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And we're back in the past and can check the eyrie archive
once again.
Here's where you can find this and more LNH
Misc Story Action!:
https://archives.eyrie.org/racc/lnh/Misc/
And it's The Great Public Domain Caper Part Two
by Ken Schmidt!
Is it Kill Cheesecake Eater Lad Day?!
Or is it Steal All Occultism Kid's
Shirts Day?!!!!!!!
Find out in...
_
| | Classic
| | =
| | ____ ____ _ ____ ___
| |__ | [] | | [] | | | | [] | | _ \
|____| \__] \__ | |_| \__/ |_|\_\
||
|_| OF NET.HEROES
ADVENTURES #428
=====================
THE GREAT PUBLIC DOMAIN CAPER! Part Two
=====================
***************************************************************************
Cheesecake Eater Lad was running. He did not know what was chasing
him. He did not know why he was being chased. All he knew was that he had
to run. Suddenly he came to the front of the LNHHQ. It had not been there
a second ago. He felt something behind him. He spun and saw a man who was familiar. It was Ultimate Ninja! CCEL felt relieved until UN pulled out
his blade and advanced menacingly. CCEL ran again, but Ultimate Ninja was
in front of him in a heartbeat.
"You have been a burden on the LNH for long enough! I shall reduce
membership my way!" Ultimate Ninja had an evil gleam in his eye as he
raised
his blade above his head. It swung down at CCEL in a flashing arc. *WHANG*
At the last second another blade intercepted it.
"I ImagIne I must Interrupt." It was aLLiterative Lass! CCEL felt
saved.
"THANKYOU THANKYOU, oh thanks for saving my life LLL!" CCEL turned to
hug LLL, but she stop him with what she said next.
"HAHA, fool! I saved you so I could kill you myself!" LLL brought her
blade up and swung it at CCEL's neck and...
Cheesecake Eater Lad woke up screaming. He looked around the room
with his eyes wide and his breathing heavy. He was sweating profusely and
then he realized he was on the floor in his quarters wrapped in his
blanket.
He felt very tired, but was unable to fall back asleep. He decided to get
a
snack from downstairs in the hope it would help him sleep.
When he got downstairs he realized he was not alone. Parking Karma
Kid and Bad Timing Boy were already there looking dead tired.
"What's up with you guys?" asked Cheesecake Eater Lad. "You guys
look as bad as I feel."
"Tell me about it. I'm so tired, but I can't sleep," Parking Karma
Kid said as he stared into the bottom of his mug of hot chocolate.
"Why not?"
"Well, it's just this dream I've been having. It has been nearly the
same dream every night for about the last week."
"I've been having weird dreams for about the last week, also. How
about you Bad Timing Boy?"
"Yeah, but I don't really want to talk about it."
Parking Karma Kid and CheeseCake Eater Lad shared the feeling as the
three of them sat in silence for a moment.
"You know," Parking Karma Kid broke the silence," I don't think we are
alone. Earlier I saw Sarcastic Lad, Hooded Ho`'od Win and Amorphous Lad
leave
the HQ, but they didn't answer when I asked them where they were going.
They
looked half-asleep."
"When I was down here earlier I also saw Irony Man and Typo Lad. They
didn't look too good either."
"Was it dreams for them also?" a voice came from behind them. The
three turned to see Ultimate Ninja standing behind them. CheeseCake Eater
Lad
flinched as he recalled his dream.
"I dunno," said PKK," no one really wants to talk about it."
"Do any of you know what you and the people you mentioned earlier have
done recently. Together or individually?"
"I don't think so. Man, I wish Deductive Logic Man was around, he
probably could put this together in no time."
"We'll have to make do without him. I suggest that you go to
Occultism Kid to see if there is any mystical explanation to this.
There are too many people having these dreams for this to be a
coincidence. I think I'll call someone else for another kind of
exam." Ultimate Ninja left the room talking to himself more than to the
others
The three watched him leave. CCEL turned to the others and said, "I
think this can hold until the morning. There is no need to wake up OK now."
A new figure, carrying some clothes, entered the room as the got up
to leave. "Pardon me, but where is Sarcastic Lad's room?"
"Who are you?" asked PKK.
"That is Domestic Lad. I told you about him earlier," said CCEL.
"What are you doing up at this hour?"
"I just finished mending these shirts, and I was going to return
them to Sarcastic Lad," said Domestic Lad.
"Well, maybe a walk will help me sleep," said CCEL," I'll show you
where they are."
***************************(back up a few
hours)*****************************
Sarcasitc Lad woke up. He did not why, but he felt the urge to
suddenly go somewhere. He quickly dressed and went to the front door. He
was not alone. Hooded Ho`'od Win and Amorphous Lad arrived at the door at
the same time he did. SL should have been surprized, but for some reason he wasn't. Without a word they walked together, unsure of where they were
going,
but they were being drawn somewhere. The trio did not even acknowledge
Parking
Karma Kid who was saying something to them as they left the HQ.
Eventually they came upon a familiar building. They had been there
almost a week ago for a meeting of the LNH NWC's. They moved closer, unable
to resist the urge to go into the building. Suddenly they found themselves inside the building. Standing in front of them was a man posing
dramatically
, with his royal blue cape billowing around him.
"Good job Webster, you put them in the exact spot." The man turned his attention to the three LNHers, "Greetings, my newest recruits. How do you
feel
about taking on a special mission for me?"
The three stood silent, unable to move or speak.
"Oh yes, how silly of me to forget. The chemicals have sapped you
will and the machine has made you my devoted slaves. Ahh, the wonders of modern technology."
None of these LNHers had faced Tsar Chasm before, they were not sure
who this was standing in front of them.
Tsar Chasm reached into his cape and pulled two small, metallic disks
each about the size of a dime, out of a pocket.
"Sarcastic Lad, your job is to take this device (hands SL one of the
disks) and make sure that it is on the person of Deja Dude tomorrow. This
disk
(hands him the other) must be on the person of Occultism Kid by tomorrow morning. If Anticipator was correct, the LNH has figured out that
something is
wrong and will try to divine if it is mystical in nature. That disk MUST
be in
place, or I will be angered. You don't want to see that now do you,
Sarcastic
Lad?"
Sarcastic Lad could only manage to roll his head to one side. Tsar
Chasm turned his attention to Amorphous Lad and Hooded Ho`'od Win. He
motioned
to Webs Tor, who brought over four stands that had some devices attached to
the top.
"Each of you take two of these. Set them up in the main meeting area
in the LNHHQ with one in each corner of the room. When the attempts to
discern
the nature of the problems fail, the two of you will claim that you know the cause of the problem but everyone must be assembled in the main meeting
room in
order for you to tell them what is the matter. All of you go and do not
fail
me!"
At the 'me' Webster teleported the LNHers back on the street. He
turned to Tsar Chasm. "How will you know when the time is right?"
"One of those disks will be attached to Occultism Kid. Prestidigitator
is creating a spell that will neutralize his powers. Once Occultism Kid
tries
to discern the source of the nightmares the disk will activate the last component of the spell, and signal me to begin the destruction of the Legion
of Net.Heros."
***********************(more menacing laughter leads us
to)*******************
Sarcasic Lad had no choice, he had to obey Tsar Chasm, but he was not
sure how to make sure that OK and Deja Dude would wear the disks. He
entered
the reading room and saw the new guy, Domestic Lad, sitting at a desk
sewing
something.
Domestic Lad looked up and smiled. "How are you Sarcastic Lad?"
"What are you sewing?"
"Oh, these are just some of BandWagon Boy's socks. He wears holes
in them fairly quickly what with all that jumping on and off those
bandwagons
all the time."
Sarcastic Lad _really_ wanted to say something snide, but found
himself unable to, he had just gotten a brilliant idea. "Say, I tore a
hole
in some of my shirts, do you think you could fix them for me, tonight?"
