LW Round 3 - KHRA Breaking News

(ID: 10898)



It was Chaos Theory doubling up WMD's total to continue their dominance in the leagues' most heralded rivalry, and claim another trophy for their collection. Colony followed through on their promise of delivering the thunder by putting up 174 against Super Freaks and claiming a bronze.

Division 2 turned into a cakewalk for WMD Outlaws who didn't break a sweat against 5th's Guardians, while Brute Squad won the battle of 1-1 sides with a steady victory over 5th's Traffic Cops. Not to be outdone, Fortress of Solitude put up 191 points of their own on their way to another title win in D3, stifling Super Freak Squad in the process. Angels of Sorcery showed no divine mercy to the Angels of Seraphim, and clinched a silver for their efforts.

There would be no upsets or close calls in D4 and D5, with Outlaws Inc claiming the D4 title and Battleborn a silver after convincing wins and Walking Dead and Infected zombifying their opponents on their way to gold and silver respectively in D5. D6 was also rock-chalk with PAIN winning at a canter and Stacked Deck holding serve to get itself a silver.

Bomb Squad secured their legacy as a dominant force with another championship in D7 after beating New Freaks. The FreakyDeak battle of the round saw the Nature variant win a relatively tight one over the Frequent variant. Academic of course, but if ever a division breakdown ended up with all-Freaks, I'd bet the party would last the entire month.

Suffering claimed a D8 title to pair up with big brother (sister?) PAIN, Meat Locker unable to pull the upset this time out. Freak Bux held off MacGregors in a keenly-fought third-place encounter.

The All-Chess-Pieces Bowl narrowly went to King's Gambit over Queen's Mate in Division 9 but the champions are yet again another Bomb Squad group. Aslan, Simba and Lion-O had no answer this time out.

Nine Planets completed a championship run in D10 in style, shutting out HEAT Team 1. SOB Overlord were too strong for Cursed Cats and will take a silver for their efforts.

Two very close contests settled the table in Division 11. Raiders edged Surfers by 3 to claim the title while Scavengers held off Scoundrels by 7 to grab bronze medals for their group.

It was not to be a close contest for the D12 crown as Spirits of the wacky characters thumped Nest of Vipers. Spirits, can consider themselves too as one of the tournament dynasties with their performances. Freak Fraggles - Fractles - overwhelmed Bridge to Nowhere in the other contest.

In Division 13 it was a straightforward procession for Lost Souls in their quest for the title, swamping Dueling Duo. Ivalice Alliance defeated Chuck Norris in the other match, leading to the rare three teams at 1-2 scenario.

Trident Tempest are officially a first-time champ after their win over Pathway Seekers in Division 14. Free City easily took silver after shutting out Spex on the Beach. Clearly, the beach is not the place to be this autumn.

We'll never know if Team Cobra felt a bit nervous at any time on their way to the Division 15 crown, their 5-0 over Kolor Crew going along with previous low-scoring shutout wins. Sextant Knights grabbed bronze by thumping Stepkids.

Sins didn't have to break a sweat after their win over Va Va Voom claimed the title, while the cricket-pun-themed TBHTBW side made Dream Combo's introduction to LW tournament play a bit of a nightmare.

So there you have it. 16 champion teams, the vast majority being legacy victors, the new triumph point awards offering incentives to everyone, and no lasting damage to the Orbital Arena. BADGE should be pleased with their efforts although in the wake of the revelations of Midgard's subjugation, will be putting it well on the back burner.

Congrats to all the participants. Each and every participant helped make the tournament a success. If you'd like to support my continued reporting, please send a gofund--- [audio crackles, then 20 seconds of silence] --- Back to you Samantha.

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LW Round 2 - KHRA Breaking News

ID: 10898



First I suppose I'd like to thank KHRA for offering me a deal to summarize Round 2 of this tournament. The circumstances leading up to this, I'd rather not go into detail on, plus they made me sign an NDA. Oh, sorry, Mr. Director. Oh we're live? Well, think of it as Reality TV Extreme. All the gladiator matches! More alliances than Survivor, more cash exchanging hands than the Millionaire show and more over the top drama than a Housewives episode! Roll intro music!

[10 seconds later]

As you can tell, I'm on a good mix of nanotech and adrenaline boosters, and will sleep very well tonight despite having my carcass mutilated by the WMD crew. They've always been a take no prisoners kind of outfit and tonight was no exception. Colony will be fired up to exert fury in Round 3 for sure. Super Freaks may wonder what they did to get stuck in D1 after CT obliterated them only to deal with Colony.

WMD Outlaws continued their assault in D2, blowing out the 5th's Traffic Cops. Meanwhile the Guardians tried hard to get their first win but fell to the Brute Squad. Something bizarre would have to happen for Guardians to upset Outlaws, no doubt.

In Division 3 the Fortress put up 151 - in rum terms that's known as Overproof, and a strong drink may be needed for their vanquished foes - to cement their claim to another trophy while AoS bounced back to convincingly knock over Super Freak Squad. Similarly, Battle Born in Division 4 took out Aussie Freaks to get back in the win column while Outlaws Incorporatted cruised over SOB Hunter Killer.

No close matches in Division 5; Walking Dead and Infected each strolled to comprehensive victories. Expect more of the same in Round 3 with the former adding to their collection of titles.

PAIN versus Stacked Deck was always going to be the closest matchup among the middle-level divisions and their Round 2 contest saw PAIN emerge on top yet again. They've yet again proved to be one of the elite pound-for-pound sides among all the leagues present and are a lock to win another trophy. SOB's win over the Warehouse will bring joy to that long-enduring franchise.

Freak Frequency couldn't quite achieve their heroic first round total, and fell to the Bomb Squad, in D7. In an all-freak (Freakydeak?) matchup, the Nature variant beat the New variant in comprehensive fashion.

Suffering and SOB Meat Locker continued their path to a winner-take-glory clash in Divison 8, each piling on big numbers against MacGregors and Freak Bux respectively. PAIN's younger brother (sister?) is likely favourites for gold.

In Division 9, there were low scores except for Pride of Lions who channeled their inner Simba/Aslan/Lion-O to put up 101 to vanquish Queen's Mate. Bomb Squad 3 awaits the feline crew in a matchup for gold.

Nine Planets continued their run to glory, brushing aside SOB Overlord, while Cursed Cats threw a massive 161-point score to dominate HEAT Team 1. The Division 10 crown, though, is a lock for 9PO.

Division 11 saw another set of low-scoring results. Raiders and Surfers and it sounds like a clash you'd see in one of those skateboard video games for the NES. Unfortunately for Gangsta Scoundrels and Scavengers, they have 2 wins combined across two rounds. Surely something has to give in their Round 3 clash?

Nest of Vipers and Spirits with the weird characters continued their march to a clash for the D12 crown. Freak Fractles (who I kind of want to call Fraggles) will hope to get off the mark against Bridge to Nowhere in Round 3.

