Spectrum's Comments: We pick up with the Crusaders in three separate groups. Firestar and Lord Liberty were captured by Imperial and placed in a watery deathtrap, while most of the other Crusaders are on their way to rescue them. Elsewhere, Nightstalker and the Sorceress are relaxing at the Hard Rock Cafe...
Crusaders #60 - "Fun and Games"
Firestar and Lord Liberty
In the water trap, Lord Liberty has freed 'Star and Ernie. Now they attempt to get out of the room.
Lord Liberty scans the wall, locating the turrets firing electricity into the room. Guided by Liberty, Firestar destroys the guns one by one with a burst of flame.
Ernie - "Wow! This is super neat!"
Lord Liberty continues to scan; analyzing what is above the room. Much to his surprise, he finds that there is water above the room! [The pool of a water slide to be exact!]
While that is going on, Lord Liberty manages to reach Crusaders HQ. After a quick exchange of information, both sides are informed to what is going on.
Firestar - "So, the other Crusaders are on the way. Let's get moving I don't want to hang around here."
Cautiously, the trio makes their way to the exit. Lord Liberty forces the door open. Beyond is a corridor leading into the main base...
Interlude...
In his private quarters, Imperial turns the lights on, sensing something. Starshine continues to sleep.
Imperial - "Well, well, well, what have we here? Brain Bimbo and Ranger Bob! If I knew you were coming, I would have backed a cake!"
End of Interlude...
Outside Wally World, Ranger, Strongbow, Dragonman and Nightengale have been approached by Stryker. Somewhat reluctantly, they join forces.
DM takes the sky, shifting to Silver Dragon form. The others cautiously enter Wally World.
Nightengale reaches out with her mind.
'Gale - "I've located them! Their safe for the moment. This way---"
Suddenly, she lets out a small scream, grasping her head.
'Gale - "If that's the way you want to play, pal, then let's do it. You'll find that you're way out of your league this time!"
Only Ranger, via their Mindlink has some idea what is going on. It seems that Imperial locked on to her Mindscan and attacked Nightengale mentally! She counter-attacks.
Nightengale - "That sinks it! They know we're here! Now what are we gonna do?"
On the other side of the park, DM's presence in the sky has attracted some attention. Two figures rise into the air to meet his attack.
Starshine - "Wowers! He's huge!"
Backlash - "Hey, boss-lady, the bigger they are, etc..."
Starshine - "Right! Blast him out of the sky!"
Backlash - "Hey, you big, ugly mother! Show me what you got!"
Meanwhile, at the Hard Rock Cafe, Thunderstreet takes the stage with their guest guitarist. After some momentary butterflies, he settles down and gets into the grove. The crowd eats it up. Most of the crowd is teenage women, who throw various things upon the stage.
Suddenly, a burst of energy blows the front doors off of the club. Standing outside the club is a creature seemingly composed of energy in a vaguely humanoid configuration.
Even this far away, 'Stalker can feel the Melantium in the creature. If anyone were close enough to the creature, they might here... a voice?
'Now, Megaton! Capture Malik, Brimestone commands it!'
GM Notes:
Now what people?
'Star and Liberty know that the other Crusaders are on their way. The others are unaware of this contact so far.
Spectrum's Comments: Imperial's pet name for Ranger (Ranger Bob) still cracks me up. I guess I have a weird sense of humor. Megaton is a creature that goes along with Nightstalker's character concept. Basically it looks a lot like Plasmoid, but emits a type of radiation that is lethal to Nightstalker.
SUBJ: ATTACK FROM: Wild dan 04/29/90 S#: 66668
when hering starshine and backlash i turn into a white dragon and let them have it with a frost breath in a cone
then next att i have will land behind the coster and cast ice storm on them
SUBJ: Stryker FROM: Nain 04/29/90 S#: 22759
"Boy, well, geeez! You guys are touchy! Meant that you were a bad-luck team, not a bad one, dudes! But, like, hey, I think I can change that! Not only am I good, I'm lucky!" He does a fast little tap dance.
