Where Have All The Heroes Gone: #6 - Blue Side

[Paragon Avenger]

"Who may I say is calling, please."  Hero Commander said imitating a telephone operator from the 1950's.
"You know who this is."  Ms. Liberty said not amused.
"Is she expecting your call?"  hero Commander said in that same voice.
Ms. Liberty hung up the phone, gathered up some papers from her desk and left her office.
"Follow me."  Ms. Liberty said to some Longbow as she left the Hero Corps building.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Holy moly!”  Kolissa exclaimed as she looked out her apartment window at the pretty autumn colors.
“What’s the problem?”  Hero Commander asked as he throw the dish towel onto the counter and joined Kolissa window side.
“Ms. Liberty is approaching …”  Kolissa started.
“With half the Longbow intow.”  Hero Commander interrupted finishing Kolissa’s sentence.
“What did that Dragon do now?”  Kolissa wondered out loud.
“Should I bar the door?”  Hero Commander asked.
“Let’s hear her out.”  Kolissa said.
“Then we can attack.”  Hero Commander said.
“Yeah, call your mercs.”  Kolissa ordered.
“Ok, but they are not mercenaries, they are heroes.”  Hero Commander defended.
“Whatever.”  Kolissa shrugged.
“Kolissa, I know that you’re in there.”  Ms. Liberty said over a bullhorn.
“What does she want?”  Hero Commander asked.
“Quiet.”  Kolissa said straining to hear.
“Come out here peacefully or we will come in.”  Ms. Liberty continued.
“Shorty, did Ms. Liberty call earlier?”  Kolissa asked.
“Yes, I gave her the run-around.”  Hero Commander explained.
“That was for when we knew she wanted me to attack Super Fire Dragon!”  Kolissa shouted.
“So, you wanted to talk to her?”  Hero Commander asked.
“Well, nobody really wants to talk to her.”  Kolissa answered.
“Kolissa, pick up the phone; this is your last chance.”  Ms. Liberty threatened.
Just then the phone started ringing.
“I’ll get it.”  Hero Commander said.
“I’ll get it.”  Kolissa said sternly.  She picked up the handset and said, “Hello.”
“Kolissa, this is Ms. Liberty.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Ah, Ms. Liberty, how nice of you to call, deary.”  Kolissa replied.
“Don’t you hang up on me.”  Ms. Liberty ordered.
“Deary, how may I help you?  You seem so determined.”  Kolissa cooed.
“Kolissa, report to my office in one hour.”  Ms. Liberty ordered.
“Deary, wouldn’t miss it for all the tea in New Mexico.”  Kolissa stated.
“Ummmm, ok, I will be back to arrest you if you fail to show up.”  Ms. Liberty threatened.
“Oh you do say the cutest things, deary.”  Kolissa dismissed.
“One hour!”  Ms. Liberty shouted and hung up the phone.
“It appears that I am wanted at Hero Corps HQ.”  Kolissa stated.
“Is that all she wanted, she could’ve just telephoned.”  Hero Commander said.
They both laughed.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Kolissa, glad you could tear your self away for awhile to meet with me.”  Ms. Liberty snapped.
“Deary, you are a top priority.”  Kolissa said as she sat in front of Ms. Liberty’s desk.
“Yes, well I’m leaving for South Korea, and I need to put somebody in-charge until I return.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“Not the dragon!”  Kolissa shot back.
“Why does everybody assume that I would put the dragon in-charge?”  Ms. Liberty questioned.
“For the love of god woman, not Necrophillia!”  Kolissa shouted.
“Calm yourself.  I want to put you in-charge.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“Have you flipped your gasket?  That is the worst possible … do you me mean?”  Kolissa replied.
“Yes, silly.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Oh well, that’s different, most wise and powerful leader.”  Kolissa grabbled.
“Ok, ok, I’ve already decided to pick you, you don’t have to ingratiate yourself to me.”  Ms. Liberty responded.
“Right.”  Kolissa replied.
Ms. Liberty explained the duties and the responsibilities that Kolissa would have to fulfill to be the head of Hero Corp and the leader of the Longbow.  She also told her about the various projects and assignments going on with few exceptions.  Ms. Liberty never tells everything to anybody.  She did give her use of her car and driver, her private helicopter and pilot and her Atlas Park studio apartment that Ms. Liberty uses when pressing matters don’t allow her to retreat to her home on Talos Island.
“Ms. Liberty, I am honored that you picked me to take-over for you.”  Kolissa said.
“While I’m away.  Say it, ‘While I’m away.’”  Ms. Liberty stressed.
“Yes, that’s what I said.”  Kolissa said.
“I’m not leaving until I hear you say that you understand that this is only until I return.”  Ms. Liberty said sternly.
“Deary, trust me.  You have nothing to worry about.”  Kolissa replied.
“Say it.”  Ms. Liberty said getting annoyed.
“Deary, I have no intention of doing anything dishonest.”  Kolissa said warmly.
“Kolissa.”  Ms. Liberty threatened.
“Fine, I am honored to take-over for you while you’re away, and until your return.”  Kolissa said almost mockingly.
“That’s better.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“Deary, you really know how to take the fun out of a situation.”  Kolissa said.
Ms. Liberty said goodbye, and walked out of her office.  She left the Hero Corps HQ building and took a taxi to the airport.
Kolissa got up, looked out the window to watch Ms. Liberty leave.  She then proceeded to sit in Ms. Liberty’s chair.
“Hello, whoever is on the other end of this, get in here.”  Kolissa said into the intercom on Ms. Liberty’s desk.
“Yes, Ms. … Kolissa, coming right away, Ms. … Kolissa.”  Fred, Ms. Liberty’s assistant, said.
“What’s your name?”  Kolissa asked as Fred entered Ms. Liberty’s office.
