Shockwasp Posted November 13, 2010 Posted November 13, 2010 "Peace comes from within, do not seek it without." -Buddha Thursday, November 11th, 2010; 1:30 PM How long had it been since I came to this city? Shockwasp let his thoughts wander as he flew idly over Downtown freedom. He had gone out, above the city, for his daily patrols. Or that was the excuse he gave the press at least. How long have I been wearing this mask? The truth was that up here, in the sky, was his sanctuary. High above the crowds, and the TV screens, and the fame and fortune he had surrounded himself with, Nick could think. Or not, if he so chose; That was the beauty of it. He could simply fly, enjoy the air, and the view, and the sensation, soothe his heart, and calm his mind. But today, his mind was having no such thing. Instead, it was alive with thoughts and memories and worries, and he might as well have just been on the ground, for how much peace he had. ...too long. But his father was out there. Somewhere. And unless he got a lead for where he might be, this was the best that he could do. Stay here, in Freedom City, get all the cameras on him... and hope that Arthur Vespin saw what came out of one of them. Nick's thoughts were disrupted by a sound from below. Sounds, really. He looked down, and saw, far below, a crowd of people, gathered around what looked like another hero. A news van... and a few glances upward, as people made out the familiar gold and black outline in the sky. "Hey! Shockwasp!" Someone shouted up at him. "Down here!" For a long moment, he pretended not to hear, or to be too busy to land. But soon, others were cheering for the arrival of the tech-hero. It was not his moment, but it had been made his, and he could not turn from the camera. Not if there was the smallest chance his father might be watching. Swallowing, and preparing himself for the crowd, the Thunderous Thrill-Seeker slowed his flight, and landed, planting his feet wide and firing a crackling bolt of electricity into the sky. The crowd exploded. All this for a liar and a light show. "Hello, Freedom!" His voice boomed to the crowd, with no hint of anything but bombastic excitement. He had been doing this for much too long for that. "And hello, my fellow hero! I don't believe we've met yet. I am..." Another flashy explosion of electricity, and a skyward backflip for good measure. "Shockwasp!" "And who might you be?"
Electra Posted November 13, 2010 Posted November 13, 2010 The hero standing in front of him was perhaps the most beautiful woman Shockwasp had ever seen, perfect in every detail, except for the unimpressed look on her face as she took him in. "Miss Americana," she told him, a brilliant and easy smile for the camera returning to her face within a split second. "It's a pleasure to meet you, but you just missed the action." She gestured over to where a gaggle of sullen-looking characters in handcuffs were being led off by police.
Shockwasp Posted November 13, 2010 Author Posted November 13, 2010 Wasp was, admittedly, wowed. The people-centric hero remained silent for a moment, until he was brought back to reality by a flash from someone's camera. "Ah! Miss Americana! I've heard good things about you." He was losing a handle on the situation. Every camera on her was one not on him. "I see! Marvelous work." Reaching behind his head, the hero pulled his mask over his head, and off, revealing his own features. Short brown hair, and bright hazel-green eyes accompanied a face that, while not quite as stunning as the heroine's, were far from unpleasant. Giving the crowd a smile, Nick tried to regain his hold on the crowd. "Always good to see a citizen do their part to keep Freedom's streets clean."
Electra Posted November 13, 2010 Posted November 13, 2010 "Absolutely," Miss A said with great enthusiasm, her eyes sharp even as her smile remained big and blithe. "I couldn't be more pleased to see you up in the sky, working to keep the city safe. Let's give a hand to Shockwasp, shall we?" she encouraged the audience, who all clapped politely, even the reporters. "Every superhero in Freedom City does their part to keep the city safe. But credit should go to the real heroes, our boys in blue, without whom we couldn't do a thing!" She gestured in the direction of the police officers and led the clapping herself with great enthusiasm.
Shockwasp Posted November 14, 2010 Author Posted November 14, 2010 Clever girl. Nick struggled for a moment, scrambling for a way to keep up, though he of course clapped along with the crowd. "Of course, you are correct! The brave men and women of the Freedom City Police Department, who risk their lives every day for the safety of the people, with no powers but their remarkable courage!" Kicking off the ground, he got a few feet of air again, and made a mental note to give his agent and secretary raises for all the work he was about to throw on them. "In fact, it is for precisely this reason that Wasp Electric is currently organizing a charity ball this weekend, to raise funds for the families of the brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for Freedom!" Another cheer from the crowd.
