Preface
I find it funny that people kept asking for a timeskip since Arc 3 (kidnapping arc), but now that you've got one, overwhelming majority want a short one (2-4 years). In any case, I'm going to take my hands off LT for a bit while I go work on something else. I just wanted to test the waters a bit before I got planning for real.
This PHO… Honestly? It kind of started as a joke. And then I thought, "Cauldron isn't losing that much anyway… and it'd be kind of funny… Would Fortuna care enough to stop this?"
So I went with it. It's a random bit of comedy I thought would be interesting if I had to play straight. Andy's going to have a lot to deal with when he wakes up.
Interlude 6.14.6: Parahumans Online
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Topic: An Open Letter to the American People
In: Boards Global United States General
Legend_Official (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Protectorate NY) (Founders)
Posted on January 3, 2002:
Hello, everyone.
The PRT_National account was fashioned only two months ago in response to repeated requests for an easily accessible source of PRT news concerning the nation. We believed it would be an excellent way to connect with the citizens we protect and develop an engaging community.
That is not what this is about. I felt that despite its purpose, such a means of address would be too impersonal, too insincere for what needs to be said. I'm sure Rebecca will make her own announcement, but I felt that some words from me were due.
So, here I am, making my first post on this quickly growing forum, to clear the air.
It is with a heavy heart that I write this, but I must confirm the existence of the third endbringer. The entity designated "Simurgh" attached our nation's capitol on Christmas Day, forcing a rapid mobilization of our nation's heroes, independents, and even several brave villains. She took the guise of an angel and tried to make a mockery of a day held sacred by many. It was a day of unfathomable tragedy for our nation as hundreds of thousands passed away and the heart of our democracy burned to the ground.
I've never been prouder to be a member of the Protectorate and a citizen of the United States of America. For those of you who answered the call, powers or none, thank you. Whether Protectorate, PRT, emergency personnel, or even our friends to the north, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for proving that even an endbringer could not divide us. Thank you for defending our nation, for saving the lives of over four hundred thousand people. Words cannot express the gratitude and pride I feel for you all.
The battle is over and there is much to say, much more to do. Please, please do not turn your attention from this, no matter how painful. Please do not allow your hearts to grow numb to this tragedy.
Even now, thousands of volunteers and emergency aid workers are combing through the ruins of our nation's capitol for survivors. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are scattered across the US and Canada, housed in camps built for just such a tragedy. Thousands more are missing.
Please don't become numb to this. No amount of powers will provide these people with comfort and peace, food, water, or clothes. If you can afford to, find it in your heart to reach out to your local shelters and PRT liaisons. Though the Worldstone Network was made with housing in mind, there are many things that it lacks.
I beg you, please don't let the Simurgh win.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Legend
*MOD EDIT*
This thread has been locked because all that needs to be said has been said. I'm going to drop a lot of links and resources for people.
Here is a discussion page on the third endbringer.
Here is the online memorial of all those who passed fighting the Simurgh or volunteering to rescue civilians.
Here is a database of all emergency relief organizations and PRT liaisons currently assisting in recovery and relief efforts.
Lastly, here is a missing persons thread meant to help people reconnect from different refugee camps.
Best wishes from the admin staff,
Fishie
(Showing Page 1 of 16)
► Rainbow Parade
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Shit... I... I said I wanted Legend to make an account, but... shit... not like this.
► Fishie (Board Admin)
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Thank you, Legend_Official, for your sincerity. You are without question the best of us.
I know it's not much, but please reach out to me if there is anything the PHO admin staff can do to help organize relief efforts or get the word out.
This is the most tragic example, but events such as this is precisely why I helped build this site.
► PewPewPRIDE
Replied on January 3, 2002:
No kidding. I live in Columbus and saw some of the footage of the aftermath. Welcome to PHO, Legend_Official. Now if you'll pardon me, I'm going to go back to sobbing.
