[FFML] [Ranma/various] Avenging: Act 3 Chapter 7

[DB Sommer]

>% David Mcmillan wrote:
>  
>

>> Avenging
>> Act III, The Animal Farm
>> Chapter 7
>
>	Well, I seem to be on a C&C roll lately (let's see how long it lasts).
>
>
>> Ryouga looked across the lot toward his longtime foe. The resemblance 
>> between this and the battleground Ryouga had challenged his arch-nemesis 
>> to, the one he had cowardly ran way from, was strong. How appropriate 
>
>	"he" is ambiguous.
>	"challenged to"?  ITYM "challeged at," or maybe "challenged to meet him
>at."
>	I'd break that whole line up into two seperate ones with fewer pronouns.
>
>% Used most of your grammar corrections.
>
>
>> that, after years of wandering, Ranma should be run to ground in a place 
>> that was so similar to where the chase had begun. It was symmetrical, 
>
>	Not the kind of word I'd expect Ryouga to use.  :)
>
>% well, it's a lead in to the next part
>
>
>> like a pair of book ends. And not the cute kind that were designed to 
>> look like animals, but the plain, metal type that had that bizarre art 
>> deco look.
>
>	This simile, OTOH, is so VERY Ryouga.
>
>% Thanks. I thought it worked. Nice to know it did.
>
>
>
>> 
>> But Ryouga had brought an ally. At least he thought of her as one. Ukyou 
>> Kuonji, that nice girl who had fed him after he dispatched that 
>> ridiculous Goofball. Or was it 8-Ball? It didn’t matter. Anyone that 
>
>	That Ryouga, he's such a dog -- feed him once, he's yours forever.
>
>% Heh
>
>
>> fiancée. Okay, according to Ukyou it was Genma who had screwed up her 
>> life, but Ryouga bet Ranma had something to do with it. He was that kind 
>> of guy.
>
>	Some things never change, no matter how many corssovers you cram in.
>
>% Yep. As much as I have changed things, I try to make sure some of it feels Ranma 1/2 flavor where I can.
>
>
>
>> Ranma right at the halfway point. And when they met, everything would be 
>> settled once and for all, with Ranma lying beaten into a bloody pulp and 
>> Ryouga’s life would become happiness and sunshine.
>
>	Well, if the sunshine was BRILLIANT GREEN and DIRECTIONALLY
>DYSFUNCTIONAL, yeah, maybe....
>
>% heh
>
>
>
>> Unable to hold back any longer, Ryouga snarled, “So, Ranma, after 
>> countless years and countless miles, we meet again for the first time at 
>
>	...huh?  Well, it does sound kind of like something Ryouga would say,
>if he'd been watching too many action-movie trailers and trying to write
>the perfect "we meet again" speech.  Which *would* be completely
>in-character....
>
>% I was originally going to work Ranma asking if Ryouga had worked on his speech, but I couldn't find a way to do it. But yes, Ryouga did work on it for quite a while
>
>
>
>> last. Every day I’ve fantasized about this moment and what I’m going to 
>> do to you. There’s no escape for you this time, Ranma. Because of you, 
>> I’ve seen hell--.”
>> 
>> “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s completely my fault,” Ranma said.
>
>	<Facefault>
>
>% This has been building up for a while, though it might not feel like it since it's been so long between chapters.
>
>
>
>> Ryouga was left adrift like an unanchored ship in the middle of the 
>> typhoon. Ranma was supposed to deny everything and then get beaten up in 
>> the ensuing fight, not immediately take responsibility for his actions, 
>> explain correctly why he had been wrong, and then apologize for his 
>> wrongdoing.
>
>	Mephisto?  Why are you dressed like Nanook of the North?
>
>% Heh
>
>
>> A friendly hand slapped Ryouga on the shoulder. Ukyou said, “There you 
>> go, Ryouga, total victory for you.”
>
>	Cue:  Rolling Stones, "Satisfaction."
>
>% Except it isn't or Ryouga.
>
>
>> “It is?” But no one had been beaten up. What sort of victory didn’t have 
>> one’s foe smashed for being the bad guy?
>	
>	It *does* seem to violate the underlying rules of both the Takahashi
>and Marvel Universes, don't it?
>
>% And he will mention this later about it being anti-climatic
>
>
>
>> The tallest of the girls that had arrived with Ranma approached. “Of 
>> course it is. Anyone can punch out someone else, but it takes a real man 
>> to accept a heartfelt apology.”
>	
>	Oh, dear.  Sweet reason combined with the Kasumi Effect.  Poor Ryouga.
>
>% Yep.The set up is too good. He doesn't have a chance.
>
>
>> 
>> “What did I have to apologize for until now?” Ranma said a touch 
>> defensively.
>
>	Uh oh.  The Universe is getting snarky about these people violating the
>First Law of the Conservation of Violence.
>
>% Yep. A peaceful resolution every once and a while to throw the reader off. ^_^
>
>
>> 
>> Kasumi continued before Ryouga could come up with a counter-argument. 
>
>	Ryouga and "fish out of water" -- seperated at birth?  YOU decide!
>
>% Heh
>
>
>> and not look like the bad guy in front of these girls. He would become 
>> that which he had been accused of, that which he had protested from the 
>> day it had happened. No way was he proving Ranma’s claim valid, if even 
>> if it was after the fact.
>
>	This is WAY too peaceful and reasonable.  A hockey game HAS to break
>out soon.
>
>% In the latter half. 
>
>
>> 
>> Ryouga was so deep in it now, even he would think he was he bad guy if 
>> he refused. “Yeah, sure.”
>
>	Oh, I am STEALING that line!
>
>% No problem. Also also 'he was the bad'
>
>
>
>> 
>> The good old times weren’t all that bad, hence the ‘good’ in it. 
>> Actually, hanging out with Ranma had been fun. “Uh yeah, sure.” Ryouga 
>> allowed himself to be led a few steps before saying, “You know, this 
>> really feels anti-climatic.”
>
>	Somewhere on the Moon, Uatu is bracing for a visit from the eXiles.
>
>% Hadn't kept up with that title, though I've heard it's pretty good. Always had a thing for AUs
>
>
>> Revenge on Ranma had not included killing him. Just beating him up 
>> badly. If he had lost his temper to the degree of Hulking out, well, it 
>> wouldn’t have been too pretty,
>
>	A Ryouga who is keeping (or trying to, at least) a grip on his temper?
> Huh!  Maybe being the Hulk has been good for him.
>
>% In some ways.
>
>
>> Besides, Ryouga’s quest for revenge wasn’t entirely over. He still had 
>> to get even with that little redhead that had kicked him into the stupid 
>> cursed spring.
>
>	Houston, we have a timebomb.
>
>% Not the perfect resolution, no, not by any means.
>
>
>> 
>> Genma was beside her as well. “Indeed. It’s so nice to see you’re 
