Cheap, horrible freemium games that suckered you in with shiny graphics and demanded multiple payments to progress more than a level. The most vicious array of popup ads anyone had seen since 2002. Weird, unsolicited emails from Brutopian Czars asking for the low low sum of $1,000 in order for them to send you a barrel full of bombastium! Even unskippable midroll political ads for Mayor Doom's re-election campaign.
Aside from the memetic hazards it kept distributing in its brief life? I guess.
OK. Cat's web of manipulation and enthrallment grows by the day. Meanwhile, the Shadow Blot is preparing to mess with us and there's also that drug ring that creeps ever closer to Doofania.
So, I propose our focus for the next few turns should be straightforwards: CRACK DOWN ON THE HOME FRONT. Sure we'll do side projects like building the anti-Toffee diplomatic alliance, but out main energies should be devoted to beefing up our security apparatus and bunkering down so domestic insurgencies cannot do much damage. We know we have time to prepare for the Blot, but Kat seems to be gathering power rapidly. Best get started on that soon.
Candace has posted that picture on the internet, it means Kat may be found out by : Browse online for interesting stories
Sure, most of what you find online is crap, but you might just stumble across something that'll end up being useful. Whether that's a rumor that will pan out, an online blueprint, or just the next popular viral video is all up to chance.
The problem is, Kat works for us as Agent K. If Doof sees a picture of him with a ray gun, he isn't automatically going to go "Why the sneaky little traitor!". He would assume that it's just Agent K doing a job for OWCA or something.
The problem is, Kat works for us as Agent K. If Doof sees a picture of him with a ray gun, he isn't automatically going to go "Why the sneaky little traitor!". He would assume that it's just Agent K doing a job for OWCA or something.
The problem is, Kat works for us as Agent K. If Doof sees a picture of him with a ray gun, he isn't automatically going to go "Why the sneaky little traitor!". He would assume that it's just Agent K doing a job for OWCA or something.
OWCA's agents are supposed to keep their real identity a secret, a picture of Kat without his fedora and a "techno Gatling gun " may out him as Agent K, meaning that he should be relocated, even more so if Doof realize that the person who posted the picture is one of Kat "owners".
Hmmm do we actually have to worry alien invasions?
here me out here Gal fed has taken a open interest in earth and declared it a nature preserve.
so any alien invasion that comes along runs headlong into a giant Galactic federation. One backwater planet that can put up a fight even without them is not worth the effort. Not to mention things like Bill being on planet which should scare the shit out of any and all sentient life. It takes like 5 minutes of looking around the US to come to the conclusion that there is better opertuinitts elsewhere.
this all sums up as We really don't actually have to worry about Kat too much as he's primarly after his secondary goal of sending food back home.
"This is what you can expect from a monomaniacal focus on rivals," Technor continued. "A nemesis should be a recurring threat, a challenge to your plans, not your raison d'etre. Your nemesis should help you grow in skill and as a person. An evil person."
Would the GF even KNOW about Bill? If they did, I imagine they'd care far, far more about doing something about Earth. As they seem to be hands-off at the moment, I don't think Bill can be easily discovered through casual observation.
I have came up with a third of a plan and desire feedback.
[ ] Plan: The (almost) Coin Flip of Rage
-[ ] Outfit PMC with energy weapons (Ludivine)
-[ ] Campaign for Flubber (Technor)
-[ ] Reach out to Shego (Goofy)
-[ ] Dinosaur Farming (Jumba)
-[ ] Social Media (Mirage)
-[ ] Expose the Hawk (Russ)
-[ ] Spy on Employees (Tobe)
...
-[ ] Overclock Technor
Energy Weapons: Low DC
Shego: Good to do and Low DC
Campaign for Flubber: The (almost) coin flip, and that's only if the roll is boosted. I want to use TECHNOR and Ludivine to their full potential and dealing w/ the flubber issue solves both of these things.
