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[narfstar]

                                                       Page One
Zaza was surprised when she found that Nature Boy was in the clutches of a creation of the Imager. Nature Boy was a powerful Action Hero. His ability to control many forms of energy made him a formidable foe of felons and other evil doers.

Zaza had a crystal ball that could see across space and time. What used to be called magic was now understood to be inter-dimensional science. It was some time ago that the great solar event opened the energies of several dimensional planes simultaneously. This resulted in many objects and individuals with a wide varieties of powers. Zaza was a sideshow fortune teller who became a founding member of the Charlton Heroes of Derby when her crystal ball was zapped.

The small town of Derby, Connecticut was a nexus for what became known as the ASTRAL EVENT. The stars themselves looked different on that day. When the powers manifested on several of the townsfolk they decided to come together. With her crystal ball Zaza was able to find and unite these heroes as The Charlton Heroes of Derby.

One of CHD's more powerful heroes was in trouble. Zaza was usually able to contact Dr. Graves first and this time was no exception. Graves was a dimension jumper. He had the ability to go almost anywhere instantly. Travel however was not what could be called normal. His ability to materialize varied unpredictably. While he was able to be anywhere he was not always all there. The Doctor was now there with Nature Boy but his ability to help was limited to some moral support.

Nature Boy was in the clutches of a solid light construct. His power to control wind was keeping the large fingers from crushing him. He was getting tired. Dr. Graves was able to do some more than just keep up Nature Boy's resolve. Graves could not control wind himself but his dimensional abilities allowed him to channel some of the energy to boost Nature Boys power. Even together the two would not be able to keep the end away forever. The rest of the CHD would need to arrive soon.

MORE TO COME

[narfstar]

I hate magic and magic characters. I have altered the characters slightly to eliminate the need for a magic explanation of their powers.

                                                NATURE BOY
Young David Crandall was thought drowned in a plane crash. However the Astral Event that caused the plane to crash had some other unexpected results. While in the water David was tossed into a dimensional vortex of several planes. He was given power over the elements of nature: sea, fire, earth, emotion, sky, electricity and cold.

                                               ZAZA, The Mystic
When the crystal ball of a sideshow fortune teller is zapped during the Astral Event it becomes a television through the inter-dimensional planes. With it Zaza is able to concentrate on places and even past events and see them in her crystal ball. She often works closely with Dr. Graves.

                                            Dr. Graves Ghost Hunter
Dr. Graves gained the ability to jump through the dimensional planes and come out wherever he wants to be. He has a couple severe limitations. He needs to see where his is going and can not do so on his own. He must often rely on Zaza to give him a visual point of reference for his travels. He also does not always materialize completely between planes. Since Graves has no extra strengths or eye rays to zap with his physical abilities are not often much help. Graves is however able to channel dimensional energies to boost the powers of his fellow CHD members.

Graves became known as the premier ghost hunter because of his ability to exhocise poltergiests. Ghosts were found not to be the trouble undead. There are two kinds of ghosts. One type are those from our dimension who became trapped between dimension during the Astral Event or some of its after shocks. The other are inter-dimensional energy phenomenons. It has yet to be determined if these are alive. Graves is able to use his abilities to pull people back from between dimension or dissapate the energy.

                                             The Imager

A new menace has arrived. The CHD has not faced the Imager before. It is not yet known how or when he gained the ability to construct solid light images. In their first encounter Imager has been able to capture Nature Boy in a giant hand. Imager is a dangerous foe.

MORE TO COME

[paw broon]

Excellent indeed.  Thoroughly enjoying this.

[mr_goldenage]

What happened to Nature Girl and Mr & Mrs Muscles & Kid Muscles?

RB

[Burt Stein]

Excellent indeed.  Thoroughly enjoying this.

Words taken right out of my mouth.  I'll also look forward to finding out how Sinistro, Boy Fiend drops into this mess and really gums it up!   

