Dr. Stribbling: Difference between revisions

Dr. Stribbling
	; Multidisciplinary Scientist
Zone	Brickstown
Coordinates	(-1142.9, 16.0, -1629.2)[Copy]
Level Range	30-34
Introduced By	None, Walk-up
Introduces	None
Enemy Groups	Arachnoids Hydra Snakes Wailers Freakshow Rogues Gallery Time Echoes Rogue Isles Villains Paragon Heroes Shining Stars
Badges	Loop Hero
	v • d • e

Latest revision as of 22:31, 15 July 2024

Work in Progress

This article is currently a work in progress. As such, it may contain some editing notes in addition to information. Please be patient, it is being worked on and will be in a finished state before long!
Date noted: 2024-07-15

Overview

Dr. Stribbling is a vigilante contact in Brickstown. His level range is 30-34. He is standing at the north entrance to a multistory building, 317 yards east of the monorail station or 114 yards NW of The Crescent. He offers a story arc with four normal endings, plus a secret "true" ending that awards a badge. Dr. Stribbling was added in Issue 27 - Page 6.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

None, walk-up.

Contact Introduces

None

Information

Multidisciplinary Scientist

While not reaching the fame of Dr. Sheridan or the notoriety of Dr. Aeon, Dr. Chris Stribbling is an accomplished scientist well known throughout the scientific community. He has published over a hundred papers across numerous fields, including biology, particle physics, and engineering. Unfortunately for him, he has been criticized for failing to produce anything practical; his research to date has primarily been on more theoretical grounds. Rumors say his recent work has been an attempt to overcome this reputation.

Wrong Alignment

Ahh... Character, isn't it? I hear you are really making a name for yourself, doing good things. Grand, just grand. Thankfully I don't have any problems that require your help!

Prior to Introduction

None, walk-up.

Initial Contact

Character! It is so good to see you. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Dr. Chris Stribbling and I have a problem that could require your... unique skills to solve. Are you able to help?

Sure. What do you need?

Good, good. There was a break-in at my lab. Unfortunately I don't know who was responsible. The thieves somehow knocked out the security at the lab. I'd like you to head in and see if you can find any clues about who did it and what they were there for. I would hate for my research to fall into the wrong hands!

Why not just go to the police?

Who are you, exactly?

I am Dr. Chris Stribbling, a multidisciplinary scientist. You might have heard of me if you read many scientific journals. I have published in... well, all reputable ones at least. My request deals with my research, so are you able to help me?

Sure. What do you need?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Greeting

Remember, Character, we need to approach this mess with a deal of discretion.

Too Busy

I believe you might be a bit overtasked at the moment. Come back to me once you're a bit more free.

Too Low Level

Character, I've heard you're doing the type of work that really needs to be done to clean up this city. I hope you're able to keep it up. Thankfully I don't have any problems that require your help right now.

You must be at least Security Level 30 to speak to this contact.

Too High Level

I'm afraid I don't have anything for you to do.

No More Missions

You call the number Dr. Stribbling previously gave you. There is no answer.

Store

Inspirations

Story Arc

Merit Rewards: This activity awards 20 Reward Merits.

Troubled Times

Souvenir

Freed the mutant

Stasis Pod Shard (Released)

Arrested the mutant

Stasis Pod Shard (Arrested)

Returned the mutant to Dr. Stribbling

Stasis Pod Shard (Returned)

Killed the mutant

Stasis Pod Shard (Killed)

Whenever you look at this shard of metal from a stasis pod, you are reminded of the events you've come to remember as...

Troubled Times

It began when a scientist named Dr. Chris Stribbling contacted you, asking for help dealing with a break-in at his laboratory. He told you that he was working on a way to remove superpowers from mutants and others who had their genetic code altered. Apparently, one of his prime test subjects, a mutant with dangerous, unstable time manipulation powers, had been released during the break-in. You went to investigate and found the lab had been trashed, with clear signs of Freakshow involvement, including a mainframe loaded with Freak-branded malware. After putting the screws to the Freakshow, you learned of a hacker who was meeting with Freaks at a nearby rave. After locating the hacker, you were able to discover that he had been hired to create the malware by a Super Stunner called S4pp3r who was holed up at a nearby Freak safehouse.

