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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 Three
by Ken Schmidt!
Is it time for Ultimate Ninja to finally
wake up?! Is it time for Kid Kirby to
say something like, "Am I not...KID KIRBY?"
And is it time for a -- REBEL YELL?!!!!!!
Find out in...
_
| | Classic
| | =
| | ____ ____ _ ____ ___
| |__ | [] | | [] | | | | [] | | _ \
|____| \__] \__ | |_| \__/ |_|\_\
||
|_| OF NET.HEROES
ADVENTURES #429
=====================
THE GREAT PUBLIC DOMAIN CAPER! Part Three
=====================
*************************************************************************** Ultimate Ninja woke up from his apathy and found himself laying face
down on a mixture of sand and gravel. His head hurt, and so did his ribs. Before he moved he opened one eye to survey the situation. He found that
most
of the LNH was standing around looking a bit confused. He opened his other
eye
and turned his head to look the other way. Next to him Deja Dude and Halls Jordan were also on the ground.
"Hey! Ultimate Ninja is awake," Pliable Lad alerted the others.
Ultimate Ninja looked around and found himself in an unmfamiliar cave.
"Where are we?"
"We are in comics limbo," answered Kid Kirby.
"How do you know?"
"Am I not...KID KIRBY?"
Ultimate Ninja ignored the tone of KK's voice,"No really, how do you
know where we are."
"We ran into Kid Chivalry. Seems he's been here for a while.
Almost since his right after his one-shot special," answered Marvel Zombie
Lad.
"I guess we are in comics limbo then," remarked Ultimate Ninja.
"Has anyone tried to find a way out?"
"No," Marvel Zombie Lad.
"Why not?"
"Because he said not to." Marvel Zombie Lad pointed behind Ultimate
Ninja. UN turned to see who it was that was so eagerly giving orders. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"Rebel Yell????" ***************************************************************************
Tsar Chasm watched the LNH fade out and quickly turned to Sing Along
Lass. "I know Kid Kirby can create technology out of virtually nothing.
Now
tell me, how does he do it?"
"He has access to matter as he needs it."
"Is there a way to stop him?"
"I...NO! Kid Kirby is my friend...I can't tell you."
Tsar Chasm thought to himself, 'I can't push her to far, but I have to
stop him from creating something to spoil my plans. Ahh! that is it!'
"Sing Along Lass, Kid Kirby will be hurt if we don't stop him from getting
the
matter. You don't need to tell me, just do it yourself."
"I am unable. I don't have enough power."
"That is not a problem. Webster you know what to do."
Webster opened his watch face and pushed a button. He walked over
to Sing Along Lass and took a hold of her hand. "Augmenter will boost your power. You can do it. Help Kid Kirby by blocking the use this matter."
Sing Along Lass concentrated and soon began to sweat from the exertion.
"I think that should do it. I can't be positive, I don't know exactly how
he gets the matter."
"Your best is all I can ask of you," Tsar Chasm said in a reassuring
tone. "Now we must prepare for the other members returning. CheeseCake
Eater
Lad, I need you to prepare some food for the others." Tsar Chasm gestured toward Webster who hit a button on his watch, and concentrated for a
second.
A sealed container appeared next to Tsar Chasm. Tsar Chasm picked it up, walked over to CCEL, and with a smile said,"And make sure you use plenty of this. Sarcastic Lad, I'm leaving you in charge. Take this list (hands SL
a
piece of paper) and make sure the Peril Room is prepared within an hour,
the
rest of the items can follow when you finish that. I want to bring back
the
others as soon as possible."
"What will you be doing?" asked Sarcastic Lad.
"I have other business to attend to, and I must make sure that the
others are comfortable where I have sent them." Tsar Chasm gestured to
Webster again, and they disapeared. Sarcastic Lad quickly got the others to work. ***************************************************************************
"How did you get here?" asked Ultimate Ninja to Rebel Yell.
"Its been so long since I've been in a story, I guess I just got
stuck in here," Rebel Yell said with a shrug.
"Where is Lurking Girl? I thought she was with you."
"Lurking around somewhere, I'd guess," Rebel Yell said with a smile.
"Uh-huh. Has someone filled you in on what has just happened?"
"Yeah, I was just talking to Domestic Lad. You know, it's not often I
meet another hero from the south. He told me what he knew. Who is, as DL
put
it, 'the guy with the neat cape and shiny armor'?"
"Tsar Chasm. I have fought him before. I am starting to like him
less and less every time we meet," Ultimate Ninja sensed something was
wrong,
but couldn't quite figure it out. "Why hasn't anyone tried to find a way
out
yet?"
