City Seat Circle

	The focal center of the city, the two lengths of Main Street meet 
here, forming a circular drive around which a number of important 
public buildings are situated. Erected in the small park in the center 
of Circle Drive is Beacon Harbor's Lady of Progress, a twenty five foot 
tall statue of a woman clad in armor, sword upraised, pointing to the 
brave new future for the city and it's inhabitants. A small fountain is 
positioned in front of the statue, and a number of benches are 
scattered around the small park, providing lots of places to sit; for 
lunch, to relax, or for the disenfranchised. Beneath the park is a vast 
underground structure that provides parking for the many government 
buildings that line the outer rim of the circle. Circle Drive splits 
off in three directions from here, northeast toward the financial 
district, northwest towards the commercial district, and southwest 
toward the monolithic residential district.

Edward Nigma emerges onto the Circle from the Badlands and casts a wary 
glance around in case of cops, or weird people who are friends of 
Sorcha's, or anything like that. There are some crazies about, y'know.

Blake is seated on the edge of the fountain, his trusty cappucchino by 
his side and his now-famous-with-some-people cloth bag at his other 
side. He's got his nose buried in a book and takes no notice of anyone 
for the time being.

Jethel walks up the street, heading towards West Main. Pulling his 
jacket tighter about himself, he frowns at the cold weather. As he 
pauses to wait for traffic before crossing into the Park, he glances 
towards the sky, silently cursing the weather gods that have sent the 
bitter chill.

Once again on his favorite perch, the Grey Dragon watches over 'his' 
city from the top of the Library. His tail is lashing thoughtfully, and 
he's not giving the Circle the attention he should - his mind is 
clearly elsewhere. Assuming one could see him from the street.

Edward Nigma spies Blake, and his eyes light up. *There* he is. That 
rotten little weasel who let Sorcha get away. Careless of traffic, he 
strides out into the road and makes a beeline for Blake.

Blake notices nothing, his mind fully absorbed in the horrors of Dr. 
Moreau's Island and the House of Pain. Oh, it's that creepy little 
sloth thing again--ick. He blindly reaches out to grope half-heartedly 
for his coffee.

Jethel crosses as the lights change, pausing only to throw the bird 
towards a driver that decided red doesn't mean stop after all. He paces 
down the sidewalk, his mind buisily working at todays difficulties.

DarkStorm's attention snaps back to the Circle. *There* he is. Course, 
he could have tracked him down at home, but decided that meeting him in 
a 'neutral' location like this would be more fun. He flashes a grin in 
the darkness. Time for to make one of his 'costumed' appearances. 
Silently, his form shrinks....

Edward Nigma just keeps going, apparently unaware of the stress he is 
causing to the drivers of those vehicles which barely miss him, until 
he's within easy earshot of Blake. He speaks clearly, his tone 
pleasant. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Yeah, uh-huh." Blake reaches the end of the paragraph and looks up 
casually. In a sudden movement, he's knocked his cappucchino in the 
fountain and has jumped up like he'd been stung by something. He kinda 
stares for a bit. "Um...yeah," he says carefully at last.

Jethel glances towards the fountain, watching the two men for a moment, 
as he turns away, he stops, suddenly frowning. Now where was he going 
again? "...dammit." he mutters to himself. Ever since that visit with 
dad, he's had a terrible short term memory. He jingles the change in 
his pocket distractedly, trying to remember where he was off to. . o (I 
must be getting old..)

BlackBolt snickers to himself, reminded of something his cousin did. He 
leaps down to the street. From the top of the building. (This feat may 
or may not be less impressive if one notes the flagpole he grabbed onto 
and flipped off of on the way down). He lands in a graceful three-point 
stance. Batman, eat your heart out. He's only distracted by... Jethel?

Edward Nigma is looking at Blake, to the exclusion of all else. Isn't 
it nice to be loved? "I owe you something," he says, his friendly tone 
still totally at odds with the pure fury in his eyes. "Can you remember 
what?"

Blake gazes at Nigma for a bit, the edge of his fear fading as he 
remembers that he technically came out on top in their last encounter. 
But he hasn't forgotten anything, either. "Um, let me think," he says, 
to stall for time. "A diamond necklasche."

Jethel sighs. Then feels eyes on him.. He looks around, ruby eyes 
carefully scanning his surroundings, looking for a familiar or 
unfamiliar face, as the case may be..

