Poncho

(Golden Star) "Stupid Portals." Michael said dismissively as the unconcious lizard and the mouse fled. "I love using them, hate when other people have them." he was observing this in a totally different frame of mind now; he was still glowing light he was plugged directly into a reactor, he was still an icon of furious gold, white, and red light, but his voice had dropped an octave, had gone to a cold, clinical place as he took in the sights around him. "They left you behind, huh? Well. Not for long I assume. And I have no desire to chase you through a portal. I'm not a fool. But let me give you a parting gift, Alice, to match with your boss." He snarled, turning back to her. He channeled the light in his glowing hands, then clapped them together in front of him before shoving his clenched hands together. The energy inside him erupted out, directed towards the upper half of the giant Alice, away from where the other Claremonters were, from where they were protecting Victoria. He wasn't holding back still, letting everything go at full blast, and while the beam was compressed, it had immense destructive capabilities as it rushed at Alice; it was so thick with energy it seemed more like a wave of liquid than energy, a roiling vertex boiling off air that it touched with a hissing crack. "Take a parting gift, and when your boss wakes back up, tell him if he goes after the girl again, I'm gonna hit him twice as hard next time."

Michael is just blasting Alice. All out Power attack Blast, so it's base 10/8, then loses 1 accuracy from Fatigue, so 9/8, then adds 5 to both for 14/13 Attack Roll Results 1d20+14: 29 [1d20=15] DC 28 Toughness

I'll take the spores from spore. Initiative Results 1d20+4: 24 [1d20=20] LETS GO

(Star Knight and Star Squire) "Well, I did once end up trapped in the Felda Quadrant's mining leviathan when I was chasing a suspect, who'd set it on a collision course with a living star. And you know what they say in those situations; either you learn fast or you fry." Millisand said. "Oh please don't get him started we'll be here until the station crashes." Zendaar said in mock terror, shaking his head. "I can try to do what I can with engineering and planetology, but I also want to try and sweep some other sections; your actual crew would be more effective in restoring power and capability to the station that they're familiar with. If you want to give me an idea of what you're hoping I can manage, let me know, then we're going to try and search the other sections."

(This thread has possible CWs for racism) 10:45 AM, January 26th, 2025 Saint Philomena's Church The Morning Mass at Saint Philomena's was in Spanish, and it was packed. The prayers of the faithful would reach the heavens and `shake the rafters. Father Thomas, an older man with a fully grey beard, preached on selflessness, on loyalty, on being like Jesus; that Jesus asked for nothing to help others. Help others, and through that find your way to heaven, through Jesus and the saints. It was a service that would repair the spirituality of the congregation, and prepare them for the next week; a connection with God and Jesus and Mary that kept them going through the rough times. And rough times were coming recently; a series of fires had struck through Lincoln, targeting members not just of Philomena's community, but a variety of other church's memberships. It was almost to the edge of belief that such things were happening, but no one had claimed responsibility, and arson driven by hatred were not often unclaimed. Carmen was here, at the weekly service given by the church that also handled her stay when she wasn't at Claremont. It was a chilly day, but it seemed to be a nice one.

(This thread has possible CWs for racism) 10:45 AM, January 26th, 2025 Broken Crow Refuge The Broken Crow Refuge was having a bit of a crowding problem. A series of random fires had broken out across Lantern Hill and Lincoln, and it seemed targeted almost entirely towards Hispanic and Black members of the community. It was almost to the point where, well, it didn't seem so random after all. For now, a pair of new families were receiving supplies and welcomes, preparing for what would be a difficult fight for an insurance claim and a stay at a hotel. There wasn't too much to do about it, other than the misery of having lost everything. And the youngest child of one of the families- a boy no more than 7 or 8- was holding a burned and charred rabbit toy that was still hanging on to life, despite having been partially consumed by the blaze. He was mumbling to himself, holding his little rabbit, and looking horrified. Like he'd seen something he didn't need to.

