8) Arc 4: Casa Blanca

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

The duck did not help Bumelia, but rather put her head in a better range for the little gray man. Flying backwards, Mela was suddenly on her back on the floor looking up at a gaping hole in the ceiling. Wiping her brow, she felt where the lamp had impacted her head. Mother FUCKER!. From the floor Bumelia decided that shooting him would be her best option if she wanted to get back on her feet. Aiming for the underside of his jaw, Mela pointed at Wisgraf,
"You better watch it, Tiny."

Bumelia attempts to use Wooden Projectiles, 1-5 it fails, 6-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 2

_________________________________________________________
Skills
Wooden Affinity [Passive]
Splintered Projectiles [Alpha] - 4/20
Wooden Armor [undiscovered] - -/-
Wooden Constructs [Novice] - 3/10

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Cocking his head in amused inquiry as his opponent tried something that clearly did not work, Wigraf said, " You seem to have some misconception about who you are dealing with." Leering, Wigraf continued, "Or rather, what, you are dealing with ."

Pulling out one of the splinters lodged in his body, Wigraf attempted to petrify it.

Wigraf attempts to use Petrify on the wooden splinter, 1-8 it fails, 9-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 6

Gargoyle Attributes:

• Wings - Undeveloped
  
• Prehensile Tail - Undeveloped

Wall Crawling [Passive]
Gargoyle Strength [Passive]
Gargoyle Endurance [Alpha] - 0/20
Petrify [Novice - 6/10

• Petrification Counters - 1/3

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Not surprised at this outcome, Wigraf casually tossed aside the splinter. Oh well. Knowing his limit, Wigraf could only attempt to petrify once more before another attempt would turn him to stone. He hated to gamble, but in this instance he had to.

Raising both hands in the air, Wigraf slammed them down on the ground and attempted to petrify the entire floor of the oval office.

YourName attempts to use Petrify on the floor of the oval office, 1-8 it fails, 9-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 6

Gargoyle Attributes:

• Wings - Undeveloped
  
• Prehensile Tail - Undeveloped

Wall Crawling [Passive]
Gargoyle Strength [Passive]
Gargoyle Endurance [Alpha] - 0/20
Petrify [Novice - 7/10

• Petrification Counters - 2/3

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Mela climbed back to her feet carefully watching the little gray man. He looked with intent at the splinters he pulled out, then suddenly slammed his hands down unto the floor. Woah... Rage Much? Cautious to get too close with his uncertain behavior, Mela decided to fire another round of projectiles at him. Hopefully this would distract him enough to go in for a more significant blow.

Bumelia attempts to use Wooden Projectiles, 1-5 it fails, 6-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 7

_________________________________________________________
Skills
Wooden Affinity [Passive]
Splintered Projectiles [Alpha] - 4/20
Wooden Armor [undiscovered] - -/-
Wooden Constructs [Novice] - 3/10

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Videos? Epoch thought as Doctor Weird lunged toward him. His eyes shifted. In that moment, he saw three things. Bumelia was holding her own quite impressively, the madman was soaring toward him, and Tang Le was about to maim his partner Strawberry. I've got this! Epoch shifted his stance to make a line between Doctor Weird and Tang. He raised both hands quickly and thrust his energy from both hands simultaneously.

Epoch attempts to blast Tang's hair away from Strawberry with a Basic Blast, 1-2 it fails, 3-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 5

Epoch attempts to throw Doctor Weird back with a Basic Blast, 1-2 it fails, 3-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 5

_________________________________________________________
Skills
Time Travel [Alpha] - 2/20
Teleportation [Superior] - 12/30
Energy Blast [Master] - -/-
Energy Propulsion [Alpha] - 13/20
Super Nova [Passive]
Chrono Condition [Passive]
Stop Target [Novice] - 0/10

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Interference? Damn it, blue boy. Le thought as she attempts to jump out of the way.

Le attempts to dodge the blast. 1-5 fails, 6-10 succeeds.

Random number (1,10) : 8

----------------------
Hair Growth: Passive
Hair Arms: 6/20
Hair Hammer: 2/20
Hair Shield: 7/10

Extra-Life Skill Level Ticket

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Crisis adverted but damn him. I would have had her. Le aimed her gun at him. "You should stick to your playmate."