BlackBolt hesitates. But only for a moment. He wants to have a good 
three-hour conversation with Jethel, but that might have to wait until 
Eddie is unconscious. He strolls calmly over towards Eddie and Blake, 
his voice a rasp quite different from Jinrai's dulcet (?) tones "... is 
there a problem here?"

Jethel scowls, spotting the man in black. Well, obviously he didn't 
want anything, probably just staring. "Take a picture, why don't you.." 
he mutters, but watches as he joins the other two. He has the strange 
feeling something interesting is about to happen.

Edward Nigma looks over at the newcomer. "No," he says simply. And back 
to Blake again. "It wasn't that. I'm having a little trouble with my 
memory these days, but I'm sure I'd remember something like that." He 
muses.

Blake shifts his gaze to BlackBolt for a moment, unsure of what exactly 
this guy wants. "Not thisch schecond," he answers. "How long do you 
have?" He looks back at Nigma. "*Isch* there a problem here?" . o ( 
Please let there not be a problem. I would truly like a problem-free 
day. )

Jethel continues to watch the three, openly staring, really. A whiff of 
scent has reached him.. Familiar. He grunts, his vision going black and 
a painfull headache setting in. And a sudden strong urge to attack. His 
eyes open, gazing at the three..and narrowing at the man in black. He 
begins to move towards the group..

BlackBolt cracks his knuckes (he'd heard somewhere that it's supposed 
to be somewhat threatening) "Let me rephrase that. There's not going to 
*be* any problems, are there, Mr. Nigma?" He's forced to ignore Blake's 
comments - not because he wants to, but because grinning at him would 
ruin the effect he's trying to create. Scents in the air also warn him 
of Jethel's approach. He simply stares at Eddie, apparently noticing 
nothing else.

Edward Nigma blinks at Blackbolt. "It's so flattering when everyone 
knows your name. I feel like I should be in an episode of 'Cheers'." 
Back to Blake again. Dismissive little guy, isn't he? "Seen Sorcha 
lately?"

Blake makes a big show out of shrugging. "Of coursche I have," he says. 
"I schee her all the time. We went to dinner lascht night. It wasch the 
opera the other day. We're going camping next week." He raises an 
eyebrow at Nigma. "Why, sche promische you sche'd call or schomething?" 
Funny how suddenly brave he feels knowing there's at least one other 
person here to call an ambulance if needed.

Jethel's speed picks up as he nears the three, ending in a pounce 
towards BlackBolt, accompanied by a snarl of "You!" His eyes are full 
of rage, but for what reason? Didn't he and DS end on some kind of 
truce the last time they met..?

BlackBolt doesn't move. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to 
come with me, Mr. Nigma." Again, all part of the Image. What he *wants* 
to do is reach out and throttle Eddie, but he estimates that one more 
flip remark and it'll be okay to do just that. (There really should be 
a rulebook for heroes).
Of course, that whole 'plan', such as it was is utterly ruined as he 
turns towards the shout, surprised. Like the cat said, didn't we have a 
truce? The momentary surprise is just enough time for the pounce to 
connect, sending the costumed man sprawling.

Edward Nigma is about to say something really final and impressive to 
Blake, when suddenly a whole load of Stuff happens off to one side. He 
skips a couple of steps sideways, alarmed, and then turns a nasty grin 
on Blake. "Now that was unexpected."

Jethel snarls, leaping at BlackBolt, his rage making him more than a 
little sloppy. He's aiming a strike towards his face, to be followed 
with the other fist.. Still no real explanation as to what his 
'problem' is :)

Blake reacts with similar alarm to the pounce, then quickly gets back 
to watching Nigma carefully. "Okay," he says with a shrug. "What are 
you going to do to me? I don't have any weaponsch, I don't mind telling 
you that. What are *you* carrying, a thermonuclear detonator? You gonna 
usche it or you gonna schtare at me all day?" Blake *hates* suspense.

BlackBolt isn't distracted or surprised *now*. He brings his hands up 
to block the almost-random punches, while trying to maneuver his feet 
into pushing the crazed Jethel off of him. "Hey! What's gotten into 
you?" The rasp is gone.. though the shouting may still disguise his 
voice. (if not, oh well. There are more costumes where this one came 
from).

Edward Nigma positively *beams* at Blake. "It's not thermonuclear," he 
says in tones of mild reproach. "That would take out the whole city. 
I'm not crazy, you know." Oh, no, of course not. "I just want *you* 
dead. It's a whole different tactical problem."

