[Event] The Days of Valor and Villainy: March of the Dark Stars! #0

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

[Location: Nahan Springs, Downtown area]

It was as sudden as it was frightening. A black spot in sky, stars that were once observed were simply...gone. No one understood what it meant, no one knew what it meant. This ominous void that suddenly appeared, and devoured ancient lights.

Then...there came a message, a warning, carried on the air with a furious roar in the minds of all who could be reached. It didn't matter the origin, or the language. It didn't matter the state or the allegiance. It was a message to be understood.

[THEY COME. PREPARE. THEY COME. PREPARE. THEY C-]

Then...there was deep silence. The winds stopped, as if reacting with fear.

It was not soon after when the void grew larger and R.E.D.I. mobilized.  They did not have much time but they were able to ascertain that what was approaching was a massive ship of some sort. It was moving at a rapid speed leaving them little time to truly prepare.

R.E.D.I. sent out the call and got to work.

It was only a week...

Now, years in the sky have opened and loom above cities all around the world and everyone waits with baited breath. R.E.D.I. still searching for an answer to this new crisis.
In Nahan Springs a shelter has been built and a call for heroes to defend the city has gone out hoping that their defense will be adequate.

No one knows when it will begin but as heroes gather all anyone can do is wait and try to stay safe....

Edited May 7 by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

The people were scrambling. Emergency services on high alert on every corner. Soldiers of all types stood by awaiting orders and ready to protect the shelters that had been erected through The Shining City as everyone prepared. Above the clouds twisted and turned in a threatening display and from them emerged an enormous black ship created of a technology no one could understand. It sat silently above the gold and antiquated buildings, with a mount open like some manner of monster. It was silent, merely floating above the city silently. There was something...unsettling about it besides its size and design. There seemed to be an area around it that caused great unease and at any moment it felt as though it could spring to life. It was clearly made of metal and yet it seemed alive.

Jets flew by, no one acting until given the signal by those in charge who were currently arguing in some base somewhere about what to do. Everyone was on standby, but that was beneficial in some way. It lets the various Valors and Viles who cared time to gather and know who they were to fight alongside. Not everyone was from the same city, and not everyone had the same idea about the situation but with the severity of things they were forced together. Not every city had one of these black ships above them. It seemed deliberate, focused upon major cities with a lot of life.

Set up in the Downtown area was a large tent housing advanced equipment. Around it were intimidating figures in advanced armor who seemed to have no purpose other than to protect the tent. There weren't many, and they said not a word other than asking for ID when people approached. They were silent guardians of the people inside who were working their hardest to decipher the identity of their new visitors. It had been some time since R.E.D.I. had mobilized like this....so everyone knew that nothing good could come of things.



The rest of the normal force were made up of normal soldiers and G.H.A.R.D. Soldiers called upon to aid the Valors (and Viles by consequence) who had answered the call. They were more talkative. They were normal men and women who believed in the mission but their equipment wasn't remotely as advanced. Some of them were scared and others were excited for the action. This wasn't a new situation by far, or at least, it appeared to be rather standard! Alien force? Check. Advanced warning for some reason? Check. Threatening ships? Check. What was the worst that could happen? The heroes would be enough to solve this problem like they usually were.

No one else was quite sure. This felt different. This felt different to the usual alien invasions. The Rust Men of Mars hadn't created such fear, the Black Hole Harriers hadn't done more than terrorize a small town, the Three Legged conquerors from Venus had waged war on the world but even they seemed so small compared to whatever this was. This felt like something new in a way. A new threat for a new age of heroes and villains. A new threat that would put to the test more than themselves...but no one was sure. They only had sighting of a legion of black ships floating vigilantly over the cities of tomorrow and yesterday. They only had silent monuments that carried a threat unheard and unrealized.

Would they be safe? No one was sure. 

But they were preparing to find out and inside the tent the brains of R.E.D.I. were hard at work including the particular scientist in charge of this particular zone. 

Yuka had been assigned Zone 3, or Nahan Springs as it was called and appointed lead. She had put out a call for any individual willing to respond...not simply Valors and not simply Villains. She had suspected that the ships were after areas of high life concentration though for what reason she had not worked out. She also managed to pick up a strange signal...almost imperceptible but was hard at work trying to decode it.