Dino Farming: Meat
Social Media: I chose Mirage as I wanted to emphasize privacy after our last attempt
Exposing Hawk: Even if he gets fired in the rival report, I want to give him a farewell package
Spy on Employees: deal with Kat
Overclocking: TECHNOR needs to bring his A game for campaigning
Cats are evil and malicious creatures. They have become my sworn enemy since a group of three stray cats beat the crap out of me back in elementary school. I spent the next few days with new stitches, medicine shots and a but load of feline trauma.
Gal Fed is well a Galactic institution. If someone hasn't heard of them they probably aren't making it to earth. And if they had they'd probably check first to make sure they don't get crushed.
And there's still the Super comunity and the indestructible toons and that nonsense which are out in the open.
Would the GF even KNOW about Bill? If they did, I imagine they'd care far, far more about doing something about Earth. As they seem to be hands-off at the moment, I don't think Bill can be easily discovered through casual observation.
Long story short I doubt we have to worry about an Alien invasion and if there is one it's going to be a short one as Gal fed shows up and ruins everyone's day
Cats are evil and malicious creatures. They have become my sworn enemy since a group of three stray cats beat the crap out of me back in elementary school. I spent the next few days with new stitches, medicine shots and a but load of feline trauma.
Do we even have a choice at this point? Our screw-up with Quackerjack has cost us a lot of rep amongst the other Kings, not to mention a loss of control over domestic affairs. With Hawk crippled like he is (thanks to Doof of all people), we need a method to get our advantage over Doof back.
Indeed. Doof has outfoxed us time and time again. And even if we do get ahead of him, like with the SRA, he just comes back and lands another crit. It's getting infuriating that we're losing to a diseased lunatic pharmacist
Relax. We'll just do what we do with the feds; throw money at him. Although it's taking a page out of Glomgold's book, it should be enough to win him over. He's a criminal, all they want is money!
Interlude: Tooned In Flashback
The building was neutral ground. It was once an old ACME storage building, before Toontown was Dipped and the funny business found itself losing out to the interstate. You were waiting inside. Before, in the garish light of the Sands Casino, you had looked like a caricature, an absurdity. Here, in the shadow of Toontown's broken dream, you loomed like a spectre, black cloth and pale skin and eyes that drilled into empty space with horrifying intensity. Anger and fear warred in your mind as you contemplate the circumstances that brought you here tonight, cursing the necessity of it all.
Suddenly, you blinked. Nothing had changed. The warehouse and its decrepit containers were the same as they had been a moment ago. But the atmosphere was different. There was a charge in the air. If there was an audience, they would be hushed.
Someone else was here. You could feel it.
Your head snapped up suddenly, unblinking eyes beneath a wide black hat suddenly alert and focused. Stretching out your gloved hand, you rapped your cane on the ground once again. That perfect question bereft of its answer.
Tap tap ta-tap tap.
Intrigue Check: Do you quell your natural reaction?
DC: 10
57+16+28+8=109
Success
You quashed the niggling urge to complete the pattern easily as you tap it out again and again.
Tap Tap ta-tap tap.
Tap Tap ta-tap tap.
Tap Tap ta-tap ta-
Ka-Clunk.
Above you, the skylight swung open, revealing a perfectly full moon. You looked up, but frowned and narrowed your eyes when you saw no one. But if that had banged open, then what had-
"Ah ha. Mayor Doom. In the Flesh." A smooth, smug voice rang out.
You shook your head ruefully for your ignorance at the laws of narrative as you turn around, looking away from the distraction. "You couldn't resist making an entrance, could you?" you replied in cold, clipped tones.
"Why, you're the guest of honor. I take it as a sign of pure prestige you wished to meet with me personally." A figure finally emerged from the darkness, yet it carried the darkness with it. Indistinct, amorphous, impossible to track, a suit like flowing ink except for two bright eyes.
"The Phan…tom… Blot." you said, irritation present in every forced consonant. Unprofessional, but neither was what you were trying to do tonight. "Youu… have been running my men ragged. Playing yourr little games."
