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Willow and Thrude need pants badly! Also, some supervillains show up, because that's how these things typically go.

Standing on a Riverside street corner with her hands placed dramatically on her hips, Ellie Espadas turned to the eclectic group of women behind her and announced, "Alright, ladies, welcome to Meadow Street. A sensational hive of thrift and fashionability." Indeed, the line of shops behind her featured a generous quantity of second hand, vintage, handmade and fair trade clothing boutiques, several of which fell under two or more of those headings. "So, we've got two goals here," she reminded them. "First, to get Will and Trudy some actual people clothes." The dryad and goddess's limited wardrobes had become inconvenient enough that they'd quickly reached the limit of practical sharing and borrowing from the other Interceptors. "Second, we're practicing the 'secret identity' thing. Obviously Mo' is a little conspicuous, so if you get busted, we'll just say you're hanging with your girl Fulcrum on the downlow, but we're going for subtle, okay?" The young medic could perhaps be forgiven for directing the last part of her comment more to Thrude than anyone else.

11:50 am, 4-9-11 Champion's Restaurant/The Super Museum What's a mentoring program without a little R&R? Whether an official part of the program or not, Fulcrum considered it a vital part of the process. Which meant that many months after being paired with Wander, Fulcrum invited the powerful heroine to join her for lunch at Champion's restaurant. Well, actually, a visit to the Super Museum followed by lunch at Champion's, but that was neither here nor there. Her treat too! A few minutes before the appointed time, Fulcrum hovered lightly just inside the Museum's entry, examining a poster advertising a new exhibit of heroes from the early 1970s. She wore her costume, but over the program's timeline, that was becoming a common occurrence, even when she was 'off duty'.

10 am, September 21, 2010 Interceptors' Brownstone, West End "Everyone is looking forward to meeting you," said Mona as she and Erin landed, "Even Jack. Well, here she is: the Brownstone." Sweeping one arm wide, she indicated...a large three story house on a tree-lined street. "Really beauty isn't she?" she added while heading up to the front door. She hoped everyone was available. Yes, officially this visit was for a tour, but frankly a base was only as awesome as the team that dwelt therein. She wanted to provide the full tour! Not to mention she didn't know the nuances of the place as well as the long-time residents. Grim, Colt or Jack, on the other hand, were the go-to people for the full package tour. Not to mention the decor was their handiwork. Opening the right side doors, she motioned Erin inside and peeked around, "Anyone home?" The entrance opened into a perpendicular hallway running the length of the house. Just ahead, the archway to a large living room loomed, and on right, another hallway, stairs and a large, open room.

Date: June 2010 Deep under the streets of Freedom City's West End, the swashbuckling hero known as Jack of all Blades finished stretching in the Underground's training room and began bouncing lightly up and down on the balls of his feet, eager to get his first lesson started. Rather than his traditional greatcoat and bandanna mask, the tanned young man wore loose-fitting workout clothes: black shorts and a white tank top that revealed layer of lithe muscle marred by the occasional faint scar. He'd told the rest of the team to show up similarly attired, but hadn't revealed anything else about his lesson plan. Looking up, the fencer nodded to Colt where the cowboy sat in the room's control center, visible through a large translucent panel in the far wall, then turned to look at a digital readout of the time as he wrapped his hands with a roll of tape.

Erin was usually very good at keeping to a schedule. She had to be, it wasn't as though she'd been given or allowed herself a lot of free time in the past year. When she wasn't in class she was training, when she wasn't training she was in therapy, when she wasn't in therapy she was doing homework, when she wasn't doing homework she was working with her teammates. But sometimes her schedule inevitably slipped off the rails, usually when someone tried to schedule an extra meeting in on her. That was why she was running late today, and still in her slightly-singed uniform as she raced for the headmaster's office. It wasn't as though she wanted to be going to this meeting anyway, she thought rebelliously. She'd tried this mentorship thing once before and it hadn't worked out. She'd done everything Thunderstanding had told her to, and been dropped with little explanation anyway. Why did she have to go through the whole thing again? It wasn't as though she didn't do enough training already. Brushing her hair flat and trying to wipe the scowl off her face, she walked into the headmaster's office.