"I wanted to make sure we had the story straight before we went
off half-cocked. I don't want to tangle with those two until I have enough info. It seems that you are the only one who has fought these guys before
that may volunteer any information."
'That's it!' thought Ultimate Ninja to himself. "Who else have you
asked?"
"Irony Man. He seems to be a tad confused about this whole situation."
"I'll go ask him myself. Wait here. I need to check on something else
first," Ultimate Ninja walked over to Marvel Zombie Lad and Kid Kirby.
"That
is not Rebel Yell," he said to them.
"What? Are you sure?" asked Marvel Zombie Lad.
"Yes. He said Domestic Lad told him about one guy, but later on he
mentioned that 'he didn't want to fight those guys" how would Rebel Yell
know about the others?"
"Others? There was only one person with...what was his name again?"
"Tsar Chasm. He has two agents. I believe that (indicates Rebel Yell)
is the other one. Kid Kirby, can you whip up something to make certain?"
"Alas, no. The link my materials has been severed. I know not how
this was accomplished!"
"I guess we'll just have to trust my judgement." Ultimate Ninja,
Kid Kirby and Marvel Zombie Lad all walked over to Irony Man.
"Are you feeling OK?" asked Ultimate Ninja.
"I'm a little confused. That was Tsar Chasm, right? (the others
nodded) Why was I helping him?"
"We don't know yet but we are going to find out soon enough,"
Ultimate Ninja said. UN, MZL, and KK walked over to Rebel Yell.
"Well, what did you find out," Rebel Yell asked.
"Plenty..." Ultimate Ninja assumed an accusing stare, "Webs Tor."
From behind the group a gloved hand clap could be heard. "Oh, well done Ultimate Ninja, you are truly a remarkable person."
"Forget it Tsar Chasm," started Ultimate Ninja as he, and the other
two turned toward the voice," I have felt your power before, it means
nothing
to me now."
Tsar Chasm was with Webster, and suddenly Rebel Yell appeared next to
them. Marvel Zombie Lad turned and saw that the RY they had confronted was gone. Rebel Yell opened his watch face and pushed a button. In his place stood Webs Tor.
"Get him!" commanded Ultimate Ninja who suddenly remembered that
no one else had faced Tsar Chasm and did not know what to expect. "Wait!"
came too late. The heroes had started to attack. Surprizingly Tsar Chasm
did
nothing except get a smile on his face.
"Aw, crap!" said Occultism Kid, looking frustrated.
Elvis Man tried to attack with hip-kido, but ran into something about
2 feet in front of the trio of bad guys. "Ah-huh!"
Invisible Incendiary tried to move in but he was also stopped about
2 feet from the group. When he stopped, however, a half sphere of flame
engulfed the three bad guys. The LNHers had to back off from the heat. The flames quickly died down and Tsar Chasm and his group remained untouched.
"Meet Protector, I rarely travel without him. One can never be too
careful in these strange neighborhoods," Tsar Chasm said with a laugh. He continued in his sarcastic voice, "The assembled might of the LNH, what
could
possibly stand against such an awesome force?"
"Forget it, that won't work," said Ultimate Ninja, the rest of the
group however, wavered. They were not sure of their ability to deal with
this new threat. "What have you done to the other NWCs?"
"I have done nothing except show them the way. It was you, and the
other WCs abuse of the NWCs that made them the way they are."
"And I've smelled less bull in Texas. You did something to them."
"Yeah, that meeting and those jobs sure did a number on most of the
NWCs," said Sister State the Obvious.
Tsar Chasm's expression quickly changed to a scowl. "You never did
accept either offer, you ungrateful..."
"You were behind that meeting?" asked Ultimate Ninja. "Now it begins
to make sense. You did something to the NWCs at that meeting. And then programmed them to have dreams to affect their collective subconcious.
Then you made your appearance at our HQ a trigger for a post-hypnotic suggestion that brought all of those subconcious feelings to their concious mind. Somehow superimposing your image as their leader over mine!"
"Essentially that is true. However, I only chose the destination, the
others chose the path."
"You were also behind the jobs? What are they? A trap waiting to be
sprung on the unsuspecting LNHers?"
"Oh, no. They are legitimate jobs. I think it will be much easier to
convert the others as they return in small groups. Then I shall return here and start with the rest of you. The LNH shall become my personal police
force.
You will all help keep order on the .net, my order!" Tsar Chasm switched dramatic poses through his speeech.
"You'll never get away with this!"