>> looking out for Ranma’s welfare, just like a potential fiancée should.”
>
>	No one in the MVU ever has *these* problems, though.
>
>% Heh. Too true
>
>
>> official fiancée. She would have liked to deny Kasumi’s claim, but that 
>> wasn’t the sort of thing any normal person could do, given the way 
>> Kasumi had stated it. “Uh, yeah. I wouldn’t want to see either of them 
>> get beat up.”
>
>	The gentle art of verbal judo.
>
>% ep,though Nabiki practices  a different art. 
>
>
>\> had the crap kicked out of them, then I would have offered my services 
>> for a fee. I could command a higher price further in the fight, since, 
>> when someone is actually losing, since they’re more desperate for 
>> victory and are willing to pay more than at the outset of a fight.”
>
>	That line is a bit garbled -- "since" shows up twice in succession.
>
>% I just reworded a lot of things a bit. Also as you correctly pointed out on a multitude of corrections, I got incredibly wordy in some spots. Have trimmed them down to smaller phrases.
>
>
>> Everyone was momentarily struck speechless. Then Kasumi said to her 
>> father, “What amazing financial sense Nabiki has. She’s definitely able 
>> to run a household’s income with that kind of efficiency.”
>
>	...that was just a BIT obvious.  Then again, considering who she's
>talking to....
>
>% She's grasping, Kasumi is
>
>
>> Ranma had proclaimed them. Pretty much all of the pent up anger Ryouga 
>> had directed at Ranma was gone, which was what was currently making him 
>> angry. Really, why had he bothered chasing after Ranma for years on end, 
>> only to let himself lose by winning? What was the point in it all?
>
>	...only Ryouga could find a way to get depressed over everything going
>so well.
>
>% Sadly, I know RL people like this.
>
>
>> “Where is noise coming from?” The Hulk shouted. He leapt again. And 
>> again. The beeps grew closer together, then with the next beep they grew 
>> farther apart.
>
>	Next beep, or next leap?
>
>% leap. 
>
>
>> “Ahhhh! Hulk wants to get away from stupid noise!” he bellowed at the 
>> top of his lungs. Maybe it was time to smash something. Smashing usually 
>> made things better. If it didn’t, he wouldn’t find himself doing it so 
>> often.
>
>	He's got a lot of mad to blow off.
>
>% Some, but not a whole lot.
>
>
>> 
>> Thor’s hand felt the bandanna, then settled on one spot and pushed it 
>> against his head. The beeps stopped, “Tis the emergency signal sown in 
>> thy headband, the same one I received. We put on a location beacon so 
>> thou couldst’ find Avengers Mansion by following the beeps. The closer 
>> the beeps are together, the closer thou are to yon mansion. So 
>> concentrate on making the beeps louder when they do sound.”
>> 
>> “If Hulk does that, will Hulk get to meet Hammer Girl?”
>> 
>> “Err, aye,” Thor said with a touch of unease.
>
>	<snerk>
>
>% No here he's acting like a giant puppy. :)
>
>
>> “Good.” That one was going into the long term memory. The more beeps one 
>> heard, the closer to Hammer Girl Hulk was.
>
>	<rotfl>
>
>% And it provides motivation for him to actually find his way to the action rather than walking around.
>
>
>> 
>> Minutes later, the pair arrived, Sasuke leading them to the hanger bay 
>
>	Sasuke as Jarvis.  Somehow, that *still* seems more wrong than Kodachi
>as Tony, somehow....
>
>% Heh. He does have asperations. 
>
>> there’s an incredibly powerful super-villain called the ‘Basher’, 
>> threatening some little girl at an oil storage facility in Tokyo. We’re 
>> on our way to save her.”
>
>	Assuming Hawkeye is more-or-less quoting the call-in, this whole thing
>REEKS of "setup."
>
>% As they find out later. Too late, but they don't always hit the nail on the head.
>
>
>> The Hulk scowled. “’Basher’? That sounds like ‘Smasher’, which sounds 
>> like ‘Smash’. Hulk smashes. Hulk does not like it when people try to rip 
>> him off. Hulk will show Basher by smashing him.”
>
>	"HULK SMASH(tm)!!!!"
>
>% At least in his mind.
>
>
>> “I think a lawsuit might be healthier,” Giant Man suggested.
>
>	"Hulk have no fixed address."
>
>% Heh
>
>
>> 
>> The Hulk was torn. On one side, he wanted to near Thor. On the other, he 
>> knew he couldn’t leap as fast as she could fly. Reluctantly he got on 
>> the quinjet and buckled himself into his seat. After all, it was 
>> dangerous to travel without a seatbelt.
>
>	<ROTFL>
>
>% Thanks. Hulk does make for great comic relief.
>
>
>> 
>> The Basher laughed maniacally. “Oh yes! Soon the police will learn what 
>> it means to fear my power!”
>
>	...I think we've finally found someone more laughable than Walrus-Man.
>
>% He was a Speedball foe. That says it all.
>
>
>	Hopefully, this will teach the Avengers the value of intel.  Not to
>mention keeping files on supervillains so they can cross-check the call-ins.
>
>% I will eventually have a line with them having files on known super heroes and villain in a different act
>
>
>> 
>> 
>> “Don’t worry. You won’t have to fight them,” Minnie-May informed him. 
>> “Thor was the only one Bullseye was worried about. I was sort of hoping 
>> to lure them all in, but as long as she’s first, she’s all that matters. 
>> Rally can handle the rest with the special items she got from our 
>> employers.”
>
>	Rally is Bullseye?  Eeeeeep!
>
>% Yep. Introed them a couple of chapters ago. Now it comes to a head. 
>
>
>
>> “What can you do to someone that powerful?!” the Basher screamed.
>> 
>> “This.”
>> 
>> And Minnie-May Hopkins, living up to her nom-de-guerre, exploded.
>
>	Not her nome-de-boom?  (pardonnez-moi francais)
>
>% Heh
>
>
>  
>
>>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>To Iron Rose, everything happened at once. The little girl exploded, 
>>taking not just the man menacing her, but the oil tank directly behind 
>>her, easily shattering the container and igniting the oil within. That 
>>explosion lit up the night sky for miles around, the fireball engulfing 
>>Thor, who had just come in for a landing next to the villain.
>>    
>>
>
>	I know it's comic-book physics, but I have to make at least a token
>gesture in the direction of my engineering background: oil tanks blow up
>really lousy.  A propane tank would be a better choice, though even
>those don't explode very well unless you can somehow mix the propane
>with oxygen, or normal air, in the right proportions.
>	Okay, enough reality, on with the show!
>  
>