The Freedom City Medical Center was seen as a safe haven to many before the announcement earlier today. Its staff was measured in the thousands and had state of the art medical equipment; there was no where in the world where you could get better attention. As violence swept the streets, the hospital was soon filled to the point of breaking. Now if Atlas's threat comes to pass, the hospital could very well turn into a feeding ground with a death toll measured in the thousands.

Date: June 2010 The monthly Interceptors meeting had gone well enough, for all that no one on the team cared overmuch about the business side of things. What really mattered was that their financing was going well, their publicity was at an all-time high, and in the wake of the Grue invasion, things were going very well indeed for the defenders of West Freedom. Avenger had been bored through most of it, though he'd missed a couple of minutes to slip away and take calls from Phantom from that other dimension. Getting her and Jack Jr. out of the house but for their daily visits had been the right safety precaution after Dracula's attack, but it had given him free time: perhaps too much free time. You know what they say about idle hands... When he'd approached Dr. Archeville about testing the brownstone's security for him, he'd originally only planned to stay a couple of hours, but truthfully the sheer excitement of the moment had kept him around longer than he'd intended. It beat looking at a barely-used nursery. Wonder if that means he'll pay me more...or _less_? Truthfully, maybe lurking around the Casa del Interceptor for a whole day and a night had been a little unethical. For Avenger, at least, it was really hard to sort out what was and what wasn't the right thing to do when it came to matters of privacy and watching people at night while they slept. He decided to split the difference and just let them know. Don't need to tell them who I'm working for, I guess. Appearing in one of the empty seats at the table just as the meeting was wrapping up, Avenger waved. "Evening. Just popped in to let you know you need to fix your security systems. I'd recommend something that can monitor air movements."

Date: May 23rd, 2010 The city was in sad shape, but the day had been saved, but barely. The heroes realized that they needed to better themselves should such a dire situation ever arise again. An old abandoned arena, probably from the hey day of Circus Maximus would prove to be a way to better themselves. This was a venue where the heroes could spar away from prying eyes, on neutral ground and best of all, not worry about hurting anyone. Word was spread through the grapevine in the hero community. Take the evening off to come test your mettle against the other heroes. No one knew definitively who was coming, though heroes had their suspicions. But among all of these unknowns, there was one truth to the whole matter, tonight was going to be an interesting night.

Every now and then people wake up with that feeling in their stomach that the day is going to suck. They’ve got no reason for that belief. As far as they know, this is just another ordinary day, and most of the time it really is just a normal day. Other times however... you wish you had stayed in bed. Today will fall into the latter category. The early morning passes just like any other day. People get up, say good bye to their families and head off to work or to school or run some errands. But then, right before 11 o’clock things turned real sour, real fast. Monsters were lose in the streets, seemingly appearing out of no where. Heedless of the danger, the heroes sprang into action as the first explosion broke the early morning silence. The scene before you was one of wanton destruction. It was a rampage, nothing but the after effects of brutal savagery. And judging from the roars and shockwaves, there was still something out there hell bent on destroying everything it came across. Smoke was already billowing high into the sky, and you could taste the ash in the air.