"What can you do to stop me? There is only one more thing I need to
do to ensure that the rest of you are stuck here." Tsar Chasm gestured
toward
Webster who looked at (the still unconcious) Deja Dude. Deja Dude suddenly appeared next to Tsar Chasm who put some sort of belt on Deja Dude. "This accessory will stop Deja Dude from teleporting out of here. I would also advise against trying other ways out of here. This belt will detect any attempt to leave this limbo. It will create a loop and send everyone back here." With that Tsar Chasm, Webster and Webs Tor teleported out, while leaving Deja Dude behind.
The rest of the LNHers began to move about again as Tsar Chasm's power
faded. Ultimate Ninja turned and faced everyone. "That is what we are up against. Someone try and wake Deja Dude and Halls." ***************************************************************************
Tsar Chasm rematerialized at LNHHQ to inspect how the work was
progressing. The Peril Room was prepared, and they only needed one of the other NWCs to return to test his machine.
"Tsar Chasm! Look what I found in Ultimate Ninja's quarters," shouted
Parking Karma Kid running up to Tsar Chasm with a note. PKK handed the
note
over to TC who quickly glanced over it.
"Ha-ha! This is a benefit I had not considered. The reputation of
the LNH will bring me new recruits. Parking Karma Kid, keep a vigil out for the person who left this note. Was there anything else with it?"
"Just this feather," said PKK offering a large black feather.
"Hmm... put them back where you found them. I don't want our 'recruit'
to think anything is out of the ordinary. I need some time to ponder this
new development. Show me UItimate Ninja's ready room if you would please, Parking Karma Kid."
"Right this way!" said PKK.
***************************************************************************
The LNHers had formed a circle and had begun to discuss their options.
"Who can teleport us out of here? Occultism Kid?" asked UN.
"Normally I'd say I could try, but something has happened to my
mystical abilities."
"What?" asked Pliable Lad.
"I've been ensared by the 'Constraints of Awcrap!'," replied OK.
"The 'Constraints of Awcrap'? What is the 'Constraints of Awcrap'?"
OK turned to face Ultimate Ninja,"It is a very devious spell. It
takes lots of preparation and a very rare element."
"What rare element?" asked Marvel Zombie Lad, getting interested
because this was sounding like something out of a Dr. Strange book.
Occultism Kid swept his gaze dramatically over the assembled LNHers,
"It takes a positve message about the LNH from Cowling!"
Most of the assembled Legion members had their eyes grow wide and
nodded their agreement when Kid Chivalry said," That _is_ rare!"
"How does the spell work?" asked Pocket Man.
"Like I said, it is very devious. Everytime I try to cast a spell, my attention is diverted to 'alt.fan.q' by making me think there has been a
post
there. When I realize that it is a ruse I say 'Aw, crap'."
"How do you know this?" asked Opinionated Lad.
Occultism Kid looked him right in the eyes and said, "I'm Occultism
Kid, it's my job to know."
Ultimate Ninja cut in," Great, you can't get us out. Who else. Deja
Dude can't because of that belt..."
"Has he tried to take it off yet?" asked Forgetting One.
"It doesn't have any visible way of coming off and we don't want to
risk forcing it off since I'm positive it has some anti-tampering devices. Youcould try if you
really wanted to."
"No thanks."
Kid Kirby stepped up,"I shall attempt to boom-tube my way back. I
will confront this miscreant and teach him the error of his ways!"
"I'm not sure about that," started Pliable Lad." Didn't Tsar Chasm
say something like that belt would detect any attempt to leave and bounce
the
person back here?"
"No matter, I must at least try." Kid Kirby concentrated and 'boom'ed
himself out of limbo. Suddenly Deja Dude doubled over and Kid Kriby re-'boom'ed back into the cavern.
"Too much strain, blacking ou..." was all he could manage before he
passed out and collapsed to the floor.
Deja Dude was having a hard time catching his breath. "Felt like... kicked...by mule."
Ultimate Ninja waited for Deja Dude to catch his breath and then
asked,"Who does that leave?"
Deja Dude thought for a second,"How about Halls? He could whip up
something with his ring around the collar."
Halls Jordan was sitting a bit apart from the group, with his knees
tucked under his chin and his arms circling his knees. He looked up at the mention of his name but then quickly looked back down.
Deja Dude walked over to HJ. "What is the problem?"
"I don't have my ring around the collar anymore. Even if I did, I
don't think I could handle that Tsar Chasm guy. His will is ... incredible.
It was almost as if I could _feel_ his confidence, like he projects it.
I... I dunno," Halls trailed off.
Deja Dude thought for a moment, "You said it was Wisk that took
away your ring around the collar, right?"
Halls mumbled an affirmative.
"You work for the Custodians of the Universe right? So if you get
cleaner, you should get stronger, and Wisk is a cleaning agent."
