So the word had gotten around again, and she knew that if the place was going to be anywhere near its usual glory, they'd have to work on it immediately. Katara decided, just to not add the extra work to leave the hotel lobby in Water tribe regalia. She could always get rid of that stuff later, and she'd likely relocate it wherever she was staying. She started with the outside steps and the lawn around it: it was likely during the demon possession that it had gotten so messy.

In any case, the rest of the Outsider's headquarters had to be taken care of: the floors needed to be swept, the beds needed to be made, she had to look over the monitors to make sure they were working and then there was the pool in the back and the shining of the statues of B5 and Cassie.

She was already starting on it, but she was hoping to have Maydril, Beastboy and whoever got here early to lend a hand.

There was going to be quite a lot to cover.

Daja had two reasons for visiting Engineering today: firstly, she needed to see if there was anything that the people of Engineering needed forged. Since she spent most of her time in her forge rather than Engineering itself, she often needed to visit Billy and find out what was needed in the Department.

But secondly, Daja was in need of assistance. Rhiow wished to have the Grand Central clock restored, and for that Daja needed to learn more about clockwork. Hopefully, one of her colleagues would be able to help her.

Walking into Engineering, Daja began to look around and see who else she could find in the Department today.

This was going to be the sweetest party ever. As if it could be anything else, considering who was putting it on.

The Sensoriums were pretty much exactly like that one “bonny lad” –a phrase Dave was seriously thinking about incorporating into his ironic repertoire- had described. A big room that responded to thoughts…it was like he’d been handed a big blank canvas and told to make his life’s masterpiece. Like he was on the mount, about to make his sermon that would bring in his flock and lead them to the path of awesomeness.

Had to do this right.

First, it needed music. The sort that pounded straight into the brain and overrode the senses. This was some zombie shit, a memetic virus that overtook the nervous system and forced the infected into party mode, forced into a perpetual dance party activated by only the sickest beats.

Dave took a moment to wonder if this thing was taking him literally, and then decided that it didn’t really matter.

Now it needed lights, but not just any lights. All the lights. There were going to be strobes and laser light shows, displays and…hell, why not throw in a giant LCD display on one entire wall? Why the hell not?

A giant LCD screen playing Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff-themed stuff. Hell yes.

Again, Dave spared a half-second to think about things. He wondered if this would be the first rave that ever needed seizure paramedics right out of the gate. And then decided in the other half to leave that up to the ship. It probably could summon medics or whatever it did without his help. Really, Dave thought, he ought to just quit worrying about all this stuff. It was like time travel, in that way. Just roll with it.

Still, he might as well make sure that there were provisions. Water and energy drinks, candy and granola bars. Something to keep dancers going until they finally collapsed. Glowsticks for those into that kind of stuff.

All that was left was to change into something more suitable for a rave. The Puppet Tux, he figured, should be a nice ironic counterpart to the causal nature of a rave. Undeniably cool, not too dressy, but just dressy enough to hold a superior air of cool over those who'd come in. This shit was like fine wine, and Dave was the snooty villa owner to guide party-goers through it.

Time to get this party started. Dave snapped his fingers, he music started up. Perfect.

It doesn’t make sense. Or, rather, to be entirely truthful, it makes just enough to bother him and that basically amounts to the same thing.

The Doctor paces in front of the blast shield in the Observation Deck. Right now, he thinks he needs a good pace, something to help him think. No sign of Amy or Rory yet, which is surprising, in its own way. Amy has a habit of managing things all on her own, whether it’s saving him from that stint with the Time Vortex and the Entity or the whole of reality. Rory couldn’t be in better hands. If she is on the ship, he would have expected her to come dragging Rory after her by now. So no, it’s not really like Amy there. As for Rory…actually, the Doctor can see him getting lost here; between forgetting to check for gills, the plant-suits and meeting a load of aliens in a huge living ship, a human like Rory might feel slightly overwhelmed. Probably a bit distracting, yeah…

The howling nothing is still out there, the Doctor turning to look past the shield at it. It’s pretty, in the making-you-feel-slightly-nauseous kind of way.

