Spectrum's Comments: This issue kicks off the crossover with the Equinox team from Crusaders Plus. The Equinox team is all set, now to bring the Crusaders into all of this.
Crusaders # 14 - "Come Together"
Welcome one and all to what is our first crossover in the Crusaders Universe! In all likelihood, Crusaders Plus will return in a few months. But in the meantime, we'll be operating out of this one title. The only real problems with this format will be for N4sir and Schar, who have characters in both titles. Hope you two don't mind posting twice!
Crusaders Notice: The election of a leader failed to elect one. Perhaps you might want to try again? Imperial received 1 vote, as did Officer Terry. But Terry has declined the offer. Since it was approved to have a leader, everyone needs to vote this time out.
Within the meeting room of the Crusaders, the team is surprised to find the supposedly missing Lightwarp waiting for them!
Lightwarp - "About time you got here! Take a seat and I'll begin the briefing."
However, the team doesn't quite co-operate. According to Lord Liberty's scanners, this is not the real Lightwarp.
Golden Lion - "Are you sure that it isn't Lightwarp? Is it a man or a machine or a hologram?"
Lord Liberty - "It is a man, but data does not match Lightwarp's specifics. Probability of error is 1.76435%. Although the physical resemblance is close, you are not Lightwarp. I have noticed such likenesses in various individuals all of whom were related. Are you related to Lightwarp somehow?"
Lightwarp - "Don't be absurd, tin man! Sit down all of you!"
Imperial - "That's good enough for me! Let's slag the sucker!!"
Imperial flies across the table at the Lightwarp imposter. A beam of emerald energy flies from the double and blasts Imperial back across the room.
The rest of you tense up and prepare for battle.
Lightwarp - "Before you all do something you'll regret, perhaps you had best listen to me."
Firestar - "Make it fast."
Golden Lion - "Do not forget we out number you."
Lightwarp laughs for a moment.
Lightwarp - "I forget nothing, my large feline friend. However, it is I who hold all the wild cards in this game."
Imperial - "You're bluffin'! Get 'im, guys! What are you waiting for?"
Lightwarp - "It would be a shame if anything were to happen to that delightful young woman who runs the mansion."
Golden Lion - "Felicity? What have you done to her?"
Lightwarp - "Nothing. Yet. Or what about that sweet little boy that is the pal of our tin man?"
Lord Liberty - "Ernie! You will not harm Ernie!"
Lightwarp - "Of course I won't. As long as you four cooperate with me. They will be perfectly safe."
Firestar - "What choice do we have?"
Silently, the team takes their seats.
Golden Lion - "What have you done with the real Lightwarp?"
Lightwarp - "I have no idea what became of your leader. Honest. He appears to have joined the many heroes who have seemingly disappeared over the last few weeks."
Imperial - "Just like Backlash, Nomad, RALF, Plasma Paladin, Sundragon, Ultimax... They all have simply disappeared."
Firestar - "Sounds ominous. So, who are you and what do you want of us?"
Lightwarp - "My real identity is not important. As for my purpose, it is a benefit to us all. Have any of you ever heard of SHADOW?"
Lord Liberty - "Apart from the character reference, I have no data on SHADOW."
Lightwarp - "SHADOW stands for the Supernatural Headquarters for the Absolute Domination of the World. This is an organization made up of supernatural beings. Zombies, Vampires and worse."
Imperial - "Give me a break."
Lightwarp - "Jest if you like, but I am telling the truth. This organization is a major menace. They must be stopped. I have no way to prove it, but somehow they are responsible for the death of the millionaire guy, Arthur Hudson. I know where the New York branch of SHADOW is located. We are going to smash that base."
Firestar - "Let me get this straight. You are blackmailing us into stopping an evil organization? Why?"
Lightwarp - "For me to know and you to wonder why."
Golden Lion - "Now I've heard everything."
Meanwhile, at the apartment building on Mercer St., another group of heroes are planning action. As they discuss what action to take, more missing police officers arrive to the apartment. Finally, they are ten in number.
Note: the apartment in question is located in the front of the building. It has windows on two it's four sides.
Ranger and Nightingale circle around to the side of the apartment. Monarch and the Sorceress accompany Officer Terry to the front door.
Ranger locates an unlocked window and silently pushes it open. The area beyond is a rest room and empty. 'Gale silently flies into the room. The room seems to have minimal use.
Ranger listens at the doorway, but can only hear bits and pieces of the conversation going on. The word SHADOW is mentioned several times. Then all goes silent when a knock is heard.
At the front door, Terry awaits a response for inside. A moment later, a voice is heard from inside: 'Go away!'