► Mezcal Mike
Replied on January 3, 2002:
I want to say something witty, but… yeah, I got nothing. There is nothing funny about this. I'm going to go collect links for aid offices. Maybe doing something productive will keep me from breaking down again.
► U Da Punchline (Banned)
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Idk, there's something weird about the fag-in-chief celebrating Christmas.
► Fishie (Board Admin)
Replied on January 3, 2002:
No. Fuck you. Not now. Not here. Fuck you and enjoy the IP lock, asshole.
► Haha Bro #1
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Yeah, no. Nothing funny about this. Mezcal Mike, looks like PRT_National's ahead of you, bro. Here's the PHO post that has all local aid liaison offices.
► Haha Bro #2
Replied on January 3, 2002:
And here's FEMA additions.
► Haha Bro #3
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Here's the memorial of all those who died fighting or volunteering. It's an online list so it's going to keep growing as people add to it before it gets made into something official.
I also made a PHO post for missing persons here. I hope this helps some of you find your loved ones.
► Undertow
Replied on January 3, 2002:
The Haha Bros aren't trolling? What?
► Haha Bro #1
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Hey, fuck off, Undertow. Like Fishie said, time and place. We're assholes, not monsters.
► Undertow
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Yeah, shit. Sorry, force of habit. You're right and thank you for what you guys contributed.
► Legend_Official (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Protectorate NY) (Founders)
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Thank you, everyone. Truly and sincerely. I need to run, there is a lot of work to do for me still, but I wanted to say I appreciate everything.
► Fishie (Board Admin)
Replied on January 3, 2002:
Right. Locking the thread here. Everything that needs to be said has been said I think. I'm going to edit the original post with these links. Please support your local shelters and refugee camps as you can afford.
End of Page. 1
Topic: New Endbringer Aftermath
In: Boards Global United States General
Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Posted on January 4, 2002:
So… I'm writing this from Seattle still trying to process what the fuck happened. I guess to me, endbringers have always been someone else's problem, you know? I'm hoping that going over all the things happening in our nation as a result of this will help me come to grips with it all.
For starters, here is a thread that's complied a master list of all ongoing relief efforts and organizations involved. Please donate, whether in time, supplies, or money.
This includes the cape and emergency personnel casualties. I know that from the DC Protectorate, we lost:
Pyrotechnical
Glace
Outreach
Metalmaru (Edit: He's fine, my apologies. He went down and lost both legs, but thanks to Rubedo's potions, he's expected to recover.)
Brickhouse
Hyunmu (What the fuck is a Ward doing here?)
Rest in peace, heroes. Thank you.
The POTUS has announced a national day of mourning to remember the fallen heroes. Read about that here.
PRT_National announced that the surviving DC heroes would be reassigned. Further, future departments will house no more than three tinkers to a team for obvious reasons. They are Hero, Bluesong, Wonderland, Zero Day, and Armsmaster as well as Verdeer, Gold Rush, and Whiteout of the Wards.
Hero has announced that he will not take command of a new city. Instead, he will work as the Protectorate's liaison to the Guild in Canada, training them to be an international task force.
Bluesong has claimed command of PRT Jacksonville, a mid-sized branch in Florida. It's about time; she's one of the most experienced heroes in the country. I just wish the circumstances had been better.
Wonderland is formally joining the Seattle Protectorate, the team she worked with during the battle.
Zero Day is going to Watchdog, the national think-tank (the powered kind). He's going to be their techie I guess.
Armsmaster has announced that he's headed to Brockton Bay, a small city in New Hampshire with an abnormally high CPC (capes per capita). He's not going to be the leader, but he'll be Paladin's second-in-command.
Edit: Metalmaru is alive! He's going to retire, though he'll still work as an outside consultant primarily working alongside Bluesong in Jacksonville.
Of course, the other thing we need to talk about is where our new capitol will be. Senator Overton is heading the camp that wants to rebuild DC. Speaker Vasquez is saying it should be moved to a more geographically central location. It's not strictly cape-related, but I figured it's worth discussing.