Or maybe that’s just him.

Vaguely disturbing to look at or not, the Doctor glances out at the void outside of Stacy. It’s hardly the first time worlds, plural, have been destroyed or just generally threatened or in a peril-like sort of state. It's actually quite common. But there are signs or it’s meant to happen (history) except he knows as a fact that this isn’t one of those times. Amy and Rory's Earth has a very specific date of death and "death by Ohm" isn't right. This isn’t just a rogue black hole swallowing a dynasty’s system of planets or a quasar misbehaving. It’s…different. The Doctor turns away from the window, holding up the omnicomm in one hand. By now he’s stopped calling it a Thingie, even if it’s a much better name in his opinion. Useful thing, this omnicomm. Helps to keep in touch. He’s been trying to hack into it and get a direct line to Stacy but so far, no luck. Deadlocked, he supposes. Or maybe the new new sonic is still adjusting. Working out the bugs.

The sonic buzzes green in the Observation Deck as the Doctor continues to pace without looking before the blast shield. Occasionally he stops to twiddle around with the omnicomm, long fingers blurring, before he reads another setting on the sonic and then the cycle starts over. Every now and then he might make a full circle of the room, by some miracle not tripping over the fleshy seats, and might try listening to the walls or poking at where they meet the floor. Or what stands for a floor in a techno-organic ship.

[The Doctor is either poking around or looking serious business at the view, whatever works for you]

 Coming back was odd. It was like he'd never left, and like he'd been gone forever, like the ship was just some dream, some nightmare, to be shrugged off. But, here he was, so best to get it over with, like tearing off an adhesive strip.

He ran a hand along the wall of the hotel, where he and Slobo had spray-painted a large 'O', marking the building as the headquarters.  It was still the same, more or less. A little worse for the wear, but still here, still sturdy. Something bigger than the two of them, something that could last without him.

It was slightly chilling to reflect upon.

He adjusted the chain as it hung on his shoulder, a gift from Slobo that he'd always kept with him. It reminded him of better times... Slo trying to teach him and Katara to fight with other weapons, shortly after he'd arrived on the ship. Better times. Times before Rose and everything she had brought into his life.
He breathed a long sigh, trying to calm himself, and opened the door to the hq. His hq. Where he wasn't in charge anymore. Where maybe no one was; maybe the Outsiders didn't even exist anymore, and he was completely forgotten. 

Time to find out.

There is a LOT more than I expected under the cut, so feel free to skip to the outside bit.

( The latest talk on the comm had bothered Katara more than she let on. )

So here she was and she closed her eyes: she never doubted her devotion to the people on this ship, no matter what individual members angered her, made her feel like she was less than she was. She did NOT want them to suffer more than they had, like she had, losing their worlds. What made her angry was the doubt in her own heart, that her own happiness was so out of reach no matter what she did, no matter what she did. Aang was there and made her understand true love, Matt was there to stop that pain of having nothing, of not having to scream in her own head. The ship blurred things in her own heart and made her lose sight so much.

So the simulation came back to an unpleasant time: the Nightmare King unleashed one of the scariest things she'd ever seen: the T-1000, a robot bent of human destruction, one that needed several attacks to take down.

SHE'D SHOW THEM.

"Let's do this!" She yelled, and attacked with fury.

[ooc: Newbie Helpers List | Instructions: Post your character with one post establishing them as being podpopped. Tag each other in groups of 2's, 3's, and 4's, to get some interaction to start with. If a thread doesn't already have 2 or 3 people tagged in, tag it with your character's podpop popping near the other people, rather than making a new subthread. If you would like to play out them talking to the AI, please send an email to the mods making the request--we do this only by request. Then move onto the big Newbie Meeting. Once your character has gotten the rundown from the old crew, you may start posting entrance posts and freely tagging.]


||Pod Release Protocols Initating|| Stacy's familiar voice sounds out to all the podmates through the ship.

In the Pod Caverns, there are the sounds of: Pop. Pop pop pop. Poppuhpoppoppop. KASCHUNKhiiiiiiiissssss.