When you arrived, you found Longbow already on the premises, but eventually made your way past them to take the fight to the real criminals. You found Miss Thystle working with the Freaks and, after defeating her and S4pp3r, interrogated her. You learned that the mutant was a teenager named Marcus and had been the one to hire the Freaks, Miss Thystle, and the villain Frostfire to break him out. Frostfire and the mutant were on their way to the Rogue Isles at that very moment.

You snuck into the Isles and located the boat they had taken right as it docked up. You confronted Frostfire, who tried to convince you to let Marcus go, revealing that Dr. Stribbling was his father and had been keeping him in stasis to experiment on his cells. Armed with this knowledge, you got past Frostfire and confronted Marcus. You found him to be an angry young man who was insistent that he would kill his father. No matter what you tried, you couldn't dissuade him from remaining in the Isles and pursuing his quest for revenge.

Freed the mutant

Ultimately, you realized that he deserved his freedom, even if it did eventually bring him to evil. That would be his choice to make. If he did turn to evil, you could deal with him later. As for his father, you are certain that Marcus is coming for him and that things won't end well for one of them.

Arrested the mutant

Ultimately, you realized that Marcus was too dangerous to allow to go free, but that he did not deserve to be sent back to the doctor. You had to best Marcus in a fight, then sent him back to Paragon City where he was taken into custody by the Paragon Police. You confronted Dr. Stribbling with all you had learned and he stubbornly insisted he was in the right. You promised to bring him down, once and for all, but he was apparently ready to eventually be discovered. His lab and home were both completely empty, with no sign of him. He had vanished completely, likely gone underground to continue his research in secrecy. As for Marcus, the police had no case against him and were going to release him... However, he had vanished from custody before they could. You can only imagine his quest for revenge will lead him to his father eventually.

Returned the mutant to Dr. Stribbling

Ultimately, you realized that his father was right. Marcus was too dangerous to remain free and some people shouldn't have their superpowers. You managed to best him in a fight and sent him back to Paragon City, where he was transferred back into the custody of Dr. Stribbling. One day, perhaps, Dr. Stribbling will find a way to remove his son's powers and the two will be able to reconcile.

Killed the mutant

Ultimately, you realized that no matter what had happened to Marcus, his bloodthirst made him far too dangerous to go free. You managed to best him in a fight, feeling the full fury of his powers unleashed. This proved that Dr. Stribbling's research was valuable, but Marcus had proven that he could escape his bonds. You alone could make the difficult decisions and you made the most difficult one. You ended Marcus's life, removing him as a threat for good. You then confronted Dr. Stribbling. As for his father, he seemed more disappointed that his research had been derailed than the fate of his son. You are sure he will singlemindedly continue with his research, but you are done with him, unless he ever steps onto the wrong side of the law.

Part One: Break-In

Briefing

I suppose there's no point in hiding it from you; you'll find out soon enough. You see, my work involves a lot of dangerous creatures. Creatures that the people of Paragon City might not particularly like having within municipal borders. I have all the relevant permits, of course, but I'd rather not deal with the negative attention if it got out to the public. So that's why I need you. You can deal with that, right?

I'll check out the scene.

Excellent! Hopefully there are some clues that will show who broke in... and what their objective was. I had a lot of valuable research going on; if the wrong people got their hands on something dangerous, it could be a calamity for this city. My lab is in a facility in Jamison Office Park, so you'll need to take the train to get there.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Have you discovered who it was who broke into my lab? You shouldn't wait, we don't want the trail to go cold.

Mission Objective(s)

You pass the remains of an activated EMP device as you enter the lab.

Investigate Lab Break-In
- 4 clues to locate
- 16 specimens to contain (Heroic)
- Escape with the evidence!