“Fred Durks; I’m Ms. Liberty’s personal assistant.”  Fred said getting used to the idea of working for a big scary Arachnos Widow.
“Great, Fred.  Have Super Fire Dragon report to my office.  And have Necrophillia report in after he leaves.  Send the car to pick-up Hero Commander from my apartment on Founders’ Falls.  Order dinner for two, the best lobster in this dump.  And get me the file on ‘Kolissa’.”  Kolissa barked orders.
“Ms. Liberty left specific instructions that any file about you was to be sealed.”  Fred said.
“Durks, deary, do you enjoy pain.”  Kolissa asked.
“Well, no.”  Fred replied.
“As my assistant, you must do as I tell you, right?”  Kolissa asked.
“Well, yes, but no, I mean within reason.”  Fred admitted.
“So if I ordered you to put your hand on a hot griddle, you would have to do it?”  Kolissa asked.
“That is absurd, I would just quit before …”  Fred started.  Kolissa begun to confuse him.
“Fred, put your hand on this hot griddle.”  Kolissa ordered.
Fred walked over to the little kitchen area and turned the griddle on.
“Your left hand, you are right handed.”  Kolissa asked.
“I obey.”  Fred said, and he put his left hand on the hot griddle.  A few seconds later he jerked away and let out a scream.
“That was a sample, Fred, now go tend to your hand.”  Kolissa ordered.
Fred went running out of Ms. Liberty’s office and got the first aid kit.  After he treated his wounds, he did everything Kolissa had asked, except he didn’t hand the file over.
“Hiya, Fred.  What happened to your hand?”  Super Fire Dragon asked.
“Oh, nothing, I burnt it shaving.”  Fred lied.
“Whatever.”  SFD said.  He knew that Fred was lying, but why would anybody lie about how they got hurt.  SFD didn’t understand what was going on.
“Welcome, Dragon, do sit down.”  Kolissa said.
“Hey, temp boss, what’s up?”  SFD asked.
“Dragon, I need you to go to Monster Island, and bring back mushrooms.”  Kolissa said.
“Mushrooms, you can go to the store and buy mushrooms.”  SFD questioned.
“Yes, but Monster Island Mushrooms are the best.  Kill some giant monsters while you’re there.”  Kolissa said.
“This sounds like a very dangerous mission.”  SFD stated.
“That’s why I want the best operative we got on it.”  Kolissa said.
“Ok, I’ll do it.”  SFD said smugly.  Super Fire Dragon got up from his chair and left the office.
“Fred, did you get that file?”  Kolissa asked over the intercom.
“I’m still looking for it.”  Fred lied.
“Deary, perhaps you need some motivation to find it faster.”  Kolissa threatened.
“No, no, please, no, it just takes time.”  Fred pleaded.
“I need that file, today.”  Kolissa shouted.
“What kind of mood is she in?”  Necrophillia asked as she walked towards Ms. Liberty’s office.
“You can never tell.”  Fred said hiding his left hand out of shame.
“Deary, I can’t believe Ms. Liberty left you in-charge.”  Necrophillia said imitating Kolissa.
“Cute, come in.”  Kolissa said.
“Ok, I’m here, what do you want?”  Necrophillia asked.
“We had heard some troubling stories from Dark Astoria.  I need you to go in there and kick butt.”  Kolissa said.
“Dark Astoria?  Are you sure?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Yes, it will build character.”  Kolissa said.
“Well, yes boss, I’ll go.”  Necrophillia said.
“Great.”  Kolissa said.
Necrophillia left Ms. Liberty’s office.
“Fred, get in here.”  Kolissa said over the intercom.
Fred walked into Ms. Liberty’s office with a note pad and pen.
“What do you need?”  Fred asked.
“It is not what I need.  It is what do you need?”  Kolissa asked.
“How about a vacation?”  Fred asked.
“Funny.  No, what do you need to get me that file?”  Kolissa demanded.
“I’m working on it.”  Fred replied.
“Fred, have you ever stood on a hot griddle?”  Kolissa asked.
“I’ll go get that file, now.”  Fred said in a panic.
Fred scurried out of Ms. Liberty’s office fearing another dose of Kolissa’s confusion power.
“I’m sure she is expecting me.”  Hero Commander said as he approached Fred’s desk.
“Yes, go right in.”  Fred said.
“Kolissa, look at you.”  Hero Commander said as he walked into Ms. Liberty’s office.
“Hey, Shorty.  I ordered dinner.”  Kolissa said.
“I thought that we would go out.”  Hero Commander said.
“No, I have a pressing matter to attend to.  I need to stay in the office.”  Kolissa said.
“A pressing matter, wow?  Something big is brewing, no wonder Fred looked so upset.”  Hero Commander said.
“Fred that worm!  What did he tell you?”  Kolissa exclaimed.
“Nothing, nothing why are you so tense.”  Hero Commander said.
“Look, Shorty, everything is ok.  I just need to stay here, I promised Ms. Liberty, and I’m trying to get the hang of things.”  Kolissa explained.
“Can I help?”  Hero Commander asked.
“Yes, take my mind off work for awhile.”  Kolissa stated.
In the outer office, Fred sat at his desk staring at Kolissa’s file, and icing his burned palm.  Although he doesn’t know what is in that file, Ms. Liberty told him not to give it to Kolissa.  He has been around Hero Corps long enough to know that almost every super has a confidential file that must be protected.  His hand hurt.  He didn’t even remember turning on the griddle, but there he was just holding his hand on that heating surface when he woke-up out of the confusion Kolissa cast on him.  She pretty much could make him do anything.  After all, it’s only a lousy stinking file.  What harm could it do?
“Lobster dinner for two, where should I setup?”  The server asked.
Fred held up one finger and picked up the phone.
“Kolissa, the food is here.”  Fred said into the intercom.
“Go right in.”  Fred said to the server as he hung up the phone.
Kolissa and Hero Commander ate.
Fred continued thinking about that file and his hand and whatever else she might do to him.