There is condensation and mist spraying out from cracks in the pods, as the people inside slide out onto the floors, covered in slime.

--

( There was nothing... )

The rest of the crew assembled on the Observation Deck to meet the latest editions to their numbers. After the revelation that their worlds are gone, many of them are even more eager to see people they knew from home.

Several people are set up near the doors to provide the new people with omnicoms and comm rings. New crew-mates might see a tall man in green armor and snake girl among their number. There are also several authoritative-looking figures ready to introduce themselves.

There's a lot to tell the new people. It's going to be a lot to take in.

[ooc: Only new characters and Command Staff can start new threads for introductions, to limit the number of threads. Everyone else, just tag in and have your guys greet the newbies.]

"Freedom is from within."
—Frank Lloyd Wright

Haku's body was a strong one, a mix of corded, snakelike speed and the flexible, boneless way of the cat. It was no surprise when, after weeks of hammering and twisting and clawing the bars had grown bent and bowed outward in a comfortable arc. The snake that fed within him had grown stronger on Haku's waning power with the passing weeks. The Kami slept now, tired, weary, unable to do more than exhaustively watch as his own body snarled and snapped, straining against confinement in a way that wrung mortar from between the stones and sent dust trickling out of the roof above in little dry waterfalls.

The waters bleed and the ocean runs dry, but nothing is infinite.

The demon was impatient— soon enough Haku would die in truth, but it wanted out now. It wanted free. Coil and strike, like a goat ramming the bars and they shuddered and groaned under the pressure, firm coils leaning the dragon's whole self against their weakened strength from the inside.

Ping! Pop! Clang!

The rivets anchoring the bars to the wall finally failed and with the cage opened, the fouled river leapt out with a howl of unholy glee, paying no heed to the way scaled scraped and fell against the narrow walls of the precinct. Flimsy wooden doors met with their exact weight in firewood and the beast surged into the street with a clumsiness that was wholly un-Haku. It leapt, and found purchase in the air, then faltered and met the side of a building with a thump. The second try was more successful

The sound of manly grunting, yells and otherwise loud shouts from a large screen could be heard as accompanied by the sound of crunching and the noise of a drink being emptied with a few slurps. In a far corner of the Media Library, there was a area that was termed "Ben's Corner" which was a rather elaborate set up. A futon rolled out on a table against the wall, a large screen complete with media playback device, and the remains of snack food, mostly popcorn laying to the side.

Ben's hand was dipping into the bowl again, crunching a large handful of popcorn once more as he watched Sumo Slammers on what amounted to a wide screen television. He had found records of media from his homeworld, Sumo Slammers Classic and Hero Generation, and a third unreleased season called Evolutions and was enthralled by his favorite television show. Slurping from his drink, he clicked fast forward through the credits and set up the next episode.

"Man what time is it?" he wondered, looking at the Omnitrix which stared back at him without displaying the time. Shrugging, he ate another handful of popcorn and sipped his drink. "Boy I hope the bus doesn't miss a sudden dip in junk food."

Ben belched, a resounding echoing noise across the Media Library before he settled back down for another episode.

It happened again. One day, Katara had her head filled with the thoughts of a person, someone she cared deeply about, someone that meant a lot to her-and the next they were gone, and Katara was left with an empty feeling. Unlike the last time, though, Katara didn't just feel like they were parts of her memory: this felt like a big chunk, like something had been ripped out of her mind. Now she stared at her hand a moment, then at her chest. She felt like she didn't know what to do with herself, as if this missing memory was something that hadn't just affected her time on the ship but her purpose, a part of her.

She started to run, but she didn't really have a destination in mind. She had had to keep running toward a place where she could get rid of this feeling, but she didn't know how to do it. None of her training or assurances or good feelings were with her right now. She felt as if she were bordering on hysteria and heartache at the same, and finally, she stopped, her muscles locking and threw up. She retched, bringing herself back, and felt horrible, but at least now she had a destination. She ran toward the medbay, her hair messy and her body trembling.

She didn't know who was here, but she opened her mouth to speak involuntary.