Terry knocks once more from the side. The door flies open to reveal Gratz himself. He looks differently from the earlier visit. Somehow more evil. He hisses at Terry revealing vampire-like fangs!!
Monarch punches the man in the face, driving him back into the room. Terry, Sorceress and Monarch look into the room itself. Gratz lies on the floor of the living room, cursing. Seated about the room are the ten missing police officers.
Gratz - "Kill the infidels!!"
The officers all move forward, their own fangs showing!!
At the moment, the bathroom door swings open and Ranger and Nightingale come out.
Ranger - "Surrender all of you!"
The vampires are surprised for a moment. As if this isn't enough, a beam of energy shatters the large picture window in the living room. Led by Lightwarp, Imperial, Firestar, Golden Lion and Lord Liberty have arrived on the scene!!
GM Notes:
Okay, here's the situation:
Ranger and Nightingale are coming in from the north.
Terry, Monarch, and the Sorceress from the south.
The Crusaders are flying in from the west.
Also, the members of the Crusaders will be known to the members of Equinox via TV coverage. The Crusaders might be able to identify some of the members of Equinox. Use your own judgment.
There's also a stranger in costume coming down the stairs in the same hallway as Monarch, Officer Terry, and the Sorceress.
Spectrum's Comments: Yep, it's the return of Gratz and his vampire police! I'm beginning to think that the false Lightwarp was someone like the Chameleon. The basic idea was to have the heroes wipe out a rival organization for them. The stranger was a new PC.
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 05/21/89 S#: 412001
"Warning! Although these gentlemen appear to be police officers, my sensors indicate that there is something strange about them. They appear to be vampires. To quote one of the numerous documentaries I have seen on the subject, they are 'blood sucking parasites'. Although my systems do not run on organic plasma of this kind, my friends do. It would be most unacceptable if this would happen.
Vampire weaknesses are holy water, crucifixes, and sunlight. The most appropriate means of termination is a wooden stake through the heart. Firestar since your powers come from the sun, perhaps you will have the most effect on them. Everyone else please be careful not to let them bite you."
Lord Liberty will then proceed to pick up the nearest large object (a table or sofa preferably) and use it to push as many of the vampires that he can into the nearest wall and try to hold them there.
SUBJ: Firestar
"You better believe that I won't let them bite me, Liberty! You might be right... My flame may have a greater affect on them, however there is one problem. I can't go around blasting them while still in the apartment. I don't want to burn the building down! So, if any of you muscle types would care to toss a few of the fanged types out into the street, it would be my pleasure to light their fire!'"
SUBJ: Sorceress
"These are the guys who framed TJ? Sic 'em Monarch!"
The Sorceress will remain in the hallway. I'll try to summon magic bolts to strike the vampires, praying not to summon up petunias this time. If any of the creatures come at me or Officer Terry, I'll try to conjure up a barrier to protect. I'll also turn to the costumed man on the stairs.
"Who are you, pal? Friend or foe?"
SUBJ: Imperial
This is a stinkin' fang-pit! Imperial will fly into a pile of the Vamp-cops. I'll switch between strength and energy blast. Pound the suckers.
"You say you want a vamp of your own, hot-stuff? I'm just the man to do it!"
Using my great strength, I'll grab a handful of vamps and toss them out the window.
"Here ya go, babe! Compliments of Imperial!"
BTW, guys, what are we going to do about this imposter? Gee, it would really be a shame if something happened to him in this fight, if you get my drift.
SUBJ: Ranger FROM: Deslock 05/21/89 S#: 409256
- Quite a crowd we have here. I wonder what the Crusader's interest in these abominations is? Time enough for explanations later. -
"What is this, a Bela Lugosi look alike contest?" With that, I leap into the fray, landing a kick on the nearest vampire, then roll away. I'll keep on the move, hit and run tactics. Wouldn't want any of the Drac pack to put the bite on me.
SUBJ: The Stranger........... (R) FROM: LuvPuppie 05/22/89 S#: 399035
The Stranger in costume that came down the stairs all of a sudden steps through a wall. He Says "Gentleman Please do not do anything to ruin the Integrity of this building there are innocent People about. I know some of you from newscasts as Superhero Types, so I'm sure you can handle this situation well without destroying the building." If any of the Vampire Approaches Spirit he will Blast him toward the outside wall. If this doesn't work he will go Insubstantial.
The Spirit
Spectrum's Comments: This was the new player. Spirit could go invisible and intangible and fire energy blasts.