"Hey, let's just rush 'em. They 'spect us to go slow, not fast! Surprise, surprise! Wheee, bam, hey, they're out!!!!"
---------------------------------------
Deep within his mind: "You are mine Imperial. You will pay."
SUBJ: Firestar
'All right, Lord Liberty! We're halfway out of this mess! With the rest of the team on their way, we're in good shape.'
I'll cautiously lead the way into the VIPER Base.
'Continue to scan. We need a quick exit for Ernie's sake.'
I'll be prepared to fire first, ask questions later if I see any of the enemy. If they are supers, and if there is enough room, Nova Fry the twits!
SUBJ: Ranger (R) FROM: Deslock 04/29/90 S#: 496903
"OK Stryker, if you're still hot for a piece of the action, then I guess this will be your trial by fire."
After the attack on 'Gale, all thoughts of subtlety are gone.
"They know we're here now, but we know where the others are. Stryker's got a point; it's time to move in fast. We've got to find them and get Ernie clear of the area, things are going to get ugly around here, and we can't risk him getting hurt. I'm tired of Imperial and his goons, let's shut him down for good!"
GM Notes:
Above Wally World, Dragonman prepares to engage Starshine and Backlash.
Starshine hits Dragon with a blast of energy, but it fails to penetrate his scales.
Starshine - "Wowers! He's got a thick hide!"
Dragonman opens his maw, breathing cold upon the two. The frost covers Starshine, but doesn't appear to hurt her.
Something odd happens when it hits Backlash. A field of energy appears around him and the attack is reflected back to its source!
DM's own attack hits him, but does no damage.
Backlash - "Now you know why I'm called Backlash!"
Starshine flies in before DM. A blinding blast of energy catches him in the face. It hurts him and spots play before his eyes.
DM had been attempting to land on the roller coaster, but now blinded he crashes into it.
Backlash - "Nice, very nice!"
Starshine - "And now for the kill."
Starshine follows DM in, firing off a full power blast. DM is blasted further into the roller coaster. Another shot puts him down.
Back at the entrance to Wally World, 'Gale has sensed what happened.
Nightengale - "That witch!"
She concentrates, attacking Starshine mentally.
Imperial - "Hey, that's my woman you're messing with!"
Turning, you can see Imperial and Nomad flying towards you. Ultimax and Plasma bring up the rear.
Imperial blasts Nightengale and she appears frozen, unmoving.
Back at the roller coaster, Starshine is driven to her knees by 'Gales assault.
Unnoticed by the villains, DM has come around. His vision has returned, but he is weak.
Dragonman - 10 of 62 Stun
Spectrum's Comments: Once again an unsuspecting hero gets the worst of it by trying to blast Backlash!
SUBJ: Ranger FROM: Deslock 04/30/90 S#: 40645
After Imperial's attack upon Nightengale, my eyes go red. I immediately leap to the attack, pushing STR to the max.
"I'm tired of you, Imperial. I'm tired of your petty schemes, your disregard for others, your over inflated ego. You're a loser, Imperial, you always will be. You pick on women and children because that's all you can deal with. Well, I'm coming after you now, and your not going to hide behind your ten-cent goons this time. You're going to get what you've got coming!"
I'll continue pressing my attack upon Imperial to the utmost, until he's down, whereupon I shall pick him up and heave him at the nearest of his goons.
"Here's your vaunted leader, which of you is next?"
Spectrum's Comments: Do you get the distinct feeling that Ranger doesn't like Impy? Impy is just one of those villains that really got under people's skin.
SUBJ: NIGHTSTALKER - Malik (R) FROM: NightStlkr 05/02/90 S#: 827398
Andrew clutches at the pain in his stomach as he feels the Melantium invading his metabolism. He lets out a few agonizing grunts, but tries to keep them at an inaudible level.
"Uuuuunnngghhh...feels likes my gut's on fire."
::looking up at Megaton::
"Looks like Kromar has sent some more of his bounty-hunters after me. This one may be a problem; he's constructed of pure Melantium... the same primal energy that spawned me... the same energy that can destroy me. Kromar; curse you, you evil genius...how could you possibly have known!?!"
