When we last left our villains, Zapman and Ransom the Knight Helm, they were blockaded by police while awaiting the Agency. Now it's time for the heroes to appear.
(Q) Does the scene play out as expected? Yes.
Black trucks pulled up behind the police cars, with Mr. Plex, Bubble Girl, and Muse getting out. Vyper meanwhile flew in and landed next to them.
Vyper looked to Zapman. "I see you've got a new friend."
Zapman snorted. "Four on two, huh? Doesn't seem fair."
"The prizefight ends," said Vyper, "when people get hurt."
Zapman gestured to Ransom and pointed to Flex. You get the big guy.
As Random approached Flex, Zapman tried a sneak-attack with his zap bolts.
Seeing this, however, Bubble Girl leaped between him and her new friends.
I'll start with an Ability roll for Brenda. Since Zapman's Agility is +1, that makes Brenda's roll a -1.
(Ability) Does Brenda block the zap bolts? (-1 means Unlikely) No.
Brenda wasn't fast enough and the bolts fired straight at Vyper and Muse.
This next roll will be a Clash. However, I'm making the first round Damage for Zapman but Escape (avoiding injury) for Vyper and Muse. Zapman has Heart +4. Vyper has Heart +3, with +1 from Muse, for +4 total.
(Clash) Does Zapman win the Clash? (50/50) No, but barely.
Vyper managed to deflect the bolts with a force field, protecting himself and Muse.
"Thanks," Muse, said.
"I can't do that and attack him at the same time," Vyper replied.
Brenda looked around, and then pointed. "The police cars!"
"They're not allowed to interfere," Muse said.
"No," Brenda replied, "if we stand on them, it should block the lightning. It worked on Transformers."
Muse blinked. "Which movie?"
"One of the cartoons," Brenda picked a car and climbed on it.
"Beast Wars?" Muse asked, also climbing on a car.
Brenda glared at her. "When did they have cars in Beast Wars?"
"Is this a conversation we need to have right now?" Vyper floated onto a car. "Besides, it was the original cartoon."
Now I'll admit, I don't know if this would really work. However, considering this game includes people with force fields, lightning, and portals, I'll shrug off reality just a bit. But I am sure if it'll work.
(Q) Will the cars provide +3 protection from Zapman's bolts? (Very Likely) Yes.
"Stand behind me," Brenda said. "Between me and the cars, he shouldn't be able to hurt us."
Vyper then readied a bolt of his own, while Muse lifted her fingers.
I'm not counting Brenda in the Clash itself, only Toughness, along with the car's protection. So again it's Vyper/Muse against Zapman.
(Clash) Do the heroes win the Clash? (50/50) X-Yes.
Zapman suffers -1 RS.
Zapman fired a series of zap bolts at the heroes, but Brenda blocked them with her body. And while she covered up and screamed, they bounced harmlessly off of her. Muse then hurled an illusionary bowling ball. Zapman dodged it, but Vyper's force field bolt struck him right in the chest, knocking him off his feet.
(Q) Does Zapman continue to fight normally? (Unlikely) X-No.
"Live to fight another day, Knighty! Let's go!" Remembering the punk who had crawled away earlier, Zapman turned and ran back into the building. (That's called Improvisational Foreshadowing. I took something that happened previously, build off of it, and made it look like I planned it all along 😜).
I split this into 2 separate fights, since I figured Flex and Ransom would be doing their own thing in a slugfest. Assume this took place about the same time.
"You there," said Ransom as he approached.
"Who are you?" Flex asked.
Ransom pointed his club at him. "You are an honor-less cretin, and I, Ransom the Knight Helm, shall bring you honor, even if I must bludgeon you with it."
Flex eyed his weapon. "So, a club, huh?"
"We knights are forbidden from drawing blood, save for solely the most severe of times." Ransom circled him.
Flex started to circle as well. "But won't you draw blood if you bash my skull in?"
Ransom paused, his mouth open for a moment, then he raised his club. "Enough talk. I'll not allow you to break my focus with your chatter."
Flex has Body +3. Ransom has Body +1, but Melee +2 for +3 total. So they're tied.
(Clash) Does Flex win the Clash? (50/50) No.
This means Flex suffers a -1 RS.