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up." - Anne Lamott "I'm not normally a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me, Superman!" - Homer Simpson Player Name: Dariusprime Character Name: Fulcrum Power Level: 15 (250/250PP) Trade-Offs: -5 Attack / +5 Damage, -5 Defense / +5 Toughness Unspent PP: 0 In Brief: Terminus-powered heroine defending the citizens of Freedom City with super strength, speed and determination! Alternate Identities: Mona Teymourian Identity: Public Birthplace: Freedom City Occupation: Fine/Graphic Artist Affiliations: Interceptors Family: Afareen Teymourian (mother), Omid Ansari (father, deceased), Mahmoud Zandipour (stepfather), Fatima Teymourian (sister), Ava Teymourian (grandmother) Age: 39 (DoB: 21 July, 1980) Apparent Age: 30s Gender: Female Ethnicity: Persian (Iranian) Height: 8’2†Weight: 735 lbs Eyes: Dark brown (right), blue (left) Hair: Black Description: Ah, the girl next door, Fulcrum. If the girl next door happened to be an eight-foot, Persian amazon. She's the statuesque, athletic, 100% woman with enviable muscle tone. She's beautiful, if not in a traditional sense, then by a dignified bearing and self confidence. Admirers say her disarming smile and wavy, dark hair really make her stand out. She really rocks her costume though. Looks like a full body racing suit, including stylin' gloves and sturdy boots. The base color is a deep blue, a gold wedge runs from the shoulders down and a long, white cape with two blue stripes at the bottom completes the look. A blue bar balanced on a triangle is centered on the chest. A white cape, much like Centurion's, completes the look. History: Summary: As Centurion drew his last breath, 12 year old Mona did likewise. She died only to return to life transformed. 14 years later the swift and superhuman giant donned Centurion's lost cape, becoming Fulcrum, The Eternal Balance! Heroes' Knoll, 14 September 2009, 11 pm A caped figure descended slowly into the Knoll. The hero hovered at eye level with Centurion's statue and then landed. After a minute of hesitation, she spoke. "Hello, Mr Cen...Centurion. My name is Mona Teymourian. I was the little girl you visited at the Children's Ward. That was the same day as the Terminus Invasion. Good to see you again." "I remember meeting you like it was yesterday. My mom said the Freedom Children's Foundation had responded to my wish, but I thought she meant you autographed a picture or something. I didn't expect a visit. You are...were...such a busy hero, saving the world and all. You looked so confident and powerful when you came around the curtain! I could have died right then and there." She smiled and looked at the plaque, "You were my hero. When I was little, I wanted so much to be your sidekick. I'd put on my homemade cape and 'fly' around the backyard, pretending I was Centuri-Girl or Latin Lass, flying alongside you into danger and adventure. Saturdays mornings always started with Freedom Friends. Comic books, newspaper clippings, posters, Centurion pajamas. Mom always hated those pajamas. She thought Lady Liberty was a better role model. And you wouldn't believe the crush I had on you as a teenager. Movie stars had nothing on you." "I just wanted to fly. To feel the ground drop out beneath me, escape gravity and soar into the clouds. I remember asking you how flying felt. You said, 'Flying feels like being free, like a bird.' And you know, you're absolutely right. But the doctor said I was too frail. Sitting on your arm while you hovered was definitely the next best thing. I still have those pictures, both of us smiling. Looking at them now, you seemed sad. Wistful even. Why were you sad? I suppose I'll never know." "I remember the battle too. The Omegadrones were everywhere. So where heroes. More than I had ever seen together. Then buildings started to fall like dominoes. You were battling Omega. He looked like the End of the World. I was so scared. Where you scared, Centurion? I watched you land that one perfect punch. I watched you split his armor open," Tears welled in the blue and gold clad hero's eyes, "I watched you fall to the street. I couldn't believe it. You were Centurion. You were invincible." "Listen to me ramble," she mumbled. Unfastening the white cape, she pulled it into her arms reverently, "The reason I came here. When you broke Omega, I saw this...shock wave of energy from the point of impact. The energy swirled with crackling white and roiling black, like lightning and perfect stillness tumbling together. Knocked me to the ground, washed over me, through me. No one else saw it apparently. No one believed me," she stopped, collecting her thoughts. "I died during the Invasion too, when you died. I got one good look at you and collapsed. The doctors said the chemo and stress were too much for me. But I came back. I heard your voice in the dark, and came back. But something else happened. I came back different. Grew up big and strong and fast and