Vahnyu

While Subito could change his attire in an instant, Serge had to do it manually. Thankfully, the comotion was still going strong, and combined with Net Fly's superhuman speed, he was able to sneak by towards the toilets, where he had stashed his bag, with nary a soul realizing it. At the bathroom, Serge was able to find his bag, opened it, and carefully, he started changing his clothes in the stall, making sure that he was alone. All the while, his heart was pounding harder and harder, while his mind was racing. After he was done, he packed up, and exited the bathroom, and headed towards Subito, who was waiting for him. "..." Serge was taking deep breaths, and his look was almost vacant, as he half-heartedly replied "Interesting choice of words, Subito...", all the while his gaze was fixed slightly downwards, towards the floor. "We needed the help of another hero, and we still had to fight for our lives to take down one measly, third-rate villain, not to mention 'person'..." he continued, now raising his eyes towards his wounded compatriot "Suffering wounds all the while, both physical..." before turning his gaze to the floor again "...and mental." Leaving out a chuckle, as he continued whispering to his friend "And you know what the worst part is?... It's quite possible that we had it easy. If she wasn't alone-and no, those stupid goons don't count-and if she didn't play nice, then..." he trailed a bit, as he let that thought hang in the air. "If that was... 'awesome', as you say, then why?..." he once again leveled his look at his comrade, revealing the tears that formed in Serge's eyes "... why does this feel to me like a complete failure?"

"We understand" Net Fly replied. "Well met, G-Stunt, we will keep it in mind. Fare well." Net Fly waved at the now retreating vigilante, the one called G-Stunt. Turning to his friend, Subito, Net Fly responded. "Let's just hand her over. I don't much care sticking around more than I have to." As soon as the officers arrived, Net Fly delivered them Looking Glass, and told them, as he motioned towards the downed goons "They're all yours, officers. One Looking Glass and four nondescript, two-bit thugs. Just make sure she stays away from her gadgets." Handing her over to the police officers, Net Fly took flight motioning for El Heraldo, after he made sure they put handcuffs on Looking Glass and her helpers. "Let's go."

Perhaps, but Net Fly is worried. Even if Looking Glass gave us a fight for our money, the whole issue was resolved too easily, perhaps too neatly. Looking Glass is, after all, part of a larger group of villains, the Thieves' Guild. Perhaps the attack on the mall was simply a diversion tactic, something big and flashy to take the eyes of any hero on the area from another hit? Perhaps something even more valuable was stolen during the commosion, perhaps it was even a powerful experimental weapon? And yes, Looking Glass doesn't strike me as one to take a fall for her teammates, even if they can guarantee escape for her, but perhaps even she didn't know she was used as a scape goat. I think we should at least address the possibility. Who knows, maybe this will set the stage for a more complex, more sinister plot, something to be addressed on a future thread...

"Good to know guys." Net Fly breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't say anything but even though he didn't get hurt, he had overexerted himself and was feeling very tired. "Which reminds me, umm..." Net Fly said uncertainly, "I don't think we've properly introduced ourselves... I am Net Fly, and my friend over there," he said, motioning to the now hovering superhero "is El Heraldo, as you might have already gathered. And you are...?" Soon, the police officers had arrived, ready to put handcuffs on the villainess. "You wouldn't happen to know what's the deal with *her*, would you?" Net Fly said to the hero with the military costume, motioning for the villainess known as 'Looking Glass'.

Net Fly was completely focused on restraining the villainess, almost to the point of obsession. G-Stunt's words, however, clearly aimed at him more than at Looking Glass, snapped him out of it, as he realised that he might have been a bit too forceful. Net Fly relaxed a bit, and even though he hadn't let go of Looking Glass, it was clear that he wasn't exerting half the pressure he previously was. He was still upset, but now he was more under control, not letting his anger flow. "Yeah!" Net Fly almost snapped at her. "You didn't *mean* hurting the old lady. Hah! That's why El Heraldo is now sporting a..." he trailed off a bit, before recomposing himself from that sudden outburst, by taking a deep breath. "Very well. If you promise to behave, I *might* not break your arm after all." It was an empty threat, and it was obvious that Net Fly used it more out of a need for effect, since he had relaxed his grip a bit, but it was also certain that it would only remain true so long as he remained as calm as he was now. "But from now on, I would suggest that you keep quiet, and refrain from trying any funny busyness until the cops arrest you, or else, I'll have to seriously rethink my generosity towards you. What I'm saying is: 'Don't test me.' Is that understood?" he asked her. Turning to his allies, Net Fly asked "Are you guys alright?"

With a score of 17(or even 15[-2 Strenght[-1 STR bonus])+(-1 Attack)], if Fatigue has settled in by now) on his grapple, Net Fly automatically passes his grapple check.