[Paragon Avenger]

After several defeats and trips to the hospital, Super Fire Dragon had an idea.
“Necrophillia, Necrophillia, calling Necrophillia, pick-up already.”  SFD said into his communicator wrist-watch.
“Dragon, give me a chance to answer.”  Necrophillia replied via the communicator.
“Yeah, Kolissa sent me here to get mushrooms, on Monster Island.”  SFD said.
“Wow, I’m fighting level 54’s in Dark Astoria.”  Necrophillia replied.
“How’s it going?”  SFD asked.
“Lousy.  How’s yours going?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Wonderfully, for the monsters.”  SFD responded.
“Maybe we should get together, team up?”  Necrophillia suggested.
“Yeah, wait a minute.  I was hatched at night, but it wasn’t last night.”  SFD stated.
“What are you talking about, Dragon?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Kolissa send the best operatives on fool’s errands, to get us out of the way.”  SFD explained.
“You’re right, so?”  Necrophillia asked.
“So we wouldn’t be around to stop her.”  SFD exclaimed.
“Stop her from doing what?”  Necrophillia asked, trying to keep up with the dragon’s train of thought.
“Son of a tabby!”  SFD shouted.
“What?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Necrophillia, meet me at Hero Corps HQ.  Fred’s hand was burned.”  SFD explained.
“I don’t follow.”  Necrophillia said.
“Kolissa is trying to force Ms. Liberty’s personal assistant to do something that he doesn’t want to do; that Ms. Liberty doesn’t want done.”  SFD expounded as he made his way to the base portal.
“Maybe she is having a relapse from that trip through hell her soul took.  I’m on my way.”  Necrophillia said ending the communicator call and firing up her long range teleporter.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Fred, deary, send for the car.  Hero Commander will be returning home.”  Kolissa cooed over the intercom.
“Yes, Kolissa.  Right away.”  Fred replied over the intercom.
“That was the best lobster dinner I have ever had.”  The Hero Commander commented.
“Yes, Shorty, I think I just might like filling in for old what’s her face.”  Kolissa said.
“Ms. Liberty.  Stay right where you are HC.”  Super Fire Dragon shouted as he burst into the room.
“I tried to stop him, Ms. … Kolissa, but my hand hurts.”  Fred said.
“Dragon, what is the meaning of this?”  The Hero Commander insisted.
“Well, Fred’s hand hurts so much that he didn’t try as hard as he could have with two good hands.”  SFD explained.
“No you fool, why did you barge in here?”  The Hero Commander asked.
“Ask Kolissa why Fred’s hand hurts.”  SFD said.
“Dragon, don’t be silly.  Shorty and I just finished supper.  Now go away.”  Kolissa stated.
“Fred, why does your hand hurt.”  SFD asked.
“Well, I …”  Fred looking at Kolissa saw a glimmer of don’t you dare in her eyes.
“Kolissa, I think the Dragon thinks that you have something to do with Fred’s hand.”  The Hero Commander said confused.
“Alright, I’ll tell you.  Ms. Liberty left and Fred thought that he ran the place.  Honestly, I had to put the fear of Kolissa into him.”  Kolissa said.
“Dragon, is she telling the truth?”  The Hero Commander said remembering that dragons have built-in lie detectors.
“Well, No and yes and maybe.  Spiders are tricky.”  SFD stumbled.
“I don’t need a lie detector, deary, detain her.”  Necrophillia said as she entered the room and sent her zombies to surround Kolissa.
“Don’t!”  SFD said seeing Hero Commander start to summons his pets.
“Ok, what is going on here?”  The Hero Commander demanded.
“Ok, I put 2 and 2 together and came up with cheese.  She’s guilty alright.”  SFD said.
“What?”  Fred, Hero Commander, Necrophillia and Kolissa said.
“Both Necrophillia and the dragon, me, were sent on fool’s missions to get us out of the way.  Fred’s hand is hurt.  What more do you need?”  SFD asked.
“Well, details would be helpful.”  The Hero Commander said.
“Let me try, we think that Kolissa is trying to force Fred into doing something that Ms. Liberty doesn’t want done.”  Necrophillia explained.
“So you think she sent you away so that she could do whatever it is that she wants done?”  The Hero Commander asked.
“That’s what I said.”  SFD said.
“Well that’s ridiculous, want would Kolissa want so badly?”  The Hero Commander asked.
“The file on her.”  Fred said.
“Why you little.”  Kolissa realized that she just let the cat out of the bag.
“So it’s true.”  The Hero Commander said shocked.
Kolissa cast confusion and Necrophilliia’s zombies began fighting each other.  Super Fire Dragon cast a ring of fire around Kolissa so she wouldn’t get away.  Hero Commander summoned his heroes to guard Kolissa.
“Foiled again, by that stupid dragon.”  Kolissa said.
“Why?  Why did you do it?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Remember when I dressed Hero Commander in that Bo Peep costume?”  Kolissa asked.
“Well yes, it was so funny.”  Necrophillia laughed.
“It wasn’t THAT funny.”  Hero Commander replied.
“Yes, it was.”  SFD chimed in.
“Anyway, Shorty asked me to destroy all the photographs.  There are a few in my file and in his file.”  Kolissa confessed.
“All this for me?”  Hero Commander asked.
“Yes, Shorty, I swear.  Check my file, you’ll see.”  Kolissa said.
“I hate to break up the touching moment, but can some one call a doctor for my hand?”  Fred asked.
They all laughed, except Fred.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Is it me or is this brie very good?”  Super Fire Dragon asked.
“Have you tried the Munster?  Heaven!”  Necrophillia replied.
“You guys should try the lobster.”  The Hero Commander interjected.
“Hello!  Hello, who is this?  Send up a couple lobster dinners.”  SFD said into Ms. Liberty’s desk intercom.
“Right away.”  A voice answered back.
“Here is the champagne you ordered.”  A waiter said as he wheeled in a service cart.
“Let me open it, I love it when the cork flies across the room.”  Necrophillia said snapping to her feet from the settee.
“Sorry Madame, I took the liberty.”  The waiter said.
“Give it back!”  Necrophillia demanded.
“Do as she says, you wouldn’t like her when she gets angry.”  SFD suggested.
“But Monsieur, it is impossible.”  The waiter said.
“Fine, bring up two dozen more bottles---unopened.”  Necrophillia countered.
“Would the Madame be happier with a pop gun?”  The waiter said degradingly.
“Now you’ve done it.”  The Hero Commander said duck under Ms. Liberty’s desk.
“Does the pop gun shoot a cork across the room breaking things it hits?”  Necrophillia asked very calmly.
“Of course not.”  The waiter answered.
“Then bring up the champagne.”  Necrophillia shouted.
“Right away.”  The waiter scurried away leaving the service cart.
“You can come out from between my legs now.”  SFD told The Hero Commander.
“Very funny.”  The Hero Commander said as he climbed out from under Ms. Liberty’s desk.
“Thought you might want to know, I’ll be the receptionist for the next shift.  Any orders?”  Gordon said over the intercom from the outer office.
“Gordon Bennett!”  SFD exclaimed.
“No sir.  Gordon Tompkins.  Fred had to leave for some medical thing.”  Gordon said.
“We are having a party celebrating, celebrating.  What was that guy you were training?  Did he make 50?”  SFD asked.
“Oh, yeah, Grav-Knight.  Yeah he made 50.  He wanted to become an incarnate.”  Necrophillia replied.
“Yeah, we’re celebrating Grav-Knight becoming an incarnate and we wish to not be disturb except by waiters.” SFD said into the intercom.
“Well, ok, but the budget report is due tomorrow as is the Longbow deployments report.”  Gordon reminded.
“Were last month’s reports adequate?”  SFD asked.
“Well yes.”  Gordon replied.
“Great, re-submit those, but change the date, got it?”  SFD ordered.
“I suppose, I could mark them tentative, that way a sober person can amend them.  Gordon out.”  Gordon said.
“That Gordon, always thinking of others.”  SFD said.
“Yes, he is loads better than that Fred guy, always whining about his hand.”  Necrophillia said.
“Hey, let’s play musical chairs.”  The Hero Commander suggested.
“No, let’s not.”  Necrophillia said sternly.
“Why?”  The Hero Commander asked.
“Super Fire Dragon cheats.”  Necrophillia replied.
“Oh, I’m used to that.  Kolissa never lost.  Kolissa always cheated.”  The Hero Commander stated.
“Not like SFD, he puts fire circles around the chairs.”  Necrophillia stated.
“Oh, I promise to not do that.  I’ll just sit here and go through Ms. Liberty’s drawers.”  SFD said finishing off another cheese plate.
“Ha!  If I didn’t know what he meant, I might think he meant something else.”  The Hero Commander stated.
“Get your mind out of the gutter.”  Necrophillia said.
“I guess I have been hanging around Kolissa too much.”  The Hero Commander admitted.
“Hey, Dragon when are we going to let her out of jail?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Just keep remembering Dark Astoria.”  SFD replied.
“Let her rot!”  Necrophillia shouted.
“Here are your lobster dinners, but there are only two.”  A waiter said as he wheeled in a service cart.
“Not to worried, I’m eating for two.”  SFD said.
“Should I bring up two more dinners?”  The waiter asked.
“Dragon, one of them is mine.”  Necrophillia exclaimed.
“I already had one, thanks.”  The Hero Commander said.
“I’ll let you serve yourselves.”  The waiter said as he ran out of the room frightened by the dragon and the necromancer.
“Nice fellow, give him a tip.”  SFD said gnawing on a lobster.
“So, HC, are you still in love with Kolissa?”  Necrophillia asked eating the lobster the correct way.
“Why yes.  You see I understand her.  I believe that she just wanted to destroy those pictures in her file.”  The Hero Commander stated.
“You believe that gunk?”  Necrophillia asked shocked.
“Easy way to find out.”  SFD said.  “Fred, Gordon, you in the red tie.  Get me Kolissa’s file.”  SFD said into the intercom.
“My Mother gave me this tie.  Sorry, Super Fire Dragon, Kolissa’s file is sealed as evidence.”  Gordon replied via the intercom.
“Oh, sorry to hear that your Mother is color blind and has no taste.”  SFD replied.
“Hey.  I don’t have to take this abuse.”  Gordon replied.
“I was testing you, good job.”  SFD said neverously and hung up.
“Dragon, that was mean.”  Necrophillia said.
“Funny, but mean.”  The Hero Commander added.
“Gordon, I’m sorry about your Mother.”  SFD said into the intercom.  “There is that better?”  SFD said to The Hero Commander and Necrophillia.
“No, not really.”  Necrophillia replied.
“Ok Dragon, I accept.”  Gordon said over the intercom.
“Ok, yes then.”  Necrophillia said.
“Gordon understands the dragon better than most people.  They worked on a case together once.”  The Hero Commander said.
“Oh, look at the time.  We have better go.  There is one question unanswered though.”  SFD said.
“Really, what question is that?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Shall we use the car or … the helicopter?”  SFD asked gleaming.
“Oh Dragon, I love you.”  Necrophillia said forgetting her usual preference.
“I vote whirly-flopter.”  The Hero Commander said.
“Here is your champagne, unopened as you ordered.”  A waiter said wheeling in a service cart.
“Never mind that now; we need the heli-chopper.”  Necrophillia stated.
They all laughed.

