MissKyo

We're at 408, 000, 000 influence right now...see you guys tomorrow in Pocket D.

New update...this is the last longish one for a while so expect a lot of short ones to come over the next few days.

Alazne

We tracked the kidnapper-is it still kidnapper if the person's an adult? That's strange. Anyhow, we tracked the kidnapper to a warehouse in Croatoa. I remember thinking it was odd at the time, how everything significant seems to happen to Uncle or Snap in Croatoa, but that's not the point here.

We had already scouted Croatoa once, of course, but we were not expecting her to have been carried invisibly to a warehouse and then buried inside.

Uncle did the whole kicking in the door routine, with Alaric right behind him ready to shock the firast person who got in the way. I have to say that Alaric is a lot calmer than Uncle in that respect-he doesn't let himself get taken over by rage.

We entered the place to find it seemingly empty. Luckily, by some sixth sense (or his enhanced sense of smell, which is impressive), Uncle was able to lead us to another door, which was previously blocked from view by a pile of crates. This lead to a flight of stairs.

The stairs led us to a small basement room, containing another door. Just as we reached it, fully intending to burst in and rescue Snap if she was there, a man came out, smiling grimly.

He wore all black, with a black hood, and his face was obscured somehow, probably by a mask. All we could see were his eyes-cold eyes, cold with satisfaction. He felt that he had done something right.

We knew that he had done something horribly, horribly wrong. Those black clothes and silver chains were smeared red with blood. He grinned madly at us, a weird light shining in his eyes. "Hequat has sent you to aid me in my quest? Atl ast, she has heard my prayers!"

"What-?" Alaric began, then gasped. "Snap!"

The door behind the man in black swung fully open, revealing to us the grisliest thing i have ever seen. I will never forget. A small, distinctly female body lay facedown on a stone altar, her arms and legs stretched out spreadeagle and tied that way. A black hood obscured the figure's head, and two gaping, bleeding wounds marred the pale skin of her back.

We all knew it was Snap.

Uncle howled once. I've never heard anything like it. It was the kind of noise you hear about in horror stories, filled with rage and bloodlust. It startled the enemy just long enough for Uncle to barrel into him, knocking him to the floor. Uncle howled again, this time with pain, as he came into contact with the chains on the man's chest-they were obviously pure silver, and burned Uncle where they touched him. He shifted his position, slashing at the man's unprotected face and neck, while I pummeled him with kicks from behind and Alaric held him in a circle of lightning, waiting for a clear shot. Finally, that shot came, and Alaric put him down with an arrow in his heart. Uncle slashed his throat for good measure, and as they stood there, panting, and glaring at the lifeless, bleeding body of the Will of Hequat, I ran to Snap, yelling for them to come help me.

Uncle slashed through the ropes while Alaric worked on getting the hood off her head. I started ripping banners off of the walls. The things were covered in symbols which probably had disgusting meanings, but they were clean, they were cloth, and they could be used to wrap Snap in and to stop the bleeding. By the time I had gathered a few of the heavy banners off their stands, Alaric was cradling Snap's head in his lap, trying to find out if she was still alive.

I remember we were crying. I think the heat of Uncle's anger burned out any tears he might have had. He was pacing around the room muttering angrily to himself while Alaric and I worked to cover her decently and tightly enough to be moved. We finally got her poor little body wrapped in the banners, and only then did Uncle seem to decide what course of action to take. Carefully, he lifted her up and carried her outside, with Alaric and I close behind.

"Where are you taking her?" Alaric asked, clearly concerned for Uncle's mental health at this point.It's always been hard to tell exactly how Uncle feels about Snap. I can only say that to have a friendship that close with someone is rare for anyone, let alone for a person who is a loner by nature.

"Hospital," Uncle grunted. Then he took off, leaping into the air. Alaric followed, flying close behind.

I, meanwhile, was left in their dust as I tried to figure out how to get through the maze that is Salamanca to the hospital. Sometimes, super speed can be a drag.

This is still Sunday...still at 9 pm EST...still in Pocket D.

Wolfie, if I can't catch up with you before then, I'll get the NPWN budget money to you after the CC.

Also, it looks like we're up to 325 mil blueside and 100 mil redside...of course, that's IF I can count, which I doubt.

I'll be around tonight from around 7 pm EST on...hopefully you can catch be between 7 and 8, as I have no idea whether my usual group is doing a TF tonight or not.

AFAIK, Everything Else is staying on the air...I believe the exact phrase I was given was "Don't worry, I'm just leaving Protector, not KJSR..."

It's okay, Badge! We figured your computer exploded from the sheer awesomeness of our team.

*stuffs all PK's stuff (except the aforementioned wallet) into a closet in the Teamsters base and padlocks the door shut*

Dun worry, we'll keep it safe til you decide to come back.

New chapter...there was another update somewhere in between but I'm sure anyone who's interested will catch up fast.

