Where Have All The Heroes Gone: #5 - Gold Side

[Paragon Avenger]

.

[Paragon Avenger]

The elevator doors opened to a bar area.  She could see a cube truck parked in the middle of the room with a bird on top of it.  There were no people.  The machinery was still in place and functioning.  The laser lights danced on the main floor separating the blue side where she was from the red side across the dance floor.  There was a huge platform in the middle of the dance floor where somebody important must've stood at one time.  She made her way between a big ramp leading to a Portal Corp. looking transporter and the wall.  The ramp rose about 12 feet, but it didn't have railings on it.  She realized how dangerous hero work really is, and a missing safety rail was no big deal to superheroes.  She continued walking and made a left turn.  She saw the restrooms across the small room and to her left was the thing she had been dreading.  It was the portal to Praetoria.

[Paragon Avenger]

"I've read the news from Praetoria, and it doesn't sound good."

[Paragon Avenger]

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."  Flower Night said as she looked around at Imperial City.
Imperial City looked big and shiny.  It reminded her of New York City with its towering buildings, busy streets and massive advertisments.  It was the kind of place that could make you feel alive or very small.  She took a deep breath, decided to stop talking to herself and forged ahead.  See had to find the leader of the Syndicate.
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, now whaddyas want?"  The Suit said.
"I am here to meet with and talk to the leader of the Syndicate."  Flower Night said.
"Impossible, beat it."  The Suit said.
"I don't take 'impossible' for an answer."  Flower Night insisted.
"Fine.  It's your funeral.  I knows a guy who knows a guy who can get you in."  The Suit informed.
"Swell, give me the contact information."  Flower Night asked.
"You ain't no narc are you?"  The Suit asked.
"Of course not.  All I need is to talk with the Syndicate leader."  Flower Night explained.
"Look, see, I like you.  You're kind of cute and you seem harmless.  So here's the deal, you meet this guy at this address, but remember, you don't know me."  The Suit said as he handed Flower Night a folded slip of paper.
"Thank you."  Flower Night said as she grabbed the paper.
The suit walked away and Flower Night started walking towards the train station.  She was hoping to find a map of the city to help her find the contact written on the paper.

[Paragon Avenger]

"What are you doing here?"  Flower Night asked.
"I'm here to warn you."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"About what?"  Flower Night asked.
"Lots of things."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Like what?"  Flower Night asked.
"Like that address that guy gave you."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"You mean this?  What about it?"  Flower Night asked.
"I over-heard them; it's a trap."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"A trap!  What did you hear?"  Flower Night asked.
"Well, I hear them talking before you arrived.  I was staking out the area on another unrelated matter.  They knew that you would be coming and asking about The Syndicate.  I heard them plan the trap.  By the time you enter that building, they will be waiting for you."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"How do you know that you weren't seen?"  Flower Night asked.
"Because of this."  Totally Awesome Dude said holding out one of the Syndicate black and red leather jackets.
"You were in disguise?"  Flower Night asked.
"Yes, as I said, I was here on another unrelated matter."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Well they will be expecting only me.  What if I show up in force?"  Flower Night asked.
"That would ruin the objective of your mission."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Oh yeah."  Flower Night replied.
"Wait, there's more."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"What?"  Flower Night asked stunned.
"I think Positron is trying to take over Hero Corps."  Totally Awesome Dude shared.
"What!"  Flower Night's jaw dropped.
Totally Awesome Dude explained what he had found out and the pieces he had put together as the two walked to a nearby coffee shop.
" ... and that is why they merged the yellow and the green train lines."  Totally Awesome Dude finished a long and irrefutable analysis of the recent events in Paragon City.
"Wow, but that doesn't explain what happened to Statesman."  Flower Night pointed out.
"Oh that's an easy one."  Totally Awesome Dude began.
As he explained how the pieces fit together, Flower Night felt her innocence, her naiveté vaporize.  She felt like she had been invited to the advanced class and she was the star student.  She took a long silence moment to take it all in.  Totally Awesome Dude sipped his double skinny latte' twice whipped.
"Are you telling me that Super Fire Dragon was in on the Rikti war."  Flower Night asked with disbelief.
"I never said that, but you must admit there is a strong connection between Lord Nemisis and Lady Jayne."  Totally Awesome Dude responded.
"But that would mean that the Freakshow and the Warriors are both working for the Crey."  Flower Night concluded.
"We can't prove that, but the Trolls and the Lost have never been seen together outside the Hollows."  Totally Awesome Dude replied.
"Ok, but how does that implicate Positron?"  Flower Night asked.
"Don't you see?  Positron is the mastermind."  Totally Awesome Dude began unraveling the thickest, most convoluted, extremely twisted plot of intrigue Flower Night had ever heard.
"I still can't believe that Kolissa is a double-agent."  Flower Night confessed.
"Why else do you think Ms. Liberty sent you here instead of, don't take this the wrong way, somebody with more experience."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"How can I trust you?"  Flower Night asked.
"Let's go to that address, together, but we will sneak in the back way and take a look around."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Yes, that could work."  Flower Night said.

[Paragon Avenger]

There is an old saying, "Be careful what you ask for."  Well Flower Night found out the hard way that that saying can become very true very quickly.
"Wow, I have never seen so many Syndicate members in my life."  Flower Night softly exclaimed.
"Keep your voice down."  Totally Awesome Dude said as the two made their way around the kitchen and back rooms of the building at the address that was written on the paper the Suit gave Flower Night.
"I heard that it was the great Kolissa."  A Syndicate member said to another.
"No, you're all wet.  It was necrophillia."  Another Syndicate member said.
"I can't wait to feel, Necrophillia.  If you know what I mean."  A Syndicate member replied.
"Yeah, haha, They say that she has that 'Come to your doom, boys' look that is so hot these days."  Another Syndicate member said.
"Forget it, guys.  The only way to get to first base with her is to be dead."  A different Syndicate member said.
"Eeeeewwww." Several Syndicate members exclaimed.
"Pipe down and pay attention."  A Suit said.
"Sir, is it true that Necrophillia is coming?"  A Syndicate member asked.
"No, it is not Necrophillia."  A Suit said.
"Who is it, would we know the name?"  Another Syndicate member asked.
"Yes, it is the great Flower Knight herself!"  A Suit answered.
"They have you confused with some one else."  Totally Awesome Dude whispered.
"I miss my 'K'"  Flower Night shouted.

[Paragon Avenger]

