Whateley Academy, Wednesday afternoon, Nov 21st, 2007
Ribbon working on her project car, a Volkswagon Beetle, very nice. Something special planned for, now I'm curious. Almost missed Donna walking up behind her, now that is focused on your work. Working on cars only a hobby now, but it will always be a part of her. Home for Thanksgiving with the family, please let it be relatively peaceful.
Less than an hour before her ride gets there, hope she is already packed. Aww, Gwen stuck at school over the holiday break. And Dana staying as well, wonder what they will do for the holiday. Those bracelets, if the MCO knew what she could do with them they would freak out. Presents for his granddaughters, now what could she have gotten them, especially at Whateley. Rich 20 seconds late with the portal, and the girls eager to see her. Kaylie turned 13 recently, and boy I wished I could travel places by portal instead of in cars and vans. Hugs all around, Kimberly still a cutie and Kaylie even giving Alyss a hug as well.
Pittsburgh PA, Wednesday late afternoon, Nov 21st, 2007
Lemon pepper chicken, yum. Mashed potatoes with shallots, Alyss has learned from Amy well.
Rich just burst out laughing. “That would be an understatement. I remember when I was a kid and you were going to make us boxed mac and cheese…and ended up burning the water.”
Now that is bad in the kitchen. Helping make Thanksgiving dinner and yup, Kaylie is definitely a teen now with a response like that.
Interesting, a form of telekinesis focused through that green gas Kaylie manifest. Not sure if the gas is a PK manifestation or not, the testers at Whateley are going to love figuring it out. Go to see Rachael and Melanie going as well, please let everything go well, would hate to see an incident happen while they are visiting.
Pittsburgh PA, Thursday morning, Nov 22nd, 2007
Pancake breakfast, I would wake up early for that. Min coming with Rich and Alyss encouraging Kimberly to pester Min to show her her powers again, done just to have entertainment, heh. Playing dress-up with Kimberly, and talk of introducing her to Mischief, noooo! That much energy from a little girl and a young teen girl like Mischief in one place, I don't want to think what they could get up to. Shenanigans, interesting is the most tactful way of describing them.
Min shows up without Rich and looking grim, what is going on? Oh crud, Rachael is missing, just what is going on at the prison? Did she escape or it is something else?
Pittsburgh PA, Thursday late morning, Nov 22nd, 2007
The Freelancers, a loose alliance of heroes who sometimes work together, interesting. Ah, been so long I forgot they were involved in saving Rich and others from the Marquis. Mystery Woman and nice costume make it harder to target her. Ceasefire, Min's brother, Pinnacle, Spearhead, very interesting look for her.
Someone attacked the prison and abducted Rachael, dozens of monsters used for the assault, yikes.
These ones looked much the same as the others, being vaguely humanoid in shape and appearing to be made of rock or clay, but these ones were also much larger. From the way they towered over a couple terrified guards, I guessed them to be seven or eight feet tall.
This is sounding more like some magic-user or manifestor who can create golems is behind this. And Rachael fought back, definitely a kidnapping, hope they have some suspects. And we get to see Alyss furious and be reminded never to get on her bad side, eep.
Pittsburgh PA, Friday late morning, Nov 23rd, 2007
A bar that is a social club for super villains and Alyss knows the barkeep, Lenny. And Lenny is surprised Lady Havoc was kidnapped from prison, guessing the number of people who would pull this is low. Few customers that time of day, Earl being an ass saying there are no snitches there, the guy needs to learn to not tick someone off before knowing what they are capable of.
The speaker seemed to be a slender man, though it was hard to make out any details since he was wearing a dark green cloak that hid his entire body, along with a hood that covered his face with shadows. However, when he looked at me, his eyes glowed green.
Confirms the use of golems in the attack and says it is someone named Rumpelstiltskin, someone with a running feud for years with Lady Havok. Great, with a name like that what are the odds of him not having a Wizard trait.