% As you say, comic book physics makes lots of things take a backseat to 
them.

>  
>
>>Even as the shockwave from the titanic explosion washed over the 
>>airborne heroine, her sensors picked up an incoming missile launched 
>>from a nearby building. She quickly calculated the trajectory, realizing 
>>it had not been aimed at her, but rather the quinjet.
>>    
>>
>
>	This is why they train infantrymen not to bunch up.
>  
>

% The Avengers have historically had problems with people blowing up 
their quinjets around them.

>  
>
>>Just as she brought her repulsors up in an effort to blast the missile 
>>from the sky, something small impacted with the back of her head. 
>>Instantly her armor seized up, everything shutting down. Her eyes 
>>widened behind the slits of her faceplate as she plunged headfirst to 
>>the ground. She tried shifting in some way to keep from plunging like a 
>>rock, tried rebooting her system, but nothing worked. The only thing 
>>still running was her pacemaker, which was on its own system
>>    
>>
>	
>	Better design than Tony had in the early days.  Missing period.
>  
>

% She's already upgraded a few things.

>
>  
>
>>Iron Rose hit the ground headfirst, rendered unconscious in an instant.
>>    
>>
>
>	In-helmet airbags.  They're lifesavers.
>  
>

% heh

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>Groans arose from inside the cabin. Including from the Hulk, who had 
>>started to doze off right before the explosion and crash.
>>    
>>
>
>	"Someone wake Hulk UP!  Hulk CRANKY when that happens!"
>  
>

% Yep, and he's about to get crankier still.