It seems clear the Freakshow were behind the break-in, though the ransomware makes it seem more sophisticated than most Freak operations.

Enemies

Notable NPCs

Hydra Telepathic Link Snooper x4 (Hydra Spawn) This Hydra test subject appears to be coordinating its movements in synchronicity with its peers, but only at certain intervals.
Arachnoid Antivenin Test Subject x4 (Arachnoids Arachnoid) These Arachnoids have somewhat larger fangs than others you've encountered, potentially to make extraction of venom easier to facilitate.
Sthenic Brood Candidate x4 (Snakes Mamba Fang) This Snake seems to have been chosen for clutch size and deposit rate of eggs.
Auditory Hallucinator x4 (Wailers Wailer Queen) There isn't enough time to contemplate what these monsters are doing here... just that they shouldn't be here.

Electrical Burns

These doors have been melted to slag. The scorch marks left behind resemble those caused by a powerful electrical discharge.

Destroyed Stasis Pod

This stasis pod looks like it was torn open from the outside, the damage resembling that caused by the jaws of life or something similar.

Drug Ampule

This empty vial looks like the type used for Excelsior.

Ransomware

When you examined the lab's mainframe, you found it locked down with ransomware. Curiously, the message demanding payment was filled with outdated "l33t" speak. When you tried to interact with the computer, all of the sealed doors in the lab were thrown open and a flood of dangerous creatures were released.

Escaping Specimen Dialogue

Editor's Note:

Defeating all 16 named specimens before reaching the exit will award the character one Hero Alignment Point.

Mission Objective(s)

Call Dr. Stribbling to report your findings

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Hello, Character. I'm currently at the location of my backup lab, preparing to transfer some sensitive research. What did your investigation uncover?

It was the Freakshow.

The Freakshow? Are you sure? This is very disturbing, those thoughtless brutes probably destroyed some very valuable research! And who knows what they might be doing with whatever they stole? Did you figure out what they took, by the way?

You describe what you found in the lab. When you get to the part about the broken-into stasis pod, he goes pale.

What? No. No no no. Oh no. This is very bad, Character, very very bad.

Dr. Stribbling lets out a sigh.

I suppose it's best that you know exactly what they took from my laboratory. You see, I have been investigating ways to eliminate mutations or genetic alterations from living people. As part of this research, I had taken custody of an extremely dangerous mutant so that I could test my work. I had the mutant safely secured in the stasis pod, where their powers were being suppressed.

If they have escaped, it could put the entire city at risk! We have to recapture them and bring them back into my custody.

Mutation origin only

Eliminate mutations? You know I'm a mutant, right?

Dr. Stribbling pauses for a moment, then speaks slowly.

Of course, I'm aware. And I can appreciate your hesitance about my research. But you have to understand, I am doing this only for altruistic purposes. You're using your powers for heroic purposes, but not everyone is. When you put someone like Double Tap or the Council behind bars, we take away their weapons. But if someone like Mangle or an Outcast is arrested, we can't keep them from being a threat with their powers.

Imagine if we could take their abilities away? Imagine how much safer the world would be if we could make sure that people who abuse their great powers are no longer allowed to do so? If my research did bear fruit, I'd make sure it only goes into the hands of people who would use it properly.

What you're talking about is eugenics.

No! Of course not! I don't want everyone to lose their powers. There are people like you, Penelope Yin, or Positron who use their powers for good. There's no reason to take your powers away! And I'd never think of using my research to do that.

Plus, even if we didn't use it to take powers away from villains, there are people out there whose genetic abnormalities are harmful to them or unwanted. There's a mutant whose body combusts whenever it comes into contact with oxygen... But unlike someone who can control their fire powers, he is just in intense pain. Imagine we could cure him? It would be a boon to the world.

I just want to use my research to help people, either through taking away mutations they don't want or to prevent people from using their powers for evil.

You're right, some people don't deserve powers.

I'm glad you see it my way. But that's neither the here nor now; we need to recapture the mutant. There's no telling the amount of damage he could cause if he's allowed to roam free.