[Paragon Avenger]

A well groomed man in a white coat carrying a clipboard with a stethoscope having around his neck entered Fred’s hospital room.  Looking at the papers on the clipboard, the man spoke.
“Are you Fred Durks?”
“Yes, I am.”  Fred said wondering what this doctor was going to do to him.
“I see your hand is bangaged.  This might sound like a dumb question, but was that the hand that was hurt?”  The man asked.
“Yes, doc, it was burned by an electric griddle.”  Fred answered trying to be helpful.
“You seem to be in good spirits, how are you feeling?”  The man asked.
“Great.”  Fred said slurring a drink through a straw.
“How is your pain, do you need more meds?”  The man asked.
“No, the pain is good.”  Fred answered.
“Ok, can you sign here and here?”  The man asked handing Fred a pen and holding the clipboard in front of him.
Fred looked at the paper and signed.
“Oh, and sign here too.”  The Man instructed.
After signing, Fred said, “I saw the word ‘Release’ on that.  Does that mean I can go home?”  Fred asked.
“Oh, I wouldn’t know about that.”  The man answered.
“Well, who are you?”  Fred asked.
“Chip Whitley, I am a member of the law firm Chris Jenkins & Associates.  I represent a superhero named, Kolissa.”  Chip answered.
“What did I just sign?”  Fred asked in horror.
“Nothing really.  You just released one Kolissa from any responsibility for the incident involving your hand.  Good day.”  Chip said as he walked out.
“KOLISSA!”  Fred cried.
Fred’s hand hurt a little bit more just then.  Fred had received the medical treatment necessary to fully restore his hand to proper functioning.  Only now, he couldn’t sue Kolissa for damages without a tough legal fight.  Spiders is tricky.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Gordon!  What the pancake happened in my office?”  Ms. Liberty shouted as she returned to her office in the beautiful Hero Corps Headquarters building.
“Ms. Liberty, I’m so glad you’re back.  Super Fire Dragon can be so draining.”  Gordon responded.
“Super Fire Dragon, I might have known. But I left Kolissa in-charge so this sort of thing wouldn’t happen.”  Ms. Liberty reasoned out loud.
“Yes, Kolissa in resting comfortable, at last report, in the detention center down stairs.”  Gordon informed.
“Why is Kolissa in the detention center?  No, don’t answer that.  Get me Super Fire Dragon.”  Ms. Liberty ordered.
“Right away.”  Gordon said scurrying to his desk.
“And get somebody up here to clean up this mess.”  Ms. Liberty shouted after him.
“Yes, Ms. Liberty.”  Gordon replied.
“Is that?  There’s cheese on the ceiling!”  Ms. Liberty shouted.
“Yes, they wanted to see if cheese could fly.”  Gordon explained.
“I’ll go see Kolissa.”  Ms. Liberty sighed walking towards the elevators.
After the car arrived, and Ms. Liberty walked in, she was taken to the detention center.
“Where is the prisoner, Kolissa.”  Ms. Liberty asked the guard at the front desk.
“Cell block ‘A’, Section ‘D’, Floor 3.  Be careful, there is a superpower deactivation field in effect up there.”  The guard rattled off.
“Thanks.”  Ms. Liberty said making her way to the mentioned area where Kolissa was being held.
“Ms. Liberty!  What are you doing down here, slumming?”  Kolissa shouted when she caught a glimpse of that red, white and blue costume she wears.
“Kolissa, behind bars, you never looked better.”  Ms. Liberty returned.
“Deary, just wait until I get my hands on that dragon, I’ll look positively radiant.”  Kolissa cooed.
“Why did he have you locked up?  I mean, was it something new?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Who knows?  Fred hurt his hand, and the next thing I know, Super Fire Dragon is taking over.”  Kolissa lied.
“You poor dear.  I’ll see if I can make you more comfortable.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Get me the pancake out of here.”  Kolissa ordered.
“I can’t release you without a hearing.  I can’t convene a hearing board right now.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“How long?”  Kolissa said impatiently.
“Just a few days.”  Ms. Liberty started.
Kolissa lounged at the cell door trying to grab Ms. Liberty.
“Temper, temper.”  Ms. Liberty said walking away.
“SUPER FIRE DRAGON!!!!”  Kolissa yelled.

