Avenger Assembled Posted December 14, 2009 Posted December 14, 2009 "Friends to the-OH GOD!" Edge looked up at the demon, leaped backwards three feet, and landed on his back on the sidewalk nearby as the car rolled away and out of sight. Prone, and a little battered, after a moment's pause, Mark was heard to weakly exclaim, "Friends to the end?"
quotemyname Posted December 14, 2009 Posted December 14, 2009 Breakdown now completely turned his back on the two demons he had been fighting. He had bigger fish to fry. "You can't deny the truth of our words, or the truth we hold in our hearts! You know we are right, because you know James. It is why you've lied to him this long. Because it was your only chance. But now we've fought through the lies, and we've undone your work. He's our friend and we love him!" Breakdown paused to point a finger up at the giant demon defiantly. "You don't own him anymore!"
Electra Posted December 14, 2009 Posted December 14, 2009 Erin went to her knees with James as he fell, keeping his head from hitting the ground but not much more. "You're stronger than he is," she murmured again, into his ear this time. She rose then, stepping deliberately into the path of the infernal power directed at James, deflecting it with her own body. Erin opened her mouth to say something, maybe her own words of defiance, but the words were snatched from her lungs with the force of the attack. The effect was instantaneous. As the aura of blood-colored light enfolded her, she staggered, knees buckling as her body visibly grew smaller and more slender. What bruising hadn't already disappeared began to purple again, as her mouth and nose began to bleed. Erin stumbled backwards one step, then two, tripping over James' prone form and falling across him, her body still blocking him from the light, though that seemed about as much from luck as intent. Her eyes were closed as she fell, and she didn't so much as put out an arm to catch herself. Over Alex's mental link there was one moment of overwhelming pain, fear, and confusion, and then nothing more, as the link snapped cleanly away.
alderwitch Posted December 15, 2009 Posted December 15, 2009 'Mike!' Alex's distressed cry echoed down their private link even as she raised her hands up, palm outward and gathered up their fallen teammates in cushions of telekinetic energy. Gone was the day when anything heavier than a book took intense focus and concentration, Alex could have lifted much heavier objects with as little attention as it took her to pull James and Erin to her. Holding them, Alex bent first over Erin, checking her pupils and pulse with quick shaking hands. She understood that as long as James was alive, so was the gate, but Erin she was less certain of. Her jaw was tight as she bent her head over Erin, curls slipping over her shoulder, tightly controlled temper flickered down her bond with Mike. She needed to focus on helping their teammates, no matter how much she might personally want to hurt this evil, evil creature. Fortunately, Alex wasn't alone, and she didn't have to elucidate her thoughts any further than a desperate, 'Mike, please.'
Electra Posted December 16, 2009 Posted December 16, 2009 The red aura moved with Erin as Alex reeled her and James back from the gate, but it seemed to be content with one target at a time. Alex's hands passed through it harmlessly as she checked Erin's vitals. It was hard to tell whether she was breathing, in the noise and uncertain light, but her heartbeat raced under Alex's fingers. Erin wasn't dead, but she was different. Whatever the aura was doing, it had stripped away inches of height and pounds of muscle, till she was just a rather scrawny teenage girl and nothing more. Beneath the closed eyelids, her eyes were fixed and dilated, brown irises nearly lost behind the pupils.
angrydurf Posted December 16, 2009 Posted December 16, 2009 Phalanx didn't hesitate for even a moment as soon as he saw James and Erin safely in Alex's care he streaked towards the Demon Lord at Super-Sonic speeds Slamming into the fel creatures nobby hide with all his might. Willing his strike to plow through the hideous monstrocity. Yet even in his blaze of violence he was calm and at peace. He had to do this, he had to stop this creature here and now.
Cyroa Posted December 16, 2009 Author Posted December 16, 2009 The demon lord growled in annoyance as Erin stepped into the way and crumpled, his eyes tracking them as Psyche pulled them closer. "Foolish mortals! Interfere with my plans at your own peril. I'll drain the life from you fools in a few moments before I set about exploring my new home!" In fact he was so focused on the small collection below, that he almost missed the bullet-like flight of Phalanx. Despite seeing him, the giant demon couldn't quite twist away in time. There was a titanic 'thud' as Phalanx crashed into it's armored hide and the creature actually blinked it's four eyes as Phalanx dented in an armored plate the size of a building. Even as Phalanx rebounded though, it became obvious as the plate started to bend back, that the wound wasn't going to be there long.
quotemyname Posted December 16, 2009 Posted December 16, 2009 Oh man. He just took a full on hit from Phalanx like it was his job! Think fast BD! There's gotta be something that'll work on this guy! Breakdown quickly switched up his versatile power set once more. For better or worse, the two demons he had previously been battling were all but forgotten. Staring defiantly up at the towering behemoth that was apparently the lord of hell, Breakdown shouted, "HEY! Big-fat-and-ugly! Down here!" The demon had been directing its unquenchable ire at Phalanx. But at the shout from Breakdown, the eyes and incredibly large sinewy neck swiveled in his direction. Without missing a beat, Breakdown turned on the charm under the beady gaze of the Demon Lord. Dance, man. Dance! Dance like you've never danced before! He began projecting one of the month's more popular club songs and all four of his limbs moved to the beat. Breakdown never uttered a word, but suddenly, Phalanx heard his voice over the team's communicator: I'll do my best to hold his attention. Do me a favor and break this guy's face!
