Log:Rift Crisis II, Scene 17

Rift Crisis II 2019/06/07 Artemis Moonshadow Night Marshal Nohrbor Dr Destroyer (Earth-D)

17

It's a warm June evening in Colonial Bay, coming up for 10pm. As far as most people are aware, nothing unusual is going on, though those who are monitoring for interdimensional intrusions get an alarm centred on the Towers - though seemingly not one of the same type as the recent rift crisis events.

Then something happens that anyone outside, and not a few people inside, are very aware of: a tower blazing of light rising from the highest of the Crimson Towers shoots into the sky. Then the light fades, mostly, leaving behind the slowly rotating giant hologram of a helmet.

After finishing with her classes for the day, Laurel is treating herself to a late dinner at a restaurant on the ground floor of one of the towers.

Even locked in immortal combat as they are- high in the sky, the Godflora- Althea 'Artemis' Constantine, Battlemaiden of the Mighty Ashildr & Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx of the Enigmatic Doj'on and newly minted Ascendant pause their battle as the beam of light lances through the sky.

"Sister, I'll race you to whatever trouble heralded in luminous mystery!" He shouts- already in flight towards the origin of the light below.

Artemis draws her sword and grins as Nohrbor gets a head start, flying after him at speed. "Even with a head start, I accept that challenge!"

Night Marshal lives in the Towers. That makes life easier...and harder. He's able to change in his apartment, but sneaking out to go investigate the situation is a little more complicated. He does his best to try to just be quick as he leave the apartment.

The helmet continues to rotate above the centre of the tower. A fainter column of light still leads down to the tower top, clearly marking the apparent source of the hologram.

Night Marshal ends up riding the elevator upward. He heard about the signal from the police band. Which was helpful, but mostly piqued his curiosity.

There appears to be a figure standing right in the column of light, striking an impressive pose, waiting.

Laurel sees a message on HeroNet about the phenomenon, and heads for the elevator, changing into Moonshadow inside.

Artemis races with Nohrbor, but finds herself unable to gain on him as he beats her to the hologram. "What is the significance? Do you think that being is trying to issue a challenge?" she asks Ascendant, pointing out the figure with her blade.

Just before the elevator reaches the roof, Moonshadow casts her Lunar Eclipse spell, and fades from view.

The figure on the rooftop turns its head slightly, looking in the direction of Artemis and Ascendant.

As the Bloodlit draw nearer to the hologram helmet & catch sight of the silhouette within Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx, the Ascendant is reminded of their ages spend in the Galactic Gladitory Games. His heartbeat quickens and he is forced to temper his battlelust until he knows what is actually going on. This world does not generally hand such out as prizes.

Artemis' question shakes him from memory. "I was just pondering such m'self- but I dare not hope. These mortals rarely celebrate battle thusly."

Night Marshal is on the top floor, working on the roof access door. With a 'click' he manages to open it, and he heads upward toward the roof proper.

The figure standing amid the light glares at the skulking heroes with an air of superiority, clearly having had not the least trouble in spotting them. He says nothing, apparently awaiting the approach of the flying figures.

Night Marshal raises a brow...but continues outward onto the roof. He takes a look at the individual, trying to place the person in question.

Artemis draws near without any reservation, shield and sword at the ready, but not agressively held yet. "Hail! What means this signal?" she asks as she motions to the helmet with the tip of her blade.

"I am Dr Destroyer!" proclaims the figure in the light, once the others have drawn near. "Are you what passes for persons of power on this paltry world?"

Night Marshal tilts his head, "If you're Dr. Destroyer...why are you not in Africa right now? He's...running a country."

Artemis looks to Ascendant with an excited smile and a raising of eyebrows to explain this is their lucky day. They must be mad. She looks to Dr. Destroyer, trying to contain her enthusiasm.

The robed Ascendant follows Artemis curiously.

"Doctor who? Destroyer?" He says as a knowing smile slides across his face. "ANd from where dost thou hail?" He asks as excitement build on his face.

His head snaps towards Night Marshal. "Africa! Doctor Destroyer of Africa! You've come to the right place if you seek a challenge of power Destroyer Doctor! HAha!" He turns to Artemis. "Good tidings upon us today. Surely the Ancients look down on us and reward us. Hopefully he is worthy of the impending glory."

Destroyer looks piercingly at Night Marshal. "The one who uses my name in this world - is he my doppelganger? Then perhaps it is to him I should speak. But no - he rules a mere country? Surely he has but usurped my name."

Night Marshal narrows his eyes as he scrutinizes the 'doctor'. Something doesn't add up. That doesn't mean that this person is any less dangerous than the real McCoy, though.

This Dr Destroyer not not look quite like the one in Africa. His armour is in the red, blue and bone white favoured by Destroyer in the 20th century, and lacks the crown of ruler of Zu. But at the same time, it is clearly not the antique armour. Even a casual glance says that it is the product of (at least) modern-day super-science.

Night Marshal nods slowly as he starts to piece things together. "Our....Dr. Destroyer has a long history. Him running a country now is just the latest development. He's been around for...one hundred and fifty years." He pauses and says, "You're not from this world, I take it?"

Sensing himself underdressed compared to his (likely) opponent, the Ascendant Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx changes his form- mostly just his clothing, from his loose fitting robes to something more suitable for a Godflora prepared for battle.

He just smiles eagerly, his eyes patiently smoldering from up above as he listens in with his hand on his sister's shoulder.

"That means almost as little here as it does back home. Is this Destroyer of Doctors an off-worlder or from another realm?" He murmers. It doesn't much matter to him as long as the battle is fierce and glorious.

