Well, yeah. Still it's something new to read.

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And now I'm wishing that author had continued the HP/Dresdon cross they started. The second installment was labeled as "complete" when it was clearly at the start of an interesting story.
 
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Watch this space -- The story will continue on 20 August 2022, with Shenanigans 18 - Mischief II!

The editorial staff has already had the post, and has cleared it for general release!

So batten down your hatches, duck into the local Endbringer shelter, run for the hills, because the story updates Saturday!

Wooo!
 
Fairly simple to manage for this thread, since it's just cleaning up the CTC post.

But as for the CTC thread...hope you've been keeping the creative juices flowing!
 
Shenanigans 18 - Mischief II
"There is one problem with a bunch of dragons flying around here, with or without a Parahuman escort," Theresa said to the group of hopeful young flyers. "Kira has stated in rather strong terms that there should be no flying around the resort, especially of the kind that attracts more idiots like Bastard Son.

"She did, however, suggest a solution." With that she looked at Taylor. "Since Parahuman Powers function in the Outlands, you can take any who want to join you for a quick flight there. You are far less likely to be disturbed by would-be dragon slayers. The only question is, how much do you trust your teammates?"

"If Naichi can trust them enough to show us her lair," Taylor admitted, "I can trust them enough to show them mine." She looked at the group. "You guys game?"

"Of course, I shall have to join you," Theresa added after the teens quieted back down, "if only to supervise the lot of you, and make sure you stay safe." Nobody believed that was her only reason.

Taylor walked outside the dining hall. With a flash of bluish light, she changed into her full on dragon form. "All aboard," she rumbled. "It'll be easier this way. Also, if you want snacks or something to drink, you'll have to bring it along with you. The conditions are very primitive, and I haven't had much of a chance to add any conveniences."

The group went back into the dining hall to get some snacks and drinks, and to use the bathrooms before rejoining Naurelin. When everyone climbed aboard, she simply said, "Lair."

With that, the universe turned inside out.

- - - - - - - - - -​

They materialized in the circle that had been inscribed in the lair. Looking around, everything was much the same as it was when she checked it the day before. She'd gotten into the habit of checking it after dinner every day, and was relieved that nothing was missing or out of place.

The first thing Naurelin did notice was Vicky's eyes getting huge. "So… shiny!" the blonde said in a whisper.

"Please don't dive into the pile of coins like you were Scrooge McDuck," Naurelin asked. "It's not very deep, and your sister will probably be mercilessly sarcastic with you for days if she has to heal you."

"Why do dragons keep piles of coins?" asked Carlos.

"For me, it's like having a polishing mat," noted Narelin. "It's not as effective if you don't have scales."

Chris had pulled out a flashlight and aimed it at the ceiling (which, as he was still on Naurelin's back, was a lot closer than it would be otherwise). "Hmm, not too bad, actually, considering this has all been cut out of the side of the mountain."

"How can you tell?" Missy asked.

"You can see the chisel marks where someone smoothed the walls after they'd used picks, hammers, and larger chisels to cut the rooms or at least enlarge an existing gap. Whoever did it was pretty good," Chris said. "It's also pretty old. The small ridges left by the chisels are rounded off."

"I hate to be a party pooper," Missy stated, "but if you guys are going flying, what are the rest of us going to do?"

"We could bestow upon you a rare honor," Dennis said, grinning. "A chance to ride into the sky on a dragon's back."

It was Vista's turn to grin. "Been there, done that. We got Mizuchi as a reminder."

It was at that point that Takara changed, and Naurelin's lair became rather cramped, because Mizuchi had adjusted her size to her maximum, becoming larger than Naurelin. "Someone or something's here," she rumbled. "Something dangerous."

With that being said, she somehow managed to get out of Naurelin's lair without injuring or even inconveniencing anyone. Odds were that Vista had performed some obscene abuse of local space-time which kept the less durable Wards unharmed. It also got them down from dragon-back.

"I'm going to take a look outside," Naurelin said, "and see what's got Mizuchi worked up." She began to make her way to the entrance of the cave, with the still human-shaped Theresa following at a reasonable distance. As she stuck her head out of the entrance, she saw a strange sight.

Tiamat, dread queen of the evil dragons (and many other titles), was tickling Mizuchi into submission. "This is far too silly," Naurelin muttered. She looked over her shoulder. "It's relatively safe," she said to the Wards, and went out to meet her patron.

It was an even stranger sight than it might have been, because Tiamat was in her human form, while Mizuchi was twice Naurelin's normal size and yet was still being tickled into helplessness. "I would like to apologize for my teammate's behavior," Taylor began, only to be waived off by Tiamat.

