ic 1, 3, 5, 7 (IC)

[Poncho]

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.

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

Aww, no. Not Tucker's Theater. That's just wrong. 

 

Falling down from above, the white and grey figure should be easily recognizable in the Fens. The friendly neighborhood Ghost. Sure, some might say that he had sold out by joining the Freedom League, but even with his slightly better finances, Casper had stuck to the Fens. Then again, maybe its time to let the Gators and Eagles know that he's still around?

 

Not right now, though. He can see the Eagles hanging out and laughing in their car through his X-Ray Goggles, but he can also see Gators inside the burning theatre... and that has to come first. He looks through the building. How many Gators are in there? How many groups? He has to focus, has to be fast.

 

Flying in from above, Casper goes straight through the walls, heading directly for the largest group of Gators he can see in there, emerging through the wall, his goggles glowing light blue as he raises his hands to show that he doesn't mean to attack.

 

"Alright guys, all of you get in close, and we'll see what I can do about you not becoming alligator leather pouches, alright?"

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"The dang Ghost!" one of the Gators snapped. Fists and guns went up very fast; a reaction to Ghost appearing, not a reaction to his words. So they stalled out when they realized he wasn't adding injury to possible death. There wasn't really a discussion about it, there was a group of 3 people looking at their boss.

 

"...Alright, Ghost. We'll take you up on that. It's this group of my guys and there were two others in Theater 13." The boss said, as the four gangsters crowded around Ghost to try and get out of this situation

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

"One condition," Ghost says, holding up a hand. "You stay put once you're out. I want to find out who did this, and I'm sure you wanna do that too, so I'm gonna need your help. And you know I'm gonna find you if you run off. Now, grab on to each other."

 

He waits for them all to hold on, then takes hold of the leader's shoulder. To the group, everything is a blur, as almost white lightning courses through the building, before appearing outside in an instant, on the other side of the building from where Capser had seen the Eagles. It would be disorienting, so who knows, maybe these punks will stay put? Casper didn't exactly count on that happening, but weirder things could happen.

 

"Alright, you guys stay right here until I'm back with your buddies, got it?" 

 

Ghost doesn't bother waiting for a reply. Maybe he'll be lucky and they'll wait, but nah, he won't be that lucky. At least he'll be saving lives.

He disappears once more, reappearing inside Theater 13, holding up his hands again, while shouting for the last two Gators.

 

"The supreme leather guy told me I could find some baby gators in here. You guys want a ride out of here, or would you rather take your chances with the smoke and fire?"

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

The disoriented thugs weren't going anywhere super fast after the confusing teleportation, and the burning building was hiding any jeers being made by the Eagles. When he got to Theater 13 however, he could see that one of the baby Gators was currently trapped! Trapped under a burning wooden pillar, while the other tried to lift it off them! She was just as likely to burn herself as actually get the piece of burning lumber off her friend, who was unconscious and pinned.

 

"Look I don't care if you're death himself!" Yelled the gangster trying to lift the log. "Get my friend out from under this thing and you can take me to hell for all I care!" She said, ignoring the smoke and flames to continue to try and leverage the wooden support beam up. "He's gonna die!"

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

"Get back, I got this." 

 

Not the time for a joke right now.

 

A burning wooden pillar. It couldn't just be a wooden pillar, no, it had to be fire. But that's fine, he can deal with fire.

 

Moving towards the man under the burning pillar, Ghost reaches through it, crouching down near him as he makes contact and grasps hold of the young man, standing up, Ghost pulls him along as he steps away from the fire. The heat's intense, they have to get away from that, but other than that, they should both be safe as long as he keeps ghosting them both.

 

"Alright, done. Gather up and we'll get out of here. C'mon, don't be shy." He turns solid again. Give them something to hold on to. Then, out of there, a chaotic flash of bright blue energy crashing through the building until they reach the group of 'Gators outside.

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

Both of the Little Gators hung on tight as Ghost took them outside, where the rest of the gang was waiting for them. The reaction was immediate; Hero or not, Ghost had saved their friends and family, and all the Gators- a little woozy from the teleportation and the smoke inhalation, but full of joy- immediately congregated a few feet away from him to check on each other, expressing joy at being safe. The leader eventually turned back to Ghost, though the night was still lit from the flames of the slowly burning Tucker's Theater, casting a dark, shadowy pallor over the man's tattoo'd face

 

"Was it the Eagles that lit that blaze? I know you're a Hero and you aren't going to tell me, or you're going to tell us to let the authorities handle it. But they tried to kill us. They burned down Tucker's. There are some things a Man can't forgive, you know?" He was looking for confirmation, but he had his decision made.  "I know they like to watch their handiwork, so they're around here, aren't they."