She was a simple Class 2 but she was rising through the ranks fast so eyes were on her to know exactly what was going on.

She stood outside and stared up at the ship though she wasn't not working. Scanning, analysis, and stalking were all things the woman could do easily from her apparatus. She wondered....would those she called really be ready? She wasn't a superstitious woman which was quite funny given the world she lived in but even she could feel something different.

If R.E.D.I didn't find an answer would the heroes be able to handle what was coming? Would the villains take advantage? Would Earth be doomed?

She just didn't know...

Had they even correctly estimated the danger? Zeus....

It felt too low. She put her hands on her hips as she worked through the files. If there was any time for the beings of the plant to prove themselves then she was sure it would be now.
She'd do her best to aid them in that but well...perhaps they all needed a little luck.

Edited Monday at 01:33 PM by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Everglow gently set down, letting the man and woman's feet touch the ground first before crouching ever so slightly to let the children off. He stood tall as they moved to the shelter and vanished inside, waving at the children who thanked him. He was a native of this city so knew that these shelters were state of the art. The hero had been helping people get to where they needed to be the whole day. He didn't really need to be called upon to defend his home. There were, of course, stubborn citizens but the people of his city tended to be very hopeful of their heroes. He didn't want to let them down but even he had to admit this felt odd. Once they were inside he took to the sky again and flew towards the staging area, a glowing trail behind him as he moved quickly through the city streets. Empty. It was odd to see but he was thankful.

He set down once he got close and walked inside. The valor had been at this for some time. He'd fought some heavy hitting entities but it was always weird seeing things set up like this. The armed soldiers and scientists scrambling around, the incident reporters and more. It felt different to even your usual happening which was often sudden. He'd never really had the chance to prepare before. He also wasn't particularly fond of G.H.A.R.D. due to their stance on unregistered heroes but they did move quickly. They had arrived within hours of R.E.D.I.'s call and set up and so did some other heroes some of which he knew and others he didn't There were even Villains, some of which he'd once put in prison and others he'd only read about on the news. It was all something new to him. The Kaiju Panic hadn't even bee this...organized.

His white cape flowing behind him as he moved he went over to an observation area set up near the Grand Fountain and looked up. Ominous twisting clouds. The city was...afraid. The energy he could normally feel flowing normally seemed almost afraid of this thing. He'd fought aliens but he'd never seen anything like this. He'd never heard anything like that voice n his head before. It sounded like millions all crying out in warning and then it was a deep silence. It had scared him and he imagined it scared the regular citizens more. What was coming? He really hoped they could stop it. He'd seen enough destruction.

Still...Everglow fiddled with his mask and leaned over the railing and looked into the waters of the fountain. He listened as heavy footsteps marched and took position. Heroes and villains talked, and wondered. It was all they could do at the moment was wonder. He had ever desire to go up to that ship and knock but he wasn't that impulsive. All he could do was wait with the others and be ready to act at a moments notice. It was all heroes could really do in situations like this. Wait, act, and do their best to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

His suit gently pulsed with the low hum of energy. He listened to the ambient power and stared into the water.

All they could do was wait....

[ElieCapulet30]

Elie had arrived in Nahan Springs a few days ago for a book signing at the Barns and Noble in the area. She was in the Hilton Gardens hotels for her stay but he day arrived as she sat and greeted her fans signing their books and taking photos. However she felt off. 

Once the singing was done she could hear screaming coming from outside. She looked at her agents and editor asking if they could clean up and pack up. Elie ran outside to see the chaos. Her eyes widen as she looked around quickly she had to do something. She ran to the hotel as she changed into her superhero costume. She had never done superhero work outside of her state or even city but she wouldn't allow innocent people to get hurt. 

She was ready and her resolve hard as stone as she opened her balcony door and closed her eyes backflipping off the railing using her fire to surf through the air. She looked around seeing a few children had been separated from their parents as she rushed over and grabbed the children quickly getting them out of way using her blue fire to create a barrier to protect them from the debris. Once it calmed down she looked over at the children her elegant princess knight like costume shimmered as her mask was elegantly resting on her face. "You're save little ones. Let us get you back to your mom and dad." She smiled hoping her calm tone and control made the children less fearful. 