"I think I need to-I don't feel very-"

And then her eyes started to fill with tears and she coughed and coughed, crying still. She needed to lie down or something, she wasn't sure what, but she was in pain and felt sick and couldn't explain why.

Welcome to the Unholy Cathedral at the heart of Escherville. It is here, in this place, that the Nightmare King has made his bid for release.

And he will not be stopped by the likes of you.

More monstrosities pour out of every angle, intent on ending this adventure. These monsters are every bit as horrific as the ones you all faced to get to this point, though you will quickly notice there is something drastically different about them.

Magic does not affect these creatures. At all.

Your spells do nothing. Your prayers are meaningless. The power of your God is useless against them.

No force in heaven or hell can affect them.

Nothing at all Magical can hurt them.

You're the ones who are good enough (or lucky) enough to be close to Escherville. You've had the good fortune to be scooped up and now you need to regroup and get ready to take on the Nightmare King himself. Time to reorganize and gear up as best you can with what you've got. The Nightmare King isn't going to wait for you.

Get moving.

_{((OOC: This is for the various groups/peoples who will be fighting the Nightmare King directly or assisting in that endeavor. If your character was in one of the Challenge from Beyond Groups, tag them in here! Feel free to do some tagging back and forth and enjoy yourselves. Please get tagged in by Tuesday night, March 2nd though, so we can get the Final Fight properly organized. ))}

Nightmare becomes reality....

[roster: leader - Captain Kirk, Ben 10, Daimon, Eddie Bloomberg, Static, Isaac]

All he had wanted was some peace and quiet. First, he had found a way to rig the TVs in the hotel to link to the ship's library. Second, he had convinced Stacy to just let that be, and explained how odd "pulsing walls" were to most of them. Finally, he had found a couch on the far wall in the lobby that had the best view of the big screen TV the lobby had, and marked it. Above it on the wall was a plaque that read as such: RESERVED FOR FORMER YJERS/TITANS WHO WERE DECLARED DEAD IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

However, these were not exactly detractors in everyone else's mind. Every time he tried to relax and just read his back issues of "Crazed Merc" magazines, someone came in, sat down in the nearest chair, and asked him about... whatever was on their mind. He couldn't stop it, he knew it from the first. When the crazy japanese kid who he had previously lead to the sensoriums had shown up asking him about whether he should go to a dance, he had given advice. Then the priest showed up, asking about what the Outsiders were about. Now, Slobo was just waiting for the next person to come asking him, of all people, for information or advice. So he was more waiting than relaxing...

Everyone had been so nice to Ryo since he had awoken a day prior. He wanted to show his appreciation to his friends and the crew, and get a chance to meet others. So, he walked back into the sensoriums and imagined a place. As he opened his eyes, there was the Milk Dipper. Wood finish, stars decorating the place, rough hewn wooden tables and the telescope in it's pedestal at the center. Everything was as it should be, except for one thing. Behind the counter, looking very confused, was a green-skinned demon who bore no resemblance to Airi. Ryo registered his shock as the demon spoke.

"This... is NOT my bar..." The green one said, his own shock evident. He looked at Ryo. "And you're not Peter..." Ryo, not knowing what to do, bowed quickly.

"I'm sorry, Oni-san, I just wanted to throw a party for everyone, with karaoke and dancing, and I didn't mean to summon you!" The demon shook his head, waving Ryo off.

"It's Lorne, and you had me at karaoke. Now, this place.... I like it. Kind of a kitsch-meets-class thing going on... It does need to be bigger, though..." Lorne snapped his fingers and the cafe expanded, now as large as an auditorium. The telescope pedestal sat firmly in the center of a well-polished dance floor, underneath a disco ball and lighting set up. To the left of the counter was a stage with a karoake set-up, and behind the counter was now a lot more than just coffee. Otherwise, the decor remained the same.

"Alright, Ryo-kun." Lorne said with a smile. "Give everyone the heads up and get this party started." Ryo nodded, amazed by the demon's abilities, and gave a call on the omnicomms.

[[ OOC: It's karaoke dance party time! Start a sub-thread with your character singing a song, socializing, or just being a wallflower, and let the CR flow! Especially great for newbies to meet folk and influence people!]]