SUBJ: Miss Terry... FROM: Miss Terry 05/22/89 S#: 438647
Terry looks around the room for any wooden objects, if there is a chair made of wood or anything else of wood that she can break and use she will attempt to get it. Her concentration stays on Gratz trying to immobilize him as she goes in for the kill on him.
"There is a chance if we kill Gratz that the others will be released from being vampires, I'm sure there not Vamps by choice."
SUBJ: MONARCH FROM: N4SIR 05/24/89 S#: 486600
"Never let it be said that Monarch has ever shirked his duties towards the fairer sex."
With that Monarch will be sure that he keeps himself at all times between the Sorceress and Ms. Terry. He will exert enough force to render as many of these things immobile as he can and never letting them get near the two ladies.
"Sorceress I take it that these things are somewhat...supernatural?"
SUBJ: Sorceress
"Yes, they are what we call UNDEAD. They thrive on the blood that flows through our veins. DO NOT LET ONE BITE YOU!!!
Crusaders #15 - "Out For Blood"
The, up onto recently, secret SHADOW base was in total chaos. The lord of this branch of SHADOW, a vampire named Gratz, was instructing his converts when Equinox came a-callin. Only they weren't alone. Shortly afterwards the Crusaders crashed the party. And away we go!
Imperial - "This is a stinkin' fang-pit!"
He flies into the apartment and takes a swing at one of the vampire police. The officer ducks and changes into a wolf. The wolf leaps at Imperial and knocks him to the floor.
Imperial - "Down fido! Ya got me confused with a milk bone!"
A form steps into the apartment through the wall. The Spirit has arrived.
Spirit - "Gentlemen, please do not do anything to ruin the integrity of this building. There are innocent people about. I know some of you are superheroes from newscast. I'm sure that you can handle this situation."
Golden Lion reaches into the apartment and grabs one of the vampires. Firmly in his grasp, Lion tosses the vampire into the street.
Golden Lion - "Here you go, Firestar!"
Firestar - "Thanks, Lion!"
Fire surrounds the vampire in the street. When it clears, the vampire is unconscious.
Lord Liberty and Lightwarp enter the apartment. Liberty grabs the sofa and uses it to push 4 of the vampires into a corner. Lightwarp flies at another of the vampires. The vampire sidesteps the clumsy assault and Lightwarp crashes through the wall.
Monarch steps into the room and punches Gratz again. This time the vampire leader lands on a table, shattering it.
Ranger - "What is this? A Bela Lugosi look alike contest?"
Ranger spins to his left and delivers a flying kick to one vampire. The force of the blow is tremendous. The vampire is hurtled through a door and into the room beyond.
The Sorceress casts a spell and fires a mystic bolt at another of the vampires.
Nightingale ego attacks a lady vampire next to the one Ranger belted.
Officer Terry crosses the room and picks up one of the wooden legs of the table that Gratz shattered. Her mind reaches out and assaults Gratz. Their eyes lock and Gratz forces his will on hers. Terry tries to defend herself, but his will is too strong.
A change comes over the vampires pinned by the sofa. Three of them change into mist and float through the sofa. The other changes into a bat and flies out the window. That vampire buzzes Firestar.
Firestar - "Get away from me!"
A vampire leaps at Monarch; it's jaws reaching for the large man's throat. Only Monarch's strength holds it back.
Another vampire solidifies and hits Lord Liberty with a club. The robot is knocked back across the room. He inadvertently collides with Ranger. Together they hit the woman vampire that Nightingale had previously egoed. All three land in a pile in the bedroom where Ranger had knocked another of the vampires.
The woman vampire bares her fangs and plunges them into Lord Liberty's neck! The surprised robot feels the fangs pierce his metallic skin. His surprise pales when compared to that of the biter. The woman's eyes open wide as, to her horror, she can't remove her fangs from Lord Liberty's neck. They are stuck!
The remaining vampires take the offensive; one transforms into a bat and flies at the Sorceress. At the last possible moment, the Sorceress' cape comes alive of its own accord. It snaps out and slaps the bat away!
Sorceress - "How did that happen?!?"
Another pursues Lightwarp, who had crashed into the other bedroom.
The last approaches the Spirit. But, the Spirit is ready. Energy flies from his fingers as he blasts the vampire away. That vampire collides with Monarch.
Meanwhile, Imperial continues to wrestle with the wolf.
Imperial - "You say you want a vamp of your own, hot-stuff?"
Imperial manages to grab the tail of the wolf. He lifts the vampire into the air and spins it over his head.
Imperial - "Here ya go, babe! Compliments of Imperial!"
The wolf is released and it flies out into the street.
The Spirit blasts another vampire. This one is also knocked out of the building. Golden Lion grabs the flying vampire and smashes him to the concrete. The vampire is out.