[Paragon Avenger]

“You wanted to see me, oh great and wise leader.”  Super Fire Dragon said as he walked into Ms. Liberty’s freshly cleaned office.
“Yes, Super Fire Dragon, have a seat.  Can I get you anything, cheese perhaps?”  Ms. Liberty laid it on thick.
“Cheese would hit the spot.”  SFD replied.
“With or without ceiling tiles?”  Ms. Liberty responded sternly.
“Gulp.”  SFD swallowed hard.
“Dragon, what went on here?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Well, I can explain.”  SFd started.
“I’m listening.”  Ms. Liberty interrupted.
“Well, it’s simple really.  Necrophilia’s zombies get bored so easily.”  SFD stated.
“I see.”  Ms. Liberty said expectingmore details.
“Funny story, lobster doesn’t work as paint.”  SFD continued.
“Dragon, can you connect some dots here?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Ok, let’s see, yes.  We were going to take the helicopter, but Hero Commander gets air sick.”  SFD added.
“Let me try to explain what happened.”  Ms. Liberty interjected.
“Well, whatever, it is your office.”  SFD acknowledged.
“You and Necrophillia came in here, had Kolissa arrested and then proceeded to party.  Trashing my office in the process.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“No, I was already here when Hero Commander suggested we try the lobster.  And that’s the truth.”  SFD defended.
“Dragon, why did you have Kolissa arrested?”  Ms. Liberty asked with her head in her hands.
“Oh, well we were sent away, and Hero Commander wanted the pictures destroyed.  Personally, I don’t believe her.”  SFD explained.
“Dragon, I know that you are making sense in your own head, but can you fill-in between the major points?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Ok, ok, Kolissa calls me up.  I came over and she gives me an assignment.  So, I’m like great.  Well then I realize that I need help on Monster Island.”  SFD began.
“Wait, you had a mission on Monster Island?”  Ms. Liberty asked for clarification.
“Yes, to get mushrooms.  So, I call up Necrophillia, and she wants my help in Dark Astoria.  Well, my mind quickly put 2 and 2 together and came up with cheese.  Kolissa must be doing something wrong.”  SFD explained.
“Dragon, someday they ought to write a book about how your mind works.”  Ms. Liberty.
“Thanks!  So I remember that Fred had a bandage on his hand.  That’s when I knew for sure.”  SFD explained.
“Knew what for sure?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Kolissa!  Honestly, try to keep up.  Now where was I?”  SFD asked.
“You lost me again.  And Dragon, what did I tell you about respecting those in authority?”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“Oh, sorry.  Try to friggin keep up, boss.”  SFD said disingenuously.
“Dragon, you forget that your brain sees connections that humans don’t get right away.”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“You’re right.  I see the whole thing as a 3-D jig-saw puzzle made out of events and people.”  SFD expounded.
“So, what made you suspect that Kolissa was to blame?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Ok, me and Necrophillia were sent away from HQ.  We could have helped Kolissa run the day to day operation, but no.  Kolissa wanted us out of the way.”  SFD re-started.
“Oh, now it makes more sense.  Of course, but how did Fred hurt his hand?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“That I don’t know, but 5 will get you smoke that Kolissa might have used confusion on poor Fred.”  SFD guessed.
“So you’re saying that Fred might have hurt his own hand under the influence of one of Kolissa’s powers?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“It stands to reason.  Kolissa wanted something, something that Fred tried to not give her.”  SFD continued.
“The files!”  Ms. Liberty gasped.  “Gordon, bring me Kolissa’s file.”  Ms. Liberty said into the intercom.
“Sorry, that file has been sealed as evidence.”  Gordon said over the intercom.
Nobody laughed.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Necrophillia, I have a huge favor to ask you.”  Ms. Liberty said as Necrophillia walked into her office.
“Ms. Liberty, I would do anything for you.”  Necrophillia boasted.
“Glad to hear it.  I need you to take the rap for Kolissa.”  Ms. Liberty blurted it out.
“What?  No way.  Are you crazy?”  Necrophillia balked.
“Hear me out.”  Ms. Liberty began.
“This is like asking someone or put on somebody else’s dirty clothes.  I won’t do it.”  Necrophillia complained.
“Creepy as usual.  Listen, Hero Corps has enough on you to send you back to Cole.”  Ms. Liberty snapped.
“What size does she wear?”  Necrophillia asked sheepishly.
“Look, I have a very important mission for Super Fire Dragon and Kolissa.  I need her.”  Ms. Liberty explained.
“You want me to go to jail for something I didn’t even do.”  Necrophillia marveled.
“I know that Kolissa has obtained, through trickery no doubt, releases of liability from Fred.  Pinning this on her will take some time.  However, a nice frame up of you, with your cooperation, would be a chinch.”  Ms. Liberty explained.
“Interesting, but I will need assurances that …”  Necrophillia began.
“Sorry.”  Ms. Liberty interrupted.
“No assurances?”  Necrophillia asked in amazement.
“This deal is underhanded enough, but if a paper trail were discovered, I would be looking for a job as a waitress at Denny’s or IHOP.”  Ms. Liberty confused.
“What’s to stop me from going to the authorities now?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Well deary, this room is secure and sound proof.  You were checked for listening devices.  You don’t know who the proper authorities are, and Hero Corps would charge you with everything we got, real or fabricated.”  Ms. Liberty expounded.
“Yikes, I thought you were the good guys.”  Necrophillia replied.
“The end justifies the means.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“So just to clarify, what are my choices again?”  Necrophillia asked.
“You have two choices.  First, cooperate in the frame-up, and get sent to jail.”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“Ummm, you said ‘two choices’, what’s the other choice?”  Necrophillia asked.
“Fool, there isn’t any other choice for you.”  Ms. Liberty scolded.
“I’ll do it!”  Necrophillia shouted with fake enthusiasm.
“Necrophillia, you are doing well.”  Ms. Liberty chuckled.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Fred, welcome back to work, we missed you.”  Ms. Liberty gushed as Fred returned to his desk.
“Thank you, Ms. Liberty.  That means a lot.”  Fred said.
“Now, get me the files on Talos Island regarding the Grav-Knight incident.  Order brunch, cantaloupe and cottage cheese should be nice.  Have my car serviced, the dragon had a little accident involving cheese.  And schedule an appointment with the Paragon City mayor.”  Ms. Liberty ordered.
“Right away.”  Fred replied picking up the phone.