Domestic Lad thought for a moment and nodded his head. "Sure, just
bring 'em here, I'll have them done in no time."
Sarcastic Lad hurried to Occultism Kid's room. He quietly entered
and grabbed the first shirt he could find. He went to Deja Dude's room and
did the same. He went to the kitchen and used a knife to pull a few stiches out and then widened the hole that was created. He returned to Domestic Lad and pulled out the disks that Tsar Chasm had given him earlier.
"Here they are. Say could you do me a favor and sew these into the
fabric. They are a new deivce that I am working on. They, uh... are
designed
so the Legion can know where anyone is at a given time."
"Kinda like the commbadges on Star Trek!"
"Uhm, sure you could look at it like that."
"This might take a while. I have to sew these little guys into a
pocket of fabric, and then..."
"Uhh, thanks, just find me in my quarters later when you are done."
"No problem."
***********************(skip back to
present)*********************************
"This is his room," said CheeseCake Eater Lad.
"Thanks. Where are you going?" Domestic Lad asked.
"Pardon me if I don't stay and chat with Sarcastic Lad. I don't really
feel up to it. Good night." CheeseCake Eater Lad walked back to his room.
Domestic Lad turned to knock on the door, but found Sarcastic Lad
already in the doorway.
"Finished? Thanks. Good night." Sarcastic Lad closed the door.
Domestic Lad mumbled a "You're welcome" and wandered into the nearest
bathroom and started to fix the faucet.
Sarcastic Lad opened his door after he heard the footsteps fade. He
brought out the shirts that Domestic Lad had just given to him and headed to Deja Dude's room. He put the shirt in his room and was about to leave when inspiration hit him again. He checked to make sure Deja Dude was still
asleep
and then took out all of the clean shirts he could find and took them to his room (making sure that Deja Dude never woke up). He went to Occultism Kid's room and repeated the process. With his task finished he returned to his
own
room and quickly fell asleep. *************************************************************************** FIN, part III ***************************************************************************
Parking Karma Kid pulled into the parking spot that had just opened
in front of the shopping mall. He stepped out of the car and hurried
over to the passenger side to open the door for BandWagon Chick. When he
got
got to open the door he ran into Hamster Man who had already let BandWagon Chick out.
"Thanks for the ride. Now get out of our way!" Hamster Man shoved
Parking Karma Kid to a side and walked right past him. BandWagon Chick just laughed at the look of surprize that Parking Karma Kid had on his face.
A voice came from behind him,"You useless piece of trash! The Legion
no longer needs your services!"
Parking Karma Kid spun to see Ultimate Ninja perched on the roof of the
car in the next spot. PKK couldn't react to Ultimate Ninja's sudden leap
and
ginsu attack. He looked at Ultimate Ninja's eyes and saw a blood crazed
man,
not the man who had been giving him survival lessons. Parking Karma Kid thought it was all over when the gleaming arc of the blade began its descent
to his neck. At the last second an armored hand grabbed Ultimate Ninja's
arm
that was wielding the blade. The stroke fell short of Parking Karma Kid who turned to watch the stranger keep his grip on Ultimate Ninja's arm and
balled
his other hand into a fist and smashed Ultimate Ninja's face. Ultimate
Ninja
fell to the ground with blood flowing out of his mask onto the pavement.
Parking Karma Kid turned to the stranger. He saw a tall man with
blonde hair wearing armor and a royal blue cape that floated in the breeze. "Thanks for the save. I thought I was done for."
The man looked at him and got a smile on his face. He walked toward
Parking Karma Kid until the only thing PKK could see was the smiling face.
Parking Karma Kid sat up in his bed and took a deep breath. He looked
around his room. He knew he had a dream, he had been having them for quite some time now. This one was different. He could easily remember the other dreams. Every detail, mainly because they dealt with either BandWagon
Chick,
Hamster Man, or Ultimate Ninja carving him up. This one, he couldn't
remember
the dream, he just had some vague impressions left over from it. He was
tired
and didn't think for too long. He turned over and went to sleep.
***************************************************************************
Netiquette Lad was finishing up his breakfast and was looking forward
to his first day on the job as the new systems admistrator at Net.ropolis
State University's Computer Science Department. He was also eager to start because he wouldn't be the lone legion member at NSU. Incredible UnSleeping Man and Late-NIte Lad had been working there as night security for almost a week. What perfect jobs for them. It was like someone knew their
abilities
and interests and found a job to match them. Well not 'someone' it was
that
Mr. Baka. He seemed to know exactly what kind of jobs that some of the LNH would be perfect for.
"Good morning, Netiquette Lad. How are you?"
Netiquette Lad looked up from his morning paper and saw Browsing Boy
sitting down to eat his breakfast. "What are you doing up so early BB?"
"That Mr. Baka found me a job at the Net.ropolis Library. What a
great place for me to work. There is tons of stuff to read there."
"Yeah I guess there would be," NL said with a slight smirk. "I start
working today at NSU. Say, have you metioned your job to Ultimate Ninja?"
"What are you, crazy? I heard what he said to Cannon Fodder and
Flameproof Lad when they told him. Besides I'm not sure how long I am
going to
keep this job. I also don't think I need to tell Ultimate Ninja everything
I
do. Why did you get a job?"
Netiquitte Lad thought for a moment, "I guess I feel lost around here sometimes. I don't get to go on many missions, and when I do I never seem
to
be in control of what I do. It's like I am subject to the whim of some maniacal force. At this job I will have something to do AND I am in
charge."
"Don't forget the extra money."
They were interrupted by Grammer Lad who poked his head into the room.
"Hey, NL did you say you were working at NSU? I am teaching Grammar 101
part
time there. Do you think I could catch a ride with you?"
"Sure. Late-Nite Lad and UnSleeping Man were going to give me an
early tour today. They have been working there as night security."
"Sounds great! When are you leaving?"
Netiquette Lad checked his watch. "Pretty soon."
"OK, I'll meet you by the front door."
Browsing Boy and Netiquette Lad finished their meals and walked toward
the front door. They meet Late-Nite Lad, UnSleeping Man, and Grammer Lad
who
were looking in the club room.
"What are you guys looking at?"
"I'm not sure," said Late-NIte Lad. "It looks like Amorphous Lad and
Hooded H`'oodWin were playing around with some electronics devices. Think
we
should see what they are up to?"
"Nah," said Browsing Boy,"we're only going to be gone a few hours.
What could possibly go wrong?"
*************************************************************************** Halls Jordan came swooping down on LNHHQ and saw a group of LNHers
leaving. He went into the front door and popped in a cherry Halls. He ran into Trivia Master and Trivia King on their way out.
"What are you guys up to?" asked Halls.
"We've been invited out to Netwood for the taping of the first show
that will be using our questions," Trivia King had a huge smile on his
face.
"We're leaving now but I hope you'll be around later when we get back. I
want
to tell the entire legion about our trip."
"Show? Questions? Questions for what?" Halls Jordan asked but they
were already hurrying away. He gave up, waved and said "Good luck."
'Hmm, this many LNHers leaving at the same time? I wonder if it has
anything
to do with what Ultimate Ninja called me in for?' he thought to himself.
He
headed for Ultimate Ninja's ready room.
"Hello Ultimate Ninja. Did you know that about half of the Legion has
just left?" Halls Jordan asked Ultimate Ninja upon entering UN's ready
room.
"You mean besides Nit-Pick Lad, Flameproof Lad, Cannon Fodder and
Inacoustic Kid."
"I'm not sure. I only caught a glimpse of one group leaving, and I
ran into the Trivia boys on my way out. They said something about going to Netwood or something. What are the guys up to anyway?"
"They have found," Ultimate Ninja took a moment to compose himself,"
jobs outside the Legion. Nit-Pick Lad is a supervisor or something at a factory, Flameproof Lad is a fireman, Cannon Fodder is a stunt man, and Inacoustic Kid is negotiating some labor settlement. The Trivia boys are writing questions for a gameshow."