>
>  
>
>
>  
>
>>where both Giant Man and the Wasp lay unmoving. He took their pulses, 
>>    
>>
>
>	GM and W were both in the pilot's seat?  My, how forward.  Maybe
>"Pilots' seats" to imply P and CP seating.
>  
>

% Got it.

>  
>
>>The Hulk emerged from the wreckage, looking around. “Where did Hammer 
>>Girl GORMPH!”
>>    
>>
>
>	Gormph?  What language is that?
>  
>

% Garbled strangulated tongue. :)

>  
>
>>The reason for the Hulk’s sudden, garbled ending to his query was due to 
>>a small cylinder hitting him in the face. The object ruptured, causing 
>>some sort of red, plastic-like substance to explode over three-quarters 
>>of the Hulk’s head.
>>    
>>
>
>	Yep.  It's the ol' "I have devised weapons to precisely counteract each
>of your powers!" scenario.
>  
>

% Yep, but the employer behind her has the tech for it, as will 
eventually be revealed.

>  
>
>>But she wasn’t any longer, Daredevil’s senses made him one hundred 
>>percent certain of that. It was remarkable that she could slip away 
>>without even him noticing, though he had hardly been focused on her. 
>>Still, she was almost as elusive as that Elektra woman.
>>    
>>
>
>	I remember enough of previous chapters to <snerk> at that.
>  
>

% Yep. For some odd reason, every now and then, Tigra seems to have that 
effect on people

>  
>
>
>>least in the first second. After that, whatever wasn’t in physical 
>>contact with a solid surface would then turn slick so one could get a 
>>good hold on it, and it was so rubbery it would stretch and contort even 
>>if one could. An ideal weapon against a one trick brute force pony like 
>>the Hulk, though Bullseye had plenty of somna gas capsules that would 
>>have done the trick as well.
>>    
>>
>
>	Must be based on Adhesive X.
>  
>

% Baron Zemo did indeed develop it. I did like the fact that ole' Paste 
Pot Pete, for all his silliness, did develop a solvent for it, though.

>  
>
>>been a moment right after the shot when she thought she saw a strange 
>>shadow moving near the edge of the wreck, but it seemed impossible it 
>>was anything human. Most likely an illusion produced by the flames and 
>>smoke. A lot of smoke was starting to fill the area, thanks to the 
>>Nitro’s gas explosion.
>>    
>>
>
>	Gas<>oil
>	Wouldn't CJ's shield and skills be up to the job of letting him get out
>of the kill zone?
>  
>

% Probably, but he'll have his hands full in a little while.

>  
>
>>Child’s play. She was able to gauge his speed and distance in less than 
>>the blink of an eye. She held her breath and triggered the shot that 
>>would send a round of fifty caliber death through the air and burst her 
>>piñata.
>>    
>>
>
>	...THAT's a mental image I didn't need.
>  
>

% I try to be decriptive every now and then.

>  
>
>>The bullet struck the figure’s head cleanly, making it explode in a 
>>shower of streamers and party favors.
>>    
>>
>
>	More bad mental... wait.  It's literal this time, isn't it?
>  
>

% Yep. :)

>  
>
>
>>Bullseye abandoned her position and began stationing herself to use the 
>>room’s set up. However, she had only pulled out her favorite Glock for 
>>    
>>
>
>	Glock?!?  Ew!  Cz75 (classic, not the modern cheapie version) all the way!
>  
>

% Oops. Right.Someone mentioned I ought to make mention of it when she 
first appeared several chapters ago.

>  
>
>
>>but one of the bullets. The one that struck hit her in the side, the 
>>kinetic energy spinning her around and throwing her backward into a 
>>window that broke with the impact. She went tumbling out.
>>    
>>
>
>	"The one that did hit struck"
>	ObPhysicsGeek:  Bullets really don't really deliver that much kinetic
>energy.  I'll need to examine your Anime/Comic Physics Waiver for this 'fic.
>  
>

% True, they usually go through things. But I need Tigra out of the way 
for a while.

>  
>
>>As Bullseye had hoped, Tigra did have an enhanced sense of smell. One 
>>wiff of SF’s stink bomb would make a normal person vomit, which was why 
>>Bullseye had nose filters in place since the beginning. For Tigra it 
>>must have been like jamming a week old decomposing corpse up her nose.
>>    
>>
>
>	...okay, eww.
>  
>

% And yet more descriptive imagery.

>  
>
>>Before Bullseye could walk to the window to confirm the kill, she again 
>>became aware of movement out of the corner of her eye. She brought her 
>>empty gun up, deflecting the thrown billy club aimed at her head.
>>
>>Daredevil was coming at her from above. A dead man’s move. She sprang 
>>back and pulled out another pistol, firing a round for center mass. Just 
>>    
>>
>
>  
>
>	"center of mass"
>  
>

% I believe it's usually referred to as center mass when shooting at 
someone. At least in slang terms

>  
>
>
>
>  
>
>>Bullseye threw another capsule, this one a basic smoke bomb to blind her 
>>foe while she changed position, firing in the direction she had seen 
>>Daredevil in.
>>    
>>
>
>	And she thought she hated bad intel BEFORE....
>  
>

% Only a handful of people know his blindness, so it's not her fault. 
While she had a lot of great weapons for the good guys, it wasn't perfect.