Halls picked up his head and thought for a moment. "I guess so."
"And your willpower controls what your ring around the collar creates."
"yeah...YEAH! I see now. I never lost my ring around the collar,
Tsar Chasm made me believe that I did. He attacked my willpower and made me *think* I lost it!" Gradually Halls Jordan's ring around the collar
reappered. Halls took out a cherry Halls, popped it in his mouth and said, "Look out Tsar Chasm, Halls Jordan is back in action! Thanks DD! Now let
me do you a favor." With that DD's shirt was redesigned. It became jet
black, with 'S.A.M.P' on the front and a silkscreen of Psylocke in a painful ninja pose on the back.
"Great, can you get this belt off?" asked Deja Dude.
Halls began concentrating, the belt began to sparkle, but did not
go away. "Sorry, looks like the best I can do is interrupt its power for a couple of seconds."
"That means I can only teleport a few people. That's OK, I have a
plan!" said Deja Dude.
"So do I," said Ultimate Ninja.
"We need to take out the NWCs..."
"No problem."
"WITHOUT causing any major amount of bodily damage."
"That could be a problem. What is your plan?"
"Lesse, I don't want to teleport myself because if I get captured then
the rest of you are stuck. AH! I have it. Mimic Kid, Elvis Man and Pocket
Man front and center. I have a job for the three of you." *************************************************************************** FIN, part V ***************************************************************************
==========
Next Week: Some more of The Great Public Domain Caper!!
==========
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 Three<br>by Ken Schmidt!<br><br= ><br>Is it time for Ultimate Ninja to finally<br>wake up?!=C2=A0 Is it time=
for Kid Kirby to <br>say something like, "Am I not...KID KIRBY?"= <br><br>And is it time for a -- REBEL YELL?!!!!!!<br><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=A0Cl= assic <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 #429<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 PUBLIC DOMAIN CAPER!=C2=A0 Part Three<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>=
Ultimate Ninja woke up from his apathy and found himself laying face <br>d=
own on a mixture of sand and gravel.=C2=A0 His head hurt, and so did his ri= bs. =C2=A0<br>Before he moved he opened one eye to survey the situation.=C2= =A0 He found that most<br>of the LNH was standing around looking a bit conf= used.=C2=A0 He opened his other eye<br>and turned his head to look the othe=
r way.=C2=A0 Next to him Deja Dude and Halls <br>Jordan were also on the gr= ound.<br><br> "Hey!=C2=A0 Ultimate Ninja is awake," Pliable Lad a= lerted the others.<br><br> Ultimate Ninja looked around and found himself i=
n an unmfamiliar cave.<br>"Where are we?"<br><br> "We are in=
comics limbo," answered Kid Kirby.<br><br> "How do you know?&quo=
t;<br><br> "Am I not...KID KIRBY?"<br><br> Ultimate Ninja ignored=
the tone of KK's voice,"No really, how do you<br>know where we ar= e."<br><br> "We ran into Kid Chivalry.=C2=A0 Seems he's been =
here for a while.<br>Almost since his right after his one-shot special,&quo=
t; answered Marvel Zombie <br>Lad.<br><br> "I guess we are in comics l=
imbo then," remarked Ultimate Ninja. =C2=A0<br>"Has anyone tried =
to find a way out?"<br><br> "No," Marvel Zombie Lad.<br><br>=
"Why not?"<br><br> "Because he said not to." =C2=A0Mar=
vel Zombie Lad pointed behind Ultimate<br>Ninja.=C2=A0 UN turned to see who=
it was that was so eagerly giving orders.=C2=A0 He<br>couldn't believe=
his eyes.<br><br> "Rebel Yell????"<br>**************************=
*************************************************<br><br> Tsar Chasm watche=
d the LNH fade out and quickly turned to Sing Along<br>Lass. =C2=A0"I = know Kid Kirby can create technology out of virtually nothing.=C2=A0 Now<br= >tell me, how does he do it?"<br><br> "He has access to matter as=
he needs it."<br><br> "Is there a way to stop him?"<br><br>=
"I...NO!=C2=A0 Kid Kirby is my friend...I can't tell you."<b=
<br> Tsar Chasm thought to himself, 'I can't push her to far, but=
I have to<br>stop him from creating something to spoil my plans.=C2=A0 Ahh=