In one of the bedrooms, Lord Liberty tries to punch the vampire that is stuck on his neck, but has little success. Ranger gives him a hand, or rather a foot, and kicks the vampire away. The vampires' fangs remain stuck to Lord Liberty, however.
Monarch blasts the vampire that he is fighting with a beam of energy. The lady vampire is stunned.
Out in the street, Firestar finds herself confronted by four vampires.
Firestar - "I haven't done this stunt in a while..."
A tremendous burst of fire is thrown by the young heroine. The area around all four of the vampires is blasted. All of the vampires are down when the fires dies down.
Exhausted, Firestar lands and collapses on the snow-covered sidewalk.
Following Firestar's example, the Sorceress conjures fire and knocks out the bat that has been annoying her.
Back in the middle of the living room, Gratz continue to enforce his will upon Terry. However, Nightingale ego's Gratz and his attacks cease. The vampire is momentarily dazed and Terry seizes the opportunity. Using the pointed end of the table leg she found, she uses it to pierce the heart of the vampire!
Gratz screams in pain, but is still quite alive.
Gratz - "I shall truly enjoy feasting on your corpse woman... You do not have the power to finish what you started!"
Imperial - "What about me, fang-face?"
Imperial uses his super-strength to shove the 'stake' home. The stake erupts out of Gratz's back and pins him to the wall. The vampire's death wail is something that none of you care to hear again.
The effect on the remaining vampires in immediate. Of the three that were standing at the time, two of them collapse to the floor. The other changes into a bat and flies off into the night.
All is silent in the apartment for a few moments. Until...
Golden Lion - "This isn't over yet! I'm sensing something!"
Lord Liberty - "I confirm Golden Lions observation. Eight entities that conform to Genocide Minutemen are rapidly approaching this location."
Firestar - "Genocide?! "
Eight of the Minutemen robots land in the street.
Minuteman - "Data retrieval: analysis indicates that entities targeted Golden Lion, Firestar, Imperial, Spirit, Monarch and Nightingale are present. Conclusion: Enter capture mode."
The Minutemen advance. Unnoticed by them, an aircraft of some type is rapidly approaching the scene.
Spectrum's Comments: Well that was a fun combat! The mystery aircraft was yet another PC, but one who didn't last very long. I had combined the games to make my life easier while Muskateer was away. Wouldn't you know it that right after I do that he returned! So, we put our heads together and came up with an idea to split the groups up again using the Minutemen attack. I wrote to two above posts and Muskateer the next.
Mail From: REM9 Date: Thursday 25-May-89 22:21 EDT
BTW I forgot to vote in the great election of leader of the Crusaders. My vote is for Firestar. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders (not to mention a body to match) and I would trust her judgment.
Mail From: N4SIR Date: Saturday 27-May-89 02:23 EDT
In the latest post you have uncovered the way to remove Golden Lion with the minutemen. He more than likely would have voted for lord liberty or Firestar. No, Firestar she is the only one that is human and uses her brains in a fight.
Spectrum's Comments: And thus, much to Imperial's and Firestar's chagrin, Firestar was named leader of the Crusaders! I wasn't thrilled to be the team leader for a game that I also ran, but they kept re-electing her! Oh well.
SUBJ: Firestar
"What can I say, guys? I am honored that you put that much trust me that much. I'll do my best!"
Now to the situation at hand... Yeoww! These are one thing that I had hoped never to see again. Our best bet would be to get out of the apartment and take to the streets. There we would have more maneuverability. Our only chance of beating these things would be to gang up one and then go on to the next.
SUBJ: Death from above .... FROM: Star Rngr4 05/27/89 S#: 449352
"Doggone it .. The buildings are to (deleted) flimsy for me to use my Sledgehammers.. Il have to go hand to hand for now"...
Ok .. Il get right above one, T-form to mode 1, and drop on his head form above. Then Ill start punching until The rest of my weapon systems come on line ...
SUBJ: Oh ... (R) FROM: Star Rngr4 05/28/89 S#: 122892
What Ya'll see is a 6m tall Robot drop from the sky on one of the minutemen and start pounding on him ... The robot, (except for its Height), looks a lot like it stepped out of a Cartoon ... a Robotech Veritech Fighter in battleoid mode, to be exact , except this one has missles all over it...
Spectrum's Comments: And that's Dimension Traveler and his fighting robot Tri-Star One. I know nothing about Robotech, so he description means nothing to me. In hindsight this was clearly a case of the wrong type of character for this game. Big and bulky heroes are harder to get into regular fights, such as indoors. He left in just a few posts, probably due to lack of interest.