@Kaede Kimura if you get the chance, give me a Diplomacy or Intimidate Roll or Skill Mastery

(GM Post) "Yeah, she wasn't playing around. She's always been a bit of a coward, running off at the slightest trouble, but that doesn't mean she's worthless...she's just as dangerous as the others, but harder to pin down. But that whopping you gave her should keep her away for awhile at least, so that's beneficial to us." But while she didn't tense up at Mizuki, she shook her head, a little cautious. "We can't just...it's not exactly like that. TL." she said carefully. "There's reasons for all of this stuff, and we're not just gonna turn ourselves over to the cops or the truancy officers or whatever just because." she said, taking a step back. "We've got each other, and for now that's all we need...even if it's straining a little. We're not going to abandon each other; everyone else abandoned us. Parents, School, Friends. Just the five of us. So none of us are going to abandon each other anytime soon, you know?" she said. She was being much nicer than the previous time, when they'd broken out in fist fights, but she was still guarded, not fully trusting, not wanting to get too close. "We're still Sentries, we still have our powers. And we're not giving them up. Enoch gave them to us, to protect them from Sola. And he's dead now, so it's our job to do what he entrusted us with."

(Renee) "I...I'm sorry Lynn. I know. You could probably search this place a hundred times over before I even got off the stage. But I want to try and help too. I'm sorry. I just...I don't want it to be my fault..." she mumbled, kicking her shoes as she tried to get herself under control, making her way to the back. "I'm just...I want this to go okay, right? And I don't want to be the reason something goes wrong." It would be a great time to become The King, because The King would be able to deal with this easily, but Renee wasn't going to always just run and hide and let The King do everything, so she kept herself focused on the problem and was determined to solve it herself. The back of the stage was a set up of screens and paintings; designs for a fake auditorium that was going to take place in a real auditorium. Fake retired sports jerseys- with names of some of the more athletic Claremonters on the back-, state championship banners, and a hanging, stylized representation of 'The Claremont High Centurions', because it wasn't really something Renee would do if it wasn't at least a little on the nose. "Let's make sure we have everything. Then we'll figure out what to do if we are missing anything."

(Golden Star) "...Yeah. She is like a mother to you. Though I dunno how she feels about that...no. I'm sure she feels the same way, in her own way." he decided, nodding. "...Don't worry. I know you'd never leave me alone, not if you had any choice in the matter. And I don't want to leave you alone either. I won't. Even if I have to fly back from the edge of the universe, I'll be back to you someday. No matter what happens between us, even if we don't work out as we get older or whatever, I'll be there for you, promise. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you were in trouble, but...I never worry about you. Not ever. Because I know just how good you are. I mean, I could worry, but I'm always confident too. You're always going to be you, and you're always going to make it, no matter what." he said quietly. "You're just as strong as me. Maybe more. I can understand you aren't as confident. But I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. That you really have nothing to ever fear. That I'd put you up against anyone." he said firmly. "You just... you be your best you, too. And that's all you need. And I'll be cheering you on the whole time. But my best me? That's the me when I'm with you right now. So let's be our best selves together."

(Golden Star) "I don't think you have to do anything you don't want to, and I don't know everything about The Patriot, but I think she would agree with me that you should do what you want, and if that's something unrelated to her, then that's what it is. You're unique, and you're you. She doesn't have your powers and your history, and neither do I, so all we can do is be willing to offer advice and support. And I think we're both going to support you in anything." He held her close, breathing slowly. Was he a good fit for her? Maybe, maybe not. But he was going to do everything he could do to help her anyway. So he didn't freak out about it. "It might be good for a little while. Going to college together, and then, well. That's four more years for you to figure it out. What you want to do, who you want to be. I'll be figuring it out myself too, you know." he admitted, sighing. "...I'm scared too, Carmen. Not about you; I'm so confident in you. But I'm scared for me. I am constantly concerned I'm not going to match up to Parker or Lawrence, or even you. Mizuki is maturing rapidly too. I want to be so much. I want to be like Paradigm. I want to be a shining light. But I'm constantly scared I just won't be able to. That I can't keep up. Whenever I'm not with you, Parker, or Lawrence, I'm terrified. That I'm going to ruin it. That I'm going to not manage it. That girl that the Lizard tried to take...those lizard Aliens. You and Mizuki dismantled yours, but me and Bazz? We struggled, and fought, and grumbled. And it was mostly Bazz that saved me. If you want to know what I'm worried about, what I'm scared of...I'm not as much of a rock as I act sometimes. I'm completely confident in you and our friends, but I'm not near as confident in myself."

