Defenders #12: Possess me once, shame on you. Posses me twice…..

Written by Prof. Aragorn and that hack, DM

15 minutes ago

“This was something that wasn’t supposed to be happening to me anymore” thought Johnny Blaze as he started to come to. His hands were bound in chains. There was that awful smell of sulfur and brimstone. But at least it looked like his bike was undamaged. It just wasn’t turning out to be a good day.

He had been practicing for a new show when those demons had assaulted him. Once upon a time they wouldn’t have even given him a second thought, but that seemed like life time ago. Johnny had been a host for the spirit of Zarathos, the Ghost Rider. Most things about the spirit were a mystery but he had been cursed by that spirit for a time until the spirit had moved on to it’s next host. It felt different from when he had been cursed by the spirit, it was almost like there was a ripping of his soul when Zarathos had passed to it’s next host, a man by the name of Daniel Ketch. He didn’t know the kid very well but he had always kinda been around. As glad as he was to be rid of that curse, it never felt right that Daniel had to be cursed. The kid deserved better.

As the cob webs started to clear he saw a robed figure walking towards him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Traveling as fast they could-well with Bruce Banner still keeping up with Moondragon and Dr. Strange, the three Defenders arrived at Daniel Ketch's workshop. Seeing Hell's portal still ripped open, the Defenders adventured forth arriving into a hellish cavern that seemed to serve as a shrine to the many demons the 3 had encountered before.

In one corner they saw an unconscious Iceman.

"Bobby!", Moondragon shouted in distress.

"Fear not, Heather. He is still alive, but he has also suffered a gracious many wounds. But where is the Ghost Rider?"

Strange dispelled the illusions he sensed and before him Ghost Rider-Daniel Ketch was caught in a torrent of chaos magic, siphoning off his hellfire powers. Truly a painful and torturous act. The disillusionment spell also revealed a young man in chains.

"And who is this prisoner of eternal torture?"

"His name is Johnny Blaze, a stunt driver." came Moondragon’s reply as a reflex.

"You knew because you read his mind?" asked Dr. Banner.

"No, I.........I just have a........... a thing for bikers."

Suddenly Dr. Strange screamed in agony. His concentration lost the room spun around and from the shadows emerged a hovering, green robed figure.

A voice filled the cavern, "Ah, Strange, you depress me. Traveling with lessers, as always."
“Who's that?" questioned Banner once more.

"Possibly the most dangerous of Dr. Strange's foes, Baron Karl Amadeus Mordo. He was a pupil unto the ancient one, but Strange succeeded him after foiling Mordo's assassination attempt. The two have been bitter rival's ever since." explained Heather.

"Mordo! I foolishly believed that I had seen you for the last time. But when I felt your mystical presence I knew that you had surfaced once again. I demand that you tell me what nefarious plot you have unfolding!” Strange regained his footing while proclaiming another longwinded speech.

Bruce leaned over to Heather, “Twenty dollars that doesn’t work.

Heather smiled, “Deal.”

-----------------------------------------------------

10 minutes ago

The robed figure smiled at his prisoner. “Mr. Blaze is it? My apology for the inconvenience of this all. It seems some of my demons had mistaken you for their real goal.”

Johnny was starting to get a bad feeling about where this was headed, “And what was that?”
“Oh, not what, who. Ghost Rider,”
As he spoke Johnny saw on the other side of the cavern a familiar sight he had seen too often, Ghost Rider. Along with a man made of ice, who seemed to be the worse for wear.

“You see,” continued the robed figure, ”The energy I am draining from the spirt that powers Ghost Rider will bring my master to this world permanently. But that is not all, after my agents bring the artifact to me I will place my master into the form or this being, and he will rule this world in a form that will be without weakness. A vessel truly, deserving of my masters essence. U have just been contacted by my agent, he has the artifact and is on his way.”

“So then why keep me?” asked Blaze to try to stall the maniac.
“You will have the honor of being among the first to be consumed by my master, you should feel honored.” With that Baron Mordo walked away.