"Is that why you asked me to come in? To see what they are up to?"
"No it is something different. Many of the other NWC's are having
nightmares."
"Have them drink a warm glass of milk before bed. What else do you
need?"
"You don't understand. There are too many of them for it to be a
coincidence. I'm going to have Occultism Kid see if it has a mystical
origin."
"And if that turns nothing up?"
"I want you to see if you can determine a scientific explanation.
Something that maybe your ring-around-the-collar can detect."
Halls Jordan popped in a mentholyptus square and thought for a moment,
"I could always try that."
"Good. Now I need to round everyone up."
*************************************************************************** "THIS IS NOT FUNNY! Who stole all of my shirts???" Occultism Kid
came into the lobby wearing a 'Hordak' teeshirt. "Look at what I have to
wear!
A gag gift from my birthday."
"Deal with it later. I need you to check on something for me," said
Ultimate Ninja.
"What is it?" Occultism Kid took a look into the lobby and saw quite
a few members of the LNH standing around looking both tired and annoyed at
the
same time. In front of him stood All-Knowing Last Chance Whiner Destiny
Woman,
Irony Man, Bad Timing Boy, Adamant Authority on Everything, California Kid, Parking Karma Kid, Procrastination Boy, CAPTAIN CAPITALIZE, Catalyst Lass, CheeseCake Eater Lad, Entropy Kid, Sing Along Lass, Mainstream Man, Typo
Lad
and Sarcastic Lad.
"Everyone here, except me, you and Halls, has been having strange
dreams lately. There are too many people for this to be a coincidence. I
want you to determine if there is a mystical force behind it."
"No problem. First I'll need to know what everyone was dreaming about.
Anyone want to volunteer?"
The group mumbled and everyone looked down, hoping they wouldn't be
called on.
"Come on now! OK, I'll pick...CheeseCake Eater Lad. What did you
have nightmares about."
CheeseCake Eater Lad visibly paled. "I don't want to talk about it.
At all."
Ultimate Ninja gave CCEL a stern look. "If you don't tell him, he
can't help you. He doesn't help you and you don't get much peaceful sleep.
So tell him!"
"But Ninj, you don't under..."
"Tell him. NOW!"
Cheesecake Eater Lad stuck his lower jaw out and got an angry look
on his face. "Fine! My dreams have been about Ultimate Ninja cutting my
head off while laughing. My other dreams have been about aLLiterative Lass
and Occultism Kid chopping me into bits. Satisfied??"
Occultism Kid got an uneasy look and his voice cracked,"Anyone else?"
Parking Karma Kid said," Mine have been like that, too. Except that
my nightmares involved...other people."
Behind PKK the group muttered its agreement. They had all been having
similar dreams.
"Up to the one I had last night," started Mainstream Man," I have
been able to recall my dreams with crystal clarity." The group nodded in agreement.
"Why haven't you come forward before?"
"What would you have said if I came up to you and said 'Hey UN, I
had a dream last night about you cuttin' off my freakin' head.' What would
you have replied?"
Ultimate Ninja thought for a moment. "How about 'What technique did
I use'?"
Occultism Kid looked at Ultimate Ninja, "That doesn't help. I think
I know a little incantation that might give me some insight. It'll only
take
a second." Occultism Kid furrowed his brow in concentration and mumbled something and closed his eyes. He opened his eyes and looked over the
group of NWC's. He scanned his eyes over the group a few times and then
shook his head. "Nope, whatever it is, it is not mystical in nature."
"How can you tell?" asked Halls Jordan.
"There would be a residual glowing trace of an aura around someone.
There is nothing over...wait, did you feel that?" Occultism Kid glanced
around
looking for something.
"Sorry I didn't feel anything," said Halls. "I guess it is my turn to
try."
"NO! I know what is causing this!" Amorphous Lad came into the
lobby from the club room.
Ultimate Ninja tapped his foot. "Well? Are you going to tell us?"
"Everyone in the HQ must be present. I don't want to explain it
twice. Everyone should meet in the club room as soon as possible."
Amorphous Lad turned back into the club room and closed the door behind him.
"Who does he think he is? Who gave him the right to give orders?"
Ultimate Ninja began to walk after AL.
"Whoa! He may have something. Let's just humor him. Let's go round
up everyone," said Occultism Kid. "You guys ( indicates the group of
NWC's)
go in there now. It looks like you could use some rest."
***************************************************************************
It took some work (but less than it regularly would since
Procrastination Boy was already in the club room) but the trio rounded up everyone who was present at the HQ at the time. The WC's trickled in as
they
got the word.
"Thank yew, Thank yew ver' much," Elvis Man entered waving to the
NWC's.
"Anyone need an asprin? I've got some, somewhere," Pocket Lad was
rummaging through one of his pockets.
Deja Dude came in wearing a pink Strawberry Shortcake t-shirt looking
very agitated. "Steal my shirts, huh? It would be a great gag since it
just
happened to Occultism Kid earlier. Like Deja vu all over again, huh
guys???
I, for one, am not amused!"
Kid Kirby came in and went immediately to Sing Along Lass. "Lass, why
did you not seek my council on this matter?"
"Well Kid, it's a bit hard to explain. I'll tell you later." Kid
Kirby detected an edge to her voice that he had not noticed before.
Pliable Lad came in, " Hey Halls, where is Cliche Dude? I thought he
was with you?"
"I'm not positive."
"You aren't? I thought you guys were always together?
"What do you think, we're attached at the hip or something? We don't
spend 100% of our time together."
Shortly the rest of the legion presently in the HQ (except Super-Apathy
Lad no one could get him out of his room) had assembled in the club room. Marvel Zombie Lad, Invisible Incendiary, who caught the door on fire as he entered the room (it went out quickly), Opinionated Lad, Mimic Kid, Captain Clean Up and Squeaky Clean, Old Comics Man, Domestic Lad, Lurker Lad, Sister State the Obvious and the rest* were all assembled.
[*The rest is all of the WCs and NWCs who I don't feel like typing in or did not get permission to use.]
"Is this everyone?" asked Amorphous Lad.
"We could have Kid Kirby use some sensors to scan the building to
make sure all of the insects in the HQ are present," said Sarcastic Lad who
was standing near a tripod. That got Sarcastic Lad some dirty looks from everyone in the room. He got a sheepish look and slunk to the back of the
room near Hooded Ho`'odWin who was standing by a another tripod.
"If I can have everyone's attention," started Amorphous Lad from the
front of the room, "I'll clue everyone in on what is going on."
The group turned and faced Amorphous Lad at the front of the room.
"Well? What is it?" Ultimate Ninja demanded.
From the rear a new voice was heard. "I've often wondered just
who would win: Ultimate Ninja..."
Ultimate Ninja instantly recognized the voice. He did not even take
the time to draw his blade. He spun, jumped and prepared to strike the
source
of the voice with an open palm strike to the temple. As he neared his
target a
figure materialized in his way. Ultimate Ninja recognized the person and
tried
to stop his attack. His momentum slammed him into the newly materialized person. Upon contact, Ultimate Ninja was overwhelmed by an attitude of not caring. The new person collapsed to the floor, unconscious from Ultimate Ninja's blow.
"...or Super Apathy Lad. HAHAHAHAHA!" The source of the voice was
an armored man posing dramatically with his royal blue cape billowing around him. Next to him stood Sarcastic Lad, Hooded Ho`'odWin and small, black and disgustingly cute boy. "Move them into position!"
Without warning the group of NWC's that had been having the nightmares
began to herd the rest of the Legion members into the center of the room.
"Aw, crap!" said Occultism Kid.
"How can we fight our own friends?" said Sister State the Obvious.
"We don't have to." Halls Jordan flew at Tsar Chasm, who watched
the ring-around-the-collar-corpman with a bemused look.