! that is it!'<br>"Sing Along Lass, Kid Kirby will be hurt if we d= on't stop him from getting the<br>matter.=C2=A0 You don't need to t= ell me, just do it yourself."<br><br> "I am unable.=C2=A0 I don&#=
39;t have enough power."<br><br> "That is not a problem.=C2=A0 We= bster you know what to do."<br><br> Webster opened his watch face and =
pushed a button.=C2=A0 He walked over<br>to Sing Along Lass and took a hold=
of her hand. =C2=A0"Augmenter will boost your <br>power.=C2=A0 You ca=
n do it.=C2=A0 Help Kid Kirby by blocking the use this matter."<br><br=
Sing Along Lass concentrated and soon began to sweat from the exertion.<b=
"I think that should do it.=C2=A0 I can't be positive, I don'=
;t know exactly how<br>he gets the matter."<br><br> "Your best is=
all I can ask of you," Tsar Chasm said in a reassuring<br>tone. =C2= =A0"Now we must prepare for the other members returning.=C2=A0 CheeseC= ake Eater<br>Lad, I need you to prepare some food for the others." =C2= =A0Tsar Chasm gestured<br>toward Webster who hit a button on his watch, and=
concentrated for a second. <br>A sealed container appeared next to Tsar Ch= asm.=C2=A0 Tsar Chasm picked it up, <br>walked over to CCEL, and with a smi=
le said,"And make sure you use plenty of <br>this.=C2=A0 Sarcastic Lad=
, I'm leaving you in charge.=C2=A0 Take this list (hands SL a <br>piece=
of paper) and make sure the Peril Room is prepared within an hour, the <br= >rest of the items can follow when you finish that.=C2=A0 I want to bring b= ack the <br>others as soon as possible."<br><br> "What will you b= e doing?" asked Sarcastic Lad.<br><br> "I have other business to =
attend to, and I must make sure that the <br>others are comfortable where I=
have sent them." =C2=A0Tsar Chasm gestured to <br>Webster again, and = they disapeared.=C2=A0 Sarcastic Lad quickly got the others to<br>work.<br>= ***************************************************************************= <br><br> "How did you get here?" asked Ultimate Ninja to Rebel Ye=
ll.<br><br> "Its been so long since I've been in a story, I guess =
I just got <br>stuck in here," Rebel Yell said with a shrug.<br><br> &=
quot;Where is Lurking Girl?=C2=A0 I thought she was with you."<br><br>=
"Lurking around somewhere, I'd guess," Rebel Yell said with =
a smile.<br><br> "Uh-huh.=C2=A0 Has someone filled you in on what has =
just happened?"<br><br> "Yeah, I was just talking to Domestic Lad= .=C2=A0 You know, it's not often I<br>meet another hero from the south.= =C2=A0 He told me what he knew.=C2=A0 Who is, as DL put<br>it, 'the guy=
with the neat cape and shiny armor'?"<br><br> "Tsar Chasm.= =C2=A0 I have fought him before.=C2=A0 I am starting to like him <br>less a=
nd less every time we meet," =C2=A0Ultimate Ninja sensed something was=
wrong,<br>but couldn't quite figure it out. =C2=A0"Why hasn't=
anyone tried to find a way out<br>yet?"<br><br> "I wanted to mak= e sure we had the story straight before we went<br>off half-cocked.=C2=A0 I=
don't want to tangle with those two until I have enough<br>info.=C2=A0=
It seems that you are the only one who has fought these guys before<br>tha=
t may volunteer any information."<br><br> 'That's it!' tho= ught Ultimate Ninja to himself. "Who else have you <br>asked?"<br= ><br> "Irony Man.=C2=A0 He seems to be a tad confused about this whole=
situation."<br><br> "I'll go ask him myself.=C2=A0 Wait here=
.=C2=A0 I need to check on something else<br>first," =C2=A0Ultimate Ni= nja walked over to Marvel Zombie Lad and Kid Kirby. =C2=A0"That<br>is = not Rebel Yell," he said to them.<br><br> "What? Are you sure?&qu= ot; asked Marvel Zombie Lad.<br><br> "Yes.=C2=A0 He said Domestic Lad = told him about one guy, but later on he<br>mentioned that 'he didn'=
t want to fight those guys" how would Rebel Yell<br>know about the oth= ers?"<br><br> "Others?=C2=A0 There was only one person with...wha=
t was his name again?"<br><br> "Tsar Chasm.=C2=A0 He has two agen=
ts.=C2=A0 I believe that (indicates Rebel Yell)<br>is the other one.=C2=A0 = Kid Kirby, can you whip up something to make certain?"<br><br> "A=
