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(GM Post) November, 2024 Claremont Academy Gates Carmen and Mizuki had been volunteered to help with cleanup from the Claremont Halloween party. It was mostly separating recycling, cardboard to cans to plastic, while leftover candy was being donated and handed out to charities. It was a bit boring for work, but it was also a nice way to get some extra credit on a few classes; either if they needed it or if they just wanted to juice a grade. The pair were currently sorting the boxes out near the entrance to the school into various bins, so that when the trucks came by the pick up, they'd know which box to grab without having to go searching. It was a bit of a dreary, overcast day, with rain constantly threatening to break through the clouds but never for more than a few seconds. A dreary day that had left two Super-heroines who had done some superheroing together a bit of time to be alone and talk, without the presence of evil villains or their other friends dominating the conversation.

GM Afternoon, Wednesday November 13th,2024 The Schuster Auditorium, Hanover, Freedom City Now, as far as coach Armstrong is concerned, Violet Squad is in for a treat, being chosen to be the squad to join him for an incursion to Schuster Auditorium to the Ultimate Wrestling League exhibition. The somewhat rough and tumble coach, not always a hit with the students, though he proclaims that he is only acting as he is to toughen them up, is, of course, not using this as an excuse to have Claremont pay for his ticket, no. This is all for the sake of the students. "Now, isn't this excitin', kids?" he proclaims, as he stops near the entrance after having lead the squad inside the auditorium, which is filled with a people watching a number of exhibition matches between the league's super powered wrestlers. He is clad in a black jacket with the UWL logo proudly emblazoned on the back, his large blonde moustache neatly trimmed for the occasion. "See over there? And there!" The coach is excited, and the atmosphere is frankly infectious here. "Take it all in, kids. Today we're gonna learn all about the sweet art of wrasslin'!"

Shooting Star 12:45, Saturday the 29th of June Above the Fens Alice checked the time again, still fifteen minutes early. She had been super confused when first reading the message to her Shooting Star account asking for a meeting, most of the time her account just got tagged in videos of her doing her standard patrols, helping people move heavy furniture around and things like that. Most of the time when people messaged her to ask to meet she just directed them to try find her on patrol, but most of the time wasn't another hero asking to meet up. She had looked up Golden Star, finding a few videos, plus some fans talking about him but overall he seemed pretty new. She could respect someone willing to ask for advice from someone with similar powers who'd been active for longer, and she'd agreed to a time and place pretty soon after that. That had of course led to her scrambling together ideas for what she could teach him, but that was beside the point. Despite it being early she was still looking around for an early showing while stretching to limber up her new costume, the high tech fibers still adjusting to her.

(Golden Star Post) November, 2024 Doom Room, Claremont High Baz and Michael had been practicing in the Doom Room on one day. Michael had recently learned how to shoot his own type of laser beams, similar to Baz, and he had been getting help from the Insectoid student to learn more about how to use them, since he hadn't figured it out. As always, Michael was willing to ask for help when he needed it, and he'd paid for Baz's time in pizza and soda for the bug kid to eat while he tutored Michael in how to shoot laser beams. He had helped with studying too, but he knew when he needed to pay someone actual things for their help, and this was one of those kinds. His beams were golden blasts of light that erupted from his eyes or fingers, and while he had first few had been quite inaccurate, under Baz's help he was slowly becoming more and more accurate with them. He at least wasn't scorching the walls or floors as he was trying to practice. When a handful of new targets came down, floating on little drones, he focused his energy, making a glowing star on his index and middle finger. With his index finger extended, he took careful aim and blasted through a handful of targets one after the other while Baz watched. When he finished, he brought a smoking finger to his lips and blew it out like a candle with a grin to him. "...Like that, right?" he asked Baz, checking for confirmation. "You're way better at this then me, so I'm hoping I can figure this out."

(GM Post) Mid November, 2024 Wharton State Forest, Outside of Freedom City A spark of black lightning caused a bit of a stir out in Wharton Forest. It was in the middle of the forest, near an abandoned camp site- one that had been removed from the acceptable camping grounds due to a string of accidents on it-. It wasn't seen by anyone, but it did make a sound. A few more bolts of lightning happened, bouncing between the trees but leaving no scorch marks or burns. This event grew in intensity over a few minutes, more and more crackling bolts of lightning filling up the air around the forest. Finally, with a shuddering gasp, like the gargle of a dying man, Something emerged from nowhere, a great, shuddering egg of spongy flesh, rhythmically pulsing like it was breathing, glowing red and black. Somewhere else Muirne was having a very normal day, absolutely unaware of what was going to come her way soon. For now, to her, it was just a completely normal, not so special day. What did a normal day look like to Muirne? An average weekday with nothing special intended.