>
>  
>
>
>>Bullseye threw down the flash bomb. The special wraparound sunglasses 
>>her employer had given her tinted instantly, preventing her from being 
>>blinded. Now Daredevil was dead. It was too bad, as he had excited her 
>>more than anyone since the Underworld hit. Killing competent, 
>>professional, and old school hit men was always a turn on. But to all 
>>good things and whatnot.
>>    
>>
>
>	Bad Intel:  3rd time's the charm.
>  
>

% Yep./

>  
>
>>Bullseye fired at Daredevil, who, impossibly, evaded the shot, as though 
>>he had been unaffected by the flash. Another billy club was thrown, 
>>knocking her gun out of her hand. That was followed up by a kick. She 
>>had only a split second to tighten her abdominal muscles before the blow 
>>hit, making her want to hurl the contents of her stomach.
>>
>>Reeling backward, Bullseye pulled a knife and held it out in front of 
>>    
>>
>
>	uh oh.  Methinks I detect one of Frank Castle's favorite holdout weapons...
>  
>

% Bingo. She's a tricky one, she is.

% Some of DD's and Bullseye's fights were close to being this grueling. 
Especially under Miller's guidance.


>  
>
>
>>handle and the blade shot forth. Somehow Daredevil managed to shift, 
>>just barely, while the blade was in mid-air. Bullseye heard him hiss in 
>>pain as it struck him in the chest, then deflected away. She smiled at 
>>his luck and felt herself become increasingly turned on by his survival 
>>instincts. Her heart rate increased and her body grew flush with arousal.
>>    
>>
>
>	Poor DD can probably smell all of this, too.
>  
>

% True, though he has other things on his mind, he mentions it later to 
himself.

>  
>
>
>
>>that had probably slunk off to some corner to hide, she thought.
>>    
>>
>
>	Meow!  Hisss!
>  
>

% Yep. Tigra is not popular among the ladies. :)

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>“Maybe we’ll call you Grenade Guy, then.”
>>    
>>
>
>	In the Marvel Universe, that's a threat with TEETH.
>  
>

% Hehee

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>obscuring the area between downed vehicle and enraged behemoth. It 
>>merged with the expanding cloud of smoke coming from the oil fires from 
>>the initial explosion, effectively obscuring the area.
>>    
>>
>
>	Logically, the smoke from the fires should completely swamp the smoke
>from Hawk's arrowhead, but... oh, nevermind.
>  
>

% True. Luckily the wind blew it in another direction. :)

>  
>
>>“Hey, you lumbering ox, it’s me, ‘Shield Man’. I’m going to try and take 
>>that crap off you so quit trying to hit me, unless you like the idea of 
>>suffocation.”
>>
>>The Hulk paused for a moment, scratching at his head before nodding.
>>    
>>
>
>	Had to think about that one, did he?
>  
>

% He doesn't care much for Cap, reminds him of a certain someone he's 
not entirely happy with. :_

>  
>
>
>>The Hulk shook his head furiously.
>>
>>“Aw, come on, you big baby. You can take me ramming my shield into your 
>>throat a bit.”
>>    
>>
>
>	This is just *so* Ranma&Ryoga-ish....
>  
>

% Thanks. LIke I said, I try to harken back to the roots of the fusion 
when I can.

>
>  
>
>>In response, Captain Japan threw his shield, catching the running girl 
>>in the ribs and knocking her to the ground. As the shield returned to 
>>his hand, the girl was left gasping on the ground, clutching her ribs in 
>>pain.
>>    
>>
>
>	Heh.
>  
>

% Liked breaking out of the mold here.

>  
>
>>“he continued gasping on the ground about ten meters from him. “Could 
>>you at least help me up? I think you broke my ribs.” She held out an 
>>imploring hand.
>>
>>“Like I’m going to get near you.” He remained right where he was.
>>    
>>
>
>	Wow.  Being crossed with Cap has made Ranma smarter.
>  
>

% These guys tend to be more dangerous when all is said and done. Too 
dumb and he ends up dead.

>  
>
>>She continued coughing, “You’re a cold bastard.” And then she blew up.
>>    
>>
>
>	"You mean she blew up at you."
>	"No, she wasn't a directional explosive."
>  
>

% Heh.

>  
>
>>C
>>
>  
>
>>him back a step, though he was well away from the immediate blast 
>>radius. He looked back at Hawkeye. “I didn’t make her do that. My shield 
>>doesn’t blow up people it hits. Look.” He swatted the Hulk in the 
>>stomach. “See?”
>>    
>>
>
>	...excuse me, I have to stop C&Cing so I can go rotfl for a while.
>  
>

% Some scenes write themselves.