The JLA Watchtower. Hall of Justice.

Or it would be, if it hadn't been destroyed along with the rest of their world. No, this is an uncanny facsimile courtesy of the sensoriums. The room itself is little more than an encircling window that looks out into space, Earth looming below, and an Arthurian table with twelve chairs, seven of which bearing the insignia of its reserved champion.

One of them is already here and sits like he owns this place-- well back in his chair, chin out and arms folded high across his chest.

Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito.

Superman had wanted it engraved on the table, years earlier when they operated out of a cave in Happy Harbor. Batman had scoffed, but then, he generally did anyway. Only now that his old friend isn't here to give him the 'see? I have good ideas too' face does he genuinely consider it. He had been fighting this war like it was Gotham, like it was his turf, and now he sees the error. He's looking for demons in the wrong place.

So here he sits, enjoying a reprieve from glorified tech support work and waits for his pantheon.

[ooc: Meet and greet type deal-- start your own sub-thread and/or comment to others. 'Sup to you.]

Omnitrix has re-calibrated and has connected to Primus.

Those were the words Ben was waiting for. Since he had gotten back the Omnitrix it had been in a blue color, a sign of recalibration that had the young man worried. He knew of Primus, the artifical world that Azmuth created to house the DNA of 1,000,905 aliens. And if it didn't exist, the Omnitrix was nothing but a watch.

"Omnitrix, can you locate Primus?" inquired Ben as he made his way to the Sensoriums.

Unable to discern time-space coordinates.

"So that means it's probably still connected... somehow." mused Ben as he stepped into the Sensoriums and the world melted into the streets of Bellwood.

After getting a Mr. Smoothie composed of broccoli and spinach, he sucked it down and started to twist the dial. Several dozen aliens appeared and he blinked at the sheer amount. "Omnitrix, how many aliens have been unlocked?"

35 and counting. Master Control however is still sealed.

"Well can't hope for everything," muttered Ben as he swapped aliens here and there. He then looked up at the sky and said, "Stacy, can I get several robots? Anything will do."

In a flash, several robots appeared, mostly from media and he grinned. "Oh this will do nicely."

The dial spun as Ben selected Humungosaur. "All right, it's go time!"

Slamming his hand down on the plunger, Ben felt his body grow up... and up... and up until he towered overhead. "WAY BIG! Huh? I was going for Humungosaur."

Scratching his head, he inquired, "Stacy can you make the mecha bigger please?"

In an instant, the mecha were standing just as tall as the giant 30 foot alien and he grinned. "This'll do nicely. Start up the program!"

And with that, Ben tackled the first mecha and used it as a shield from the incoming firepower of the others.

The rest of the crew assembled on the Observation Deck to meet the latest editions to their numbers. After the revelation that their worlds are gone, many of them are even more eager to see people they knew from home.

Several people are set up near the doors to provide the new people with omnicoms and comm rings. New crew-mates might see a green-skinned alien and snake girl among their number. There are also several authoritative-looking figures ready to introduce themselves.

There's a lot to tell the new people. It's going to be a lot to take in.

[ooc: Only new characters and Command Staff can start new threads for introductions, to limit the number of threads. Everyone else, just tag in and have your guys greet the newbies.]

Slobo walked into the sensoriums, and the room became a true blank slate, a white empty void. He wasn't sure what he wanted. He just was angry. His general nightmares had been unchanged, though he was remembering them with more frequency now. The thought of his own failure and how easily he had been taken down by Darkseid, the thoughts of Dream-Lobo mocking him...

Right now, he just needed to vent. He focused for a moment, and a set of awkward looking drums made out of oil barrels and saw-blade cymbals appeared. He sat down, and furiously began a solo to a song that didn't exist.

Sometimes, you just need to hit things. And the noise was nice. He continued his beat, eyes closed, trying to replicate Neil Pert as best as he could, slowly getting into the rythm to "Roll the Bones". The beat covered the room, and with his eyes closed, it would be nearly impossible for him to notice someone walking in.