Rest in Peace...but we're keeping the shovel close

[DrakeGrimm]

And so it has come to pass. We knew this couldn't end any other way. We knew NCSoft would not reverse their decision to pull the plug on 11/30. I ended it where I began it: On Virtue, in Atlas Park. (Yes, 33. AP33 Forever!)

I stood beside one of my closest friends, Ren Inferno, as the server went down. Hawthorne spent several moments standing beside his IC wife during the final hours as well, so both Hawthorne and I spent our final hours with those we valued most among the community. For this, I am appropriately grateful.

In many ways, this post is catharsis for me. I sort through things best by writing, and I have a giant maelstrom of emotions surging through me right now. I'm hurt, bound by despair, consumed by grief, and filled with anger. Does this mean it's over? Have we lost? Is our beloved City now gone forever?

No. For eight years I've fought side by side with some of the greatest human beings this world has ever produced, and with City shut down, I intend to continue fighting to save our game, our city, our home. WE ARE HEROES! THIS IS WHAT WE DO!

Do not lose hope. Do not lose despair. Steel your resolve. Reload your guns, sharpen your knives, recharge your power cells. Ready your weapons, hone your powers, prepare your skills. This war is just starting. Get ready to fight tooth and nail, because now the gloves come off.

Years ago, after 9/11, an editorial political cartoon came out in a newspaper. I saw it online, and it struck a profound chord with me. It was a desolate city scape, with Uncle Sam sitting, head lowered, hat off. The text, to this day, still resonates within me.

Today, we mourn and bury our dead. Tomorrow, I'm getting my gun.

So yes, today, we mourn and bury what we have lost. Tomorrow, we renew our fight to save what's ours and restore our city to its rightful splendor.

[ObsidianPhoenix76]

Amen.

[Quinch]

    You, my most loyal of comrades, are to be privy to a secret.

    Even though the City of Heroes may fall this day, our time in the sun is NOT over.

    We WILL return. I have seen to this personally.

    Lie in wait within the ranks of gamers. Wait for the sign.

    Never despair...

    the time WILL come.

If it worked for Requiem...

[Colette]

The fight is not over until WE say it is!

[johnrobey]

I just started a grieving thread but I like yours better.  Catharsis!  While I tried (and mostly failed) to keep up with Chat from Victory Badges, Justice United, Pride, three active SG channels (folks came back), LFG, Help, local, broadcast, team and personal tells (talk about information overload!) as well as track in-game events, I see I surmised correctly about keeping the shovel close.

Unlike some friends I didn't immediately sever my connection to the game after 8/31; instead I chose to play as much as I could until the end.  (Got a couple near 50's to 50, gave two their Mids builds, teamed when and where i wanted, played favorite content again, tried to see all the new stuff, and team whenever friends and sgmates were on or simply people on globals or LFG looking for teams.  Last night I designed a new costume (an aqua Dark Matter aura looked apt and better than expected on da new water blaster.)  It's strange.  This hurts and yet I would not take it back for an instant.  I'm gonna log now, before I start wanting to take stones to sharpen the blade of that shovel with.

I have to close by reiterating Thanks to the development team who make a remarkably fun MMO but moreso to the majority of the players I encountered over who really knocked it out of the park in making City of Heroes among my best gaming experiences.

[Paindancer]

Let me know what I can do.

[Lily Barclay]

Let me know what I can do.

Mickey! Write to him!

[Sally Suicide]

Today, we mourn and bury our dead. Tomorrow, I'm getting my gun.

https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i47.tinypic.com%2Fsq4477.jpg

I don't know about You, but I aim to misbehave.

[DrakeGrimm]

* DrakeGrimm hugs everyone

[emu265]

Well said, my friend!

[Menrva Channel]

Grimm, that was truly beautiful. Thank you for giving me the tiny glimmer of hope I needed. I agree whole heartedly.

I also like the comment at the end of that comment "Today we mourn... tomorrow we get our guns". Last night on Victory as we all spoke of impending night--I said we shouldn't cry--not while we were still together. There would be a time for tears--but now then. Now--now is the time for tears. We grieve what we lost and weep for the fallen.

But tomorrow is a new day. And with that comes the call to battle. We have been insulted. We have dismissed. And our passionate pleas to save what we love have fallen on deaf ears.--They can kick us out of the City, but they can't kick the City out of us. I'm ready to take my city back and join you.

[DrakeGrimm]

I think that's the key right there. They can take away our City all they damn well please, but they can't take away us. As long as we stick together, the true Paragon City will never die.

[corvus1970]

https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i47.tinypic.com%2Fsq4477.jpg

I don't know about You, but I aim to misbehave.

This. This right here!

[Electric-Knight]

This is comicbook death.

8)