GM Wednesday afternoon Sept 18 Millennium Mall Crowds moved through the mall in their usual ebbs and flows as the people shopped and wandered about. The food court was bustling with activity as the lunch crowd buzzed with chatter. And in one of the central intersections of the mall a crowd gathered to watch the small film crew that had set up camp to capture the mall as background for its ‘on-location’ shooting. A local daytime drama, popular with local viewers for being set in the city and sometimes filming on location. Uniformed FCPD peppered the perimeter of the filming crews. Just like any other day in Freedom, the multitude of civilians had no idea just how many superheroes found their way into the mall on a daily basis. Today was no different as several members of one of the newer teams, the Young Guardians, ventured into the mall to enjoy a well deserved lunch after a reprieve from training by their leader and taskmaster. But they are far from alone the only heroes blending in with the crowds this day. Eira, another Claremont Alumni, was at the Childrens’ Museum nestled within the giant mall. The new interactive exhibit easily coming together as she worked.

A Small Problem August 28th, 2024 Freedom City King Cole the Third, aka Renee King, was preparing for Claremont. Exciting! As was the prospect of potion manufacture. Magic Potions! Double Exciting! But what was triple exciting? A letter! Not your fancy e mail or other electronic conversation, no no. This was a hand written letter, in fine caligraphy, inviting Renee King, granddaughter of the original King Cole, too a mysterious and mystical problem! Someone, it seems, was intent on cursing the ghastly fluids and matter of Freedom City Sewers, and the young Renee, master of the mystical arts (of potions) was just the person to concoct the solution. And the author of this fine handwriting, a Professor Armitage, expert in occultism, history and - it seemed (from a quick internet search) - pretty much everything that wasn't modern (although he was no slouch in modern sociology, psychology, and so on, from all accounts). Based in Freedom City, and whilst somewhat "Stiff" and "Hard" according to students, a very knowledgable man indeed, with an excellent style in tweed jackets and the occasional pipe of tobacco (not indoors, of course)...

GM February 1st, 2024 The Digital Den, a hip and happening cyber cafe Emerald City The Digital Den is new, but not exactly well known. The owner doesn't advertise it. They serve a more exclusive clientele than the regular cyber cafes, not just gamers that want the latest fix for the newest online game, but hackers and crackers alike. White, grey or black hat, it doesn't matter. If the mysterious owner M has heard about you, you will receive an encrypted invitation. All activity is rerouted through a multitude of constantly randomized VPN connections to numerous off site networks owned through various shell companies spread across the globe. M claims that it is secure, that no one will be able to track you while you are there. All that he asks in return for patronage is that you share. Information should be free. Haven has found himself part of the Digital Den's clientele. The current location is in a basement in the industrial district. Computers line the tables, with people sitting in front of them, typing away. The lights are somewhat dim, techno jazz is playing. M has spread a rumor that MarsTech is up to something. Maybe that is something worth looking into.

GM Evening, Thursday October 31st,2024 A fancy apartment building in Parkside, Freedom City "I really appreciate you doing this on such notice, Casper," Jessie says from the couch, her resting on top of it. Normally, she was fine, but today Jessie Taylor Wilson had the worst luck of her life. Everything had just seemed to go wrong. Dropped her favorite cup by accident, stepped on the cat's tail, scratched her car, and so on, and finally, she had fallen and sprained her leg. It wasn't too bad, but she had to rest, which meant no going out trick or treating at the big event at Liberty Park for her daughter Carrie. Carrie had her own idea, of course. Call in her dad, and get him to go with her. Jessie had hesitated a bit. They're on good terms, the split was (mostly) amicable, but still... he might have plans. As it turns out, those plans weren't anything that he wouldn't drop to take his 10 years old daughter trick or treating, and he had brought his girlfriend, Lynn, who Carrie absolutely adored. The plan is set for Halloween, then, as Carrie, dressed up as Lady Liberty, eagerly waits for her parents to stop talking so they can go already.