Blake is silent for a minute. . o O ( Nice time for the cops to 
actually be leaving me alone. ) "Do you want to murder *every* guy 
whosche ever knocked you flat or am I schpeschial?" he manages.

Jethel snarls again, getting pushed back and landing rather 
ungracefully on his ass. He scrambles to his feet, dropping into a 
fighting stance.. And hissing "You..You're the reason she's dead!" ..A 
small part of his mind distantly wonders what the hell he himself is 
talking about.. But is blocked by the raw utter rage that has filled 
him. What *has* gotten into him, indeed? He is blind to the other two..

BlackBolt kippups to his feet, growling. He remembers the rasp as he 
echoes Jethel's thought "What the *hell* are you talking about?" One 
leg shifts backwards into a defensive pose, his arms moving to protect 
his body. Except for the people on X's ship, he hasn't killed anyone 
recently. And they don't count.

Edward Nigma chuckles. "It's just you," he lies. "You're a loudmouth." 
He sticks his hands in his pockets, tilts his head and regards Blake 
thoughtfully. "You remind me of someone," he adds.

Blake frowns, envisioning various persons--most of them repulsive 
cartoon characters--that he would imagine Nigma would liken him to. 
And, the suspense is getting thicker. "Yeah, who?" he asks, defeated.

Jethel just growls in response, not really having an answer to 
BlackBolts question. Instead, he hurls a fireball at him, accompanied 
by another snarl of rage. "Your fault!"

BlackBolt was prepared for.. something. Not necessarily that, but he's 
still on the move, diving to the ground in another somersault to stand 
up a few feet to the side of his previous location. He's in an odd pose 
now, fingers curled reflexively... He holds that pose for a moment, 
then returns the favor, lunging towards Jethel in an attempt to bring 
him to the ground... and to restrain those hands before any more fire 
is launched at his face.

Edward Nigma shakes his head at Blake. "Nobody important. He seems to 
have gone missing, anyway. He had a mouth like yours...oh, no, wait. 
His worked." Nasty personal comment of the day there. The lunacy behind 
him goes totally unnoticed. He's GOOD at not noticing things.

Blake barely even blinks at the insult. He's noticed the fireball, 
anyways. "Hey, look," he says to Nigma, in a sort of pseudo-friendly 
way. "The schtreetsch are getting crowded--oh lookit that, he'sch 
jumping at him--scho *I'm* going to go...inschide, schomewhere. Maybe 
we can chat again, hm?" He gathers up his bag and, leaving The Island 
of Dr. Moreau laying where it fell in the snow, turns to hasten away.

Jethel is indeed tackled..and restrained. Well, his hands, at least. He 
flails, kicking at BlackBolt viciously. He bares his teeth much like an 
animal, hissing quiet enough that probably only BlackBolt would hear 
"Evil dragons...If it weren't for you, she'd still be alive!" ..And 
still, he isn't quite sure why these words are making their way from 
his mouth.. Wondering at his rage. But that sensible part of himself is 
small and distant.

BlackBolt growls, taking the kicks with little emotion. He growls back 
"I'm *not* - oof - letting go - oof - until you tell me - oof - what 
you're talking about..." Okay, he *thought* he was going to just 
weather the kicks. He tries to drop his knees on Jethel's legs, to save 
his stomach from any more indignities.

Edward Nigma takes two quick strides towards Blake and grabs at his 
arm. "Don't you *dare* walk away from me, you sputtering imbecile," he 
snarls. It should be noted that his other hand is still in his pocket. 
"I can take out this whole Circle, you *know* I can, so just don't you 
even try it."

Well, it's kind of like a hostage situation now...in a weird sort of 
way. Blake turns around quickly. "What the hell do you want me to do?" 
he says, still scared but somehow offended that Nigma would threaten 
the--er, *his* city. "You got a bomb in your pocket or are you juscht 
pissched to schee me? Go on, take it out. I want to schee this 
doomschday devische of yoursch."

Jethel manages to twist to the side, effectively out from under 
BlackBolt. He kicks out to the side, then sweeps back in, slamming his 
leg against BlackBolt in the hopes of shoving him away and breaking his 
hold. "You dare to pretend not to know? I know you, beast! Like my own 
hands I know you.. And your a murdurer!" And once he says it, he 
believes it to be true.. A sudden memory flicking into his mind.. And 
how is he to know it isn't a real one? "You killed my mother!"