Once the children were back with their parents. They waved goodbye and thanked the princess knight as they told their parents how amazing Elie was protecting them with her pretty blue flames.Elie watched them run to safety a small smile on her face as she turned looking up into the sky. She wasn't a part of team or anything but she knew she was needed here.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

A shimmering light in the reflection would stand out to anyone even as focused on something else as Everglow was. He tore his eyes aware from the gentle sway of the fountains water and up to the sky where the eyes of several were. A flame dancing across the sky? A beautiful light that caused some level of concern but it quickly settled. It didn't emerge from the ship! Everglow stepped away from the railings and crouched just a bit before taking off into the sky with the brilliant light of his snow white cape mixing with the munsell green of his suit racing through the sky towards where that flame moved. This was a common sight for the people of the city and soon he'd hear the sound children in panic followed by relief and a woman's voice. It wasn't one familiar to him. He came to a stop not far from where a masked woman was seeing two children off to their parents just as he had done. She was new.

He gently floated his way down to the ground, the glowing eyes of his mask settled on her with just barely visible pupils if one focused. A hero? No Vile would do that...at least none that he'd seen. crossed his arms "Thanks." his tone was more focused...apart of the image her had cultivated. His dreads settling with two hanging just over the mask "Sometimes the people here really do lose track." he motioned to the golden city where he lived and its enormous architecture. It was an open place but like any metropolis of this type it could be confusing. He gave her a small, reassuring smile however. A practiced but not false one like any hero would probably be good at. He did not recognize her but it was possible she recognized him. He was more than a local hero after-all. He'd been in the papers especially after the Kaiju Panic. He hadn't been in her city but it was hard to miss a hero taking down one of those beasts.

He walked towards her and extended a hand "Everglow." he introduced "Welcome to Nahan Springs." before looking to the sky at the ominous ship that floated there still. He still didn't know what to make of it. It almost seemed like it could swallow the stars itself. He hoped it wasn't that dangerous "Thanks for coming to help. I wish it was under better circumstances." and he sounded genuine. This was his hope...anyone willing to help was someone he appreciated.

[ElieCapulet30]

Elie jumped a bit as she turned to see a man floating down to her. Was he a hero or villain, she didn't know so he'd keep her guard up for the moment. "It was no problem. Innocent lives shouldn't be caught in the cross fires of this. Besides the children of today are our future after all." She said her tone soft, gentle and noble like. She gave him a soft genuine smile like most hero would.

Seeing his hand extended toward her she shook his hand lightly. "Noble Ember and thank you for welcoming it. It's beautiful here and your welcome anything to save the lives of the innocent isn't that right." She said her light sapphire blue eyes looking at him from behind her mask. She didn't know much about other heros but she didn't make much of a name for herself since she was locally known. I mean the fire at the orphanage was in the papers but nothing more and all it said was a noble looking women saved a few children and then disappeared. 

Edited 2 hours ago by ElieCapulet30

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

"Spoken like a true hero." indeed that was a line any hero would say. He didn't pick up any threat from this woman at all so perhaps she really was just here to lend her aid to a dangerous situation. He would hold her hand for a moment "Of course, its what we're here for right? Come hell or high water." Marduk said. It was something they could absolutely agree one. He finally let go of her hand and put his hands on his hips. He really did cut a figure of a classic sort of her. Tall, classic Tights, small mask, flowing cape, shield on his chest with the initials of his superhero name. He was only missing the trunks but the way his suit was laid out was clearly meant to evoke that anyway.

He would toss his glance towards the ship again "So what do you make of this?" she asked figuring asking her what her opinion was on their current predicament. He had a feeling, anyone should have, but well if she was here now he might as well get to know this hero. They'd be working together for the time being after all. He looked to her and observed. She cut a more regal figure like her name suggested. She also had very beautiful eyes. He obviously had no plans to try and discern her identity. That would be rude at least in this circumstance.

"Not sure why they picked my city of all places but if they attack it I'll be sending them right back to wherever they came from." his ears were still open though. There could still be trouble around them even with the already tense situation.

[ElieCapulet30]

Elie giggled softly as she looked at Everglow. "Yes and where I'm from I've never seen anything like this. I'm use to the small criminals, fires and things like that. So this is new to me but I will do my best to help out and protect the people of your city." 