"And who else did you think could be capable of such a thing? Mickey Mouse?" The Blot chuckled to himself.
Diplomacy Check: Can you keep your temper?
DC 90
60+28+13+4=105
Success
Inwardly, you fume at the joke, hating the fact that you must bargain with this... refuse. It grates at your nerves and sickens you to the point you might vomit... but you have no other choice.
"That you are herrre…" you said slowly, "Implies that you are at least willing to consider my offer."
"Oh, I consider everything. But ah, perhaps you would be so kind as to repeat it?"
Desperately trying to keep a hold of yourself, you gritted your teeth and scowled. This filth is enjoying your desperation and mocking you. He knows the details of the deal, he just wants to hear you admit it aloud. "I am a very wealthy man. Enough to have several wealthy men under my thumb."
"You mean Alonso? Poor old fellow. How's his back? I imagine he must be working himself to death now he's doing the work of the entire LAPD."
You glared. You really didn't need a reminder of your recent failures.
"I suppose it was a rather clever scheme. Quietly ensure that detailed plans for the precinct's headquarters were leaked to minor villainess Zapphire, safe in the knowledge she would make the force look weak, highlight the need for new Superheroes, and further destroy the reputation of Toons everywhere. But of course, not quite so clever a plan as, say, allowing you to discover a willing patsy, only to ensure that tainted knowledge ended up in the hands of the far more capable and particularly comedic Quackerjack, thus making a fool out of you and your entire government. Hypothetically speaking. Why, I imagine you'd even have to remove that irritating stooge you have sitting in the Chief's chair, and replace him with the one man who didn't get sidetracked. Give my regards to Commissioner Cleaver, I look forward to bamboozling him."
Yet, of course, the Blot decides to do it anyway, because why not? The reminder that you are forced to promote a Toon of all things to the head of your police department only served to heighten your strained temper. "I. Am. Offering." you spat out with undisguised fury, "To pay you a not inconsiderable sum of cash if you will redirect your… energies elsewhere." You snapped your fingers, and a weasel, wearing a fedora and suit (you've never cared enough to actually learn their names), walked forward carrying a briefcase that he opened to reveal neatly stacked cash.
"There's a lot more in tha' wagon." The weasel grinned greedily.
"And where exactly would you like this attention to go?"
"I think you can guess," you responded.
"Oh, everyone can guess. Not everyone can be right, however."
This barbarian's insistence on comedy and smugness was really starting to irk you... but the fact that your rival would be getting the nightmare of his life helped soothe you. "Doof. En. Schmirtz," you said, quiet malice undercutting the words. "He has proven more… adept at social niceties than I might have expected."
"And so you wish for me to be your stooge." The Blot rose up, letting the words hang in the words for a moment. You got ready for when he inevitably turned you down. Coming here was stupid, there's no way he-
"Very well. I accept."
WHAT?!
The Blot seemed to radiate satisfaction as a flicker of shock and confusion passed across your face, only serving to stoke your anger.
"Just, ah, one small thing." The Blot said, moving towards the briefcase of cash.
And then, he shut it on the weasel's fingers.
"Keep your filthy blood money." The Blot said as the weasel howled with pain. You didn't bother hiding your shock. "I see no value in wealth I do not earn with my own artifice. I will move my attentions away from this city… but not for money. And not for you."
The Blot began pacing. "I am the world's greatest criminal mind. I require a foe, a challenger, a worthy opponent. Someone who can match me in underworld dealings, who might somehow thwart my plans. And you, Judge, you and that poor joke of a man you let play with your spies, have proven yourselves woefully inadequate. I laid countless clues, created tricks and traps and leads and puzzles, but you solved none of them, not even with the help of your hapless spymaster. No, only one man has." The Phantom Blot said silkily as his head slowly turned, paying no attention to you as you grow angrier and angrier at his words, your fake eyes threatening to pop out with rage.
"Isn't that right, Agent Russ?"