>  
>
>>Captain Japan watched as some of the smoke began to coalesce, definitely 
>>moving against the wind. It took a few moments as the smoke moved 
>>around, but eventually it gathered into a humanoid form. The mist hung 
>>in the air, then solidified, forming Nitro once again.
>>
>>“Ooo, this could be a problem,” Captain Japan conceded.
>>    
>>
>
>	Anybody bring a Shop Vac?  How about Alpha Flight's Windshear?  Or... I
>remember seeing Kagome and Inu-Yasha, but does Miroku show up in
>"Avenging"?  He'd be handy (ahem) right about now.
>  
>

% Yep. There are a number of guys that would be better oriented to deal 
with Nitro. But none are on hand at the moment.

>  
>
>>Nitro slapped her ribs, not wincing in the slightest. “All better. You 
>>see, it doesn’t matter what you do to me. All I need to do is blow up, 
>>and when I reform, I’m as good as new. Let’s see if the same thing 
>>happens to you when you blow up.” She walked toward Captain Japan.
>>    
>>
>
>	I have to say, given canon-May's, err, 'response' to just the smell of
>explosives, this is an *inspired* choice of character to fuse her with.
>	Except for the little problem that she must get aroused every time she
>smells herself...  :D
>  
>

% Heh. Well, she's backed off a little from that.

>  
>
>>That irritated Nitro. She ran at him, intent on drawing close enough to 
>>blow him to pieces. “What kind of stinking superhero are you, running 
>>away from a fight?
>>    
>>
>
>	Sug:  "she charged him"
>	The type of superhero that uses the Saotome Secret Technique.
>  
>

% Yep. Pride hasnt' made him that foolish yet.

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>goal was in keeping Nitro’s attention away from the unconscious people 
>>in the quinjet. But what to do? There wasn’t anything lying around she 
>>could use to create a makeshift bow. And even then, what sort of arrow 
>>did you use on someone that could just heal the damage by blowing 
>>herself up?
>>    
>>
>
>	The Super-Stretchy-Balloon-Entrapment arrow?  C'mon, Hawk *has* to have
>one!
>  
>

% Yep, she does.

>  
>
>
>>way had he taken a breath. But if his strength couldn’t get it off, what 
>>the hell could?
>>    
>>
>
>	Freeze it off?  Some liquid nitrogen, say -- make it brittle enough to
>crack instead of just stretching.
>  
>

% Right idea, but went the opposite direction in using heat.

>  
>
>>Wait, maybe a different approach was what was needed. Hawkeye ran up to 
>>the Hulk, hoping Nitro wouldn’t notice and turn her attention to her. 
>>The archer shouted to the Hulk. “Listen up. I have an idea on how to 
>>free you, and it won’t involve hitting you with a shield.”
>>
>>The Hulk nodded eagerly.
>>    
>>
>
>	Geez, he's easy.
>  
>

% At times, and when suffocating.

>  
>
>>“Bend over so I can reach that crap on your head more easily.”
>>
>>The Hulk obediently bent at the waist, allowing easy access. Hawkeye 
>>pulled out one of her ‘flaming’ arrowheads. While the thing was designed 
>>    
>>
>
>	<!>  Well, okay, she never said it was *better* than hitting him with a
>shield....
>  
>

% True, but it'll be over quicker, and he can take it.

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>“AAAAAAA!” The Hulk cried out.
>>
>>“What is it?” Hawkeye asked, jumping back just in case he blindly lashed 
>>out.
>>
>>“Hulk pull off too fast, like band-aid.”
>>    
>>
>
>	Wuss.  Not like he has a beard or anything.
>  
>

% But he has hair on his head, which can hurt plenty.

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>portion of surface skin, attached to the inside of the suffocating 
>>substance. She winced in sympathy.
>>    
>>
>
>	But, since she's been living as a boy all these years, she's probably
>never suffered the dread Bikini Wax.  So whence the sympathy?
>  
>

% Anyone ripping a band aid off too fast can appreciate it.

>  
>
>
>>“Luckily we little girls can smash Hulks.” Nitro threw a double punch at 
>>the Hulk’s midsection. Just as her fists hit, her arms exploded. The 
>>force of the detonation hurled the Hulk away.
>>    
>>
>
>	The Physics Department would like to lodge a pro forma point-of-order
>protest that any such blast should have hurled Nitro away even further,
>in the opposite direction.  However, since the entire PD appears to have
>been assassinated by Bullseye and Nitro, no such protest will in fact be
>filed.
>  
>

% Actually Nitro appears resistant to his own explosions. I can't think 
of anyone has tried blowing him up before, but it would probably be an 
exercise in futility.

>  
>
>>“
>>The Hulk scowled. “Now Hulk understands. Little girl is not really 
>>little girl. Little girl is really a robot. Hulk can smash robots!” He 
>>    
>>
>
>	Ah, rationalization.  Ain't it grand?
>  
>

% Well, it's not exactly an unreasonable logic. She's not your standard 
human in any case.


>  
>
>>Once again smoke collected until it reformed Nitro. “Hey, you’re pretty 
>>durable, big guy. Let’s see how many explosions it takes until I get to 
>>the center of a Hulk.”
>>    
>>
>
>	...you realize you've just ruined that commercial for me forever.
>  
>

% Heh.