“Well this is just great,” thought Blaze, “That Ketch kid was dying, the world is about to end and I’m out of options." From deep within his core Johnny heard a voice similar to one he had heard long ago. “You of all people know better that that, Jonathan Blaze. When there is injustice and vengeance is called out for there are always options………..if you are willing to pay the price.”

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"Strange, you've always been a witless fool. Who are you to made demands of me? You forget I serve the dark one, the Dread Dormammu. Ever since your fluke of a victory over him, he has planned his revenge. Now, after the vessel of vengeance has been drained of soul and power my master will walk this world in an unstoppable form. The end of your team shall come about and the Dread one shall have his revenge! I shall have my revenge! Now Strange, now it is over. Your end will mark as my ascension marks my beginning!"

Bruce pulled out his wallet and took out the money. Heather didn’t even look at him as she held out her hand.

"Mordo, so long as a breath is in this body, you will be stopped. I shall see to it you and your master shall know why the Ancient One chose me as sorcerer supreme, why I am the chosen one, the one who walks the line, to protect and help those that cannot see what haunts them. So long as your evil mind plots thoughts of sin, I shall be there to halt your chaos. So claims the Sorcerer Supreme!"

-------------------------------------------------------------

“What the heck are you talking about? Who the hell are you?” thought Blaze.

"I am the only option left to you."
As Johnny considered the voice he heard Ketch scream out in pain. “He’s dying, you know that.”

“What the hell do you want me to do about it?”

“Hell, what an interesting choise of words. You don’t have the time for questions, Ketch is dying”

As Johnny was about ask what the voice meant, he saw a light out of the corner of his eye. It was emanating from the gas cap of his bike………….not again. It can’t be happening again.

“It is your choice. You know the stakes. You can chose to let Daniel die or you can save him.”

Johnny was already reaching for the flaming cap, ”Like that’s much of a choice”

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"Oh boy, I'm stuck in the middle between 3 three long-winded soothsayers . . . " muttered Bruce before he was interrupted.

The man in the leather jacket started to stand as his body was enshrouded in flame. “My family is threatened, the threat is clear. You have been judged, as I draw near. You have harmed innocents, your character is sure. Mordo, you are a virus and I am the cure. Vengeance is cried out for and it will wait no more!” As he finished speaking the flames reseeded to reveal the form of Ghost Rider as he righted his bike.

“Oh great, this one talks in rhyme.” came Banners reply.

==================================

Defenders

Rk Hulk (MM) 76
Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71
U Moondragon (CT) 71
Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68
------------------
286 pts


Mordo’s Forces

U Baron Mordo (FF) 101
Rk Thing (FF) 83 (rock demon)
LE Justice is Served (Ult) 31 (steam elemental)
Vet Brood Warrior (CM) 25 (minor demon)
Exp Brood Warrior (CM) 20 (minor demon)
Exp Brood Warrior (CM) 20 (minor demon)
Rk Moloid* (CM) 6 (imp)
*Armor piercing 10
---------------------
296

Map: Avengers Outdoor (Cavern with a high ceiling)

Awesome matchup.

Initiative: 4 and 5

Objects: 3 and 1

Init: 5+2 (7)
Obj: 2+4( 6)

Alright, if its okay with you I'm going to set up and take my first action.

[]Rook Hulk (MM) 76 -0 (8/8)
[]Exp Dr. Strange (IC) 71 -0 (7/7) P23
[]Unique Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O24
[]Rook Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -0 (6/6) N23/M24 (Diagonal)

Objects:

Huge Stalagmite (Heavy) N17
Some Rocks (Light) 017
Gumball Machine (Light) P17

First Turn 1/15

*I'm assuming 3 actions-otherwise ignore the last action*

Mordo! We meet to do battle on the astral plane!

*Strange teleports to P17*

Honestly . . . you speak in rhyme?

Well, only for the transformation.

Ah, well, at least I'm not the only one. Say, uh, Moondragon. When we made that bet-I was really sorta kinda joking. Y'know, because today's Wednesday, and after all is said and done I'd really like to get my week's worth of comics.