Cyroa Posted December 17, 2009 Author Posted December 17, 2009 The demon lord looked down at Breakdown's tiny weaving figure and actually stopped. Not quite as intended however. The lord of demons actually chuckled. He was clearly unimpressed by the little human's silly moves. He just shook his head and turned back to the others. "Stupid humans," he said loudly, amused.
Cyroa Posted December 17, 2009 Author Posted December 17, 2009 James blinked as he was suddenly free. He rolled over, just in time to grunt as Erin landed on his chest. He was more than a little out of it. But between that burst of hope from Psyche, his friends words and Erin's actions, his mind focused and returned. James blinked and for the first time in a long time, he was back. He wasn't quite himself, not without some serious introspection about the 'hell' he had caused, but that would come in time. "You know, we really don't have time to be laying around like this. Maybe later we'll work on that," he said with a rough grin. Holding her tight, he brought them to his feet."You saved me. C'mon Erin, come back." A redish glow streamed down one of his arms and into Erin. From the other side, a lighter and more pure color poured out of Erin and into James. He got a weird expression across his face for just a moment as the glow faded. The aura from the demon lord's attack power was suddenly absorbed, not by James, but by Erin. He looked over at Alex. "I can't close the gate while he's in it. We need to hit him as one. Link us up, everyone together. As a team." He turned and started sprinting towards the gate and lord inside it as snatch up a piece of rebar. He didn't bother summoning his sword or using his powers considering the demon was as immune as James was. "Yo dad! We need to talk about boundaries!" He was moving and getting into position, ready.
Avenger Assembled Posted December 17, 2009 Posted December 17, 2009 Mark leaped up from behind the car and yelled weakly "Friends to the end! Friends to the..." He looked around at the holocaust all around him, up at the terrible demon lord before him, and called on his family memories. "You think you can take Freedom City?!" he called up at the huge demon lord. "Buddy, who _are_ you, anyway? You're just some no-account fallen angel who needed his kid to do all the heavy lifting! You're no Hades! You're no Omega! You're just a big bully who likes picking on people smaller than he is, and all you can do is fight teenagers! When this day is over, no one here is even going to remember your NAME!" And with that, Mark leaped up on the car he'd vacated earlier. "And you know what else? LOW BRIDGE!" At his words, a massive flying fortress full of the demonic horde suddenly spun on a wild gyre and went spiraling towards their leader's head!
Cyroa Posted December 18, 2009 Author Posted December 18, 2009 The demon lord scowled at Phalanx even as the injury the human had dealt was fully healed. It had likely been quite some time since a human had managed to injure it. And now it was determined to inflict a little payback. Make that a lot of payback. Raising one massive hand, it swung it’s clawed hand down in titanic swing, slamming into Phalanx and hurling the hero to the ground!
alderwitch Posted December 18, 2009 Posted December 18, 2009 Alex cried out as Mike was swatted from the sky, lashing out with the full power of her mutant mind as she did so. Rarely did Alex cut loose with the full destructive potential of her psychic prowess but as Mike was sent hurtling to earth, she reacted fiercely. Behind her, stone chunks levitated off the ground, manipulated by the petite redhead's out rage. 'STOP HURTING MY FRIENDS!' At her mental outcry, all the rubble behind her hurtled forward at the titanic demon.
Electra Posted December 19, 2009 Posted December 19, 2009 Erin was still reeling as James let go of her, brutally disoriented by the quick attack and recovery. For a few terrifying moments, she'd been fully human again, as powerless as her counterpart on this world. Hunger, fatigue, the surprising pain of even small injuries, had all rushed up on her in an instant before she was slammed down by a wave of force so heavy that she couldn't so much as twitch a muscle against it. When James had picked her up, he'd made it all go away, but it had taken something out of her that hurt inside like a freshly pulled tooth. She didn't know what it was, but it didn't seem like something she'd wanted to lose. James was halfway to the gate before she even managed to open her eyes, and his challenge to attack seemed laughable. But fighting was like breathing to her anymore, instinctual when necessary to survival. Pushing every other thought aside, she clenched her hands into fists and ran after James, bracing to leap onto the massive demon. If tonight was the end, at least they would all go together.
angrydurf Posted December 19, 2009 Posted December 19, 2009 The Demon lords strike nearly knocked hte wind out of Phalanx but the super human teen was made of sterner stuff. HE flew backwards a few hundred feet as his friends launched their flurry of attacks upon the behemoth. He waited untill he saw a weaknes in the creatures defense, a moment when he was off balance, and shot from the sky in a blur. He pushed himself as hard as he ever had to strike James father, he flew fast and true and his fist collided with monumental force against the thick nobby hide of the Demon.