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 05/28/89 S#: 447523
"Observation. There is one of the more famous heros. Although he has modified his body slightly I have seen him on television on many an occassion. We have the upper hand now. I have never seen him loose a battle. I will assist him on his target." Lord Liberty will then try to Find Weakness on this robot and leap from the window at his target. (Note he will also during this battle keep a sensor on Lightwarp. This is his only link to find Ernie and he will not loose it if possible.)
Spectrum's Comments: We seemed to completely forget about the false Lightwarp at this point as he didn't appear again. More than likely, he just slipped away in the confusion.
SUBJ: Hmmmmm..... FROM: CORRIN 05/29/89 S#: 516709
Spirit Flies out the Window trying to get the Robots to follow him. He goes Intangible. Hoping these Robots aren't Super-Intelligent he hopes the robot tries to chase him then in a sudden movement he heads straight to an open piece of Ground. He then flies straight into the Ground hoping the Robot or bots can't pull up in time and Crashes. Under Ground he will turn Invisible and come up a short distance a way toward the others. If he feels he has the Strength he will blast the one who was chasing him or if it was destroyed one of the others.
SUBJ: Sorceress
I won't let these things take my teammates away! Time to show what I can really do. Conjure up lethal magic and blast these things into next week!
'Don't worry, Monarch honey, I'll protect you!'
Spectrum's Comments: There's the Sorceress in full Argent mode having selected her male friend and bodyguard. :D
SUBJ: Imperial
A skirt?!? Ya elected a skirt to lead the Crusaders?!?! What is this country coming too? We guys are makin' a big mistake! Time to show you has beens what a real hero can do!
I'll take to the air and blast these overgrown sardine cans! We should be able to make a pretty penny sellin' them as scrap when I'm done.
Spectrum's Comments: Now you really didn't think he would be pleased with this latest development?
SUBJ: I'll say ... FROM: Star Rngr4 05/30/89 S#: 448954
And to think that I couldn't use my Sledgehammers. Shame. IF you thought Imperial were something, you should see me when I get real wound up.
"Howdy Folks. I hope Ya'll don't mind me Dropin in on ya'll kinda unexpected like, but I just couldn't pass up a party like this. By the wy, Ya'll might want to steer clear of anyone I'm after, this suit can pack a Pretty Powerful punch."
Spectrum's Comments: I think another factor with Dimension Traveler was that folks just seemed to ignore his character. It does happen in this type of gaming. I've seen it and have been on the receiving end as well. Just the nature of the beast. Of course being so difficult to relate too didn't help.
SUBJ: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (R) FROM: Jack0Lntrn 05/31/89 S#: 425663
"Uncle Henry!! I'm here for our weekly game of canasta!"
Just as the bucket-heads burst onto the scene, a bizarre sight also crashes in through one window. A man (?) dressed all in black soars in. In place of a head is a large pumpkin glowing with an unearthly light blue flame around it.
He surveys the ka-put Gratz...
"Uncle Henry? What did aunt Matilda tell you about eating red meat? You know you weren't supposed to have any more steaks!! I guess canasta is off this week, huh?"
When the Minutemen arrive, Jocko shoots into the air on his glider, cackling madly. He will then fly about and lob concussion pumpkin bombs at the giant robots.
"Minutemen, Minutemen, one through eight. I wish just for once tonight I were late. Since canasta is out, and there are giant robots on the loose, let the pumpkin bombs fly and make them vamoose!"
Spectrum's Comments: Jack O'Lantern makes his triumphant return!
SUBJ: Ranger FROM: Deslock 05/31/89 S#: 471428
"Nightingale, do you recognize these things? Why do I get the feeling these things are even nastier than they appear?"
After getting a run down on these things, I'll move into the streets, keeping to the shadows, circling to a position behind one of these things. Once in position, I'll jump out and drop kick one of them in the back of the knee. Hopefully this will bring it down and we can pig pile it before it recovers.
This done, I'll scan the field of battle for any heroes in distress, and attempt to draw off the attention of their attacker to give them time to recover, using acrobatics and dodging to avoid getting splattered.
SUBJ: MONARCH (R) FROM: N4SIR 06/02/89 S#: 125642
"Ah my dear Sorceress I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. However, MONARCH has never been one to shy away from combat. Until later?"
Monarch says kissing Sorceress' hand. Monarch then leaps in the air climbing into the clouds (::in non combat mode::) Monarch once in the clouds will race towards the on coming plane to determine its nature. If it is hostile he will seek to disable it directing it out away from the population center. if it is friendly he will turn and race back towards the minutemen assume a proper trajectory taking into account his considerable mass he can attain (5 levels of density increase) and attempt to take out as many of the minutemen as he can.
