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[color=ed1c24][h2]B R E A K I N G  N E W S![/h2][/color]

The cameras in the studio panned to a glass table with a group of dolled-up people sitting in a semicircle around the table, papers and coffee on desk, a fake smile painted over a flustered look. At the center of the table was a man in a dark suit and red tie, his black hair combed meticulously, square glasses perched on his nose. [color=gray]"Good morning, Castleburg, This is Jack Roberts, here with some breaking news. Legendary hero Rainbow Dancer was murdered on live TV last night by renowned super-villain Caustic. He was kidnapped and executed in a mysterious warehouse in Castleburg. Let's take a look at the clip."[/color]

Onscreen, the video footage of Caustic's manifesto and Rainbow Dancer were played, though the footage cut off right before Caustic gruesomely murdered Rainbow Dancer, instead flicking back to Jack Roberts' face in time. Jack Roberts held up his papers, shuffling his notes. [color=gray]"Rainbow Dancer is one of Castleburg's most well-known heroes and was responsible for a slew of villain defeats in the late 2000s that prompted his rise to fame, and he later became one of the inaugural members of the Wings of Law. He would later take part in a gripping legal battle over the beating of Riptide Boy, AKA Josh Edwards, though he was acquitted. He was a few years into semi-retirement when this horrific murders took place. I'd like to extend my condolences on behalf of all of CCN to his family."[/color] Jack played with his red tie a bit. [color=gray]"With the supervillain Caustic making some bold moves now, citizens of Castleburg are calling on HERO to ask fast and catch Caustic once again. Director Hugo Powers could not be reached for comment. Now, here to talk about the resurgence of Caustic and what Rainbow Dancer's untimely death means for the hero community and Castleburg at large is our panel. Please welcome Dr. Louis Hennessy, professor of criminal justice at the University of Castleburg, Mackenzie Bell, a junior reporter at the Castleburg Times, Arnold Buckner, Director of Security at CSDC, and superhero Seraph, who has, despite threats on his life, insisted on joining our panel again today. Welcome, you guys. Glad to have you."[/color]

The panel nodded in agreement.

[color=gray]"Now, Seraph, to you first. As one of HERO's leading superheroes, what steps are you going to take to bring people like Caustic to justice and stop this senseless tragedy from happening again?"[/color]

Seraph, who was wearing a solemn dark suit, straightened his jacket. [color=FFFF66]"Well, Jack, let me start by saying that I've been absolutely crushed by this news. Rainbow Dancer was one of my closest friends and a confidante of mine, and we've worked together countless times to defeat many dangerous villains. Even after being racked by false accusations and forced to lie about them in his final moments, he still carried himself with dignity, grace, and poise."[/color] Seraph dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. [color=FFFF66]"But it's important to ensure that this never happens again. Never. To have superheroes kidnapped by a supervillain, held against your will, and forced to jump through hoops to save your own life is something atrocious, and anybody who commits such a heinous act deserves to suffer."[/color] Seraph took a prolonged, shaky breath. [color=FFFF66]"I think what's important, Jack, is that HERO has some leadership from the top to deal with this crisis."[/color]

[color=gray]"What do you mean?"[/color]

[color=FFFF66]"Well, Director Powers is a great leader, but he's responsible for dealing with all of HERO's many employees, some of whom are loose cannons. So while the Director keeps the rogue heroes in check, I think it would be best for all of Castleburg if I lead a special division of high-tier heroes to help hunt down and defeat Caustic."[/color]

[color=gray]"I'm sure many people will be happy to hear that you have their backs, Seraph. What about the rest of you, panel? How should HERO handle this crisis?"[/color]

Mackenzie Bell, a young woman of 20 or so with blonde hair fastened back in a ponytail, spoke. [color=fff79a]"Jack, thanks for having me here today. And let me just say that I think there are other heroes that HERO can call upon to help bring Caustic down. Heroes like Quake, Spacewalker, and others."[/color]

Louis, a balding, middle-aged man with thinning red hair and round spectacles, chimed in. [color=ed1c24]"Right! The younger heroes, the next generation of HERO. They may be rowdy sometimes, but you have to admit that they have style and, more importantly, strength. Maybe enough to beat Caustic."[/color]

[color=FFFF66]"Well,"[/color] Seraph quickly chimed in. [color=FFFF66]"They are young, yes, but calling them the 'next generation of HERO' is a bit of a stretch, no? They are known for dealing a lot of damage through the city-"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"I'll tell you what they did a lot of damage to! The [i]mafia![/i]"[/color] Professor Hennessy interjected. [color=ed1c24]"And while Vinnie Gugliano might not be Caustic, he was no pushover! Remember the rhino video?"[/color]