Cyroa Posted December 20, 2009 Author Posted December 20, 2009 Inspired by Edge, following Phalanx punch, they team struck as one. They may have been the youngest team on the block. They may not have had a lot of practice fighting as a team. But today, for this, they moved together and struck together as if they'd been doing it for years. The combined was staggeringly powerful, hitting the demon lord so hard, it actually lifted it off of it's clawed feet. Only for a moment, but that moment was more than enough to get it on the other side of the gate. But that wasn't enough for the young heroes. Even though the gate could close, even though the demonic lord was shaking its head struggling to stay conscious after that titanic attack, again they attacked as one team as if to drive home the point. That this was their city, their home. And that together, no monster or problem, no matter how big or small, was beyond their ability to to overcome. Even as the demonic lord began to fall, the gate slammed shut in front of them, vanishing. There wasn't an immediate affect near the young heroes though the mystically inclined could feel something happening. But the bodies of the demon were beginning to fade. Things began to seem a little 'fuzzy' around the edges but they had a few moments to enjoy their victory before whatever was happening got to them.
quotemyname Posted December 20, 2009 Posted December 20, 2009 "We are the champions! No time for losers 'cause we are the champions... of the world!" Breakdown projected one of Queen's most famous songs over the city square. It was over. They had won! "Yea! We did it!" He ran forward to join the rest of his team in front of what used to be the statue of Centurion. "James!" Breakdown practically ran his friend over in the process of greeting him with a hug. "Its good to have you back, man."
alderwitch Posted December 21, 2009 Posted December 21, 2009 Alex sagged to the ground, the rocks that she'd been floating thudding down around her. She hung her head down, hands braced on the ground to keep herself from faceplanting into the mud. She'd never kept up such a prolonged psychic attack, never dreamed she could. It left her feeling about as lively as three day old kitten. "Someone should let Chris know we lived. Mark - I mean, Edge, could you radio in? I'm not sure I can even project past my nose right now," Alex admitted wearily. Her head pounded in time with her heartbeat and Alex was completely positive that she'd overdone it. She was also completely positive that it had been worth it. She sat on the muddy ground and tried to gather up enough energy to stand up and start the trek back to school. First step, standing.
angrydurf Posted December 21, 2009 Posted December 21, 2009 As the gate finally winked closed Mike made a controlled plummet to the ground utterly spent. He had pushed his body beyond what he ever had before and while it had held out it had taken a toll on the youth. As his feet hit the ground he stumbled a few steps then collapsed breathing heavily as he tried to recuperate enough to begin the trek home. "What happens now?" he gasped out still not certain how much of the damage was goign to remain.
Avenger Assembled Posted December 21, 2009 Posted December 21, 2009 "I can do that," said Mark, watching the world shift around them with fascination. He took out his commlink, pushing aside his weariness and fatigue, and whacked it a few times before he spoke. Luckily, all the magic shifting around had altered the electronic nature of Mark's commlink, letting him reach not only Geckoman but everyone else at Danger Manor with a similar commlink. "Attention, everyone!" he called, his voice ringing out loud and clear. "This is Young Freedom. The bad guys are gone. We stopped them! The day is saved!" He was so pleased with all this that he wrapped his arms around the oncoming Mike and gave him a hard hug. "We did it!"
Electra Posted December 22, 2009 Posted December 22, 2009 It took a moment before Erin realized the fight was over. Even as the gate shut, she was spinning around, looking for any demons that might be sneaking up behind them. But everything was quiet now, everything was still, everything was safe. She bent nearly double, resting her hands on her knees and breathing hard as she tried to get her bearings again. She was covered from head to foot in blood and dirt and demon-spit, but was otherwise surprisingly unhurt, aside from the lingering ache in her chest. "Everybody okay?" she asked hoarsely. '"We all still here?"
alderwitch Posted December 22, 2009 Posted December 22, 2009 "Everyone's here and whole-ish." Alex confirmed wearily from where she sat with her fingertips pressed to her temples, lines of strain creasing her face, "I kinda hurt my brain but I'll be fine."
Cyroa Posted December 23, 2009 Author Posted December 23, 2009 James sighed and sat heavily on the steps to the former gate after Breakdown released him. Physically he felt fine. But inside, he was in turmoil both from the being down there so long and from being back. From being saved. But he was back. Now he just had to face the consequences of his actions. "Guys...I don't know what to say. But thanks just doesn't seem to cover it," he said. Even as he started speaking, he felt the wave of change coming. "And now? Now it's time for it all to go away apparently." It took a moment for everyone to see what was happening. Around them, things began to get hazy, fade a little. Images began to blur and combine their Hell-ravaged city and the pristine condition it was in before this all started. Glancing at each other, it was obvious that they too were beginning to fade.
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