She could tell this man, this Everglow really loved his city from the way he spoke about it and how he held himself. "I will aid in anyway possible. If you need I can tell you my powers and skills. Maybe then I said you more." She said her one hand resting on her hip keeping her ears open in case of any danger and screams.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

"I appreciate another Valor willing to lend a hand no matter where duty calls. I know its tough to tear yourself away from your own city." he said and he did but he made it a habit to do it himself. He didn't expect it in return or anything like that but to him a hero helped where they were needed. He admired other Valor's who would do the same. He loved Nahan Springs even with it issues. Perhaps if this all went well he could show her around before she went back to doing what she needed. The taller her would remain still, clearly staring at her despite the difficulty in seeing his eyes past that ask he wore. She had his attention without question. He chuckled gently "Something with fire right? I noticed your trail which is how I followed you here." he admitted but he wouldn't turn down knowing more of her power.

He looked in either direction. It was mostly empty streets barring the soldiers and stragglers. The occasional tank seemed to roll by as well. He did not like seeing his city like this. He sighed "I'm used to chaos, but this feels like something different. This is no ordinary giant monster or mad scientists power trip. You heard it too right? Those voices in your head before? It feels empty now. Its the same feeling I get when I look at that ship." he admitted to her keeping his tone strong and sturdy but there was a small break. It betrayed worry. He took his hands from his hip finally and motioned for her to walk with him.

His cape flowed behind him "So from what city did you come from anyway?" he asked. The area of Downtown was a bit less organized and more modern than the rest of the city. The buildings were still gold but they had more lights, more signs, more tourist attracting places. It was clean however and several shops had the news playing. They also displayed interviews with figures from the city though he paid that no mind. It was all a waiting game now and hopefully not too much damage. If they were lucky? The ship would retreat.

[ElieCapulet30]

"Yes I did hear those voices I was doing my day job when I felt off. Something wasn't right. So after I was done I came here." She said seeing the soldiers and tanks. "I'm not use this much chaos.....so it's different." She said rubbing her upper arm.

"And that's correct I control flames but not just any flames blue and black flames. I also have skill of making medical treatments with herbs like a apothecary but that's more of a hobby." She said looking around keeping her devil trigger side of herself a secret since was her trump card if needed. Her side cape lightly flowing behind her. "I am from Minneapolis Minnesota. I'm locally known as a hero there. It's beautiful and peacefully.Maybe when this is all over you could come and visit. However if I may ask what do you love most about your city." She said holdheartly happy she was creating a friend in this line of work.

Edited 1 hour ago by ElieCapulet30

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

"Yeah those voices worried me." he said but it seemed things had been calm for her too. Truthfully, nothing he had handled had been out of the ordinary for hero work before as well. The occasional bank robbery, the occasional werewolf, and all that. It all felt manageable but even he could tell that if he had done something so foolish as to try and take on this ship by himself he wouldn't be standing. He would try. He would do anything to protect the people but this did not feel like something he could do alone. R.E.D.I. didn't mobilize for such simple things and with the level that gave it well...it was an all-hands sort of situation he recognized.

"Blue and Black flame huh? Can't say I've ever seen anything like that." he chuckled "I've been hit with a lot of fire before but I'm going to guess yours would hurt a lot more than a standard flamethrower." he said though the interest in medical treatments was interesting. More of a hobby huh? It was an interesting hobby to have. He nodded his head "Ah I'm like a battery of sorts." he told her "So long as their is energy around us I can supercharge myself." though he used it for pretty basic things half the time. It was difficult to explain exactly but he was human that much he knew for certain. He didn't know about her. It didn't matter he supposed given that they had plenty of non-human heroes too.

"Long way from home." goodness that was basically all the way out there compared to Nahan Springs but travel was very easy these days. He did like the idea of visiting though. That was something to keep in mind especially once this all blew over! He smiled wide at her question "Oh? Its the culture." he said "Not many places you can get an classic sort of theater experience on one street and then get the best malts in the nation on another." he said bragging just a little but there was a lot to love. He chuckled "Really there's always something interesting to find here. I've been here my whole life and I still don't feel like I understand all of it."

It was definitely a golden city "Plus its not Arikara Falls. Been there a few times...not fond really."