In this world, there are unexplained mysteries. There are powers beyond human comprehension, knowledge beyond what people can learn. But there is also curiosity, that attempts to forever shine a light on those mysteries and curiosities. But what happens when curiosity turns beyond acceptable? What happens when Curiosity becomes Obsession, when Obsession becomes Hunger? The sparks of knowledge- the fire of Prometheus-, fall where they may. That others might be burned by them is of no consequence to the man whose only desire is to Know. Early September, 2024. The Fens The Fens could never catch a break. Sure, there wasn’t a Doomforge hanging above it like Kingston, but no one had ever really tried to make The Fens into a more respectable place; the same seedy porn stores, the same waterfront houses, barely hanging above the marsh that continues to threaten the city. Once, the Alien Gator had wrestled with Freedom Eagle in this area. Now, The Gators- a gang from the most mosquito filled, marshiest area- and the Eagles- a hispanic gang seeking to take over the waterfront bars- exchanged fists and gunshots between the streets. When the Theater District ended, so did the funds, so did the care. The Beaudrie Opera House was refurbished, recreated, and remade. But Tucker’s Theater, an arguably just as historic movie theater that had shown movies for 70 years, was left to dilapitate, the side of the building graffiti’d back and forth as a spot of territory the Gators and the Eagles fought over. Whenever one group was pushed back, the other would quickly paint over the previous tags, declaring it their own. When that group was pushed back, the tags would be replaced, repeated every few weeks. But now Tucker’s Theater was burning in the early evening. Wooden beams twisted under fire, splintering into ash. The brick facades were licked by flame, turning a sheer, burning black as they were charcoaled. Plastic melted and bubbled on the front, still showing the times for the last few movies the theater showed before it closed down a few years ago. It was brighter than the setting sun, illuminating the nearby blocks in the darkness. And outside it, the Eagles sat in or on cars, watching the blaze, laughing and jeering at the members of the Gators that were trapped in the burning building. Had they set the fire, or were they lucky bystanders? It was unclear at this moment, but one thing was sure; they were not helping the situation, and the fire threatened to roast those alive and even spread. To them, if they couldn't have it, it seemed they were fine with no one having it.

Monday March 5th In the worst slums of Freedom City Night time, decorated by a sprinkling of atmospheric rain. A fuzzy moon shone in the night sky. Here and there, betwixt the cloud cover, stars twinkled. It was a cold night, but the air was still. The drizzling rain fell down straight, rather than driving into your face. Still, one would have to wrap up warm or seek cover to see the morning. Even the homeless of Freedom of City knew that. The newest version of the Archer had got wind of a new drug that was been tested on the vagrants of Freedom City. Something that burned you up - sometimes literally. Increased strength and raised body temperature. Might keep you warm on dark nights, they said. And free. If you came to the right places, like here. A gaggle of homeless had gathered around a drum-fire and were asking a heavy set thug in a leather jacket about the drug. The thug was pointing at his companion, a tall, spindly woman, bald headed, bad skin, who was looking very much like she was on some kind of horse tranquiliser - barely standing up.

GM Continued from Hot and Bothered It was still snowing outside the WEST base, Alaska. Dr North had rustled up some cold weather clothing from the base, but he was pale, clammy. Whatever had been done to him during storage had sapped him of his energy. He was only standing due to duty. And fear. How many Hypersynth weapons had been sold? Who to? What danger did they pose. He only knew the answer to the last question: A lot. Synth was similarly kitted out in cold weather clothing - recuperating physically at great speed, but clearly dazed. "Where am I? Who am I? Why am I?" it looked like mentally it would be some time before she recovered from storage. Predator now had some significant challenges. First, what to do with Synth. Wanted for crimes she certainly did, but was hardly guilty of - not least being broke out of prison. Synth was hardly a threat, that was clear from AEGIS files. At least, not directly. The problem was that SHADOW desperately wanted their experiment back to make use of her DNA. What did Synth want? A normal life? A life of heroics? Both? Secondly, an unnamed number of Hypersynth weapons were released to the world, or in transit to various nefarious organisations. Fortunately, Predator had the science mastermind Terrifica on her side. Unfortunately, Predator was in the middle of a snow storm far from civilisation with Dr North dead on his feet, and Synth dead in her skull.