Ha! You still read comics? No wonder Betty won't give you the time of day.

Hey! You can insult me, but don't read my mind in order to know how!

Who says I read your mind?

Well thats just mean . . .

*Banner receives an action token-for getting irate as well as talking*

*Moondragon picks up Bruce and carries him over to square O17, Banner acts slightly queasy in square O18*

*Ghost Rider passes*

Recap:

[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -0 (8/8) O18 @
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) P17@
[]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O17@
[]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68

Heavies: N17
Lights: O17, P17

Your turn.

Sorry for my sluggishness, busy busy right now. I promise to get set-up and move later tonight, then once we get going my moves will be fast and plentiful

Demonic Set-Up

U Baron Mordo S2
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) F1
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) G1
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) E2
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) F2
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) G2
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 E1
*Armor piercing 10

HO: M17
LO: N18, P20

==========================================================
Demonic turn 1

Demon 1 picks up the Imp and moves to F9, placing the Imp in E9.

Demon 2 picks up the Rock Demon and moves to F10, placing the rock demon in E10.

Demon 3 picks up elemental and moves to G10, placing the elemental in G11.

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RECAP

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -0 (8/8) O18 @
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) P17@
[]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O17@
[]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68

VS

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo S2
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) E10
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) G11
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) F9@
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) F10@
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) G10@
Rk Moloid* (imp) E9
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

Thats fine, I probably won't be able to post my next turn until tomorrow. For the first time in two years, I'm finally getting homework.

*Due to the frustation and poor teamwork of his teammates Banner pushes himself*

*Ghost Rider revs up his engine and blazes a trail (using Transporter ability) to square K18, though the length of his bike he also occupies square K17 and attempts to strike with his hellfire chain the Steam Elemental:

Attack: 7 (9-2)
Roll: 4 and 4
Attack Roll: 15

That is a successful attack and the super sense roll is 3. The elemental takes 3 clicks of damage and Ghost Rider in an effort to conserve his hellfire gas (which is actually 20 bucks a gallon) stays where he is and turns off the engine*

*Strange and Moondragon clear*

Recap:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -1 (7/8) O18 @@
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) P17@
[]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O17@
[3]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -0 (6/6) K18/K17@

VS

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo S2
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) E10
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) G11 -3
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) F9@
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) F10@
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) G10@
Rk Moloid* (imp) E9
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

Err, whoops recap should read:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -1 (7/8) O18 @@
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) P17
[]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O17
[]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -0 (6/6) K17/K18@

VS

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo S2
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) E10
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) G11 -3
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) F9@
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) F10@
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) G10@
Rk Moloid* (imp) E9
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

There we go. Your turn.

Demonic turn 2

Minor demon #3 pushes, picks up Steam Elemental and moves to N18, placing Steam Elemental in N19.

Minor demon #2 pushes, picks up the Rock Demon and moves to L18, placing Rock Demon in M18.

Minor Demon #1 pushes, picks up the Imp and moves to M17, placing the Imp in N17.

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RECAP

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -1 (7/8) O18 @@
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) P17
[]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O17
[]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -0 (6/6) K17/K18@

VS

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo S2 (7/7)
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) M18 (8/8)
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) N19 (1/4)
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) M17@@ (4/5)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) L18@@ (3/4)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) N18@@ (3/4
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 (2/2) (Stealth)
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

Hah! You think you can ambush the Defenders! Face us and your minds shall be torn asunder!

*Moondragon mind controls the armor piercing imp via close combat*

Attack: 10
Roll: 1 and 4
Attack Roll: 14

*The Imp will then use its mace of many hurts to chip the rock demon:

Attack: 6
Roll: 6 and 5
Attack Roll: 17

Impervious Roll: 5

Damage cannot be dealt below 1 so the Imp manages to harm the rocky fiend for 1 total damage*

Now Stephen! Now while they are occupied, stri-where'd he go?

