Mao Mao

Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

@Byrd Man Does imgbb work? I use that as my go-to.

Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

@Taka Fine by me. They're called the League of Assassins for a reason after all lmao.

Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

@Half Pint If it helps you, I plan on utilizing the League of Assassins heavily. So if you wanna chat about it, message me whenever.

Regarding Charles, @Stormyx @mickilennial @Terry Bogard, I envisioned him setting up the academy decades ago and still leading it to the present day, albeit humans still despise him and his X-Men. Other tidbits include that he was in a relationship with Amelia Voght and broke it off due to differences in opinion about mutantkind (she wanted them to hide while he didn't, standard stuff). Tho, how old do y'all think Charles is?

@Terry Bogard, I do wonder what you have planned regarding Krakoa. You can PM me if you don't wanna reveal too much on here.

@Bounce, I'm fine with the Mutant Registration Act being introduced. I did have plans with the Friends of Humanity, if you don't mind me getting involved. To add, I had in mind Stryker leading the Purifiers after the attempt on his life til it was dissolved in the '90s. Nowadays, he's involved more politically with his political organization (learning towards lobbying but still up in the air tbh).

Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

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Republic of Genosha
Republic of Genosha

^{"A green and pleasant land for all."}

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y _________________________________________________________ | Magneto | _________________________________________________________ | Interim President | Acolytes | _________________________________________________________ | Hammer Bay | Genosha | C H A R A C T E R N O T E S C H A R A C T E R N O T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - G E N O S H A N I N T E R I M C A B I N E T ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Joanna Cargill - Minister of Foreign Affairs Shola Inkose - Minister of the Interior Solofo Mamitiana - Minister of Defense Sean Cassidy - Minister of Intelligence and Security TBD - Ministry of Justice TBD - Minister of Health TBD - Minister of Industry and Technology TBD - Minister of Finance TBD - Minister of Culture and Tourism Alda Huxley - Ambassador to the United Nations Annika - Advisor of Domestic and International Affairs - N O T A B L E A T T R I B U T E S N O T A B L E A T T R I B U T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - P O W E R S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ Magnetism Manipulation: Magneto has comprehensive control over all forms of magnetism and utilizes that control to manipulate any metal and achieve a variety of effects. For example, he is able to create a magnetic force field, sustain flight for very long distances, manipulate matter at the sub-atomic level, and perceive the world around himself as patterns of magnetic and electrical energy. ◼ Telepathic Resistance: Magneto has trained himself extensively for fighting telepaths and is resistant to telepathic attacks, with the effects further augmented due to his helmet, his strong will, and his mutation. A B I L I T I E S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ Genius Intelligence ◼ Indomitable Will -