Edit: For you fuckers saying Hero's a coward because he was the only Founder who didn't participate in the battle, fuck you. We know the Simurgh copies tinker powers. He was obviously given the intelligence beforehand somehow. You think DC's a pile of rubble now? Imagine what she could have done with Hero's power thrown into the mix. He evacuated every congressman, Supreme Court justice, and the entire White House and cabinet. He's why the US government exists in the first place. He removed himself from the battlefield for everyone's sakes and made the biggest difference he could.
(Showing Page 1 of 4)
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
So I might be going crazy, but… I thought Metalmaru was alive…?
► Rude Rupert
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Seriously? That's what you're concerned with? I mean, I get that he was a hero, but compared to two Wards dying, who cares?
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I care, you dick. First off, he isn't just some random hero. He didn't put in many hours on the streets, but he's Hero's right hand in the Madhouse.
► Frontline (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Cleveland)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, Rude Rupert. I'm not sure who you think Metalmaru was, but the man was my boss when I was part of the Madhouse. He's been Hero's second for almost ten years. He'll be dearly missed.
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Wow, thank you both, but as you can see, I'm alive and well. I did go down when the Simurgh cut off my legs, but Hyunmu threw me through the Wayfinder. I'm in Chicago at the moment. I'm healthy thanks to my emergency potions and already designing some cybernetic legs with the help of local tinkers.
I'll probably make a formal announcement.
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Metalmaru You're alive!
► Frontline (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Cleveland)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Good to see you, bossman.
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yep. Here's proof that it's really me, along with the announcement of my retirement. I think I'm going to work as an outside consultant in Jacksonville, helping support Bluesong's command. It's what I do best after all.
► Rude Rupert
Replied on January 4, 2002:
That's great and all, but while you're here, mind giving us some information on WHAT THE FUCK THE WARDS WERE DOING THERE?
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, that's a really good question.
► Its Just Business
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Lol I used to live in DC. Brickhouse wasn't a Ward. I mean, he was, but not when he died. He graduated to the Protectorate in August(?) shortly after letting that midget kick my ass.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, Brick wasn't a Ward when he volunteered. Just Hyunmu, but… Its Just Business are you Showbiz?
► Its Just Business
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yup, I should get my acc verified. Lucha Loco, I sent you a message. I mean, shit. The PRT moved us out literally months before a new endbringer?
Me and the boys are going to pour one out for Hyunmu.
► Lucha Loco (Moderator)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Verified. But aren't you going to get rebranded?
► Its Just Business (Verified Cape) (Stage Crew)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
And? That just means this can be my throwaway account to talk shit on.
► Rude Rupert
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, yeah, great. We can all remember how a twelve year old kicked your collective asses. What I want to know is which fuckup thought letting said twelve year old fight an endbringer and die was a good idea.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Actually, I'm pretty sure he's ten. I know, that makes it worse, but it's on his online profile. See?
He's also the tinker behind the Worldstone Network, so he's a giant reason I'm alive.
► Its Just Business (Verified Cape) (Stage Crew)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Hey, fuck you, Rude Rupert. That kid's fucking terrifying.
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
What? Wtf is this bullshit? He's TEN?
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
He is, Love1355. Confirmed in this interview if the official Wards roster wasn't enough. Makes my fucking blood boil.
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I… the PRT are the good guys… right?
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, lot of us feeling that way right about now…
► Gristlebrow
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I'm not saying that Hyunmu should have been out there, but let's be honest. The only reason his death stands out is that he's young. If he wasn't, he'd just be a statistic. Let's not pretend his death was some grand sacrifice.
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Dude, that's fucking cold.
► Gristlebrow
Replied on January 4, 2002:
What do you want me to say? That he's some special snowflake? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd love to live in a world where no hero has to die, but he's just some kid who overestimated himself and got in over his head. Maybe if the PRT did their jobs and kept an eye on their Ward, he wouldn't have died like a fucking chump.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
(Showing Page 2 of 4)
► Ranchero (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Albuquerque)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
You better fucking pray I don't find you, Gristlebrow. Hyunmu was my friend, you son of a bitch.