Lost Souls are 2-0 after pummelling Ivalice. It's like the undead from the Nabreus Deadlands rose up and decimated the old kingdom of Nabudis at the height of the Archadian invasion of Dalmasca... you had to be there. Dueling Duo fell to Chuck Norris Approved, denying viewers of a battle of 2-0 sides to settle Division 13. In Divison 14, Trident Tempest continued their winning form, brushing aside Spex on the Beach. Free City bounced back to put aside Pathway Seekers. May be last chance saloon indeed, for the latter.

Cobra is quietly relaxing their way to a Division 15 crown. They may very well claim an unblemished perfect ride to the title, and setting a record for fewest individual wins to clinch. Kolor Krew stands in their way, but on the face of things it looks like another mismatch.

Division 16 is shaping up similarly for the Sins, although they've put up a good number more points on the board in their two shutouts. Can Va Va Voom spoil the party? With the currently low levels of players on both rosters, it's possible things could shift in an instant, but Sins have the advantage of one much higher-level combatant on their roster.

Anyway this is you-know-who, signing off. If they haven't terminated my contract, look for me in a subsequent report. KHRA - All the Heroes, All the Time. Back to you Samantha.

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LW FAN-FICTION: Round 1 - Heard Around the Horn

LW Round 1 - Heard Around the Horn:

[Message overheard from Aflima's comms device - the auto-record functionality possibly accidentally triggered, and diverted to the live feed of KHRA's sports studio. We believe the victim of the beating was undergoing hallucinations at the time and hope he gets the medical attention he needs]

Oh, Dev,... Got drafted as a floater... only to take inhumane levels of beating in the Orbital Arena. Yes it's not my first time duelling among heavyweights but never before has the disparity been as immense. Think of it as a zebra foal being tossed around by hungry crocs. Scratch that, nobody needs that image in their head.



My left eye has almost swelled shut, but I did take a look at the notice board. CT and WMD remain a class of their own and while my current colleagues are certain to hold fort to claim bronze, it will be difficult for myself to maintain footing by the time Round 3 begins.

Elsewhere, I see WMD's Outlaws branch pretty much having as easy a path as you could imagine, to a division title. The 5th Precinct has two teams together but you could take an all-star crew among these two and Brute Squad, and still Outlaws would be expected to dominate.

My right eye is a bit blurry now. I called Burning Daylight Labs to get a tech over here... BADGE med teams are apparently overwhelmed. The Divison 3 scorelines suggest Fortress of Solitude should have a path to another title, with a decent clash for silver in prospect between AoS and SFS.

Division 4 is probably settled after another Outlaws team claimed a low-scoring Round 1 win. SOB and Aussies put up big numbers but are probably in for a world of pain (I'll get to PAIN later) in later rounds.

Can probably speak the same in D5 as Avengers 51 Walking Dead look to march to yet another belt. These middle divisions are as rock chalk as you can get, no matter the format. Infected, despite their loss, would expect to waltz to silver.

Ouch... Shinobi tried to pat me on the back in a show of encouragement but I think it only helped to shift my scapula down a couple of inches. Must remember for Round 2 to pack some kind of nano healing capsules in my belt. Waiting for help is excrusiatingly long. Meanwhile, the D6 scores rolled by and there's PAIN as mentioned... Stacked Deck is historically a quality outfit but I'd imagine they can't stop the PAIN just yet.

Holy tamale, Freak Frequency put up 214 in their first match in D7. Bomb Squad of course the class of the division and will take the trophy at a canter. In D8, Suffering has a strong chance to go undefeated although Meat Locker won't let them go unscathed, I think. D9 is the other Bomb Squad's for the taking and Pride of Lions aren't going to miss out on silver. Wonder if a Champions Cup should be considered for the Pains, Bomb Squads and Walking Deads of this event. They hardly break a sweat in regular tournament play.

Teams are getting crushed at love in D10 and 9Planets... I don't think they're the same people as that 9 Planets crew from that other realm, although they're just as tough on a pound for pound basis... would be expected to continue to fill their trophy cabinet. There's a good SOB squad in that division that may press them a little.

D11 may not have the combined scores for all three rounds even approach that Freak Frequency first round number, as Raiders and Surfers each won while scoring under 10 points. This is the section of the competition where teams are trying to minimize points in order to avoid 'graduating' to the tier where 9Planets and Bomb Squad reside.

Another set of thrashings at love in D12 with Spirits with the weird spelling looking for yet another trophy and Nest of Vipers carrying that SOB banner proud. It can't be easy business for the betting shops though, the teams expected to win are always heavy favourites.

I hear footsteps, I really hope it's the BDL tech and not another CT guy. I like some of the CT guys no problem, but they hit hard and with little mercy... and in this arena I can't outspeed any of them. Arrgh. The D13 scores are up, though. 'Shocking', more zeroes on the board. Lost Souls and Dueling Duo are poised for a clash for all the marbles. Might make for a good contest compared to some of the others here. I think Lost Souls has a longer track record but it's really hard to recall the names and faces of these competitors.

Division 14 has teams actually putting up points. Maybe guys here are enticed more by the new Triumph points than the dreaded XP? And whoa, a tight match between Trident Tempest and Free City... and a wild comeback? Free City were probably favourites as they have previous titles to their names. We may yet have a first-time champ after all? D15 on the other hand is probably Team Cobra's to win without much fuss, the chase for silver may be more interesting.

The last division up for grabs, 16, has both victorious teams putting up 37 in different circumstances. This division is probably going to Sins if only because they have a more well-known trope. That other realm had a bunch of Sins too, although they were definitely much higher level than these folks. These guys are more like micro-Sins... hmm, wonder what Citizen Sin has been up to...

[the audio fades at this point, replaced by some inaudible mumbling and muttering. We believe the defeated warrior was injected with a tranquilizer at this point, and wish him well for the remainder of the tournament]

(ID: 10898)

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Furious Aid

Furious Squirrel #12351

Furious Squirrel piloted his battle dirigible over Atlanta, scouting for potential crimes. With BADGE focused on Lady Echidna, a few local wannabe supervillains had been stirring up trouble. Fortunately, Furious's mere presence sent these rats into hiding. The sight of a high-powered war dirigible in the sky was more than enough to scare them off.


Then the call came in, "Black Alert!" Justin was calling for the top-tier alert for all heroes. This was drop-what-you're-doing and respond or we all die. Only when the world was at its utmost danger would this kind of alert be summoned.


Turning his dirigible to a course for the specified coordinates, Furious pushed her into high gear. Minor villains would have to wait, this was far more important.


"What monster has Lady Echidna brought out of the history books this time?" He wondered to himself.
He was half an hour into his flight when he got a direct call. The BADGE comm system activated.


"Furious, are you there?"
It was Strange Quark.


"This is Furious, what do you need?"


"I got Justin back to the station and the situation is really bad. Midgard has been turned into the real World Serpent that was buried under that arrogant facade. He could kill us all if we don't find a way to stop him."


"Oh crud. What do you need me to do?" Furious had visions of them asking him to take on a nuke and drop it on Midgard's head, though that might just make him angrier.


"I'll be on your ship right away. We have a plan that just might work."
There was a strange blue light and suddenly Strange Quark was on his bridge, still holding his wrist comm where he had been talking to Furious.
"Oh, uh, hi." Furious clicked off his comm.
Quark said, "Good. Okay, here's the plan. I'm going to teleport this ship to Neo Utopia where we are going to pick up our secret weapon." "What secret weapon? My lower cannons are only good for energy weapons, and very specific projectiles on the upper cannons."