 

But he didn't know who set the fire? 

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

Naturally, the accusations start flying. Ghost sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose with one hand. He knew this was going to happen. Too much bad blood.

 

"Honestly? I got no clue who did this. I saw the fire, and decided I'd rather pull your bacon out of the fire instead of looking for them, but think about it for a moment. You Gators and Eagles have been fighting over Tucker's for a long time. Sometimes you're in control, sometimes they're squatting in the theater. If they wanted the place, then why would they burn it down?" 

 

Will it work? Maybe.

 

"At any rate, wait here for five minutes, and I'll see what I can find out. Deal?"

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"We weren't goign to lose it this time, we were absolutely ready this time." The leader said, glaring back at Ghost. They weren't exactly the kind who'd take the truth as real, even if it was absolutely true; they had been fighting over the theater for awhile, but both the Eagles and the Gators would always claim they had the actual right over it, and that each time they took it, this time would be 'different'.

 

"...Fine, you saved us, Ghost. So we'll wait 5 minutes. We need to get our breath back anyway. So if you figure out what's going on while we're doing that, we'll let the Eagles off the hook if they aren't the cause of it." He said.

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

Great. The gangbangers graciously gives him 5 minutes to try and keep anyone else from getting hurt or killed. They're such great people.

 

Without another word, Casper disappears. 

 

He had seen the Eagles watching the blaze at the other side of the building. He isn't sure if they have seen him come in or not, but it doesn't matter.

 

In a flash of blue lightning, he appears in the middle of them, arms crossed and floating above the ground, a not-so-friendly neighborhood ghost.

 

"So... I don't suppose you fine gentlemen have any idea what caused this fire?"

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"Oh crap, The Ghost!" the Eagles yelp, diving for cover and protection. There's not enough to go around, so some are left out in the open, but there's an impressive array of guns and crowbars pointed at him after a few seconds. None of them are shooting though, they're waiting for an order from whoever is in charge; from the woman sitting on the back of an open top sports car, her feet on the seats. She looks unimpressed with Ghost- but it's probably just her putting on a brave face, everyone in The Fens knows Ghost-, holding a cigarette to her mouth. 

 

"Fire?" She drolled. "I don't know what fire you're talking about." she glanced around momentarily, setting her eyes on the burning theater. "Oh. That fire. Huh, wonder when that happened." 

 

She was being intentionally obtuse, but not aggressive; akin to just trying to get under Ghost's skin. The guns and weapons were out, but not being used. Tension was the name of the game here.

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

"Really?"

 

Casper's mask is the only reason that the woman can't see the utterly tired expression on his face. He's seen her around. He knows enough about the Eagles to know her deal. Sarah Hernandez, been with the Eagles for a long while, climbed the ranks and all that. Really doesn't like the Gators at all, but then again, that's a thing for all the Eagles. She's been around the Fens all her life, doesn't really have a chance of getting out. Her parents live here, too. The Ghost saved her dad once.

 

"C'mon, Hernandez. What'd your dad say if he thought you'd set fire to Tucker's? Is that what you want to do, cause trouble and burn history?"

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

Hernandez huffed and thought about it, lazily eying the still burning building.

"...Yeah, okay. He probably wouldn't like it. He always said he met my mom there." She admitted, scowling. They were a motherless household, after all- the Cancer got Sarah's mother when she was very young, and Papa Hernandez had worked hard, and been a hard worker, to avoid the grief. That it meant his daughter had grown up alone, he had thought that a fair trade to go with them having the money they needed to live. But maybe it hadn't been the right trade, looking at Sarah now, balancing a heavy pistol on her thigh as she watched Ghost.

 

"...Alright. Fine. What if I told you we didn't set the fire to trap the Gators. We got paid a lot of money to start the fire though."

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

Casper groans, pinching the bridge of his nose.

 

"Really? You're starting fires cus somebody paid you money, now? That's... that's not just slap on the wrist stuff, Hernandez."

 

The fire department's on the way, at least. Not like Casper can do much to put out the flames.

 

"Who paid you, then? I'm Freedom League now, y'know. I can probably get you off lighter if you just tell me."

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"Look, when someone hands me a big suitcase full of cash, I don't ask too many questions. It's not the most glamorous work in the world, but it pays the bills, so what's there to be concerned about." she smiled, not seeming too concerned.

 

"...As for who paid me. Well...that would be..."

 

"That would be me."

 

The voice was robotic; coming through a speaker. It's owner floated down, surrounding Ghost on all sides; the Power Corps. Or at least half of it; numbers 1 - the Leader-, 3, 5, and 7.