[narfstar]

Many cultures had a Pantheon of gods. It has been determined that these beings were empowered by an Ancient Ancient Astral Event far greater than the one of the 21st century. While the one of the 21st Century was mainly in the Western hemisphere the earlier struck in the East. From the Roman gods lead by Jupiter, the Greek's lead by Zues, the Norse by Odin and the Egyptian's by Horus, and others they were able to rule much of the ancient world with the powers they had gained.

With great power comes great ego. Many of these empowered humans took to calling themselves gods. They insisted upon and enforced worship by the normal populous. This was especially distasteful to the worshipers of the one true God. It also caused problems among the various groups. As can be imagined, each group had a contingent that wished to gain even more control and more followers. There came a time when it appeared there might be a war that would decimate the entire world.

Fortunately some of the most powerful and least corrupt were able to come together. They decided that for the good of all these false gods, these charlatans, they would leave the Earth. They banded together to tap into an enormous amount of inter-dimensional power. They found an inhabitable world and transported all the charlatans, willing and unwilling, off to this far away planet. Down through the ages the story of these beings passed. In the process it became known as the exodus of the charlatans and the name degraded to
the Charltons. The term for super beings became Charltons. Today we have the Charlton Heroes of Derby.
The new breed of super powered heroes banded together to better the world.

A result of the recent Astral event has been the return of some of the original Event Charltons. Some willing and unwilling, were ripped by the event from their time to ours. While thousands of years have passed on our world, they were pulled from the inter-dimension during the time of the original exodus and brought to now. They are anacronisms in our time. They must deal with a time and culture very unfamiliar to them. It is still not known exactly how many of these original Charltons walk among us.

[narfstar]

I am enjoying writing this. It is empowering to create your own world. Right now I am concentrating on using the heroes from the CHD cover that I created. Who knows where this will go, or if there will be any more stories after this one.

[narfstar]

                                    Blue Beetle

Everyone knows that to earn a college degree you must take a lot of courses outside of your major. Young Dan Garret took the courses required for his degree in Criminal Justice to become a policeman. As an elective he took an Archeology course that required him to go on an Egyptian dig. While working alone in his area of the excavation Dan found a splash of blue in the ground. He excitedly dug up the rest of the object brushing away the surrounding sand. It turned out to be a Blue Beetle scarab which he reached down to pick up. Upon touching it energy exploded causing him to throw it into the air as he fell unconscious to the ground. He awoke with a burning in his stomach and a tremendous sense of power. When he looked down he found the blue scarab had infused into his belly and become a part of him. Try as hard as he might he could not remove it, and with the feelings running through his body he was not sure he wanted to. Not knowing how to tell the professor about his predicament, Dan simply pulled his jacket over his stomach and left with the others at the end of the day.

Dan become the possessor of an Ancient Event artifact, infused centuries ago with astral energy. What it was used for, or by whom, was unknown. It lay unfound for all those years awaiting the fateful day to be discovered and used for good by Dan Garret as The Blue Beetle.

                                  Diana the Huntress

Diana was one of the ancient Charltons. She never made it to the new world. The 21st Century Astral Event interacted with the trip and pulled her across to our time. She is an excellent marksman. She was not one of the most powerful ancients. She was however able to channel astral energy into her arrows. She can shoot flaming and explosive arrows that unerringly hit their mark. Diana also has the ability to fly.

                                                     IBIS, the (sometimes) Invincible

What often looks to be a nice magic wand is actually a very (un)common stick. Ibis happened to be in the right place at the right time. He witnessed a major interaction of the Ancient Astral Event. A fig tree presented its fruit to a young Egyptian. As he reached for the fruit the Event took place and changed his life. The tree just happened to be in a spot where a major conjoining of astral planes occured leaving behind little of the tree except a glowing stick. Who can resist a glowing stick. Ibis picked it up and found that he could tap into the astral planes closest or most active at the time. The astral planes are in a constant state of flux. Some Charlatons could tap into onto only one plane while others could tap into several. The plane you tapped determined the powers you were able to control or that controlled you. The ability of Ibis to tap into different planes at different times made his powers unpredictable. It also made him succeptible to the 21st Central Astral Events pull on the ancient migration. He ended up in our time.