"Not that kind of weapon. Just wait, you're gonna love this."


Quark opened a hole in the sky and the dirigible slid right through, moving from the coast of America to the heart of Neo Utopia, hundreds of miles in the wrong direction.


"There, the Hospital helipad." Quark pointed out the window.
Sure enough, the Neo Utopia General Hospital's helicopter pad was clear and several people were standing there, waiting. The Dirigible lowered down enough to let on these passengers. Two men were escorted onboard by a small team of police.


"This place is nice. I could use a ship like this in my operations." Rutkowski, the mafia super-villain looked around at the ship. Private Eye Peyton said, "You wouldn't know what to do with it. This is specialized equipment." "And just what do you know about it, gumshoe?" Rutkowski shot back.


Furious, who had a hand on his steampunk gun, said, "What is going on?"


Quark said, "Midgard is too big. The heroes will never be strong enough to take him down. But, if we are able to slow him down, then we stand a chance." "Dats where we come in. Peyton and I will use our special abilities to slow time down for Midgard..." Peyton said, "While leaving him open for attack. So, the heroes can still take him down while he won't be able to respond."


"Okay, but why use my dirigible for this? Couldn't you just zap them there?" Furious asked Quark.


Quark answered, "Midgard is connected to powers and magics that are deeper than anything I have ever seen. He is not just a morphon hero or even a magic creature like EB, he is something... superior.


If he even thought I was bringing these two in for this, he would smash them before they could use their powers." Peyton said, "We have to see what we're targeting before we can really use our powers. So, it will take a second. By arriving on this dirigible, it will appear you are just joining the battle and he'll not pay special attention to you fast enough." Rutkowski grinned, "We get a good sight of him long enough, and boom, he's frozen and da heroes get to do what da heroes do best."


Furious got the picture. "I see. So, I need to be ready for a fight. Alright, then, you guys go get my cannons loaded and make sure the rayguns are at full power and the cannons are loaded. Normally, I have a few minutes before I get into battle to get my weapons ready. But, I will be arriving in a flash, so I need to be ready now." He pointed at the police.


The police looked confused. Peyton waved at them, "Don't worry, I can show you. I helped Furious out before." Quark said, "I'll give you ten minutes to get ready. We can't wait much longer, a lot of people are in danger from this battle."


Rutkowski said, "Just make sure BADGE takes note of all my generous help."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you get what's coming to you." Quark said.
"I don't think I like the way you said that."


With Peyton and Rutkowski standing on the bridge, Furious readied his engines. Strange Quark had positioned himself on top of the balloon. The police officers had all been placed in gunner positions on the raygun turrets and in the torpedo bays.


Pulling a pipe down, Furious spoke into it which projected outside. "We're ready!" Quark's voice came through, "Full speed ahead!"


"Hold onto something," Furious informed his guests and then shoved forward on a lever and held the wheel. A fracture in space opened in front of them and the dirigible plowed forward, shifting halfway across the planet in one second. The serene world of Neo Utopia was replaced by a monster battle over a cold ocean. Heroes swarmed around a Midgard that was bigger than anything anyone had ever seen.


"NOW!"


Peyton and Rutkowski both turned black and white as their bodies emitted a strange energy. Peyton held up his left hand while Rutkowski held up his right. Their eyes were glowing white as they took hold of Midgard's position in time. The horrible monster flickered and slowed down, then stopped moving altogether. Peyton spoke through gritting teeth, "TAKE HIM DOWN!" Rutkowski, in a grunt, added, "We can't hold him for long!"


Furious yelled into his command pipe, "ALL WEAPONS FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!"


The raybeams and missiles flew out from his dirigible while the heroes outside followed along with their own powers. Poor, frozen Midgard was now at the mercy of many, many enemies who were open to attack.


"KEEP IT UP!" Furious called out and then pulled a lever that opened up his super ray gun attached to the bottom of the ship. With a hard slam against a button, the main weapon went off and sent a powerful beam right at Midgard's chest.


The massive serpent exploded with a flash of light and a wave of energy that toppled every hero out of the sky, sending the dirigible out of control.


Both Peyton and Rutkowski were tumbled all over the pilot house, while Furious held onto the wheel for dear life. Yanking hard on the steering, Furious was able to stabilize them.


"Anyone hurt?" He asked.


Rutkowski, wincing, said, "Oh, dat's gonna leave a mark."


Peyton asked, "Did we get him?"


"I don't know." Furious slapped his comm, "Justin, Gar, anyone, what's going on?"


Justin said, "Midgard has been taken down. See how you can help, there is a lot of damage and hurt civilians and heroes."
Rutkowski grabbed Furious's comm, "I ain't no nurse, Justin. I want to go home! I did my job!"


"You'll get back home, just let us do our job." Justin cut off the signal.


"Bah! That bloated jerk." Rutkowski muttered.


Peyton said, "I'll check on the police officers, you might want to find a place to land and see what BADGE needs you to do."


"I'll get on it."

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You're Invited...

"♆SOB♆ MONSTER MASH"

This Oct 21st you are invited to attend a live league event!
Simply Cos-Play the season with your Hero or Heroine in the game for League Wars: "All Hallows Cats". 

No, it won't effect your odds to win in a contest of might, but hey why not fight it out in style.
Show up the competition while whooping on them at the same time!

ID:35986

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Heroes Rising Fiction: World Eater Part 10 Finale

 

Gar was surrounded by blue energy for a moment, when he appeared he was incredibly high in the sky, barreling toward a Midgard that defied all expectations. The World Serpent was so huge that clouds were being bisected by his arms as he swung them. His tail stretched across the ground, laying over mountains and into the sea. An entire village had been crushed by his presence.

Heroes swarmed around him, blasting powers and throwing large objects at his head. Midgard, red in the eyes, screeched in sounds that were no language but that of a thrashing beast. He lurched to the side after a massive volley of firepower from several heroes, and then turned and went to slam his enormous forearm across the ground, which would have caused a massive earthquake. Several dozen heroes joined together and emitted a collective barrier made up of ice, psychic, and general power. The arm met the barrier and was deflected.

Gar swooped down and flew along the ground, heading for a team of heroes racing toward Midgard. When Gar saw a giant green fist coming down to meet them, he flew hard and body slammed the first, moving it to the side just far enough to crash into the sea. Gar tumbled through the air for a moment before catching himself.

Landing on solid ground, Gar gathered his wits after that attack. Shinobi raced up to his side.

"Thanks for the save, that was impressive." Shinobi quickly jutted both hands forward and huge chunks of earth flew up and crashed into Midgards abdomen.

The Avenger landed near Gar and held up a hand. Energy came flooding off the side of Midgard. Using his other hand he returned the power as a full-on blast.

"What's the situation?" Gar asked The Avenger as he continued his attack.

The Avenger said, "This battle is... strange to say the least."