"Deal with this!"
Before HJ could manifest anything, Tsar Chasm flung his arm out
and threw a blue liquid at Halls. Upon contact, Halls' ring around the
collar
disappeared! "Your will is sooo impressive, how can I ever hope to defeat
the mighty Halls Jordan?" Tsar Chasm said in a sarcastic voice. Halls
froze
up and dropped to the ground.
"Wisk...," said Halls in a weak voice.
"I'll gladly move Ultimate Ninja into position," volunteered Sarcastic
Lad. He stuck his foot under the Ninja and roughly turned him over.
Ultimate Ninja was too overcome by the contact with Super-Apathy Lad to
care.
Sarcastic Lad made sure he dug his toe into UN's ribs with every turn over.
When he got to the area that the others were, he stopped. He looked down at UN. "Oh wait! You aren't all the way in yet." With that he kicked UN in
the
stomach.
"Don't think you can keep the combined might of the Legion cowed behind
the threat of hurting our friends for too long," said Opinionated Lad. "In
my opinion, we should never let the presence of hostages dictate our
actions!"
Deja Dude looked at Tsar Chasm, "You can't contain me!" Deja Dude
quickly teleported out of the room. He tried to think of some options to
help the LNH. Before he could even take a step he found himself back in the club room, this time in directly in front of Tsar Chasm.
"That move was anticipated. You had a great chance to actually get
away," Tsar Chasm finished in his sarcastic voice. He brought an armored
fist
up and punched Deja Dude on the nose. Deja Dude was knocked out cold.
Hooded
Ho`'odWin carried him to the center of the room and dropped him next to Ultimate Ninja and Halls Jordan.
"Now before Kid Kirby tries anything I think I shall send you all
to your new home. Irony Man, Bad Timing Boy, and All Knowing Last Chance Whiner Destiny Woman step among their group."
After the three had complied, Amorphous Lad hit a switch on
one of the tripods and a glowing rectangle appeared around the entire group
in the center of the room.
"Webster, if you would please." WIth that command the entire group
within the rectangle vanished! *************************************************************************** FIN, part IV ***************************************************************************
==========
Next Week: Taking a Labor Day Weekend Break -- See you in Two!!
==========
Arthur "Same Classic Channel. But Same Time? Probably not." Spitzer
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<div dir=3D"ltr">And we're back in the past and can check the eyrie arc= hive <br>once again.<br><br><br>Here's where you can find this and more=
LNH<br>Misc Story Action!:<br><br><a href=3D"
https://archives.eyrie.org/ra= cc/lnh/Misc/">
https://archives.eyrie.org/racc/lnh/Misc/</a><br><br><br>And = it's The Great Public Domain Caper Part Two<br>by Ken Schmidt!<br><br><= br>Is it Kill Cheesecake Eater Lad Day?!<br>Or is it Steal All Occultism Ki= d's<br>Shirts Day?!!!!!!!<br><br>Find out in...<br><br><br><br>=C2=A0 = =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 _ <br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0| | =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0Classic <br>=C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0| | =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=3D<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 = =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0| | =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0____ =C2=A0 =C2=A0____ = =C2=A0 =C2=A0_ =C2=A0 =C2=A0____ =C2=A0 =C2=A0___<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 = =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0| |__ =C2=A0 | [] | =C2=A0| [] | =C2=A0| | =C2=
=A0| [] | =C2=A0| _ \ =C2=A0<br><br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 =C2=A0|____| =C2=A0 \__] =C2=A0 =C2=A0\__ | =C2=A0|_| =C2=A0 \__/ =C2=
=A0 |_|\_\<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0||<br>=C2=A0 =C2= =A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 = =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 |_| =C2=A0OF NET.HEROES<br><br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 = =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 ADVENTURES #428<br><br><br><br>=C2=
=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 = =C2=A0 =C2=A0=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 THE GREAT PU= BLIC DOMAIN CAPER!=C2=A0 Part Two<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2= =A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br><br><br><br><br>*************= **************************************************************<br><br> Chee= secake Eater Lad was running.=C2=A0 He did not know what was chasing <br>hi= m.=C2=A0 He did not know why he was being chased.=C2=A0 All he knew was tha=
t he had<br>to run.=C2=A0 Suddenly he came to the front of the LNHHQ.=C2=A0=
It had not been there<br>a second ago.=C2=A0 He felt something behind him.= =C2=A0 He spun and saw a man who was<br>familiar.=C2=A0 It was Ultimate Nin= ja!=C2=A0 CCEL felt relieved until UN pulled out<br>his blade and advanced = menacingly.=C2=A0 CCEL ran again, but Ultimate Ninja was<br>in front of him=
in a heartbeat.<br><br> "You have been a burden on the LNH for long e=
nough!=C2=A0 I shall reduce<br>membership my way!" =C2=A0Ultimate Ninj=
a had an evil gleam in his eye as he raised<br>his blade above his head.=C2= =A0 It swung down at CCEL in a flashing arc. *WHANG*<br>At the last second = another blade intercepted it. =C2=A0<br><br> "I ImagIne I must Interru= pt." =C2=A0It was aLLiterative Lass!=C2=A0 CCEL felt <br>saved. <br><b=
"THANKYOU THANKYOU, oh thanks for saving my life LLL!" =C2=A0C=
CEL turned to <br>hug LLL, but she stop him with what she said next.<br><br=
"HAHA, fool!=C2=A0 I saved you so I could kill you myself!" =C2=
=A0LLL brought her<br>blade up and swung it at CCEL's neck and...<br><b=
Cheesecake Eater Lad woke up screaming.=C2=A0 He looked around the room<=
with his eyes wide and his breathing heavy.=C2=A0 He was sweating profus= ely and <br>then he realized he was on the floor in his quarters wrapped in=
his blanket. <br>He felt very tired, but was unable to fall back asleep.= =C2=A0 He decided to get a <br>snack from downstairs in the hope it would h= elp him sleep.<br><br> When he got downstairs he realized he was not alone.= =C2=A0 Parking Karma<br>Kid and Bad Timing Boy were already there looking d= ead tired.<br><br> "What's up with you guys?" =C2=A0asked Che=
esecake Eater Lad. =C2=A0"You guys<br>look as bad as I feel."<br>=
<br> "Tell me about it.=C2=A0 I'm so tired, but I can't sleep,=
" =C2=A0Parking Karma<br>Kid said as he stared into the bottom of his = mug of hot chocolate.<br><br> "Why not?"<br><br> "Well, it&#=
39;s just this dream I've been having.=C2=A0 It has been nearly the<br>= same dream every night for about the last week."<br><br> "I'v= e been having weird dreams for about the last week, also.=C2=A0 How<br>abou=
t you Bad Timing Boy?"<br><br> "Yeah, but I don't really want=
to talk about it." =C2=A0<br><br> Parking Karma Kid and CheeseCake Ea= ter Lad shared the feeling as the <br>three of them sat in silence for a mo= ment.<br><br> "You know," Parking Karma Kid broke the silence,&qu= ot; I don't think we are <br>alone.=C2=A0 Earlier I saw Sarcastic Lad, = Hooded Ho`'od Win and Amorphous Lad leave<br>the HQ, but they didn'=