A pause. Then... Flashback End
"Kind of you to say," someone says simply, before walking forwards. A sharply dressed man in a neat suit, dark shades, and a brown mustache walks forward out of the shadows, self-assured and authoritative. Your anger quickly drains and shock and fear sets in. You've seen enough of his kind to know who he is; he's a federal agent, who it appears has followed Blot to this meeting instead of you. You are just a side bonus. That doesn't change the fact that you have been caught like a rat in a trap.
What do you do?
[ ] Confront this "Russ"
He has no business here without a warrant. Maybe you can bully him into submission?
[ ] Just stand to the side
These two obviously have business together if Blot's monologue is anything to go by. One of them may slip up and reveal something useful that you can use.
[ ] Get the f*ck out of here
This guy was able to solve all of Blot's puzzles and follow him here, something not even your zaniest agents could even dream of attempting, much less succeeding. No matter how you look at the situation, you staying here only puts you and your reputation at risk. Time to cut your losses and scram.
[X] Confront this "Russ"
This guy is obviously not here on official business. He can't prove anything, plus we're stinkin' rich, so we can just buy out enough politicians to make sure the charges don't stick. The dude may be clever, but it's pretty clear he's out of his depth
[X] Just stand to the side
Guys, Blot wants to fight this guy in Doofania! And there was something about a man with a mustache and sunglasses at the Gala! What if this is Doof's intelligence officer? If we stick around, we may be able to discern his identity.
[X] Get the f*ck out of here
This guy can solve all of Blot's puzzles, when our guys couldn't even solve one. No way am I trying to deal with this.
Pfft. Doof having a federal agent on his payroll? (And this guy is current, not former, as PB would definitely have mentioned that detail) The government hates him too much for the food thing to try and do something like that. I'm telling you, the US government is getting bolder. We should talk with Xanatos and try to do something about it!
The Interlude had several point of view errors like:
Above you, the skylight swung open, revealing a perfectly full moon. You pulled your eyes back down. No. No they wouldn't be there. They would be somewhere else, somewhere on the ground, slipping in while eyes were distracted. Somewhere, lurking in the-
You snapped your fingers, and another weasel, this one in a fedora and suit, walked forward carrying a briefcase that opened to reveal neatly stacked cash.
It doesn't feel as if Doom is the point of view. In the first case, I don't think Doom is that canny. In the second, the description is a bit odd. I would recommend rewriting the descriptions, while keeping the dialogue.
"Everyone knows housecats are evil. We love them anyway. Oh, speak of the devil, there you are, Kat."
Linda set a bowl of Fishy Frisky Bits onto the ground and scratched Kat's head as he approached. The felonious feline nuzzled up against her legs before smirking at Candace, teeth bared wide in an evil grin.
Met to have this out like two days ago but wanted to post it sometime not near an update. So without further ado-
Also @Made in Heaven if this isn't canon as a result of some minor changes that can be made, let me know, otherwise, oh well.
High Hopes
It was lunch and Dave was hanging out in one of the hallways.
Now, that wasn't unusual, except he was a little high up.
Or no, that wasn't unusual either. Well, it was, but it wasn't unusual for anyone at his school, but most kids didn't go to a floating school. But he was higher up than usual, even for the school. And not because of a power.
Or, well not directly because of a power. Indirectly, Johnny might have been able to cover him in capture fluid(where did he get it?) without help but the ability to stick him to the ceiling would have been severely curtailed without the ability to fly.
Which left the current problem, to call for help (or not call really since his mouth was foamed, but signal) or not? On the one hand, if he didn't the foam would dissolve for a couple of hours. Unless altitude had an effect on it? It usually did, but that was the result of air pressure difference and Dave was pretty sure Sky High regulated that. Which would mean missing afternoon classes.
On the other hand, calling for help meant admitting you needed help. Which was a mark against you at the School. Granted, Dave was a sidekick track and wasn't under threat of demotion, but…
He moved his eyes over as someone came by. Maybe it would be one of the nicer heroes, or a sidekick willing to give him a hand. Weird, they were getting closer, and yet he couldn't see them. It was just a lunch bag and backpack floating
Suddenly Dave shut his mouth as if it was foamed as well.