In his tastefully decorated Talos Island penthouse, Super Fire Dragon strolled.  He had a very large snifter of Brandy that he swirled as he paced.  "This isn't right."  He thought to his self.  His mind raced through the possible outcomes of Flower Night in Praetoria trying to thwart the Resistance led Syndicate and Carnival of Light coalition.  He walked over to phone and set down his Brandy.
"Hello, who is this?  Why did you wake me up?"  Necrophillia said over the phone.
"This is your best friend, Super Fire Dragon, and ... "  SFD said into the phone, but he was interrupted by a loud click and the 'dial tone' returning.  Yes, wired phone would give you a feedback signal when picked them up off the hook or out of the cradle.  This feed back tone was known as the 'dial tone' it let you know that your phone was active.  This was years before they replaced that with signal strength bars and battery level indicators.
"Female dog."  SFD said as he slammed down the telephone handset.  He took another sip of Brandy and decided to try another hero.
"Super Fire Dragon!  What it is!"  Kolissa said over the phone.
"Hi, Kolissa, what's all that noise?"  SFD asked.
"We're having a party!"  Kolissa replied.  "Hey you, wanna talk to Super Fire Dragon?  Well here."  Kolissa said to some passer-by as she handed off the phone.
"Wow, are you really Super Fire Dragon?"  Some guy said.
"Yes, this is Super Fire Dragon, I need to ... "  SFD replied.
"Guess what everybody; Super Fire Dragon is on the line."  Some guy shouted to the room.
"Hello, Super Fire Dragon, I just want to think you for rescuing my sister from the Circle of Thorns."  Some woman said.
"My pleasure, can you put ... "  SFD said.
"Hello, Super Dragon Dude, I love you man."  Some other guy said.
"Super Fire Dragon, that time you stopped the clockwork king in Skyway City.  Didn't you already have stopped him before?  Do you kill steal?"  Another voice asked.
"Don't be rude, you don't know what hero work is like."  Yet another voice said.
"Helllo!  Hello!  I need to talk to Kolissa."  SFD called over the phone.
"I'm not Kolissa, but Super Fire Dragon, I was wondering, if you're not doing anything, maybe we could go someplace and talk."  Another woman's voice said.
Super Fire Dragon slammed the phone down in frustration.  He paced some more and thought that he must get a group together.  He picked up the phone, took a deep breath and dialed the number.
"You called at a bad time, please leave a message after the beep.  It's kind of an interesting technology.  It answers the phone, plays my message and a beep then switches to record mode.  BEEP!"  The answering machine said.
"Dev, it's me, Super Fire Dragon.  If you're there, pick up.  Hello, hello."  SFD said into the phone.

At the apartment of Developer 13.

"Shouldn't you answer that, it could be important."  Jenny Hall said.
"There is no way that it is more important than this.  Did I ever tell you that pregnant woman turn me on?"  Developer 13 said.
"I kind of guessed that."  Jenny Hall said.
The two of them went back to doing what ever it was that they were doing.

Back at Super Fire Dragon's penthouse.

"Expletive!"  The little dragon had reached his limit.  He had a bad feeling that Flower Night was in trouble, but he couldn't get any of his old team together.

[Paragon Avenger]

[A tribute to Ascendant, Ascendant style.]

As he poured milk over his bowl of Super-Fire-Dragon-Crunch, the phone rang.
"Good, maybe one of those heroes I called a few hours ago finally decided to hear my plan."  Super Fire Dragon thought to his self.
"Hello."  SFD spoke into the phone.
"Oh hi, Ascendant.
Yes it has been a while.
No-no, I.
Yes, Ascendant I think you are a valuable hero.  I just didn't ...
Really, I didn't know Flower Night was a close personal friend.
Next time, I will call you first.
I'm trying to get a team together to help her.
No.
No, Ascendant, I'm not pulling your leg.
That's Flower Night, without a K.
No, Flower, like a daisy.
No, I've never seen Flour Knight in action.
You're right, I shouldn't judge.
Yes, Ascendant.
Yes, Ascendant.
Yes, but, but, but,
I'm not familiar with the bread-stick power-set that's all.
I'm sure she is.
Yes, Ascendant.
Ok, I will, bye.
No.
Bye now.
Yes, goodbye.
Alright I'll say it.  Great, just great.
You're welcome.
Goodbye to you too."
Super Fire Dragon hung up the phone.

[Paragon Avenger]

"You were spying on us, I want to know why!"  A Syndicate member demanded of Totally Awesome Dude.
"We were only checking out the hunch I had that there was a trap waiting for Flower Night."  Totally Awesome Dude answered.
"So you admit it!"  The Syndicate member shouted.
"Can I re-phrase my earlier response?"  Totally Awesome Dude asked.
"What?  Who do you think you are?"  The Syndicate member stormed.
"I'm Totally Awesome Dude."  Totally Awesome Dude said realizing too late that this could get him into more trouble.
"You will show me some respect."  The Syndicate member said.  "Now, what is your name?"
"They call me Totally Awesome Dude."  Totally Awesome Dude replied trying to make his name sound like a name.
The Syndicate member punched Totally Awesome Dude in the gut so hard that TAD doubled over in pain.
"Tell me your name."  The Syndicate member demanded.
"My name, is, Totally Awesome, Dude, Sir."  Totally Awesome Dude said gasping in pain.
"Oh, your name is Totally Awesome Dude.  With a name like that, you shouldn't have a glass brisket."  The Syndicate member said and hit him again in the stomach.  Totally Awesome Dude doubled over again and fell to the floor.  The Syndicate member kicked him as he walked past out the door.  Totally Awesome Dude moaned in replied. 
Although Totally Awesome Dude could have changed into "the lobster" form and withstood much more beatings or even escaped, he couldn't risk exposing his self as a superhero.  The mission to determine what was going on with the Resistance, Carnival of Light and the Syndicate was too important.  He thought that he and Flower Night could be pawns in a game of power coup within Hero Corps.  That thought troubled him, but the only way back is to keep moving forward.

"Your friend was most cooperative.  He told us everything we need to know."  The Syndicate member said to Flower Night.
"Thank goodness, I'll be going now."  Flower Night said as she got up from the chair she was sitting on and took a step towards the door.
"Sit down!"  A Syndicate guard said as he pushed her back into her seat.
"Cute; enough of your tricks.  Tell me why you were spying on us!"  The Syndicate member demanded.
"We had reason to suspect that there was a trap waiting for me."  Flower Night replied.
"What kind of a trap?"  The Syndicate member shouted back.
"I don't know.  A Syndicate trap."  Flower Night said.
"I see.  You look familiar.  What is your name?"  The Syndicate member asked.
"Flower Night is my name, no 'K'."  Flower Night said.
"Ah, yes.  You look like Flour Knight.  Do you have breadstick powers?"  The Syndicate member asked.
"What?  Oh no.  Flower as in a rose."  Flower Night answered.
"Oh I see, Flower Knight, but without the 'K', so Flower Night.  Nighttime flowers."  The Syndicate member said putting two and two together.
"Nighttime flowers, I like it."  Flower Night said with a grin.
"Listen, I'm not here to give you names, I'm here to get answers."  The Syndicate member said.
"Well, Totally Awesome Dude cooperated and I answered your questions.  It's my turn.  Why did you guys set a trap for me?  I told you I wanted to speak to your leader.  When will I be able to see your leader?  Why have I been detained?  Why have your guards treated me so roughly?"  Flower Night questioned.
"Shut up!"  The Syndicate member said as he back-handed her across her face.

Meanwhile

"Hello, I need to speak to Developer 13."  Super Fire Dragon said over the phone.
"Just a minute, whom may I say is calling?"  Jenny Hall replied over the phone.
"This is Super Fire Dragon."  SFD said.
"Dev phone."  Jenny Hall shouted.
"Hello, this is Developer 13, what can I do you for."  Developer 13 said over the phone.
"This is Super Fire Dragon, Ms. Liberty has sent Flower Night on a mission in Praetoria.  I think Flower Night might need our help."  SFD explained.
"I'm in.  Send me the meet-up details."  Developer 13 said hanging up the phone.
"Why was Super Fire Dragon calling you?"  Jenny Hall asked.
"Oh, he wanted to go fishing and needed a partner."  Developer 13 lied.
"Liar!  I was listening on the extension."  Jenny Hall said.
"You <bad person>, that was a private conversation!"  Developer 13 shouted.
"You told me that you were a developer, but you're a superhero!"  Jenny Hall shouted back.
"Well, I am both."  Developer 13 said trying to calm the situation.
"I broke up with the father of my baby."  Jenny Hall said starting to cry.  "I broke up with him, because he was a superhero."
"What?  Wait, Jenny Hall?  Your Ice Mannix's girlfriend."  Developer 13 suddenly realized.
"I wanted a normal father."  Jenny Hall cried.  "I wanted a normal father for my baby."
"He's going to kill me.  Oh defrag, he's going to kill me."  Developer 13 worried.
"This isn't about you."  Jenny Hall cried.
"Look, I didn't mean to deceive you.  I was just protecting my secret identity."  Developer 13 said.
"What am I going to do now?  I'm very pregnant, unmarried and without even a boyfriend."  Jenny hall said still crying.
"I think, maybe, you should get married to Ice.  Forget about us.  Never, never, never mention this to Ice, ever.  And having a superhero as a husband and father for your kid might not be so bad.  Jenny, I want you to know that if you ever need a friend, I'm here for you.  But don't tell Ice, ever."  Developer 13 said.
"Take me home."  Jenny Hall demanded.