[color=FFFF66]"Right right right right right, but let's just say that something were to happen to those heroes. Something tragic. Considering their penchant for damage, I wouldn't doubt it. Then, well, I think it's up to the Wings of Law to deal with villains like Caustic. We [i]are,[/i] after all, the highest-ranking and most prominent HOG in all of HERO. We are more than equipped to deal with this acid-producing scoundrel."[/color]

[color=fff79a]"And what if those heroes were to found their own HOG?"[/color]

Seraph clenched his teeth and was about to say something nasty when Jack Roberts spoke up. [color=gray]"Great conversation, you guys, but we have to take a quick break for commercials. Coming up next-  kitties. Our friends or worst enemies? We'll find out after the break."[/color] 
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Blake guided the kite above the heads of the ogres, allowing it to soar past them, drawing their attention (or more likely, hatred) as it glowed brilliantly. [color=CC5500]”What did you say, Jamie?! Guide them into the building?! Sure- oh.”[/color] Blake's kite accidentally clipped a bronze pillar in the forum and ran out of fuel, sizzling into fiery sparks before vanishing. Blake cursed. [color=CC5500]”Fuck. Should've seen that one coming,”[/color] Blake cursed, rubbing his head as the ogres, now regaining their senses, growled and charged towards the group. Tom's projectiles and Jamie's blasting only seemed to piss them off and temporarily slow them down as they rushed over. Blake grumbled as he ignited two fireballs, one in each hand. [color=CC5500]”Alright, I'm going to roast them alive. That's it,”[/color] Blake muttered, before flinging the fireballs at the bull ogre. He stepped back, the blast singing him, before he rushed Blake, picked him up, and threw him directly into a marble pillar.

The pillar cracked as Blake fell off, rubbing his back. That would be bruised tomorrow. [color=CC5500]"Fucking pieces of shit...”[/color] Blake grumbled as he lifted his arms, sending a very bright wave of fire at the ogres. While the fire didn't do much to hurt them, the light burned their retinas, and so the ogres were once again on the retreat, scampering into the elaborate forum, which had several large fancy-looking roman buildings and several large bronze statues of Nero (the villain, not the emperor) positioned about. Blake panted as he stopped the flames, the ogres having scattered about the forum. 

[color=CC5500]"Haha!"[/color] Blake declared triumphantly as some of the ogres retreated into some of the large Roman chambers. [color=CC5500]"Alright, Jamie, mission accomplished. I think a third of them are inside now,"[/color] Blake said, pointing to a large marble building adjacent to the basilica that was titled "Senatus et Camera." [color=CC5500]"Go do whatever...OW! FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!"[/color]

Blake began to curse as a small creature, a Vermile, had scampered out of one of the buildings and, upon seeing Blake, lunged at him, biting into his ankle. Blake was now hopping around, holding the wound, as the Vermile just sat there, staring at him. [color=CC5500]"HOLY FUCKING JESUS CHRIST, THAT HURT! ARE THESE THINGS VENOMOUS? OWWW, FUCK FUCK FUCK!"[/color]

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Meanwhile, the bathhouse was exactly what one would expect from a Roman bathhouse. A large marble building with a steamy hot pool in the middle, bubbling with warmth. As Brie and Will stepped inside, though, the heavy marble doors to the building slammed shut, a heavy iron lock falling into place to seal them inside. A TV screen turned on, with a hysterically laughing Nero appearing onboard. The lack of kidnapped girls behind him indicated that this was a pre-recorded Nero tape.

[color=YellowGreen]”Greetings, heroes! It seems you've found my bathhouse. A pleasant place to relax, enjoy a nice soak...unless, of course, the water is infested with Swampjaws."[/color] From the bubbling water, several pairs of reptilian eyes emerged, glaring directly at Brie and Will. [color=YellowGreen]"Worry not, though, because your journey was not in vain! For if you do survive, I'll give you the key to my hidden lair in the bas-...the somewhere. Not like you're making it out alive, anyway! ATTACK!"[/color] The Swampjaws, as if by command, promptly lunged out of the pool and attacked Will and Brie, There would about 7 or so of them, and they were moving [i]fast[/i] as they leaped towards Brie and Will, jaws ready to chomp.  
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