hopelessly infatuated with The Champion of Freedom. I became like you," she sniffed. Floating up, she draped the cape over the statue's hands atop the sword. "On the 13th anniversary, a sheet drifted into my apartment window. Well, I thought it was a sheet, until I saw the twin, blue stripes along the bottom. I just knew. I planned on sending it to the Super Museum, but I couldn't help but try it on once. I hope you can forgive the indulgence. Then this urge overtook me. I stepped outside and...lifted off. I don't know how long I flew, but I soared through the clouds and felt like I touched the face of forever." "For a while, I was arrogant enough to think it chose me. As if the cape itself was looking for a successor. I never worked so hard in my life. At one point I started lifting industrial equipment for strength training. It was if I had a new lease on life, after the Invasion, and putting on your cape unlocked the rest of my potential. Whether psychologically or physically, I can't say. Every day I seemed more powerful. I continued growing too. Yeah, I'm now an eight foot amazon. I decided, for a lot of reasons, to follow in your footsteps. I took the name Fulcrum, after your words and as a means of balance in the world." She sighed and looked down. "I don't have what it takes to be a hero. Not like you. No one can live up to you. White Knight is a pig, but I honestly didn't think being a hero would be this difficult. That guy nearly killed me. In some ways, I understand your courage to stand up against Omega. I don't have that kind of willpower, that dedication. Guess I failed my biggest test." "I don't know why I'm telling you all of this. Maybe its my confession, for good or bad. Thank you. For being a hero. Thank you for letting me use you cape, Centurion. I tried." Fulcrum landed and walked away from the statue. A gust came up, rustling the still night air. The cape drifted off the statue and down onto her. Pulling it off her head, she turned and stared at the statue's face. The policewoman, standing among the other statues, flipped on her flashlight. "You do. Don't try to be Centurion. Be yourself." The shocked look slowly morphed into a grin. Re-clasping the cape, Fulcrum turned to the officer, "I will. Thank you." Smiling to the statue one last time, Fulcrum launched into the night, flying as high and fast as she could. Personality & Motivation: Laconic, mellow, introspective, confident, ironic, thoughtful, introverted. Fulcrum is an old soul, just does her own thing, live and let live, trying for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Learning is important, as is doing. She likes a good scrap, a good meal and a good lover. Slow to anger and a force of nature when enraged. Loves making a difference for people and stands up for that which she believes. She's fallible as everyone else, and in the end, respects herself the more for it. Earn her loyalty and you'll have a friend for life. Oh yeah, she can be stubborn as a mule too. She truly wants to follow in Centurion's footsteps. Being a direct legacy is irrelevant. Its what he stood for that matters. Doing the right thing matters. Plus she feels the calling in her bones. As if protecting this world, this universe, is her destiny and her duty. "Freedom is worth the fight." Powers & Tactics: Fulcrum is a powerful being and her tactics are recklessly straightforward. She faces off with the biggest foe, pummeling or strafing it at supersonic speeds. She utilizes her super strength and immunities to gain advantages, particularly by grappling, throwing or exposing foes to harsh environments. Against numerous foes, staying airborne and sweeping across the lines with heavy objects is common as well as utilizing her powerful freeze and sonic attacks. Unless something important is threatened, she has the common sense to retreat or keep an opponent at bay. Complications: Enemy: White Knight. Fulcrum has twice brawled with White Knight. She won both outings. Naturally, he still hates her guts. Fame: An eight foot giant is hard to miss, so Mona lives openly as Fulcrum. Additionally, she is unofficially working as a Centurion legacy, which puts her every move under scrutiny. Honor: Seek peace. Keep your word. Support just laws. Support the common good. Live with compassion, courage, virtue and wisdom. Power Dampers: Fulcrum wears sturdy power dampers that absorb her energy emissions. They are disguised as bracelets and anklets and are quite durable. Nonetheless, damaging, disabling or destroying these devices will cause her Terminus Radiation complication to come into effect. Prejudice: Iranian, female, bohemian, artist, feminist: take your pick of issues minor or major. The Big One: Centurion legacy. Mona is trying to follow in Centurion's footsteps, a little too much for some peoples' liking. Responsibility: Family. Her extended family lives in the West End of Freedom City. Heaven help anyone, particularly a maniacal supervillian, that