"Strange? I'd say this is impossible! LOOK OUT!" Gar quickly grabbed The Avenger and took flight as Midgard swept a hand across the ground, razing trees, buildings, and dozens of heroes at once.

Getting back to his feet, The Avenger said, "Thanks. I can't drain enough energy from Midgard, he is too powerful."

"Why did you call it strange?" Gar asked.

The Avenger was already scanning for his next opportunity to attack. "If I'm not mistaken, it's like he's holding back. This battle is.... I don't know, not as bad as it could be."

Gar watched Midgard knock two dozen heroes out of the sky with one blast of his energy breath. "I'd say this is pretty bad."

"I know energy, Gar, there is something not right about this whole thing."

"Are you saying he isn't as dangerous as he seems?"

The Avenger looked at a reading on a screen in his arm armor. "No, this is still bad. If we don't stop him soon, our numbers won't hold and he'll begin a rampage that could cost millions of innocent lives."

Suddenly, Midgard turned to attack their location, energy from his mouth and both fists pummeling the ground.

"Run!" Gar grabbed The Avenger again and flew away as many other heroes around did the same.

The ground exploded and then was crushed, sending seismic waves that rippled out across the Earth. Towns hundreds of miles away shook and took damage from each land crashing strike.

"I can fly!" The Avenger yelled.

Gar let him go and the cybernetic hero zoomed off under his own power, heading directly for Midgard's face. Landing on a cliff over the ocean, Gar thought how he would approach this battle. To his amazement, another Midgard showed up, a hero grew in size to match that of this world serpent and grabbed the real Midgard by the arms. They struggled against one another, each fighting in an epic wrestling match. Heroes continued to shower the real Midgard with powers and other weapons.

Gar's comm device activated, "Justin to Gar, report!"

"You won't believe this, but someone as big and powerful as Midgard is holding him at bay."

"I know, that is one of the mimic heroes. He can't hold out for long."

"What do we do? Do you have a plan?"

Justin said, "I'm sending help. Tell the heroes to go full throttle when they see the signal."

"What signal?"

"You'll know." Justin's voice channel clicked off.

Gar looked around, not sure what to expect. Suddenly, out of a flash of blue light came a large portal. Furious Squirrels Dirigible flew through with a bright blue hero standing on top, it was Strange Quark. Gar ran to the edge and took flight, gliding up closer to the battle balloon. He had his comm ready for the all-signal, unsure what this could mean.

To his great surprise, he saw two enemies standing inside the pilot house of the balloon, Private Eye Peyton and the gangster Rutkowski. Both were completely black and white and glowing with a bright white aura.

Midgard's body flickered and he lost most of his color. All at once, he froze as if all time had stopped. Gar realized this was it, he pressed the all-signal, "HEROES ATTACK, ATTACK, HIT HIM WITH EVERYTHING, DON'T HOLD BACK!"

The battle dirigible unleashed a massive volley of rockets and energy beams, Quark shot blue energy from the top, and heroes far and wide joined in and pummeled Midgard with everything they had. Gar simply held his position in the sky as he watched this onslaught of pure power. Was Midgard already finished and they were attacking something dead? Could Midgard even die? What happens if this doesn't work?

A blinding explosion erupted from the center of Midgard and everyone was thrown half a mile away in a perfect radius. The Dirigible faltered and nearly fell into the ocean while Strange Quark fell free from it and splashed in the icy cold waters. When the smoke settled, there was no Midgard to be seen, nothing remained of the bewitched monster of legend.

"Gar! Gar! Report!" Justin came through the comm.

Gar, on his back laying on a beach, held his arm up, "I think it worked. Midgard is gone."

"He can't be gone. He was huge."

"I don't know what happened to him. But, it's over."

Justin clicked off the comm channel and pointed at robot 10915. "I want all our damage control teams to that part of the planet on the double. Get me in touch with every world leader in the vicinity of that battle, I know they will all want an update."

"Understood, Director."

Justin clicked his comm again, "Justin to Arx."

"Arx here. That was one hell of a battle."

Justin said, "I know. I want you to lead the damage control teams on the surface. I want you to ensure the locals that we'll everything in our power to help clean up the mess. And, also send out as many agents and heroes as you can spare, I want to know what happened to Midgard."

Arx, sounding fatigued after that battle, answered, "On it, sir."

Justin left Operations and headed down to Dr. Henderson's main laboratory. The station was strangely quiet, since most of the agents and even the training robots were down on the planet. Justin had ordered every available person and robot to join the conflict. The stakes were far too high.

When he got into the lab, he was met by Dr. Henderson and her nurses. They stood around the body of the agent that Nova had unceremoniously returned to them.

"What did you find?" Was his greeting.

Dr. Henderson said, "This man was killed by a strange power, something seeped into every cell of his body and turned it off. I'd say he didn't suffer, but I don't know for certain..."

"I want to know why Nova returned him and what possible advantage we can garner from this."

Dr. Henderson pointed at the dead agent. "His life mattered."

Justin calmed down from his stiff attitude, "I know. I hate to lose anyone. But, if we don't find a way to stop this, he'll not be the last to die. In fact, many died today, most of them innocent bystanders who were caught in the battle zone. So, I want answers, something to find the solution to this problem."

"I did find something. Nova left us a cryptic clue." She turned to a computer monitor and activated it. There was a fleck on a bit of microscope glass. "We found this in his eye. At first, I thought it was nothing. But, it was unusual to find something buried that deep in his eye. So, I had the computer magnify it. What I found was this." She zoomed and enhanced the image.

"A tiny computer chip?" Justin looked at the small device.

"It is hardly enough to hold any data, but there was a single line. A sentence that reads, 'To defeat your enemy, first you must know who they are', and then a series of numbers." The numbers appeared on the screen. "My guess is these are coordinates."

"Where do they lead?"

She said, "That is the strange part. This leads to the middle of the Mariana Trench."

"Looks like we are diving for clues now."

Dr. Henderson asked, "Are you sure we can trust him?"

"No. But, I have to find out what this is about, it is all we have."

Midgard, in his human form, washed up on the shore of a distant, cold beach. His body battered, his face bruised, and no breath coming or going.

A woman knelt down and turned him over so he was facing the sky.

"You fought well, but not well enough. You held back. I don't know why, but I will find out. Now, come with me, my pet. Your job in ending this world has not been completed." As she touched his face he gasped in a great breath and opened his eyes. They remained glowing red and he expressed no emotions.

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Heroes Rising Fiction: World Eater Part 9

 

Before Midgard attacked:

Chase, wearing a lovely red dress, walked with Strange Quark at her side. He wore a blue tuxedo with a golden duck pin where a flower would normally be. Walking behind them was Gar, dressed as normal, but with a bow-tie around his neck at Quarks insistence. They approached the Prague Castle.

Chase took in a great breath and smiled, "I love Prague, the history, the art, the buildings, all so lovely."

Quark smiled, "I love this building, so Gothic."

Gar nodded, "Reminds me of many buildings in Rome."

Pulling out her special BADGE card, Chase said, "We can be tourist later. We have a mission."

Walking onward toward the amazing building, all three were allowed through several check points.

Gar casually said, "I wonder how Justin is doing with Midgard."