>  
>
>>“Hulk is not Tootsie-Pop!”
>>
>>Nitro clapped. “Yay! You got my joke. That one goes over most people’s 
>>heads. I can’t wait to tell Rally one of my victims actually got that one!”
>>    
>>
>
>	Well, you had to grow up watching TV during the right decade....
>  
>

% Too true. Too true.

>  
>
>>She reformed herself again. “I can do this all day. Good endurance, 
>>don’t you know. It’s one of the advantages of being trained in a top 
>>class bordello like the Purple Pussy.”
>>    
>>
>
>	...well, I suppose that gives new meaning to the term "bang bang girls."
>  
>

% Heh. Though I liked the Hulk's misassumption she's referring to Tigra.

>  
>
>>Nitro’s shoulders slumped in exasperation. “The sad thing is, you’re 
>>about as dynamic a conversationalist as some of my old regulars. Anyway, 
>>come on. I want to win my bet with Rally and have her pay for my meals 
>>    
>>
>
>	She used Rally's real neame.  Bad tradecraft.  Or, in this case, just
>plain arrogance, I guess.
>  
>

% Yep. She's not planning on leaving anyone alive, though Rally's 
identity is well known, since 'Bullseye' is only her nickname.

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>to move around before remerging. So it mattered where the smoke went. 
>>She would only have one shot at this, because if it didn’t work, Hawkeye 
>>had a bad feeling Nitro would be turning her attention to them, and she 
>>wagered it would take only one explosion to get to the center of a 
>>cross-dressing super-hero.
>>    
>>
>
>	...I'm just going to supress the first five hentai comments that that
>line provoked.
>  
>

% heh

>  
>
>>Ni
>>The Hulk did so. Given the tremendous size of his lungs, he was actually 
>>able to inhale some of Nitro before holding his breath.
>>    
>>
>
>	Let's hope she's not toxic.  Then again, Hulk is most immune one there
>is...
>  
>

% Yep

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>brought the end of it up to the Hulk’s mouth. “Exhale gently into the 
>>bag. Make sure you don’t blow hard enough to rip the bag.”
>>
>>The Hulk did so. The instant he was done, Hawkeye tied the bag in a knot.
>>    
>>
>
>	HA!  Good one!
>  
>

% Thanks. If you can seperate Nitro, it actually becomes easy to deal 
with him.

>  
>
>>“Hulk will never smoke again,” he swore.
>>    
>>
>
>	"Except after being shot with flamethrowers, or big ray guns."
>  
>

% Heh. Well there is that

>  
>
>>The smoke that was Nitro swirled around the outside of the bag, and 
>>Hawkeye could feel the parts of her in the bag swirling around to get 
>>out, but her disembodied form couldn’t create anywhere near enough force 
>>to tear open the bag. Hawkeye smiled. It was a good thing she had those 
>>helium filled balloon arrows. She had never been sure what she might use 
>>them for, but the ability to leave something floating in air had always 
>>been an idea that appealed to her.
>>    
>>
>
>	Of course, Hawk's *real* superpower was the Always Has Just The Right
>Arrow No Matter How Unique Or Weird power.
>  
>

% Too true. Although sometimes he gets clocked before he can use them.

>  
>
>
>
>>fight, her pulse had been that of a cool professional locked in a 
>>struggle, as the fight wore on, every sign of her body indicated she was 
>>becoming excited, rather than panicked, as things escalated. She was 
>>enjoying this, and not in the same way Wasp did when fighting 
>>super-villains.
>>    
>>
>
>	"Why do *I* always get the weird ones?"
>  
>

% Yep. His rogue's gallery has always been.... wanting.


>  
>
>>Bullseye waited on the lower level for their climatic battle, in every 
>>sense of the word. In celebration, she had ignited the pools of gasoline 
>>she had set up on this level: her final trap. She was in bliss at every 
>>ache and pain she felt. Blood had run down her face from the head wound 
>>she had suffered, smoke made her eyes water, and she had never felt 
>>better. Daredevil was by far her favorite yet, outstripping even Goldie. 
>>Yes, she was killing him in pieces, and loving every second of it. And 
>>when she struck the fatal blow, she would know ecstasy like no other.
>>    
>>
>
>	Y'know, I *like* canonical Rally and May.  Seeing them like this is...
>a bit disturbing.
>  
>

% They are distorted from their source characters, but at least you get 
to see some fanfiction with them.

% I had an idea for a Riding Bean story once, but didn't have the 
motivation to follow through.

>
>  
>
>>Bullseye grew impatient. “Come on down, Daredevil! I want to play with 
>>you in my personal hell just a little while longer!”
>>    
>>
>
>	"Daredevil!  Tonight... We dine... in HELL!"
>  
>

% Yes, It was intended to be very moviesque there.

>  
>
>
>>She fired one shot. It missed him but hit his cable, throwing off his 
>>trajectory ever so slightly. Still he slammed into her, landing on top 
>>awkwardly, sending shards of pain from his chest wound as the fall 
>>reopened it and blood flowed freely from the cut. At least the impact 
>>had knocked the gun out of her hand, leaving her defenseless.
>>    
>>
>
>	Uh... don't think so.
>  
>

% As he is about to find out.