BlackBolt blinks "I did *what*?" He's knocked to the side again, 
landing a few feet away. Watch it, Raiu. Whatever truce you *had*, it's 
obviously gone. Along with Jethel's sanity. I think Eddie is contageous 
or something. The flickering starts up again as he realizes he's going 
to have to KO the cat quickly.

Edward Nigma lets go of Blake's arm when he turns, and backs off a 
pace. He's got no intention of ending up in a brawl with this guy. "You 
stinking little idiot," he says, and it's probably obvious to anyone 
who's in a position to see that he's gone totally over the edge. "If I 
can take you with me it'll be a relief." Someone better do something. 
Or we could just all die. It's a nice day for it, after all.

BlackBolt is dealing with an insane fire-slinging meta. Kinda like 
Sorcha, only this one has claws and stuff.

Jethel is definetly a little out of it by now.. Eyes wild, he leaps to 
his feet..only to dissapear in a wall of fire that roars rather 
suddenly out of the ground....

Firecat is revealed when the fires drop as suddenly as they had 
risen..and drops to all fours, snarling and preparing to spring at 
BlackBolt.

Blake stands there a moment, trying to get a hold of his panic--and his 
big mouth, which seems to be getting bigger all the time, don't think 
he hasn't noticed. "Okay. Okay," he says, trying to calm them both 
down. "Scho you've got a detonator in your pocket, right, gotcha." He 
swallows. "Okay, you got me. Don't schet it off here. What do you want 
me to do?"

Edward Nigma can't not notice the flames that erupted like that. He is 
not, after all, Mike. And besides, fire means Sorcha. He turns, 
startled.

Blake jumps in fright at the flare, and stumbles backwards away from 
Nigma. The fight between the two strangers has become almost as 
important as his own hostage situation. Fancy that.

The black-masked 'metahuman' takes only a moment to decide... half of 
the reason he wears a costume like this is so that he can shift without 
connecting Jinrai to DarkStorm - and BlackBolt can disappear, if need 
be. The electric flicker around his arms builds until it surrounds his 
entire body, then there's a *flash*.
Dragon once again, DarkStorm growls back, "...i *don't* know what 
you're talking about. ..i'm ssure if i did i'd happily taunt you about 
it while you're trying to kill me..." Hey, Eddie *is* contageous.

Firecat roars a response, and a wall of fire erupts before him..flowing 
towards DarkStorm like water..

Edward Nigma doesn't seem alarmed by the sudden appearance of a dragon. 
In fact, he's positively delighted. The only dragon he knows very well 
is Asta, and he's *always* happy to see her. However, the wall of fire 
*does* frighten him and his eyes widen in horror. The dragon's gonna 
get hurt!

You don't think DS is staying on the *ground*, do you? The fire wavers 
momentarily in the downdraft as DS leaps into the air. To quote 
Smerdiuk Dragonbane (no relation to Duncan), 'He who controls the high 
ground controls the battle. A dragon a-wing controlls the highest 
ground of all'. Time to hope that Smerdiuk was right about that, at 
least. (Pity Inferno The Red killed him before he could write a sequel, 
eh?)

While the fight between Jethel and BlackBolt had initiated the 
pedestrians giving the brawlers a wide berth, the fireball had sent a 
couple screaming. Of course, the transformations have caused a panic, 
and now bystanders are scrambling in every direction to clear the 
streets. Cars slam on their brakes and slide over the snow, hitting 
eachother. Yes, another delightful day in The Fair City.

Blake has spoken to this dragon but still doesn't know if it is in 
itself evil-minded or whatnot. Of course, being a dragonphile, he would 
like to believe that it is not. In any case, this is getting messy. But 
even if Nigma doesn't set off his little toy, these two entities may 
wind up destroying this part of the city themselves. Taking his bag 
with him, he tries to sneak off to the other side of the fountain, 
hoping Nigma's forgotten about him.

Firecat snarls in frustration as the dragon rises from the ground. His 
main quarry out of his reach, he turns to the nearist back up.. Yes, 
he's definetly on a berserk now. The red eyes land on Blake, and a leap 
takes him to right in front of the unfortunate fellow.. He growls, 
tensing to attack the fleeing one.

Edward Nigma watches the dragon take off - good, good - and spins to 
follow the big lion-tiger-thingy's path. "HEY!" he yells, indignant. 
That's *his* homicide, dammit. "Get the hell away!"