Quark replied, "No idea. Nova had a hard enough time getting through to the old world serpent, Justin might not even scratch the surface."

"Why would Justin want to scratch him? Does he itch?" Gar asked.

Quark chuckled at that while Chase said, "He means, Justin doesn't have much of a chance. But, things might be different now. Justin really has proven himself a worthy leader, and Midgard respects strong leadership."

A finely dressed woman approached them, "As you requested, President Pavel is waiting to speak with you in St. Vitus Cathedral." She held out a hand for them to follow.

Chase was amused by this, "I see. We were required to make a case before he decides to meet us in the cathedral? Very accommodating."

The woman said, "President Pavel is aware that if BADGE sends three of their highest ranked officials to meet with him, then he should respond."

A small contingent of security and this nice lady escorted them through the many opulent corridors of the ancient building. Soon, they walked through a set of doors that led into a classical Cathedral sanctuary, where an older gentleman and three security waited for them.

Chase approached and bowed, "Your excellency, I'm honored you have given us your time."

Gar and Quark followed with silent bows.

President Pavel smiled, "I'm honored to have such high ranking members of BADGE paying us a visit. However, I'm aware that no visit from BADGE is without serious cause, and potential risk to my country."

Chase straightened up. "I'm afraid you're correct. There's a great danger here, an object that must be taken to BADGE for safe keeping. However, I'm also afraid that it is currently nestled into an important artifact belonging to the state."

"The Crown of St. Wenceslas," President Pavel said.

Quark asked, "How did you know?"

"So many legends have arisen about that crown that our people have always felt it was abnormal. Then, in recent times, the United Nations sent inspectors to locate unique energy readings. They discovered something odd about the crown, but it was not morphonic, so it was not reported to BADGE. However, when you asked to meet me about a special visit to this cathedral, I had a strong feeling that the crown was the reason. Am I correct?"

"Yes," Chase answered. "I don't want to disfigure such an important artifact, so I ask that you allow us to take it whole. I promise the utmost care will be granted to it, and we will have the finest jewelers on Earth remove the stone in question before returning it. But, at this time, it has to be moved otherwise..."

All three of their BADGE comm units came alive with Justin's pained voice, "To all heroes, Black Alert, I repeat, Black Alert. Please, respond to my location, or the world will end today!"

"What is this?" President Pavel demanded.

Chase had lost the color in her face as she looked up at Gar and Quark. "Black alert... we haven't had one of those since..."

"Jinn," Quark answered.

The President asked, "Are we in danger?"

"I don't think so. The location on this is far from here. We need to go, find out what is happening." Chase said.

Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice asked, "Going so soon?"

Chase took a step back when her eyes fell upon Nova and a team of finely dressed mercenaries, all wielding the anti-morphon guns. "Nova, how..."

"Don't be an idiot, Chase. I was the one who hid the stones, I kept track of them for centuries. Don't you think I know where they all are?"

She took a step forward and readied her magic throwing stars. "I'm willing to take you down, Nova. I know what's at risk."

"You know nothing. The power Lady Echidna wields is far superior to anything you could possibly fathom."

Chase's eyes narrowed on him, "We only know that we must stop her, and we will. You trained us all too well for us to fail."

"Oh, I did, did I? Like this poor fellow." He gave a little wave with a gloved hand and one of his mercs tossed the body of the badge guard that had been one of Lady Echidna's spies. It landed in front of Chase.

"What did you do?" Chase looked down at the broken corpse.

Nova drew in closer to her, no fear in him as she threatened with her blades. "The battle for this world has already begun. Midgard was her fourth beast, a creature she used once and now has access to again."

"Midgard?" Chase frowned.

Quark gasped, "Oh, sweet baby Jesus...the Black Alert!"

Nova laughed, "Better head for the fray, little heroes. The World Serpent will consume all life and he will be nearly unstoppable. That is, unless you want to try and stop me from getting the Eye of the Charybdis." His eyes flashed that bright white light that Chase witnessed during the battle of Fenrir.

Chase stood back, "If you retrieve it and leave without harming anyone, we won't fight."

"You have my word." Nova smiled with the slick grin of a devilish politician.

Chase backed up, "Go."

Nova and his men headed for the secure vault hidden in the Cathedral of St. Vitus where the Crown of St. Wenceslas has been kept safe for centuries.

President Pavel demanded, "You have no right to go there! I protest!"

Chase kept a keen eye on the mercs and Nova as they went about their business. "No, don't interfere. We can't stop him and there aren't heroes left to invite to this fight, they're all trying to save the world from Midgard."

While the President threw out angry words, Chase watched Nova and his men return with the case holding the crown. They casually stepped over the corpse he had deposited and left the building. Nova remained for one moment to give his parting shot.

"Chase, let Justin know that if BADGE continues to fight us, it will only end the same way for all the agents as it did for that one on the ground. Only a flicker of light in his eye before death befell him." With that he left.

"I DEMAND YOU SEND A TEAM OF BADGE AGENTS AFTER THAT ARTIFACT. IT IS A PRECIOUS RELIC OF PRAGUE!" President Pavel bellowed at Chase.

Quark said, "Trust me, sir, if she hadn't let him go, we would all be dead. Besides, who can we send? The world is about to end and I don't even have a stiff drink to bolster myself before heading in to fight against the biggest badass in BADGE."

Chase walked over and knelt next to the man on the ground.

Gar said, "Should we go to the fight? If it is that bad, we need to help."

They waited while Chase simply looked at the man.

Quark said, "Chase, I can zap us all there right now, we need to go. It is a full black alert."

Gar, growing impatient, said, "Chase, what are you doing?"

She said, "Didn't you find that last word from Nova a little odd?" Reaching down she pried open the eyelids of the dead man.

"Do you see something?" President Pavel asked.

She nodded, "There is something in his right eye, like a fleck of sand. But, it is embedded. Quark, we need to get him back to the station now. If the real Nova is sending us another message, we need to decipher it right away."

"On it. Gar, you ready?"

Gar nodded.

Quark waved his hand and Gar was sent away to the fight with Midgard. Then, Quark and Chase vanished in a flash with the corpse.

Continue the Story

Announcing - HR has a Vlog...

It turns out that a while back, a YouTube vlog was created for the game but hasn't been used yet and was forgotten...

If anyone has some game-related videos that they'd like to post or if any player wants to post a game-related vlog post, you are welcome to post it there...

RULES-

1) Keep it clean... no posts with cursing, nudity, or other adult content... there are children/pre-teens that use these sites.

2) Play nice... while MILD trash-talk is okay
, no personal attacks will be tolerated.

3) Community standards of HR and YouTube are to be followed at all times.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php...

Continue the Story

Heroes Rising Fiction: World Eater Part 8

 

Torrik sat on a stool in front of the tablet that floated again in the beam of light. The computers were in low-mode, simply processing data while the scientists were gone for the day.

With his head in his hands and his face down, he remained as still and silent as the shadows themselves.

"Are you asleep?" EB hopped into the room and jumped up to stand on the table next to Torrik.

Torrik shook his head, "No. Just lost in thought."

EB huffed and looked up at the stone tablet. "It isn't going to help just sitting here. But, I suppose you know that. Hey, I got an idea! Have a breakthrough."

