Avenger Assembled

"Man, I've always wanted to fight Nazis on Earth," said Edge as he followed the adults out of the room and out to where he was confident someone's vehicle awaited. "I mean, not that I wanted there to be Nazis anymore, but they're really evil. I went to another dimension full of Nazis once, and that was a terrible place," he said, his face suddenly perfectly serious. "I mean, my God, what a terrible nightmare that was for humanity. It was all we could do to defeat the giant Nazi robots and save the resistance. I was just glad to do what I could for those poor people."

Avenger When the Dragon Wakes: 12 One of These Things: 13 Dead Men: 10 We Rise Together: 1 Fracas: 1 Midtown: 3 Party Crashers: 1 Darkness Rising: 1 Growing Up Vampire: 1 Violence Inherent in the System: 4 Edge: Clock Strikes 9 Day Without: 10 Banking: 6 SHADOW: 3 Beach Party: 1 Freedom Angel: Southside: 1 Song of Songs: 2 GMing Midnight Meeting: 10 Childhood Dream: 1 Kick Open the Door: 5

OK, so do you want this sheet archived while you work on a new one? Or are you going to revise it?

Avalon, Your character will not be approved without a completed sheet, of course. I'm only commenting now because there's so much here that needs revision, I want to make sure you get an early start. The Refs have discussed it and we're not going to approve a character that has this many points invested in an Easy-To-Lose device. You need to very significantly revise his powers before this sheet will be looked at again.