Your research is dangerous and ripe for abuse.

Dr. Stribbling sighs.

Look, we can continue to debate the ethics of my research, but every minute that goes by, the mutant is out there. The longer we wait, the more damage he can do. He needs to be recaptured. Once you do, then we can decide what to do with him.

Fine. But don't think I'll forget about this.

I understand. But that's neither the here nor now; we need to recapture the mutant. There's no telling the amount of damage he could cause if he's allowed to roam free.

You're right, some people don't deserve powers.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Science origin only

Eliminate alterations? Science gave me my gifts, you could take them away?

Dr. Stribbling pauses for a moment, then speaks slowly.

Of course, I'm aware. And I can appreciate your hesitance about my research. But you have to understand, I am doing this only for altruistic purposes. You're using your powers for heroic purposes, but not everyone is. When you put someone like Double Tap or the Council behind bars, we take away their weapons. But if someone like Shock Treatment or a Troll is arrested, we can't keep them from being a threat with their powers.

Imagine if we could take their abilities away? Imagine how much safer the world would be if we could make sure that people who abuse their great powers are no longer allowed to do so? If my research did bear fruit, I'd make sure it only goes into the hands of people who would use it properly.

What you're talking about is eugenics.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're right, some people don't deserve powers.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Your lab was full of monsters!

Monsters? Oh, you meant the test subjects. Yes, I am doing various tests on those creatures. Did I not tell you? They escaped their containment chambers? That's unfortunate... I guess that means you destroyed them. A shame, they were difficult to procure...

You could have warned me about the danger!

Oh. Well, I never expected that anyone would be foolish enough to free them. Anyway, here you are, alive and well! So no harm, no foul.

But harm could come if the wrong thing was stolen from my lab, so...

Your face will be fouled if you don't warn me next time!

Ah... I see my quip was too pithy. I do apologize, Character. I honestly did not expect them to be free. I shall make sure I am more robust with the information I give you in the future.

What sort of powers does this mutant have that makes him so dangerous?

He can manipulate time itself. And not just to slow down or speed up time, but to completely reverse it! He once used his powers to completely reverse time and de-aged a child until the child was simply unmade. I hope I don't need to explain how dangerous he could be. The amount of destruction and loss of life he could cause.

Thankfully, the drugs that were keeping him in stasis will take some time to wear off. Even if he is free now, he won't be able to make full use of his powers. It's imperative that you find out who broke into my lab and where they took the mutant.

You were experimenting on a person?

No, of course not!

Not directly. I was taking cell cultures from him and experimenting on those. That way I could see if my methods would have a lasting effect on his DNA before trying it on a person. I'd never use untested methods on a person.

How was your research going?

It was beginning to show progress. I was able to deactivate the mutated genes approximately one-third of the time. Unfortunately, this was on a cellular level, so it was still not useful for a full scale test. And, of course, this was only for a single person, so there's no telling if it would work on others... Hence an important reason to recapture the mutant so I can continue my experimentation.

Why were you researching that?

I want to make the world a better place. There are dozens... no, hundreds of people out there who were either born with or given dangerous powers. Many of them use their powers for good, but many others use them for evil. If we arrested Black Scorpion, we can take away his super suit and take away his powers. We can't do the same to Captain Mako or Barracuda... But imagine that we could!

How many lives could be saved if we could prevent villains from using their powers? And that doesn't even get into the fact that many people don't get beneficial mutations and desperately wish they could be cured.

Flashback only, completed arc at least once

By the way, just mentioning for no reason, but I can get places really fast! (Skip M1dway)

The doctor looks rather taken off guard by your statement of speed.

Oh, well, that's... good to know. I suppose the faster you can get around, the more quickly you can recover the mutant.

A bit clumsy, but hopefully this will let you reduce the number of people with numbers in their name that you have to deal with this temporal loop.

10,000 Leagues of Nope

One time in a submarine with M1dway and his pet octopus was enough. You have declined to meet with him again on this trip through time.

I'll hit up the Freakshow.