 

"Ghost. I recognize you're a well standing member of the Freedom League. But I have a client who wants to examine your teleportation and phasing abilities first hand. As such an exemplar of strange transport, would you be so kind and polite as to come with us before things get so bad? I know it was perhaps a rough motion to light a theater on fire to get your attention, but all I did was provide the money, I can assure you Miss Hernandez took her own initiative in setting the building on fire." he said. He was polite, but the politeness of a knife drawn facing the front, not the back.

 

"So is this going to be a problem, or are we going to be good?"

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

A trap? Just to catch him?

 

Casper should probably be flattered, but the freaking Power Corps? Not someone he's tangled with before. Of course, they haven't really tangled with him either. 

 

"A problem? Me?"

 

He is perhaps overemphasizing the shock in his voice a tiny bit, but hey, better to get the point across, right?

 

There's 4 of them around him. Odd numbers. He doesn't really remember enough about the Power Corps to know if there's any significance to that, but he started ghosting the moment they got too close.

 

Still, he takes a moment to point an accusing finger at Hernandez. "You better believe we're gonna have words once I'm done with these goons, Hernandez."

 

He could call in help from Grim or the League, but, nah. The Power Corps made it personal.

 

"Alright, guys, let's go."

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"Don't say I didn't warn you." The Number 1 said before the Corps flew into action- literally-. Each was already moving to try and complete their assignment, the skill of a well-trained, well-oiled, familiar military machine. They were top tier operators for a reason.

 

Number 5 took a shot at Ghost, which went right through the heroic specter. 

 

"Confirming he's using his powers!" yelled the Number 5 in response.

 

"Moving to suppression!" yelled Number 7, opening his chest panel to reveal a massive light bulb that rapidly flashed at Ghost, trying to blind him momentarily.

 

Meanwhile, a section of Number 3's shoulder rotated and extended. A clear 'after-market' addition slowly unfolded itself, rotating up and around his shoulder, taking the form of a cannon; it was too big for him to fire personally, it seemed, and the controls were located on the back of it. Number 1 slotted into the spot, grabbing the joystick controls as his suit interfaced with Number 3's addition.

 

"Taking the shot with the Spectrum Wave Cannon!" He yelled as he took aim and blasted. The wave of energy that shot out ripped up the ground and tore through the pavement in a beam of blue light tinged with yellow. The Eagles fled quickly, ducking out of the way of the sudden ramp up of Superhero combat that they had absolutely no desire to be anywhere near to, especially as the damage was ramping up. Even the other two members of the Power Corps quickly got out of the way before the laser could get anywhere near them.

 

As the gun finished firing, it clicked and ejected a shell the size of a man's fist, steam and smoke filling the air around where the Power Corp's artillery was floating. The feedback of the explosive cannon round laced across Number 3's armor, covering it in a thin, glowing shield to try and ward off Ghost if he tried to attack him and Number 1

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

They're clearly trained. They know what they're doing. First guy tags him, a blast passing right through him... and they use that well. Just a test. So they got plans. Not good.

 

The moment the other guy starts flashing, Casper turns his face away from him, but sure, the others are already moving into position and... that's a big freaking gun.

 

He moves quickly, throwing himself to the side as the energy wave shoots out and then... ejects the shell.

 

"Spectrum Wave Cannon? Really? That's what you're gonna go with?"

 

There's a big shield there or something, keeping both the artillery platform guy and number 1 free. He has to take the chance. No idea what it does, but... gotta take the shot.

 

"Boo, big guy!" Diving forward, he steels himself, passing an arm through number 1, before diving down, under the ground, out of sight. He keeps moving, getting away from the spot where he dove in. At least he can still seem them with his x-ray goggles.

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

The strike on Number 1 hit Number 3, hit his blistery shield. It erupted in an electric shock, but Ghost was immune to it with the power of his ghostly insubstantialbility. It left a mark on Number 3, even inside that armor, but he stayed standing for now, even if the shield wasn't working to it's intended effect.

 

"...Bah." Number 1 seemed more frustrated than anything. "This fits in our combat specs; he's evading using his intangibility." He mumbled. "Alright, execute Delta Red."

 

The 4 bodies floated higher up into the air, keeping a look down towards the ground where they last saw Ghost.

"It doesn't matter how much you hide, Ghost!" Yelled number 5, breaking from the group and flying away, aiming a few lasers into the ground and knocking up dust and debris. "If you're intending to fight, you'll have to come out! Otherwise we can just go home! And all the while your little theater burns! So what's the point in hiding!?" he yelled.

 

Meanwhile, the others were waiting, the cannon on the back of Number 3 primed to take another massive shot at Ghost as soon as he emerged.