While Looking Glass was getting wailed on by both El Heraldo and G-Stunt, Net Fly wanted to make another grab for her, but he remembered that last time he did, he was met with utter failure. No. I have to calm down. I can't rush it. I have to look carefully for a weak spot, a time of distraction, something!..., he thought, and as soon as El Heraldo uppercuted her, Net Fly's eyes flashed. Now! Trying to grab Looking Glass's hands, from behind her, Net Fly noticed that, through all her confusion and distress, she still noticed him, and tried to avoid his hold once more. Unfortunately, for her, it was too little, too late, as Net Fly managed to get ahold of her. Using his superhuman strength, that was further augmented from his suit, Net Fly, easily brought both of Looking Glass's hands behind her back and bound them with one hand, while he used the other hand to safely lock her body in place, with a little help from using his feet as a leverage. "Well, then, you-grn-you *old crone*!" Net Fly taunted her, as he maintained his hold. "Show me how you're planning of getting out of this! What's the matter? No witty reparte, this time? No 'how fair of you to gang up on little *old* me'? While conveniently forgeting the armed help you had hired? Fear not, you bloody hag. After this is over, you are facing charges of theft, unlawfully faking mass murder, and an attempted murder. It's at least 30 years jailtime, if not the life sentence, for you. Ha! And you thought I was the slow one."

Net Fly uses a Full Round Action to Aim Looking Glass, Surges, and uses a standard action to initiate a grapple. Rolling Attack: 1d20+10 → [11,10] = (21) Success Rolling Grapple check against Looking Glass's Grapple check: 1d20+17 → [9,17] = (26) Looking Glass rolls to overcome the grapple.

Posted IC. I'm leaving the details on how Looking Glass evaded the grab to Airon. Ari, You're up!

Flames begun erupting from Net Fly's eyes, as he heard the villainess' taunting threat. First, the illusion, and now an actual threat? Net Fly couldn't remember the last time he had pushed himself so hard. He could feel the exhaustion starting to creep up on him. However, he was not ready to give up yet, and to his great delight, neither was his new friend. Hearing the last part, light dawned on Net Fly, as he realised the hidden meaning behind El Heraldo's words. I'm far tougher than that little laser of yours can deal with? He is gonna try that? Net Fly thought as he felt his strength coming back to him. Heh. That's right. A hostage is not an advantage... It's a crutch, at best. Pushing beyond his tiredness, Net Fly accelerated, closing the distance between him and the villainess, and made a grab for her. There are no re-do's here. We either succeed, or we fail. El Heraldo, it's all up to you. he thought, as he drived in, focusing his concentration completely at the task ahead. However, he quickly realised that his efforts were all for naught...

So, if everything thus far is ok, it's my turn now. First things first, spending 1 HP as a free action, to get rid of Net Fly's Fatigue. 23) G-Stunt, 2 HP, bruised, injured 10) Looking glass, unharmed 6) Heraldo, 0 HP, bruised 4) Net Fly, 1 HP, unharmed now, time to get real. I am using a move action to fly and completely close the distance between me and Looking Glass. This action provokes Looking Glass's Readied action, which in turn provokes El Heraldo's Reaction, Interpose. After the interpose is resolved, I am using a free action, to switch my active Sonic Converter power to Volume Amp. I am using my standard action to initiate a grapple. I am also using my last HP to get Improve Roll for the attack check.(the upper roll is considered first, and the lower roll is considered second) 1d20+5 → [14,5] = (19) 1d20+5 → [4,5] = (9) 23) G-Stunt, 2 HP, bruised, injured 10) Looking glass, unharmed 6) Heraldo, 0 HP, bruised 4) Net Fly, 0 HP, unharmed Airon and Arichamus roll next.

Sorry, Ari. You must be adjacent to the one you protect, and by attempting to move, you provoke the reaction immediately...

Ok... I think I've got it. Can G-Stunt use 2 HPs in succession, 1 to aqcuire the Feat Distract, and 1 to use it with Improved Roll? p121 "You can spend as many hero points as you have, but only one hero point on any given benefit per round." If he does that, he will be very likely to succeed. I'm not sure I can think anything else... :(

and using stealth is a tricky busyness... does stealth combine with subtle movement in any way?

Would running by and grabbing the hostage count as provoking the readied action?

If this is another Illusion, do we get a Will Save?

We can use a hero point as soon as our turn comes up.