Snap Play

I came to lying on my stomach, with my arms and legs restrained and something cold and rough against my cheek. When I opened my eyes, I could tell that the room we were in was meant to resemble a temple of some sort. Arcane runes decorated the edge of the surface I lay on, and similar runes decorated a tall spire a little way away. Beyond that, the edge of the room was lit by a torch. The torch showed me something I wished I hadn't seen. The altar I lay on-I had to guess it was an altar of some kind-was stained red. I shuddered.

As that brief spasm shot through me, it brought with it another realization: I was naked. Someone had tied me down, naked, in a room meant for what were obviously arcane purposes.

This could mean one of several things, I thought, and none of them was particularly good.

I heard a footstep behind me, then a hand caressed the back of my head. "Who's there?" I asked, struggling to move my head-to no avail. "Who are you? Let me go! Let me go right now, or you'll be sorry!" I balled up one fist, scraping my knuckles on the stone as I did so, and tried to summon the powers I'd grown so used to over the past few months. "I'll blast you to kingdom come!" I growled, hoping I sounded more vicious than I probably looked.

Nothing happened.

He laughed again. "Did you think I would bring you here without adequate preparations? No, abomination of magic, I did not. This room has been specially prepared with a ritual that...well, let's just say that it prevents you from using any magically-granted powers. If I'm not very much mistaken, that includes all of yours, doesn't it?"

"That's none of your business!" I snapped. "And I'm not an abomination, you...you cretin!"

A deep chuckle sounded. "Oh, little abomination, you make me laugh. Even now, caught as you are, you struggle against your bonds and curse at me. I've been watching you, small one, and I think your spirit admirable. Aren't you lucky?"

He drew those last three words out with an intonation that made my blood run cold. Obviously, I wasn't nearly as lucky as he wanted me to think I was. "Who are you? Answer me, you [censored]! What are you going to do to me?"

Suddenly, he was in front of me, a looming black blot against the light. I could see silver chains gleaming out of the corner of my eye, and I strained to see more. A black costume, all black, and a black hood with silver decoration, to go with those silver chains around his chest and arms. As he drew closer, I recognized an aura coming off of him that could only be described as evil. This was definitely the man in black I'd been searching for.

I had to get away. Somehow, I had to get free. Even if I couldn't completely escape, maybe I could get out of this room long enough to use some of my powers, long enough to knock him out...I began pulling against the ropes that bound me, but they were strong, and I knew from experience that I was too weak to break them. I didn't stop trying, however, until a large hand pressed down on the flat of my back.

I began begging mentally for 'Razur and Alaric to find me. If they didn't, I couldn't imagine what would happen. I didn't want to imagine.

"Who am I, little one?" the figure purred. "I am he who you have been tracking this past time. They call me the Will of Hequat. You, however, will not be calling me anything. I have been watching you, yes...and I think your spirit will make ample sustenance for my goddess, even if it does come from one as small and...perverted," he spat, "as your lowly self." He reached out of my view and produced a sheathed knife, then presented it to me as though seeking my approval before he unsheathed it and laid the sheath aside. "We will cleanse you of your physical imperfections, abomination, and then we shall see if my goddess will finally grant me understanding of her Tome, that I may be the one to restore her spirit fully to this plane!"

"What are you-hey!" He grabbed my hair, pulling it viciously. I heard the blade sweep through my hair, cutting it short. He laid the bundle of hair in front of my face, then moved behind me. Suddenly, a black blur showed up in front of me. Before I had a chance to cry out, he had shoved a bundle of fabric into my mouth, tying it behind my head. Then he grabbed another piece of fabric and covered my face with it, tying this also at the back of my neck.

I couldn't see. I couldn't speak. The terror that had been building in me since I had seen the knife grew sharper, more tangible. Cold as I felt, I knew I was sweating.

I heard some kind of quiet chanting, muffled by the hood. I couldn't make out the words. It went on for a long, long time, and I sensed, rather then heard, him walk around the table or altar or whatever I was tied to several times.

He laid his hand on my head, and more words were chanted. Something was horribly wrong here, I thought again. If this were some sort of ritual, surely there'd be a sense of power building by now...but no. Just me, the crazy man called Will of Hequat, and the fear, which was becoming a presence in itself. I screamed as a sharp pain sliced through the tip of first one long, pointed ear, then the other.

He was not. He continued to chant for a long time. My ears throbbed and burned, and I knew that I would need to take care of them immediately, as soon as I could. Of course, that would mean I would have to escape, and if I hadn't been able to manage that before, how would I now, when he had the knife and I was weak from the pain?

Abruptly, the chanting stopped. I felt his hand take hold of one of my wings, and I felt something cold but burning touch my skin near the base of the same appendage. The knife!

I felt the first cut of the blade, through the delicate nerves at the top edge of the wing. I screamed as loud as I ever had, and was so much in pain that I couldn't think of anything else. Then the pain granted me a mercy my torturer had not, and blotted out the world, leaving me, finally, in dark peace.

Ended up in a vid conference with a faraway friend. Sorry I couldn't make it, BB.

1. What's your favorite color?

Orange, purple, and green. Yes, all of them.

2. What is your very favorite song of all time?

Shine - Mr. Big

3. What is your very favorite movie of all time?

Labyrinth

4. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what THREE things would you take with you?