In the washroom of the Ledger, Nelson Brant finished washing his hands and looked at his face in the mirror with a sigh. Thirty years old, and already he was starting to look fifty. With a salt-and-pepper Van Dyke and dark hair, he looked a bit like a high school drama coach rather than the star undercover reporter of Freedom City's best source for "News You Can Believe In." "It's the long hours," he told his reflection ruefully. "When did I become the guy who stays at work till 11 at night on a freaking Friday?" He had his teeth on a big story, though, one that might finally get him off the crime beat and onto the parts of the newspaper business he really cared about. Newspapers in Freedom weren't doing so well these days, just as they weren't doing well anywhere else, but it was still his life. He was just about to head back to his creaking old laptop to finish his draft when he heard a voice behind him. "Nelson Brant. Don't turn around." The reporter froze, his blood turning to ice at the cold, flat tone from the man behind him; the invisible man. "I'm not moving," he finally said, his voice carefully composed. He'd covered wars in his day, and supervillian attacks. He could handle this. Even if _it_ was exactly what he thought it was. "How'd you get in past security?"[1] "Wasn't easy," the voice said dryly. "Your publisher must not think much of her readers." "She likes them fine, actually. Some of them just don't think much of bullies," said Brant, staring at the mirror. Where exactly _was_ this guy, anyway? Except maybe, right behind him. "Who are you?"[2] "I'm not your enemy. I'm here to tell you that your investigation into the McNider blood bank needs to stop. The thefts there have been taken care of, and the guilty party's punished. You're only endangering yourself if you continue your work." "Hey, pal," Brant fired back, gripping the sink to hide his shaking hands. "I _really_ don't like bullies. You should know that if anything happens to me, my publisher will-" "I know," said the voice, now sounding almost sympathetic. "Believe me, I understand the need to keep your self-worth even if your life is on the line. That's why I'm here to offer you a deal. If you drop this story, you get an interview with me." "Oh yeah? And who _are_ you, exactly?" "I am that which stopped the break-ins at McNider. I am the most powerful vampire in Freedom City. TURN. AROUND. NOW." Brant did so, almost unwillingly, as the room plunged into darkness. He was confronted with the outlined silhouette of a man standing between him and the window, the bright city lights outside obscuring his face. "And I want to talk to you about that." As the thing's eyes lit up, an eerie glow like a cat's at night, Brant did the only thing a reporter could do. "May I take out my pocket recorder?" He fiddled with it for a moment, staring at the half-visible monster before him. "This is Nelson Brant, speaking to...who am I speaking to?"[3] The vampire gave a malevolent laugh. "Call me...Jack. Yes, I think that will do nicely. Now, you can ask me anything, and I will answer truthfully to the best of my ability. In return, you will print as honestly as you can." Wishing he had his grandma's crucifix handy, Brant made sure not to meet the creature's terrible eyes as he agreed. "Why not just kill me?[4]" he asked conversationally. "Or change my mind, so I don't write the story at all and you don't have to give anything up?" He wished to God the security staff made more regular checks of the press room; stupid executive suite! "Because I don't kill people," the vampire explained. "I've come to realize the value of human life," he said seriously, "and what value any life is if it's to be worth living. I choose not to kill because to kill would lower me to the level of an animal. I choose to stop others from killing so that all men and women can rise up and be better than their natures." "...what do you mean by 'Stop others from killing?'"[5] "For some time now, I've been active as a superhero. Oh, don't look so shocked, Mr. Brant. Surely you've wondered where all those superheroes your editor hates so much get their powers? How Captain Thunder flies and is so very strong, or Raven disappears into the dark with such gusto?" "Captain Thunder is not a vampire," said Brant, working very hard indeed to keep composure at this appalling news. "How do I know you're not lying, so that you can make all superheroes look bad?"[6] The vampire's voice dropped to cold, flat iciness again. "Mr. Brant, if I meant to use you to lie, I could tell you to write that you'd seen Captain Thunder rip open a woman's throat and drink her blood and by God, you would do it. I am speaking to you here as man to man. Not as a liar, not as a deceiver. Simply one interested in truth." "And what truth would that be, exactly?[7]" "That my people aren't the monsters you believe us to be. That the policies of your government and your superheroes about us are a mistake." "I see," said Brant, who by now had managed a return to his professionalism even as he wildly speculated about who this figure before him might _really_ be. "What are vampires, then, if not monsters?[8]" "People, Mr. Brant, people. With hopes, and dreams, and cares just as you have." The vampire before him was obviously speaking from the heart. "We can love, and hate, with the same intensity that you can. My mate and I are bonded for life." "I see," said Brant again, even though that gave him a truly unpleasant mental picture. "So how do you explain the stories about the behavior of vampires, then? Of the murders, and the blood-drinking?"