Spectrum's Comments: Monarch was very charming, handsome, and gallant. Not to mention muscle bound. Hard for Sheila to resist.
SUBJ: Golden Lion (R) FROM: N4SIR 06/02/89 S#: 79386
Lion will attempt to move around the back of these creatures and attain elevation so that he may attack one of the units in the head region.
SUBJ: Miss Terry... FROM: Miss Terry 06/02/89 S#: 410749
After assuring that Gratz is out of commission and that the other vampires are subdued, Terry heads to her car and radios the police, "This is car Z-Mary-2 we have situation at -Gratz's address-. We have found some of the policeman who were missing, ya'll won't believe this. We also have a need for the chopper, there is a unidentified plane flying over head and robots attacking all these super people it seems. Ambulances are needed but should send more back up. I'm taking cover and staying down. Z-Mary-2 out."
Terry then gets out of the car and attempts to scan the minutemen. When the goblin thing appears Terry will draw her gun and aim at him, "Your uncles dead, were gonna play a new game of canasta. Lie down on the ground."
Spectrum's Comments: Officer Terry apparently has no idea who Jack O'Lantern is. Or maybe she does!
Crusaders #16 - "The Minutemen Strike!"
SUBJ: Page One - (Away we go!!) (R) FROM: Panther13 06/03/89 S#: 84362
All was silent, but only for a brief moment:
Golden Lion - "This isn't over yet! I'm sensing something!"
Lord Liberty - "I confirm Golden Lion's observation. Eight entities that confirm to Genocide Minutemen are rapidly approaching this location."
Firestar - "Genocide!?"
Eight of the Minutemen robots land in the street outside.
Minuteman - Data retrieval: Analysis indicates that entities targeted as Golden Lion, Firestar, Imperial, Spirit, and Monarch are present. Conclusion: Enter capture mode.
The Minutemen advance. Unnoticed by all, an aircraft of some type is also approaching the scene...
Ranger - "Nightingale, do you recognize these things? Why do I get the feeling that these things are even nastier than they look?"
Nightingale - "Unfortunately, Ranger, I do. These are Genocide's big guns. They're called Minutemen and they don't mess around."
Imperial - "Yeah, well neither do I. Watch a real hero go into action!
Imperial flies at the lead robot and delivers a tremendous punch to the robot's head. The robot is entirely unfazed by this attack, however, and simply returns the blow. Imperial is knocked through the air and crashes into the wall of the apartment. He then drops to the ground in the street.
Imperial - "I feel like I was just run over by an aircraft carrier..."
Meanwhile, Terry draws a bead on Jack O'Lantern.
Terry - "Your uncles dead. We're gonna play a new game of canasta. Lie down on the ground."
Jack O'Lantern - "Lie down, the lady with the gun said. If she's gonna give me a massage, she better watch out for my flaming head! But there really isn't any time for that. Let me introduce you to my friend the bat. Or make that bats!"
Before Terry can react, Jack O'Lantern opens the pouch on his shoulder and a stream of black bats flies out and swarms around Terry.
Spirit flies out the front window at the Minutemen, but the robot doesn't go for his ploy. His target merely stands there observing. Another of the giant robots launches a net at the flying hero, but it is wide.
Nearby, another Minuteman crashes straight through one of the walls, destroying much of the building in the process.
Sorceress - "Don't worry, Monarch honey! I'll protect you!"
Monarch - "Ah, my dear sorceress, I believe that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. However, Monarch has never been one to shy away from combat. Until later?"
Monarch kisses the Sorceress' hand and then takes to the sky. The Golden Lion follows Monarch out the newly made entrance and into the street to confront the incoming attackers, while Ranger slips away out a window and tries to circle around behind the Minutemen from the other side.
A beam of energy is produced from the eyes of one of the gigantic robots, aimed at Firestar, but it misses its target. The beam rips through the apartment building.
Nightingale - "We need to get these things away from innocents!"
Imperial - "Think that'll work if you just ask 'em to go away nicely?"
Firestar - "She's right, you lump-head!"
Together the two heroines strike the lead Minuteman. The mind blast that hit it caused the robot to hesitate slightly. It then erupted in flames.
Nearby, the Sorceress watched Monarch take to the clouds. However, a Minuteman was closing in on her. Even though she was not the robot's target, she defended herself. The young mage made a few gestures and suddenly there was a burst of lightning erupting from her hands!
It slammed into the towering machination and the robot exploded in a incredible pyrotechnic display! Everything above the Minuteman's waist was virtually disintegrated!