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

A white flash of movement comes flying out of a nearby building, catching the Power Corps off guard enough that their blasts all go wide. As another shock goes through the body of number 3, the Ghost stretches out his hands.

 

"Sorry guys, kinda had some asphalt in my ears."

 

Blueish white lightning strikes all around him, as he pushes his energies outward instead of inward. He can't go ghost at the same time as this trick, but it's not like they can see the difference, and besides, this is too good an opportunity to pass up. The energy field strikes out all around him in complicated patterns that catches the entire Power Corps unit, and then, he drops, falling towards the ground, before catching himself and flying off, dodging in between the nearby buildings.

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"Move move move! Get out of the way! Scatter!"

 

It was too late for the Corps. They couldn't get away from the energy and it ripped through them. Number 5 immediately fell out of the sky like a dead bird, while 1 and 3 managed to stay flying but only barely. Number 3 especially seemed to get it bad, his suit and the delicate electronics inside of it smoking violently. Number 1, the cinsummate leader, seemed only slightly injured. Number 7 seemed to take it the best, flying after Ghost as he flew away.

 

"Launching variable payload missiles!" The robotic voice yelled as the shoulder pads opened up and fired a barrage of micro missiles towards Ghost, weaving through the buildings after him. Then the feedback from Ghost's attack hit the armor and it started smoking, sending the armored mercenary into a tailspin 

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

Alright, one down, 3 chumps to go, and 2 of them seem pretty badly hurt. With just one guy chasing after him, Casper rolls to the side as the micro missiles fly all around him. 

 

Variable payload sounds like a bother, so there's no way he's gonna let them touch him. "Sorry, buddy, but I think your friends are feeling left out!"

 

With the first missiles missing him, he turns sharply and dives into a building, then flies straight back towards the guy with the big guy.

 

They can't see the smile under his mask as he shouts "Boo!" before flying straight through number 3, sending another shock through his nervous system, before continuing on ahead, straight into the nearest building.

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

"Lost him! Systems frying!" Called Number 7 from somewhere behind Ghost as he left him. The Missiles split around the building but weren't able to keep up, still tracking but doing so slowed down, having to navigate obstacles that the Hero didn't.

 

Number 3 didn't fare very well, as the shock went through him, he crumpled, falling from the sky, and the giant cannon going with him. His armor cushioned his fall with jets, but he landed on the ground alongside Number 5, and the only thing that Number 1 could do was swing a shining, electrified fist at Ghost as he flew past, but he missed wide, and there was clear frustration even though his entire face was hidden behind armor.

 

"We can't take him, he's too agile. He's disabled most of our weaponry. The Ghost was a bad target here, Boss." whoever he was speaking to couldn't be heard, but he was clearly on target. It was just Number 1 now, with Number 7 too far away at this exact moment, somewhere lost in the buildings.

 

"Ghost! Do you want to call this a draw!?" Number 1 said with a level of frustrated serenity that only highly trained military tacticians who recognize their plan had gone to heck in a handbasket could have; the tense admittance of defeat in offering terms of surrender. "We'll both go our separete ways!" he added. "No Harm no foul!"

[RocketLord]

GHOST

 

Bad guy number 7 is still far away, number 1 wants to call it a draw?

 

"Nah."

 

Flying out of the ground from underneath the bad guy, Ghost comes flying straight up towards him, passing through his body to send another shock through his system. He doesn't feel like being cute and just stunning them or trapping them in a building. They're the reason that the Eagles burned down Tucker's, and escalated the whole Eagles vs. Gators thing, making the Fens that much more dangerous. He's not about to let them just get away with that. 

 

Stopping for a brief second once he's passed number 1, he turns for a moment.

 

"That's not how this works, buddy. You don't get to cause trouble in the Fens and think you can just walk away when things don't go your way."

 

He was talking to someone. Casper can find out who that was later. For now, he takes off again, flying into the nearest building and then upwards, towards the roof, to get ready for another run.

[Poncho]

(GM Post)

 

For all his faults, Number 1 was one tough SOB. He was suffering under Ghost's shocks, his armor sparking and him frying in it, but he refused to go down. Sheer dogged determination was emanating from him like an aura as Ghost continued to hound him; he couldn't keep up, but he wasn't going down without a fight.

 

"Come on, then! Fight me like a man, Ghost!" He yelled at the League member dipping in and out of view. "This is why we don't go after Leaguers." He mumbled to himself.  "No matter the payment." But it was obviously too late for regret. "5. Break off from combat! There's no reason to let him clean sweep!" Number 1 shouted. From back where Number 5 was trying to get back into the fight, they stalled out.

 

"Acknowledged." And then they turned and started to fly off and abandon the combat. The missiles were still after Ghost, but with the building cover, their use was highly limited.