"What?"

EB smiled,"You're looking for the big breakthrough, ya know, gett'n all the info right away with some flash of inspiration. Doesn't always work like that. But, when I'm trying to create the next big candy to take the market by storm, sometimes I get stuck just like this. So, I change my focus to a smaller part, something I can figure out, and then let that satisfy my need for advancing just long enough to rest for a bit. Feels good, cause I'm moving the right direction."

"That's actually wise. Okay, so how can I solve a small part of this?"

EB looked up at the tablet and smiled, "Hey, what if you review the video of Chase's vision about it. Maybe you can focus on a detail that'll help."

"Go ahead. I don't know how to work these magic machines. The images are stored inside them." Torrik looked around at the computers.

EB punched in a command and found the video. He impressed Torrik with his knowledge of computers, but the truth was he knew very little. However, playing a video was relatively simple. The images ran on the screen.

"I've watched this a dozen times. How can I find something new?" Torrik said.

"Dunno. Just try."

Torrik sat back. The video played all the way through. Just before it stopped, Torrik sat up, "There, stop it!"

EB hit the pause button. "What? Did you see something?"

"It has been right in front of me this whole time. I've watched him do that every time and never really added it together."

EB frowned as he looked up at Nova etching the words into the tablet. Which, from this point of view, was just Nova's face looking down since they saw this from the tablets prospective.

"You have your breakthrough?"

"Yes. However, this is the big one. Tell Justin, I'll have something for him soon." He reached over and pulled the tablet out of the beam.

Justin walked through the beautiful lands of the ancient Vikings. The green grasses and deep blue waters of the nearby seas were shrouded in a heavy mist from the morning dew. He stopped before a great metal door with runes carved into the surface.

"hurd myrkr!" Justin spoke the ancient Nordic words.

The great door slid down into a slot in the ground. Only one other person in BADGE knew the secret words to enter this place, and he was currently working for Lady Echidna.

Justin walked into the ancient ruins of a temple long forgotten by man. This place was the home of a legendary beast that was once feared by many and inspired great stories and songs among a people that have since passed into myth themselves.

Stone walls were cut deep with reliefs of serpents and monsters, gods and demons, all from the Asgardian myths of the old religion. However, this was no place of worship. It was a tomb with many men buried among the carvings. Those deemed worthy of divine burial by the only member of the Asgardian religion to ever truly live among mankind.

Delving deep into the great hall, Justin found a sorry figure seated before a roaring fire. In a chair formed of iron and bronze, Midgardsormr seemed lost in the flickering flames.

"I know why you're here, Justin."

Pausing in his approach, Justin said, "You do?"

"I froze. I couldn't stop her. She dismembered FAANG and all I did was watch. I, MIDGARDSORMR, taken by fear."

Justin approached him, "I've never hidden my feelings about you. You are dangerous, hard to control, impossible to contain, and enjoy breaking rules. When this world is in it's greatest perils, it is hard to trust that you'll take the time to use your amazing strength to defend us. At least, I always feared you would decide not to step in. Nova always knew you would do the right thing. And, he was right. Even though your methods are destructive, you have proven to be one of this worlds greatest defenders."

Midgard grabbed a healthy tankard of strong spirits and downed a sizable gulp. "Nova thought I was doing this to defend this pathetic world? Ha! I just enjoy a good challenge!"

"You can't fool me any longer, Midgard. I know why Nova always trusted you."

"And why is that?" Midgard's tone was a challenge.

Justin walked around to look this man in the face, "Because, you have honor. You hide behind a loud voice, rude attitude, and flaunting every rule. But, you have a choice to be a hero or villain and always choose hero in the end."

"Why are you here?" Midgard sank back into the chair and stared at the fire again.

"This world needs you. You saw what Lady Echidna is capable of, and you know what Nova is capable of. We are painfully under-prepared for this. I need to know that you're ready to stand with BADGE. No, not just BADGE, with the Earth. I can't wager on that honor to come through in the end, I need you on the team now."

Midgard pointed at him, "You just want me to make sure your plans work because you aren't Nova and he'd already have a plan to stop this."

"Yes!" Justin blurted out.

"What?" This admission surprised Midgard.

"I'm not Nova! I have to do this my own way. The safety of our world, and now another world, is firmly on my shoulders and I have to make this work. Please, don't ridicule me for not being Nova, I know my limitations. But, I have a plan and I need you to be a part of it. If I must beg, I am begging."

Midgard smiled, "I respect your honesty, few men have the balls to admit they need help."

"So, you'll help?"

Midgard looked away, "I can't."

"But..."

"I CAN'T! There is something in me that felt fear when I saw her fighting that team. Fear! I have never known that in my life, which is considerable. I..." He seemed as if he were wanting to say more, but he simply shook his head, "Go away, Justin, make plans that don't involve me."

"Has it come to this? The end of the world is heralded by Midgardsormr showing cowardice."

Midgard looked at Justin with great rage, but backed down. "Go."

Torrik sat in the grasses of the arboretum and cast a bright green spell on the tablet. EB stood nearby, watching with great curiosity.

Torrik spoke as he processed his spell, "Watching Nova etch this, I realized he wasn't speaking the words he was writing, he was speaking a spell. It is ancient magic that creates a language unique to the object being written on. Nothing else in either world would have this language. With it, he could conceal some message meant only for those who can disenchant his spell, which I am doing right now." The tablet flashed bright and then the light turned blue. Torrik began reading it.

EB asked, "Well?"

Torrik's whole demeanor changed. "By all that is Magical! This...I... we're in trouble! Get me Justin, hurry!"

Justin was almost to his shuttle when his comm beeped. "This is Justin?"

Torrik came through loud, "It's Midgard!"

"What?"

"The fourth beast, the creature Lady Echidna would use to end the world, it's Midgard. Nova inscribed a warning to never let Midgard return to his full strength, which can only be done through dark magic. Midgard doesn't even know. Find him, stop her from touching him!"

Justin turned and ran back, "I'm right with him, warn the station, I'm bringing him in, no matter what."

Midgard sat before his fire, pondering his place in the heroes and villains of Earth. Once he was feared, yet now the world looks upon him like a cherished hero.

A hand touched his shoulder.

"JUSTIN! I TOLD YOU I AM NOT GOING WITH YOU!"

Lady Echidna came around, smiling at him. "Oh, my darling, you have no choice."

"You! I will devour you!" He stood to take his full form, then he gagged and writhed as dark mist poured out of his eyes, mouth, and ears. "GAH! WHAT ARE... YOU DOING TO...ME?"

She pulled him closer, "Devour this world, my precious pet. Leave none alive."

Justin, bruised and bleeding, looked up from where his shuttle had been attacked. He saw a mountaintop explode as a monster rose from it. Justin reached over and dragged his broken comm to him and pressed the main button. The light flickered, it might not even be working, but he had to try.

"To all heroes, Black Alert, I repeat, Black Alert. Please, respond to my location, or the world will end today!"

The World Serpent, once believed to herald the end of all time, grew in size covered in a black, sick magic that crackled and smoked across his monolithic body.

