Chapter 32: Blades in the North

[Mierin]

Gabby rolls her eyes. "Geez, pardon me for wanting to catch up with an old friend!" Shaking her head, Gabby muses, "What is world coming to. I tell ya, no manners!"

When Dracula finally emerges, Gabby sighs. "This game is soooo disappointing. None of the characters look like the hot actors in their movies." Shrugging, she muses. "Oh well." Amused at Blade's missing Dracula, Gabby raises an eyebrow at the mention of the offer. "Now hold up - is this where you offer to make us your lackeys if we let you do what you want? Cause I gotta say, the whole crazy, eating flies Renfield look doesn't suit me!"

[doc]

(Wolverine)

The scent of raw fear James Hudson told you everything you needed to know; he was afraid, to the point of near-paralysis. Attacking Smart Alec clearly took every remaining ounce of courage, and now he was helpless as Alec turned towards him. "You think I can't hack your suit too, Hudson? God, you're somehow even more arrogant than an American - what, you think you're the Tony Stark of the Great White North? LOOK AT YOU! A twice-dead coward! You don't even realize the potential of your suit! You can channel the entire electromagnetic spectrum! You can-" Alec's eyes met Wolverine's. He gulped audibly.

Maverick drew a knife with his remaining hand. "Anti-Metal Vibranium. They say it can even cut your bones - let's find-"

His words were cut off as Snowbird mauled him in the form of a polar bear. Windshear was still laying on the floor. "Need a moment to reboot my systems."

(Tabitha)

Cap and Gyrich covered the group as they made their way to the hangar. Atlas was clearly dazed. "Sorry...can't fight as good at this height. Not strong enough. Not tough enough. Sorry."

You entered the large hangar to find the combined teams (plus Blade) face to face with Dracula.

(Gabby and Blink)

"You wound me, child." Dracula looked over to Gabriel. "I am offering you...all of you, protection."

"What the fuck are you even talking about?" Blade simmered.

"Oh! I know!" Puck hopped next to Blink. "This is the part where he says he's willing to use vampires to fight the Great Beasts!" He gave a stage whisper to Gabby. "Your Wendigos, evil sasquatches, and the like. We get a few of them from time to time."

"I-" Dracula was caught off-guard by Puck. "...that's perhaps an oversimplification, dwarf. However, the essence is correct. My Midnight Empire can form a bulwark against the supernatural terrors. We offer immortality to any who would join our ranks."

"Live forever as a souless suckhead." Blade spat out as he reloaded his shotgun. "That's a no-deal."

"Eric, my old foe, do you know how many would gladly make the bargain in exchange for the long life you've lived?" Dracula sneered. "You are nearly a century, boy, but I'm older still."

"Still a no." Brooks took aim at Dracula's head.

"Then you lead these poor souls into a slaughter, for no quarter will be asked or given. Look at your soldiers," He gestured to the Alpha Flight members. "Already near the point of exhaustion - worn down from previous battles in both battle in spirit - still hobbled by grief of fallen friends. I'm offering a means to let at least some of you leave here, unharmed."

"And? What do you want?"

"A decimation; one in ten to remain to serve me. I'll allow for volunteers before conscripts." Dracula responded. "Is that not generous?"

[kurff]

"Oh! I know!" Puck hopped next to Blink. "This is the part where he says he's willing to use vampires to fight the Great Beasts!" He gave a stage whisper to Gabby. "Your Wendigos, evil sasquatches, and the like. We get a few of them from time to time."

Great beasts, Wendigos? I really need to learn to read Canadian. she thinks, drawing pins.

"Puck, what do you Canadians put in your maple syrup to attract Wendigo and Sasquatches? and tell me you Frankenstein and the wolfman on speed-Dial..." she asks with a smirk.

[dakota]

"It's okay big guy. We all have our faults." Tabitha replied, trying to cheer up Atlas. "I mean look at me. Can you imagine if Cap had a brainfart and left me in charge of something. Or worse," she trailed off as they entered in time to hear the exchange between Blade and Dracula. She uttered lowly, "Times like this I wish I had a sword. At least a little room to grow in here, big guy. Too bad Leech is still too close to rely on armoring up."

[yendorj]

“Alec, stand aside.” His words leaving no room for argument or discussion and in fact, a barely veiled threat. “You got it.” Helping Windshear to sit up claws still out. “Leave him barely alive Snowbird.”

[Mierin]

Gabby raises an eyebrow at Dracula's 'generous' offer. Seriously? Isn't that basically what I said? Well, except for that last part.' Not hiding the sarcasm, Gabby says, "Wow, gee, you'll let one of us volunteer to be your slave until you kill us. Soooooooo generous!" Scoffing, Gabby adds, "I'll pass, thanks. I got shit to do."

[doc]

(Wolverine)

Sweat dripped down Smart Alec's face as he backed away from Wolverine. His back hit the wall, and tendrils of metal grasped at him. "Wait? What?"

You could see the tendrils drilling into Alec's helmet, and you could see their origin point: Madison Jeffries, still embedded in the wall.

"NO! NO! MY MIND! HE'S AFTER MY MIND! HELP ME! HELLLPPPPPP!" Alec howled.

Windshear's voice was frigid. "So sorry - suit's rebooting."

Snowbird had thoroughly mauled the vampiric Maverick, driving him into the ground, his arms fully detached.

James struggled to his feet. "My suit's drained...but Heather...Heather's the answer. We've got to get to her, Logan."

(Gabby, Tabitha, Blink)

Puck chuckled at Blink's comment. "After this? I'll get you a drink and we'll talk, gal." He winked.

Looking about, the odds were looking worse: Only Guardian, Puck, and Radius were still standing. Weapon Omega was still locked in combat with the Wild Child vampire. Captain America and Atlas provided some reinforcements, but not much.