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T ________________________________________________________________________________________ Charles Xavier's dream of assimilation and coexistence was always a foolish, naive notion conceived by a desperate man seeking answers. And when it was put to the test, humankind revealed its true colors in a hideous manner their thoughts of the dream. But ever such the idealist, Xavier never faltered for his dream. His closest friend disagreed and began sharing a more realistic dream, one of subjection to mutantkind as a means to pave the way for the next stage of evolution: the Homo superior. And when it was also put to the test, it not only saw grand-scale devastation but also gave humans ammunition to further spread prejudice about mutants. He realized right then and there that his dream had a fatal flaw. Magneto left his previous life behind him in order to find the solution to that flaw. Unlike Xavier, though, he didn't have a manor or the wealth and influence to preach to a wider audience. Nevertheless, that did not stop him from trying; he just did it underground, and it too was a success. A small group of mutants across America banded together as a means of survival and then formed a brotherhood. This brotherhood, inspired by Magento's teachings, began to engage in armed resistance against anti-mutant sentiment. Admittedly intrigued, Magento sought them out with the intention to assist discreetly. But to his surprise, the group composed of young, frightened adults decided to make him their leader out of sheer desperation. Sympathetic to their plight, Magneto accepted the role. For three years, the Brotherhood conducted a series of attacks concentrated on anti-mutant organizations, activists, and politicians. One of their first acts was the assassination attempt on Reverend William Stryker, a rising anti-mutant activist, before his Sunday sermon. Fortunately for him, the X-Men foiled the attack at the last minute. It marked the beginning of the animosity between the two groups and their leaders that naturally escalated. But then Magento recognized how his disciples were indirectly reharshening the very problem that caused him to question his dream. Therefore, he thought the best course of action to resolve it was to hold a meeting with everyone to explore potential solutions. Only a few hours in it, and Magento found it entirely futile enough to leave them behind. That marked the beginning of his self-imposed isolation from the world, as he sought to recontextualize his dream. The time alone made him acknowledge how outright violence and conquest would've ultimately led to the persecution and then genocide of all mutants. So, a different dream was introduced, one where mutantkind must make use of its gift for the sole purpose of survival. Only through formidable might would humankind accept mutants, albeit begrudgingly, to prevent mutual assured destruction. And after three years of formulating his newfound thoughts, Magneto self-published his book and swiftly denounced his old dream soon after. Then afterward, he chose to remain hidden from the world, so as to recuperate after decades of nonstop action. The world, however, kept on spinning. Magneto was assumed dead and soon became a myth. But a few knew the truth. Amelia Voght was one of them, the only other person who was in his old life. That was how she tracked him down with a hunch. But it became immediately apparent she wasn't just there to check on him. Relations between humans and mutants have deteriorated to their lowest point, with tensions getting dangerously close to a boiling point. This wasn't news to him, nor a surprise in all honesty. What surprised him was that she wasn't alone—seven complete strangers were waiting outside for them. Amelia explained how, in a world where uncertainty is weaponized, only an assertive mutantkind can survive and possibly thrive. She chose to come out of hiding and stand with other mutants who were willing to fight, to die, for that future. All that remained was for her to convince him to lead again. Magneto, however, didn't need convincing to help out an old friend. He met his acolytes, who immediately pledged to follow his principles with fervor. It admittedly gave him a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of the Brotherhood's beginnings. Each one of them was willing to follow him into the depths of hell for their own reasons. But they all shared a common goal: to protect their fellow mutants from extinction. Magneto was able to work with that. Genosha was an apartheid technocratic island state located off the coast of Africa that had become one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. David Moreau, the billionaire geneticist turned president, transformed his nation by diversifying its economy and investing in artificial intelligence. All of that, along with a Hollywood-style global marketing campaign, persuaded the international community to lift sanctions placed there in response to its apartheid policies. Then, the truth was revealed. The administration gradually transferred its powers and responsibilities to an artificial intelligence, becoming the world's first algorithmic republic. The younger population, already resistant to the apartheid system, called for a student protest across the country in response to the revelation. Magneto used it as an opportunity to further existing unrest among the non-white and mutant population affected by apartheid with the help of his Acolytes. A general strike was then called with demands for the government to dismantle the AI, step down, and hold a new presidential election. That increased tensions between the amassing protesters and the state police, who were particularly known for their brutality. But before it escalated to a rebellion, Magneto personally interfered to prevent further bloodshed. It took him only an hour to depose the government, as most of its officials and Moreau had already fled the country. An interim government was needed after the collapse, and much of the population backed Magento as interim president. He was caught off guard when they chose him instead of someone else, and initially, he wasn't sure if he could even lead an entire state, even with help. But whether purposely or coincidentally, it was the only opportunity for his dream to be fully realized. And he took it, marking a new chapter for the Republic of Genosha. P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ It has been a long while since I have written nations, and this game has given me a chance to experience it again. Plus, I love Genosha so much that I wrote a paper about it for my X-Men class while pursuing my bachelor's. And I get to write about Magento again, so it's a win-win. The major inspirations so far are Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, The Phantom Pain, and 4, as well as the depiction of Genosha in X-Men 97. So expect it to be a political thriller with action mixed in. The basis is simply how a ragtag group of radical misfits comes together to form a nation in defiance of a world that doesn't want them to even exist. And of course, I welcome any interaction with other mutant characters within and beyond the confines of Genosha. Magento is someone who usually gets his hands dirty, so don't be surprised if he ends up in the states for one reason or another.

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Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

I have some thoughts about what's what with Charles, certain characters, and especially Krakoa, but I'm waiting to see if my sheet gets accepted before I elaborate, because it'd be weird otherwise.

Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

@Bounce Take your time. Though it might take you and the others a bit to read them all the way. So, sorry in advance lol.

Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

After two weeks of silence (and asking the GM), I finally finished both of them. Hope you enjoy the reading.

Genosha

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Republic of Genosha
Republic of Genosha

^{"A green and pleasant land for all."}

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y _________________________________________________________ | Magneto | _________________________________________________________ | Interim President | Acolytes | _________________________________________________________ | Hammer Bay | Genosha | C H A R A C T E R N O T E S C H A R A C T E R N O T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - G E N O S H A N I N T E R I M C A B I N E T ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ As the story goes on, I will add more to this section. - N O T A B L E A T T R I B U T E S N O T A B L E A T T R I B U T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - P O W E R S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ Magnetism Manipulation: Magneto has comprehensive control over all forms of magnetism and utilizes that control to manipulate any metal and achieve a variety of effects. For example, he is able to create a magnetic force field, sustain flight for very long distances, manipulate matter at the sub-atomic level, and perceive the world around himself as patterns of magnetic and electrical energy. ◼ Telepathic Resistance: Magneto has trained himself extensively for fighting telepaths and is resistant to telepathic attacks, with the effects further augmented due to his helmet, his strong will, and his mutation. A B I L I T I E S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ Genius Intelligence ◼ Indomitable Will -

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T ________________________________________________________________________________________ Charles Xavier's dream of assimilation and coexistence was always a foolish, naive notion conceived by a desperate man seeking answers. And when it was put to the test, humankind revealed its true colors in a hideous manner their thoughts of the dream. But ever such the idealist, Xavier never faltered for his dream. His closest friend disagreed and began sharing a more realistic dream, one of subjection to mutantkind as a means to pave the way for the next stage of evolution: the Homo superior. And when it was also put to the test, it not only saw grand-scale devastation but also gave humans ammunition to further spread prejudice about mutants. He realized right then and there that his dream had a fatal flaw. Magneto left his previous life behind him in order to find the solution to that flaw. Unlike Xavier, though, he didn't have a manor or the wealth and influence to preach to a wider audience. Nevertheless, that did not stop him from trying; he just did it underground, and it too was a success. A small group of mutants across America banded together as a means of survival and then formed a brotherhood. This brotherhood, inspired by Magento's teachings, began to engage in armed resistance against anti-mutant sentiment. Admittedly intrigued, Magento sought them out with the intention to assist discreetly. But to his surprise, the group composed of young, frightened adults decided to make him their leader out of sheer desperation. Sympathetic to their plight, Magneto accepted the role. For three years, the Brotherhood conducted a series of attacks concentrated on anti-mutant organizations, activists, and politicians. One of their first acts was the assassination attempt on Reverend William Stryker, a rising anti-mutant activist, before his Sunday sermon. Fortunately for him, the X-Men foiled the attack at the last minute. It marked the beginning of the animosity between the two groups and their leaders that naturally escalated. But then Magento recognized how his disciples were indirectly reharshening the very problem that caused him to question his dream. Therefore, he thought the best course of action to resolve it was to hold a meeting with everyone to explore potential solutions. Only a few hours in it, and Magento found it entirely futile enough to leave them behind. That marked the beginning of his self-imposed isolation from the world, as he sought to recontextualize his dream. The time alone made him acknowledge how outright violence and conquest would've ultimately led to the persecution and then genocide of all mutants. So, a different dream was introduced, one where mutantkind must make use of its gift for the sole purpose of survival. Only through formidable might would humankind accept mutants, albeit begrudgingly, to prevent mutual assured destruction. And after three years of formulating his newfound thoughts, Magneto self-published his book and swiftly denounced his old dream soon after. Then afterward, he chose to remain hidden from the world, so as to recuperate after decades of nonstop action. The world, however, kept on spinning. Magneto was assumed dead and soon became a myth. But a few knew the truth. Amelia Voght was one of them, the only other person who was in his old life. That was how she tracked him down with a hunch. But it became immediately apparent she wasn't just there to check on him. Relations between humans and mutants have deteriorated to their lowest point, with tensions getting dangerously close to a boiling point. This wasn't news to him, nor a surprise in all honesty. What surprised him was that she wasn't alone—seven complete strangers were waiting outside for them. Amelia explained how, in a world where uncertainty is weaponized, only an assertive mutantkind can survive and possibly thrive. She chose to come out of hiding and stand with other mutants who were willing to fight, to die, for that future. All that remained was for her to convince him to lead again. Magneto, however, didn't need convincing to help out an old friend. He met his acolytes, who immediately pledged to follow his principles with fervor. It admittedly gave him a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of the Brotherhood's beginnings. Each one of them was willing to follow him into the depths of hell for their own reasons. But they all shared a common goal: to protect their fellow mutants from extinction. Magneto was able to work with that. Genosha was an apartheid technocratic island state located off the coast of Africa that had become one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. David Moreau, the billionaire geneticist turned president, transformed his nation by diversifying its economy and investing in artificial intelligence. All of that, along with a Hollywood-style global marketing campaign, persuaded the international community to lift sanctions placed there in response to its apartheid policies. Then, the truth was revealed. The administration gradually transferred its powers and responsibilities to an artificial intelligence, becoming the world's first algorithmic republic. The younger population, already resistant to the apartheid system, called for a student protest across the country in response to the revelation. Magneto used it as an opportunity to further existing unrest among the non-white and mutant population affected by apartheid with the help of his Acolytes. A general strike was then called with demands for the government to dismantle the AI, step down, and hold a new presidential election. That increased tensions between the amassing protesters and the state police, who were particularly known for their brutality. But before it escalated to a rebellion, Magneto personally interfered to prevent further bloodshed. It took him only an hour to depose the government, as most of its officials and Moreau had already fled the country. An interim government was needed after the collapse, and much of the population backed Magento as interim president. He was caught off guard when they chose him instead of someone else, and initially, he wasn't sure if he could even lead an entire state, even with help. But whether purposely or coincidentally, it was the only opportunity for his dream to be fully realized. And he took it, marking a new chapter for the Republic of Genosha. P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ It has been a long while since I have written nations, and this game has given me a chance to experience it again. Plus, I love Genosha so much that I wrote a paper about it for my X-Men class while pursuing my bachelor's. And I get to write about Magento again, so it's a win-win. The major inspirations so far are Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, The Phantom Pain, and 4, as well as the depiction of Genosha in X-Men 97. So expect it to be a political thriller with action mixed in. The basis is simply how a ragtag group of radical misfits comes together to form a nation in defiance of a world that doesn't want them to even exist. And of course, I welcome any interaction with other mutant characters within and beyond the confines of Genosha. Magento is someone who usually gets his hands dirty, so don't be surprised if he ends up in the states for one reason or another.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