Great, the cat's on a rampage. DarkStorm twists in mid-air, to dive 
back downwards towards the rampaging kitty-cat, claws extended. Let's 
see if holding him down is any easier like this...

Firecat halts, and turns to look at Eddie with those glowing red 
eyes...And doesn't even see the dragon zooming down on him. Poor kitty 
could be in real trouble in a moment..

Blake staggers as Firecat lands in front of him. "Oh, augh, Crischt!" 
he yelps, and holds his bag in front of him like a shield. He tries to 
keep from bolting--as he recalls, bolting is Bad when a big angry 
predatory animal is crouching in front of you.

Sirens wail as the police begin to arrive, carefully making their way 
around the traffic pileups. "Christ on a hill!" swears Officer Maguire, 
stumbling out of his car. His partner Officer Funk just stares through 
the windshield, his mouth hanging open. This wasn't in the manual. 
Though in this 'berg, maybe it should have been.

Edward Nigma isn't even slowed down by the huge enormous kittycat, 
whatever shaky grip he had on the real world long gone. "You don't get 
to eat him, he's mine to kill, get away!" he yells. He can shout pretty 
loud, for a human.

Gotcha! Hopefully. Darkstorm tackles the fiery puma, taking care *not* 
to sink his claws too deeply into the cat's skin - can't get answers 
from a dead kitty, after all. Mostly he's using his now-considerible 
weight to keep the cat immobile. (note: this may not be Raiu's 
brightest idea) ".. *no* eating people!..."

Firecat snarls, wriggling..but defenetly pinned. The dragon does 
outweigh him by a bit. However, he has a few tricks left..Fire erupts 
from his fur just around DS's talons..At a *very* high temp. That could 
hurt :/

Seeing that he's not going to be mauled right now, Blake takes the 
opportunity to try and make his way away from the two nonhumans--when 
he almost runs over Nigma. "Uh, you schtill here?" he attempts to 
remark conversationally. "Looksch like you won't need your little party 
favor anymore, huh?" He backs off, still clutching his bag to his chest 
and glancing back and forth between his two main worries.

Edward Nigma brushes right past Blake, attempting to give the man a 
shove as he goes past, but not really paying too much attention. He 
hollers at the cat in pure fury. "YOU LEAVE THAT DRAGON ALONE!!!" Might 
not help, but hey.

The unmistakable "chopchopchop" of a helicopter cuts in from above. No, 
it's not a police chopper, God forbid they'd get anywhere immediately. 
It's a newscopter. The Public Has a Right To Know...what's going to 
destroy part of their city *this* time.

DarkStorm still hasn't noticed the cops or other passerby. For obvious 
reasons. He hisses and jumps back and upwards, releasing the cat from 
his grasp, hovering a few feet in the air, his scorched talons hanging 
painfully. . o O (BRILLIANT, Raiu. Just brilliant.) Maybe.. maybe he 
can take advantage of Firecat's state of mind. Maybe. Like his last 
idea, this may not be a stroke of genius. His jaw drops to allow a bolt 
of lightning to arc to the ground just *behind* Firecat, slamming into 
the pavement with a crack of thunder. Hopefully, it'll scare him into 
running.

Firecat lands on his feet..Appropriately ;) And does indeed jump at the 
lightning. Its enough to give him pause, and snap him out of full 
berserk mode. Enough so that he looks about, and spys the cops, the 
helicoper. Somewhere in his kitty brain, it registers as a big "uh oh" 
situation. He turns, looking for an out..and can't find a clear way. A 
soft snarl escapes him again, and he turns again.. Then chooses a 
direction. None can be worse than any other.. He charges out of the 
park..And straight for one of the copcars, intending to vault over it.

Maguire gapes as the big feline bounds right for him. In a flash, his 
revolver is out, and pointed at Firecat's head. But somewhere in 
Maguire's brain is the sheer disbelief that this is even happening, and 
he doesn't fire as Firecat hurtles over his car. Inside, Funk stays 
put, and watches the cat's trajectory. Later, he would tell his buddies 
at the precinct that he had actually attempted to wrestle it to the 
ground. Noone would believe him.

Blake steadies himself by grabbing at the base of the fountain. The cat 
has run away. Okay...good. The dragon is still there but that might be 
good too. Oh and...weird guy with the eerie grin is still there...not 
good. The place might *still* get demolished. So, he...heads back to 
the other side of the fountain, again. Maybe the dragon'll eat him.