                                                   Hercules

While Ibis and Blue Beetle are inheritors of Ancient Astral artifacts, Hercules is the third know actual ancient along with Diana and Ibis. Hercules was not himself infused with energy in the Event. He is the son of the Greek leader Zues and a normal woman. While his power may not be as great as his father's, he remains formidable. His physical strength is almost unequaled and he is nearly invulnerable.

Hercules did not want to leave with the Charlatons. He would have preferred to stay with his mom and be a god among men. It was determined that he should not be permitted to do so and he was taken up with the rest. When the 21st century event caused an interaction with their departure, Hercules felt the pull. He sought to take advantage of it and return to his home. He tapped into that energy he felt and rode the wave. Hercules was surprised and disappointed to find himself in the unknown world of the 21st century. Hercules is a somewhat reluctant member of the CHD. He would normally be inclined to more self aggrandizing adventures.

[narfstar]

                                         Mercury Man

Matt Mars worked with the poisonous element mercury in a laboratory. The astral event hit while he was at work and an incident focused upon a vat of mercury causing it to explode into the air and coat Matt Mars. Matt became a being of nearly pure mercury. With a liquid ability to take any shape he could take any shape or appearance. He had an immunity to any weapon and was able to fly at any speed. Mercury Man often acts as the transport for Yellowjacket and Mr. Muscles.

                                      Yellowjacket

Vince Harley was a crime fiction writer. While successful he was in no way wealthy. Like many of the middle class he had to mow his own yard. Yellowjackets will build their hives underground. The Astral Event had an underground focal point that energized a hive of yellowjackets underground in Vince's yard. A couple days after the event Vince put in his headphones and cranked up his toons to help tolerate his time pushing a mower through his yard. When the mower passed near the hive it stirred the bees. On the next round the mower went directly over the hive with expected and unexpected results. The bees swarmed and attacked. For a period of time Vince and the bees appeared to be one and in a way they were. While stinging Vince they were also bonding with him. They began to share an affinity and Vince became a part of the hive. They bonded and infused Vince with some of their astral energy. While unable to fly Yellowjacket gained a stinging touch and the ability to communicate with his yellowjacket hive.

                                           Mr. Muscles
Mr. Muscles is the leader of the CHD. While he is the least powerful member, he is also the smartest. Mr. Muscles was not a hero as a result of the Astral Event. Mr. Muscles was who he was because of hard work, training and super human effort. He trained his mind and body to be above and beyond any normal man. Indeed he was the first hero, going into actin before the Astral Event. He had developed knowledge and skills that would make him a natural leader.

[narfstar]

Well what does anyone think? I am actually pretty proud of this so far. I think I did a creative job of taking a singular empowering event and creating a variety of origins and powers. Better than Marvel labeling someone a mutant and their origin is they were born that way. I attempted to use aspects of their original appearances to create a character similar to the original, unlike DC who only uses the name of the original character. I also like my reason for their being called Charltons.

[Burt Stein]

Well what does anyone think? I am actually pretty proud of this so far. I think I did a creative job of taking a singular empowering event and creating a variety of origins and powers. Better than Marvel labeling someone a mutant and their origin is they were born that way. I attempted to use aspects of their original appearances to create a character similar to the original, unlike DC who only uses the name of the original character. I also like my reason for their being called Charltons.

I think you're doing an excellent job on all counts (not to mention that in a perfect world, you'd be the one to do the DC reboots just right!).

[narfstar]

                                                     PAGE 2
           
Dr. Graves: "Hang in there David. Zaza has informed me that the rest of the CHD will be here shortly.

Nature Boy: "I don't have much choice this time around or it will be my last time around."

Dr. G: "Save your energy and keep up those protective winds. I am not having it to hard channeling you some extra energy." Graves was not being completely honest with Nature Boy, as he too was growing weary. He was encouraged to see some spots in the skying growing larger. Help would soon arrive.