^"COWABUNGA!"

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y _________________________________________________________ | Raphael Hamato | Donatello Hamato | | Leonardo Hamato | Michelangelo Hamato | _________________________________________________________ | Mutated Turtles | Hamato Clan | _________________________________________________________ | New York City | New York | C H A R A C T E R N O T E S C H A R A C T E R N O T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - T H E B R O T H E R S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ► Leonardo is the oldest of the brothers, seen as the ultimate teacher's pet: annoying, aggressively brown nosing, snitching seemingly every minute. He is just a bland turtle who practices in the dojo with Sensei and meditates in his bedroom. But beneath the shell lies someone who has always felt condemned to being the honor-bound prodigy his brothers despise, especially Raph. They couldn't understand the self-sacrifice being asked of him. It's the responsible choice, one he would make again. ► Raphael has a temper, a strong one. He knows it, obviously. And there are plenty of reasons for him to be angry. Leo being such a goddamn control freak, Donnie always acting as if he's surrounded by idiots, Mikey in general, Sensei being... well, a sensei. But all of that doesn't mean he hates them. Far from it, he's protective of his family because he understands how the real world works. In it, talking turtles aren't welcomed into society but dissected in a lab instead. No one realizes it, or even understands him, and that alone makes him so mad. ► Donatello is the engineer and the brains of the clan. He's the reason that his brothers haven't become ignorant of the outside world. But, as a consequence, he became the go-to turtle for maintaining their lair and equipment, while also performing occasional emergency repairs courtesy of Mikey and Raph. He spends most, if not all, of his time in his workshop as a result. That's fine with him because it allows him to contribute to the clan and make up for being the weakest of his brothers, all while doing what he loves: building, modifying, and repairing things. ► Michelangelo, as the youngest, has never been taken seriously by either his brothers or father Sensei. He's an underachiever, a slacker, immature, and stupid overall. Well, for one, he isn't that stupid despite what everyone thinks. He's no bookworm, but he is emotionally intelligent—important in such an unconventional family like his. Growing up in the dark, dingy sewers hasn't diminished his open-hearted and cheerful nature in the slightest; it's the glue that holds the family together. That might have made him naive about humans and the surface, though. - N O T A B L E A T T R I B U T E S N O T A B L E A T T R I B U T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - A B I L I T I E S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ◼ Mutant Physiology: The Mutagen ooze heightens the brothers' physical attributes, with their strength, speed, reflexes, agility, endurance, recovery speed, and stamina superior to any Olympic-level athlete. They are able to swim long distances, dive deeply, and hold their breath underwater for extended periods. Each of the brothers also has their distinct attributes, such as Donatello's enhanced intelligence and Michelangelo's heightened emotional intuition. ◼ Ninjutsu -