Biggest notebook in the world, pack of multicolored pens, and solar-powered emergency radio.

5. If you could own any kind of car, what would it be?

None of 'em. I'd rather have a trike.

6. If you were in prison and were about to be executed, what would your final meal be?

Hot chicken wings from the Anchor Bar with bleu cheese and celery and carrot sticks, Pepsi, and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

7. If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Socrates, Jeff Dunham, and Robin Williams.

8. If you could do any profession, what would it be?

Stage actor.

9. If you could change ONE thing about yourself, what would it be?

My self-control.

10. Cats or dogs?

Both.

11. What is your favorite sport and why?

I hate sports. They have no point.

12. If you had your choice between staying home watching TV, going to the movies or going to a professional sporting event, which would you choose?

Movies.

13. If you could be ANYBODY in the world, who would you be and why?

I have no problem being who I am.

Hey BB, since the GRRR is this weekend and people will be needing mechs, are we running two or three this week?

And for the record, if we're doing more than one, what time are we starting?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
<3 you Burdy...

Now quit making alts and focus! xDD

[/ QUOTE ]

Says the person that has never seen a purple recipe because she keeps spending time on alts instead of on her level 50s....

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I have one level 50 and a level 48.5...not multiple 50s.

<3 you Burdy...

Now quit making alts and focus! xDD

I don't think I've ever seen a purple recipe, lol...not one that was dropped to me, anyhow; Charlie gave me one a long long time ago.

If people are willing to put up the stake, and if people are willing to participate, I'll gladly host one last blowout CC. I'd add my own inf to it, but I currently have less than 5 mil across 7 toons. Damn you altitis! DAMN YOU!

Was no problem, Mio. Elasi joined us and, despite multiple DCs and poor badge's computer not cooperating with him, we succeeded.

Task Force Hunter (FINALLY a cool name!) finished the Manticore TF in 2:58:13. It would have been shorter but we spent a lot of time eating dirt.

Next week: The 5th Column Overthrow, Mender Lazarus' TF. Levels 30-39, 4 missions, 6 merits. Minimum size is one.

Well, since Wolfie's volunteered to take charge, looks like the CC is canceled.

If anyone was looking forward to coming, many apologies, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Go to Badge's GRRR event instead and rack up some V-merits.

If someone else wants to step up and take it, I'll cancel the CC and they're welcome to it.

Of course, I'm bearing in mind that, again, very few people have even expressed ANY interest in either volunteering for or even showing up for NPWN at all lately. It took two months to get 3 people to step up for the last NPWN, and that's sad, because it was a great idea when it first started and it still is.

If you want to take on the responsibility for it, be my guest.

If I had the inf to convert in the first place, I'd be all over this offer, since we're trying to upgrade our base plot (I ran out of things to edit). I still might, if Fulmens doesn't get bored before I can raise the inf.

Well, it looks like NPWN is a bust. Volunteers have been few and far between for the last 2 runs and it hasn't been nearly as successful as it could be. With emptying two extra character slots in mind, therefore, it's time for a nice bit costume contest!

The CC will be in Pocket D, and both heroes AND villains will be eligible; however, you MUST have both a hero and a villain to win the prize, since it is in both influence and infamy.

This Sunday night at 9 pm EST, show up in Pocket D and get in line. Whoever has the best overall costume, as decided by myself and a group of volunteers, will win 294,001,059 influence and 87,001,078 infamy. That's the whole remainder of the NPWN budget. Again, you can enter either a hero OR a villain but you MUST have one of each to accept the prize!

Griefers will be disqualified and the use of powers and emotes will not be permitted. Character bios will not be taken into consideration.

If you would like to volunteer to be a judge, please send me a PM.

See you Sunday.

Happy birfday, Rasta.

Alazne

The radio crackled at my belt. "Anything?"

"No, clear in Talos," I responded.

"Damn. Peregrine's clear too. We're running out of places to look for her. Alaric?"

"I'm in Founders' Falls. Noth-wait! A civilian speaks her name!"

We waited what seemed like an eternity, while Alaric talked to the person who had mentioned Snap. Finally, he spoke again, his voice sounded staticky over the radio.

"She was seen here fighting the Circle of Thorns, not but two hours ago. This person I spoke to says that she then began to walk back towards the University. Partway there, he saw her crumple to the ground, then she was lifted by an invisible force, and then she became invisible too. This is most strange...it worries me greatly."

"Me too." Uncle replied grimly as Alaric cut out. "Ali, meet us in Founders' Falls. If she was fighting the Circle of Thorns there, I bet they can tell us who took her and where they went."

"Got it," I replied, feeling less and less confident by the second. "On my way."

Hey PK...if you leave...can I have your stuff?

But seriously, stay. Stay because your SG is awesome even if you don't hang out with us enough.

1.) Me
2.) OD
3.) BB
4.) B
5.) Novashade
6.) Unholy
7.) Mentalshock
8.) Arion Elan

Bring anything you'd like to bring, we usually end up mowing down everything in our path regardless of team build.