Back at Super Fire Dragon's Secret Penthouse Apartment in Talos Island.

"I need your help."  Super Fire Dragon said into the phone.
"I would love to help; after all when your name is Dastardly certain things are expected of you."  Vince Dastardly said.
"Yeah, it isn't THAT kind of help.  I was wondering if you have The Fattinator's phone number.  The one he gave me doesn't work."  SFD said.

[Paragon Avenger]

"I think we all know why we're here."  Super Fire Dragon said to the group he had assembled.
"Yeah, about that.  When do we get paid, because I could use a bite?"  The Tattered Avenger said.  He stood there in shredded rags.  He had an eye patch over his left eye and a nasty looking scare on the left side of his face that explained the eye patch.  He had shoulder length straight black hair that looked greasy.  His strongest power was stench.  You can actually see his body funk.  He called it "Dark Aura", ha!
"Oh sorry TA, here have this."  SFD said as he threw an apple to the Tattered Avenger.
"I realize that he is a scrapper, but can TA bring up the rear.  Sort of guard our escape."  Developer 13 suggested.
"What?  Why?"  SFD asked.
"I don't want to be down-wind of him."  Developer 13 said.
"Now now, it's not that bad."  The Paragon Avenger said.  The Paragon Avenger wore a blue and white cape with white stars.  He had a sleek blue chest top with a blue and white star in the middle of the front.  His red gloves and boots added the perfect accent to his blue and white pants with white stars.  He had a black mask that covered around his eyes and a silver metal belt with a red gem in the clasp.  PA is an illusion – kinetics controller.  He too had been an incarnate before the heroes left as Super Fire Dragon had been.  He is almost as serious as SFD is silly.  There is one other thing about him, he and Dr. Wos a broadsword scrapper are less-than-friendly rivals.
"Ok, he can take the rear, I'll take point."  Dr. Wos. Said.  Dr. Wos is an anagram for sword.  He is dressed in red armor from his full face helmet down to his red boots.  He is a broadsword regeneration scrapper.  Nobody really knows why he the Paragon Avenger don't get along, but they don't.
"That's ok with me, my baked potato and I will be right there all the way."  The Paragon Comptroller said.  True to his name, he is the comptroller for Paragon City.  He makes sure that the taxpayers' money is spent wisely.  He doesn't look like a superhero though.  He has a bad comb-over and a cigar hanging out of his mouth.  He wears brown pants and black shoes.  His white dress shirt and red tie make one think that he might be on a smoke-break.  At any time, he will probably need to return to work.  He is an earth radiation controller.
"Listen Doc, no offense, but I'm taking point."  Super Spine Wolf said.  Super Spine Wolf is a frightening large wolf with horns or spine all over his body.  He is a spines – invulnerability scrapper.
"Ok, nice doggy, you can have point."  Dr. Wos acquiesced.
"He not a dog, he's a wolf, and a valuable member of this team."  PA corrected Dr. Wos.
"Listen!  I was just having a little fun; you know what fun is don't you?"  Dr. Wos replied.
"Look, fellas, no harm, no foul."  Super Spine Wolf said.
"Oh no!  I forgot.  PA and Dr. Wos don't get along."  SFD said slapping his forehead.
"He's not a real doctor."  PA said.
"He's not a real human."  Dr. Wos said.
"Gentlemen, please."  Paragon Comptroller said.
"Look, I went through this with Necrophillia and Kolissa.  I'm done.  One of you has got to go."  SFD insisted.
"I'll go, you don't need 3 scrappers.  Paragon Avenger, I really do respect you.  I just don't like you."  Dr. Wos said as he started to walk away.
"Dr. Wos, you have my admiration.  Thank you for leaving."  PA said.
After Dr. Wos had left the room, "PA that was kind of mean.  Ancient ancestor would be happy."  Wong Tong Suey said.  Wong Tong Suey a.k.a. pot-sticker-Steve is a traps assault rifle defender.  He is magic origin, but uses no magic in his hero work.  He wears a red robe and an oriental pointed hat and has the long mushtache.
"Yeah, PA, you jerk."  Developer 13 said teasing the Paragon Avenger.
"He had it coming."  PA said coolly.
"Sorry I'm late, did I miss nothing."  Umbral Schrumbral said.  Dressed in a business suit, this middle-aged Jewish gentleman could be mistaken for harmless.  He is a tri-form warshade.  His hero name came from a forum someplace that insisted that all warshades have the name Umbral and the Jewish tradition of making light of words by repeating them and adding the prefix schr- to the second one.  It was his way of saying that a warshade can have any name he so chooses, by conforming to the Umbral rule.
"Hey, Umbral.  Glad you could make it."  Developer 13 greeted.
"Ok, that's everybody I invited.  We could wait for me to get a blaster, but I say let's roll with this."  SFD said.
"I second, let's move!"  PA shouted.
And they went to the Praetorian portal inside Pocket D where they had met.  One by one they went through the portal.

[Paragon Avenger]

.

[Paragon Avenger]

"Jenny, why won't you talk to me?"  Ice Mannix said as she passed by in the hall.
He had been staking out her apartment hoping to talk to her as she came home from work.
"Oh!  You startled me."  Jenny said.
"Sorry, but you won't return my phone calls."  Ice Mannix replied.
"Look, I'll been thinking.  Maybe we should talk, come in."  Jenny responded.
Jenny unlocked the door and let him in.  Ice sat in his favorite chair, as Jenny went into the kitchen.
"Can I get you a coke?"  Jenny asked.
"Yeah, a beer would be better."  Ice Mannix said.
Jenny came out bringing a beer and an apple juice.  She handed Ice the beer.
"The baby." Jenny said raising the juice and taking a sip.
She sat across from Ice, pondering his stern face.  Ice twisted off the bottle cap and took a drag from the bottle.
"So?"  Jenny said.
"Look, Jenny I care about you.  I can provide for the baby, but don't make me give up hero work.  The city needs me."  Ice began.
"I had an affair."  Jenny blurted.  She couldn't believe she said that.  Her mind raced.  What could she say?
" ... that you might get killed trying to be the hero."  Jenny thought that if she stayed calm, maybe he wouldn't notice.
"That could never happen.  We just go to the hospital and ... "  Ice said.  Suddenly he realized what she said.
"Yeah, but Statesman died."  Jenny said quickly.
"That was different.  What did you say?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"Statesman died, it was all over the news; did you miss it?"  Jenny said.
"You said that you had an affair."  Ice Mannix shouted.
"It's over now.  I realize that I love you."  Jenny said.
"Who was it?"  Ice Mannix stormed.
"Ice!  Calm down.  We had broken up, and I thought he was something he wasn't."  Jenny said calmly.
"Ok, ok.  I'm calm.  Now tell me his name."  Ice Mannix pleaded.
"Ice, just let it go.  Can't we forget the past?"  Jenny reasoned.
"It was Vince Dastardly.  Wasn't it?  The worm, I'll make him pay."  Ice Mannix said.  He then dashed for the door.
"No!  Ice, wait."  Jenny called out to him trying to stand up.
It was too late.  Ice had left the building.