User has received an infraction. I get it, I do, but please don't threaten anyone in the forums, especially as a hero.
► Gristlebrow (Banned)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Was.
Now he died without making a single difference.
User has been banned. Fuck off. You don't make fun of the dead, especially not people who died facing endbringers.
► Lucha Loco (Moderator)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Enough. No. You don't make fun of the dead, especially not endbringer casualties. I don't give a fuck that it's not in the PHO terms of service. Fuck off.
► Widlshot (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Wait, what? Ranchero, you knew the guy who made the Worldstones? How?
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I guess it doesn't really matter anymore so I'll clear the air.
Hyunmu was formerly Rubedo, a Ward in Phoenix. His real name is Andy Kim. Wildshot I promise you've met him at least once before. Following the Red Sands Incident, the full breadth and scope of his power was discovered and he was given a new mask before being moved to the Madhouse to learn from Hero. I was one of the first to meet him and the one who introduced him to the Madhouse.
Andy was… brilliant. So smart that I never felt like I was talking to a child. Hell, kid was probably smarter than me. He was also the type to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. No, this doesn't excuse us letting him fight. My hands are shaking writing this because I'm so goddamn pissed. But… But I don't think it was about letting him.
No one let him do anything. He just… did.
In a lot of ways, he reminded me of a younger Hero. Larger than life, you know? Like he could do anything. Make anything. Like, one day, he just came to work with a brand new armor we'd never even seen before and no one batted an eye because… Hyunmu. He always seemed to have the go-ahead from someone up top.
And made no difference? The creator of the Worldstone Network? The reason 400,000 people are alive? The reason we have a country at all? The boy who mass produced potions? Who arranged for disaster relief constantly? Some of you keyboard warriors are breathing now because of him.
Overestimated himself? Maybe. You be the judge of that. It goes against protocol, but I plan on retiring from the Protectorate anyway. What are they gonna do? Fire me? I don't care anymore. The video cuts out halfway through because I went down, but this is everything until then. The world deserves to know what an endbringer is really like. And how amazing he was. Here.
I can only wonder what kind of a giant Andy could have been.
Rest in peace, Andy, and thank you for saving my life.
► Widlshot (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Umm… Which one is him? I just see a weird fog-cape with a sheepgirl…? Ghost-wolf… thing…? And are those scissors?
► Ranchero (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Albuquerque))
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah. I know a lot of the things he's made. Our old team still had weekly movie nights and he's shown off before. Those scissors, that armor, they're definitely his work. Pause here. You can see the turtle shell crest on his back.
Rest in peace, little buddy. Dad would've been proud of you.
► Undertow
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Holy shit. I thought he was a tinker? Shaker? Striker? Mover? What is that even?
►Its Just Business (Verified Cape) (Stage Crew)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yup. Suddenly Stage Crew doesn't look so pathetic, huh? We lost to mini-Hero. Kid's fucking terrifying.
Pouring one out to you, Andy. RIP.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Seen him around on patrols before this whole shit. That's Hyunmu alright. Did the cloud-walking trick for my baby sister.
Thank you and RIP.
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Really turned into a Hyunmu respect thread, huh? Is there any chance there are more videos from the battle?
Also, RIP.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Because he's fucking badass.
► Magic Trash Panda (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
He was and I can't stop crying because he used to call me a trash panda and make fun of my taste in movies but he'd always send me cookies for my birthday and that's all I can think about right now.
► Lucha Loco (Moderator)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I'm sorry for your loss but that you made your PHO handle based off his nickname for you is also kind of adorable.
► Ranchero (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Albuquerque)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, that's Bandit all right… Give me a call if you want to talk. I'm driving up anyway to visit so we can meet up then too, okay?
► Magic Trash Panda (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, okay…
► Hat Trick (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
RIP, midget. You were kickass.
► Rude Rupert
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Serious question: If Hyunmu thought fighting was a good idea and all the other tinkers were there, where was Hero?