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T ________________________________________________________________________________________ "The Hamato Clan rose to prominence during the Edo period for their experienced ninjas and an advanced form of ninjutsu that pushed a person's body to its peak physical condition. However, the chaos of Bakumatsu brought forth the beginning of the end for the shogunate, forcing the clan to westernize and support the Imperial Court. Much of their size, wealth, and influence dwindled as a result, but their ability to adapt to whatever situation presented itself was rewarded with their survival into the late 20th century. Hamato Yuuta, my father, faced the same dilemma that had cursed our ancestors when The Demon approached him with a simple offer: join his recently established League of Assassins or be forcibly assimilated. Whatever honor remained died when the deal was finalized, but it was a calculated move that had been done countless times centuries ago. It was how the Hamato Clan survived the Sengoku period, thrived during the Edo period, and consolidated its power in the Meiji era. That, and their expertise and knowledge of ninjutsu, were still undoubtedly valuable. And their cooperation was rewarded with greater autonomy and access to resources normally restricted to sub-organizations of the League of Assassins. The privilege wasn't squandered. I truly believe that on his deathbed, my father thought he had brought honor back to his clan. He left the world comforted with the knowledge that his sons were destined to usher in a golden age. My students, what you must take away from this brief history lesson is this: do not hesitate to embrace change on the grounds of sustaining the past, or you will end up being nothing more than a footnote in the pages of history." - An excerpt for Master Splinter's journal P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Been waiting a long time for this sweet opportunity to play as the beloved, pizza-eating turtles. And I wasn't going to waste it. Much of what you already know about the turtles won't change, besides slight adjustments to make them fit better with the story. The only significant alteration was that Splinter and Shredder became part of the League of Assassins through the Hamato clan. I also want to collab with fellow New Yorkers and a certain bat whenever it makes the most sense.

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Worlds Collide: A Merged Universe Superhero Roleplay

I don't think I can get Emma to space, however, I can plan to have her drop into some of the big DC/Marvel cities.

Definitely want to have her do some business in Gotham and Metropolis, this might give some opportunities for collabs down the track c:

I might have her go to Metropolis first, maybe to look into the demolition site shenans from a distance so could be a Thor link up!

Some totes emosh flashbacks incoming also.

@Stormyx

Maybe she could take a vacation to Genosha?

Mao Mao's Rambling Concepts

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

_{WASHINGTON DC}

APPROPRIATE RESPONSE

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Patricia "Trish" Tilby listened in as the President of the United States spoke at the podium, an unusual sight for her colleagues. For her, it was astonishing to see someone so significant up close. As a correspondent for WNA, she was accustomed to reporting on the ground across the country. And no matter where, she often found herself in mutant affairs one way or another. Trish ensured her coverage of the issue was always fair and balanced, that it didn't feed into growing anti-mutant biases. Plenty in her field couldn't care less as long as there was a chance to gain prestige and notoriety from it. Even if it meant being morally dubious.

Of course, Trish wasn't a saint. How else was she able to be sitting here in the briefing room? It cost a lot of favors, but seeing the President walk in was definitely worth the price. And as was learning about the country's newest weapon, who single-handedly defeated an invasion force all on their own: Warbird. Based on footage of them in the field, they were quite powerful and distinct from other powered heroes through their light show. It was incredible but also an alarming development, one that could trigger a superhuman arms race, spark global tensions, and transform the military-industrial complex in its entirety.