KnightDisciple Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 Normally, Gabriel didn't patrol this far north in the city. Southside needed all the help it could get. But Carson Keefe had had another guest lecture at FCU, and so he was flying back to his house. While he could have covered the distance in nearly the blink of an eye, he chose to fly lazily through the air. He had nothing scheduled, and it was early enough there wouldn't really be anything to patrol against. So, he slowly soared through the air, enjoying the feeling of utter freedom. When he occasionally passed other flying heroes on their way about town, he gave a friendly nod and wave. Then he heard the muted roar of a crowd cheering. Curious, he adjusted his course until he was closer. He was a bit shocked by what he saw, to say the least. Two heroes, grandstanding for the cameras? It was good that they were doing hero work, but this sort of showboating... 'I can't understand such things sometimes. I suppose it's nice to be recognized, though. Wait, did that guy in the wasp outfit take his helmet off? Huh. I guess some people aren't as concerned as I am about such things...' He hovered closer, perhaps 50 feet up in the air, and about midway back from the front of the crowd. He simply "stood" there in the air, watching with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. His coat flapped slightly in the breeze, and his white costume all but gleamed in the sun. But with the crowd's attentions so focused, he went largely unnoticed.
Electra Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 Miss A looked up at her new rival consideringly. She kept tabs on the major social functions of the city, especially charity functions, mostly because it was such fun to get dressed up. But even with her finger on the pulse, she hadn't heard anything about this. Which probably meant he was making it up. And on Veteran's Day, no less, when everything was closed up. Well then, it was obviously time to be gracious! "Oh, how wonderful!" Miss Americana exclaimed with great sincerity. "I'm sure you've gone to great effort to put together a marvelous ball celebrating the hard work of Freedom City's emergency services. It should be the affair of the season, I'm sure. I know that every news outlet will want to cover it, the better to support such a worthy cause." She looked to the reporters for affirmation and found it easily enough.
Shockwasp Posted November 14, 2010 Author Posted November 14, 2010 Nikolas was digging himself deeper with every word he spoke. And this woman, this... Americana, was catching his every slip. It was infuriating, but it was also a chance to think on his feet, something he'd been needing work on for quite some time. Of course, that also meant that he was currently woefully unprepared for this. "I- I am sure they will. Unfortunately..." The spark of an idea lit up behind his eyes. "Unfortunately, I- we at Wasp Electric do not feel that forcing the families of those we've lost into the spotlight to be the best way to honor their memories. It is for this reason that the ball is to be a strictly private affair." He had his footing again, at least for a moment. Turning to the cameras, Nick gave another smile. "Any individuals or organizations who have not yet been invited, and who wish to attend, please make arrangements with Bill Issac at Wasp Electric. A minimum donation of $1,000,000 will be required per guest, however, and attendance will be strictly limited, though FCPD officers and their families are, of course, all welcome."
KnightDisciple Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 Gabriel frowned. He appreciated the idea of such a charity event. But such a high bar for entrance would likely mean fewer funds raised. He lowered his altitude a bit, though it was unneeded. His mastery of sound meant that everyone, even the recording devices present, heard him as clearly as if he were standing next to them. "That's an awful lot of money to require for entry. Surely there's a better way to respect the privacy and dignity of the families involved in this great charitable endeavor, than requiring a full million dollars be donated just to attend. Why not lower the bar to something like a thousand dollars? That's still no small amount of money, but it means more people can attend and donate. A million dollar door charge sounds like a recipe for social posing. Might want to require that donations be anonymous to the press. This event's about caring for families of lost heroes, not puffing up egos. Then, route the funds through charity that respects privacy, and you're golden. Now, don't get me wrong. It's a fabulous idea, and I fully support it. I just think you should open it up a bit, hm?" Gabriel had a winning smile on his face as he floated there in the air, his voice oddly quiet and calm for someone that such a large crowd could hear so clearly. And he was just such a...such a swell guy!