"God help us," Justin whispered.

Continue the Story

Heroes Rising Fiction: World Eater Part 7

 

"WHERE ARE THEY!" Lady Echidna shrieked in fury as she marched through the throne room of her temple. She looked different, more ancient and clad in a dark black outfit befitting an empress, not her normal luxurious attire. However, as she approached her throne, her clothes subtly changed back to her expensive outfit and her face returned to her beautiful visage.

Nova rushed in quickly and knelt, "My lady, who do you require?"

"My spies! Bring them to me, NOW!" She turned and sat on her throne.

Nova left and returned with the two men that had been assigned to infiltrate BADGE. He shoved them to the ground in front of her.

"Which one of you did this?"

Both trembled in fear and did not respond.

Lady Echidna stood with a shot, a crack of thunder rumbling through the room. "WHO BETRAYED US TO BADGE?"

"My Lady, neither of us would do such a thing," The soldier declared.

The scientist said, "Why would be betray you? We love you."

Nova asked, "In what way have they betrayed us?"

"BADGE sends a team to us, directly. They knew where to find us and how. One of these fools must have been coaxed into telling them how to find us. Or, they allowed themselves to be traced."

"There is no trace on them, I checked," Nova said.

Her gaze turned cold as she glared upon them. "Then, they betrayed us by mouth. And, for that, there is but one punishment."

Nova began to protest when an inky darkness seeped into their bodies and they both gagged for a moment and then fell over dead.

"Did you have to do that? They were a good asset."

"A piece of fruit might be delectable, but if it becomes rotten, it's taste is sour and unpleasing. You discard such worthless fruit." She stated and then returned to her seat.

Nova motioned for his fellow soldiers to come and clean up the mess. "Where have you moved the Temple?"

"We are safe, far away from prying eyes. That is all you need to know."

Nova said, "I guess we return to our task of locating the third eye."

"Not yet. BADGE challenged me this day. They are brave and foolish. I tire of fighting them at every turn. I think it is time to rid this world of them and all other pathetic creatures that would stop my return to glory."

Nova frowned, "What are you saying?"

"I think it is time to unleash my greatest beast."

Turning his sights on a pedestal where the Eye of the Hydra rested, Nova asked, "Are you sure you want to unleash the Hydra? It is an extremely powerful..."

"It is not nearly powerful enough. I don't want a distraction, I want utter ruin. I want all of BADGE and every other human on this planet to face the same fate as those who opposed me. The stench of their courage, the unsightly way they thrive on hope, and the disgusting manner in which they protect one another must be eradicated once and for all. Then, we will finally be able to locate the Eyes and return to our home."

"You mean to unleash the fourth and final beast," Nova said.

"Yes."

"Tell me, what is it? Where do I find this particular eye?"

She stood and walked up to him, "I still do not trust you with this information. Oh, don't look so glum, it ruins that handsome face." She brushed a gloved hand across his cheek. "This is my mission. I know exactly where to find my champion."

Nova took that hand from his face and kissed the back of it. "Please, include me in your work. I must be a part of your life."

"Oh, how I want to. But, I know what happened before, and I will not allow it to happen again. I will leave, with a small team of my soldiers. When I unleash this beast, you will know, the whole world will know. Be ready." With that she slipped her hand out of his loving grip and strutted away, gesturing toward the special ops of her people and they quickly followed.

Justin led his command team out of the shuttle into the station. Arx walked up next to him while he spoke on his communicator.

"Yes, I understand. Of course, get to it. I'll be there shortly." He clicked it off. "Director, there is a flooding incident off the coast of Alaska."

"Then you'd better get going." Justin waved him off.

Gar asked, "What do you need us to do?"

"There's not much to do except search for the Eye of Charybdis. Gar, I want you to work with Chase and Strange Quark in locating it."

Chase said, "We don't even know where to start."

Justin entered the lift, followed by the others, and they zipped off toward Operations. "I hope we have something from the details Chase perceived about that tablet."

Exiting the lift, they walked out into the Operations to find both Torrik and EB talking with several of the Robots.

Torrik pointed at a screen, "Does this mirror have details about the crown?"

"Affirmative. Details are available."

EB hopped along the computer stations and stopped in front of another robot, "Look up all the stuff about every person to have worn it."

"Historical data is available. Accessing data now."

Justin walked over, "What is going on?"

EB jumped up and landed on Justin, his feet against Justin's chest and his paws holding him by the collar. With an excited look on his face he declared, "We found it!!"

Justin stumbled back at the attack as he said, "Found what? Get off me."

EB jumped off and stood on a nearby computer terminal. "Okay, so I was working with these robots looking at all that stuff Chase got from the tablet. It was cloudy and vague, but so cool to see what she sees when she does her special time thingy. So amazing. Anyway, I saw some details about their clothes that looked kinda familiar."

Torrik continued, "We found enough details to pinpoint the time period and potential locations. This amazing computer wizard thing came up with a discovery. Apparently, in the same year as the stone was taken, a unique crown was made for the Kings of a land called Bohemia. When we got a good look at it, we think we have identified the Eye of the Charybdis."

EB hopped up and down in pure joy. "Get this, get this! The crown has this legend, a curse. Anyone who wears it that's not supposed to will die a gruesome death within a year. And, it has happened, recorded in history and stuff. Last guy was some Nazi jerk during World War 1...or 2... I forget. He put it on, crowned himself illegally, and then BOOM, he died at the hands of his own soldiers. So, That kinda makes it real that this has the stone. The magic of those stones is dark and bad, which would make for one helluva curse!"

Justin asked, "Can you put the details on the main monitor?"

The robots put all the various screens with data on the monitor. Right in the middle was this extravagant crown with the title, Crown of Saint Wenceslas, under it.

"SEE, that big red one right there." EB pointed at a stone that was slightly different than the rest.

Torrik said, "It seems that this particular stone was impossible to cut, so they set it just as it was found. Your metal golems said that without the gold setting around it, the stone would have a teardrop shape."

EB laughed, "Golems....they're robots, silly."

Justin said, "So, we just have to convince Prague to let us extract a stone from an ancient, beloved crown from the Bohemian Crown Jewels."

Chase smiled, "I could steal it... I'm a pretty good thief."

Justin gave her a slanted glare. He ignored her suggestion and gave his orders, "Chase, Gar, find Strange Quark and head for Prague right away. Dress in your finest and be as diplomatic as possible, we need to get that stone before Lady Echidna's goons and Nova show up."

EB hopped around, "What about me? I can be very diplomatic! You know that chocolate speaks volumes, especially in Europe."

"No, I need you and Torrik to keep working on that tablet."

EB asked, "Why? We know where to find the Eye of the Charybdis now."

"Right now, I want to know what is written on it and what that fourth symbol means. I just witnessed the kind of power we're facing and I have to ensure we take advantage of every possible avenue of information. You two stand the best chance of anyone on deciphering that, so get down there and focus."

"What are you going to do?" Chase asked.

Justin said, "I'm going to have to get through to Midgard. He's the only one of our allies who stands a chance against that kind of power."

"But, he ran away from her," Chase said.

