spirit is safe with me around at least."  Even if he had no idea how that worked.

  Sister Janice laid her hand on his arm, and said "I am sorry for that, but it was better to lose one good man, than leave that monster loose on this world.  Unfortunately, there may eventually be a way he could get back.  We have a good dozen women who disappeared, and we're fairly sure that Ahriman's followers had them . . . .bred . . .while Ahriman was gathering power.  Any offspring will be potential vessels for their maker."

Ozzy chuckled and said, "Oh, I guess I didn't make it clear. Andy's back. Like, the day after we took care of Ahriman, we went in and pulled Andy out of Hell. It wasn't easy, but it needed to be done. He walks our world currently. At least, as far as I know. He's bound to a sorceress who holds the title of Black Jaguar. No threat to anyone. Well, anyone who isn't going around MAKING threats. Bad guys have reason to fear him. Especially infernomancers and their ilk."

" Thank you Ozzy. The wedding will be soon hopefully, setting dates is difficult in the life we lead. And yes Ahriman could return His followers are still out there. They are many and completely devoted to him. We have done our best to root them out but many sects have evaded our notice. But that is not what we must deal with today. Let us head to the Morgue now so our work may begin."

  She shook her head, and said "Ahriman.  While he possessed your friend's body, we THINK he sired half-Demon children.  So they would, yes, be a tie to your friend by blood, but the SOUL of them would be a window that Ahriman could potentially use to come here.  Be wary of them, my friend.  Your friend may someday be in danger from offspring he knew nothing of."  She sent one of the fellows around to get the SUV for them to head to the morgue in.

Ozzy gasped, "Wait, WHAT? But... he was supposed to be sealed! Wh... wow. Okay... well, I'mma at least let Andy know. He has a right to know what might have happened while he was... ya know, not in control."

  Clarissa shook her head as she opened the door of the SUV, and said "Yow.  Kids he never even got to enjoy MAKING!!"

Brother Joshua got behind the wheel and started the engine. Once everyone was inside he started driving towards the Morgue.

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