t answer when I asked them where they were going.=C2=A0 They<br>looked half= -asleep."<br><br> "When I was down here earlier I also saw Irony = Man and Typo Lad.=C2=A0 They<br>didn't look too good either."<br><=
"Was it dreams for them also?" =C2=A0a voice came from behind=
them.=C2=A0 The <br>three turned to see Ultimate Ninja standing behind the= m.=C2=A0 CheeseCake Eater Lad<br>flinched as he recalled his dream.<br><br>=
"I dunno," said PKK," no one really wants to talk about it.=
"<br><br> "Do any of you know what you and the people you mention= ed earlier have<br>done recently.=C2=A0 Together or individually?"<br>=
<br> "I don't think so.=C2=A0 Man, I wish Deductive Logic Man was =
around, he<br>probably could put this together in no time."<br><br> &q=
uot;We'll have to make do without him.=C2=A0 I suggest that you go to <= br>Occultism Kid to see if there is any mystical explanation to this.<br>Th= ere are too many people having these dreams for this to be a<br>coincidence= .=C2=A0 I think I'll call someone else for another kind of<br>exam.&quo=
t; =C2=A0Ultimate Ninja left the room talking to himself more than to the o= thers<br><br> The three watched him leave.=C2=A0 CCEL turned to the others = and said, "I<br>think this can hold until the morning.=C2=A0 There is =
no need to wake up OK now."<br><br> A new figure, carrying some clothe=
s, entered the room as the got up<br>to leave. =C2=A0"Pardon me, but w= here is Sarcastic Lad's room?"<br><br> "Who are you?" as= ked PKK.<br><br> "That is Domestic Lad.=C2=A0 I told you about him ear=
lier," said CCEL.<br>"What are you doing up at this hour?"<b= r><br> "I just finished mending these shirts, and I was going to retur= n<br>them to Sarcastic Lad," said Domestic Lad.<br><br> "Well, ma= ybe a walk will help me sleep," =C2=A0said CCEL," I'll show y= ou<br>where they are."<br><br>***************************(back up a fe=
w hours)*****************************<br><br> Sarcasitc Lad woke up.=C2=A0 = He did not why, but he felt the urge to <br>suddenly go somewhere.=C2=A0 He=
quickly dressed and went to the front door.=C2=A0 He<br>was not alone. =C2= =A0 Hooded Ho`'od Win and Amorphous Lad arrived at the door at<br>the s= ame time he did.=C2=A0 SL should have been surprized, but for some reason h= e<br>wasn't.=C2=A0 Without a word they walked together, unsure of where=
they were going,<br>but they were being drawn somewhere.=C2=A0 The trio di=
d not even acknowledge Parking<br>Karma Kid who was saying something to the=
m as they left the HQ.<br><br> Eventually they came upon a familiar buildin= g.=C2=A0 They had been there<br>almost a week ago for a meeting of the LNH = NWC's.=C2=A0 They moved closer, unable<br>to resist the urge to go into=
the building.=C2=A0 Suddenly they found themselves <br>inside the building= .=C2=A0 Standing in front of them was a man posing dramatically<br>, with h=
is royal blue cape billowing around him.<br><br> "Good job Webster, yo=
u put them in the exact spot." =C2=A0The man turned his<br>attention t=
o the three LNHers, "Greetings, my newest recruits.=C2=A0 How do you f= eel<br>about taking on a special mission for me?" <br><br> The three s= tood silent, unable to move or speak.<br><br> "Oh yes, how silly of me=
to forget.=C2=A0 The chemicals have sapped you<br>will and the machine has=
made you my devoted slaves.=C2=A0 Ahh, the wonders of <br>modern technolog= y."<br><br> None of these LNHers had faced Tsar Chasm before, they wer=
e not sure<br>who this was standing in front of them.<br><br> Tsar Chasm re= ached into his cape and pulled two small, metallic disks<br>each about the = size of a dime, out of a pocket. =C2=A0<br><br> "Sarcastic Lad, your j=
ob is to take this device (hands SL one of the <br>disks) and make sure tha=
t it is on the person of Deja Dude tomorrow.=C2=A0 This disk<br>(hands him = the other) must be on the person of Occultism Kid by tomorrow <br>morning.= =C2=A0 If Anticipator was correct, the LNH has figured out that something i= s<br>wrong and will try to divine if it is mystical in nature.=C2=A0 That d= isk MUST be in<br>place, or I will be angered.=C2=A0 You don't want to = see that now do you, Sarcastic <br>Lad?"<br><br> Sarcastic Lad could o= nly manage to roll his head to one side.=C2=A0 Tsar<br>Chasm turned his att= ention to Amorphous Lad and Hooded Ho`'od Win.=C2=A0 He motioned<br>to = Webs Tor, who brought over four stands that had some devices attached to <b= r>the top.<br><br> "Each of you take two of these.=C2=A0 Set them up i=
n the main meeting area<br>in the LNHHQ with one in each corner of the room= .=C2=A0 When the attempts to discern<br>the nature of the problems fail, th=
e two of you will claim that you know the<br>cause of the problem but every= one must be assembled in the main meeting room in<br>order for you to tell = them what is the matter.=C2=A0 All of you go and do not fail <br>me!"<= br><br> At the 'me' Webster teleported the LNHers back on the stree= t.=C2=A0 He<br>turned to Tsar Chasm. =C2=A0"How will you know when the=
time is right?"<br><br> "One of those disks will be attached to = Occultism Kid.=C2=A0 Prestidigitator<br>is creating a spell that will neutr= alize his powers.=C2=A0 Once Occultism Kid tries<br>to discern the source o=
f the nightmares the disk will activate the last <br>component of the spell=
, and signal me to begin the destruction of the Legion<br>of Net.Heros.&quo= t;<br>***********************(more menacing laughter leads us to)**********= *********<br><br> Sarcasic Lad had no choice, he had to obey Tsar Chasm, bu=
t he was not<br>sure how to make sure that OK and Deja Dude would wear the = disks.=C2=A0 He entered <br>the reading room and saw the new guy, Domestic = Lad, sitting at a desk sewing <br>something.<br><br> Domestic Lad looked up=
and smiled. =C2=A0"How are you Sarcastic Lad?"<br><br> "Wha=
t are you sewing?"<br><br> "Oh, these are just some of BandWagon = Boy's socks.=C2=A0 He wears holes<br>in them fairly quickly what with a=
ll that jumping on and off those bandwagons<br>all the time."<br><br> =
Sarcastic Lad _really_ wanted to say something snide, but found <br>himself=
unable to, he had just gotten a brilliant idea. =C2=A0"Say, I tore a = hole <br>in some of my shirts, do you think you could fix them for me, toni= ght?"<br><br> Domestic Lad thought for a moment and nodded his head. =
=C2=A0"Sure, just<br>bring 'em here, I'll have them done in no=
time."<br><br> Sarcastic Lad hurried to Occultism Kid's room.=C2= =A0 He quietly entered<br>and grabbed the first shirt he could find.=C2=A0 =
He went to Deja Dude's room and<br>did the same.=C2=A0 He went to the k= itchen and used a knife to pull a few stiches<br>out and then widened the h= ole that was created.=C2=A0 He returned to Domestic Lad<br>and pulled out t=
he disks that Tsar Chasm had given him earlier.<br><br> "Here they are= .=C2=A0 Say could you do me a favor and sew these into the <br>fabric.=C2=
=A0 They are a new deivce that I am working on.=C2=A0 They, uh... are desig= ned<br>so the Legion can know where anyone is at a given time."<br><br=
"Kinda like the commbadges on Star Trek!"<br><br> "Uhm, su=
re you could look at it like that."<br><br> "This might take a wh=
ile.=C2=A0 I have to sew these little guys into a <br>pocket of fabric, and=