► GrogNRum
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Coward.
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Saving all the bigwigs probably. Imagine how many more lives he could have saved if he wasn't sucking POTUS dick or whatever the fuck he was doing.
Lost a lot of respect for you, Hero_Official.
► Zero2Hero
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I mean… Do we know that's what he was doing?
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
According to these reports and speeches from politicians thanking his "quick thinking and decisive action?" Yeah. Fuck… I thought he stood for the little guys. Guess there was a reason why he was stationed in DC.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I get it. I do. But honestly? That's probably the best thing he could have done. Imagine the chaos if we lost our entire government. You're not looking at a civil war. You're looking at the US shattering into different provinces. Zero organization. Zero coordination. As much as I would have loved to see Hero slap that bird bitch a new one, he made the right call.
It tastes bitter, but… yeah…
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
It's… not just that, guys. If it's just that, there'd be no reason for Hero to leave and stay gone.
The Simurgh… During the battle, she took things from the Madhouse. That big box you see floating in the background of some of my shots? Yeah, that's not just some rubble. That's where I used to work. Where some of the best tinkers alive used to work. She just ripped the whole fucking thing from the ground.
And then she started building stuff by cobbling together everything we had.
I've seen the reports. The Simurgh can co-opt the specializations of any tinker in the area. Me. Pyro. Glace. Armsmaster. Bluesong. Zero Day. We all saw our powers used against us. You want to know why DC's a rubble right now?
Because she made lasers like Pyro and used Glace's cryo-tech to make mirrors that deflect lasers everywhere. Because she programmed like Zero Day, optimized like Armsmaster, and made bullshit alloys like me. Think disco lights, but death rays…
Imagine that. But throw in Hero.
No, the boss made the right call.
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Oh… Shit… I'm sorry. I'll shut up now.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
(Showing Page 3 of 4)
► Ranchero (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Albuquerque)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, I didn't know it was that bad. Stingray was there. Told her she shouldn't go. I'm just glad she made it back.
► Zero2Hero
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yes. Faith in Hero restored!
► Rude Rupert
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Really? Fine, whatever. Hero's still the shining golden boy of America. Can we get more videos of what happened? It's not like it's illegal, is it?
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Strictly speaking, no, it's not illegal. It's just heavily frowned upon to share footage outside of mission briefings and the like. They suck. They're depressing. They're incredibly scary to watch. Honestly? The only reason I shared footage of Hyunmu was because it doesn't matter anymore and Andy deserves a lot more respect than you guys give him.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, just watching my city like that. There's something humbling about what you guys did. Thank you again, Metalmaru. I don't think we say it enough.
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I was there. Those lasers were really bad, burned straight through building supports like a hot knife through butter. All I did was S&R, but I don't think I'm going to participate again. I… I've never felt so small…
► Ranchero (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Albuquerque)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I'm just happy you're back, Sting.
► Magic Trash Panda (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Yeah, I don't know what I'd do if we lost you too…
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Umm… What do you mean "too?" OMG, I didn't know you had family in DC.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Scroll up, Stingray.
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Oh… Oh fuck…
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you were close.
► Hat Trick (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Can we all have a girls' night and drown in ice cream?
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Guys… Umm… This is bad. I don't know how to say this, but… Hyunmu's… alive…
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Not funny, Stingray. I expected better from you.
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I don't joke. Not about things like this. Here, a picture of him and the hospital bed. He's alive, guys…
► Hat Trick (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Wait, for real?
YES! Pinche puto scared the shit out of me.
► Minuteman Sam (Original Poster) (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Woah, that's definitely a bit of a whiplash. How? And how are we hearing this from you?
Like, no offense, Stingray, but you're… not exactly a big name.