las, no.=C2=A0 The link my materials has been severed.=C2=A0 I know not how= <br>this was accomplished!"<br><br> "I guess we'll just have =
to trust my judgement." =C2=A0Ultimate Ninja, <br>Kid Kirby and Marvel=
Zombie Lad all walked over to Irony Man.<br><br> "Are you feeling OK?=
" asked Ultimate Ninja.<br><br> "I'm a little confused.=C2=A0=
That was Tsar Chasm, right? (the others <br>nodded) =C2=A0Why was I helpin=
g him?"<br><br> "We don't know yet but we are going to find o= ut soon enough," =C2=A0<br>Ultimate Ninja said.=C2=A0 UN, MZL, and KK = walked over to Rebel Yell.<br><br> "Well, what did you find out,"=
=C2=A0Rebel Yell asked.<br><br> "Plenty..." Ultimate Ninja assum=
ed an accusing stare, "Webs Tor."<br><br> From behind the group a=
gloved hand clap could be heard. "Oh, well done<br>Ultimate Ninja, yo=
u are truly a remarkable person."<br><br> "Forget it Tsar Chasm,&= quot; started Ultimate Ninja as he, and the other<br>two turned toward the = voice," I have felt your power before, it means nothing<br>to me now.&= quot;<br><br> Tsar Chasm was with Webster, and suddenly Rebel Yell appeared=
next to <br>them.=C2=A0 Marvel Zombie Lad turned and saw that the RY they = had confronted was<br>gone.=C2=A0 Rebel Yell opened his watch face and push=
ed a button.=C2=A0 In his place<br>stood Webs Tor.<br><br> "Get him!&q=
uot; =C2=A0commanded Ultimate Ninja who suddenly remembered that<br>no one = else had faced Tsar Chasm and did not know what to expect. =C2=A0"Wait= !" <br>came too late.=C2=A0 The heroes had started to attack.=C2=A0 Su= rprizingly Tsar Chasm did<br>nothing except get a smile on his face.<br><br=
"Aw, crap!" said Occultism Kid, looking frustrated.<br><br> Elv=
is Man tried to attack with hip-kido, but ran into something about<br>2 fee=
t in front of the trio of bad guys. =C2=A0"Ah-huh!"<br><br> Invis= ible Incendiary tried to move in but he was also stopped about<br>2 feet fr=
om the group.=C2=A0 When he stopped, however, a half sphere of flame <br><b= r>engulfed the three bad guys.=C2=A0 The LNHers had to back off from the he= at.=C2=A0 The<br>flames quickly died down and Tsar Chasm and his group rema= ined untouched.<br><br> "Meet Protector, I rarely travel without him.= =C2=A0 One can never be too<br>careful in these strange neighborhoods,"=
; =C2=A0Tsar Chasm said with a laugh.=C2=A0 He<br>continued in his sarcasti=
c voice, "The assembled might of the LNH, what could<br>possibly stand=
against such an awesome force?"<br><br> "Forget it, that won'= ;t work," said Ultimate Ninja, the rest of the<br>group however, waver= ed.=C2=A0 They were not sure of their ability to deal with <br>this new thr= eat. =C2=A0"What have you done to the other NWCs?"<br><br> "= I have done nothing except show them the way.=C2=A0 It was you, and the<br>= other WCs abuse of the NWCs that made them the way they are."<br><br> =
"And I've smelled less bull in Texas.=C2=A0 You did something to t= hem."<br><br> "Yeah, that meeting and those jobs sure did a numbe=
r on most of the<br>NWCs," said Sister State the Obvious.<br><br> Tsar=
Chasm's expression quickly changed to a scowl. =C2=A0"You never d= id<br>accept either offer, you ungrateful..."<br><br> "You were b=
ehind that meeting?" asked Ultimate Ninja. =C2=A0"Now it begins<b= r>to make sense.=C2=A0 You did something to the NWCs at that meeting.=C2=A0=
And then <br>programmed them to have dreams to affect their collective sub= concious.<br>Then you made your appearance at our HQ a trigger for a post-h= ypnotic <br>suggestion that brought all of those subconcious feelings to th= eir concious<br>mind.=C2=A0 Somehow superimposing your image as their leade=
r over mine!"<br><br> "Essentially that is true.=C2=A0 However, I=
only chose the destination, the<br>others chose the path."<br><br> &q=
uot;You were also behind the jobs?=C2=A0 What are they?=C2=A0 A trap waitin=
g to be<br>sprung on the unsuspecting LNHers?"<br><br> "Oh, no.= =C2=A0 They are legitimate jobs.=C2=A0 I think it will be much easier to<br= >convert the others as they return in small groups.=C2=A0 Then I shall retu=