April, 2024 Nighttime. Claremont Academy usually had relatively peaceful nights. While there were plenty of super-powered kids and some of them were trouble makers, the school as a whole had enough activities that they rarely 'acted out', so to speak; between lessons of schooling and lessons of using powers. There were a few exceptions. One of these was Sam Durado, who had more than a little habit of leaving when she got too frustrated with the school. She was never gone long, but it had been a consistent issue, enough that she was starting to get a bit of a reputation for sneaking out at night and going off on her own- and often missing a few morning classes in the way. What Sam had not been expecting was for Michael to be waiting for her. This had devolved into an angry argument outside the dorm that people were very strenuously trying to avoid, not wanting to get between the two best friends having an argument on the dorm; this wasn't a full on fight, after all, it was just an argument. At least it was, until Sam stomped on Michael's foot and flew off while he was still cursing over the underhanded move. "Sam! Come on!" he yelled at her leaving back. "...You gotta be kidding me." he sighed, looking up into the sky. That is the scene that Mizuki and Vueriz ended up wandering into as Michael ran a hand through his hair and let out another swear. "...Oh...hey you two." he mumbled, offering a small wave.

Sub-Basement of Claremont Academy Bayview, Freedom City, New Jersey Friday September 13, 2024. 10:00 AM (Counting as GM Post) A spooky day! In theory. Friday the 13th, the day of horror and spooks. Especially one getting so close to Halloween. It was that day when the student listing of Renee Cole King, Vanya "Jack" Davydov, Harper Hale, Daphen Celeste, and Sarah Francine Thatcher were requested in a room with a very exciting name. It was noted to show up in either their uniforms or costumes and expect strenuous activity. In the case of the last group of the week, it was likely they'd already heard rumors either from other classmates or their Sophomore classmates about what to expect; that they'd get a chance in the 'fabled' Doom Room, to test their mettle and powers against some of the creatures cooked up in the complex and effective simulator. Some of the tales their upperclassmen and fellow sophomores had said about what they would encounter had been clearly exaggerated, likely in good humor for the newer students; a particular Upperclassman had regaled several students with a tale that she'd had to fight The Centurion. She'd later been sternly lectured by another Upperclassman about scaring the new students. So they probably weren't going to fight The Centurion. But others had suggested encounters that seemed more than possible; The Maestro, Dinosaurs, Orion the Hunter, just to name a few. While the stories varied in the specifics, the overarching details did indicate there was probably going to be some sort of fighting or other conflict for the students to navigate to get a hold of their powers and learn how to work as a team, and for the faculty themselves to be aware of those same factors, because nothing beat a first hand test. In that way, you could in fact take it as the first test of the new school year. The large room was mostly white and grey, covered in hexagons, and gave no indication as to what the group would be facing as they entered, heading down the stairs from the student entrance to the building. They couldn't even tell who was going to be administering the test, as the black windows in one side of the room were one way, letting the instructor see but not the students. All they had been told was to get into costume and get into the room, and the test would begin soon.

Mid October, 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada WELCOME TO THE CITY OF LIGHTS welcome to the city of lost hope WELCOME TO THE SILVER CITY welcome to the tarnished land WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL OF SECOND CHANCES welcome to the kingdom of despair WELCOME TO THE ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD welcome to the capital of broken dreams The orb was advertising a magic show. The monorail sped by it. The convention center was hosting a MLM conference for make-up sellers. On the Strip, in every casino, in the capital of glamor, under lights that never dulled for even a moment, people gambled away fortunes. In the MGM Grand a UFC fight was being broadcasted around the world, men putting their bodies on the line to prove they were the best at fighting. In the Paris, in a small stage underground, just off to the side of the underground casino area, someone else was preparing to try and prove they were the best at something. Luther Earl LeGrasse had a small stage off the underground; only a few dozen people- maybe 50- could cram into the felt seats tucked away in a corner. Luther wasn't performing for a huge crowd tonight, he wouldn't be at all in Vegas. But it was a crowd, and the money was good enough. He was crammed into the back room of the stage in a dressing room maybe a bit too small, but there were people alive who would kill to play in Las Vegas, and Luther Earl LeGrasse was going to get to do so. In Vegas, happiness and despair flowed in equal measures; someone won a fortune the same time someone lost one. Good for the Void, bad for the world, most likely. But right now, the most pressing thing was the performance, ready to begin in just a few minutes, to a handful of bored retirees who wanted to rest their arms from pulling the machines- though most of the machines were buttons now, not levers- to listen to someone play some Jazz music.