[9] "Oh, make no mistake, Mr. Brant," said the voice again, this time with a malevolent humor. "I feast on the blood of the living and enjoy every minute of it. As do all of my kind save the very strange or the very unhappy. While I'm fortunate enough to have access to a blood substitute, and drink it when I can, I prefer to take what I want from those willing to give it to me." In one of the bravest moments of his life, Brant replied, "You didn't actually answer my question, sir." "No, I didn't," replied the other man. "The stories you've heard about vampires are true. All of them. If you see vampires, don't trust them. Don't trust them anymore than you trust humanity. Ask yourself this: if a monster tore your mortal life from your body and left you to die, if you crawled from the grave craving blood and cursed by God, would you be a kind man? A good man? Would you be a brave man and stop others from doing so? Would you have any humanity left after five hundred years?" "Is that how old you are?"[10] Brant queried, far too experienced to get sucked into a debate with his interview subjects. "No, I'm but a boy by our standards. I've had opportunities to...gain in power, recently. I was alive when the Centurion died; I was breathing when the Grue invaded. It's been a short road down the path of darkness, but a profitable one." "What do you mean by darkness?[11]" "I am fully aware of the reality of my own spiritual condition, Mr. Brant. I simply choose not to let damnation in the world to come stain my actions in this one. I choose to avoid a life of hurting others because of what it means for my own character. But I think we've been over this ground already." Brant forced himself to concentrate, to stick with the words and the interview itself. "How many vampires are there in Freedom City?"[12] "I have no idea," replied his uninvited guest, who sounded irritated; not by the question, but by his own ignorance. "There are fewer vampires in Freedom City than in most cities this size, given the power of pogroms backed by superhuman might. A hundred, perhaps, drawn from all walks of life, and a few more stragglers. This is not a city where many of us travel." "Because of our superheroes?[12]" Brant hazarded. "Oh yes. Killing vampires has been the fashionable thing for people in costumes for centuries, you know? It's just that now they're celebrated by the world for the heroic work they've done in destroying the universally reviled monster," the vampire spat blood on the floor, a peevish look on his face. "I expected them to kill me, you know? When they found out what I was?" "...other superheroes know you're a vampire!?!"[13] "You'd be surprised what they'll tolerate if you do it where they can't see you." The vampire gave a low chuckle, then waved his hand. "Oh, I don't blame you for looking shocked. I was surprised too. But you know, they believe in the redemption of humanity, just as I do. And that applies even to those of us who are no longer human. That's something I can appreciate." "What were you before you became a vampire?"[14] "I was nothing. A thug, a drug addict. I can tell you that much because there are so many humans like I used to be, even in a city as fine as Freedom. I was a failure of a human being. I'm a much better monster than ever I was a man. You'd be surprised at how often that's the case." "How did you become a vampire?"[15] "The usual story. My blood was drained by a beautiful woman, she gave me some of hers, and the transformation happened. It's not a pleasant thing, death. I wouldn't recommend it." The vampire's voice grew serious: not frightening as it had been earlier, but still full of meaning. "I want to make that perfectly clear, Mr. Brant. No one should be a vampire. Vampires shouldn't spread their condition without very, very good reason. This is not a popular position among my kind.' "So why go on living? Why stay a vampire, if it's so wrong?"[16] "Because I like it. Because it allows me to be more than I was, more than the waste of human life I spent my mortal existence as. I am aware of the hypocrisy there, Mr. Brant. You don't need to make any petty accusations there. Besides, I've done good with my life. Since I found the mask, and no, I won't tell you my other name, I've saved lives and the city more than once." "Have you ever killed anyone?"[17] "Yes. Yes, I have." The vampire looked him dead in the eye. "I remember the people I've killed every night, and smell the blood on my hands when I rest. But I am beyond the reach of mortal justice, even after friends of mine performed certain deeds on my behalf. If your society wants to punish me, you're going to have to kill me. And I choose not to let that happen yet." "Would you kill someone," Brant pressed, "a superhero, if they were trying to stop you?"[18] "Mr. Brant, taking your life would have been child's play a few moments ago. It would be child's play now. If I was interested in killing anyone, even in self-defense, don't you think I'd have done it then?" The vampire sounded amused. "Telling me that isn't going to make me very sympathetic to you," Brant replied, sounding a little annoyed. "Aren't you worried I'll just take this, give it to a super I trust, and have them find you and stake you?[19]" "No, it won't," said the vampire seriously, "but I want you to understand the amount of danger you're in talking to someone like me. I want to live among humans peacefully, Mr. Brant. I don't imagine you believe me, but that's all right. I want to live among humans peacefully, but many of my kind do not. I will not have too much trust on your part, on the part of my fellow humans, lead to an incident and a war that will see blood run in the streets of my city. As for your story, Mr. Brant, who do you think will believe you? You know how this city loves its superheroes. Who would dare imagine one of them was a vampire?" "Why me?"[20] Brant asked suddenly. "Of all the reporters in Freedom, why me?" "Because I've read your articles and your exposes, particularly of those corrupt Japanese superheroes. you tell the truth, Mr. Brant. And maybe after all this time, I'm starting to get tired of the lies."