"No need to apologize," Tia said. "Just teaching the youngster here that one does not need overwhelming power to defeat one's attackers." She looked at the Tien Lung. "I mean you no harm and I come in peace. May I stop tickling you now?"

Mizuchi nodded her acquiescence, still chortling from being tickled. She was visibly shrinking as well, until she returned to a somewhat normal size. "Gomen nasai," the much smaller dragon said.

"No need, young one," Tia said. "Keep in mind that there are some things that are beyond you, and not all strangers are wanting to do you harm." She turned to Taylor. "So, these must be the Brockton Bay Wards and the necessary chaperon? Naurelin, you'll have to introduce me."

- - - - - - - - - -​

"I was actually curious as to why there were other dragons besides yourself or Naichi in your lair," Tia admitted, as they all sat on some logs by the lake below Naurelin's lair. "I'd not sensed the silver before." She kind of, almost, glared at Dennis. "And I hope that my younger sister's boyfriend realizes that should he break her heart, the last thing he will know is me eating his?"

"Older sibling obligatory threat to life and limb has been duly noted," Dennis said, sketching a slight bow. "She warned me this would be coming, and now owes me ten bucks."

Tia smiled. "You actually won a bet against Hlal?" She then proceeded to do something that very few people have ever witnessed: Laugh in good humor. "Cherish your victory, Dennis. They shall be few and far between.

"So what brings you all out here into the Outlands?" she asked politely.

"We were all going to get some flying time, ma'am," Vicky said respectfully. "We've had a stressful couple of days and wanted to relax."

"Also, people get nervous if they see one dragon flying, let alone a mixed group of them," added Theresa. "There are fewer spectators here, and they should be used to seeing dragons."

Tia clapped her hands. "A splendid idea," she agreed. "I think I shall join you. It has been a while since I've done that. I can, at least, make sure you wind up back here and not get lost. I can also point out places that you should stay away from."

- - - - - - - - - -​

Kira watched as the latest guests pulled up to the main lodge. It was a flat gray Hummer pulling a large trailer. The driver got out and walked up the steps to where she was sitting. "Hello, Cid," she said, rising from her seat.

The man tipped his watch cap to her. "Ma'am, a pleasure. Heard you've got a project for me and my trainee?"

"Got an old PBY sitting in building two of the derelict seaplane station," Kira said, grabbing her own cap from where it was hanging on the chair. "A couple of interested parties would like to have it restored to operational condition."

"Could be an easy job, could be a lot of work," Cid admitted as he waved a gesture back to his passenger. "Depends on what's there."

His trainee got out of the Hummer. She looked about ten years older than her actual age, and her blonde hair was cut short. A plain t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of worn boots completed her outfit. "Hi, I'm Sherrel," she said. "I'm Cid's trainee." Her voice was quiet.

Kira arched an eyebrow, but shook the woman's hand. "How's life been treating you?"

"Been through a rough patch recently," Sherrel answered. "I've made an effort to clean up my act, and try to make something of my life besides an early, unmarked grave."

"Naurelin is currently here," Kira told her. "Is this going to be a problem?"

"No ma'am," Sherrel answered. "I'll deal with that. Actually kinda grateful to her. Besides, I've met someone scarier."

Cid chuckled. "She got to witness what happens when a Villain interrupts Commander Jersey eating her apple pie."

Kira shook her head. "I don't see how that could be more frightening than an angry dragon, but I'm probably missing some critical information that I suspect I have no need to know."

Cid began laughing. "True, that."

Sherrel chuckled. "The price of my learning what is more frightening than a dragon was writer's cramp from all the paperwork I had to fill out."

Kira joined in the chuckling. "I'll unlock the gate to the access road and the hangar, then let you get settled in. Your help is already here, if one of Dragon's transports wasn't a clue.

"However, the only lodging available is with the kids and their counselors," Kira stated. "I know your clearances, Cid, are high enough that it shouldn't be a problem. The problem is you, Sherrel, or should I say the former Villain known as Squealer?"

"Yeah, it would be a problem, had I not already been through the paperwork dance about this subject," Sherrel muttered. "They'll know my identity, for sure, but whether I put the pieces together for their identities is on my own head.

"I mean, I don't really want to, but I already know Kid Win is a kid named Chris. Shitstain was considering grabbing him before he joined the Wards." They all climbed into the Hummer, and Cid started it and began driving down the road to the cabins. "Didn't really let the idea go after that, either, but at least he didn't try it.

"And Naurelin is way too recognizable, though I only know she's a really tall girl with long dark hair when out of costume."

The rest of the short drive passed in silence.