“I’ll be in my office.  Oh and Kolissa will be stopping by.”  Ms. Liberty said as she shut her door behind her.
“Kolissa?”  Fred exclaimed.
A little while later the elevator dinged and the doors opened.  Kolissa stepped out and walked towards Ms. Liberty’s office.
“Do you have an appointment?”  Fred asked gritting his teeth.
“I am always welcome here, deary, unlike certain other dragons, which I won’t mention again.”  Kolissa responded.
“Go in.”  Fred said whispering “and die” under his breath.
“Thank you, I shall ‘go in’.”  Kolissa said as she opened Ms. Liberty’s office door.
“Kolissa, get in here.”  Ms. Liberty snapped.
“What’s wrong, deary?”  Kolissa asked closing the door.
“Don’t tease Fred.  He has been through enough.”  Ms. Liberty ordered.
“Oh, I hadn’t begun to give him enough.”  Kolissa laughed.
“Here’s the deal, Necrophillia has admitted to burning Fred’s hand.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“What?”  Kolissa asked stunned.
“Hero Corps will pay Fred for his pain and medical bills to avoid a Jenkins and company type law-suit.”  Ms. Liberty added.
“Great, but.”  Kolissa said still confused.
“She will spend 6 months in prison and be reduced to a level 45.”  Ms. Liberty explained.
“Serves her right …”  Kolissa began.
“Any hero inflicting harm on law abiding citizens must be punished.”  Ms. Liberty interrupted.
“Ms. Liberty, what are you trying to say?”  Kolissa asked.
“We know it was you.  We know those releases are fake on the count of subterfuge.  We just can’t prove it.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“I assure you that any releases that I may or may not have are legal binding.”  Kolissa said offended.
“Be that as it may be, deary, I’m sending you on an important mission in South Korea.”  Ms. Liberty informed.
“Great, I so much need to get away from that dragon, deary.”  Kolissa acknowledged.
“Funny you should say that.”  Ms. Liberty began.
“No.  Ms. Liberty, no.  Have a heart.”  Kolissa pleaded.
“That’s right; you will be accompanying Super Fire Dragon---as his assistant.”  Ms. Liberty threatened.
“Deary, you do have a mean streak, you know that.”  Kolissa replied.
“It’s called justice.”  Ms. Liberty said.
Kolissa stormed out.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Ms. Liberty, thank you for seeing me.”  Grav-Knight said as he sat down in Ms. Liberty’s office.
“My door is always open for members of the Hero Corps.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“No offense intended, but every time I hear that name, I think how gay it sounds.”  Grav-Knight commented.
“Do you own a mirror?  Your skin-tight grape-ple body suit could get you lots of attention in a certain corner of Pocket D.”  Ms. Liberty suggested.
“I see your point.”  Grav-Knight said.
“So why did you want to see me?”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“I just came up here to tell you that Necrophillia was an excellent trainer, and I want to help her get out of this mess she is in.”  Grav-Knight replied.
“I’m glad to hear that you and Necrophillia were able to get along and work together.”  Ms. Liberty responded.
“What is her bail?  I have saved some influence.”  Grav-Knight started.
“Oh, there is no bail.”  Ms.Liberty interrupted.
“Look, I can pay under the table or whatever.  Just name the amount.”  Grav-Knight insisted.
“You don’t understand.  First, Hero Corps is an honorable institution based upon the principles of justice, fair-play, honesty and freedom.  Second, Necrophillia viciously attacked a law abiding citizen without provocation.  Lastly, I have way more influence than you could dream of.  I’m the one who set the influence cap at 2 billion.  My grandfather wanted it to be 100 million, but I fought hard to get it to that much for the ordinary superhero.  I don’t like to brag, but 2 billion is chicken feed to me.”  Ms. Liberty bragged.
“Who is your grandfather?”  Grav-Knight asked.
“The great Statesman himself.”  Ms. Liberty said proudly.
“I apologize if I implied that Hero Corps was less than honorable.”  Grav-Knight back-peddled.
“Apology accepted.”  Ms. Liberty remarked.
“May I visit Necrophillia?”  Grav-Knight said beginning to be fearfull of Ms. Liberty.
“Of course, of course.”  Ms. Liberty answered.  “Escort Grav-Knight to the detention center, so he can visit Necrophillia.”  Ms. Liberty said into her intercom.
Grav-Knight stood up and offered his hand for a handshake with Ms. Liberty.  They shook hands and Grav-Knight turned towards the door.  Just then two Longbow burst into the office and seized Grav-Knight.
“He wanted to bribe me to let Necrophillia go.  Lock him up.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“What?  Ms. Liberty, why are you doing this?”  Grav-Knight cried.
“I don’t need loose ends right now.”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“I think your hair looks fine.”  One of the Longbow said.
They all laughed.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Hey, Boss.  Got any cheese?”  Super Fire Dragon asked as he strolled into Ms. Liberty’s office.
“Hello, Ms. Liberty.  We need a moment of your time.”  The Fattinator said.
“I just said that.”  SFD snapped.
“No.  No, you didn’t.”  The Fattinator fired back.
“Look, I know what I said.”  SFD returned.
“I don’t think you do.”  The Fattinator shot back.
“Ok, maybe not those exact words.”  SFD quipped.
“How does ‘Got any cheese’ mean ‘a moment of your time‘?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Well, it would take a moment to get the cheese on time.”  SFD explained as only he can.
“Oh brother.”  The Fattinator remarked.
“Will you please stop saying that?  I’m not your brother.”  SFD insisted.
“We are here to talk to Ms. Liberty not rehash old wounds.”  The Fattinator replied.
“You are absolutely right.  So, Lib’ babe, where’s that cheese?”  SFD said and winked at Ms. Liberty.
“Dragon, how many times have I told you to show some respect for authority?”  Ms. Liberty interjected.
“Beats me, I lost count years ago.”  SFD said as he flopped onto the sofa in Ms. Liberty’s office.
“Ms. Liberty, you will have to excuse the dragon, because, ummm, well, because he’s a nut.”  The Fattinator said.
“Unfortunately that nut is our best operative.”  Ms. Liberty snapped.
“When will IronWolf lead the heroes back to Paragon City?”  The Fattinator puzzled.
“If only.”  Ms. Liberty mused.
“Enough of this idle chatter.  Let’s get down to why we came.  Ms. Liberty, where’s the cheese?”  SFD asked seriously.
“Dragon, that’s not why we came!”  The Fattinator shouted.
“Well, maybe it’s not why you came.”  SFD responded.
“Dragon, the cheese is where it always is.  Fattinator, why did you come?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Thanks, Doll-face.”  SFD replied getting a hunk of cheddar from the fridge.
“That dragon.”  Ms. Liberty said rolling her eyes.
“I’ll cut right to it if I may.”  The Fattinator said.