It was Violet.
There were… well there were more jerks at Sky High than Dave liked. Some went after people, looking for targets. Others liked to throw their weight around. Plenty were fine as long as a sidekick didn't try to talk to them or annoy them. And even more, just didn't care or, if they were one of the weaker heroes, tried to keep their head down and avoid being sidekicked. Some, a very few, actually acted like Dave felt heroes should.
And then there was Violet. Violet was scary.
Like, when she'd first been in, he's thought she was fine. Invisibility got her in the hero course, but like, she never really made a big deal of it or much of anything. He'd felt bad for her since she was quiet and seemed shy. Her power wasn't big or flashy and she'd kinda seemed like one fo those heroes that would be doomed to the edge of sidekickhood always worried about demotion.
Kenneth and Sam had thought so too. Kenneth was a speedster and the worst type. Arrogant, overbearing, and always looking for a 'laugh'. In his case, he liked running by people and messing with them. A poke, a grab, a trip, never something anyone could prove. Sam, had a controllable shadow and liked using it for mischief. Less touching, but more stealing small items, or rearranging your locker.
They liked to pick on the weak. Kenneth, ironically actually didn't go for sidekicks as much, seemed to like going for heroes on the edge. Not that he wouldn't do it to sidekicks as well, but never with the same focus. About halfway through the year, they'd turned their attention on her. It had gone on for about two weeks, with Violet being seen less and less, and frankly, Dave had felt sorry for her.
He'd been there when it happened. A sudden sharp breeze of someone blazing past, and then, a howl of pain. He'd turned to see Kenneth on the floor, one leg bent at an angle that legs shouldn't be. Well, technically, he supposed that Roxan could bend her legs that way, but like, he was pretty sure Kenneth couldn't. Or well obviously he could, but-
Dave was brought back to reality when the tray made a slight cling as it was sat down on the bench below him. As food began disappearing from it, Dave tried to force himself to be silent, unfortunately, he felt a sneeze coming on--
"Achgacharu!" (which was the sound of a sneeze when one's mouth was blocked.)
"Ahhh!" The tray was set up flying, as Violet, wearing her combat uniform shifted into view. "What are you doing!?" She demanded with an angry, defensive look.
"Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Dave said quickly. Or tried to, as it was it came out "Mhmhm,mhmhm, mimmmm, mar mmu"
Violet looked at him, and Dave thought about Sam.
Dave wasn't sure what happened there. The rumors around the school had gotten wild. Letter in the locker. Picture of Kenneth's broken Xrays. Picture of Sam at home/shower/asleep in bed/doing drugs/all of the above. Head of Sam's pet left in the locker (usually a dog, sometimes something else.) The location changed too, sometimes it was a desk or bookbag. No one was really sure, just that Sam stopped, and the rest of the school got reminded why it was a bad idea to piss off someone invisible.
"Oh…" she said, looking slightly embarrassed. "Johnny?"
"Mh hmmm." He said, confused at how she had known.
She reached inside her backpack and pulled out a small mirror. "They, ah, have me keep it, for practice," She said with a slight bit of embarrassment. Holding it up, she showed him face, where Johnny had, apparently, written "JOHNNY RULEZ!" in marker on the foam, as well as a very good drawing of what looked like a crying bird. Which did explain why he's stayed so long.
"I um… I'm gonna just...go." a moment later she left quickly.
Which left him back to his original dilemma. To signal for help or not, which was considered for another five or ten minutes before he heard someone else coming. Or multiple someones, as several footsteps arrived as Dave saw several of the other sidekicks.
"Hey," Dave said awkwardly. Violet looked up from the book she had been reading. Or at least he hoped she looked up, since ah, his only real clue was the pages turning. "Um, I just wanted to say thanks, for, you know, getting help."
No response.
"I um, that was nice. At least assuming that you are Violet and not like, a telekinetic book, or the wind or something."