Dr Destroyer shakes his head. "I am not. I am Dr Destroyer, who has ruled Earth-D since the the people of that world saw the benefits of yielding to my leadership, some 80 years since. I have come to your backwater world with a warning - and an offer."

"Surely it must be. Or perhaps he is Doctor to Destroyers. Perhaps he might point us to beings who would face us." The Ascendant Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says to Artemis.

"You doubt my power?" says Destroyer. "The have a small demonstration." He raises his hand in a casual gesture toward Artemis.

"He doesn't seem to be destroying much," Artemis comments to Nohrbor with some disappointment. "Is the name hyperbole, you think?"

Night Marshal's hand drift to his holstered pistol. Not that it'll do much to someone of this power level, if this person truly is an alternate version of Destroyer.

Artemis raises her shield and braces against the blast. Energy courses around her until she looks like she's consumed by the blast. But as the blast disappates past her, she floats unharmed, though her shield is smoking. She has a broad smile on her face. "Now this may be a promising opponent!" she says with contagious enthusiasm. The only person not immune to that enthusiasm is probably Nohrbor.

Night Marshal takes a deep breath, and tries to keep his voice even, despite the terror he's feeling right this very second. "Is there any chance you coudl just...return to your world? We already had to drive off one planet-destroying cosmic entity about a year ago. And with two of you on this world, it won't turn out well."

Destroyer turns his attention back to Night Marshal, as if unconcerned that Artemis deflected his warning shot. "I am no upstart cosmic entity. I am Dr Destroyer!! And I have come here to offer your world salvation."

The Ascendant's eyes get wide with glee as Doctor Destroyer levels a massive blast at Artemis' shield. With practice that could only come from decades of fighting back to back, he slides just within the protected pocket created by her shield.

"Oh- it is to be sure. Gadreel, Messenger of War smiles upon us and Hod's light warms my spirit!" He says as cheerfully as one might react to getting a free ice cream cone for being handsome.

Moonshadow attempts to move quietly around to place Destroyer between all of them.

Night Marshal tilts his head, "Salvation. From what, exactly?"

"My deep-interdimensional sensory arrays have determined that your Earth is on a collision course with Earth-D, with relative velocity sufficient to fragment both worlds. Mere months remain before this cataclysm. This, obviously, I cannot allow. So I offer you a choice: either I shall destroy this dimension in defence of my own, or I shall save this dimension, and align it stably once more with its neighbours. For this boon, I ask nothing more than the submission of this planet to the rule of Dr Destroyer!"

The word salvation catches Nohrbor's ear even as the air sizzles around he and Artemis.

"I dare not hope for more." He whispers quietly at the idea of such a being joining their cause to raise up Humanity to the height of glory and fight glorious battles in the skies ringing out so joyfully they are easily mistaken for thunder.

But once Doctor Destroyer's proffers his choice Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx's perfectly chiseled features turn as if he smelled something sour.

Night Marshal shakes his head slowly. "Yeah...unlikely to happen. You have the Chinese Emperor. Our own Dr. Destroyer. The US Government. A United Earth metahuman force. They won't just hand over the keys."

"You hoped too soon, Brother," Artemis whispers aside to Nohrbor as they hear the disappointing news.

Night Marshal shrugs, "So...I see two likely outcomes. First, you try to force the issue. A fight happens. We...at best...stalemate...as you're unable to achieve your goal in your timeline. Collision happens. Or....secondly, you can keep it from happening, and go back to your home, with it safe and sound...and us going about our own business, free of you.

Ascendant merely nods, his manner solemn.

He crosses his arms, hovering in the air effortlessly awaiting a response to Night Marshal's counter-offer.

He's still hoping they can be battle buddies though! No strings attached.

Destroyer's scarred face, half-hidden by his helmet, cracks a twisted smile. "That is unfortunate. For I see the science of this world surely cannot right the interdimensional instability which will bring about your destruction. And no, if you do not accept my generous offer then it is the third option which will occur. I shall rip this dimension asunder before it collides with Earth-D. That is within the power of Dr Destroyer! You leaders will perhaps have seconds to realise that they could have prevented this before they are rent suddenly, irrevocably from obliteration. Give them this message. I shall return for their answer."

Night Marshal takes a deep breath. "You will return. When, exactly?"

"In 90 days. By then, your world will have decided to accept my offer - or decided to perish."

Night Marshal. o O (Or decided to bring out everyone to face off against this guy.) "I will...be sure to pass that on."

Artemis nods at the terms. "The Bloodlit Chosen will honor and defend the choice of the Urthers should they choose to not to submit." And if the humans do choose surrender? Well, the Bloodlit will probably still fight alone.

"Then my business here is concluded. Remember - 90 days - no second chances. Beyond that time this dimension cannot safely be destroyed without risk to others." He looks at Artemis. "If there are those who do not submit, it is of no matter. They will be defeated."

Night Marshal pulls out a PDA...and pushes the message onto HeroNet. As well as trying to get it sent to SG. This is in their jurisdiction, for sure.

Artemis chortles at the challenge, pleased by it. "We shall see in 90 days."

Destroyer makes a gestures, and a rectangular gate opens up in space. "Auf Wiedersehen," says Destroyer, and steps through.

Night Marshal relaxes noticeably when Destroyer leaves. "I won't be one of the people up here in 90 days. I dont' have a death wish."

Artemis floats down to the rooftop with the others. "Fear not. My Bloodbound Brother and I shall be sure to be here," she tries encouraging Night Marshal. Ascendant Nohrbor drifts down with her.

Night Marshal nods. "I don't have any doubt that hte heroes of our world can defeat him. Overlord was defeated. This guy can be beaten as well." He shakes his head, "But I'm not the right person to try."

The gate to Earth-D closes, and the holograms vanish.