"He has always played by his own rules, fought when it suited his entertainment. I'll have to convince him to follow orders and obey... which will take some work on my part. God, I wish Nova was here. He could always get through to Midgard."

"I could help," Chase said.

"No. I have to earn his trust, and standing up to him alone might be my only chance. We all have jobs to do, lets get this done before the world comes to an end."

Continue the Story

Heroes Rising Fiction: World Eater Part 6

 

FAANG flew through the skies, some by powers while others used contraptions. The leader, using binoculars as he flew, guided them.

"I don't see anything," He spoke into his wrist comm.

A huskier hero sailed closer riding a device that looked like a windsurfing board, but with a propeller on the back. "All sensors indicate the signal to her headquarters is directly in front of us."

The leader looked at a small monitor on his wrist comm and then peered through the binoculars. "It should be right there. My guess is that it's well hidden. I say we strike first."

"But, we could hit a civilian target by mistake."

"I trust my gut. Head for this location and ready for an all-out fight. HAZZAH!"

The team replied in unison, "HAZZAH!" Then drove in hard toward their invisible target.

"My Lady!" One of her minions rushed up to her.

"Speak!"

He held up a device in his hands, "We're showing a team of morphonic humans approaching fast. They're focused on our location."

Lady Echidna glared at the device for a moment and then called out, "Nova!"

In seconds, Nova was at her side. "Yes, my lady?"

"How is it that we have been detected?"

Nova looked around, "What do you mean?"

"A team of BADGE heroes is on their way to attack us. How did they know?" Her tone dripped with accusation.

Nova bowed to her, "You must trust in me. I would not betray you. I do not know the reason we are under assault, but we can handle this. Your soldiers are more than strong enough to deal with most of BADGE's hero teams."

"No, they are not. These heroes have proven to be stronger and more resourceful than I expected."

Nova asked, "Why not just mesmerize them into your legion? Heroes could prove useful."

Lady Echidna slowly stood up and checked her gloves as a thin smile crept across her face. "No. These morphon infected humans tend to be more resilient to my power. Regardless, I think it's about time I send a clear signal to BADGE, a signal in blood." She walked toward the door, her heels making a sharp click with each step. Her soldiers readied to follow, but she held up a gloved hand, "No. I'll deal with them personally."

Gar flew hard to follow behind Midgard as he stomped his way across the world toward the team that dared to embarrass him.

"You're scaring people!" Gar yelled.

"GOOD!" Midgard bellowed in response.

Gar swooped around and saw people below scrambling away as Midgard marched over a vast distance. BADGE was going to hear about this from every nation this monster has made a path through.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Gar asked.

"YES. NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" Midgard took a swipe at Gar like he was a gnat pestering him.

Gar fell back a little and then followed at a distance. He tapped his wrist comm. "Gar to BADGE Station."

Justin came through, "You have eyes on Midgard?"

"Yes. He's making a mess."

"I know. We've been fielding calls from national leaders across the planet."

"How do I stop him?"

Justin said, "Only Nova could do that. Truth is, Midgard is heading directly for FAANG, and they are just about to reach Lady Echidna's location."

"What do I do?"

"Keep an eye on this and report back to me."

"Understood."

Gar flew hard only to find himself slamming into the back of Midgard who had suddenly stopped. Gar fell five stories before catching himself with his wings and flying back up. "What did you stop for?"

Midgard was transfixed. Gar looked and saw something that has not been seen on Earth for centuries. A woman shrouded in shadowy black robes with a golden crown on her head stood on the top of an ancient temple. She cackled in glee as the shadow surrounding her lurched out and snatched heroes out of the air and eviscerated them in seconds.

FAANG fired weapons and powers at her, but nothing even got close. Everything was dissolved within inches of her. The shadow would grab another hero and rip his or her limbs off. She wasn't even moving, just had her hands up and the shadows did all the work.

"We have to help!" Gar turned to find Midgard just staring. "Midgard?"

All at once the shadow raced out and struck Gar, he fell from the skies straight down, slamming into the ground at Midgard's feet. Gar was unable to move, it was as though the magic that gave him life was frozen. The world went black for Gar and he experienced life as he had for centuries, a lifeless statue.

"Gar... Gar, are you there?" Chase spoke and he felt life returning.

Gar's vision returned and he could move his head. He saw Chase looking down at him with sky above and trees around him. "Where am I?"

"You are near the site...or former site of Lady Echidna's temple. Can you stand?"

Gar pushed to sit up and then nodded, "Yeah, I'm getting feeling back. I felt like a statue again. It was horrible."

"I imagine it was. Come on, Justin needs you."

Gar got to his feet and realized there was a legion of BADGE shuttles, agents, and other heroes standing around. Even Arx and his small team of ATLAS specialist were there. Justin stood inside a command tent with people working all around him.

Justin saw Gar and actually smiled, "Oh, good. I was worried something bad had happened."

"You know I'm indestructible," Gar stated.

Justin said, "I know, but with what we've seen today I have reason to worry."

"What?"

Justin gestured to the computer monitors on two of the folding tables. There was gore smeared across the ground as forensics teams diligently worked to clean up the mess. "This is all that's left of FAANG, not even one intact body. Lady Echidna's forces were merciless. To make matters worse, we haven't found any indication that any of Echidna's men even fell, they took no damage from this attack."

Gar said, "Didn't Midgard tell you?"

Chase stated, rather harshly, "Midgard left without even warning us that you were down. All we know is that he went back to his hole he likes to hide in when he's not terrorizing stuff."

"I will bother him later," Justin said. "What happened? What did you see before you were attacked?"

Gar said, "None of Lady Echidna's men were responsible for this, and I don't even think Nova was part of this battle."

"Then who did all this? I know FAANG weren't the brightest, but they were very strong heroes."

Gar answered, "They were nothing compared to her. She was surrounded by some kind of shadow power. She stood on top of an old building and destroyed them one by one. I watched it until she attacked me."

Chase asked, "She attacked you all the way back here? But, you were over three miles from the combat zone."

Gar said, "She didn't even move. I was arguing with Midgard when there was that shadow, that hideous darkness. That's the last thing I remember."

Chase said, "That's... horrible. She must be more powerful than we thought possible."

Gar became worried, "We are so close to her. We need to leave this area."

"Don't worry. She has already left. The location we tracked her to is completely gone. Somehow she transported that ancient building away and we have no idea where she is. It will take time to adjust our tracking to find her again."

Arx came in, the color in his skin drained. "I have never seen so many random body parts. I don't think I can... " He leaned over a trashcan and vomited. After a moment, he said, "Sorry. I've seen things I won't soon forget."

"It's okay. You don't have to go back out there, our teams can finish this. And, the robots working with Dr. Henderson and her people can handle this better. Thanks for bringing your people in to help."

"Glad to be of service. I came to report that we have identified every member of FAANG, none survived."

Chase said, "How do we face her? I thought Jinn was bad, but she did this alone without effort. And, she has teams of soldiers, Nova, and legendary beasts at her command."

"I don't know. We can't stop trying and so we must push forward. I did learn something today," Justin said.

Arx asked, "What's that?"

"We are woefully under-prepared and we have precious little time to remedy that."

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