Edward Nigma is brought to a sudden stop, not by the lightning, or the 
cat, but by the thunder. He *hates* thunderstorms. And the real world 
slowly begins to filter back in again. Look. Cops. All over the place. 
Bad thing. He looks around, suddenly terrified.
The newscopter seems to hesitate, first starting to follow Firecat, 
then coming back to the Circle. The inhabitants are probably hoping for 
more lightning.

Firecat lands neatly..oblivious to how close he just came to haveing a 
nice piece of lead through his skull. He takes once glance back..and 
charges off into the night.

DarkStorm lets Firecat get away. Time to talk to him later. When things 
aren't so crowded, and there's no chance of a hell-copper following him 
wherever he goes. He dives again, trying to cut off Eddie's escape 
route. ".. where do you think *you're* going?..." The cops register 
dimly, but... he just hopes he doesn't get shot at.

Most of the cops are busy jabbering into their CB's trying to get more 
detailed instructions than "Stop it."

Blake peers around the fountain at the dragon and Nigma. . o O ( Go on, 
eat his liver. Iron is good for you. )

Edward Nigma blinks, relaxing noticeably. The dragon's still around, 
yay. "Home?" he says hopefully.

The chopper flies lower, the noise of its blades increasing as it 
descends. Inside, a woman in a red blouse can be seen chattering 
excitedly into a microphone as a skinny pockmark-faced guy aims a 
camera over her shoulder.

DarkStorm growls as he drops surprisingly silently to the ground - 
growls because he just landed on his scorched forepaws. ".. no... 
you're not..." He raises his voice from a growl to full roar "... 
here'ss the man who blew up the sskysscratcher last night... he casst a 
plasstic counting sspell at the building..."

The police react to the dragon's raised voice more than his words, and 
many scramble behind their cars, still clutching their CB's like 
lifelines.

Blake comes out a bit more from behind the fountain, watching and 
listening but not saying anything yet.

Edward Nigma gapes at the dragon in disbelief. This situation requires 
a sudden shift in mental gears which he's not currently equipped for, 
so instead he latches onto the odd way the dragon phrased that. 
"Counting spell?" he says. Where's he heard someone put it like *that* 
before?

DarkStorm waits a moment. Aren't they supposed to .. arrest Eddie or 
something? Or at least *not* run away? ".. are you *lisstening* to 
me?..." He looks at Eddie a moment, but doesn't answer. Come on, take 
Eddie away so I can get back into the air! My feet are killing me...

Maguire finds a megaphone thrust into his hands. "Zwyck wants *you* to 
get the creature's demands," hisses the officer who had delivered it. 
"Me??" whines Maguire incredulously, but he finally steps forward. 
"What do you want with us?" he calls out to DarkStorm over the 
megaphone. "Why have you come?" Surely *this* isn't in the manual, 
either.

Blake comes around the side of the fountain now, carefully watching the 
both of them. "I don't think...they're going to lischten to you," he 
says to DarkStorm. "I think...they're a bit too buschy...um, panicking. 
Maybe you schould write Congressch."

DarkStorm stares openly at Maguire. . o O (I knew they were corrupt. I 
didn't think they were *deaf*...) he speaks slowly. ".. i want you... 
to arresst thiss man... for blowing up that building..." He gestures 
with a still-smouldering forepaw to.. well, to that building. Finally, 
finally, he notices Blake. And remembers him, of course. "... i'm 
afraid you're right..." Congressch? What's a congressch?

The chopper suddenly veers away, and vanishes over the buildings.

Edward Nigma's eyes widen as realization dawns. It would have been a 
*lot* quicker if he was closer to his right mind. "You," he tells DS, 
in a considerably quieter tone than Jethel did.

Maguire hesitates, then is seen handing the megaphone back to the 
officer who had given it to him. He turns to confer with Funk, who 
finally comes out of the squad car, shaken. They slowly begin to 
approach DarkStorm and Nigma as the remaining bystanders murmer in 
confusion.

Blake starts to worry. "You schould go," he tells DarkStorm. "That cat 
had the right idea. You don't want them to catch you, or...anything."

DarkStorm nods to Blake, but frowns at Eddie ".. me *what*?.." He 
suspects he knows, actually, but doesn't know *why*...

A newsvan drives up to the scene as far as the mess and police will 
allow, and the same reporter and cameraman from the helicopter pile 
out. The reporter begins to spiritedly try to get closer to the 
fountain.