Imperial - "You're not the only one that can do that, sister! Watch my fireworks!"
He fired, but the blast was wide.
Firestar - "How can you miss something that big?!"
After a few moments, the bats finally quit harassing Officer Terry and disappeared. She looked for their source and found Jack O'Lantern on the shoulder of one of the robots. A burst of electricity shot from his gloves and sparked all around the Minuteman. It retaliated by reaching up and grabbing the mysterious adventurer. A burst of energy was emitted when it contacted Jack O'Lantern's armor, but it locked about him. The Minuteman lifted him over its head and flung him out of sight!
Terry opened fire on the robot and hit it squarely in the back of the head. It let out an audible squeal. Responding to the attack, the Minuteman fired its blaster at the officer. She avoided the blast, but it hit her squad car. The vehicle exploded, sending her to the pavement, stunned.
While this was happening, the lead robot emitted a burst of light from its eyes, blinding Imperial, Firestar, Nightingale, and Sorceress. Another robot moved in behind that attack.
Minuteman - "This unit is specifically equipped to capture target: Firestar."
A compartment on the robot's chest opened up and a cannon slid out. Suddenly, a burst of water shot out of it, slamming into the unaware Firestar. She was blown across the apartment and smashed viciously into a far wall. The robot calmly moved in, gathered up the fallen heroine, deposited her in its mid-section, and took to the air!
Elsewhere, Spirit was being attacked by two of the Minutemen. He turned intangible to avoid being hit by blaster fire. Surprisingly, the beam shot at him didn't pass through him, but slammed into his desolidified form. He turned solid again to blast the closest of the two. He hit the robot squarely. It was not badly hurt though and delivered a pile driver punch. The Spirit was smashed to the pavement, unconscious.
On the fringes of the fight, Ranger was attempting to slip around the robots, but quickly found himself confronted with one of the large machines.
Minuteman - "Initial scanning did not reveal presence of target: Ranger. Inconsequential. Capture of said target is imminent."
The robot fired a beam of energy from its hand at its target. Ranger, however, deftly dodged the clumsy attack.
Ranger - "I wouldn't be so sure of that, robot."
He dove between its legs and came up behind with a flying kick. He hurt the machine, but not enough to slow it down. A green glob was ejected from the robot's chest and it dropped on Ranger like a huge pile of jello.
Golden Lion was not faring any better in his flank attack, either. A robot moved to intercept him and delivered a tremendous punch to Lion, smashing him back. As he sought to rise, a beam of energy sent him back to the ground again.
Lord Liberty, meanwhile, had been scanning one of the Minutemen for a weakness in its armor. When the flash went off, it took a moment for his visual receptors to realign. He then leapt from the window and crashed into his targeted opponent, in full battle mode. The ebony warrior damaged the robot and drew its attention upon himself.
Just then, Tri-Star and Monarch, having just straightened things out between them, dropped from the sky. The Tri-Star robot came down upon the Minuteman that Lord Liberty grappled with.
Tri-Star delivered a punch to the head of the Minuteman, but its only response was to turn away from Liberty and throw a punch of its own. Tri-Star was slammed through the air and came to rest crashing into a building across the street.
Monarch was a bit more effective. His power dive caught one of the Minutemen attacking Lion unaware. Everyone merely saw a white streak pile drive the robot into the pavement. The force shook the ground and stunned both of them.
Lion used the moment's reprieve to launch an attack of his own. Emitting a loud roar, he leapt onto the downed robot and began to slash at its head with his claws, sending metal shards flying.
Imperial, only temporarily blinded, was still buffeted by energy attacks from the robots that now had secured the Spirit and Ranger. Their targets attained, they then launched into the air.
Imperial - "Hey! These guys don't play fair!"
He took to the air as well, after the Minutemen, but was slammed back to the ground by blaster fire.
Imperial - "At least you're not going anywhere!"
Imperial fired a blast at the robot Lion was attacking and its midsection was ripped wide apart!
Imperial - "That's more like it!"
Lord Liberty continued to trade blows with his own opponent. While his attacks were effective, the robot was too much. With a loud clang of metal on metal, Liberty was knocked aside like a tin can.
Golden Lion - "Let us concentrate our efforts on one robot at a time. They are not indestructible!"
Lion leapt at another of the robots, but it moved faster than the feline hero. It connected with a beam of energy, catching Golden Lion in mid-leap. He was knocked back into the still blinded Nightingale. Unable to react to the fast moving action even with her incredible talents, Nightingale was bowled over, stunned.