Yes... Yes! That is a grand idea. I wouldn't have thought of beating up random gang members for information, but that is why you are the hero and I'm just a scientist. You know, some in the scientific community see heroes as little more than brainless thugs, but not me. Different areas of expertise is the difference! No biologist would be able to come up with that idea.

But be fast, Character! There's no telling what sort of danger this mutant could put the city into. Or what the Freakshow are even doing with him. This could be a terrible disaster!

I'd better get going.

Part Two: Full Press

Unnecessary Solicitation

Have you discovered who it was who broke into my lab? You shouldn't wait, we don't want the trail to go cold.

Mission Objective(s)

Get information from Freaks
- Defeat 10 Freakshow

You learned about a hacker working with the Freakshow.

Editor's Note:

Even though it isn't stated in the compass text, only defeating Freakshow in Brickstown counts toward mission progress.

The Hacker

You put the press on the Freakshow, but none of them knew anything about the break-in. One of the Freaks you "questioned" did spill his circuits about a hacker that has been working with them lately, though. Apparently, this hacker specializes in ransomware. Time to pay him a visit.

Debriefing

Ransomware is all over the 'Net these days. So it's not guaranteed that this hacker is the one who was responsible for the stuff on my lab mainframe... Still, though, it's your best bet for tracking down the mutant. I think you should go look into this as soon as possible!

Part Three: Dirty Details

Briefing

Who knows if this hacker was even involved with the gang of Freaks that hit my lab? Even so, it's our best lead, so I think you need to follow up on it. If they were behind the ransomware, they can probably tell you something about who the Freaks were and where they took my... mutant charge.

I'll get this hacker to talk.

Dr. Stribbling lets out a sound of discomfort.

Look, I know I sound like a broken record here, but we really need to find this mutant before something terrible happens. The damage he could cause is... insurmountable. Use whatever means necessary to get the info out of him. We have to get the mutant back. It's imperative, for everyone's safety.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Have you gotten the information you need from the hacker yet?

Mission Objective(s)

Loud techno music blares from speakers placed throughout this warehouse. Definitely Freak territory.

Interrogate Freakshow hacker
- Find the Hacker
  - Talk to the Hacker

You learned from the hacker that the Freaks behind the break-in work out of a nearby safehouse.

Enemies

Freakshow

Notable NPCs

Krob0tk1n (Freakshow Tank Smasher)
The Hacker (NPC) This hacker stands out as fairly ordinary among the Freakshow.

Hacker and Krob0tk1n Dialogue

The Hacker

Briefing

Whoa whoa whoa! I'm not juiced up on Excelsior like the Freaks! I just work for them! I give up, aight? You didn't come in here just to bust some heads, so you must want something, right? I heard all about you, Character, so no need to get all handsy with me. I'm a mainframe without a firewall.

But I want to get handsy. (Hit him)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Vigilante Alignment Point.

Your fist catches the hacker right across the chin, sending him splaying on the floor as his glasses skitter over into a corner. He lays there, immobile. Seems he wasn't lying about not being enhanced by the Freaks.

(Try to wake him up.)

You kneel down and grab the hacker, then prop him up. You poke him a few times, then try shaking him awake, but there is no response. You think about slapping him awake, but considering how he has apparently been knocked comatose by a single punch, it might not be the best idea to hit him again.

(Use your powers to rouse him.)

Default

You kneel down to use your powers to treat the Hacker, then remember that your powers are geared more toward causing harm than healing it.

Specific healing power owned

Electrical Affinity - Rejuvenating Circuit

You charge a Rejuvenating Circuit within the hacker's body.

Empathy - Healing Aura

You send a wave of healing energy flowing through the hacker's body using your Healing Aura power.

Luminous Blast - Glowing Touch

You touch the hacker and send some of your glowing Kheldian energy into them.

Nature Affinity - Regrowth

You fill the hacker's body with 100% natural healing energy using your Regrowth power.

Medicine - Aid Other

You use your healing device to aid the hacker.