Meanwhile

"Well, now that we are here in Praetoria, what do we do?"  The Paragon Avenger asked.
"Ask these guys in the Suzuki jackets if they have seen Flower Night."  Wong Tong Suey said.
The team walked over to the Syndicate group hanging out on the corner.
"Hey, boys, have you seen a Primal Earth lady wearing a blue top and white pants?  Her name is Flower Night."  Umbral Schrumbral asked.
"Who wants to know?"  One of the Syndicate members asked.
"We do, punks."  Super Fire Dragon said recognizing the attitude of street gangs.
The syndicate opened up with pistols.  The Paragon Comptroller locked them all in stone cages.  Super Fire Dragon turned on his toggles.  The Tattered Avenger turned on his dark armor powers.  The Paragon Avenger summons his Phantom Army.  Developer 13 explains the principle of S.O.L.I.D. in OOP, and most of the Syndicate fell asleep.  Super Spine Wolf  went around the back of the group and turned on his spine burst power that shoots poisonous spines into nearby foes.  Umbral Schrumbral turned into the "squid form".  The Syndicate was soon put down.
"Now that's what I call a welcome."  The Tattered Avenger said.
"To you, that was a welcome.  I think, most places you go, you get much worse treatment."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"Well, yeah actually."  The Tattered Avenger said.

[Paragon Avenger]

Buzzzzzzzt, the doorbell rang.  Vince Dastardly got up from his bowl of Super-Fire-Dragon-Crunch cereal he was having for supper.  Hero work hadn't been very profitable for him.  His dinning room table was a card table, but that made sense in this run-down studio apartment.  He didn't mind living in the lower-level apartment in King's Row.  It reminded him of his long abandoned home on Mercy Island.  As he walked across the carpet made up of a patch work of thrown away remnant squares, he tried to guess who might be visiting him on a Tuesday, at this hour.  He opened the door.
"Ice!  What a pleasant surprise.  Come in, come in."  Vince dastardly said excited to have guests over.
"Hi, Vince."  Ice Mannix said.  Ice had decided to cool down and try to trick Vince into admitting his betrayal rather than just hauling off and giving him a fist-sicle.
"Sit anywhere, can I get you anything?  Water?  Ice water?  Milk?"  Vince Dastardly said as he motioned to the two chairs in the apartment on either side of the card table where he had been dining.
"Thanks."  Ice Mannix said as he picked a chair and sat down.
"So, what brings you to my humble digs?"  Vince said as he sat in the other chair.
"Vince, I'm heart-broken."  Ice Mannix said not sounding heart-broken at all, but then guys can be stoic.
"Ice, what's wrong, man?"  Vince asked sounding surprised.
"It's Jenny.  She had an affair."  Ice Mannix said staring at Vince for any sign of guilt.
Vince got up and hugged Ice.  "Man, that's rough."  Vince said.
"I'm pretty sure I know who the guy is, but I wanted to know if you have ever seen Jenny out with any other guy."  Ice Mannix said not returning the hug.
"I might have seen her with Marshal Darkness.  No, wait.  Melissa was with them."  Vince said trying his best to remember anything that could help out his friend.
"It's you, you moron!"  Ice said pushing Vince away.
"What?  No man I swear."  Vince Dastardly said.
Ice got up from his chair knocking over the chair, the bowl of cereal and the card table.  Vince turned invisible.
"No fair!  Come out where I can see you."  Ice Mannix said.
"Now, Ice, calm down!"  Vince said.
Ice punched where he had heard Vince speak.
"You can't hide forever."  Ice Mannix said punching the air again.

Meanwhile

"Hey, look.  There is a robot.  Maybe it can help us."  Super Spine Wolf said to the group still wandering the streets of Praetoria looking for any sign of Flower Night.
All they could get out of the cleaner was that gibberish they spoke.
"This is a weird place."  Super Fire Dragon commented.
"Hey, let's ask the guy with the big hands." The Tattered Avenger suggested.
The team walked over to the group of Bobcat followers.
"Hey, we're looking for a woman."  Developer 13 said.
"Join the club."  The Alley Cat replied.
"No, you don't understand."  Umbral Schrumbral said.
"Look, we have all been there.  It's only natural."  The Alley Cat reassured.
"Have you seen Flower Night?  Primal Earth woman, blue shirt, white pants, chopsticks in her hair."  The Paragon Avenger asked.
"Actually, I have.  And because I don't really like who she was talking to, I'll tell you.  She was over there talking to those guys, The Syndicate."  The Alley Cat said.
"Thanks, you have been most helpful."  Wong Tong Suey replied.
"No problem.  I hope you find your wife."  The Alley Cat said and turned and walked away.
"She not my wife, she ... oh, he left."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"That's ok, Steve."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"Why, people call me Steve?"  Wong Tong Suey asked.
"Isn't that your name, Pot-sticker Steve?"  The Paragon Comptroller asked.
"No, that's only nickname."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"A nickname is based on your actual name."  The Tattered Avenger said.
"Is it really, Tat?"  Wong Tong Suey asked.

[Paragon Avenger]

"You wanted to see me?"  Necrophillia said as she entered Positron's office at Hero Corps.
"Yes, please sit down."  Positron said.
Necrophillia sat in the chair in front of Positron's desk.  It was a huge desk.  It was more than Brobdingnagian.  Necrophillia felt small.
"My loyalties are to Hero Corps and Paragon City.  I need you to understand that.  For what I'm about to tell you might surprise you."  Positron began.
"Whatever you have to say, I can take it."  Necrophillia said with confidence.
"Good.  You see, I mean to take control of Hero Corps.  Ms. Liberty isn't ... "  Positron continued.
"What?!"  Necrophillia said shooting out of her chair to her feet.
"Settle down, and let me explain."  Positron replied.
Positron explained that he had his suspicions concerning Ms. Liberty for a while, and that he was about ready to confront her.
"That sounds incredible."  Necrophillia commented.
"I was thinking that you have always been a pragmatic, level-headed kind of person."  Positron said.
"Yeah, so?"  Necrophillia asked.
"You will need 6 to 8 team members for this task.  The first thing you must do is go into the sewer and battle the clockwork."  Positron stated.
"What, why?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Old habits die hard."  Positron shrugged.

Meanwhile

"I know you're still in here, I haven't seen the door open."  Ice Mannix said to the invisible Vince Dastardly.
Ice's cell phone started playing "My Girl".  He knew that Jenny was calling.
"Hello, Jenny."  Ice answered the phone.
"Hi, Ice.  Look Vince Dastardly isn't the guy.  It doesn't matter who the guy is, but poor Vince isn't he."  Jenny Hall said over the phone.
"You're just trying to protect him."  Ice Mannix said into the phone.
"Come on, Ice.  We broke up because I didn't want a superhero for my baby's father."  Jenny said via the phone.
"Well, Vince certainly ain't no hero, super or otherwise."  Ice Mannix said.
"Hey, just because I'm invisible doesn't mean that I can't hear."  Vince Dastardly said.