Fair Grounds (near Ocean Heights Amusement Park) Port Regal, Freedom City, New Jersey Friday September 27, 2024. 3:00 PM As had been the case for well over a decade, the last full week of September had the fairgrounds near Ocean Heights Amusement Park was host to the Freedom City Renaissance Faire. The faire was spread out across the grounds, with various areas each offering a different experience. One large area of the fair was the market. It was a collection of pre-fab buildings designed to resemble European buildings from the Renaissance as well as stalls and carts set up to create an almost maze-like series of alleyways among them. Contained within were various shops that offered all manner of themed goods and gifts, as well as a number of food carts, stalls and even a couple of buildings set up to resemble taverns. With the faire soon to wrap up at the end of the weekend, Claremont Academy had arranged for students that wished to attend to be excused from their last class of the day and had provided buses to transport the students to the fairgrounds. After the buses arrived at the parking area, the students were free to go where they wished for the next several hours.

GM Sunday 19th May 8pm Union Rail Yards Greenville The day had been been quiet, a train arriving around midday to offload cargo, some historic items bound for the Hunter Museum of Natural History being locked securely in a safe in the primary warehouse. As the sun descended however the quiet was suddenly disrupted, the armoured form of the villain Steel Shade and his team smashing through the wall next to the safe, before the rest of his team got to work. Within minutes they were ready to depart, the teleportation device they'd made use of many times prior about to activate when a stone flechette tore through the delicate device, and a tide of small green creatures burst from the walls. The combat quickly became a fighting retreat, leading deeper into the train yard. Gunshots and yells ring out across the evening air as the groups engage in their battle. For the first time in quite a while the heroes have time to respond to this latest robbery.

Beaudrie Opera House Theater District, Freedom City, New Jersey Tuesday November 12, 2024. 10:20 AM A couple of weeks ago Headmistress Summers had spoken with a few her students about an opportunity to assist a field trip for several of the youth attending the Nicholson School to attend a performance by the Freedom Youth Philharmonic for several area elementary schools. Michael Adon, Sarah Thatcher and Jack Davydov had volunteered. Earlier that morning, the trio had been transported over to the Nicholson campus in nearby Port Regal, where they had met the teacher leading the field trip (Ms. Houston) and the group of forty some students that were attending the performance. They had then loaded onto a school bus and made the trip over to the Theater District in downtown Freedom City. The level of excitement for the students varied considerably, ranging from very excited for many of the younger students (those nine or ten years old) to a more resigned indifference with the teens in the group. The area around the Beaudrie Opera House had been rather chaotic, with more than a dozen school buses all dropping off loads of elementary school students to attend the performance. Michael, Sarah and Jack had managed to help keep all the Nicholson students together and guide them into the building, making a stop by the restrooms for any that needed to use them, before heading off to find the groups seats in large venue. It was perhaps even more chaotic inside the building than out, as hundreds of students were gathered, many chatting away as they waited for the performance to begin, teachers and other chaperones keeping an eye on them and making one last headcount to ensure everyone was present. Sarah found herself sitting near some of the thirteen and fourteen year old students, many of whom were focused on their cellphones or otherwise looking around for distractions. One of the older girls looked particular bored and restless, Sarah thought she recalled her being introduced as Victoria. Jack was seated among some of the ten-year-olds, his gentle nature having won them over on the bus ride, despite his imposing height and frame. Among the group were two twin girls, Madison and Mary who seemed very excited to see the performance. Backstage….. Lynn Conners stood among the other members of the Freedom Youth Philharmonic as they waited for the que to take the stage. The blonde sixteen-year-old was wearing a long black evening dress with sleeves that went to her elbows. She was holding her violin and bow in her hands (her sheet music already out on a music stand by her chair) as she took a deep breath to try to steady the many emotions she was feeling. Although she had been part of the youth orchestra for a couple of years back in her timeline, it felt so very different here. For one thing, all of the other performers were unknown to her, as this timeline’s versions of any that she had known in her timeline being six years younger, and thus not yet in the orchestra (if they were even learning classical music here). Even the conductor was different in this timeline. As if that were not enough, there was also the fact that Lynn had managed to gain a spot in the orchestra outside the normal tryout process (in no small part due to her adopted family’s support of the orchestra over the years). The blonde girl let out a sigh as she opened her eyes again but did not focus on anything in particular as she continued to wait to go out to her seat…..