>  
>
>
>
>>portions of his mind cease in stunned realization of what had just 
>>happened to the girl beneath him. Even he was shocked that what was a 
>>life and death struggle to him was some sort of perverse mating ritual 
>>to the girl he straddled.
>>
>>“Who loves ya, baby?” Bullseye moaned and released her hold on the 
>>object in her hand. It hit the floor in two parts.
>>    
>>
>
>	...so, she wants to come while she goes?
>  
>

% Actually this is a take on Rally's showdown with Grey in 'Return of 
Grey' which was very similar.

>  
>
>
>>Dimly he was aware of Bullseye falling as well. Below them was the 
>>ground floor. Concrete had been torn up in a pile, with many, many 
>>jagged metal pipes, used for support, sticking up. And Bullseye was 
>>    
>>
>
>	If they're support elements inside the concrete, they're not pipes,
>they're rebar.
>  
>

% Thanks. I couldnt' remember what the darn things were called.

>  
>
>
>  
>
>>And then his injured shoulder gave way, his hand slipped, and he fell.
>>
>>There was a sensation of floating, and of the pure stupidity of what he 
>>had just failed to accomplish in rescuing someone who didn’t deserve to 
>>be rescued, and killing himself in the process.
>>    
>>
>
>	Welcome to the hero biz, Marvel-style.  If you want to avoid this kind
>of thing, you need to transfer over to Image Comics.
>  
>

% Not that there are many of them left. ^_^

>  
>
>>And then his flight stopped abruptly as something snared his wrist, 
>>making him wish he was dead as his body was jerked with a force no human 
>>should have to endure, from wounds no one should have to survive.
>>
>>He saw the feline face of Tigra looking down at him. “Tigra arrive just 
>>in time,” she said delightedly.
>>
>>“No,” Daredevil said weakly. “’Just in time’ would be before I was shot, 
>>stabbed, and mutilated. This is ‘almost too late’.” And then he passed 
>>    
>>
>
>	I'm not usually one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he's got a
>point here.
>  
>

% Yep. I thought it a nice touch. He has been through the wringer, after 
all.

>  
>
>
>>“Wait, you don’t even know if you regenerate or not?” Hawkeye asked.
>>
>>There was a half-second’s hesitation before Tigra said, “Never been shot 
>>before.”
>>    
>>
>
>	Nothing like field testing.
>  
>

% Also, well, she's only recently come by the power. And it's more like 
very quick healing than genuine regeneration.

>  
>
>>Before the archer could press onward, Iron Rose snarled at a collection 
>>of shattered fragments in her hand. “Blast! This thing broke when I 
>>landed on it. While its destruction freed me, it’s in too many pieces to 
>>figure out how it worked.”
>>    
>>
>
>	Or, more importantly, who made it.
>  
>

% That too

>  
>
>>“So?” Wasp asked.
>>
>>“So I want to know how it overrode my armor so I can take measures to 
>>prevent it from happening again.” She threw the fragments down in disgust.
>>    
>>
>
>	Ooo, good point.  I should have caught that.
>	Well, maybe her system logs will have caught something useful.
>  
>

% We'll see. It is something she will address, as did Tony Stark when he 
had similar problems with some of his foes.

>  
>
>>“Everything turned out okay in the end.” Captain Japan said as they 
>>watched the authorities take away the pair of assassins. Nitro was kept 
>>in two different air-tight, metal containers so she couldn’t reform. 
>>Each would be transported and stored in separate locations.
>>
>>On the other hand, Bullseye was injured badly enough she was being 
>>transported to a hospital, under heavy guard and sedation.
>>    
>>
>
>	Which will probably turn into something like Bonnie's hospitalization,
>in the first Gunsmith Cats arc.
>  
>

% heh. We'll see.

>  
>
>>As she was wheeled into the back of the ambulance, she turned a dreamy 
>>eye toward the bandaged hero. Despite her drugged state, she was able to 
>>focus enough on him, and think clearly enough to say, “Oh baby, we cut 
>>each other into so many pieces. It hurts so much, even through the 
>>drugs, and I know you’re in pain. So wonderful. You’re the only one for 
>>me. Let’s have a proper finish next time, Love.”
>>    
>>
>
>	DD:  "Team... help me!"
>  
>

% Having an insane person in love with you is probably more disturbing 
than them hating you.

>  
>
>>As the ambulance doors closed, Captain Japan said, “Well, 
>>congratulations on having someone in your rogue’s gallery that isn’t a 
>>complete putz. The bad news is, she’s a complete psychopath and is in 
>>love with you.”
>>
>>“I’d rather fight Leap Frog and his Tadpoles of Doom again,” Daredevil 
>>said, and meant every word of it.
>>    
>>
>
>	You KNOW it's been a bad day when you can say that and mean it.
>  
>

% Yep.

% Thanks a lot for the commentary. it helped me out immensly and was a 
fun read. you really took your time with it, and it shows. It's much 
apprciated.

DB Sommer