then..."<br><br> "Uhh, thanks, just find me in my quarters later=
when you are done."<br><br> "No problem."<br><br>**********=
*************(skip back to present)*********************************<br><br=
"This is his room," said CheeseCake Eater Lad.<br><br> "Th=
anks.=C2=A0 Where are you going?" =C2=A0Domestic Lad asked.<br><br> &q=
uot;Pardon me if I don't stay and chat with Sarcastic Lad.=C2=A0 I don&= #39;t really<br>feel up to it.=C2=A0 Good night." =C2=A0CheeseCake Eat=
er Lad walked back to his room.<br><br> Domestic Lad turned to knock on the=
door, but found Sarcastic Lad <br>already in the doorway.<br><br> "Fi=
nished?=C2=A0 Thanks.=C2=A0 Good night." =C2=A0Sarcastic Lad closed th=
e door.<br><br> Domestic Lad mumbled a "You're welcome" and w= andered into the nearest<br>bathroom and started to fix the faucet.<br><br>=
Sarcastic Lad opened his door after he heard the footsteps fade.=C2=A0 He<=
brought out the shirts that Domestic Lad had just given to him and heade=
d to<br>Deja Dude's room.=C2=A0 He put the shirt in his room and was ab= out to leave when<br>inspiration hit him again.=C2=A0 He checked to make su=
re Deja Dude was still asleep<br>and then took out all of the clean shirts =
he could find and took them to his<br>room (making sure that Deja Dude neve=
r woke up).=C2=A0 He went to Occultism Kid's<br>room and repeated the p= rocess.=C2=A0 With his task finished he returned to his own<br>room and qui= ckly fell asleep.<br>******************************************************= *********************<br> FIN, part III<br>*****************************=
**********************************************<br><br> Parking Karma Kid pu= lled into the parking spot that had just opened<br>in front of the shopping=
mall.=C2=A0 He stepped out of the car and hurried <br>over to the passenge=
r side to open the door for BandWagon Chick.=C2=A0 When he got <br>got to o= pen the door he ran into Hamster Man who had already let BandWagon<br>Chick=
out.<br><br> "Thanks for the ride.=C2=A0 Now get out of our way!"= ; =C2=A0Hamster Man shoved <br>Parking Karma Kid to a side and walked right=
past him.=C2=A0 BandWagon Chick just<br>laughed at the look of surprize th=
at Parking Karma Kid had on his face.<br><br> A voice came from behind him,= "You useless piece of trash!=C2=A0 The Legion<br>no longer needs your = services!"<br><br> Parking Karma Kid spun to see Ultimate Ninja perche=
d on the roof of the<br>car in the next spot.=C2=A0 PKK couldn't react =
to Ultimate Ninja's sudden leap and<br>ginsu attack.=C2=A0 He looked at=
Ultimate Ninja's eyes and saw a blood crazed man, <br>not the man who = had been giving him survival lessons.=C2=A0 Parking Karma Kid <br>thought i=
t was all over when the gleaming arc of the blade began its descent<br>to h=
is neck.=C2=A0 At the last second an armored hand grabbed Ultimate Ninja= 9;s arm <br>that was wielding the blade.=C2=A0 The stroke fell short of Par= king Karma Kid who<br>turned to watch the stranger keep his grip on Ultimat=
e Ninja's arm and balled<br>his other hand into a fist and smashed Ulti= mate Ninja's face.=C2=A0 Ultimate Ninja <br>fell to the ground with blo=
od flowing out of his mask onto the pavement.<br><br> Parking Karma Kid tur= ned to the stranger.=C2=A0 He saw a tall man with <br>blonde hair wearing a= rmor and a royal blue cape that floated in the breeze.<br>"Thanks for = the save.=C2=A0 I thought I was done for."<br><br> The man looked at h=
im and got a smile on his face.=C2=A0 He walked toward <br>Parking Karma Ki=
d until the only thing PKK could see was the smiling face.<br><br> Parking =
Karma Kid sat up in his bed and took a deep breath.=C2=A0 He looked<br>arou=
nd his room.=C2=A0 He knew he had a dream, he had been having them for quit= e<br>some time now.=C2=A0 This one was different.=C2=A0 He could easily rem= ember the other<br>dreams.=C2=A0 Every detail, mainly because they dealt wi=
th either BandWagon Chick,<br>Hamster Man, or Ultimate Ninja carving him up= .=C2=A0 This one, he couldn't remember<br>the dream, he just had some v= ague impressions left over from it.=C2=A0 He was tired<br>and didn't th= ink for too long.=C2=A0 He turned over and went to sleep.<br><br>**********= *****************************************************************<br><br> N=
etiquette Lad was finishing up his breakfast and was looking forward <br>to=
his first day on the job as the new systems admistrator at Net.ropolis <br= >State University's Computer Science Department.=C2=A0 He was also eage=
r to start <br>because he wouldn't be the lone legion member at NSU.=C2= =A0 Incredible UnSleeping<br>Man and Late-NIte Lad had been working there a=
s night security for almost a <br>week.=C2=A0 What perfect jobs for them.= =C2=A0 It was like someone knew their abilities <br>and interests and found=
a job to match them.=C2=A0 Well not 'someone' it was that <br>Mr. = Baka. He seemed to know exactly what kind of jobs that some of the LNH <br>= would be perfect for.<br><br> "Good morning, Netiquette Lad.=C2=A0 How=
are you?"<br><br> Netiquette Lad looked up from his morning paper and=
saw Browsing Boy<br>sitting down to eat his breakfast. =C2=A0"What ar=
e you doing up so early BB?"<br><br> "That Mr. Baka found me a jo=
b at the Net.ropolis Library.=C2=A0 What a<br>great place for me to work.= =C2=A0 There is tons of stuff to read there."<br><br> "Yeah I gue=
ss there would be," NL said with a slight smirk. =C2=A0"I start<b= r>working today at NSU.=C2=A0 Say, have you metioned your job to Ultimate N= inja?"<br><br> "What are you, crazy?=C2=A0 I heard what he said t=
o Cannon Fodder and <br>Flameproof Lad when they told him.=C2=A0 Besides I&= #39;m not sure how long I am going to<br>keep this job.=C2=A0 I also don= 9;t think I need to tell Ultimate Ninja everything I<br>do.=C2=A0 Why did y=
ou get a job?"<br> <br> Netiquitte Lad thought for a moment, "I g= uess I feel lost around here<br>sometimes.=C2=A0 I don't get to go on m= any missions, and when I do I never seem to <br>be in control of what I do.= =C2=A0 It's like I am subject to the whim of some <br>maniacal force.= =C2=A0 At this job I will have something to do AND I am in charge."<br= ><br> "Don't forget the extra money."<br><br> They were inter=
rupted by Grammer Lad who poked his head into the room.<br>"Hey, NL di=
d you say you were working at NSU?=C2=A0 I am teaching Grammar 101 part<br>= time there. Do you think I could catch a ride with you?"<br><br> "= ;Sure.=C2=A0 Late-Nite Lad and UnSleeping Man were going to give me an<br>e= arly tour today.=C2=A0 They have been working there as night security."= ;<br><br> "Sounds great!=C2=A0 When are you leaving?"<br><br> Net=
iquette Lad checked his watch. =C2=A0"Pretty soon."<br><br> "= ;OK, I'll meet you by the front door."<br><br> Browsing Boy and Ne= tiquette Lad finished their meals and walked toward<br>the front door.=C2=
=A0 They meet Late-Nite Lad, UnSleeping Man, and Grammer Lad who<br>were lo= oking in the club room.<br><br> "What are you guys looking at?"<b= r><br> "I'm not sure," said Late-NIte Lad. =C2=A0"It loo= ks like Amorphous Lad and <br><br>Hooded H`'oodWin were playing around = with some electronics devices.=C2=A0 Think we<br>should see what they are u=
p to?"<br><br> "Nah," said Browsing Boy,"we're only=