8 Init Eddie knows perfectly well that Edge is uncapable of making plans. That's right, I said uncapable.

"We're speaking of the Dragon himself," said Jack, looking around shiftly. "The most powerful vampire that still chooses to walk the Earth, and the only one to fight superheroes to a stand-still. Don't look in his eyes, or listen to what he says. Growing garlic won't stop him, but it may hold off his minions, and it'll certainly get his attention. Put wood through his heart, silver if you have it, or use the symbols of faith to drive him away. Those are the only things that'll stop him." Outside, in the gathering dark, Stesha could hear many distant sirens, but all around Archetech she could see shadows moving and gathering, as if the very darkness itself was beginning to conspire against their stronghold. As the security guards took their positions, Jack told Stesha the truth. "He doesn't care about the humans here. He'll kill them, or ignore him, as suits his fancy. But people like you, Dr. Archeville, Taylor, you're the kind of people he hates most of all. If he fights you, it'll be to kill you."

"Dracula is attacking the lab," said Jack, who was in the middle of giving orders to heavily-armed Archetech security guards. "He'll be here momentarily. Taylor is upstairs in the medlab with Dr. Archeville, she's in labor," he added. "I don't know how much you've heard. Did you see anything as you were teleporting in? Or anything strange happening in the city?"

"We lured him here, and beat him," said Jack, risking a conversation with Stesha under the circumstances. "He fled the area after we hurt him enough. With any luck, he won't be coming back anytime soon." Thinking a moment, he turned to Taylor and said, "I think they may appreciate some privacy. Back at Stesha's apartment, if possible."

Skill Mastery to Gather Info, not the ranks. DONE BY SHAENTHEBRAIN

This is much nicer than the last person who came back to my life in my basement. Ooh, better not think that, Taylor'll get pissed if I say out loud. "I love you too, honey," he murmured to her, squeezing her hand as he gave her a warm, emotional smile in return. "I knew today was going to be a good day." Thinking about those earlier resurrections got Jack thinking about food. "It's good to see you, Stesha. There's bottled water in the blue fridge under the table if you need to drink something," he offered. "You've probably used up a lot of water."

Jack looked from Taylor to Dr. Archeville, his bloodlust coursing against his fear, his desire to protect Taylor mixing with his desire to be there for her. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he promised Taylor, fighting back teeth that lusted to grow in his mouth. "If I see he can't get in the door, I'll be back to join you. It's going to be okay, love," he said, pushing back shuddering fear. "I promise."

Avenger: Drop his rarely used Diplomacy Skill Mastery. He still has high ranks in it and decent Charisma, but he doesn't use the skill enough to need it. Replace it with Gather Info. Add the drawbacks Vulnerable (sharp wooden objects) (uncommon, major) (-3) I'd define this as being a vulnerability to wooden stakes, pointed wooden arrows, and the like. I'm adding this because I've been uncomfortable lately with the idea that Avenger doesn't have enough weaknesses. He should be a very powerful character, given his high PL, but a vampire should have a lot of weaknesses. I'd like to use those points for the following: 8 ranks of Gather Info for a total of 13 (+15) and Languages 1 (Cantonese) (2 pp) Vampiric AP: Bite Vampiric Unarmed Damage 8 with Enhanced Feats 3 (Improved Critx2 (18-20) [unarmed] and Incurable) (1 pp) Add the Complication Responsibility: Baby Jack Jr. DONE BY SHAENTHEBRAIN

"Dracula," agreed Jack. "And Taylor's in labor. It started just a few minutes ago," he said, his arms going around her. "I know you said we should expect that at this point in the pregnancy, but the way things happened, with all that power being tossed around...I think this is it." He squeezed Taylor's hand as he held her up, desperately wishing he could solidify himself to touch her wherever she went. "She needs help. And you need to put up your defenses."

Doc, It's a transmitter designed to take a particular signal and broadcast it globally. What signal is that? You're not _entirely_ sure (since Evil Daedalus rolled pretty well), but it matches the frequencies of human brainwaves! As if someone was trying to broadcast a message so powerful as to override the very conscious minds of men!

APPROVED

Could you specify that his +11 Attack is with the Dynamo array specifically? Which college does he attend? (i.e; is he a potential classmate of other college-age PCs?)