During all the confusion, Andrew drags himself off-stage to a place where he can change to Phantorian guise.
He then brings himself back to the stage, taking cover behind a wall or something, as not to be seen by the intruder. Still clutching at his gut, he yells out; his echoic voice beckoning throughout the room:
"Everybody clear outta' here!! It's me the creature's after!!"
"Alright, Megaton!!! You want me, you'll have to come and get me!!!"
Peering from behind his hiding place in agony, and seeing the Melantium monstrosity drawing closer, NIGHTSTALKER looks around in desperation. Then his eyes run across the heavy lighting on the ceiling. A smile crosses his face.
Putting everything he's got into one Power Burst, Malik fires at the ceiling trying to knock the lights and wiring down onto the creature and give him a good shock.
SUBJ: dragon FROM: Wild dan 05/02/90 S#: 522718
:shakes head:=
she has some power there
i will git into the air and att from above ons sun with claws and bite pushing str
SUBJ: Sorceress
As the concert progress, Sheila gets more and more into the music, sensuously swaying the music.
When the monster breaks in, stop dancing and peak around the curtain.
'ULP!!! A friend of yours?'
Seeing Andy in pain and hearing that it wants him, I'll turn and run to the backstage area, heading for the exit. Find a secluded spot and change into costume by magic.
Then I'll fly around the front of the building, coming up behind the monster. I'll hit it with an EB to get it's attention.
'Hey! This is puplic property that you're rippin' apart!'
My intention is get it's attention and lead it away from here.
SUBJ: STRONGBOW: Paul BlackCrow FROM: AREION 05/05/90 S#: 506623
Seeing the break in the enemy's forces, STRONGBOW attempts to capitalize on it for all he can. Shifting to The Speed of the Deer (levels to DCV) the red skinned warrior dashes for that gap, on a intercept course with ULTIMAX and PALADIN.
When he's nearly reached them, the Navaho brave drops to one knee and lets out a fierce war cry as he batters his coup stick into the ground, attempting a shock wave (MP:s6,Full STR & Coup Stick) then rushes them again.
Once he's reached them, STRONGBOW will swing his coup stick at ULTIMAX, attempting to snare him in its entangle (MP:s5,levels to OCV)then he draws his tomahawk and will try to burry it into Paladin's shoulder (MP:s3 backed by 10 STR, both levels to OCV if ULTIMAX is entangled, 1L OCV 1L DCV if he isn't)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough of these turkeys! No more Mr. Nice Guy!!!
Crusaders #61 - "War at Wally World"
Inside the VIPER Base under Wally World, Firestar, Lord Liberty and Ernie try to find their way out.
They move down the corridors unhindered. Guided by Lord Liberties scanners, they easily avoid the few guards they encounter. They soon make their way to the surface.
Up in the park itself, Dragonman recovers. Taking to the air, he flies towards Starshine and Backlash.
Starshine is on her knees, recovering from a mental attack from Nightengale.
Backlash - "Hey! You alright, 'Shine? Look out!"
DM swoops in and Backlash flies for cover. Starshine is caught in DM's mouth and his claws rake her. Fortunately, her force field protects her from serious injury, but she is down for the count.
Backlash - "Man, you're one crazy dude! I'm outta here!"
Backlash flies off.
Elsewhere in the park, the main force of Crusaders have encountered Imperial and the boys.
Imperial - "Why, Ranger-Bob, I get the feeling that you don't like me!"
Stryker leaps into the air, kicking Nomad as he sails past. Ranger does like wise to Imperial, and both villains are stunned.
Strongbow rushes forward and strikes the ground with his Coup Stick. The resulting shockwave lands Plasma on his duff.
Ultimax - "We met again, Injun! This time you're going down!"
'Max rushes Strongbow, but his punch misses. Plasma regains his footing and fires off a blast of energy, but he too misses 'Bow.
In the background, Nightengale struggles to break free of Imperials mental entangle. She strains, shattering it with spectacular results!
Mental energy radiates out from her, striking all in the area. Nomad is knocked out from this attack and only Plasma isn't stunned.