Dracula sighed at Gabby's comment. "So crass for one so young and pretty. I should have expected no better from Americans." Blade swung at him, but mystic sigils lit up around Dracula and pinned the Daywalker to the floor. "A magnetism spell - do you think I would render myself defenseless against your simple brute skills, Brooks?" He tsked. "Now, let's see who shall be the first to fall?" He looked at Tabitha. "Yes, you'll do nicely." He darted towards Tabitha with more speed than she would have thought possible. Before she knew it, her vision filled with his open mouth, long fangs and a gasp.

A gasp of horror. He pointed at her.

No, she realized. Not at her.

At the Star of David on her neck.

"...A Christ-killer?" Dracula hissed. "You think that will protect you? I will-"

His words were cut off by a giant fist batting him aside.

"Nah." Atlas puffed at 25 feet tall. "She's got a team for that."

Captain America called out. "Protect the civilians and evac them to the planes."

Gyrich grabbed Leech. "I'll get this one out of your way - do your jobs." He gave Tabitha a nod.

Guardian hovered next to Blade. "I'll demagnetize Blade. I need a team to pin down Wild Child. The rest of you? Give cover and pour it on Dracula. Alpha! Avengers!"

Cap finished. "ASSEMBLE."

[yendorj]

"Not much there for him, is there Alec?" Nods to James. "I'm on it."

[dakota]

Tabitha flinched and tried to go intangible as Dracula closed on her. Nothing happened because Leech was still affecting her, but she couldn’t understand why the vampire had stopped. By the time she did, a giant sized hand swatted Dracula aside, and she caught herself sliding her fingers down the chain to the medallion around her neck.

She looked at Atlas and smiled, “Great timing, you big lug. You heard the lady, let’s thump this bloodsucker.” She armored up as Leech moved out of range and her powers returned. “Fastball special?”

[Mierin]

Dracula sighed at Gabby's comment. "So crass for one so young and pretty. I should have expected no better from Americans."

Gabby looks offended. "I'll have you know I'm half Canadian on my dad's side, ya big hoser!" Extending her two blades to full length. Gabby grins when the others show up and Cap calls for them to assemble. "Ok, that was awesome! Almost as good as that scene in Endgame. Anyone else got goose bumps?"

[kurff]

Puck chuckled at Blink's comment. "After this? I'll get you a drink and we'll talk, gal." He winked.

"And here I thought dealing aliens and clubbing with Racoons was weird." she grinned, "and Gabby, fewer goosebumps more like blisters..Mental note carry wooden stakes and garlic in my purse.." she stated, "Say what time of the day is it now?" she looked at her watch then drew out an arrow notching and charging the arrow. Just like she did in the previous fight in New York.

Time to use what Hawkeye taught me...

Strike: mRDuwVWN1d20+2
Damage: 1d61d20+2·1d6

[doc]

(Wolverine)

Windshear rose to his feet. "I'd take you both, but someone needs to stay with Snowbird so she has cover against vampire-Maverick."

"Don't worry, I've got it covered." Hoarse and cracking, you hear Madison Jeffries' voice as he emerges from the wall. "Sorry, I couldn't...I needed a neuro-electric shock. I could have...but I didn't want to hurt anyone." He sighed. "But...Heather's in danger." He shared a look with James that spoke volumes. "Lil's in danger. I have to do something. I'll help Snowbird."

"Madison? Are you sure?"

As if in response, a flurry of metal and wires sprung from the lab to cover the Alpha Flight technopath.



"ALPHA FLIGHT MEMBER BOX REPORTING FOR DUTY."

"Bloody right." Windshear grabbed Logan and James. "Hang on tight, gents. I'm going to get us to the hangar at max velocity. That sound'll be your ears popping." He took off carrying you.

(Blink, Ghostsabre, Gabby, and Wolverine)

Atlas smirked as he picket Tabitha up. "Coming right up." He reeled his arm back and pitched.

syhSY1qW1d20+2

(Tabitha - roll Strike and damage - add 1d6x10+20 to your damage roll)

Blink's shot hits the ceiling and exposes the night sky and the northern lights



"Yeah, we got like, 22 hours of night this time of year. Got an exit for the planes though." Puck consoled Blink.

Gabby finds herself back to back with Blade as a legion of Vampires advance. "You ready to get real, little girl?"

Windshear arrives with Logan and James. Logan can smell blood and death in the air, but he also catches a familiar scent.

His son, Daken. The son he only recently learned existed. Who hated him.

And he saw him fighting the vampire that had recently been Wild Child, a man whom had been cursed with a furious nature too much like his own.1d20+2

[yendorj]

Sighs thinking. 'The stuff I step in trying to socialize.'
"Daken, Wild Child. Break it up now or I'll do it for you." Claws popping clear. Though not hesitant to fight, given Wild Child is a vamp, willing or not is unknown, doesn't want to maul the kid.

[kurff]

"22 hours, that prevents sunlight exposure...unless we can stun him and I can teleport him in a place on earth that is in the sun...Bring the mountain to Mohamad as it were." she smiled, "How do we stun a vampire?" she asks puck. While taking aim and releasing at a target that might help the melee people.

Strike :70EZlJF81d20+2
Damage: 1d6 Arrow1d20+2·1d6

[dakota]

Ghostsabre tucked as Atlas hurled her towards Dracula with more speed than she had expected, hoping that was to her advantage with the ancient vampire. At the same time as she tucked, she had to watch if she missed so she could phase out or risk causing structural damage to this part of the facility.

Perc hfOq6Fe_1d20

Strike 1d20+2

Damage 1d4+25 + 1d6x10+201d20·1d20+2·1d4+25·1d6