((Audio Transcript Teen Hero interview with Young Freedom members Edge and Wander, 04212010, 1645)) ((Features Reporter Tina Treadman conducting interview)) TT: Welcome, Edge! It's so good of you to come and do this interview with us. I just can't tell you how excited we are that you agreed to participate in our charity issue. The readers just can't wait to find out more about you. (pause) Oh, and I see you brought a friend along, too. It's Wander, isn't it? Two Young Freedom members for the price of one, even better! Have a seat, and we'll get started. Edge: Yes, this is my friend Wander. She's pretty great. We're both really excited to be here, Tina! I'm a big fan of your magazine; I have been since I was just a little kid myself. And you especially! I loved that interview you did with Soul Power out in LA last year. I've got it up on my wall. Wander: (inaudible) TT: That's very flattering! I'm so glad you like my work. I really did think that interview was one of my best... but enough about me, we're here to talk about you! Ah, both of you! (paper rustling) First question: Edge, we all know you're a second generation hero, even if you've been very secretive about your origin. What made you decide to follow in your parent's footsteps? (pause) Or more generally, what made the two of you decide to become heroes? (1) (brief pause) Edge: Tina, I knew from the minute I was born that I was going to be a hero. I was lucky enough to have a parent on the Freedom League, a true hero who stood alongside the Centurion and the first Lady Liberty in the brightest, and darkest hours of Freedom City's history. The lessons I learned about duty, commitment, and honor have stuck with me since then....plus, it's really fun! Yeah, I've always wanted to be a hero. I'm just glad I've got the powers to go with it! Wander: (inaudible) TT: Could you speak up a little? I'm recording this. Wander: Sorry. I guess I sort of fell into it. I got these powers sort of by chance, and I decided I should try and do something good with them. I wanted to help people. Joining Young Freedom- TT: Yes, that brings me right to the next question! Young Freedom burst onto the scene last summer in that spectacular televised battle at the baseball stadium. When did you all decide to become a team and start working together? (2) Edge: Right then and there! We'd been friends for a while before that, but once we knew what a great team we were, we decided we'd be crazy not to go into action together! You should have been there, Tina, it was a really great fight! I made robots explode, and Wander ripped their heads off! It was totally wild. Wander: Well, it was on TV, she probably saw it. We'd sort of already been working together, like Edge said, but not in any real fights. It's not like we go out looking for trouble or- TT: Trouble finds you, of course! That's the amazing thing about being a superhero, isn't it? Edge, we know already how amazing your luck powers are, we've seen them turn the tide in fantastic ways in battles before. Do you feel it's this power that makes you the heart of Young Freedom, or is it your charisma and leadership? (3a) Wander: (coughs) Edge: With all due respect, Tina, I'm not the heart of Young Freedom. They've all got the heart of a true hero inside them, and that's what makes us such a great team. I'm just there to make things a little easier for all of them. That's what really makes a hero, you know, it's not just having powers. If you believe in yourself, if you really, truly believe you can do something, you can. That's what I believe, and that's what everyone else on our team believes too. TT: Beautifully said, Edge. But as a team member, Wander, what do you think it is that makes Edge such a compelling leader? (3b) Wander: Well... he's really lucky. And he's a nice guy, too. Maybe he doesn't come up with all the ideas, but I guess he knows the most of anyone about how to act like superheroes. And he likes to stand front and center, I guess that helps too. TT: (laughs) That's very funny! And it brings up another question. Young Freedom is a team with such diverse powers, you must have diverse personalities as well. How do you get along, working together day in and day out? (4) Edge: Like gangbusters! (laughs) We're all really good friends, on and off the team. Some of us are even more than friends, in fact, but I don't want to name names, heh-heh. TT: So does that mean you two are- (5a) Edge: No! No, I mean, Wander and I are just really good friends. She's saved my bacon many times. I'm actually going out with Seraph right now. (coughs) Seraph's great, though, really great. Next question? Wander: Most of us are just friends. We have so much to do already, between school and training and actually doing hero work, there's not a lot of time for anything else. Some people manage it better than others, I guess. TT: Tell me, uh, Wander, is it difficult for you being a teenage superheroine these days? I know being a role model for young women must be very difficult, especially with people like Edge and Phalanx on your team. (5b) Wander: What's that supposed to mean? Edge: I, uh, think she meant that it's tough because it's mostly guys who have the showy powers on our team, right Tina? So if you're trying to be a role model for women, you have to work twice as hard to get noticed. Wander: Oh. Well, with teammates like Psyche and Seraph, that's not much of a problem. They take care of all that. I just try to do my job