going to be gone a few hours.<br>What could possibly go wrong?"<br><b= r>*************************************************************************= **<br> Halls Jordan came swooping down on LNHHQ and saw a group of LNHers <= br>leaving.=C2=A0 He went into the front door and popped in a cherry Halls.= =C2=A0 He ran<br>into Trivia Master and Trivia King on their way out.<br><b=
"What are you guys up to?" asked Halls.<br><br> "We'v=
e been invited out to Netwood for the taping of the first show<br>that will=
be using our questions," =C2=A0Trivia King had a huge smile on his fa= ce.<br>"We're leaving now but I hope you'll be around later wh=
en we get back.=C2=A0 I want<br>to tell the entire legion about our trip.&q= uot;<br><br> "Show?=C2=A0 Questions? Questions for what?" Halls J= ordan asked but they<br>were already hurrying away.=C2=A0 He gave up, waved=
and said "Good luck." =C2=A0<br>'Hmm, this many LNHers leavi=
ng at the same time?=C2=A0 I wonder if it has anything<br>to do with what U= ltimate Ninja called me in for?' he thought to himself.=C2=A0 He <br>he= aded for Ultimate Ninja's ready room.<br><br> "Hello Ultimate Ninj=
a.=C2=A0 Did you know that about half of the Legion has<br>just left?"=
=C2=A0Halls Jordan asked Ultimate Ninja upon entering UN's ready room.= <br><br> "You mean besides Nit-Pick Lad, Flameproof Lad, Cannon Fodder=
and <br>Inacoustic Kid."<br><br> "I'm not sure.=C2=A0 I only=
caught a glimpse of one group leaving, and I<br>ran into the Trivia boys o=
n my way out.=C2=A0 They said something about going to<br>Netwood or someth= ing.=C2=A0 What are the guys up to anyway?"<br><br> "They have fo=
und," Ultimate Ninja took a moment to compose himself,"<br>jobs o= utside the Legion.=C2=A0 Nit-Pick Lad is a supervisor or something at a <br= >factory, Flameproof Lad is a fireman, Cannon Fodder is a stunt man, and <b= r>Inacoustic Kid is negotiating some labor settlement.=C2=A0 The Trivia boy=
s are<br>writing questions for a gameshow."<br><br> "Is that why =
you asked me to come in?=C2=A0 To see what they are up to?"<br><br> &q=
uot;No it is something different.=C2=A0 Many of the other NWC's are hav= ing<br>nightmares."<br><br> "Have them drink a warm glass of milk=
before bed.=C2=A0 What else do you <br>need?"<br><br> "You don&#=
39;t understand.=C2=A0 There are too many of them for it to be a<br>coincid= ence.=C2=A0 I'm going to have Occultism Kid see if it has a mystical or= igin."<br><br> "And if that turns nothing up?"<br><br> "=
;I want you to see if you can determine a scientific explanation. =C2=A0<br= >Something that maybe your ring-around-the-collar can detect."<br><br>=
Halls Jordan popped in a mentholyptus square and thought for a moment,<br>=
"I could always try that."<br><br> "Good.=C2=A0 Now I need t= o round everyone up."<br><br>*****************************************= **********************************<br> "THIS IS NOT FUNNY!=C2=A0 Who s= tole all of my shirts???" =C2=A0Occultism Kid<br>came into the lobby w= earing a 'Hordak' teeshirt. =C2=A0"Look at what I have to wear= !<br>A gag gift from my birthday."<br><br> "Deal with it later.= =C2=A0 I need you to check on something for me," said<br>Ultimate Ninj= a.<br><br> "What is it?" =C2=A0Occultism Kid took a look into the=
lobby and saw quite<br>a few members of the LNH standing around looking bo=
th tired and annoyed at the<br>same time.=C2=A0 In front of him stood All-K= nowing Last Chance Whiner Destiny Woman,<br>Irony Man, Bad Timing Boy, Adam= ant Authority on Everything, California Kid, <br>Parking Karma Kid, Procras= tination Boy, CAPTAIN CAPITALIZE, Catalyst Lass, <br>CheeseCake Eater Lad, = Entropy Kid, Sing Along Lass, Mainstream Man, Typo Lad <br>and Sarcastic La= d.<br><br> "Everyone here, except me, you and Halls, has been having s=
trange <br>dreams lately.=C2=A0 There are too many people for this to be a = coincidence.=C2=A0 I <br>want you to determine if there is a mystical force=
behind it."<br><br> "No problem.=C2=A0 First I'll need to kn=
ow what everyone was dreaming about.<br>Anyone want to volunteer?"<br>=
<br> The group mumbled and everyone looked down, hoping they wouldn't b=
e<br>called on.<br><br> "Come on now!=C2=A0 OK, I'll pick...Cheese= Cake Eater Lad.=C2=A0 What did you<br>have nightmares about."<br><br> =
CheeseCake Eater Lad visibly paled. =C2=A0"I don't want to talk ab= out it.<br>At all."<br><br> Ultimate Ninja gave CCEL a stern look. =C2=
=A0"If you don't tell him, he<br>can't help you.=C2=A0 He does= n't help you and you don't get much peaceful sleep.<br>So tell him!= "<br><br> "But Ninj, you don't under..."<br><br> "T=
ell him.=C2=A0 NOW!"<br><br> Cheesecake Eater Lad stuck his lower jaw =
out and got an angry look<br>on his face. =C2=A0"Fine!=C2=A0 My dreams=
have been about Ultimate Ninja cutting my<br>head off while laughing.=C2=
=A0 My other dreams have been about aLLiterative Lass<br>and Occultism Kid = chopping me into bits.=C2=A0 Satisfied??"<br><br> Occultism Kid got an=
uneasy look and his voice cracked,"Anyone else?"<br><br> Parking=
Karma Kid said," Mine have been like that, too.=C2=A0 Except that<br>=
my nightmares involved...other people."<br><br> Behind PKK the group m= uttered its agreement.=C2=A0 They had all been having<br>similar dreams.<br= ><br> "Up to the one I had last night," started Mainstream Man,&q= uot; I have <br>been able to recall my dreams with crystal clarity." = =C2=A0The group nodded in <br>agreement.<br><br> "Why haven't you =
come forward before?"<br><br> "What would you have said if I came=
up to you and said 'Hey UN, I <br>had a dream last night about you cut= tin' off my freakin' head.' =C2=A0What would<br>you have replie= d?"<br><br> Ultimate Ninja thought for a moment. =C2=A0"How about=
'What technique did<br>I use'?"<br><br> Occultism Kid looked = at Ultimate Ninja, "That doesn't help.=C2=A0 I think<br>I know a l= ittle incantation that might give me some insight.=C2=A0 It'll only tak= e<br>a second." =C2=A0Occultism Kid furrowed his brow in concentration=
and mumbled <br>something and closed his eyes.=C2=A0 He opened his eyes an=
d looked over the<br>group of NWC's.=C2=A0 He scanned his eyes over the=
group a few times and then<br>shook his head. =C2=A0"Nope, whatever i=
t is, it is not mystical in nature."<br><br> "How can you tell?&q=
uot; =C2=A0asked Halls Jordan.<br><br> "There would be a residual glow= ing trace of an aura around someone. =C2=A0<br>There is nothing over...wait=
, did you feel that?" =C2=A0Occultism Kid glanced around<br>looking fo=
r something.<br><br> "Sorry I didn't feel anything," said Hal= ls. =C2=A0"I guess it is my turn to<br>try."<br><br> "NO!=C2= =A0 I know what is causing this!" =C2=A0Amorphous Lad came into the<br= >lobby from the club room.<br><br> Ultimate Ninja tapped his foot. =C2=A0&q=
uot;Well?=C2=A0 Are you going to tell us?"<br><br> "Everyone in t=
he HQ must be present.=C2=A0 I don't want to explain it <br>twice.=C2=
=A0 Everyone should meet in the club room as soon as possible." =C2=A0= <br>Amorphous Lad turned back into the club room and closed the door behind=
him.<br><br> "Who does he think he is?=C2=A0 Who gave him the right t= o give orders?" =C2=A0<br>Ultimate Ninja began to walk after AL.<br><b=
"Whoa!=C2=A0 He may have something.=C2=A0 Let's just humor him.=
=C2=A0 Let's go round<br>up everyone," said Occultism Kid. =C2=A0&= quot;You guys ( indicates the group of NWC's) <br>go in there now.=C2=