Le shoots at Epoch. 1-4 towards head, 5-7 towards chest, 8-10 towards shoulder.

Random number (1,10) : 3

1-5 fails, 6-10 succeeds.

Random number (1,10) : 10

----------------------
Hair Growth: Passive
Hair Arms: 6/20
Hair Hammer: 2/20
Hair Shield: 7/10

Extra-Life Skill Level Ticket

White House
Washington, DC
9:43 AM EST

Epoch shot two blast’s, one at him and one at Tang Le. He had positioned himself between Dr. Weird and Tang Le.

Dr. Weird knew that he couldn’t do anything about the one going for Tang Le. He had to deal with the one coming at him first. He quickly planted his foot and swung his beam saber to deflect the blast.

Dr. Weird attempts to deflect Epochs energy blast, 1-5 Fail, 6-10 Succeed

Random number (1,10) : 9

If successful the blast is directed back at Epoch, 1-5, 6-10 Succeed

Random number (1,10) : 2

______________________________________________________________________________

Skills
Panoramic Vision [Passive]
Scrying [Superior] – 0/30
Sight Sharing [Alpha] – 0/20
Cyber Steve – Passive
Digital Weird [Alpha] – 6/20
Mechanical Control [Alpha] – 3/20

White House
Washington, DC
9:44 AM EST

Dr. Weird made contact with the energy blast and sent it flying right out the open hole again. This time it wound up hitting a small group of soldiers making their way to the White House. They were all sent flying back suffering nothing more than a minor concussion.

“Let’s see now, that now makes two homeruns and no strikes,” jested Dr. Weird. “I am begging to like this game.”

On the surveillance he could see the army getting closer, and the energy blast that just hit them was had slowed them a bit. They would now be watching for anything else coming the Oval Office. He laughed as they scurried to help their fallen comrades.

He moved in towards Epoch again, when he was close enough he a made a horizontal slash at Epoch with his beam saber.

Dr. Weird attempts to hit Epoch with his beam saber, 1-5, 6-10 Succeed

Random number (1,10) : 5

_______________________________________________________________________________

Skills
Panoramic Vision [Passive]
Scrying [Superior] – 0/30
Sight Sharing [Alpha] – 0/20
Cyber Steve – Passive
Digital Weird [Alpha] – 6/20
Mechanical Control [Alpha] – 3/20

White House
Washington, DC
9:45 AM EST

Epoch was good, but so were his adversaries. They both managed to escape the attack he launched on them. The area in which they were fighting was small and undesirable. Now, even worse, he was being shot at. His mind raced, realizing a straight line between Tang and Doctor Weird, the only obstacle was himself. Epoch knew what to do.

Epoch attempts to teleport, 1-4 it fails, 5-10 success

Random number (1,10) : 6

_________________________________________________________
Skills
Time Travel [Alpha] - 2/20
Teleportation [Superior] - 12/30
Energy Blast [Master] - -/-
Energy Propulsion [Alpha] - 13/20
Super Nova [Passive]
Chrono Condition [Passive]
Stop Target [Novice] - 0/10

White House
Washington, DC
9:45 AM EST

Epoch managed to teleport, leaving Doctor Weird in the path of the shock beam. He reappeared behind Tang Le, making space between Tang and Strawberry.

_________________________________________________________
Skills
Time Travel [Alpha] - 2/20
Teleportation [Superior] - 13/30
Energy Blast [Master] - -/-
Energy Propulsion [Alpha] - 13/20
Super Nova [Passive]
Chrono Condition [Passive]
Stop Target [Novice] - 0/10

White House
Washington, DC
9:46 AM EST

Epoch had vanished before Dr. Weird again dodging his saber and leaving him in direct line from the shot from Tang Le.

“Oh dam,” were Dr. Weird’s words as he say the blast coming right for him. He thought up several ways of avoiding the blast but his body would only be able to react to one in time. So he went with what seemed to be the best option at the time.