and not worry about it. If people do pay attention, I figure I'll be enough of a role model if I'm doing what I'm supposed to do and doing it as best- TT: Of course! That's an admirable sentiment. Another thing we've noticed at Teen Hero is the great variety in costumes you all have. How did you come up with your costume designs? (6) Edge: I made mine myself! It was way back before I knew what kind of powers I was going to have. That's why it's got a lot of design elements, I didn't know what I'd have to cover. I should add, by the way, that I just did the design: it was my mom who sewed it together and found all the parts and design. She's an artist. Thanks, Mom! Wander: (inaudible) TT: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Wander: I had my costume given to me. I didn't design it or anything, I just took what was available. It's okay. TT: Ah, I see. Edge, Wander, where do you see yourself in five years? (7) Edge: On the Freedom League, fighting bad guys. Or maybe teaching at our school, I just dunno. I want to pass things on to future generations, you know? I've been really lucky my whole life, and I want to try and pass down some of that luck to the people I care about the whole world. And my friends and family too. Wander: Probably on the Freedom League. I guess. Or doing hero work somewhere else. I like working with Young Freedom, so I guess that's probably what I'll end up doing- TT: That's great! I had no idea you had aspirations to be a teacher, Edge, that's so admirable. What's your favorite subject in school? (8) Edge: Um, I guess I like all of them pretty well. History, I guess! That's how you know where you came from, and where you're going. I really like history. Wander: English is my favorite. I like to read, and the reports and stuff don't bother me. I don't like diagramming sentences and that kind of thing, though. TT: Ah, I see. Well, it's good that you're both setting such a good example for our younger readers. Tell me, what would you say was the strangest adventure you've ever been on? (9) Edge: Me personally? Uh, the time my dad and some of his old buddies took me to the gender-reversed dimension. That place was a little weird...but on the team, the weirdest was probably that time we fought those giant Nazi robots. They were some pretty bad guys! (pause) TT: And how about you, Wander? Wander: Well, one time I helped chase a three-foot tall talking rabbit across a couple of dimensions to rescue a mall security guard. I think that was probably the strangest thing I've done so far. But the Nazi robots were weird, too. TT: Wow, the things we don't always get to hear are amazing! Tell me, what goes through your mind when you get the call to action? Are you nervous, excited? (10) Edge: I'm never nervous. Well. a little sometimes. But I'm always excited, and ready to go out and do my best to stop the bad guys and make a better world for everybody else. There's no better feeling than realizing that the world needs you! Wander: It's hard to say, because you never know what's going on when you first get the call. It could be something really terrible that's going to threaten the whole city, or it could be a training drill. I guess I try to reserve judgment until I know what's going on, but I always feel... anticipation, I guess. TT: What do you think has been your greatest triumph to date, the one you know you'll tell your grandkids about? (11) Edge: We saved a village of people in Africa from being destroyed by a volcanic eruption. I know, it wasn't anything showy or flashy, nothing world-saving or anything....but there were kids there, and they were really happy, and they hugged us afterwards. They all got to keep their homes and stay safe, and we even helped them make peace with their neighbors afterwards. It was a good day. Wander: It's hard to say. We can't always talk about all our missions, for a lot of reasons. But the trip to Erde, even though it was weird, was a really good one. I think we really managed to make a difference there, at least for the moment. They still have a long way to go, but now they have a better chance. TT: And what about regrets? You do so many difficult, near-impossible things. Are there any missions that didn't go the way you planned, or rescues that just couldn't be done? (12) Edge: No, I think we've always accomplished what we've set out to do. I mean not everything has gone right all the time, but I think we've always won our fights and beaten the bad guys at the end of the day. (pause) TT: And how about you, Wander? (pause) Edge: Tina, I think what Wander wants to say is that we've all come a long way to get where we are, and that hasn't always been easy. But the important thing is, now we're all working together to build a better world. Wander: Sometimes things don't work out the way you wish they would have. Sometimes there's nothing even superpowers will do about it. But you keep going on, because you still have a job to do. Next question, please. (pause) TT: Wander, do you find it difficult to balance your academic career with your heroing work? (13a) Wander: Sometimes. It helps that I only sleep every few days. When I first... I mean, last summer I had to spend a lot of time catching up on some things I was behind on, but now that's taken care of. But I've learned not to put off my homework, in case some emergency comes up when I was planning on doing it. TT: Good advice! And how about you, Edge? Are you enjoying school? (13b) Edge: I am! School's not that hard when you get right down to it. I mean, I have to study just like anyone else. Wander and I are in a lot of the same kinds of classes. But if you just go in, work hard, and make sure you're prepared, you can do great anywhere. Stay in school, kids, and you can reach for the stars! TT: That's great to hear, Edge! Kids today really need that kind of encouragement. Do you see yourself having kids some day? (14) Edge: Oh, uh, eventually, some day, but not for a while yet. I mean, I'm still in high school. My dad waited till he was older to settle down, and I think I'd like to do the same. There's a lot of the world to see out there. Wander: Um... I don't know. It's hard to say right now, who knows what's going to happen, right? I kind of think I'll probably be too busy doing hero work. That's not the sort of thing that's easy to do if you have a family. TT: Well, you have lots of time to decide, I'm sure! What's it like to try and maintain a heroic identity and still live a normal life? Do you feel like you can ever be normal teenagers? (15) Edge: Oh, sure, I mean, I'm a perfectly normal teenager. Maybe I grew up hearing stories other kids didn't, and got some training they didn't, but it's actually pretty easy to balance your normal life with your heroic life. Right, Wander? Wander: (pause) Yeah, sure it is, Edge. No problem. I guess if you don't really know what it's like to have a totally normal life, you don't even know what you're missing. It just seems normal to you. TT: What would you say to children who want to follow in your footsteps? (16) Edge: Well, uh, Tina, that depends on the kids and what they can do. Kids born with superpowers should definitely find a way to get powers-training, either at a special school or through the government. Kids without powers, well, that's a little tougher. Get in really good shape, stay in school, and find your niche! And for goodness sake, don't try and be a hero if you don't know how to be. Dozens of kids die every year trying to be imitators. Just don't do it. Wander: I'm not sure that's going to come up, but I'd tell them to appreciate what they've got. It's not so bad being a regular person with family and friends and school and sports. You might miss it more than you think if it went away. TT: Now Edge, I hate to embarrass you, but our female readers are desperate to know. What would you consider your ideal girl? (17a) Edge: Well, uh, I would describe my ideal girl as a, um, a friend. You know, someone who I can respect, and who respects me, and who has a lot of mutual interests with me. I guess that's my answer, then. (pause) TT: And you, Wander? Who would be your ideal boyfriend? (17b) Wander: I don't really know. I guess I'll know him when I see him. TT: I see. Edge, what are your thoughts on the Freedom League's current composition? If there is a shakeup in the next few years, who would you like to see move onto it? (18a) Edge: Well, uh, I want you to know that I have nothing but respect for Captain Thunder and everything he's done as team leader. But you know, I think Lady Liberty would make an equally good leader. I mean, she's the symbol of America and liberty, what better symbol do you have than that? I think if Captain Thunder retired or moved into a supporting role, that might make things easier. I mean, the current League, it's had some PR issues lately, you know? Some new blood could really help them out. TT: And what are your thoughts on that, Wander? (18b) Wander: Um. (pause) I like Lady Liberty too. I think she's great. The whole League is pretty amazing. TT: They certainly are, aren't they? We're lucky to have heroes like them, and like you kids, protecting us. Edge, or Wander, what would you say is the greatest single threat to the human race right now? (19) Edge: Global warming? I mean, all the bad guys out there, they're things we can punch and blow up and make go away. The heroes of Freedom City and the world can handle that. But the other problems, the ones people cause for themselves, like pollution and stuff, they've got to handle without us. And that's pretty important, because that's about the whole planet. Wander: Drug companies. They advertise in magazines like yours, acting like they're benevolent saviors, like they're superheroes themselves, when they're really just bloodthirsty robbers who don't care if they get rich off of murdering- TT: All right then! That's very, ah, a very interesting perspective, but we're almost out of time for this interview. For our last question, why don't you tell our readers what the very best thing about being a superhero is? (20) Edge: The best thing about being a superhero? Why that's easy! It's saving the day! Putting your life on the line for other people is the best feeling there is. I'll be doing it till I'm too old to go any further. Wander: Making a difference. It's hard work to always be training, and to go out day after day to face whatever's coming our way, but if you can see at the end of the day that you've made things better, that people are better off because of what you did, that's what counts. It's like Edge says, it's the best feeling there is. TT: That's all the questions I have for today, and I know you both have very busy schedules. Thanks so much for stopping by to talk with Teen Hero! Edge: It's always a pleasure, Tina! Watch for Young Freedom, because we're watching for YOU! Wander: (pause) Right. Thanks for having us. (end transcript)