- - - - - - - - - -​

Bastard Son leaned back in his holding cell. He was getting prepped to be moved to another, more secure location. As a result of his arrest, the separation of his civilian and Cape identities had been obliterated faster than a snowball in a nuclear test.

He'd also discovered that his normal, Elite-funded legal representation was no longer available.

And, of course, there was the orange jumpsuit. That was just tacky. At least it wasn't dirty.

Still, he hadn't told them anything beyond his name, fully exercising his right to remain silent.

Too bad the PRT wasn't taking any chances with him. All his interrogation sessions, pointless as they were, were conducted by video link. Or on the other side of tempered glass dividers, and with voice-altering intercoms.

So, really, nothing to do except sit back and wait for either his new legal representation, or for the Patrician to make good on his concrete shoes and lead chaser threat. Or for that scary as fuck Cape he first encountered in Las Vegas the summer of 2010 to find him.

- - - - - - - - - -​

Old Erwin was getting his boat squared away for the day. He'd been out at the crack of dawn, to the spots Hunts-The-Ice had told him would frequently be good fishing; he'd been right. He'd already sold his catch to his usual customers and paid up his dock and fuel fees. He was looking forward to a day of drinking, and the unfortunate business of replenishing consumables for his boat.

He'd just climbed out of the pilot house when a voice called out. "Permission to come aboard?"

He looked out to see an old acquaintance dressed to fit in around the docks. Decent work clothes and boots on a large, fit man who was as old as Erwin. "Granted," Erwin replied. "Keep it short, though, I've got actual business to attend to."

"This is business, not a social call," the man said as he deftly climbed about the fishing boat. "Been a while, Erwin,"

"I was afraid of that, Paddy," Erwin replied as he finished stowing gear into a locker, then securing the lock. "I'm retired."

"I know, just asking. Would you at least look at it?" Paddy had a tablet out in his hand.

Erwin took the tablet, and scrolled through the document open on the device. "Answer's still no." He handed the tablet back.

"Can you recommend anyone else?" Paddy asked after tucking the tablet back into a pocket.

"Let's see… Victoria might. Marv's too paranoid. Ivan I haven't heard from in years. Bill's dead." Erwin shrugged as he locked the door to the pilot house and made sure his entirely legal hand cannon was in its concealed holster.

"They've all said no."

"Tried G-13?"

"Got shown the door." Meaning he was told he had ten seconds to leave before Duke would have put a 5.56mm cyanide laced bullet between his eyes.

"Then I can't help you." He gestured to the gangplank. "After you." Erwin left his boat behind and made his way towards where he kept his small car parked. "Normally, I wouldn't hesitate to off Bastard Son. He's not very well liked, and the reward for him, dead or alive, is substantial. However, there's someone scarier than me who wants him dead -- maybe. She's the kind to come up with worse. And I'm not going to get in her way."

"Would this-" Paddy asked, before he was interrupted by Erwin.

"No. She'd likely kill you for even suggesting it." Erwin unlocked the doors of his small compact car. "She's as scary as that dragon that's in the Wards. She wants revenge, not necessarily a body." Erwin gestured to the other door. "Get in, I'll give you a lift. It's about lunchtime. Care for a sandwich at Moe's?"

"Sure, why not," Paddy said before climbing in.

With that, the small car pulled out into the mid-day traffic of Brockton Bay.
 
Aaaaaah! It's a post, it's a post, it's a...

Badger badger badger badger badger badger badger mushroom mushroom!

Ahem.

And we're back. Editing creds to McClaw and JWizard39. Enjoy, and I'll be back later to read the comments.
 
Going back to the alternative DADA teachers topic...

"It is my great honor to introduce Professor Marisa Kirisame...why is magic itself suddenly screaming? And I'm being told every single book is missing from the Hogwarts library."
 
Is this Tia? Didn't she leave BS to be dealt with by the human authorities as Naurelin preferred?
I forget her name (both human and Draconic) but she's the Gold(?) Dragon who a teacher. Bastard Son had run into her in Vegas ( as mentioned) then recently walked into the bar while she was sharing a drink with Erwin, they recognised each other, and Son decided discresion is the better part of valor and quickly left with his tail between his legs.
 
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I see... not A Mother of Dragons in the future, but probably the coolest Aunt ever. Someone who deserves it...

Welcome back.

I forget her name (both human and Draconic) but she's the Gold(?) Dragon who a teacher. Bastard Son had run into her in Vegas ( as mentioned) then recently walked into the bar while she was sharing a drink with Erwin, they recognised each other, and Son decided discresion is the better part of valor and quickly left with his tail between his legs.

Crystrani aka Christine Lynn Johnson, is the young adult Silver Dragon that pulled Taylor out of the Locker. She's not public yet.
 
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