Meanwhile

"Hey, Suzuki guys.  We need to talk to you."  The Tattered Avenger said as the group walked over to the group of Syndicate.
"What?  No!  The 'S' stands for the Syndicate."  The Syndicate member replied.
"Well then, shouldn't it be 'TS' then?"  Super Spine Wolf asked.
"No way, people might think that we're Tsoo or something."  The Syndicate member answered.
"What about, 'The S', that might work?"  Umbral Schrumbral suggested.
"No, that's just lame."  The Syndicate member nixed the suggestion.
"Oooooo, I got it.  You could put 'Syn' on your jackets."  Super Fire Dragon suggested.
"Look, what do you want?"  The Syndicate member said growing impatient.
"We know that Flower Night talked to you people.  Do you know where she is?"  The Paragon Avenger asked.
"Flower Knight here?  You'd think I would remember something like that."  The Syndicate member said.
"No, Flower Night, without a 'K'."  The Paragon Avenger corrected.
"Oh yeah.  I remember seeing some dumb skirt asking a bunch of questions about our leader."  The Syndicate member remembered.
"Well, where did she go?"  Developer 13 asked impatiently.
"We sent her packing."  The syndicate member said.
"What do you mean?"  The Paragon Avenger asked.
"They gave her some phony-bologny address."  The Syndicate member said pointing to a group of Syndicate Suits.
"Now, we're getting somewhere."  SFD said.
"What was that address they gave her?"  The Paragon Comptroller asked.
"Look, I don't know.  I've just seen it done a few times.  It is always great for a laugh."  The Syndicate member said.
"I think it time to knock heads together."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"Wong, I always liked you."  The Paragon Avenger said as he summons his phantom army.

[Paragon Avenger]

"This looks like that phony-bologeny address they gave us."  Developer 13 observed.
"Do you think that we should go in already?"  Umbral Schrumbral asked.
"It could be a trap, we must think this through."  The Paragon Avenger cautioned.
"I say we charge the dump and pick up the pieces later."  Super Fire Dragon said eagerly.
"I agree with PA.  Perhaps we should sneak in."  The Tattered Avenger said.
"Bro, like you couldn't sneak in anyplace, unless you were down-wind."  Developer 13 advised.
"We sneak in the back way, creep up behind them and yell 'Krenchford!'."  Super Spine Wolf joked.

Meanwhile

"Ah com'on, you know you want to."  Necrophillia said to Rare Earth over the telephone.
"Girlfriend, you know I hate them task forces.  They can take forever."  Rare Earth complained.
"Marshal Darkness agreed to join."  Necrophillia said.
"I'm in!"  Rare Earth said.
"Ok, meet me in Steel Canyon by the big statue."  Necrophillia said.
"Ok, I'm be there."  Rare Earth said hanging up the phone.
"Hello, Marshall."  Necrophillia said into her phone after dialing Marshal Darkness's cell.
"Hi, Necrophillia.  How's it going?"  Marsahall replied.
"Great.  Great.  And you?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Swell."  Marshal Darkness answered.
"I'm getting a task force together, you wanna join?"  Necrophillia asked.
"I don't know.  Those things can take forever."  Marshal complained.
"Melissa has agreed to join."  Necrophillia said.
"Where do I sign?"  Marshal Darkness asked.
"Meet me in Steel Canyon by the big statue."  Necrophillia said.
"Roger."  Marshal said hanging up.
"Deary, you still got it."  Necrophillia said imitating Kolissa.  Necrophillia dialed Kolissa's cell number.
"You got some nerve calling me."  Kolissa answered the phone.
"Ummm, well I thought ... "  Necrophillia started.
"April Fool's!  I got you good."  Kolissa said.
"Yes, you did.  Seeing how April Fools Day was weeks ago."  Necrophillia said a bit annoyed.
"That's the beauty of it, nobody suspects it.  So why did you call, deary."  Kolissa asked.
"I'm running a task force ... "  Necrophillia said.
"Count me out.  Those things can take forever."  Kolissa interrupted.
"Super Fire Dragon will NOT be joining us.  No Super Fire Dragon."  Necrophillia tempted.
"Well, ok.  Why didn't you say that in the first place?"  Kolissa said.
"So, will you be joining us?"  Necrophillia asked.
"No Super Fire Dragon?"  Kolissa asked.
"I swear."  Necrophillia said.
"Ok, I'm in."  Kolissa said.
"Great, just great."  Necrophillia said imitating Super Fire Dragon.
"What?  Oh, Necrophillia, you joker.  So where should I meet you."  Kolissa said.
"Meet me in Steel Canyon by the big statue, deary."  Necrophillia said imitating Kolissa.
"Do I really sound like that?  Ok, I'll see you there."  Kolissa said hanging up the phone.
"Hello, who is this?"  The Fattinator said into his phone.
"Hi, Mr. The Fattinator, sir.  I'm Necrophillia."  Necrophilla said after calling The Fattinator.
"Necrophillia?  Are you the one who looks like Flower Knight?"  The Fattinator asked.
"No, silly.  I'm the one with the 'Come to your doom, boys' look that is so popular these days."  Necrophillia answered.
"Oh, right.  You sent Kolissa's soul to hell."  The Fattinator said.
"Yes, ... "  Necrophillia said.
"Kolissa is my favorite Superhero and you hurt her."  The Fattinator said angrily.
"It was all a misunderstanding.  Kolissa is cured now."  Necrophillia said.
"Ok, whatever.  What do you want?"  The Fattinator said still not convinced.
"I'm forming a task force ... "  Necrophillia started.
"A task force!  I love those things, they can take forever."  The Fattinator said.
"Great, will you join?  Kolissa, Rare Earth, Marshal Darkness and Kolissa have joined."  Necrophillia asked.
"Did you say, 'Kolissa joined.'?"  The Fattinator asked.
"Yes."  Necrophillia said.  "Twice."  She continued under her breath.
"I'm in."  The Fattinator said.
"Ok, meet me in Steel Canyon by the big statue."  Necrophillia said.
"Don't go looking for me, because I'll be right there."  The Fattinator said as he hung up.
"Hello, is this Doctor Wos?"  Necrophillia said into her phone after dialing the number.
"Yes, this is he."  Dr. Wos said.
"I'm putting together a task force and we could use a medic."  Necrophillia said.
"I'M NOT A MEDIC!  Why can't you people look beyond the name once in a while?"  Dr. Wos shouted.
"Good thing I'm using the speaker phone; that would have blown out an eardrum."  Necrophillia commented.
"Sorry, I guess I'm a little sensitive about that."  Dr. Wos said.
"Yeah, I'm glad that you're not very sensitive about it, man."  Necrophillia said.
"Ok, so does your task force need a scrapper?"  Dr. Wos asked.
"Yes, we do.  You see, I'm a bit of a joker, so you have been warned."  Necrophillia said.
"Ok, I like jokes, really.  I just wasn't expecting it."  Dr. Wos said.
"So, you'll join?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Yes.  Wait, is The Paragon Avenger on your team?"  Dr. Wos asked.
"Nope, I was going to call him next.  Joking, joking."  Necrophillia said.
"Ok, I'm in.  Your wit is sharp."  Dr. Wos said.
"As sharp as your broadsword?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Ah, you did read my bio.  And probably sharper."  Dr. Wos said.
"Ok, meet me in Steel Canyon by the big statue."  Necrophillia said.
"You got it."  Dr. Wos said hanging up.
"Paging Dr. X-Rays, paging Dr. X-Rays."  Necrophillia said into the phone.
"I'm sorry; Doctor Reyes is not in at the moment.  May I take a message?"  The answering service employee said.
"Oh, I thought he was off today.  This is one of his cohorts calling about one of his hobbies.  If he is available, have him call me at 0-911-511-1411 in the next half hour.  Otherwise, forget it."  Necrophillia said.
"I will pass your message along.  Is there anything else that I may help you with today?"  The answering service employee said.
"No.  Thank you.  Bye."  Necrophillia said and disconnected before she was told to have a good day.