As Golden Lion was being captured, Monarch was again regaining his senses. He quickly surveyed the scene and his quickly dwindling comrades.
Monarch - "This battle has gotten out of hand. It is time for Monarch to turn the conflict's ebb in our favor."
He flew forward and smashed one of the Minutemen.
Imperial - "We scragged the last one together. Let's get us another!"
Lord Liberty - "Allow me to assist you."
Dimension Traveler - "I'm not out of this fight either."
As the heroes centered on one robot, the fleeing robot with Lion inside dropped a grenade in the center of them, sending them sprawling in different directions. It was then soon out of sight.
Mystery was just coming to her senses. A minuteman stood over her. Her gun knocked from her hand, Terry concentrated and the robot reeled from an unseen attack. However, it sensed the source and struck with a massive fist.
Before the Minuteman could connect however, Jack O'Lantern, gliding back onto the scene, snatched Terry away from the blow.
Jack O'Lantern - "Can't let you get squashed flat, even if you didn't like my bat!"
Imperial - "I for one am tired of getting knocked around like a pinball!"
He flew at one of the remaining Minutemen, but was hit by the other before he could attack. Imperial dropped, this time unconscious.
Monarch and Tri-Star delivered a pair of tremendous blows to the robot that dropped Imperial. It was knocked to the pavement, but largely undamaged.
Dimension Traveler - "What does it take to stop these things?!"
Monarch - "Continue to pummel the infidels. They will succumb eventually!"
A two-handed smash drove Tri-Star to the ground. A beam of energy from the seated Minuteman crashed into Monarch and sent him flying into a nearby building. A moment later, Imperial was snatched up and only one Minuteman remained.
Minuteman - "All targets are accounted for. Sensors indicate that entity known as Monarch to be the most powerful remaining being. This unit is going to backup capture command 1ZR.
Lord Liberty - "You are making a mistake by forgetting about myself, Minuteman."
Liberty smashed the robot, but it was largely unmoved.
Minuteman - "Attacking entity is sentiment, but sensors indicate that current operation renders attacker unusable."
Ignoring Liberty, the Minuteman smashed Monarch again. Barely conscious, Monarch was unable to defend himself. The Minuteman moved in.
Just then, the Sorceress, having just regained her sight, leapt into the fray.
Sorceress - "NOOOOO!!!"
She flew forward and landed on Monarch just as the Minuteman's fist descended. The pavement shuddered from the force of the blow!
However, neither Monarch nor the Sorceress could be seen.
The Minuteman was confused for a moment, and then suddenly, its head erupted in fire.
Jack O'Lantern - "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"
Another pistol shot rang out, but it just bounced off the robot's chest. It's head continued to blaze, but it didn't seem to affect the robot.
Dimension Traveler - "If only I could unleash my full weapons systems!"
Tri-Star punched the robot again. This time he got a descent result. His fist smashed into the robot's interior. It was a short-lived victory, as the Minuteman retaliated and knocked Dimension Traveler and Tri-Star away again.
Terry again mind-blasted the Minuteman, as Jack O'Lantern landed near the fallen Tri-Star robot.
Jack O'Lantern - "Hey, big guy! Catch!"
Disconnecting one of the many missiles on the Tri-Star robot, Jack tossed it to Lord Liberty. Liberty looked at the projectile for a moment, uncertain.
Lord Liberty - "I believe I understand your meaning, friend pumpkin. Officer Terry, please stand away from that Minuteman!"
Seeing Liberty hefting the rocket over his head, she quickly complies and heads for cover. Liberty's aim is true and the projectile enters the hole in the large robot's chest.
Lord Liberty - "I'm afraid that my strength was insufficient to cause the projectile to explode."
Jack O'Lantern - "Just give me a little room, and watch that sucker go...."
He lobbed a pumpkin bomb at the approaching robot and suddenly...
BBBOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!
Nightingale - "Oh my head... Goodness! This place looks like a war zone!
SUBJ: NOTES on teams.... FROM: Panther13 06/03/89 S#: 121869
Okay, this is where the team will part company for now. The following characters will be continued on the next screen:
FIRESTAR
RANGER
SPIRIT
IMPERIAL
The next group will continue their adventure in the upcoming CRUSADERS PLUS post to be put up by MAD:
LORD LIBERTY
MISS TERRY
DIMENSION TRAVELLER & TRI-STAR
JACK O'LANTERN
SORCERESS
MONARCH
Spectrum's Comments: That was quite the battle! Musky probably even made that up on the fly. He was always good at writing out fights like this one. And that's how our mini-crossover ended. From this point the heroes were back to two files, although some folks had been flopped around. Any ideas on what's coming next?