But as intriguing as it was, there was a more pressing matter on her mind.

“Will there be any questions?”

Trish was quick to raise her hand, but among the sea of hands, it wasn't fast enough. Franklin Stern of the Daily Planet was the first one to be picked, a notable professional in the field. He cleared his throat and began to speak, "Thank you, Secretary. This revelation from the President himself is, quite frankly, astonishing for all of us to bear witness. And with the little time to process.. well, everything, we hardly know anything about this Warbird besides the fact that they're a powered individual. And that factor alone will undoubtedly contribute to the debate regarding masked vigilantes, whether you intended it or not. So, for the sake of transparency, will this administration divulge who is behind the mask? If not, why?"

"That is a good question, and this administration understands that the American people, at this time, have plenty of reason to fear the increasing number of 'powered individuals' that are appearing in this day and age." The Secretary responded with characteristic tempered optimism, a friendly face that could often hide an incoming barb. "However, we would stress that the Warbird is not a masked vigilante, but a unique and unprecedented member of the military's special forces, and as with many individuals within our great nation's security infrastructure, will remain anonymous to the wider public to protect both herself and our strategic interests. Unlike individuals working entirely outside the legal infrastructure of the nation, however, she is beholden to both the rule of law and the operating parameters applicable to any application of decisive force by the United States of America."

Trish wrote the answer down in her notebook quickly, but only did it out of obligation to her job. She wanted to ask about the administration's stance regarding Genosha and the recent developments in the island country. A country considered a rising star in AI research and development, which had only recently begun opening its market to the international community. Funny enough, it had signed separate multi-billion dollar investment pacts with the European Union, the People's Republic of China, and the United States hours before the Chippy scandal broke. And that ultimately culminated in the government's dissolution by its citizens, leaving the deals in limbo for the foreseeable future. Not to mention th-

"Thanks so much, Secretary. Staying on the topic of transparency, will they answer directly to the President or the military?"

She completely forgot to raise her hand.

"The Warbird will operate under the authority of the United States Air Force, although as the Commander-In-Chief of all branches of our military, the President, of course has final say on any matters."

"So, isn't it then, concerning for one singular person to suddenly have a power unprecedented in American history? There will be people who are going to be naturally afraid that such power could easily be abused in the future. What sort of safeguards have been put into place to prevent the President and, to a larger extent, future administrations from misusing Warbird?" The Daily Bugle's Washington correspondent asked derisively to provoke a more emotionally charged answer.

"The currency of our military is unprecedented power. Three of the top five largest air forces in the world sit within the branches of our military might. Our nuclear capability has remained unmatched since we first harnessed the power of the Atom and will continue to do so." The Secretary paused for a moment after evoking the dominance of recent years, before continuing.

"The US military, especially under this administration, takes the duty of remaining the world's premium warfighting force with the seriousness it deserves. You may ask what dangers this new power presents, but we ask instead of the greater danger we should face should our enemies, which we now know exist even beyond the confines of this planet, harness such a power before us. That would be an intolerable risk to the nation and people that we will not risk." This was more in line with the fire and fury of the administration's dealings with rivals, although it soon eased through the softening of the Secretary's words. "But to those with concerns, we say this: the President remains beholden to the rule of law, the American Constitution, and finally and most importantly, the judgment of the American people. This is the case with past administrations and our own, and we trust the people to continue to elect those who would take such duty seriously."

Trish raised her hand yet again, not expecting to get picked at all. But then the Press Secretary gestured at her.

"Thank you, Secretary." Trish flipped her notebook to the next page and then continued. "It's only been two days since protesters in Genosha elected a mutant to lead the country's interim government after overthrowing the previous government. The same one who led the militant group, Brotherhood, in the 1960s and now leads an entire nation, seemingly with the people's blessing. What's the administration's response to the recent developments? And secondly, there have been reports that the former president plans on forming a government in exile in the coming days. He also plans to seek out international support to facilitate his return to power. That includes the United States, where he and the remnants of his cabinet are currently residing."

