[center][h1][b]The Battle for Denver Begins: For Everyone[/b][/h1][/center]

[center][h3][b]At the Airport[/b][/h3][/center]

The newcomer, who called himself Chivalry, seethed at the ravings of the lunatic on the television monitors. However that righteous anger gave way to something more akin to confusion as the loud sirens suddenly began blaring. The figure on screen seemed to be just as bothered by them as the Jacks who stood around Chivalry. His body language noticeably shifted, less tense and less on guard, and more tilted as though he were trying to make heads or tails of what was going on. Once he had been informed of the most rudimentary basics by the Jacks, he once again appeared to be ready for battle. [color=lightseagreen]"A monster is coming to kill us all, you say? Well if I am stuck in this world, I suppose I must defend it as my own."[/color] He held up both his blades in a dynamic pose, clearing favoring style and appearance over practicality. Either he did not truly understand the gravity of the situation, or he was an odd bird. [color=lightseagreen]"I shall cut down this monster for the safety of all in this new realm! Show me the way, guide me in this foreign city!"[/color] The die had been cast. While the horrifically monstrous Doctor Dean was dead and incapable of being any help in this most dire of circumstances, the Jacks did at least recruit one new ally. Maybe he really would be of help against Behemoth?

[hr][center][h3][b]At the Television Station[/b][/h3][/center]

Patriarch's fingers stopped merely an inch away from Judah's face, so close to touching him, so close to converting him. But he dared not budge another milimeter. The sirens, those damned sirens, they indicated that an Endbringer was coming. The very instant those sirens came on, an official truce was in effect between all parahumans, all heroes and villains, all normal citizens and criminals alike. Violating that truce was an instant death sentence. Even those converted into his own family would not take kindly to him working against others during the impending threat. Damn, those tv cameras were working against him now. He could've converted Mantis then killed him in privacy and been none the worse for wear, but with hundreds of thousands of witnesses...

[color=7d0552]"Hrm. You got lucky this time."[/color] Patriarch turned back to the camera. [color=7d0552]"The timing couldn't be worse for our fair city, but rest assured people of Denver, the Community [i]will[/i] help in every way we possibly can. Marcus, release the prisoner."[/color] He gestured off camera, and only seconds later a man came into view, working at the restraints holding Mantis in place. [color=7d0552]"Yet the I can think of no better circumstance to prove to you all that my way is the [i]right way.[/i] Once you see how a unified Denver can protect itself, you will all flock to my family. You will all call me Father by choice. Now let us go, my family. Let us meet at the PRT staging grounds [i]immediately[/i] and show everyone what we are made of. DENVER WILL NOT FALL! DEATH TO THE ENDBRINGER!"[/color]

With a gesture, the video feed cut out. Patriarch hurriedly charged for the door, flanked by several normal citizens. "Dad, aren't we going to take Mantis with us?" asked Marcus.

[color=7d0552]"Hell no,"[/color] shot back the villain as he reached the stairs. [color=7d0552]"At this point he's only a burden. Leave him and his survival will be up to him."[/color]

They all left the building, turning the corner just in time to miss two more figures approaching: Farce and Healer, the remaining members of Lethal Force. With no obstacles blocking their path, they were free to enter the building and find Judah exactly where he had been left, unconscious on the hospital gurney. His equipment was even left in a convenient pile nearby on a desk.

[color=palegoldenrod]"Mantis!"[/color] Healer ran up to him, assessing the multitude of injuries he had taken. He would live as he was, but it was a lot of pain. She placed her hands on his body, and thus the process of her namesake began to take effect. Slowly but surely the wounds disappeared from his body, siphoned away to nobody-knows-where, stored up until she could unload them on some other hapless whelp.

[color=palegoldenrod]"I won't be able to hold onto these for too long before they start affecting me,"[/color] she informed. [color=palegoldenrod]"Finding someone to inflict during the truce will be a bitch. Oh, I think he's waking up."[/color] It was then that Judah began to stir.

[hr][center][h3][b]PRT Headquarters: Staging Grounds[/b][/h3][/center]

Time went by as more and more heroes and villains began to show up just outside the PRT headquarters. The Wards, naturally, were already present. With some assurance from Decoy, they all gathered. Director Kens was notably absent, having been rushed to medical attention by some of the few remaining staff members who weren't already out in the field fighting off the Community. In his place were a few of his junior staff, overseeing the proceedings. They had learned of the situation regarding Protean and Sonar, and regrettably ordered that both be freed in order to take part in the battle against the Endbringer. Solvent for the containment foam was brought in to give Protean his mobility back, and Sonar was untied from his private quarters. Both immediately volunteered to participate in the battle, giving not even a second's hesitation. Their presence would certainly cause some friction among the ranks, but in these desperate times no asset could be denied.

It didn't take long before reinforcements started to appear from all over the world. Most of the arrivals were brought in by Protectorate teleporters, and were Protectorate members themselves, but some villains from elsewhere, and independent heroes also joined the rank and file. Dozens and dozens of capes were arriving, each one directed to take a communication device hand built be Decoy. Over the crowd appeared three instantly recognizable faces: [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/parahumans/images/4/4b/Alexandria_by_YunYunHakusho.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170307173656]Alexandria,[/url] [url=https://pre00.deviantart.net/82d4/th/pre/f/2013/313/4/4/eidolon_by_thekrustacean-d6tnx0e.jpg]Eidolon,[/url] and [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e4/51/da/e451dad10075362aa4adfd3917590166.jpg]Legend.[/url] The three most powerful heroes in the entire Protectorate, if not the entire world. The three still living founders. The [i]Triumvirate.[/i] Household names even to people who knew absolutely nothing about popular capes around the world, and the beacon of hope in this bleak world. With these three on their side, truly they had nothing to fear, right?

Wrong. Legend landed, taking a microphone and began addressing everyone present for a speech, as was his duty as the leader of the entire Protectorate. 

[color=035096]“There aren't many times I get to say anything before an attack, but we're short on time so I'll make this quick. You'll be given a communication device, Decoy will be monitoring and keeping up with everything, so if you need directions or help or what have you, use them. I cannot stress this enough, but do not underestimate Behemoth. He's been coming at least once a year since 1993, he's killed almost four hundred capes with experience, powers, and the courage to stand up to him, and he's still here... Get cocky, get overconfident, and you will die. There's a reason he's called the Herokiller. One in three of the fighters will probably die.”[/color]

He let the statement stand, looking over the constantly growing crowd as more and more capes arrived.

[color=035096]“Now, if you've been involved with an Endbringer before, step forward. These people? When in doubt, follow their lead. Listen to them. They know what they're dealing with, what they're doing.”[/color]

A tremor rocked the ground below Legend, and he picked up the pace.

[color=035096]“If you think you can get close and not be affected by his Kill Aura, group up with Alexandria. If you're a distance attacker, with me. If you can impede his movements, provide cover, or otherwise hinder his actions, go to Eidolon. Search and Rescue efforts go with Inkscape, the local Protectorate leader who knows the lay of the land. If you fall under multiple areas, pick the one you're most confident with. If you can't get close enough by yourself to attack, we can try to arrange something! Communicate!”[/color]

Another tremor hit, even stronger than before. Those not prepared would easily stumble over. With an ear-piercing rumble, several buildings a few miles down the road came crashing down. Then a roar bellowed out across the city, loud enough to be heard from anywhere. Loud enough to [i]shatter bones.[/i] The forty-five foot appropriately named [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/parahumans/images/5/55/Behemoth.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170725022124]Behemoth[/url] had made his appearance with a crack of lightning utterly demolishing a nearby structure, the thunderclap almost deafening.