There was a sign. "What did you do to get Johnny to do that."
"Oh, um, well, he was trying to stuff Jack into the smallest locker he could find, and um, I ah…. Tried to stop him."
There was a pause. "What is your power, again?"
"Oh, it's sort of like yours. Only instead of turning invisible, I can just glow." Dave demonstrated turning himself red. "Only one color at a time, but I can do pretty much the entire rainbow."
"And you tried to stop Johnny? Flight, super-strength, toughness Johnny?"
"Yeah. I mean, he's not that super-strong. He didn't even crack a full ton of weight."
"You're an idiot." She said as a page in the book turned.
"It wasn't right. Besides, spilling coffee on him was a total accident."
There was a pause, and Dave was almost ready to go when he heard a muttered: "He shouldn't even be here."
"Huh."
"He doesn't even have powers."
"Hey, Jack has powers. I mean, he's invulnerable."
"He's a toon. Besides, that just means that you tried to defend someone invulnerable. FIghting like that is stupid."
"H- hey, just because he doesn't hurt doesn't mean he uh, doesn't hurt… And standing up to bullies isn't stupid," He felt slightly offended and continued more than he should have. "I mean, you did so."
"I defended myself. I didn't go around trying to be a hero." The last word was said with utter venom. "If he can't stand it, he should just quit. Most of you should just leave."
Dave felt something stir within him. "If you hate being a hero so much, why don't you just quit?"
The book slammed shut, and Dave realized he'd gone too far. "Some of us, don't have a choice" Again that same venom, in her voice was the sound of the girl who had dealt with Sam.
Dave forced down his own fear. "Sorry-"
But the backpack by the desk had already been lifted up and was now floating out the door.
The good news was, Violet had not apparently decided to enact swift vengeance on him today. The bad news was, well-
"Hey, Dave." Johnny said, grinning as he hovered over him, just enough to give the impression of looming without the actual height normally required for such activities.
"Oh, hi Johnny. Um, had a good afternoon?"
"Well it was pretty good, but there was this guy, you know, I told him to stick around and he left. Which is just bad manners. Plus, it was a good pun, and I just hate people who ruin good jokes. You know what I'm saying?"
"Look, the bus is going to leave soon, I don't want any trouble right now."
"I can always fly back then again, flying that far is such a drag. Heck, since I feel for you, I'll make this quick. I'll clock you. Then we can both 'clock' out." He raised his fist and punched. Dave raised his own hands to block, not that he had much of a prayer.
"Oww-" Dave blinked as he found Johnny flapping his hand in pain, and he was… fine. Not that he had much time to think about it, as Johnny punched with his other, this time, Dave was still too confused to block, and the punch got inside his guard, straight for his face.
And again, ow from Johnny, but he was fine.
"Screw this." The other boy shouted, before flying off.
"What… was that?" Dave asked, confused. "Do I have some form of invulnerability?" As he looked at his hands, for a moment he thought he could hear someone else walking down the hallway, but when he turned, there was no one there. Not that he had much time to think about it, as he heard the engine on the bus starting to warm up, and had to make a run for it.
AN: Original version of this was planned longer, but I realized a lot of it was being taken up by OC's, and like, that wasn't intended to be the focus, so I cut the scene of him actually getting rescued. (No one but Violet is anything but an OC)
As for why Violet can't quit Ieft it ambiguous to allow for easier slotting into any story already planned for the Parrs. Couple options that come to mind
After Bob disappeared they lost their income. Things got bad until Helen found a mysterious job with Drakktech. Violet got enrolled in Sky High. No arguments.
After both Bob and Helen disappeared, the kids were nearly sent to foster care and would have been split up. Violet knew that Drakk tech would be more than willing to help pay living expenses of two supers (or two supers and one baby) as long as she was willing to train under them.
The disappearances weren't mysterious, Violet knows. And feels that she has to train since she feels she's in danger if she doesn't.
Janna, Star and GoGo weren't enough.