At the sight of the girls falling, Net Fly breathed "No.... no..." Immediately sprinting towards the ledge, he shouted "NO!" An Illusion? They were... No. "Don't be fooled, El Heraldo! She is playing with your mind!" Net Fly shouted, as he dived in order to pick up the slack for his colleague. As soon as he reached the first girl, Net Fly said "Don't be afraid ma'am, I'll-huh?" The moment Net Fly reached out to her, the girl vanished, as if she was never there. El Heraldo warned me. I was such a fool. The other girls must also be... No, don't lose focus, it's all in your mind. This may have been an illusion, but the other two must be real. I can't chance it. he thought. Working fast, Net Fly reached for the second girl, only to once again be met with nothing but air. Crap, the second one was also an illusion... as if a veil had been lifted from his mind's eye, Net Fly realised that he had been played for a fool. The only thing that surpassed his rage, right now, was the immense feeling of shame. What?! They... they all were fake... All of them... How could I not see it?... Damn it... Damn...

1d20+4 → [6,4] = (10) Failed my DC. Surging to get an additional Action this turn. Move Action to reach one of the girls. Move Action to catch her, 1d20+3 → [18,3] = (21) 1d20+4 → [1,4] = (5) Move Action to catch the second girl, 1d20+3 → [5,3] = (8) Automatically pass the Will Save, per GM's permission.

When the thugs opened fire, Net Fly was paralyzed for a moment, before regaining his composure. "EL HERALDO!" he shouted, as he realised that his friend thankfully brushed off most of the damage. Dammit. The other hero seems to have been shot, too! No time to be scared, Serge. You have to get to work, here. he thought solemnly. As his friend's inspiring words invigorated Net Fly's spirit, he took flight, nearing the ceiling, and, from up there, he unleashed his attacks upon the two smug thugs that were left standing. "Go to sleep, small fries!" He shouted at them. His fists were briefly covered in sonic energy, as he took aim at the two thugs, before releasing two streams of vibrational sonic energy that crossed the room in a matter of instants. He managed to hit the thug on his right with little effort on his right squarely on the chest, while he nearly missed the thug to his left. Turning his attention at the woman, Net Fly growled at her "Alright, *auntie*. I've let you play for far too long. You seem to have an unhealthy obsession with sparkly objects. Not to worry, though" he smiled a taunting smile at the villainess, "By the time I'm through beating the tar out of you, you'll be seeing sparkles for weeks!"

Sorry for the delay. Ok, here I go. Assuming that Net Fly is by now in the jewlery store, As a free action I activate Flight in the Fly Movement Array, I use my Move Action(Flight 25ft/Move Action) to position myself above the ground, near the ceiling, and in range of 30-60ft away from the thugs. As for the standart Action, as a free action, I activate Sonic Blasts, and use the Split Attack with them, splitting them in two attacks of 4 ranks each, with a range of 4x25=100ft, thanks to the Improved Range Feat. As targets, I choose the two thugs. 1d20+9 → [15,9] = (24) 1d20+9 → [3,9] = (12) With a defense of 12, both thugs are hit. They are both saving against DC19 Toughness

I won't be able to post for some time, today. but I think I'll be able at about 6 hours from now. Sorry for the delay :(

The instant Serge heard the alarm, he realised that things took a turn for the worse. "Look... just try to remain calm, ma'am. I'm sure the proper authorities are on their way." he said to the cleaning lady, trying to comfort her as best as he could. Looking at his friend Subito, he run at him, and whispered "Hey, I think I'm gonna head for the toilet, take care of an urgent matter, you know. I'll be back in a second or two." Not losing any time, Serge sped with all haste at the nearest men's room, making sure he grabbed his bag on the way. Upon arriving, he entered a stall, locked it, and opened the bag. Inside, there where books and notebooks. Behind them, though, inside a hidden compartment, Serge had stored his costume. Removing it as quickly as he could, he started changing clothes. First was the full body grey costume, that only left his eyes exposed. Second, was the chest-phone harness, followed by the tool belt, and the black boots. Finally, Serge put his blue gloves, which connected to the rest of the costume immidiately. Putting his civilian clothes inside his bag, and stashing it under the toilet seat, he made his way out of the bathroom, by running very fast. By the time he had stopped three things had happened. He was outside of the store. He was no longer Serge. And he was very, very angry. All week! This could happen any time during this whole week. It just HAD to happen on my downtime. Great. Taking flight, he spotted a colorfully dressed individual, wearing a brilliant jacket with blue and red tights, a bandana and a hat covering his face, and a flagpole with the flag of Puerto Rico. Landing softly by what he regognised as his newest friend, Subito, he said "So, 'El Heraldo'. Are we ready to find out just exactly what is going on here?" Now, he was only Net Fly.

1d20+3 → [1,3] = (4)

1d20+5 → [20,5] = (25) Natural 20!