(Golden Star) "Wrong. Answer." Michael snarled. Completely focused on his rage and finally letting it go, but not without his wits, he remembered something Crimson Tiger had shown him. The Sway. His head and upper body leaned back while his feet were set, letting Bill come to him. "You don't get a second chance." he declared. And his fist came up at full speed, directly into the Lizard's swung forward jaw. The point of impact erupted into light as Bill went up and back, through and over the ice wall and a few feet into the air, spinning. Victoria was dropped, but Michael was one hundred percent focused on the lizard spinning through the air. He didn't need Parker's help. He didn't need Lawrence to save him. He could save these kids, and his fellow students, on his own. He was going to do it. He wasn't going to always be chasing after people he felt he could never keep up with. He was going to do it on his own. And all those emotions swirling together were physical embodiment of his strength, of solar flares and sunspots that crackled across his form before he disappeared from view for a moment. The ground exploded and windows cracked as he left the ground, and he met Bill in mid-air. As the Lizard slowly righted himself in the air, Michael was upside down and in front of him, flipping head over heels, so that when Bill was close enough, Michael's knee crashed directly into the Lizard's chest from above. That caused the real explosion; it was like a bomb went off at the center of the atrium, an explosion of light and heat that shattered windows everywhere around and sent the lizard into the ground so hard he left a crater. When the light corrected itself and the sound ceased, there was just Golden Star, floating in the center of the Atrium, glowing like he was on fire, a vein pulsing in his forehead and breathing heavy. He was going purely on anger, frustration, and adrenaline now. "Who wants to be next." he asked, holding his hands up at his side; they crackled violently with energy, casting brilliant light across the atrium.

Surge again! All Out Power Attack, Charging, and the +4 from him being Prone. so 6/12 becomes 6/17, then +6 so 12/17. Attack Roll on Bill Results 1d20+12: 20 [1d20=8] DC32 Tough

(Golden Star) Now Michael felt bad. He didn't mean to make her cry. He scrabbled for hte right thing to do. What do you do when your idol is crying? It's different from your girlfriend, at least to him. He pulled her close and held her. "Carmen...I'm the weird one, not you." he started, trying to figure out where he was going with any of this. He could talk down Supervillains and fight off bad guys but he couldn't console his girlfriend? Bad. "You aren't supposed to have everything figured out before you're out of Highschool. That's ridiculous. People make fun of me for it, even. I'm not supposed to be like this." he repeated. "You're the normal one. Not me. That confusion, that uncertainty? That's part of what it means to be a teenager, and the fact I don't have that doesn't mean anything." He held her close and sighed. "You're my rock. I mean it, I really do. I feel like I never have to worry about you, I never have to be concerned...and that's my fault. That I didn't notice how you were struggling." he ran his fingers through her hair. "Then let's...let's find what you want. Whatever you want to do. You should do that. and I'll support you. Screw AEGIS, forget the Patriot. If that's not what you want to do, then don't. Find what you want to do, and do it. And I'll have your back."

(Golden Star) "I'm sure you'll do great no matter where you end up." He said confidently. "And The Patriot is a great mentor. I mean, You know that. I only met her through your obviously. But every time I've met her, she's seemed exactly like the person she presents herself as. She might be hiding some stuff, I'm sure no one's life is perfect, but if she is, that's still amazing, keeping everything focused on being a Hero while Heroing." he said, sighing. "But...I do know know what I'm gonna do. I have one more year of Claremont, sure. But I know what's going on after that. Freedom City University. If you're there, we'll be there together. But..." he flicked his finger in the water, sending rippled across it. "I'm also joining the Freedom League. Or I'm trying to. It's gonna be hard I'm sure. They're gonna test me. But. These next 18 months or so. Until I graduate. I'm going to be pushing even harder, every day. I can't let you keep rescuing me. I mean...you're the best hero in the school, you know? Combat-wise at least, you've excelled in every situation. You might as well be setting new records for beat downs. But I can't rely on you, or Parker, or Lawrence, to pick up the slack anymore. So...yeah. I have to try harder. And if you end up with Atlas, and I'm in the League. Well, it's not like we'll be working at cross purposes. But it does mean we're gonna be very busy, doing different things." He said. "...But I'm willing to make it work if you are. If we're both at Freedom City University, or if we're not. If we're on the same team or not. If we're not even in the same state. I can fly across the country in half an hour now; I tested it last weekend. And next year I'll be faster again. Before long, I'll be able to get to you in an hour no matter where you are. Or at least close enough. So distance won't be an issue. And I'm willing to be committed. Even if it might be weird that we started dating in Highschool and we'd still be doing it as adults. People might not do that that much anymore...but there's something Fairytale about it, right?"