Mercury Man wasted no time as he dropped off his two passengers and increased his speed to plow into the head of the light construct. His impact was followed very quickly by by several small explosions on said head by explosive arrows sent from the quiver of Diana the Huntress. Neither effort appeared to have any noticable affect as each deflected off.

Ibis and the Blue Beetle were next to arrive on the scene. Ibis appeared to have white wings as the inter-dimensional energy that he tapped into, at this time, manifested itself. Ibis usually had enough control over his IBIS STICK that he was able to fly. This time what looked like wings actually acted more like a jet pack. The energy they released propelled him quickly through space enabling him to arrive shortly after the usually much faster Mercury Man. Blue Beetle was not the fastest flyer. He was however not very far from the scene when Nature Boy was caught in the giant hand. He took a turn at pummeling the giant head with no more success than the others. The energy that Ibis was able to channel did no better. Nature Boy's fate did not look good as he and Dr. Graves were nearing exhaustion.

Hopefully they would figure out a way to free Nature Boy as Mr. Muscles, the team leader arrived with Yellowjacket by his side. Mr. M had asked Mercury Man to drop the two of them off so that Mercury could get up speed attack the light construct. The two non-flying heroes had to run to the scene of the encounter. While the two were the most lacking in physical ability, non of the other team members ever doubted their value in any situation. There was a reason Mr. Muscles was team leader. He had already asked YJ to send out his bees in search of the source of the light construct.

The light construct was not a sentient being. It was controlled from elsewhere. It took a lot of energy for Yellowjacket to focus on the several images he was receiving from his flying friends. The futile efforts the force of his stronger allies was having, had him realize he need not waste any energy delivering his stinging force. Likewise Mr. M saw no need to attempt a pummeling of the head. Instead he formed a plan in his head. He made a stronger mental connection to Zaza so that she could relay information to the others.

Mr. Muscles realized that the giant head was just a diversion. The brains of the operation were elsewhere and there was an army of yellowjackets looking for it. The Imager had to be near enough that he could see to control his light construct. Was he a Charlton or the possessor of a Charlton or object or some other menace?
This was their first encounter, so they needed to find out. The bees were not sure what they were looking for so it was taxing the mind of Yellowjacket determining what images may be of value.

Mr. Muscles: Zaza, have everyone change their focus from the head directly to the hand and relay my thoughts individually. Mercury, turn fluid and coat the hand forming a barrier between it and David. Bridge the gap and exert as much force as you can to relieve the pressure on him.

Nature Boy felt some immediate relief and was able to take his first unstressed breath since being grabbed. Even with Mercury Man covering the hand and trying to pry apart the fingers he could not get free. At least he no longer felt that this may be his last hour alive.

Mr. Muscles: "David gather your strength we will get you out of there. Graves, I think Nature Boy will be OK for awhile. If you have it in you boost Mercury's efforts."

Nature Boy felt his strength slowly returning as he rested essentially in the bosom of Mercury Man. While unable to pry the fingers apart enough for NB to escape he was able to hold the fingers at bay. Mr. Muscles knew that he needed to give NB time but he did not have much time to regain his strength. He had everyone focus their efforts on trying to pull the fingers apart rather than just blasting away.

Mr. Muscles was now close enough to Dr. Graves to communicate directly.
Mr. Muscles: "Doc take a break we will need you shortly. I think together we can keep Nature Boy safe for a while."

Hercules arrived late on the scene as usual. He would never deign to ride on the back of another in such a plebian manner as did Yellowjacket and Mr. Muscles. It irked Herc to no end that Mr. Muscles was considered the leader and not he. How could any mere mortal be more capable than he who had  been a god to men. Mr. Muscles took no notice of Hercules's usual reluctance to his being the leader. When he saw Hercules nearing he immediately reached out to him via Zaza.

Mr. Muscles: "Hercules get up on the constructs shoulders quickly."