Everyone takes a moment to recover, and the conflict begins anew.
Plasma misses Strongbow again. 'Gale, somewhat agitated, psi-blasts Plasma, shutting his mind down.
Strongbow tosses his Coup Stick and it wraps around Ultimax. Stryker leaps in, ko'ing the villain.
Ranger is on Imperial once more and lays him out with a powerful punch.
All the villains are out. Firestar and Lord Liberty are shortly located. Only Backlash seems to have escaped capture.
Meanwhile, Megaton has located Nightstalker. Feeling the deadly Melantium energy, 'Stalker makes his way to a place where he can change form.
The Sorceress does likewise, exiting out the back.
The patrons in the Cafe erupt in chaos. People are screaming and running everywhere.
The Sorceress appears out in front and blasts Megaton. If the energy creature felt it, he doesn't give any indication.
Nightstalker acts, blasting the light riggin from the ceiling. It lands on top of the creature and electricity arcs around it.
After the attack, the creature appears confused. It wanders the Cafe randomly destroying tables. It appears to have forgotten about Nightstalker.
GM Notes:
Congrat's guys, looks like you've finally beat your favorite villain! ;)
Now what?
SUBJ: SUNDRAGON FROM: Nain 05/06/90 S#: 43982
"IMPERIALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
:whamwhamwhamwhamwhamwhamwhamwham:
"YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID!!!!! YOU TOOK ME OVER! ROBBED ME OF MY FREEDOM! ATTACKED MY FRIENDS! AND WORST, YOU ARE A TRAITOR!!!!!!!!!!!"
"TRAITOR! TRAITOR! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY MIND!!!!!!! WHAT--DID--YOU--DO?!!?"
:whamwhamwhamwhamwhamwhamwhamwham:
"YOU---ARE---DEAD. DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!" "ARRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
With that Sundragon leaps up and sails to the water pool, slamming Impy into it, and then holds him face down under the water and begins strangling him. Looks like he means it. It also looks like he foaming at the mouth, right through his mask.
Anyone going to stop him??????
Spectrum's Comments: Explaination time here. Sundragon was one of the original players in the game. Later he went offline and during that time Sundragon became one of Impy's goons. Then Sundragon returned and when he found out that his character was being mind controlled to be a villain, wasn't that happy. He played T-Storm for a while before approaching me about going back to Sundragon disguised as Stryker. Sundragon had broken Impy's hold and now was hot for revenge.
SUBJ: Ranger FROM: Deslock 05/06/90 S#: 817004
- No matter who he is, no matter what he has done, we can not allow this. -
"Sundragon, you can not go through with this, you can not lower yourself to Imperial's level."
I move toward Sundragon, continuing to try and talk him out of his rage. If I reach him and he continues beating Imperial, then I shall attempt to grab and restrain him.
SUBJ: Firestar
A huge sigh of relief comes over me as we finally get out of the VIPER base. Following the sound of fighting, we quickly locate the rest of the team.
'Alright! It's the Crusaders! And look, they've beaten Impy and his flunkies!'
She then notices Sundragon waylin' away at the villain.
'Dragon stop it! This is not the answer! No matter who he is, no matter what he's down, he's still a human being. Killing him would be the biggest mistake that you could make. Don't throw the rest of your life away on his account.'
If Draggie continues on like this, and Ranger's intervention is unsuccessful, I'll ask Nightengale to see if she can stop Sundragon with out harming him.
'Lord Liberty, it would be prudent to contact PRIMUS and have them send the paddy wagon over. Looks like we finally got the upper hand with this bunch.'
SUBJ: Sorceress
The Sorceress is slightly confused after the creature wanders off.
'Hey, what gives?'
Not being one to argue with this stroke of good luck, I'll locate 'Stalker and see what kind of shape he is in.
'What is that thing? What does it want with you? Who's this Chromar dude you mentioned earlier? What is going on?!'
'Regardless, we have to stop this thing somehow. We can't just let it wander around like this! Boy, I wish I would have stayed awake more often during science class...'