GM Atomic Tower, Midtown, Freedom City Early April 2024 Atomic Tower has housed the Atom Academy for four years now. A lot has gone on during that time, experiments and discoveries, but they have mostly been focused on moving forward, on the future. Rex Atom wants to change that. There's a lot hiding in the world, discoveries from the past, strange things that should and shouldn't be, and, he thinks that the Atom Academy needs to be a bit more proactive, so he has set out a reminder to the members of the academy and any of their associates, asking for anyone that would like to join him on his proposed journeys into the unknown. Everyone interested has been asked to meet in laboratory 55. It is a large open room, with a holographic projector, often used to model molecules or the like. Rex Atom himself seems to be running late, while everyone else are beginning to arrive in the room. So, the question is... who is everyone? Why are they here? What are their relation to the Atom Academy, if any? Why do they want to join the journeys into the mystery?

GM Saturday 21st September, Early Afternoon The art of the Byron Gallery was, as one might imagine, Byronesque. Vivid, 18th and 19th century classical, with, the owner (a Mr Winston Pudgeball) would say "a modern twist". The art itself hovered around the "just above average mark", with some excellent pieces, some mediocre ones, and everything in between. Rich landscapes, clouds, romantic heroes and heroines on Parisian streets suffering nobly for their art, tortured by a sensitive nature, or perhaps by alcohol and consumption. A half dozen people sauntered around the displays, accompanied by Mr Pudgeball, a sweaty, rotund and tall man, with thick glasses and a physique that seemed to have a kind of muscular fat to it. He was enthusiastic, nervous, and very keen for people to buy the over priced art on display. He tried to ply every browser with a glass of cheap rose, and chocolate muffins (that did not match). Despite his vaguely irritating manner, he genuinely did like the art, and genuinely knew his art. He sauntered around Adrianna Lindell like a fly around manure. Pudgeball was a young man - maybe thirty - and without the glasses and without the excess of five, maybe six, stone, he would have been moderately attractive. A bit old for Adrianna, mayhap, but still, she had the looks and he was but a man. And not that old. "Quite the... ah beautiful melancholy about this piece, don't you think?" he said, fawning over Absinthe in Paris, by Rene DeSaens. "Makes one appreciate the delights of modern sensibilities?" There was nothing odious or pest like about Pudgewell. He was making polite conversation with an attractive set of... eyes. For art.

Fair Grounds (near Ocean Heights Amusement Park) Port Regal, Freedom City, New Jersey Friday September 27, 2024. 3:00 PM As had been the case for well over a decade, the last full week of September had the fairgrounds near Ocean Heights Amusement Park was host to the Freedom City Renaissance Faire. The faire was spread out across the grounds, with various areas each offering a different experience. At the heart of the faire was the town square, an open courtyard like area with side streets that led to the other areas of the faire. Several seating areas for guests were set up in sections of the square. From time-to-time various performers moved about the open spaces entertaining small groups of guests. Off to one side of the square was a small stage, which was the site for several scheduled performances throughout the day. With the faire soon to wrap up at the end of the weekend, Claremont Academy had arranged for students that wished to attend to be excused from their last class of the day and had provided buses to transport the students to the fairgrounds. After the buses arrived at the parking area, the students were free to go where they wished for the next several hours.

Fair Grounds (near Ocean Heights Amusement Park) Port Regal, Freedom City, New Jersey Friday September 27, 2024. 3:00 PM As had been the case for well over a decade, the last full week of September had the fairgrounds near Ocean Heights Amusement Park was host to the Freedom City Renaissance Faire. The faire was spread out across the grounds, with various areas each offering a different experience. At one end of the faire was a mostly open area set up for a number of events and activities that were more physical in nature. This included a jousting list with regularly scheduled jousting exhibitions. There was also an archery and axe throwing range, among other activities. With the faire soon to wrap up at the end of the weekend, Claremont Academy had arranged for students that wished to attend to be excused from their last class of the day and had provided buses to transport the students to the fairgrounds. After the buses arrived at the parking area, the students were free to go where they wished for the next several hours.