He's so cool, thought Mark admiringly. That's how a grim avenger of evil conducts himself. If only the real Midnight hadn't had to die so he could take his place! Still, he was hardly going to hold that sad fact against his new buddy. Sitting back on a lawn chair that he luckily found in the grass, he took out a little notebook with which to keep score.

"All I can tell you is what I know. The blood of the Dragon is more...potent than the blood of others. The transformation cannot take place accidentally, or quickly. To fall into the blood of the Dragon is to accept personal corruption. Damnation." He sounded tired as he spoke, hashing over some very old wounds indeed. "Have heard that Vlad Tepes was simply another name for Him. That he lived even before those years, so long ago, when his first children come from."

"Angels and ministers of grace defend us," Jack quoted automatically. His arm over Taylor's shoulders, he made a slow way to the Archetech front door, ever-mindful of the crowded urban night around them that had suddenly gone so very hostile. He couldn't help but think of his people, all of them in danger from the undead demigod in the city, but with any luck they'd be all right: Claudia was the only other vampire in the city directly of Dracula's blood, and she...well, she wasn't his responsibility, as much as it pained him to admit that. His responsibilities were in his arms as they burst through the door of Archetech, Jack calling out, "We need some help over here! We need...the Doctor!"

To his own immense surprise, Jack took a deep, shuddering breath, and then another, his perceptions bizarrely warped between human and vampire until at least his undead nature came surging to the fore. His pointed teeth pulled back in a snarl, he hissed like an animal comforting his mate for a moment before he found it in him to speak. "Taylor? You okay? Oh, you're hurt..." He rolled over and touched her stomach, where there was no blood but he could hear the pain. "We've got to get inside. He'll be able to find me anywhere in the city."

Avenger was tense under Dead Head's hand, then he didn't feel like anything at all, his body language for a half-second like nothing more than the animate dead. "Been around the young before. But only new vampires. Not much experience with babies." Avenger thought about the new vampires he'd helped raise, the savage creatures of impulse and violence who lusted for food and satisfaction in a thousand terrible ways. Surely human infants couldn't be like that. "And we'll need to stay together. A dhampir is an enemy of both worlds. However tolerant the heroes of Freedom CIty may have been, my own people have different standards. And not all human beings are so forgiving of our nature." Slowly, he relaxed.

Jack lingered for a few moments in the darkened cellar, the scene of so much action that it was better his human friends not know about, but soon joined his wife upstairs for the long wait and the mutual grieving. Maybe Stesha didn't like him much, but the fault there had been on his side. So many dead humans, so many dead friends, and all of it with the slim hope of recovery, that she wouldn't just grow into a lovely new tree down there. Taylor was upset, and he did everything he could to comfort her, offering a familiar embrace and reassuring words.

Well he did drop some pretty strong hints about where (and who) the bad guys are, as well as what's going on. The Tyranny League is on Star Island and they've come in some strength. With what purpose? A nefarious one! And the rest of the good-guy League is around there somewhere under lock and key. How they got there isn't relevant to this part of the adventure. There's also the mystery of the thing they were trying to steal...