rn here<br>and start with the rest of you.=C2=A0 The LNH shall become my pe= rsonal police force.<br>You will all help keep order on the .net, my order!= " =C2=A0Tsar Chasm switched <br>dramatic poses through his speeech.<br= ><br> "You'll never get away with this!"<br><br> "What c=
an you do to stop me?=C2=A0 There is only one more thing I need to<br>do to=
ensure that the rest of you are stuck here." =C2=A0Tsar Chasm gesture=
d toward<br>Webster who looked at (the still unconcious) Deja Dude.=C2=A0 D= eja Dude suddenly<br>appeared next to Tsar Chasm who put some sort of belt =
on Deja Dude. =C2=A0"This<br>accessory will stop Deja Dude from telepo= rting out of here.=C2=A0 I would also<br>advise against trying other ways o=
ut of here.=C2=A0 This belt will detect any<br>attempt to leave this limbo.= =C2=A0 It will create a loop and send everyone back<br>here." =C2=A0Wi=
th that Tsar Chasm, Webster and Webs Tor teleported out, while<br>leaving D= eja Dude behind. =C2=A0<br><br> The rest of the LNHers began to move about = again as Tsar Chasm's power<br>faded.=C2=A0 Ultimate Ninja turned and f= aced everyone. =C2=A0"That is what we are up<br>against.=C2=A0 Someone=
try and wake Deja Dude and Halls."<br>*******************************= ********************************************<br><br> Tsar Chasm remateriali= zed at LNHHQ to inspect how the work was <br>progressing.=C2=A0 The Peril R= oom was prepared, and they only needed one of the <br>other NWCs to return =
to test his machine.<br><br> "Tsar Chasm!=C2=A0 Look what I found in U= ltimate Ninja's quarters," =C2=A0shouted<br>Parking Karma Kid runn= ing up to Tsar Chasm with a note.=C2=A0 PKK handed the note <br>over to TC = who quickly glanced over it.<br><br> "Ha-ha!=C2=A0 This is a benefit I=
had not considered.=C2=A0 The reputation of<br>the LNH will bring me new r= ecruits.=C2=A0 Parking Karma Kid, keep a vigil out for<br>the person who le=
ft this note.=C2=A0 Was there anything else with it?"<br><br> "Ju=
st this feather," =C2=A0said PKK offering a large black feather.<br><b=
"Hmm... put them back where you found them.=C2=A0 I don't want =
our 'recruit'<br>to think anything is out of the ordinary.=C2=A0 I = need some time to ponder this<br>new development.=C2=A0 Show me UItimate Ni= nja's ready room if you would please,<br>Parking Karma Kid."<br><b=
"Right this way!" =C2=A0said PKK.<br><br>*********************=
******************************************************<br><br> The LNHers h= ad formed a circle and had begun to discuss their options.<br><br> "Wh=
o can teleport us out of here?=C2=A0 Occultism Kid?" =C2=A0asked UN.<b= r><br> "Normally I'd say I could try, but something has happened t=
o my <br>mystical abilities."<br><br> "What?" asked Pliable =
Lad.<br><br> "I've been ensared by the 'Constraints of Awcrap!= '," replied OK.<br><br> "The 'Constraints of Awcrap'?=
=C2=A0 What is the 'Constraints of Awcrap'?"<br><br> OK turned=
to face Ultimate Ninja,"It is a very devious spell.=C2=A0 It <br>take=
s lots of preparation and a very rare element."<br><br> "What rar= e element?" asked Marvel Zombie Lad, getting interested<br>because thi=
s was sounding like something out of a Dr. Strange book.<br><br> Occultism =
Kid swept his gaze dramatically over the assembled LNHers,<br>"It take=
s a positve message about the LNH from Cowling!"<br><br> Most of the a= ssembled Legion members had their eyes grow wide and <br>nodded their agree= ment when Kid Chivalry said," That _is_ rare!"<br><br> "How =
does the spell work?" asked Pocket Man.<br><br> "Like I said, it = is very devious.=C2=A0 Everytime I try to cast a spell, my<br>attention is = diverted to 'alt.fan.q' by making me think there has been a post<br= >there.=C2=A0 When I realize that it is a ruse I say 'Aw, crap'.&qu= ot;<br><br> "How do you know this?" asked Opinionated Lad.<br><br=
Occultism Kid looked him right in the eyes and said, "I'm Occult=
ism<br>Kid, it's my job to know."<br><br> Ultimate Ninja cut in,&q=
uot; Great, you can't get us out.=C2=A0 Who else.=C2=A0 Deja<br>Dude ca= n't because of that belt..."<br><br> "Has he tried to take it=
off yet?" asked Forgetting One.<br><br> "It doesn't have any=
visible way of coming off and we don't want to<br>risk forcing it off = since I'm positive it has some anti-tampering devices.=C2=A0 Youcould t=
