Vol. 2 Iss. 10 - Seeds of War
General Summary
Aftermath at the Museum
Immediately following the dramatic showdown in the Egyptian exhibit, Metro Force turned their attention to aiding Achilles, who had just been freed from a centuries-long imprisonment in the ornate casket. Trent (Zeus), recognizing the disorientation Achilles might be facing, offered to guide him through the modern world, starting by securing a warm meal. Meanwhile, the rest of the team carefully examined the remains of the battle.
- Wunder Tech Clues: In their thorough inspection of the equipment the Wunder operatives left behind, the group noted key design parallels to Ernie Patel’s research on true safire, making them suspect a deeper, possibly hidden alliance or influence. After salvaging any useful weapons, they diligently staged the environment so it appeared that only the intruders were responsible for the museum’s destruction, preserving Metro Force’s relatively clean reputation.
- Achilles’s First Modern Meal: Zeus introduced Achilles to a cheeseburger, capturing the surprise and curiosity of a figure who, despite his ancient origins, displayed an uncanny understanding of contemporary culture and speech. Achilles mentioned that while confined in the casket, he had glimpses of the world evolving around him, forming a patchwork of modern knowledge. Concerned about a powerful entity named Atum, he warned Zeus that stepping up as a leader, not just a strong hero, would be essential in the days to come. Intrigued by Achilles’s stoicism and the gravity of his warnings, Zeus formally invited him to reside at the Treehouse, hoping the team could learn more about the mysterious threat.
Conversations with the First Tree and Atum
Amid the bustle of museum cleanup, Malcolm (Warden) found a quiet moment to retreat to the Unplanted Forest, a place of reflection and communion with the First Tree. His intent was to delve deeper into the unusual events that had occurred and to mend the rift caused by the Tree’s sudden takeover during the fight.
- A Moment of Regret: Malcolm sensed the Tree’s remorse, an emotional echo within the realm. The Tree conveyed shame for losing control in the museum battle, expressing a desire to show greater trust in Malcolm’s judgment going forward. This sense of apology was rare, suggesting the Tree held Malcolm in higher esteem than before.
- Vision of a Canadian Diner: In a surreal twist, Malcolm found himself transported to a diner reminiscent of his past in Canada. There, he encountered a sand-like figure identifying itself as Atum. Atum revealed that he had established the Warden roles eons ago to keep magical forces balanced. The revelation rattled Malcolm, who realized that the being behind those original Warden duties now sought a renewed foothold in the mortal plane.
By the next day, Achilles revealed more about his perspective on Atum. Historically, Wardens of the First Tree forged alliances with diverse pantheons by creating World Trees, special gateways for deities to traverse realms like Asgard or Olympus. Recognizing that such a feat might be required again, Val (Valiant) started researching ancient texts to determine how best to assist Malcolm in safely growing a new World Tree if needed.
Team Dynamics and Personal Ventures
- Val Hits on Achilles: Curious about the stoic warrior’s background and intrigued by his aura of nobility, Val made a subtle attempt to gauge Achilles’s personal interest in her. He remained polite but distant, showing no reciprocal affection.
- Leadership Confrontation: Uncomfortable with what she perceived as a scattered leadership style, Val confronted Zeus directly. Citing instances where he seemed oblivious to the personal needs of the team, she pushed him to recognize the importance of deeper connection. Although Zeus apologized for his shortcomings, he also insisted on the necessity of trust, promising to improve his organizational approach.
- Station Zero Trip:
- Danny (Agogo) and Val visited two neighboring shops—“Books” and “Guns n Guns n Guns n Ammo”—run by the brash, sharp-tongued Reverb, who heavily overcharged them for ancient mythology tomes. Determined not to leave the trip at a total loss, Val recouped funds by participating in an impromptu metahuman hockey match, using her magical skill to secure victory.
- Malcolm headed to the plant shop, gifting Amy a miniature bonsai that replicated the Treehouse in exquisite detail. The gesture not only strengthened their friendly rapport but also let Malcolm indulge his passion for horticulture, affirming his link to nature.
- Ella (Cinder) received critical news from Buddy: he had orchestrated a clever fabrication to prove Shiko was still alive, using a lifelike android. Footage of this faux Shiko, departing on a private jet, began circulating online, effectively absolving Ella of potential murder charges. Yet, the scheme left Ella uneasy, knowing the real Shiko was still unaccounted for.
Concurrently, Achilles drove Zeus into an unyielding regimen of physical training, emphasizing that if Zeus intended to stand against Atum, he would have to push beyond his usual limits. This rigorous schedule consumed most of March, with Zeus determined to prove himself both in raw power and the mettle to lead.
Later, Val arranged to meet with Codilius, confronting him about the vague intelligence he had provided regarding the museum’s contents. Codilius calmly affirmed that freeing Achilles served a higher purpose and assured Val of his continued support, even pledging his armies should a confrontation with Atum come to pass.
New Projects and the Wardens of Life
As Metro Force enjoyed a quieter period, they redirected their focus to personal endeavors and team improvements:
- Malcolm and the World Tree: Realizing the potential necessity of planting a new World Tree, Malcolm studied ancient lore, aided by Val’s research. The group understood that if such a tree were destroyed, it could unravel mystical balances across multiple realms.
- Ella’s Final Components: Eager to finish the L.O.O.M., Ella coaxed Malcolm into a covert trip to an impound yard where they extracted the last item needed for her invention. Throughout the city, Ella also gathered rare materials with assistance from Danny and Trent, ensuring each ally’s expertise contributed to her work.
- Children’s Hospital Visit: Hoping to improve morale and maintain a positive public profile, Trent organized a trip to the children’s hospital, where Metro Force spent time with young fans. Through shared stories and playful demonstrations of metahuman talents, they left a hopeful impression.
That evening brought a critical reveal when Ella proudly presented two completed projects atop the Treehouse:
- The fully operational L.O.O.M., a device the team knew she was striving to finish.
- A stunning mechanical Pegasus, built to house K.Y.L.E.’s consciousness and serve as Valiant’s new steed in upcoming conflicts.
Epilogue: A Wardens’ Gathering
Wrestling with the implications of Atum’s looming presence, Malcolm convened the Wardens of Life in the Unplanted Forest. The meeting underscored mixed loyalties:
- The Warden of Beasts advised Malcolm to submit to Atum’s power, crediting his own prolonged survival to never challenging the ancient deity. Malcolm, undeterred, appealed to the sliver of humanity within Beasts, hoping to rally the Wardens against subservience.
- Afterwards, Malcolm sought the counsel of the Warden of Fungus (Travis), only to discover too late that Atum might be impersonating him through the forest’s magical threads. This revelation implied a startling level of infiltration: Atum could be lurking within Malcolm’s very source of magic, listening and potentially steering events from within. Panicked by the prospect of sharing a realm with the primordial figure, Malcolm abruptly retreated to Earth.
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