The Secretary was ready to respond until the President himself approached her with a warm smile and gestured at her to step aside. Trish didn't expect him to entertain her question of all the other questions yet to be asked. He slid over to the podium and started his answer off with some good old-fashioned humor: "Heh, now this is where I have to step in and tell my good friend here to take a hike, the grown-ups are talking now."

He let the room laugh for a second before resuming, "No, but seriously, the United States of America has always and will continue to champion democracy. What happened in Genosha should have been a case study of its values being realized. Her people exercised their inalienable rights to assemble and express their grievances against their government without resorting to violence, just minor scuffles with the authorities here and there.

"What concerns me greatly is letting a terrorist hijack a largely peaceful movement."

"humanitarian reasons."

"Sebastian Marlowe, New York Times." "A question for the President himself. Will you deploy Warbird?"

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Mao Mao's Rambling Concepts

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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

_{NEW YORK CITY}

BIRTHDAY BASH

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The kitchen admittedly had seen better days before the chef took over last night to prepare for the party. Nothing had been cleared yet, as evidenced by the countertop still covered in flour, the pile of dirty dishes left unattended in the sink, and the stand mixer now requiring a deep clean after the mess it had made. Not to mention the music blasting in the background despite the complaints. Michelangelo insisted he needed it loud to "make the cakes taste better" when Raph threatened to hurl the portable speaker into the brick wall. And he would've done it for sure if not for Mutation Day—the day he and his brothers mutated. Sensei didn't like to celebrate it and spent the entire time alone in his dojo, but he hadn't forbidden them from celebrating. Regardless, Mikey made sure to bake a light cheesecake, let it cool in the fridge overnight, and then place it at the entrance of the dojo for his father, a tradition he maintained every year as a way to show his appreciation.

The oven timer went off, causing Mikey to scramble for the chocolate cake. He put on some oven mitts, custom-made for three-fingered hands, and carefully pulled out the pan. It already looked delicious, ready for the final touches before it could be served. The cake still needed frosting—plain vanilla because Donnie had asked for it in advance—and that could easily be made while it cooled. Then, there were still plenty of chocolate sprinkles left for last year to satisfy Raph. And the powdered sugar made explicitly for Leo was stored in an airtight container, ready to be sprinkled on his slice. For Mikey, all he wanted was for his bros to be happy.

"Your taste in music's still pretty weird."

Raphael didn't intend for his little brother to scream that loud, but it was funny to see him jolt nevertheless. Besides, it was payback for the shit he pulled last week with dish soap and the shower. Nuff said. Mikey was staring daggers at him as he set the pan down hard on the countertop. Raph just shrugged and took a seat on the bar stool, "Don't blame me for being so easy to scare. Plus, it's payback for the stunt you-"

He tried to reach for Mikey's phone, lying on the countertop in front of him, to change the song to something actually pleasing to the ears. But within a split second, he had no time to react to getting headshot'd by a decent-sized chunk of cake batter. Mikey grabbed his phone just before it hit his brother square in the face, still holding the spatula used to fling the batter. Raph felt embarrassed that he let his little brother get away with such a cheap shot, even if he was too quick. Sensei would've scolded him for using it as an excuse and then lectured him on not being more aware of his surroundings. And it would have been utterly humiliating if Fearless saw it. He wasn't above doing something as petty as ridiculing his brothers for not being disciplined enough, even if he insisted it was meant to motivate them to do better. Now, the thought that it could've been used against him alone made Raph furious.

Mikey's poor attempt at stifling his laugh ended the second he saw how mad his older brother was. He realized how he fucked (it was fortunate neither Leo nor Papa could read minds, or he'd be royally screwed) up mutation day, but it still appeared savable. So it meant doing the only other thing Mikey was good at besides Fortnite and skateboarding: damage control. He quickly tossed the spatula towards the sink as if it were evidence at a crime scene. Raph remained still in the stool and kept quiet; he was just breathing heavily, his eyes twitching and knuckles turning white. The fact that he hadn't blown up yet was a great sign. Then Micky got in front of him and began bowing, his arms stretched forward with the phone.

But before his little brother could speak, Raph stood up and snatched the phone. Don't get him wrong, he appreciated the effort (even if it went a little overboard) and the fact he was that quick to apologize.

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