Dr. Weird caught himself on the down swing and moved to a defensive stance. Hoping that he could he could deflect the blast. Unfortunately his calculations were off by a little and his footing was wrong. When the blast hit he tried to knock it away only to have it connect with the saber causing a feed back that disrupted the beam sabers energy. Knocking it out of his hands and planting it the only reaming painting left in the Oval Office, George Washington’s.

The energy feedback also affected Dr. Weird too, not only did he get knocked to the floor. It also sent a shock to the cybernetic components of his brain. Resulting and a temporary loss of minor functions such as speak.

“After basting the horse be sure to fire a shoe from a turnip to get a good feather.” Dr. Weird shook his head and did a quick reboot of the needed systems. “Ouch, well that hurt a chicken.” It wasn't done.

Dr. Weird had picked himself up off the floor and dusted off his coat.

“Well played young hero, well played. But that is not enough to stop me,” he could see his cane sticking in the painting of Washington, he Epoch wouldn’t stop him from getting to it. He would have to fight his way over to it.

“So, what else you got Jumper?”
________________________________________________________________________________

Skills
Panoramic Vision [Passive]
Scrying [Superior] – 0/30
Sight Sharing [Alpha] – 0/20
Cyber Steve – Passive
Digital Weird [Alpha] – 6/20
Mechanical Control [Alpha] – 3/20

White House
Washington, DC
9:46 AM EST

"Having fun playing interference?!" Le shouted at the jumping man. "Two can play that game," she muttered as she brought the forgotten Hair Hammer to the forefront. Hoping to distract him, she swung.

Le attempts to hit Epoch with her Hair Hammer 1-5 fails, 6-10 hits

Random number (1,10) : 8

A split second after her hair starts swinging, she shoots a lock of hair across the floor to wrap up his leg.

----------------------
Hair Growth: Passive
Hair Arms: 6/20
Hair Hammer: 2/20
Hair Shield: 7/10

Extra-Life Skill Level Ticket

It was a day that changed America. It was a day that changed the world.

The Oval Office of the White House became the sparring room for some of the most heroic, and some of the most horrific. Doctor Weird stood before his long-haired cohort, Epoch, and Alyson. The room was splitting apart, with Bumela and Wigraf going toe-to-toe below.

Of course, the onslaught did not stop there. Skylar and the Mercenaries held little ground over the escaping powerhouses and the Destroyer Droids. The nation was crippling. It wouldn't stand on bended knee.

Before long, many heard a laughter that belted out from within the capitol building. The laughter of a madman. Doctor Weird always kept a few cards up his sleeves and summoned the mechanical monsters he kept in waiting. Two of them marched through the lawn on four gargantuan legs. They peered down on those fighting below them and blasted the destroyer droids to smithereens. Another behemoth crawled over the White House, its eye peering at its master, Doctor Weird.

The mad doctor laughed as Epoch struggled to Alyson's side. She was wounded by Tang Le's insidious hair. Alyson's grip on life was uncertain in Epoch's mind as he balanced his focus on rage toward Doctor Weird and compassion for his comrade. The doctor's laughter was broken, Epoch, and Alyson looked up to the looming shadow of the drone above.

"Citizens of Earth, know the face of your nightmares. The face of your one true master. I am Doctor Weird. I will set you free!" The doctor shouted into the eye of the drone as it broadcast to ever television, every phone, every computer, and every radio in the world. "Be not afraid," he continued, "For too long your governments have kept you locked up. Stifled your imaginations! Hidden your true abilities! There are those of you who know what you are and are unwilling to fight. Of course, there are organizations like the NSS that claim to help special individuals, but they are filled with deceit. Lies! You have been kept in the dark for too long. Rise now, and know that it is I who will set you free. I who opened your cages! Be free and fulfill your potential!"

"You're a liar!" Epoch shouted.

"Oh that's really too bad, I'm done broadcasting, my dear moron." Doctor Weird said with a wicked smile.

Tang Le readied her hair and Doctor Weird removed the saber from the painting of George Washington. The two lunged to assault Epoch and Alyson, but in the blink of an eye. The were gone.

Suddenly, beneath the Oval Office, a cracking, like an earthquake resounded and tore the building apart. Doctor Weird and Tang Le made a graceful escape to the head of his giant robot. Below in the rubble stood a statue of two loved in battle. Bumela and Wigraf.