Such was the confidence in Mr. Muscles's mental tone that even Hercules was quick to follow directions, however reluctantly. It helped that no matter how much he did not want to admit it, Mr. M's directions had lead to frequent victories over overwhelming odds and many powerful foes. When Hercules was atop the light constructs shoulders Mr. M put his plan into operation. One of Yellowjacket's bees had found the Imager and the other bees had been instructed to converge on the Imager. He did not immediately appear to be a Charlton or have an actual Charlton device. He did however wear an elaborate helmet attached to an even more elaborate device. His concentration was on his construct and he was both frustrated and proud. Few would be able to hold as powerful a Charlton as Nature Boy at all let alone as long as he the Imager had. Imager wished that he had been able to crush the life out of the bothersome hero. Nature Boy foiled a previous effort of Imagers. Now with a new more powerful invention he felt he may yet win over his foe. His earlier images were merely a light show. They had no substance. Imager had figured out a way to solidify his lights. He believed himself the most powerful non Charlton in the world.

[narfstar]

Mr. Muscles: Vince have be prepared to have your bees do some stinging. Everyone on my go do all you can to pull apart the fingers. Doc you boost Mercury and Hercules jump on Nature Boys shoulders.

What are probably the most powerful gathering on earth all together began to exert force on the fingers to extract Nature Boy, who had resumed his winds to aid in the process. At the same time the Imager's concentration became severely curtailed by numerous stings. Would this be enough to free Nature Boy? The deciding factor was the force of downward momentum as Hercules landed on the shoulders of Nature Boy. This was enough to cause him to shoot out from the bottom of the loosened grip and he was free! An unforseen twist took place as the larger volume of the Olympian ended up taking Nature Boys place. The small amount of increased space was enough to allow NB to gain his freedom. That space was a much tighter fit for Hercules. Hercules now found himself trapped in the light construct hand of the Imager.

The Imager was unconscious. He was not allergic to bee stings but even so a large enough number of stings could put anyone out or even be fatal. His last thought however assured that his construct would remain.  He looked the image in place. It would not continue to attempt to exert more pressure but neither would it release pressure. Hercules was trapped unless the CHD could figure out how to desconstruct the menace.

Hercules had the same answer to most problems. Exert more force. He was confident his perfect body would be strong enough to break the fingers surrounding him. Success was eluding him. He would not admit he needed the help of his comrades. They would help him anyway. Mr. Muscles already had a plan.

[narfstar]

Mr. Muscles: "Everyone stand down for awhile. Hercules is in no immediate danger. We can regroup a minute and try to get him out."

Mr. Muscles: "Nature Boy have you recovered enough to produce a strong cold?"
Nature Boy: "Thanks to Herc I think I have rested enough to give it a good shot."

Hercules hated to be called by the diminutive Herc.

Mr. Muscles: "OK Doc since cold is really the absence of heat, I want you to channel the heat energy away from the hand. I know that you are usually channeling the other direction but can you do that?"

Without immediately thinking about it Mr. M began to rub his hands together to warm them up.

Dr. Graves: "I guess so "

Mr. Muscles could now be heard by the assembled heroes as they gathered around for instructions.

Mr. Muscles: "The Imager is down and out. The machine that created this is not longer functioning. But we still have the results to deal with. However he may have done it, the Imager has created a solid light construct that has outlasted its creator. It may not move or change but it appears to have Hercules firmly trapped in its grip. You may have noticed that Mercury Man has remained behind with Hercules. That is not entirely by choice. It seems the fit is so tight that the areas where his liquid metal form is in contact with the hand and Hercules has him trapped also. I think the key word to getting them loose is solid. I am hoping that it has some of the properties of solids. Most solids become brittle with cold. I am hoping that if Nature Boy and Dr. Graves can get the hand cold enough the rest of you may be able to put out force to shatter. What do you think Ibis about your powers right now Ibis? Can you give us more cold or more force?"

Ibis did his best to reach into a dimensional awareness.