And the green-cloaked guy is the Curse Master, places curses for a fee, sounds nasty. Pinnacle has heard of Rumpel, the Occultist has a history with him, just how dangerous is Rumpel. Great, Occultist out on a personal quest he does every year this time of year and can't be reached. Pinnacle worried about Rachael as a person, Alyss thinking what she would do if she were still an adult man and could ask Pinnacle his intentions towards his daughter, hehe.
Pittsburgh PA, Friday afternoon, Nov 23rd, 2007
Poor Kimberly worried about her Aunt Rachael, whoever took her is in for a lot of pain. Hehehe, Kaylie says that, Melanie's response and then staring at Alyss, never going to live that down. I really hope Kaylie is right, that Rachael beats up the creep who kidnapped her and escapes on her own. Some of the big golems outside their home, this is going over the line, messing with family.
And Rumpel believes the lie that Alyss is Lady Havoc's daughter, oh boy.
But not only was he just about three and a half feet tall, he was also bald, ugly, and twisted, with limbs that that weren’t quite the same length or proportion to each other.
No wonder he went with that codename. Going after Lady Havoc's first born, he is even living up to the fairy tale.
Dang, she took down several of the golems quick, nice tactics of throwing one into another. The golems have actual hearts made of gold, now that is very interesting. Alyss going through these golems fast, love seeing her get to go all out again foes who she doesn't have to worry about accidentally killing.
“Those golems are difficult to make,” Rumpelstiltskin commented in annoyance. “And I do hate to waste valuable resources…”
And he goes in personally with a golden staff, obviously magical with how the magical attack from it sends Alyss flying 20 feet.
Curse Master planted a tracking spell on Alyss and warned Rumpel about her quest, that creep is going to regret that. Talking to her like that, even if she were an actual child talking to her like that would have ticked her off. Oh fudge, Kaylie coming out to help Alyss, this is bad. Attacking her and Kaylie, that was a huge mistake, Rumpel.
Suddenly, a burst of green light came crashing down on me from the sky. An instant later, I was face first on the ground, smashed into the ground as if by a giant hammer. My entire body hurt like hell, and I felt like I’d just been hit by a car.
*eyes bug out* Just what kind of magical power is Rumpel packing?
Ground to quicksand and has to use a ribbon on one of the small golems to pull herself out, this guy knows a lot of spells. Levitated into the air and hit with that big spell again, brutal.
I was too tired to put any real effort into it. In fact, I was completely and utterly exhausted…without any warning.
Another spell by Rumpel or just that she has never pushed herself like this before and doesn't know her own limits yet?
Friday evening, Nov 23rd, 2007
Told to wake up and says just 10 more minutes, classic. Gold bars with runes or glyphs on them, Rumpel either can create gold with alchemy or his magic requires gold to work.
And you might want to watch your language,” she continued a little wryly. “There are delicate ears.”
I snorted at that. “I think you’ve heard worse than a little salty language.” Of course, I was going to watch my language anyway, because supervillain or not, Rachael was my baby girl.
Seems funny at first, then Kaylie is in another cell as well, this just got a whole lot worse. Raided Rumpel once for materials and he took it personally, coming after her ever since, talk about holding a grudge.
Great, he is just one of many enemies Rachael has made over the years. And blasted back the second she touches her cell bars, figures. Dang, even blocks her ribbons from going out of the cell without being destroyed. Ah, so it was a spell by Rumpel which made Alyss exhausted without warning and he used it on Kaylie as well. Melissa's powers or tools to escape would be good, wonder how they are going to get out of this?
Seems Kaylie might be their only hope. And Rumpel kept them waiting another 10 minutes, talk about rude. Oh crud, she killed his son, whose name was Gold, this is very bad.
“One golem looked like a gold statue…and was shaped more human…”
Oh great, he is considered one of his golems his son, he is nuts. And he is going to try and kill Alyss, kill Lady Havoc's child for killing his, he is completely insane. And torturing Alyss before he kills her, only a truly twisted mind would consider that equal to a quick 'death'.
Flames conjured around her, Alyss burned badly, Rachael scared for Alyss' life and tries to reach for her, something needs to happen soon. These children, he is going to torture and kill Kaylie as well if he isn't stopped! He is a complete psychopath. Saved by a call about business, too close.