The dust cleared and the lawn was left with the Mercenaries and Skylar. The drones looked down on them and began blasting from their eyes. "But I'm on your side, Doctor!" shouted Skylar as he dodged the blasts.

Ditto grabbed Skylar's arm and assured him he would be rescued, but a blast ripped Ditto to shreds. The shape shifter reconstituted but not before Skylar was stepped on by one of the drone's crushing feet.

Ditto and Keiran ran for their lives but were stopped dead in their tracks as a light beamed before them. "Do not be afraid, my Mercenaries." Spoke a voice from within the light. "Come in." The two entered the light and were gone from the lawn.

Two Days Later
"I understand, Mr. President, we will have to handle this motherfucker together." said NSS President Jackson to President Obama.

The pair stepped from behind a large red curtain and a quite crowd murmured as their approached their microphones.

"I know. I know…. that this has not… been ideal." Started President Obama, "but President Jackson and myself have come together. It was a mistake to issue… the state of emergency. It was a mistake to… lose trust in our allies. We have to come together… if we are going to stand against the face of adversity."

The crowd remained silent. Epoch and Alyson watched the announcement from the medical bay of Station 7.

"The monster known as Doctor Weird was right about one thing," started President Jackson. "He knew that the world is full of people with various talents and wonderful abilities. But I refuse. We refuse, to let a criminal such as Doctor Weird run loose and corrupt the world as we know it. Sure, there's been a lot of hate, and a lot of destruction in this world. And it's a damn shame. But, it is no different than it was before.

"These powers," he continued, "are no different than science. When the world makes an advancement there is always a crooked bad guy waiting to ruin it. No more! Please put your faith in your government, for we are forming a union that brings the government closer to the people. From this day forward, the NSS and the government are no longer at a stand off. We stand now as a partnership. Of the people, for the people."

Doctor Weird toiled in his lab, laughing at the Presidents' address. "They are far more stupid than even I estimated."

"Sir," spoke Steve, the voice of his laboratory, "Ms. Le has been accounted for, resting in her suite. What has happened to Skylar?"

"Who?" Doctor Weird questioned. "Oh! You mean the irritating scab with the shakes! After all I did for him… He was becoming a liability. I knew if a drone tried to crush him he would turn into solid metal. With that in mind, I dumped him in the Mariannas Trench. He should be stable and out of the way."

"Very good." Said Steve.

After a few hours the mad doctor pulled a pair of unusual cufflinks from his pocket. He recalled the odd man who gave them to him and pondered what they items were for. What they would do. Doctor Weird was an experimental man and took no heed. He clasped them to his coat and felt something shift deep within himself. He laughed with evil glee.

Just then, a communication signal came through. "Doctor Weird to you read me? It's Takeshi."

Doctor Weird lowered his laugh and looked at the monitor. "Yes?"

"My mission was a failure. The genetic research has been destroyed." Twisted Fate said with a sad heart.

"That's all right, I've made a few amazing discoveries that will more than make up for it!" Doctor Weird squealed.

Meanwhile, the statue remains of Bumela and Wigraf were placed in the garden of NSS Station 7. President Samuel Jackson and Professor Quantum were anguished by the destruction, but stood tall before Epoch and Alyson. Once more, the Strike Force would be rebuilt.

Professor Quantum began, "Epoch, Alyson, you two are the best hope we have left to right he situation the world is in. It's time we make you a solid team."


Even more meanwhile, Ditto and Keiran were sitting in expensive chairs. They both looked comfortable, but unable to be relaxed.

"You two are now in the employ of Mr. Bennet," said a well dressed man with black hair. "My name is Walter. I took the liberty of sweeping you off that battlefield and bringing you to Mr Bennet's estate. Do not worry, we are here to ensure your success. You're mercenaries and we intend to treat you as such. Attached to your wrists are Portal Bands. Whenever Mr. Bennet has a quest for you, a message will be received on the band and it will open a door to take you to it. When you've completed a task, a new door will open to take you home and you will be paid, handsomely."

Ditto gets a strange look on his face, "Why pick us?"

"Because, of this, Ditto." Said Walter as he turned on an elegant television. On the screen was a large horde of people. Each chanting one name: Doctor Weird.