SUBJ: dragon FROM: Wild dan 05/09/90 S#: 809854
heading twards the others in the group when i se what in going on i will say something not verry noce in dragon then dive and pick up sun in my claws Gently Ranger i will handle this
then land and have a talk with sun about what we stand for
SUBJ: STRONGBOW FROM: AREION 05/10/90 S#: 469102
STRONGBOW will rush forward with RANGER to help restrain SUNDRAGON. His grasp wont hold much force as he wants to allow him the opportunity to overcome this on his own.
"Our friends speak truly SunDragon. You were violated, forced to commit those wrongs against your will...you need feel no guilt over them. Do not become of your own will what Imperial forced you to be. Stop this! To slay a beaten adversary, no matter what the circumstances, is NOT the path of HONOR!"
SUBJ: NIGHTSTALKER - Malik FROM: NightStlkr 05/12/90 S#: 836918
As the creature of living Melantium trashes the cafe', NIGHTSTALKER seems to lose interest in the battle as well; concentrating more on the pain ripping him apart from the inside. He stands on the stage, wobbly and in serious discomfort. He staggers around in a delirious fashion, like he barely knows where he is.
By the time the Sorceress reaches him, Malik has managed to pull himself back together; except for the fact that he's forced to either lean against her, or have his legs give out and fall to the floor. Between gasps of pain-rippled breath, he manages to answer her questions.
"It's kinda' a long story, hon... Kromar is...an intergalactic tyrant in my home dimension...he's known as 'The Usurper'...enslaved my home planet, Phantor..."
"...He's after me 'cause...I'm the one of whom Prophecy speaks...I'm the one who will overthrow him....free all from his tyranny."
"...He's the one who...sent this monstrosity to capture me....wants me dead...so the Prophecy won't come true. Somehow, he found out...about my weakness to Melantium...he managed to harness it...and create this creature...I don't know how, but...."
Malik's babbling is cut short by a sharp pain to his abdomen, causing him to fall off the stage. As he staggers to his feet,he suddenly focuses on Megaton. His fists clench and begin to glow a brilliant blue as his Energy Claws appear on his knuckles.
(2D6 HKA- 30ap,15rp; with as much +STR from Energy Stimuli as he can get).
It's easy to see that NIGHTSTALKER's getting in way over his head as he deliriously heads for the monster.
"Gotta' stop'im...gotta' take'im out before he makes me yak..."
Spectrum's Comments: A great deal of character backstory was covered in 'Stalker's last few posts.
Crusaders #62 - "Megaton on the Loose"
Inside what remains of the Hard Rock Cafe, the Sorceress supports the weakened Nightstalker.
On the other side of the room, the energy creature known as Megaton haphazardly plays with a cash register.
Delirious with pain, Nightstalker summons his Energy Claws. Before the Sorceress knows what is going on, 'Stalker makes his way towards Megaton.
He drives his claws into the energy form of Megaton. It feels like he plugged into an electric socket. His body shakes as the lethal energy is exposed to him.
Something is also happening to Megaton. His form quivers and shakes until it explodes!
A few moments later, the Sorceress pulls herself out of the rubble. If the Cafe looked wrecked before, now it's a disaster area.
She locates Nightstalker. He is lying on the floor, unconscious.
Megaton appears changed. His form is much smaller. Ominously, he is near an electrical socket, apparently recharging himself with electricity.
A cry for help reaches the Sorceress ears. Near the stage, she stops Leo Lowe pinned under a pile of wreckage.
At Wally World, Imperial's forces have been defeated. Sundragon is pulled off of Imperial's limp form by Dragonman.
PRIMUS arrives ten minutes later to haul the villians away to Riker's Island Stronghold.
Before going to the lockup, Impy gets off a few last minute threats:
Imperial - "I'll be back, you costume cretins!! You have heard the last of Imperial! Especially you, Sun-Twit!!
Major Tom, leader of the Primus forces speaks to the heroes.
Major Tom - "You did a good job here heroes. Perhaps we'll consider re-establishing relations with your group. They were severed when the original Crusaders were killed. What about Sundragon here? I thought he was villain?