Meanwhile

"Sorry about the mess on the floor."  Ice Mannix said.
"That's ok."  Vince Dastardly said not really meaning it, because that was the last of his Super-Fire-Dragon-Crunch cereal.
"Look, I'll make it up to you.  Let me buy you dinner."  Ice Mannix offered.
"You doesn't gotta ask me twice."  Vince Dastardly said.
"It's the least I could do, after all you and Jenny, ha!  There is no way that Jenny would hook-up with you, let alone even go out in public with you."  Ice Mannix said.
"Hey!  That's not nice, but it is true."  Vince Dastardly said.
"No offense."  Ice Mannix said.
"Ok, but I'm ordering 2 desserts."  Vince dastardly said.
"Come on you knucklehead."  Ice Mannix said as he started for the door.
The two heroes left for the nearest restaurant.

Meanwhile

"Ok, just stay cool, and we can get out of here."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"You have an escape plan?"  Flower Night whispered.
"No, I just don't want you getting us into more trouble."  Totally Awesome Dude replied.
"Look, I said that I was sorry about losing my cool, blurting out about my name, giving away our position and getting us caught."  Flower Night said.
"Yeah, well when we get out of this, you owe me a big favor."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Ok, ok, but what do we do now?"  Flower Night asked.
"Well, I think your mission is over."  Totally awesome Dude said.
"I'm not so sure, play along with me."  Flower Night said.  "Guard!"  Flower Night shouted.
The door opened and a Syndicate member stepped into the room.
"Whaddya want?"  The Syndicate member said.
"This has gone on long enough.  I demand to speak to the Syndicate leader, and if I am further detained, I cannot be responsible for what might happen."  Flower Night bluffed.
"Shut your pie hole.  Is there anything else?"  The Syndicate member said.
Flower Night just looked indignate.
The guard left the two still tied to chairs back to back.

[Paragon Avenger]

"I'll scout out the place using my Superior Invisibility."  The Paragon Avenger said.
The team agreed that that was a good plan.  They had snuck into the Syndicate's house and were hiding.
"What is that horrible smell?"  One Syndicate member asked.
"Hey, George.  You need a bath."  Another Syndicate member said.
"It ain't me."  George replied smelling himself.
"Well, then who smells like wet dog that went bad?"  One Syndicate member questioned.
"It is I."  The Tattered Avenger said as he came out of the closet and turned on his dark auras.
"Who are you?"  One Syndicate member asked.
"What does it matter, bust some heads."  Another Syndicate member commanded.

Meanwhile

"Come on, Vince.  Just tell me where you want to eat."  Ice Mannix said.
"Ice, don't rush me.  There is something I want, but I can't remember the name."  Vince dastardly said.
"Alright, I do want this to be what you want, but Vince, dude, you're trying my patience."  Ice Mannix said.
"Vinny's!"  Vince dastardly blurted.
"What?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"Vinny's Mexican Steak House."  Vince dastardly said.
"I've never heard of that place.  Where is it?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"Twelfth and Grand, Imperial City!"  Vince Dastardly answered.
"Praetoria?  I've always wanted to go there."  Ice Mannix said.

Meanwhile

"Necrophillia, sorry I don't have any dead mercenaries to give you."  The Hero Commander said into the phone.
"That's ok; I'm well stocked for now.  No the reason I called was that ... "  Necrophillia replied over the phone.
"Oh, do you need to see my 'optometrist' again?"  The Hero Commander asked interrupting Necrophillia.
"No.  Thanks for that by the way, but no."  Necrophillia said.
"So then, why did you call?"  The Hero Commander asked.
"I'm forming a task force ... "  Necrophillia said.
"No thanks, those things can take forever."  The Hero Commander interrupted.
"Wait, you haven't heard who all is on the team.  We got Dr. X-Rays, Dr. Wos, Kolissa, Rare Earth, The Fattinator and Marshal Darkness."  Necrophillia said.
"So, I would be the fourth mastermind?"  The Hero Commander asked.
"Yes."  Necrophillia said.
"Are all the other masterminds necromancers?"  The Hero Commander asked.
"No, The Fattinator is bots; it should go nicely with your mercs."  Necrophillia said.
"Mercs and bots do work well together, do you got any ninjas?"  The Hero Commander asked.
"Marshall and I are zombies."  Necrophillia said.
"Oh, right.  Kolissa is a Night Widow.  Ok, I'll join, but tell The Fattinator that he owes me one."  The Hero Commander said.
"Why?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Because, without me, he would be the only non-zombies mastermind.  This way it's more balanced."  The Hero Commander said.
"Oh, I see.  Ok. Meet me in Steel under the statue."  Necrophillia said.
"You got it."  The Hero Commander said hanging up his phone.
The Hero Commander changed into his white flight suit and crash helmet and headed for Steel Canyon.

[Paragon Avenger]

"So, now that we're all here, what will we do?"  Hero Commander asked.
"We have a special task force to run for Positron."  Necrophillia said.
"Man, can we get on with it already; this is taking forever, girlfriend."  Rare Earth stated.
"Yes, of course, the first mission is, there, posted."  Necrophillia said while posting the first mission of the special Positron Task Force.
"Battle Clockwork in the Sewer?"  Kolissa asked.
"You had me give up a round of golf with the Bishop, for the sewer."  Dr. X-rays complained.
"You play golf with the Bishop?"  Dr. Wos asked impressed.
"Yes, he hates to loose, so I let him win, but since we don't bet it's ok."  Dr. X-rays explained.
"Isn't that lying?"  The Fattinator asked.
"Listen, when the Bishop wins, he's in a good mood and we have a drink at the club house afterwards.  I tell him that the shot I missed was divine intervention.  When he looses, he gets terse.  We don't have drinks afterwards, and his sermons get longer and more pointed towards the medical profession.  So, I blow a couple shots.  I slice a putt.  I use a 9 iron instead of a 7 iron.  It's harmless."  Dr. X-rays continued.
"Yup, you're gonna fry."  Necrophillia said.
"I'll be in good company, Necrophillia."  Dr. X-rays countered.
"<gulp>!"  Necrophillia swallowed hard.
"Ok, whatever, let's do this ... sewer mission."  Hero Commander said.
"I haven't been in the sewer since, level 6.  Can't say that I miss it."  Dr. Wos said.
They went into the sewer to battle the Clockwork.

Meanwhile

"That was a nice place, Vince."  Ice Mannix said.
"I think it might be my favorite place to eat in all of Paragon City, Rogue Isles and Praetoria combined.
"Did you have to order 2 of everything?"  Ice Mannix scolded.
"You broke my coffee/dining room/card table."  Vince Dastardly reminded.
"Yeah, ok.  Now I need a favor."  Ice Mannix said.
"Sorry, Ice man, I'm tapped out."  Vince said.
"No, not that.  I'm still looking for the low-life dog who took advantage of Jenny on the rebound."  Ice said with fire in his eyes.
"Ice, let it go."  Vince dastardly advised.
"I can't.  It's eating me alive.  Every guy I see, I think, 'Could that be the guy.'."  Ice confessed.
"Ok, Ice, I will help you find the guy, but promise me one thing."  Vince dastardly said.
"Ok, what?"  Ice Said.
"Promise that you won't kill him until you hear his side of the story."  Vince dastardly asked.
"What?  Why?  I'll never promise that."  Ice said.
"Look, Ice, maybe this guy didn't pounce on Jenny.  Maybe it was innocent.  You don't know.  Promise me or I won't help.  Promise me or I'll get Super Fire Dragon to train you some more."  Vince dastardly threatened.
"Ha!  You couldn't do that."  Ice Mannix scoffed.
"Super Fire Dragon is an expert task force member.  He could teach you ... "  Vince dastardly started.
"Ok, ok, you really are dastardly.  I promise to not kill the guy until he finishes telling his story."  Ice Mannix said.
"Ok, now think.  What exactly did Jenny say about him."  Vince Dastardly said.
Ice recounted the events of the other night as best he could remember.