Edward Nigma waves a finger at the dragon. "You were here yesterday. 
When I - when the explosion happened. I'm not an idiot, you know." Oh, 
hey, Eddie? Police are coming... He looks in the direction of the cops 
and starts another trip to Panicville, looking for an escape route.

Funk and Maguire come within about five yards of the dragon before 
hesitating. While Maguire's hands are empty, Funk's got both hands 
plastered to the butt of his holstered revolver. "Okay, you, buddy," 
says Maguire, beckoning to Nigma. "Yeah you. Can you step away from 
the--um...from the dragon. We need to have a word with you."

That, unfortunately, is what DarkStorm *thought* he'd say. But with the 
cops heading this way, he's not going to kill Eddie here and now. He 
doesn't know Jinrai's name, does he? He can't remember. And now's not 
the time to start asking quesions. ".. he'ss all yourss.." He spreads 
his wings... getting too close here for him...

Blake blinks. Maybe Nigma *is* going to be arrested. Pleased, he takes 
a step away. "Not so fast, Sullivan," says Maguire suddenly. "I see you 
there too. Come on, we're going to have a little chat." Blake eeps 
audibly.

Edward Nigma points a shaky finger at the cops. "You back off," he 
says. "Leave me alone. I won't go back, I won't!" Warning, bad moment 
approaching.

Funk and Maguire hesitate at the statement and the tone, then 
automatically both draw their weapons. "Okay buddy, *now*," orders 
Maguire. "We're going for a little ride. Don't give us a hard time 
because it will only bounce right back at you."

DarkStorm still hasn't taken off. He's actually waiting to hear of 
Eddie starts blathering about him (fortunately, telling the cops that 
he *has* a human form is no big news - that's been known since it was 
caught on blurry film a few months back - he's making sure no names are 
mentioned...

Blake uh-ohs to himself, then begins to make frantic throat-slashing 
gestures at the cops. This could be Real Bad. He looks at DarkStorm. 
"Well, it wasch nische scheeing you again," he says miserably. "Too bad 
we all have to die now."

Edward Nigma starts backing up, terrified, and fumbles a Death Marble 
(tm) out of his pocket. "I said back off!" he yells, a note of hysteria 
entering his voice. "I'll kill the whole lot of you, get away from me!"

The reporter reaches the front of the crowd, and thrusts her microphone 
in a cop's face. "Sir! Sir!" she says. "Becky Beaner from KLT News. Can 
you tell our viewers what's happened here?" "What the freakin' Sam Hill 
is *that*?" responds the cop, pointing at the Marble.

Maguire freezes, putting out a hand to stop Funk's approach. "What *is* 
that?" he demands. "Okay, pal, take it easy. No funny stuff, now."

"Back off, Maguire," shouts Blake suddenly. "You *don't* want to know 
what that isch. Get *out* of here!" he cries, turning on DarkStorm.

DarkStorms eyes widen at the marble - sure, he didn't actually *see* it 
being used, but Eddie was throwing it around yesterday. And Blake 
doesn't like it. It must be *somewhat* dangerous... He stands there, 
wings half-spread, poised to leap into the air. "... but... if i 
go...."

Edward Nigma keeps backing away, concentrating on the police now, not 
the dragon and certainly not the little twit he was so intent on 
murdering. "Back up!" he yells. "Go on, get away!"

Murmurs of "What *is* that?" emenate from the crowd. Becky strains even 
now to get closer but is held back by two cops.

Maguire and Funk lower their revolvers and take a step or two back. 
"Okay, take it easy, now," says Funk unsteadily. "Sullivan! Get over 
here!" hisses Maguire.

Blake looks uncertainly up at DarkStorm, but doesn't leave his side. 
"Hey, um, Nigma," he calls. "Come on, schettle down...they don't know 
what that thing isch. Juscht put it away, and we'll all schay it wasch 
all a mischtake...Do you think they'd buy it?" he asides to DarkStorm.

DarkStorm frowns, but keeps an eye on the Marble Of Death.... lie to 
protect *Eddie*? "... it wass not a misstake..." pause ".. what *iss* 
that thing?..." That seems to be the question of the hour, doesn't it?

Edward Nigma is unconvinced either by the lowering of those guns or by 
Blake's words. "Moron," he snaps at DS, this being more-or-less 
automatic.