Electra Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 "That's a wonderful idea!" Miss Americana said enthusiastically. "You're Gabriel, aren't you?" she asked, searching her mental files for information on the flying hero. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Half the cameras were on him now, thanks to his good looks and impressive personal magnetism, but she didn't mind that. He was on her side, however unawares. "A thousand dollar donation per plate will surely draw the movers and shakers of Freedom City, even on short notice. That will raise far more money. I know I myself will gladly purchase a ticket."
Shockwasp Posted November 14, 2010 Author Posted November 14, 2010 If Nick could curse without half the city hearing him do so, he would have. Loudly. Instead, he smiled, nodded, and tried not to think about how badly the paparazzi were going to tear into him for this as he replied to Gabriel's comment. "Ah, yes! I have to agree. Consider that suggestion official. A one-thousand dollar minimum donation, with anything extra welcome, but anonymous!" He was being eaten alive, and oh, what he wouldn't give for some kind of distraction.
KnightDisciple Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 Gabriel cleared his throat. Everyone could still hear him just fine. "Perhaps make arrangements where donations are done beforehand, or are handled in a private area? We don't want donors making spectactles of themselves as they drop checks with large monetary amounts into the "anonymous donations box". As well, perhaps it should be strongly suggested that participants cannot, ah, compare check sizes?" The very slight double entendre sent a chuckle through the crowd. "After all, it's more about the people getting the gift, than the people giving, yes?"
Electra Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 "I'm sure Shockwasp has already thought of all those things already, Gabriel," Miss A told him smoothly. "His ball will be a credit to him and his entire company, and a benefit to the city as a whole. I can't wait to see how it turns out!" As the police cars pulled away, she stepped away from the other heroes a little bit, surveying the situation. "But for now, it looks like the scene here is entirely secure. Thank you both for stopping to check in," she told Shockwasp and Gabriel graciously. "It's always good to know I have backup."
Shockwasp Posted November 14, 2010 Author Posted November 14, 2010 Nick winced as he prepared for his public image to be ground even further into the dirt. It was, admittedly, a bit of a surprise to see her switching sides. Why would she...? "Oh, of course, Miss Americana. And thank you for helping me publicize this event. I'm sure that we'll be able to ra-" A sound of heavy thudding and shattering concrete drew Wasp's attention away from his PR recovery. The source of the sound was soon apparent, as a hulking man of metal, at least seventy feet in height, tore its way to the surface from inside the sewers, and immediately began bashing the nearby buildings. "...lovely."
Electra Posted November 14, 2010 Posted November 14, 2010 Despite her earlier plays to the camera, Miss A didn't wait for the reporters to get set up before leaping into action, not when there were people who needed saving! At the same time, though, the presence of two other heroes and all those cameras meant she couldn't just shut down and make the robot do whatever she wanted. They'd have to do it the hard way. Rocketing into the air, she massaged her wrists lightly, then flexed her fingers, increasing the gain on her lasers to increase their potency. That was a tough-looking robot. "Stand down!" she commanded the robot. "The heroes of Freedom City are here!" When it totally ignored her, she aimed and fired, intense beams of red, white and blue light streaming from her fingertips to score the metal skin!
Shockwasp Posted November 14, 2010 Author Posted November 14, 2010 Uninjured by the attack, the great machine ran, and swung its fist at the airborne heroine, and missed her by a wide margin, impacting into the building beside. Down on the ground, Shockwasp was just responding as well. His mask was on in a moment, and he turned, watching the present police officers escort civilians away to safe areas. Wow. Each and every one of them did their job at a moment's notice, with no thoughts for glory, or their own safety. Wasp was both impressed, and humbled. Turning his attention back up, he was soon in the sky as well, though far enough away from the other heroes that it wouldn't be able to take them all out with one blow. "There are too many people here!" He shouted. "We have to take this thing out, now!" Energy crackling from his gauntlets, the hero fired a pair of high-energy bolts at the machine... to approximately the same effect as breathing on it would have had.