Meanwhile

"What are you guys doing?"  The Paragon Avenger said as he walked into the room where the rest of the team had been battling the Syndicate, and as he became visible.
"PA, you missed an epic battle."  Developer 13 said.
"Why are you guys fighting, you're supposed to be hiding?"  Paragon Avenger asked.
"We had to engage, TA was detected."  Super Fire Dragon said.
"Oh, did he sneeze, that's sometimes my undoing while I'm invisible."  PA asked.
"Oh no, he no sneeze."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"Was he spotted, or did he say something too loud or what."  PA inquired.
"He was hidden very well, just like the rest of us."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"He didn't sneeze or cough or say a word until ... "  Developer 13 said
"Until they smelled me."  The Tattered Avenger admitted.
"We wiped the floor with them, but guess what.  The only snacks they have are smoked ham and Swiss cheese sandwhiches."  Umbral Schrumbral said.
"We'll find you something to eat, Umbral."  Super Fire Dragon reassured.
"Anyway, I've found Flower Night and Totally Awesome Dude."  PA said changing the subject.
"TAD is here too?"  The Paragon Comptroller asked.
"Yes, I didn't get a chance to ask why."  PA said.
"Great, just great."  SFD said.
"Com'on, Dragon, it is only one more to rescue."  TA said.
"I know, but the mission said to rescue Flower Night.  It didn't mention Totally Awesome Dude at all."  SFD complained.
"Mission parameters change all the time, Dragon."  TA said.
"Yeah, Dragon, we can handle this."  PA said.
"TAD can help us fight our way out."  PC said
"Fine, what's the plan?"  SFD asked.
They all laughed.

[Paragon Avenger]

"Listen, do you smell that?"  Flower Night asked.
"Yes."  Totally Awesome Dude said coughing and choking.
"It smells like a wet dog wearing old sweat socks while eating liverwurst in an onion field that went bad."  Flower Night said.
"No."  Totally Awesome Dude coughed.  "It smells worse than that."
Suddenly the door burst open.  Super fire Dragon, The Tattered Avenger, The Fattinator, The Paragon Avenger, The Paragon Comptroller, Developer 13, Wong Tong Suey and Umbral Schrumbral came running in.
"Hello, $target.  My name is $name."  Developer 13 said.
"Funny, can you untie us now, please?"  Flower Night asked.
"Drat, I meant to have you targeted before firing off that macro."  Developer 13 said.
"Let me burn the ropes off with my fire breath."  Super Fire Dragon said.
"No!  You schmuck.  You'll burn them too."  Umbral Schrumbral explained.
"I hate to be a pest, but can The Tattered Avenger shut off his toggles and take a 6 hour shower?"  Totally Awesome Dude inquired.
"Good luck, TAD, I've been trying to get movement on that front since he joined this team."  Super Spine Wolf said.
"Fine!  I'll wait in the hall."  The tattered Avenger said downtrodden as he walked out of the room.
"I'll scout for stragglers."  The Paragon Avenger said also leaving the room.
Wong Tong Suey untied the two and healed their physical wounds.
"Thanks, Steve."  Flower Night said.
"My name not Steve, but you most welcome."  Wong Tong Suey replied.
"I feel like a dope, getting caught like that, but it wasn't my fault.  Right Blossom?"  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Who?  Oh I get it.  Me.  Yes, it was my fault that we got caught."  Flower Night said.
"Why, what happened?"  Developer 13 asked.
"Yeah, did you sneeze or cough, or fall down or knock something over?"  Super Fire Dragon asked.
"Well, not actually.  These Syndicate have keen eyesight and super-human hearing."  Flower Night said.
"Really, wow."  Umbral Schrumbral said amazed.
"Tell them what really happened."  Totally Awesome Dude insisted.
"Well, somebody mentioned Flower Knight."  Flower Night said.
"Oh I see."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"And then what happened?"  Super Spine Wolf asked.
"Tell them."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Ok, ok, I yelled that I miss my 'K', there are you happy now?"  Flower Night asked.
They all laughed.
"Flower Night, maybe this mission is too much for you."  SFD said.
"I concur; you put your life and TAD's in danger for a stupid letter."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"I've learned my lesson, please give me another chance."  Flower Night pleaded.
"Well, she did tell the truth, and that is worth something."  Developer 13 said.
"Yes, but it such noob mistake."  Wong Tong Suey countered.
"Not Steve is right, we can't risk it.  Sorry Flower Night, but this is too important to allow someone with your inexperience to head-up."  SFD said.
"Not Steve?  My name not 'Not Steve'."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"Sorry if I didn't pronounce it properly."  SFD said.
"No, Steve not my name."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"Right, it's 'Not Steve', right?"  SFD asked.
"No, nickname 'Pot-sticker Steve', but Steve not my name."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"Right, ok, everybody call him Wong.  Ok?"  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"Wong acceptable name."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"So, can I tag along, watch the pros in action?"  Flower Night asked.
"Sorry, kiddo, but you messed up big time."  Super Spine Wolf said.
"You're going home."  SFD said.
"Ah Mom, do I have too."  Flower Night said.
"Straighten up young lady, you're not too big to bend over my knee."  SFD said playing along.
"Actually she is bigger than you are, Dragon."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"Man, we almost got to see soft-porn." Developer 13 said.
"You guys are nuts, I'm leaving."  Flower Night said as she called up Ouroborous portal and went through it.
"Well, I was only here to warn, 'Blossom', so I'm outta here too."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Hold it, do we need him?"  SFD asked.
"No, he's a peacebringer and I'm a warshade.  We are kind of the same almost."  Umbral Schrumbral said.
"So, he is worthless too."  Developer 13 said.
They all laughed.

Meanwhile

"How many more warehouses full of clockwork do we have to wade through, girlfriend?"  Rare earth asked.
"Yeah, Necrophillia, is Positron yanking us?"  The Hero Commander asked.
"You know, deary, one must deal firmly with one's contacts.  Rough them up a little if necessary."  Kolissa advised.
"You want me to get in Positron's face?"  Necrophillia asked.
"You scared of the robot?"  Marshal Darkness mocked.
The other teammates started making chicken clucking noises and during the chicken emote.
"ENOUGH!"  Necrophillia had had enough.  "I'll call him."
"I like killing clockwork, what's the problem?"  The Fattinator said.