Ransom swung his club overhand. Rushing forward, Flex caught the other man's arms to prevent him from swing. However, Ransom still managed to move, and he slammed the handle of his weapon right between Flex's eyes. Releasing his opponent, Flex shook his head to clear it.
(Clash) Does Flex win the Clash? (-1 means Unlikely) Yes, Random Event.
(Event) "Positive," "Emotions."
Now, Ransom suffers a -1 RS.
"Do you yield?" asked Ransom.
"You're good," said Flex. Then he grinned. "I love a challenge."
Ransom rushed forward again, but this time, Flex wrapped his arms completely around his opponent and tossed him through the air.. Ransom fell to the ground, rolling onto all fours.
Flex slowly, cautiously approached him. "Do You yield?"
(Q) Does Ransom continue to fight? (I'm not counting the -1 because of his pride so 50/50) Yes.
Ransom narrowed his eyes and rose to his feet. "I'll not yield to an ogre with no honor?"
"Ogre?" Flex scoffed. "You're no elf either, buddy."
Ransom growled. "Enough!"
(Clash) Does Flex win the Clash? (50/50) No.
Flex suffers another -1 RS.
Ransom lunged forward. Flex tried to flip him, but the club struck him across the back of his right shoulder and he fell to one knee.
(Clash) Does Flex win this Clash? (-1 means Unlikely) Yes.
Ransom suffers another -1 to RS.
Gritting his teeth, Flex swung an uppercut with his other fist, hitting Ransom right in the jaw, and making him stumble back.
Next hit could decide the winner, but first, let's see if this is where Zapman flees.
(Q) Did Zapman flee yet? (Likely) Yes.
(Q) Does Ransom flee? (50/50 because I really don't know) X-No.
"Live to fight another day, Knighty!" Zapman called out to him. "Let's go!"
But Ransom shook his head and faced Flex. "You fight well, for a bugbear."
"You fight well too," replied Flex, "for one almost with honor."
"You imply I have none?" With a roar, Ransom swung his club again.
(Clash) Does Flex win the Clash? (50/50) Yes.
This brings Ransom to -3.
(Incapacity) Is Ransom incapacitated? (+3 means Nearly Certain) No.
(Q) Does Ransom flee? (Very Likely) X-Yes.
Flex ducked the attack. Lifting Ransom onto his shoulders, he tossed him again. Ransom landed square on his back, groaning. As he looked up, he noticed his opponent's three friends had joined him.
"Had enough?" Flex asked.
"This isn't over, fiend," said Ransom. "I swear to you our paths shall cross again, and when they do I'll show less restraint."
"Restraint?" Flex blinked. "You call that restraint."
But instead of answering, Ransom slammed his club repeatedly into the nearby column. As the overhang began to cave in, he rushed into the building while the heroes jumped out of the way.
As the smoke cleared, the heroes brushed themselves off and looked around.
"Anyone hurt?" Brenda asked.
"I'm going to need some ice," Flex said, "but I'll live. That guy's nuts."
Vyper shook his head. "They both are."
Sometime later . . .
Zapman and Ransom returned to the lab. Zapman helped the other, who used his club as a makeshift cane, into the main lab, where Drab and Elden waited.
Drab crossed her arms. "Well?"
"I apologize, milady," Ransom said. "They outnumbered us, yet we fought with all our hearts."
"Why didn't you just hit them with lightning," Drab asked, "or whatever it is you do?"
"They used the cars as cover," Zapman said. "I guess the tires saved them."
"Ah, from Transformers." Elden nodded. "I'm surprised that actually worked."
"Well no matter," said Drab. Turning, she led them to one of the offices. "The fact that you were outnumbered but still returned on your own power is a win. Elden is working on a little surprise for Ransom here. Aren't you, dear?"
"What? Oh yes!" Pushing past a smirking Drab, Elden grabbed some papers from the office desk and showed it to Zapman and Ransom. I should have this finished for you shortly."
Ransom looked over it. "I don't understand."
"Think of it," said Elden, "as a 'Hero's Gift,' to vanquish the evil out there."
"We also put your friend through the machine," Drab said to Zapman.
"What happened?" Zapman asked.
Drab lifted a hand, gesturing down the hallway. "Why don't you see for yourself."
(What are Drab and Elden referring to? It's a surprise . . . meaning I don't know 100% yet, but I will, maybe.)
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