*Strange, focused on bringing down the Baron, teleports to square S12*

*Hulk and Ghost Rider clear*

Recap:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -1 (7/8) O18
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) S12@
[1**]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (7/7) O17@
[3]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -0 (6/6) K17/K18

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo S2 (7/7)
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) M18 (7/8)
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) N19 (1/4)
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) M17@@ (4/5)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) L18@@ (3/4)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) N18@@ (3/4
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 (2/2) (Stealth)
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

**What does Moony get for the mind control again?

Demonic turn 3

The Imp takes a crack at Moondragon. AV6 vs DV16 Well if you can do it
Roll is 6+6(12)!!!! Are they feeding the little fella roids or something? That's an 11 and a 12 back to back, he's a ninja Imp!
SS roll is a...4, phew think the Imp would have cried.
2 damage and KB to Q17! No falling damage due to flight but you can't have everything.

The Steam Elemental takes a poke at the Hulk. AV8 vs DV14. Roll is 3+3(6), HIT for 1 damage but no KB due to Charge showing :disappoin

The Baron moves to V6.

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Recap:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -1 (6/8) O18
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) S12@
[1**]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -0 (5/7) Q17@
[3]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -0 (6/6) K17/K18

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo V6 (7/7)@
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) M18 (7/8)
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) N19 (1/4)@
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) M17 (4/5)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) L18 (3/4)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) N18 (3/4
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 (2/2) (Stealth)@
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

HULK SMASH!

*Hulk lays a haymaker on the Steam Elemental but finding no use in pounding the air, the Hulk decides to breathe in and KO the Steam that way:

Attack: 9
Roll: 1 and 2
Attack Roll: 12

I believe thats a miss-Hulk breathes in, but can't hold his breath forever and exhale's his foe.*

*Ghost Rider revs up his engine, rides up to do a Hellfire blast at the Imp via close combat:

Attack: 7 (9-2)
Roll: 1 and 1
Attack Roll: Critical Miss

Blaze has a little trouble riding up stairs, that and the Imp is made of the same Hellfire he attacked with-he skids down a little hurt to squares R16/S16*

*The rest clear, a little shook up from the damage they took*

Recap:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -2 (6/8) O18@
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) S12
[1**]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -2 (5/7) Q17
[3]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -1 (5/6) R16/S16

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo V6 (7/7)@
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) M18 (7/8)
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) N19 (1/4)@
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) M17 (4/5)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) L18 (3/4)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) N18 (3/4
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 (2/2) (Stealth)@
*Armor piercing 10


HO: M17, P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

Your turn.

Demonic turn 4

The Hulk jogs on the spot and picks up the HO from M17.

Minor Demon #3 attacks the Hulk. AV7 vs DV15. Roll is 5+5(10), HIT for 1 damage and KB to P18.
(All this crazy KB on a roof and no falling damage? It's diabolical that's what it is :P)

The rest clear.

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Recap:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -2 (5/8) P18@
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) S12
[1**]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -2 (5/7) Q17
[3]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -1 (5/6) R16/S16

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo V6 (7/7)
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) M18 (7/8)@ w/HO
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) N19 (1/4)
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) M17 (4/5)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) L18 (3/4)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) N18 (3/4@
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 (2/2) (Stealth)
*Armor piercing 10


HO: P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

Right . . . I'll just pass for now.

Recap:

The Defenders
[]Rk Hulk (MM) 76 -2 (5/8) P18
[]Exp Dr. Strange (Ic) 71 -0 (7/7) S12
[1**]U Moondragon (CT) 71 -2 (5/7) Q17
[3]Rk Ghost Rider (FF) 68 -1 (5/6) R16/S16

Mordo and his Demons
U Baron Mordo V6 (7/7)
Rk Thing (FF) (rock demon) M18 (7/8)@ w/HO
LE Justice is Served (steam elemental) N19 (1/4)
Vet Brood Warrior (minor demon) M17 (4/5)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) L18 (3/4)
Exp Brood Warrior (minor demon) N18 (3/4@
Rk Moloid* (imp) N17 (2/2) (Stealth)
*Armor piercing 10


HO: P20, N17
LO: N18, O17, P17

Your turn.