[Paragon Avenger]

"Yeah, positron, don't get me wrong.  I mean we love clearing out warehouse after warehouse of clockwork."  Necrophillia started.
"I don't understand, you don't sound like you're loving the grind."  Positron interrupted.
"Well, yeah, that's it exactly."  Necrophillia said.
"You are going to have to trust me on this; it is leading somewhere, somewhere big!"  Positron said.
"Look, Positron, with all due respect, I'm not some level 15 looking to get to level 20 to run alignment missions."  Necrophillia pressed.
"Yes, yes, I understand."  Positron replied.
"Positron, I like you, but you're pushing my buttons.  Do you know what happens to those who push my buttons?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Well, no, not really.  What happens?"  Positron said in an I'm-a-named-hero-in-the-game-and-a-leader-developer way.
"They end up dead, but that's not the worse part.  Do you know what the worse part is?"  Necrophillia asked.
"Just for fun, tell me the worse part."  Positron said starting to get annoyed.
"The worse part, for them, is that I can make them do whatever I want to their undead body."  Necrophillia cooed.
"Gee, that sounds creepy, even from this end."  Dr. Wos commented.
"Are you threatening me?  You puny hero.  I'm a member of the Vindicators and ... "  Positron said annoyed at Necrophillia's threats.
"A member of the Vindicator, huh?  What have you done lately?"  Necrophillia was in too deep to stop now.
"Why you pip-squeak, I was battling Ritki invaders before you were born."  Positron raised his voice.
"Oh yeah, then why do we still have Rikti invaders.  You must not be any good."  Necrophillia was on a roll and nothing was going to stop her from putting this fool in his place.
"That is it!  You come to Steel Canyon and we can settle this like men."  Positron growled.
"Fine!  But just so you know, I get the dead bodies."  Necrophillia replied and hung up on Positron.
"Necrophillia?"  Kolissa asked.
"What?"  Necrophillia asked.
"You just called out Positron, girlfriend.  What's the matter with yous?"  Rare Earth asked.
"I did what?"  Necrophillia said not realizing what just happened.
"You called out Positron."  Hero Commander said informing Necrophillia of what just happened.
"Yikes.  Is that what I did?  I thought, 'He better not' and then I thought, 'Ain't no way'. I guess I forgot to whom I was speaking."  Necrophillia said.
"Necrophillia, it was nice knowing you.  Who wants waffles?"  Dr. X-rays said.
"Wait a minute, this could work to our advantage."  Kolissa said with a sparkle in her eye.
"Kolissa, I have no idea what you are thinking, but I love it."  Necrophillia said.

Meanwhile

"So, Totally Awesome Dude, what was it that you were warning Flower Night about?"  Super Fire Dragon asked.
"Nothing much, just that Positron is going to try to take over Hero Corps."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
Super Fire Dragon did a "spit-take" spraying liquid several feet.
"Dragon, watch it."  Developer 13 said wiping his face.
"How did you do a 'spit-take', you weren't drinking anything?"  Super Spine Wolf asked.
"It's one of my powers."  SFD said.
"Did you say, Positron is attacking Hero Corps?"  Umbral Schrumbral asked.
Totally Awesome Dude turned around to face the group and stopped.
"Yes, Positron has lost confidence in Ms. Liberty."  Totally Awesome Dude said matter-of-fact-ly.
"Man calm in face of danger either very brave or very stupid."  Wong Tong Suey said.
"TAD, ain't no dummy."  Paragon Comptroller said.
"Well, he did get deleted, remember."  SFD said.
"Rub it in, why don't you?"  Totally Awesome Dude said to SFD.
"Look, Dragon, lots of good characters get deleted everyday."  Super Spine Wolf said.
"Yes, I was almost deleted several times."  Umbral Schrumbral said.
"Alright, he can stay."  SFD said.
"But, I don't want to stay.  I want to go home."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Why are you still arguing, I said that you could stay?"  SFD said.
"Have it your way, I won.  I will stay."  Totally Awesome Dude said.
"Say please."  SFD said.
"Dragon?!"  Paragon Comptroller said.
"Ok, ok, he's in."  SFD said.

[Paragon Avenger]

"Is that Super Fire Dragon?"  Vince Dastardly asked.
"What is he doing here?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"How should I know?"  Vince dastardly asked.
"Did you think that I was talking to you?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"Do you see anybody else here?"  Vince Dastardly asked.
"Yeah, there's The Paragon Avenger too."  Ice said.
"I win; take a shot."  Vince Dastardly ordered.
"We weren't playing the questions game."  Ice Mannix said.
"Sure, you say that now, now that you lost."  Vince Dastardly said.
"I'm not taking a shot, let's go over there and see what's going on."  Ice Mannix said.
"Welcher."  Vince Dastardly said as he followed Ice across the street where Super Fire Dragon and his team where coming out of the Syndicate house.
" ... and that is why you should always wear socks ... "  Super Fire Dragon finished explaining some important part of hero work.
"Dragon, what are you doing in Imp City, are you lost?"  Ice Mannix said as he approached the brave fire dragon.
"Nope, I'm here to get you killed.  Have you visited the BAF?"  Super Fire Dragon said without missing a beat.
"Just like old times, Dragon."  Ice Mannix said.
"So how have you been, we haven't seen you since the big baby clothes shopping spree."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"Well, Jenny and I broke up, but we're working stuff out."  Ice Mannix said.
"Jenny nice girl you keep on to her."  Wong Tong Suey said.
Ice started to snob.
"What wrong, Ice?"  Totally awesome Dude asked.
"Jenny had an affair."  Ice Mannix said.
"Sorry to hear that, Ice.  Oh well, these things happen.  Everybody makes mistakes.  I got to go do ... "  Developer 13 said nervously as he left.
"I wonder what his problem is."  SFD wondered.
"He has always been strange."  Umbral Schrumbral said.
"Ice, how are you holding up?"  Totally awesome Dude asked.
"Ok, mostly.  I mean I think I need to know who the guy was."  Ice Mannix said.
"So has Jenny came to her senses, and dumped you yet?"  SFD asked.
"Dragon!"  The Paragon Avenger scolded.
"We are all thinking it."  SFD said.
"No we are not.  Ice and Jenny make a nice couple."  Super Spine Wolf said.
"I'm sure that I speak for all of us humans and kheldians here, when I say, 'We hope you can get past this and work things out.'."  The Paragon Comptroller said.
"Hey, Dragons are people too."  SFD said.
"Dragon, do you wish the best for Ice?"  The Tattered Avenger asked.
"Ice man, you know I give you a hard time and I like to tease you, but deep down, yeah.  I wish you the best."  SFD said stunning those around him.
"Why, Dragon, I just always assumed that you hated my guts."  Ice Mannix said.
"No Ice, I was just playing off of your dislike for me."  SFD said.
"Dragon, tell the truth.  Did you get together with Jenny?  I've seen you use your mind control powers on her before."  Ice Mannix questioned.
"Ice, listen I really mean this, getting you killed was a ton of laughs.  Messing around with, is beneath even me."  SFD said.
"OK, Dragon.  I believe you, but to prove it, I want you to help me find whoever it was that Jenny saw behind my back."  Ice Mannix said.
"Ice, dude, let it go."  SFD said.
"I need to know, Dragon are you with me?"  Ice Mannix said.
"Look, what's done is done.  It doesn't matter anymore if Jenny and you patch things up.  And besides, I'm sure Developer 13 didn't know what he was doing."  SFD said.
"I know, but I have to face him and, did you say Developer 13?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"Now Ice ... "  The Paragon Avenger said.
"What makes you think it was Developer 13?"  Ice Mannix asked.
"Did I say 'Developer 13'?  I meant 'Meveloper 14'."  SFD said.
"Developer 13 could be anybody.  We don't know who did what."  Super Spine Wolf said.
"Do you have any idea how many developers are running around loose in this city?"  The Tattered Avenger said.
"There's so many, you could shake a stick at them."  Umbral Schrumbral said.
"Developer 13 is mine."  Ice Mannix said.