Ibis: "It is a good alignment right now. I am pretty capable of delivering either at your direction."

Mr. Muscles: "Good. Nature Boy, Dr. Graves and Ibis freeze that hand as hard as you can as quickly as you can. Doc I think you can best determine when it has reached the lowest temperature."

The three heroes turned down the heat. Since cold does not technically exist. Frost formed around Mercury Man and the hand and the temperature dropped.

Dr. Graves: "OK Mr. M that feels like as far as we can go."

Mr. Muscles: "Everyone hit the hand with all that you got."

With a loud shattering tinkle the hand fell apart. With the integrity of the construct being broken the whole thing fell apart. Nothing to do now but let the appropriate workers to clean up this mess.

                                    THE END

[fate man]

Wow,that is some story.
Keep up the good work!

[narfstar]

In a bygone time millennia ago flashes of light began to appear and multiply around the earth until the entire atmosphere appeared illuminated. The inhabitants looked up amazed, some fell to their knees while others stood with hands upraised. In the places where the flashes were concentrated the lives of many of those in the villages were changed forever. A massive interdimensional shift had brought an untold amount of power upon the earth. This power became concentrated in a variety of people and things.  Those so empowered became the rulers of the land. People of various countries began to worship them as gods.

The leaders of each group came together as The Pantheon. They knew that with the great amount of power they had that there must be rules. Rules were needed to prevent wars that might threaten the existence of the world. They learned that lesson from a number of experiences that had occurred. Battles had been hard fought, often with only losers. Some small groups of the powered had even been wiped out. The Pantheon had for many centuries now kept those wars from happening again. Now the Pantheon called a meeting and insisted on attendance by all the powered.

The Pantheon faced the crowd of others assembled.

JUPITER: "It has been decided by the Pantheon that all of us, who have become known by many as gods, will leave this planet for an uninhabited world found by Mercury. It is an idyllic place visited by many and known by different names such as Olympus or Valhalla, but known to all as a paradise. Each may bring with them mortals with whom they have become close and who wish to go."

Mars, Ares and Loki jump up in defiance.

LOKI: "We, and many others, do not go along with your plan. We happen to enjoy the worship of these lesser beings."

MARS: "Why shouldn't we be worshipped? The stars gave US these gifts of power not the other puny humans."

ARES: "What gives you the right to decide our fates?"

Zeus waves his finger and the three are thrown prostrate to the ground.

ZEUS: "By the same right by which you seek to dominate those less blessed. It is by the right of might. Do you forget why we were made leaders. To me you are the as the humans to you. We have sought to rule justly and fairly, but do not think that we could not have done so by force alone."

VISHNU: "While some discourage it, others among you sought to be worshiped as gods. We are not gods and, until that fateful day of the Astral Event, we were no more than any other man."

ODIN: "It is an affront to the One True God that we would accept such title and worship as gods. We must leave here before we become so cursed with pride the we end condemned."

HORUS: "As all are aware, our powers are greatest during the times of equinox.  That is the reason we have assembled you at this time of the autumnal equinox. It is also the reason we have set our departure for the vernal equinox. You have until then to get your affairs in order. The matter is decided."

With that the group disperses. Hercules approaches his father Zeus.

HERCULES: "What of me father? I was not made mighty  by the Astral Event as were the others. It is my natural strength and skills that have made we more than mortal, but I am not like the others."

ZEUS: "Your natural strength, as you call it, owes much to your lineage. You are, after all my son. It is obvious  that you have inherited some residual astral energy and your powers grow all the time. It would not be wise to allow you to stay, and I would miss you greatly, my son. "

HERCULES: "Father please reconsider. I have made many friends here, and with mother's passing, I must look after my half sisters."

ZEUS: "YOUR FRIENDS - YOUR SISTERS! Those you call friends are nothing but fawning followers and you bask in their adoration. You have had naught to do with your sisters in a long time. You are coming along with us. Maybe you will mature into a man I can be proud of."

The two depart from each other scowling.