Pain Domination - Nullify Pain

You completely negate the pain wracking the hacker's body using your Nullify Pain power.

Poison - Alkaloid

You tend to the hacker's wounds with your Alkaloid.

Radiation Emission - Radiant Aura

You send a wave of healing radiation flowing through the hacker's body using your Radiant Aura power.

Storm Summoning - O2 Boost

You send a surge of pure oxygen into the hacker's lungs with your O2 Boost.

Thermal Radiation - Warmth

You gently massage away the hacker's pain with Warmth.

Time Manipulation - Temporal Mending

You reverse time to before you punched the hacker with your Temporal Mending.

After a moment he groans and opens his eyes.

Uggggh... Wha... What happened?

Then his eyes focus on you and he lets out a yelp.

Aaah! You! Wha... what do you want?

Dr. Stribbling's lab! Why were you there?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

(Keep waiting.)

Five more minutes pass and the hacker continues to lay there without moving. This does seem excessive. You didn't hit him *that* hard.

(Try to wake him up.)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

(Better check on him.)

You kneel down and poke him. He doesn't react. He's still breathing, though. You'll probably need to send him to the hospital to make sure he doesn't have permanent damage...

(Maybe he has some information on him. Check his body.)

You rifle through the hacker's pockets, eventually finding his wallet and cell phone. A cursory evaluation of the wallet reveals his driver's license, credit cards, $17, and a receipt from Up-N-Away Burger. The phone is locked... on a hunch, you enter his birthday into the PIN and it unlocks.

Some hacker.

You spend several minutes searching through the cell phone. Mostly it is irrelevant nonsense. Unopened voice mails from collections agencies. Poorly lit selfies. Saved pictures of various heroines from their Facegram pages and news clippings. / You even find a few photos of yourself in there.

More interestingly, you discover a series of text messages between the hacker and someone he has saved as "S4p5", which appears to be a Freakshow pseudonym. The exchange seems to indicate that the Freaks hired him to break into the lab. At one point, the hacker is directed to meet them at a nearby address.

Hacker's Phone Logs

Your interrogation methods ran into a snag when the hacker was knocked unconscious after a single punch. Luckily, he had a phone which included incriminating details about his work with someone called S4p5 and the location of a nearby meeting place. No idea if the mutant is there, but it's your best lead.

Female only

Delete those pictures of yourself.

You delete the pictures of yourself that the hacker had saved on his phone. Hopefully your encounter with him will dissuade him from saving any more in the future.

(Leave)

(Leave)

(Keep waiting.)

You continue to wait for the hacker to wake back up. He does not seem to be waking up any time soon.

Maybe he has some information on him. Check his body.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

(Use your powers to rouse him.)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

(Wait for him to wake up on his own.)

You lean back against a nearby crate and wait patiently for him to wake up. A minute passess and he continues to lay there without moving. He's definitely breathing, though.

Try to wake him up.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Use your powers to rouse him.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Keep waiting.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Dr. Stribbling's lab. What were you after?

I've got no clue! The Freaks just hired me to make some software for them. Something that'd be able to crack open a high security computer system, then lock it down so hard that it'd take forever for someone to fix. They paid good money too.

They didn't give any hint as to what they wanted?

Well... I did hear one of them keep mentioning something about "the mute". Saying that they needed to make sure they got "the mute" and to be careful about not hurting "the mute". But then their boss saw that I was listening, told his boys to shut up, and told me to forget I heard that.

"The mute"? Could they have been saying "the mut", as in short for "the mutant"?

He shrugs.

Maybe. I didn't press about it because, well... I didn't want to have a few thousand volts going through me.

Are the Freaks that hired you here?

Nah, they belong to a different crew. These guys here are Upstart's bunch, the ones I was working with were down with the Technophile's group.

Who, exactly, was it that hired you?

One of them big shocky boys, uh... what do you call them? Stone Cold Stunners? Supa Stunnahs? Something like that. Guy called himself S4pp3r.

The hacker seems to hesitate for a moment, as if something just occurred to him.