“By all means.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Thank you.  Ms. Liberty, I understand that you are holding Necrophillia for a crime that she didn’t commit.”  The Fattinator said.
“That’s a lie.  I saw Kolissa with Hero Commander that very day.”  SFD blurted.
“That’s what I said.”  The Fattinator returned.
“Well, just as long as we’re on the same page.”  SFD replied.
“Hero Corps has mounting evidence that Necrophillia caused Fred Durks to burn his own hand.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“Lies and fabrications!”  SFD shouted.
Ms. Liberty reached down and pushed a button on her desk.  The door locked, the blinds snapped shut, a white noise generator started and a beeping sound was heard.  After a few seconds, a ding was heard.
“Ok, the room is secure.  I can say that fabricated evidence is still evidence.”  Ms. Liberty admitted.
“The dragon is right, Ms. Liberty, you are a crafty one.”  The Fattinator said.
“I never said that.”  SFD fired back.
“You did too!”  The Fattinator replied.
“No sir!”  SFD shouted.
“Dragon, you did so.”  The Fattinator said becoming frustrated.
“I said that Ms. Liberty is a crafty old gal.”  SFD said smugly.
“Dragon, she’s right here.”  The Fattinator whispered.
“It’s ok; I’m immune to his barbs.”  Ms. Liberty commented.
“Ms. Liberty, tell us then, in your own words, weather or not Necrophillia is in custody.”  SFD questioned.
“Yes, she is.”  Ms. Liberty answered.
“Ah ha, see, she admits it!”  SFD exclaimed.
“Dragon, we know that Necrophillia is in custody.  We don’t know why.”  The Fattinator explained.
“I told you why, mounting evidence, remember?”  Ms. Liberty smirked.
“Yes, but why is Hero Corps ‘gathering’ evidence against Necrophillia?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Have you seen her?  Creep-py!”  SFD interjected.
“Yes, Dragon, that is not the reason why Necrophillia is being detained.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“Please tell us.”  The Fattinator pleaded.
“Yes, Ms. Liberty, why is Hero Corps gathering evidence on poor creepy Necrophillia, so-called.”  SFD said trying to imitate an attorney.
“Dragon, you that up-coming mission to South Korea?”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Ah-ha, I knew it.  You’ll fry for this.”  SFD said still trying to imitate an attorney from somne bad late, late show movie.
“Dragon, what are you talking about?”  The Fattinator asked, confused.
“Oh, it just sounded good.”  SFD admitted.
“Ms. Liberty, please continue.  Super Fire Dragon, I’ll ask the questions.”  The Fattinator ordered.
“As I was saying,”  Ms. Liberty began and glanced over at SFD to give him the evil-eye, “That up-coming mission requires two very skilled operatives.”
“Where were you the night of the sixteenth?”  SFD shot at Ms. Liberty leaping to his feet and pointing his finger.
“Home in bed, reading one of those ‘Secret World’ books.”  Ms. Liberty recounted.
“Dragon, sit down!  I’ll ask the questions.”  The Fattinator said growing angry at the dragon.
“You want the truth, you want the truth?  You can’t handle the truth!”  SFD fired back
“Now dragon, this isn’t a game.”  Ms. Liberty said calmly.
“it isn’t?”  SFD asked calmly.
“No.”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“But I was winning.”  SFD cried.
“He was winning.”  Ms. Liberty agreed.
“I’m surrounded by nuts.”  The Fattinator shouted.
“You have to admit that he was winning.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“See I told you.”  SFD said sticking out his tongue.
The Fattinator screamed.
“Listen, I need Kolissa to go to South Korea with you, Dragon.”  Ms. Liberty continued as if nothing had happened.
“Why couldn’t Necrophillia go?”  The Fattinator asked regaining his demeanor.
“Are you friggin nuts?”  SFD shouted.
“Well, no.”  The Fattinator replied.
“What the dragon is trying to say is that Necrophillia won’t fit in.  The task needs someone with the finesse of Kolissa and the 3D puzzle skills of the dragon.”  Ms. Liberty added.
“But why the frame-up of Necrophillia?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Kolissa obtained releases from Fred, while we build the case to have them voided, we need somebody to pay.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Fred signed releases?  What was Kolissa’s lawyer dressed up like a doctor or something?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Yes.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Oh.”  The Fattinator responded.
“The murder weapon was found in your purse with your finger prints all over it.  And you were over-heard saying that you were going to kill him.”  SFD questioned.
“Dragon, remember, this isn’t a game.”  Ms. Liberty said interrupting.
“But I am so good at this game.”  SFD replied.
“Dragon, please.  Ms. Liberty, why Necrophillia?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Oh, well, we have enough on Necrophillia to throw away the key.”  Ms. Liberty stated.
“Really?  Then why not arrest her sooner?”  The Fattinator inquired.
“Hey, we’re trying to get her out, not arrested sooner.”  SFD said.
“I’m trying to get to the bottom of this.  Dumb-Dragon.”  The Fattinator snapped.
“With your help, we’ll be throw in prison, dumb-huge-human.”  SFD replied.
“Fellows, we waited until now, because nothing we had was solid enough without a little augmentation.  We finally have a reason for the augmentation.”  Ms. Liberty explained.
“Oh, I get it now.  So Necrophillia is a ready-made fall guy.  Are most heroes just one mistake away from being locked away?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Probably a good 70% are pretty close.”  Ms. Liberty offered.
“Wow, that’s amazing.  Are there other heroes locked up with fabricated evidence?”  The Fattinator asked.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, we just locked up Grav-Knight for bribery as he was trying to post bail for Necrophillia.”  Ms. Liberty responded without thinking.
“Are you mad, woman?”  SFD snapped as he hopped back onto his feet.
“Alright, you guys have two choices.  Forget what you heard and go along with the plan.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Sounds good, what’s the other choice?”  SFD asked.
“There are no other choices.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“Wrong.  Release Grav-Knight or a recording of this entire conversation goes to the press.”  The Fattinator threatened.
“You’re bluffing, I had you swept.  You have no bugs.”  Ms. Liberty replied.
“I have six robots under my control.  I have the technology.  Do you really want to call my bluff?”  The Fattinator explained.
“If you can keep Grav-Knight from leaking any of this, I will release him to your custody.”  Ms. Liberty said.
“I think that can be arranged.”  The Fattinator said.
“But first, let me have the recording.”  Ms. Liberty demanded.
“Oh, it’s off-site.  We can arrange an exchange.”  The Fattinator stated.
“Great, I want to exchange this cheddar for some pepper-jack.”  SFD interjected.
They all laughed.