GM Notes:
Assuming that you manage to convince PRIMUS that Sundragon is a good guy again, Major Tom will continue to speak.
"If you're interested in gettin' back in Primus' good graces, you can help out with a situation downtown. Some kind of monster is on a rampage at the Hard Rock Cafe. See if you can handle the situation."
SUBJ: Ranger (R) FROM: Deslock 05/14/90 S#: 63293
"Didn't someone say that Nightstalker and Sorceress went over to the Hard Rock Cafe? Looks like we weren't the only ones busy tonight."
Assuming Sundragon has calmed down, I'll 'contact' Chris to determine the truth of his tale. If, as I believe, his story of being controlled by Imperial is true, then I shall vouch for him before Major Tom.
"Though his anger clouded his judgment, Sundragon has thrown off the control of Imperial. If you would have proof of this, might I suggest that he accompany us to the Hard Rock Cafe?"
SUBJ: Sundragon FROM: Nain 05/14/90 S#: 836801
Sundragon calms down once removed from Impy..
When Dragonman lets him go, he turns to Strongbow "Don't talk to me 'bout honor Injun. Honor is only for fools. Believe me, I know."
When Impy speaks to him, it is all the rest of you can do to hold Sundragon back from attacking him again.
"Yeah, you just show up again Impy, and you'll be dead meat. No lizard'll stop me next time, super slime!"
"Yeah, Major, I was controlled by Impy, but I finally broke free because its against my very nature to take orders. Some of other villains who were Crusaders might be under his control too. Maybe you could check it out."
"Hot damn! More action! That's what I like about this town, it never quiets down! Let's go!"
For those of you who don't know what SunD looks like:
He's about 5'10", lean but well muscled. He wears a white body suit and fullface mask. On his chest is a gold dragon coiled about a blazing yellow sun. He has gold boots and gloves, along with a sash around his waist of the same color.
SUB: Firestar
'I too believe that Sundragon is telling the truth, Major. As member of the Crusaders, we'll be able to keep an eye on him if you wish, but I expect no more trouble. I would also follow his suggestion about the others too.'
'Ranger, are you saying that the Sorceress and Nightstalker are in the middle of this emergancy? Then by all means, let us go to their aid!'
'Dragonman, if you would be kind enough to carry the non-flyers, then we shall be off!'
GM Notes:
Via the mindlink, Nightengale tells Ranger that Sundragon speaks truly. She speaks to the Major for a moment.
"Major, I would also suggest that you be very careful in handling Imperial. He seems to possess a frighten wide variety of powers. Some of which I doubt he has yet to show. Handle him with great caution."
The major gives her a 'yeah, yeah' look and walks off.
SUBJ: Sorceress
Shakes the dust and dirt off of herself... 'I hate dirt!'
Seeing Andy down and that thingy growing makes me gulp.
I'll help Leo from the wreckage, and then try to stop the monster.
I'll summon up an magic blast, trying to get it to be magnetic.
SUBJ: dragon (R) FROM: Wild dan 05/18/90 S#: 520587
i will carry all the non-flyers i canwhe we land i will look over the problem and change into a black dragon and let that thing have it with acid
SUBJ: STRONGBOW - Paul BlackCrow FROM: AREION 05/18/90 S#: 832510
The Navaho youth becomes very sullen at SUNDRAGON's harsh words.
"Forgive me Sundragon...I forget myself. What would a white man know of HONOR?!?!"
STRONGBOW turns to his other companions...people he would like to consider his friends...Searching, with a deep longing for some fiber of likeness between them and himself. He searches in vain. Finally he turns his sorrow filled eyes away.
"Perhaps you have a taste for this man's company...I can abide him no longer."
He takes several steps...then stops and speaks again without looking back.
"I shall meet you at our destination"
STRONGBOW will dash off into the night and try to find the Hard Rock Café on his own (Use Speed of the Deer)
No offence Nain...just was remaining true to my conception.
20pt Honorable
15pt Devoted to ways of Old
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The Crusaders are united as they deal with the menace of Megaton!