Saturday morning, Nov 24rd, 2007
Kaylie only woke up a couple hours ago, that is some potent magic. And telling about what happened with the Triangle agents and her friends, this is a lot worse because of the villain involved.
“It may be hard to believe,” I said, “but I’ve got a pretty odd group of friends…”
“They’d have to be, to hang out with you,” Rachael responded with a faint smirk.
Hehehe, you know they are family when they can tease each other like this. Trying to keep them calm by telling tales of her friends, Amy, Melissa, Sapphire, Chris, and Darqueheart, but gets interrupted as Rumpel is back. Coward goes back to tormenting Alyss once more, triggering a Diedrick's episode from Rachael who is now frozen in place by her own devise.
Kaylie using her power which confuses Rumpel, gets him in the air and then takes his staff, only for him to summon it back to him and Kaylie having to fight to keep it away from him. Alyss is distracting him really well, using Gold and what he would think of him against Rumpel. The old reverse pull trick to get him to clobber himself with his own staff, priceless. Throwing the staff against the bars of Alyss' cage, and wrecked them both. Yes! Alyss is free and time for some payback.
Rachael freed the same way, his own weapon turned against his creations, Rumpel needs to think better about his work. And now Kaylie free and they need to escape before Rumpel comes back with something as bad or worse. Boy, Rachael knows the layout of Rumpel's base well, he must recycle the design a lot. Great, a courtyard full of golems, can't even do the work himself. And he has another staff, this is bad.
Alyss having to take them on her own, bracelets on ribbons, they don't stand a chance. Smashing her way through several of the golems, Rumpel ticked she is doing that, talk about petty. Ouch, hit by one of the big ones and sent flying into the wall. Already through half the golems in the room, only for Rumpel to start using the new staff, eep. Ball of red energy and takes it to shield Rachael and Kaylie, yikes. Using one of the small golems as a projectile to stop him casting another spell, very nice.
Darn it, force field by Rumpel, just when she figured out a tactic for dealing with the little troll. And a force wall now, arrgggh! And trapped with the only way to go is back into the dungeon, tricky little troll. So focused on revenge he would use every last ounce of essence he has, he needs to be in a mental hospital.
And she finally figures out her bracelets of Ebidium can pass through his magic force field, wondering when that would happen. And actually hit him with one of the thrown bracelets, causing the fireball he was forming to explode on him, yes! Of course the coward gets up and begins to run again, follow him and up outside in a walled-off courtyard. With a 15' tall bronze golem!
Having to get Rachael and Kaylie out of them so she can fight without worrying about them, this is going to be brutal. And went straight for Rachael, one track mind that Rumpel has. Ouch, kicked by the golem, fast for a bronze golem. Stuck to the ground by a spell, Alyss is about to get stepped on when Pinnacle shows up. Rachael swiped Rumpel's cell phone and made a call, now that is smart. Ceasefire glaring at Rachael, he needs to learn to let go. Spearhead, Rich, and Mystery Woman as well, Rumpel is in way over his head now.
Multiple warrants for robberies and murders, knew he was a psycho, probably blames his victims for his own actions. Pinnacle not even hurt by a hit from the golem, so Rumpel boosts its strength, great. Spearhead and Pinnacle unable to harm the golem now, this is bad. MW shaking Rumpel with her telekinesis until Kaylie tells her to take his staff. Ebidium bracelet plus ribbon for the classic tie up the legs and pull to talk down the giant trick, always a classic.
Using the other bracelet to beat on its chest until the glowing symbols protecting it are destroyed, again, never tick off Alyss. Continues to beat it up only to get sent flying again, only to watch as Pinnacle knocks the golem's head clean off. Spearhead's spear goes through its chest, and it is still moving, dang. Pinnacle and Spearhead do a combo attack and finish it off, Rumpel is going to regret going after someone with friends. Rumpel unconscious and cuffed by Ceasefire, the mess is finally over. Kaylie can go home, but Rachael has to go back to prison, bittersweet.