ry if you =C2=A0<br>really wanted to."<br><br> "No thanks."<=
<br> Kid Kirby stepped up,"I shall attempt to boom-tube my way back= .=C2=A0 I <br>will confront this miscreant and teach him the error of his w= ays!"<br><br> "I'm not sure about that," started Pliable=
Lad." Didn't Tsar Chasm<br>say something like that belt would det= ect any attempt to leave and bounce the<br>person back here?"<br><br> =
"No matter, I must at least try." =C2=A0Kid Kirby concentrated an=
d 'boom'ed<br>himself out of limbo.=C2=A0 Suddenly Deja Dude double=
d over and Kid Kriby <br>re-'boom'ed back into the cavern. =C2=A0<b= r><br> "Too much strain, blacking ou..." was all he could manage = before he<br>passed out and collapsed to the floor.<br><br> Deja Dude was h=
aving a hard time catching his breath. =C2=A0"Felt like...<br>kicked..= .by mule."<br><br> Ultimate Ninja waited for Deja Dude to catch his br= eath and then <br>asked,"Who does that leave?"<br><br> Deja Dude =
thought for a second,"How about Halls?=C2=A0 He could whip up<br>somet= hing with his ring around the collar."<br><br> Halls Jordan was sittin=
g a bit apart from the group, with his knees<br>tucked under his chin and h=
is arms circling his knees.=C2=A0 He looked up at the<br>mention of his nam=
e but then quickly looked back down.<br><br> Deja Dude walked over to HJ. = =C2=A0"What is the problem?"<br><br> "I don't have my ri= ng around the collar anymore.=C2=A0 Even if I did, I<br>don't think I c= ould handle that Tsar Chasm guy.=C2=A0 His will is ... incredible.<br>It wa=
s almost as if I could _feel_ his confidence, like he projects it. =C2=A0<b= r>I... I dunno," Halls trailed off.<br><br> Deja Dude thought for a mo=
ment, "You said it was Wisk that took <br>away your ring around the co= llar, right?"<br><br> Halls mumbled an affirmative.<br><br> "You =
work for the Custodians of the Universe right?=C2=A0 So if you get<br>clean= er, you should get stronger, and Wisk is a cleaning agent."<br><br> Ha=
lls picked up his head and thought for a moment. =C2=A0"I guess so.&qu= ot;<br><br> "And your willpower controls what your ring around the col=
lar creates."<br><br> "yeah...YEAH!=C2=A0 I see now.=C2=A0 I neve=
r lost my ring around the collar, <br>Tsar Chasm made me believe that I did= .=C2=A0 He attacked my willpower and made me<br>*think* I lost it!" = =C2=A0Gradually Halls Jordan's ring around the collar <br>reappered.=C2= =A0 Halls took out a cherry Halls, popped it in his mouth and said,<br>&quo= t;Look out Tsar Chasm, Halls Jordan is back in action!=C2=A0 Thanks DD!=C2=
=A0 Now let<br>me do you a favor." =C2=A0With that DD's shirt was = redesigned.=C2=A0 It became jet<br>black, with 'S.A.M.P' on the fro=
nt and a silkscreen of Psylocke in a painful<br>ninja pose on the back. =C2= =A0<br><br> "Great, can you get this belt off?" asked Deja Dude.<=
<br> Halls began concentrating, the belt began to sparkle, but did not<b= r>go away. =C2=A0"Sorry, looks like the best I can do is interrupt its=
power for a<br>couple of seconds."<br><br> "That means I can onl=
y teleport a few people.=C2=A0 That's OK, I have a <br>plan!" said=
Deja Dude.<br><br> "So do I," said Ultimate Ninja.<br><br> "=
;We need to take out the NWCs..."<br><br> "No problem."<br><=
"WITHOUT causing any major amount of bodily damage."<br><br> =
"That could be a problem.=C2=A0 What is your plan?"<br><br> "= ;Lesse, I don't want to teleport myself because if I get captured then<= br>the rest of you are stuck.=C2=A0 AH! I have it.=C2=A0 Mimic Kid, Elvis M=
an and Pocket<br>Man front and center.=C2=A0 I have a job for the three of = you."<br>*************************************************************= **************<br> FIN, part V<br>**************************************=
*************************************<br><br>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= <br><br>Next Week: =C2=A0Some more of The Great Public Domain Caper!!<br><b= r>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br><br>Arthur "Same Classic Channel.= =C2=A0 But Same Time?=C2=A0 Probably not." Spitzer <br></div>
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