=A0 It looks like you could use some rest."<br><br>*******************= ********************************************************<br> It took some w= ork (but less than it regularly would since<br>Procrastination Boy was alre= ady in the club room) but the trio rounded up <br>everyone who was present =
at the HQ at the time.=C2=A0 The WC's trickled in as they <br>got the w= ord.<br><br> "Thank yew, Thank yew ver' much," Elvis Man ente= red waving to the <br>NWC's. =C2=A0<br><br> "Anyone need an asprin= ?=C2=A0 I've got some, somewhere," Pocket Lad was<br>rummaging thr= ough one of his pockets.<br><br> Deja Dude came in wearing a pink Strawberr=
y Shortcake t-shirt looking <br>very agitated. "Steal my shirts, huh?= =C2=A0 It would be a great gag since it just <br>happened to Occultism Kid = earlier.=C2=A0 Like Deja vu all over again, huh guys??? =C2=A0<br>I, for on=
e, am not amused!"<br><br> Kid Kirby came in and went immediately to S= ing Along Lass. "Lass, why<br>did you not seek my council on this matt= er?"<br><br> "Well Kid, it's a bit hard to explain.=C2=A0 I&#=
39;ll tell you later." =C2=A0Kid<br>Kirby detected an edge to her voic=
e that he had not noticed before.<br><br> Pliable Lad came in, " Hey H=
alls, where is Cliche Dude?=C2=A0 I thought he<br>was with you?"<br><b=
"I'm not positive."<br><br> "You aren't?=C2=A0 I =
thought you guys were always together?<br><br> "What do you think, we&= #39;re attached at the hip or something?=C2=A0 We don't<br>spend 100% o=
f our time together."<br><br> Shortly the rest of the legion presently=
in the HQ (except Super-Apathy<br>Lad no one could get him out of his room=
) had assembled in the club room. =C2=A0<br>Marvel Zombie Lad, Invisible In= cendiary, who caught the door on fire as he <br>entered the room (it went o=
ut quickly), Opinionated Lad, Mimic Kid, Captain<br>Clean Up and Squeaky Cl= ean, Old Comics Man, Domestic Lad, Lurker Lad, Sister<br>State the Obvious = and the rest* were all assembled.<br><br>[*The rest is all of the WCs and N= WCs who I don't feel like typing in or did<br>not get permission to use= .]<br><br> "Is this everyone?" =C2=A0asked Amorphous Lad. =C2=A0<=
<br> "We could have Kid Kirby use some sensors to scan the building=
to <br>make sure all of the insects in the HQ are present," said Sarc= astic Lad who <br>was standing near a tripod.=C2=A0 That got Sarcastic Lad = some dirty looks from<br>everyone in the room.=C2=A0 He got a sheepish look=
and slunk to the back of the<br>room near Hooded Ho`'odWin who was sta= nding by a another tripod.<br><br> "If I can have everyone's atten=
tion," started Amorphous Lad from the<br>front of the room, "I= 9;ll clue everyone in on what is going on."<br><br> The group turned a=
nd faced Amorphous Lad at the front of the room.<br>"Well?=C2=A0 What =
is it?" =C2=A0Ultimate Ninja demanded.<br><br> From the rear a new voi=
ce was heard. =C2=A0"I've often wondered just <br>who would win: = =C2=A0Ultimate Ninja..."<br><br> Ultimate Ninja instantly recognized t= he voice.=C2=A0 He did not even take<br>the time to draw his blade.=C2=A0 H=
e spun, jumped and prepared to strike the source<br>of the voice with an op=
en palm strike to the temple.=C2=A0 As he neared his target a<br>figure mat= erialized in his way.=C2=A0 Ultimate Ninja recognized the person and tried<= br>to stop his attack.=C2=A0 His momentum slammed him into the newly materi= alized <br>person.=C2=A0 Upon contact, Ultimate Ninja was overwhelmed by an=
attitude of not <br>caring.=C2=A0 The =C2=A0new person collapsed to the fl= oor, unconscious from Ultimate <br>Ninja's blow.<br><br> "...or Su= per Apathy Lad.=C2=A0 HAHAHAHAHA!" =C2=A0The source of the voice was<b= r>an armored man posing dramatically with his royal blue cape billowing aro= und<br>him.=C2=A0 Next to him stood Sarcastic Lad, Hooded Ho`'odWin and=
small, black and<br>disgustingly cute boy. =C2=A0"Move them into posi= tion!" =C2=A0<br><br> Without warning the group of NWC's that had =
been having the nightmares<br>began to herd the rest of the Legion members = into the center of the room.<br><br> "Aw, crap!" said Occultism K= id.<br><br> "How can we fight our own friends?" said Sister State=
the Obvious.<br><br> "We don't have to." =C2=A0Halls Jordan = flew at Tsar Chasm, who watched<br>the ring-around-the-collar-corpman with =
a bemused look. <br> "Deal with this!"<br><br> Before HJ could ma=
nifest anything, Tsar Chasm flung his arm out<br>and threw a blue liquid at=
Halls.=C2=A0 Upon contact, Halls' ring around the collar<br>disappeare=
d! =C2=A0"Your will is sooo impressive, how can I ever hope to defeat = <br>the mighty Halls Jordan?" =C2=A0Tsar Chasm said in a sarcastic voi= ce.=C2=A0 Halls froze<br>up and dropped to the ground.<br><br> "Wisk..= .," said Halls in a weak voice.<br><br> "I'll gladly move Ult= imate Ninja into position," volunteered Sarcastic<br>Lad.=C2=A0 He stu=
ck his foot under the Ninja and roughly turned him over. =C2=A0<br>Ultimate=
Ninja was too overcome by the contact with Super-Apathy Lad to care.<br>Sa= rcastic Lad made sure he dug his toe into UN's ribs with every turn ove=
r. =C2=A0<br>When he got to the area that the others were, he stopped.=C2=
=A0 He looked down at<br>UN. =C2=A0"Oh wait!=C2=A0 You aren't all = the way in yet." =C2=A0With that he kicked UN in the<br>stomach.<br><b=
"Don't think you can keep the combined might of the Legion cowe=
d behind<br>the threat of hurting our friends for too long," said Opin= ionated Lad. =C2=A0"In<br>my opinion, we should never let the presence=
of hostages dictate our actions!"<br><br> Deja Dude looked at Tsar Ch= asm, "You can't contain me!" =C2=A0Deja Dude<br>quickly telep= orted out of the room.=C2=A0 He tried to think of some options to <br>help = the LNH.=C2=A0 Before he could even take a step he found himself back in th= e<br>club room, this time in directly in front of Tsar Chasm.<br><br> "= ;That move was anticipated.=C2=A0 You had a great chance to actually get<br= >away," =C2=A0Tsar Chasm finished in his sarcastic voice. He brought a=
n armored fist<br>up and punched Deja Dude on the nose.=C2=A0 Deja Dude was=
knocked out cold.=C2=A0 Hooded<br>Ho`'odWin carried him to the center =
of the room and dropped him next to <br>Ultimate Ninja and Halls Jordan.<br= ><br> "Now before Kid Kirby tries anything I think I shall send you al= l<br>to your new home.=C2=A0 Irony Man, Bad Timing Boy, and All Knowing Las=
t Chance<br>Whiner Destiny Woman step among their group."<br><br> Afte=
r the three had complied, Amorphous Lad hit a switch on<br>one of the tripo=
ds and a glowing rectangle appeared around the entire group<br>in the cente=
r of the room. =C2=A0<br><br> "Webster, if you would please." =C2= =A0WIth that command the entire group<br>within the rectangle vanished!<br>= ***************************************************************************=
<br> FIN, part IV<br>***************************************************=
************************<br><br><br><br>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br><= br>Next Week: =C2=A0Taking a Labor Day Weekend Break -- See you in Two!!<br= ><br>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br><br>Arthur "Same Classic Channe= l.=C2=A0 But Same Time?=C2=A0 Probably not." Spitzer <br><br><br></div=
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