KnightDisciple Posted November 15, 2010 Posted November 15, 2010 Gabriel turned in shock at the noise, and stood there dumbfounded for several seconds. "A bloody giant robot? This city is bloody crazy sometimes!" As his fellow heroes attempt to bring down the metallic giant, Gabriel flies about 20 feet into the air, sonic energy surging around his body as he focused all his efforts on taking down this monstrous metal menace. "Begone!" And with that, a surge of sonic energy lashed out at the robot, battering against its plating as Gabriel sought to buy time for the civilians to run away.
Electra Posted November 15, 2010 Posted November 15, 2010 Miss A watched in some annoyance as the robot was barely scratched by their attacks. A new technique was called for. "Come on," she called to the others. "Everyone hit him together! It's the only way we'll be able to take him down!" She matched actions to words, sending intense beams of focused colored light shooting once again towards the metal carapace. "Hurry!" she urged them.
Shockwasp Posted November 19, 2010 Author Posted November 19, 2010 Gabriel's blow seems to affect the lumbering machine, and it swings at him ineffectually with its massive arm. "Sounds like a plan!" Shockwasp nodded, and fired at the same spot as Miss A. Sparks and lights combined at the point of impact, which began to glow hot and distort. The machine was oblivious to the growing risk to its integrity, and was wide open for the third hero to give the final push that was needed.
KnightDisciple Posted November 19, 2010 Posted November 19, 2010 Gabriel lazily dodges the robot's blow, hovering in the air as he does so. "Well, at least we've hurt it." When Miss A and Shockwasp combine their attacks, Gabriel shrugs and moves over a bit. Once in position, he pushes both arms forward, and a solid line of sonic energy roars forward, striking the same spot. "You two brought the lightning, now I'll bring the thunder!
Shockwasp Posted November 21, 2010 Author Posted November 21, 2010 GM Post Three attacks combine at one point, and the combination of heat, sound, and whatever mad science is inside the robot, causes a great explosion from within the robot's chest. It stumbles backwards, damaged, sparking innards revealed through a massive hole in its armor. It struggles to stand, one final blow away from shutting down.
Electra Posted November 23, 2010 Posted November 23, 2010 "Again!" Miss A called to the other two, looping around in a blur of red and blue to come in at the robot from a different angle. "One more good hit and it'll be down! Together with me!" With that, she aimed straight for the most damaged area of the robot, extended fists that glowed with multicolored light, and flew in at top speed to punch the robot into oblivion!
Shockwasp Posted November 24, 2010 Author Posted November 24, 2010 Staggered, and struggling to run some kind of diagnostic or repair, the giant robot flails helplessly at the tiny heroes battering it. "Right behind you!" Careful not to hit his rival-turned-ally, Shockwasp charged and fired another blast from his gauntlets, the crackling energy flying past Miss A to impact the robot as well. "Just a bit more!"
KnightDisciple Posted November 25, 2010 Posted November 25, 2010 Gabriel grit his teeth as the robot teetered before the assault of his fellow heroes. One final push! He took a moment to gather sonic energy once more, and let it rip through the air, the faint sound of a roaring lion making itself known alongside the sound of a crashing wave. The beam of concentrated sound waves struck the robot like a physical blow, tearing even deeper into its superstructure. "And behold! A great thunder roared out, and mine enemy was struck by its fury!" Gabriel's voice echoed above the sound of his own attack, easily reaching the ears of Miss Americana and Shockwasp.
Shockwasp Posted December 21, 2010 Author Posted December 21, 2010 The final, gathered attacks of the heroes connected once more inside the chest of the damaged machine. It stumbled backwards on fumbling metal legs, tripping over a semi-trailer, and fell. Groping futilely at the air, the robot crashed into the street in a great cacophony of noise, smoke, and dust, punctuated by one more explosion. The on-lookers still able to see the fight, consisting mostly of police at that point, cheered and whooped for the successful heroes, even as they continued their work. "...awesome." Nick's attention remained bound by the spectacle for a moment, though the cheer of the crowd brought him back to reality. Turning back towards the witnesses and their cameras, Shockwasp bowed and posed, lowering himself back down to street level. "Thank you! You're really too kind." More camera flashes, as civilians emerged to see the aftermath, and the heroes. "And how about a big hand for Miss Americana and..." White clothes, sound powers, I know I've heard of this guy... Think, think, think... "Gabriel!"
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