Pittsburgh PA, Saturday afternoon, Nov 24rd, 2007
Having to wait to be seen by the doctor, always seems a lot longer than it actually is. Darn, lost her favorite hair clip from Kaylie when Rumpel first did that fire attack.
Dr. Franklin was a petite black woman, and the same one who’d helped me get through my change.
Nice to see her again. Nice move by Pinnacle to give Rachael some more time outside the prison before she has to return, wonder what they will find at the Clinic.
Heh, Spearhead would be shocked to know Rachael came up with the devise to restrain her when she Dricks out herself. Heh, meatloaf night at the prison, depending on the brand of microwave meals I can see why that would be better. Erin there, surprised and can't believe it happened to her two weeks in a row. Introductions all around, Erin even recognizes Rich from deliveries to Whateley. Erin there for an appointment, wonder why. Whoo, go PInnacle, show Rachael you love her. *sigh* Back off to prison for Rachael, her own decision but it still seems wrong somehow.
Pittsburgh PA, Sunday late morning, Nov 25th, 2007
The house to herself while Melanie and Mark took the girls out shopping. No real dents or scratches on her bracelets, Ebidium is tough. So Pinnacle's real name is Roger. Talk about what it is like for Alyss going back to high school, Roger finding it hard to believe some of the kids at Whateley have it weirder than Alyss.
There was another minute of silence before Roger pointed out, “You know, you’ve been getting into enough fights that I’d almost think you wanted to become a hero.”
I snorted at that. “Hardly. Crap just keeps popping up. I don’t go looking for trouble, but it keeps showing up on my doorstep anyway.”
Roger chuckled again and took a took another drink. “And that is how it starts.”
Hehehe, Alyss is a trouble magnet whether she likes it or not. Wishing to help people in a different way, wonder if she will become a doctor.
“Magic is hard to deal with,” Roger agreed with a grimace of his own. “You never know what a mage can throw at you. Every one seems to have their own tricks, and no two is quite the same.”
Bet even Circe would say dealing with fellow magic wielders is tougher than other threats. Curse Master has a reputation has untrustworthy even among the villains, figures.
I thought about the way he’d kissed Rachael and asked, “What are your intentions towards my daughter?”
Bwahahaha, said while polishing her Ebidium bracelets no less, too perfect.
Pittsburgh PA, Sunday afternoon, Nov 25th, 2007
Tall black woman moving towards a destination with purpose, a pin in the shape of a blue triangle, not this bunch again. Ms. Bello expected by someone there.
The man behind the desk was short and stocky, with naturally tanned skin. And though he wore no uniform, other than the pin on his shoulder, he had the bearing of a soldier. A few feet away from the man was a teenage girl, his daughter.
And his daughter's name is Luna, it is Colonel Estevez, great. Spearhead works for the Triangle! And is named Olivia.
And she is giving him information about Alyss, including the fake info of her being Lady Havoc's daughter.
“And what’s more,” Olivia added, “she has a few other local connections which would make it problematic if she was to disappear.” She hesitated a moment before clarifying. “Some of the other Freelancers seem to consider her an honorary member.”
Leave Alyss alone but gather information on her and her friends, great. A mole in an informal group of heroes like the Freelancers.
Great story, loved the little details like why Gwen can't go home for Thanksgiving and Dana staying as well, finding out more about Kaylie's powers, seeing them together as a family. Learning about more of the world around them, such as villains like Curse Master and Rumpel being out there, how the Freelancers operate and more. You gave us a villain we could truly hate, a deranged lunatic out for revenge and taking it way too far, a villain who has killed before and needed to be stopped.
It was nice seeing them all work together to escape the cells, even if Rachael could only provide information. The fights were great, especially seeing Alyss using strategy to overcome her foe's defenses each time. When they were being seen at the Clinic I almost expected a major reveal of Rachael being pregnant, heh. Curious why Erin was there now. Loved Alyss's chat with Roger, especially that last part, such a dad thing to do. That twist at the end with Spearhead, I wasn't expecting that, nicely done. I can't wait to read more of Alyss and her family and friends in the future.
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