threatens them. Freedom City. Centurion protected the entire world, but for many years Freedom City was his 'home' turf. For this reason and her own love, she is protective of the city and its people. Interceptors. They're her second family. Do the math. Viktor Archeville. Like her family, Mona is very attached to her boyfriend and will fight fiercely to protect him. Terminus Radiation: Fulcrum is a liminal being: a Terminus hybrid organism acclimated to conditions within the multiverse. Her physiology is fundamentally alien, and mimicked traits (pigmentation, heart rhythm, etc.) left over from her slow transformation allow her a 'normal' physical appearance. Microscopic and molecular studies suggest a homogenous, non-cellular biochemical structure unrelated to Terran life. Her metabolism consumes localized matter and energy (particularly cosmic energy) to power and maintain her body. The waste product is a low-energy cosmic energy, compatible with Terminus radiation, which emanates from her at all times. This radiation is typically invisible to the unaided eye; however, individuals with the proper detection equipment can visualize the energy as a shimmering, black aura with some characteristics similar to normal cosmic energy. This Terminus radiation has been described as 'malignant' given its propensity to induce severe alterations in the surrounding environment. Emission rates spike during strenuous physical activity. Long-term exposure examples: Disease, mutation, healing/injury, super powers, power modifications, dimensional rifts, warping reality, powering devices/beings, other unusual properties, etc. Using Extra Effort or similar exertion releases a large quantity of energy, potentially causing immediate effects similar to long-term exposure. Abilities: 32 + 2 + 36 + 4 + 6 + 4 = 84PP Strength: 50 (+20) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 50 (+20) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 16 (+3) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 16 + 14 = 30PP Initiative: +5 Attack: +10 Melee, +7 Ranged (+8 Base, -1 Size) Grapple: +34 (+10 Melee, +20 Str, +4 Size)/+48 (+14 Max. Super-Strength) Defense: +10 (+7 Base, +4 Dodge Focus, -1 Size), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -21 (-15 Imp. Toughness, -2 Toughness, -4 Size) Saving Throws: 0 + 4 + 12 = 16PP Toughness: +20 (+20 Con [Impervious 15]) Fortitude: +20 (+20 Con, +0) Reflex: +5 (+1 Dex, +4) Will: +15 (+3 Wis, +12) Skills: 60/60R = 15PP Craft (Artistic) 13 (+15) Diplomacy 13 (+15) Knowledge (Art) 8 (+10) Languages 3 (English [Native], Galstandard, German, Persian) Notice 12 (+15) Sense Motive 11 (+14) Stealth 0 (-3, -4 Size) Feats: 18PP Accurate Attack Attack Focus (Melee) 3 Dodge Focus 4 Eidetic Memory Environmental Adaptation (Zero G) Fearless Improved Initiative Interpose Luck 1 Move-By Action Power Attack Takedown Attack Ultimate Save (Toughness) Powers: 3+13+12+15+3+6+6+35=93PP (Descriptor: Cosmic [Terminus]) Flight 1 (10 mph/100 feet; Power Feat: Moving Feint) [3PP] Growth 4 (Large; Extras: Continuous +1; Flaws: Permanent -1; Power Feats: Innate) [13PP] Growth Modifiers (+8 Strength, +4 Constitution, +5 ft Speed, -1 Attack, -1 Defense, +4 Grapple, -4 Stealth, +2 Intimidate, Space 10 ft, Reach 10 ft, +5 Str Carrying Capacity, -4 Knockback) Immunity 12 (Aging, Life Support, Sleep, Starvation/Thirst) [12PP] Impervious Toughness 15 [15PP] Regeneration 1 (True Resurrection 1/week; Power Feats: Persistent, Regrowth) [3PP] Super Senses 6 (Extended Hearing 2 [1000 ft increments], Extended Vision 2 [1000 ft increments], Ultra Hearing, Low-Light Vision) [6PP] Super-Strength 1 (Flaw: Carrying capacity only -1; Power Feats: Countering Punch, Freeze Breath [Snare = Str bonus], Shockwave, Strike of Valor [Vampiric], Alternate Power 1) [6PP] AP: Super Movement (Space Travel) 3 (Intergalactic, Drawback: Only in space -1) [5PP] Terminus Array 14 (28 points; Power Feats: Alternate Power [Dynamic] 3, Dynamic) [35PP] (Power of the Void) DBP: Flight 14 (Flight 15 [500,000 mph/5,000,000 feet] total maximum) [28PP] DAP: Drain (Toughness) 20 (Channel the Terminus; Extras: Affects Objects +1, Ranged +1; Flaws: Distracting -1, Action (Full Round) -1; Power Feats: Accurate 2, Affects Incorporeal, Improved Range 3 [2000 ft increments] , Precise, Slow Fade 1 [1 min]) [28PP] DAP: Quickness 14 (x50,000) (Extra: Linked: Speed 14 [250,000 mph/2,500,000 feet]) [28pp] DAP: Super Strength 14 (total effective Str 130; Heavy Load 800,000 tons) [28pp] Drawbacks: -6PP Weakness (Energy absorbed by daka crystals, Frequency: Uncommon -1, Intensity: Moderate -1, -1 Dexterity per round -4) [-6PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC35 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Drain Ranged DC 30 Fortitude (Staged) Drain (Toughness) Freeze Breath 200-ft. cone DC30 Reflex (Staged) Snare Abilities (84) + Combat (30) + Saving Throws (16) + Skills (15) + Feats (18) + Powers (93) - Drawbacks (6) = 250/250 Power Points