[Paragon Avenger]

After the exchange, The Fattinator and Super Fire Dragon discuss the preceeding events with Grav-Knight.
“No, no, no!  You were in prison as a visitor, remember?”  The Fattinator told Grav-Knight.
“It’s no use, he is kind of thick.”  Super Fire Dragon said.
“Look, I get it that something strange is going on, but I was locked-up for trying to post bail for Necrophillia who was locked-up for no reason.”  Grav-Knight restated.
“Let me try, Fats.  Grav-Knight, the Circle of Thorns has infiltrated Hero Corps HQ.”  SFD lied.
“Really, let’s go!”  Grav-Knight responded.
“All of us heroes searched the entire building, and defeated the COT.”  SFD continued.
“Most excellent!”  Grav-Knight exclaimed.
“Did you defeat ALL the Circle of Thorns in the cell where you were staying?”  SFD asked coyly.
“Well, there were no Circle of Thorns there …”  Grav-Knight began.
“Most excellent!”  SFD exclaimed interrupting.
“But, there weren’t any …”  Grav-Knight replied.
“Most excellent, I said”  SFD interrupted.
“But, there  …”  Grav-Knight replied.
“Already said, ‘Most excellent’.”  SFD interrupted.
“But, …”  Grav-Knight replied.
“Talk to the hand.”  SFD interrupted.
“Fine!  Grav-Knight stormed.
“And that is how that’s done.”  SFD replied.
“Dragon, you are one of a kind.”  The Fattinator said.
“Ok, so what is going on?”  Grav-Knight asked.
“Ok, Kolissa burned some dude’s hand.”  The Fattinator said.
“And Ms. Liberty needs Kolissa for a very important mission.”  SFD offered.
“Necrophillia agreed to take the fall until enough evidence can be gathered on Kolissa.”  The Fattinator added.
“Yes, Kolissa being Kolissa has managed to get phony releases from the burn victim.”  SFD said.
“That Kolissa!”  Grav-Knight snarled.
“Kolissa is normally a good hero, but she does color outside the lines at times.”  SFD explained.
“And Necrophillia has been promised a full pardon, everything gets shredded, even the backup copies, after all this is over.”  The Fattinator said.
“Even the backups, wow!  Necrophillia is sharp.”  Grav-Knight said.
“And creepy, don’t forget creepy.”  SFD chimed-in.
“How can we?”  The Fattinator said.
They all laughed.


Meanwhile:
“I don’t know, just play the stupid thing.”  Ms. Liberty exclaimed.
“I’ll see what I can do.”  Gordon replied.
“Did you double-check that this room is secure?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“Ummm, yes.  I double-checked it.”  Gordon replied.
“Good, good.  How’s it coming?”  Ms. Liberty asked.
“I almost got it, there.”  Gordon said as he flipped the switch.
The audio equipment started playing voices really, really fast and high-pitched.
“I knew it!”  Ms. Liberty said leaping to her feet.
“Oh, one second.”  Gordon said as he fiddled with the knobs and adjusted the controls.
“… where’s the cheese?”  Super Fire Dragon’s voice said from the audio equipment.
“I don’t believe it.”  Ms. Liberty said sitting back down.
“Dragon, that’s not why we came!”  The Fattinator’s voice said from the audio equipment.
“Well, maybe it’s not why you came.”  Super Fire Dragon’s voice said from the audio equipment.
“Dragon, can you be serious?  Why did you guys come?”  Ms. Liberty’s voice said from the audio equipment.
“Stop the machine!”  Ms. Liberty shouted.
“Why?  What’s wrong?”  Gordon said shutting off the audio equipment.
“That’s wrong.  I remember I told the Dragon where the cheese was … because later he made a joke.  This is a fake.”  Ms. Liberty realized.
“Wow, it sounded convincing.”  Gordon said.
“I don’t really sound like that.”  Ms. Liberty said.
Gordon tried to not laugh.

[Paragon Avenger]

“Hello, who is this, why do you keep calling me without cheese?”  Super Fire Dragon rattled into the phone.
Super Fire Dragon often answered the phone with a series of questions to throw off the caller.  He did this especially when the callerID© said ‘unknown’ or something like that.
“Dragon, it’s me.  I was calling to make sure that Grav-Knight is under control, and to let you know that … I KNOW THE TAPE IS A FAKE!”  Ms. Liberty answered.
“Ms. Liberty, always a pleasure.”  SFD replied.
“Dragon, I have several Longbow on Talos Island.”  Ms. Liberty threatened.
“Ok, alright.  Grav-Knight, with some persuasion, has agreed to follow the plan.”  SFD explained.
“Which plan?”  Ms. Liberty asked anxiously.
“That Necrophillia viciously and wantonly attacked poor old what’s his face, and that Kolissa is as pure as the freshly driven snow.”  SFD expounded.
“That is reassuring.”  Ms. Liberty commented.
“This seems like a lot of trouble to go to for Kolissa.”  SFD mused.
“All I can say is that justice will be done.  You know that sometimes justice takes the scenic route, but justice will be done.”  Ms. Liberty said with confidence.
“Yikes, does that mean that I won’t be getting all my cheese?”  SFD asked.
“Dragon, as long as you continue to support justice, there will be cheese for you.”  Ms. Liberty assured.
They both laughed.

The End.

[Paragon Avenger]

Necrophillia sat in her jail cell thinking about the events of the past couple stories.

[Paragon Avenger]

Necrophillia has been fooling the guards into giving her extra privileges.  When she imitates Ms. Liberty the guards jump.

[Paragon Avenger]

Necrophillia has been released.