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
None taken. I get it. I'm a very small fish in a very big ocean. Trust me, that's been made abundantly clear to me. Humble pie for Christmas… yay…
But one of the last things the bird bitch did before leaving was destabilize some of Warptek's old stuff. For those who don't remember, Warptek was a Madhouse tinker who transferred to Milwaukee then passed away helping relief missions in Hyderabad this July. Some of his stuff must have been in storage or something, because she made them go critical and used them like bombs (not a tinker don't ask, I don't know how).
One landed near me and Hyunmu protected me and a few dozen other people. Instead of tearing us to shreds, it just teleported us somewhere else. The Cascades to be specific. I only got back a little while ago thanks to some super-thinker lady tracking us down.
► Love1355
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Wait, so he's alive? Metalmaru just outed a Ward?
► Metalmaru (Verified Cape) (Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
I… I guess I did. God, I feel like shit…
► Rude Rupert (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Lol Good time to retire. Now that we know the dude's alive, got any footage?
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Scary thinker-lady said it's fine. Cat's out of the bag. Here's my helmet cam uncut. And yes, the gauntlets were a gift from Andy. They're awesome but I wish I asked for mobility or something with more utility. Yes, that's Andy in the sky almost murdering the bird bitch. Yes, those are a lamb and wolf projection of some sort. They're not Case-53s, they're things he made. Yeah, he has a coilgun. Yes, he's ten.
My little bro is alive and he made an endbringer run.
► Rude Rupert
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Holy shit… I… I don't know what else to say to that video. I've never been more terrified of a child in my life. Metal's right. Precocious doesn't begin to describe him.
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Oh… Shit… Please tell me the little guy's okay.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
(Showing Page 4 of 4)
► Stingray (Verified Cape) (Protectorate Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
No, Dime-A-Dozen. No, he is not okay. He entered a coma and we have no idea when he'll wake up. Every test says he is fine. He has a stock of the best medicine in the world (he made them after all). There is a very powerful thinker-lady who's looking after him. He's getting the best care possible.
► Dime-A-Dozen (At Ground Zero)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Fuck. That's… That's better than being dead. He'll come back. Right?
► Hat Trick (Verified Cape) (Wards Phoenix)
Replied on January 4, 2002:
Fuck yeah, he will. He's tough. He'll be back and I'm going to kick the pendejo in the dick for making me worry.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
Author's Note
Welp, here we are. Armsmaster gets his Brockton Bay assignment and is continuing to be groomed for leadership. The Phoenix group gets some closure. Andy's outed accidentally because his name went up among the dead. Sting was briefly too, but she cleared herself when she was rescued by Contessa.
There are some things going on in the background concerning just why Contessa would allow him to be outed, but it's important to keep in mind that he's outed as a hero.
Most of the time, being outed usually means a huge scandal or fall from grace. It means loss of faith or danger. Desperation. This was true of Alexandria, Taylor, and even the Empire. That's not what happened here.
Well that, and… honestly? I thought it'd be funny so I decided to play the gag straight.
I know that there are some loose ends, but I tried to wrap as many as I could. A time skip following an endbringer battle was always the plan, though not necessarily in this manner. I'm not entirely sure just when I'll have Andy wake up, but it's going to be a few years for certain. Honestly? I haven't even begun to write an outline for Arc 7 so I'm open to suggestions:
2005: Immediate Bonesaw.
2007: Boston Games
2009: Madison
2011: Brockton Bay
Obviously, a lot of events won't look the same, but those four are useful milestones to keep in mind.
In any case, this is the end of Arc 6, Omen. I will not be picking this up for at least a few months, though I might write a few omakes for my own amusement. Maybe start another mini-series or a what-if of Andy in different settings tracking down the other World Runes.
What am I picking up next? Probably Spoon to be honest, but we'll see. Oh, and I also run a quest of fiction live called A Colorful Life. Why? Because I have no impulse control. It's not good, but it's a decent read if you're looking for literary popcorn.
Anyway, if you enjoyed this story and you'd like to buy me coffee, please Google my screen name and Kofi. It's also in my profile or right here if you're lazy: /fabledwebs. You don't get anything, but I'd appreciate the tip as proof of a job well done.