Becky finally manages to squirm past the two cops, and actually gets 
very near DarkStorm. "Sir!" she whispers urgently at Blake into her 
microphone. "Can *you* tell us what that thing is?" Blake stares at 
her, then finally slips over to her. He takes hold of her wrist and 
holds it out at arm's-length so his voice won't be picked up on the 
microphone. "That'sch some kind of an exschposchive," he whispers. "The 
guy isch unschtable. Everyone schould evacuate the area." 

Becky blinks at him, then, taking a few steps back, announces into her 
microphone loudly for the nearest cops and bystanders to overhear: "KLT 
news update: City Seat Circle is being held hostage by a madman 
weilding a bomb! I repeat, a mad bomber is on the loose in City Seat! 
Everyone is advised to get clear of the area at once!"

The effect of this statement is electric. The crowd, who were more 
fascinated than frightened, lauches into a full-scale panic. The cops 
are no match for it. Soon the place is a roiling mass of fleeing 
bodies. Funk and Maguire are too disoriented to keep their eyes on 
Nigma or Blake.

Blake swears loudly and jumps onto the edge of the fountain. "*Now* get 
out of here!" he yells at DarkStorm.

Yeah, that sounds about right. When the humans start panicking, it's 
time to *leave*. ".. good luck..." he hisses at Blake, as DarkStorm 
finally completes that leap, his wings catching the air and lifting him 
higher, until he's lost to normal sight, but still watching the scene 
from far above.

Edward Nigma bolts, for once oblivious to slurs on his sanity, just 
wanting to get away. He isn't particularly tall or particularly 
distinctive, and should lose himself in the crowd fairly easily.

Blake has to leap to the center of the fountain and hang on to the 
statuary, getting quite wet in the process, in order to survive the 
throng. "The Library'sch gonna be ticked," he thinks. "I have no idea 
where that book hasch gotten to."

+++++++++++++

The resulting news report was posted the next day:

+++++++++++++

Anyone channel-surfing last night may have come across the following 
live newscast:

Reporter Becky Beaner, a pretty brunette dressed all in red, beams into 
the camera. City Seat Circle--teeming with panicking, fleeing 
civillians--is visible behind her. The police is there as well, 
attempting crowd control. The SWAT team is beginning to arrive.

Becky: This is Becky Beaner for KLT news...The panic that had swept 
City Seat earlier this evening when a fight broke out between two 
monstrous creatures has been rekindled at the news that there is a mad 
bomber loose in the city. Everyone is advised to remain inside until 
the danger has passed--Officer! Officer! What instructions do the 
police have for the people of Beacon Harbor?

Officer Funk, a skinny, nervous-looking cop: Everyone, uh, is advised 
to remain inside until the...until the danger has passed. Has anyone 
seen my car? (He wanders off in a daze)

Becky: Um, yes. Let's get an eyewitness report from a bystander--Ma'am! 
KLT news. Can you tell us exactly what you saw tonight?

Old woman: Oh my goodness, is that a camera?

Becky: Yes. Could you give us the lowdown on the mad bomber?

Old woman: I don't know about any mad bomber...but that lion nearly 
trampled my poor Harry...isn't that right, Pookums?

Harry: Yap! Yap!

Becky: Could you tell us about this lion?

Old woman: Well, it was red and breathed fire.

Becky: You must admit that's unusual.

Old woman: Oh yes. I was expecting the dragon to breathe fire. But it 
didn't. It spat lightning.

Becky: How close were you to the dragon?

Old woman: I'm not sure. I left my glasses on the bus. How close am I 
to you?

Becky: Nevermind. Thank you. It looks as if the police are arresting 
someone...Officer! Officer! Becky Beaner from KLT News--

Officer Maguire, a large, surly-looking cop: Becky Beaner! I'm a big 
fan!

Becky: Of course you are. Who is this person you are arresting? What 
has he done?

Maguire: This? This is nobody important. But he might know who this 
bomber is. We're taking him in for questioning.

Blake: If it'sch multiple choische, like lascht time, I'm out of there.

Maguire: Shaddup, ya bum. Into the car.

Becky: Well, at least it looks like somebody may be able to identify 
this madman. And so, while the police attempt to recover order and 
sanity in what has become a torrent of chaos, everyone is reminded to 
stay indoors until this danger has passed from our city. Today: Fire-
breathing lions, lightning-spewing dragons, and bomb-weilding maniacs. 
Tomorrow: We can only imagine. This is Becky Beaner, for KLT News, 
Channel 15.

Thanks to Firecat, DarkStorm, and Edward Nigma for a fun scene. Contact 
any of us with questions. ;) --Blake, who didn't die *this* time...