Bayview Mall, Early October, 2024 October was getting started early at the Bayview Mall. A legion of 12 foot tall Skeletons guarded the entrance to the Mall. In the open planned courtyard of the mall, you could take pictures with cut outs of Freddie, Jason, the Predator, and other horror movie icons. For kids, Scooby-Doo and Freddie Fazbear and the like offered much more sanitized versions of spooks and scares, all alongside the classic witches and goblins and ghouls. Carmen Alvarez Arrache, Harper Hale, Katherine "Kate" Melita Devon-Leeds, and Alden Underwood were also at the Bayview Mall. There was an overarching reason for this, alongside a few specific individual reasons to draw the Claremont Students to the mall. Harper Hale was getting pictures for her first article in the Claremont school paper; an article on the Halloween decorations going up around town, the new Halloween activities at the Bayview Mall included. The current fun was getting a special set of commemorative stickers if a young child in question went to all the special zones set up and got signatures from the Head Witch of the Coven, the Skeleton King, The Zombie Lord, The Werewolf Pack Leader, and Frankenstein. While Halloween wasn't for a few weeks yet, it was nice to get out and do stuff like this early, especially when many stores were offering Halloween discounts and stores putting up early Halloween costumes- the Freedom League was a popular as ever-, so a family could do a lot of their Halloween shopping very early in the month. Meanwhile, Carmen as a Senior had been given her own mission; to get some decorations that were going to be going up on Claremont's Campus for the month. They'd run out in the middle of putting up decorations, and Michael had begged Carmen to take his (mother's) card and go pick up some more Halloween stuff; another few skeletons, some witches and skulls and jack-o-lanterns. Due to certain other issues going on, Claremont students were expected to go out with their teams as much as possible, and as such Kate and Alden had, additionally, been asked by Claremont's local super-powered Golden Retriever to go with her and help her carry back the supplies. So the 4 members of the Green Squad were currently in the Bayview mall, carrying out their specific tasks and keeping an eye on each other to make sure that no one got concerned. Accompanying them- partially to help Carmen as well, but also as an adult figure in charge-, was the new School Nurse, Anna-Marie Delgado. An older woman in her mid 50s born in Mexico, like Carmen she was a native Spanish speaker, a handsome older woman with dark hair and eyes. She was content to let Carmen handle the transactions of business, working purely as a social support, since the school wanted Carmen to get a little more comfortable in her own skin as she got closer to graduation. Everywhere in the Bayview mall, young kids ran about watched over by their parents as the Claremont students carried out their tasks. It was a nice day, and it seemed like nothing was going wrong.

Mid October, 2024, Emerald City There had been a rash of car crashes and accidents on the road lately. Over the last week, it had happened enough that news was reporting on the sudden surge of automobile accidents. The police were repeatedly reminding people to be careful when driving, basically every news program included a five minute speech from the police chief. Look both ways, don't look at your phone, keep the radio turned down, always be aware of others. It didn't really seem to be helping though. Crashes were still constantly occurring, hourly or even faster. Heroes around the city were going almost from accident to accident, as much as EMTs, trading shifts to constantly make sure none of the crashes got out of hand. It had been almost 8 days of this; exhaustion was nearing it's peek. And then the Kessler Industrial Technology Building that the Emerald Spider had been in a few weeks ago, repaired and functioning, replaced all it's adds for a few seconds with a blinking green spider symbol. It went back to adds for a moment, then flashed with the spider again. Someone was requesting a meeting with the Emerald Spider on top of the skyscraper.

The Fens Freedom City, New Jersey Wednesday November 6, 2024. 9:40 PM A light rain fell on Freedom City, making the dark night even darker. The section of the city was a combination of cramped, dark alleyways and buildings to crowded narrow streets light with various bright neon signs for seedy bars, pornography stores and the like. On a dark rooftop of a four-story building toward the middle of the Fens, a temporal distortion formed in the air, expanding out to a doorway sized portal. Stepping out of it was Lawrence Harrow, dressed in the Claremont training uniform of blue and yellow. In one hand he had the black domino mask he wore when openly operating with his powers (at least most of the time). Things had been rather busy since the start of the year and the formation of the teams, and while Grey team had worked together some in the Wreck Room, they had not spent as much time together as Lawrence might have liked. So, he had gotten authorization from the Headmistress to take the team out on a patrol in the city. Turning back, he looked over the others on the team as they emerged from his portal that had brought them from the Claremont campus. "Welcome to the Fens." He said in his refined British accent. "One of the poorer and more troubled areas of Freedom City. There have been efforts to revitalize parts of it, but those have only been small areas. And crime is still a major problem. So, that is what I thought we might try to help with some tonight."