Weird thing, though... He kept talking about how they were gonna get paid big once the job was done. At first I just thought he meant because of the ransomware, like that they'd charge a lot to unlock the lab. But they didn't have me put any contact details in it. Usually, if you want to get paid, you give an email address to contact or a routing number to a bank in the Isles to transfer payment to. The Freaks didn't want any of that.

Made me think they were working for a third party.

What third party?

They didn't mention any names. I'm not sure they even knew the name of the person they were working for. You know, if they were working for someone else. But the way they were talking about the lab, especially the details they had about the system I was making software for... Well, it was pretty specific details about its hardware, the software it was running, even what apps were installed. Not something just anyone would know.

Sounds like an inside job.

Could have been. Like I said, they didn't say anything about who they were working for.

Where are the Freaks who hired you?

Well...

He looks around, as if a member of the Freakshow will jump out from nowhere and rip him in have at any moment. Then he seems to remember exactly who you are and clears his throat.

Uh... You didn't hear this from me, of course, but they got a safehouse not too far from here. They'll be there, most likely. If they still got whatever they took from that lab, they'll have it there too.

He gives you the exact address of the Freakshow safehouse.

The Hacker's Story

It didn't take much effort for you to get the hacker to talk. He revealed that the Freakshow had been hired to break into the lab. He couldn't tell you who bankrolled it, but did reveal that the Freaks behind the attack, led by a Super Stunner named S4pp3r, work out of a nearby safehouse. He couldn't tell you if they have the mutant there, but it's at least your next best bet.

That's what I need. You'd better run before the Freaks realize who sold them out.

The hacker seems to turn a pale shade of green, nods, then turns and runs out of the room.

(Leave)

That's what I need. For your safety, I'll make it look like you didn't talk willingly.

Wait. No need to do that. I can just skip town. Hey, wait! Stop! Get away from meeeeeee!

It doesn't take long to make sure the hacker looks like you really beat the information out of him. You leave him laying on the floor in an unconscious pile.

(Leave)

Debriefing

Someone hired the Freaks to break into my lab? I don't... Who would have known about it? Very few people were aware of what I was experimenting on! Much less that my... That the mutant was there!

Part Four: Twists in the Road

Briefing

Was there some sort of leak in my security? I worked alone... Could someone have somehow... No, that's not possible.

It doesn't matter right now anyway. I can figure out the source of the leak later. For now, we need to deal with the mutant. You've got to go hit that safehouse. Hopefully the mutant will still be there and you can capture him without too much effort.

I can handle it.

Maybe... I hope that you don't have to fight him. Do everything you can to avoid conflict. Please. I don't believe he will be in condition to fight. Not yet, at least. I doubt he has regained full use of his powers, so if it comes to a confrontation... Try to talk him down. I don't want to... to lose such a valuable research subject.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Remember, the mutant is important to capture alive. If anything should happen to him... Just, please, do your best.

Mission Objective(s)

You hear barked commands being issued in the rooms ahead. It seems someone has beaten you here.

Attack Freakshow safehouse
- Talk with Cpt. Argent
Find the Freak leader
- Find Miss Thystle
  - Talk to Miss Thystle

Miss Thystle told you that the mutant is with Frostfire... and some other very interesting information as well!

Enemies

Longbow

Freakshow

Notable NPCs

Cpt. Argent (Longbow Officer, Ally)
S4pp3r (Freakshow Super Stunner)
Miss Thystle (Boss) Miss Thystle is a reputable member of the 'off-the-path' heroes that mix up in the day-to-day affairs of the virtuous Paragon heroes... much like yourself, lately.

Cpt. Argent

Briefing

The stern-looking Longbow Officer looks you up and down with undisguised suspicion on her face.
Hold on, Character. What are you doing here?

I could ask you the same thing.

She frowns and you notice that her subordinates have their hands on their weapons.

I think I asked first. And since Longbow was here first, this is our scene. So you'd better answer my questions or shove off.

I'm here for the Freakshow.

The captain exchanges looks with her subordinates, then slowly nods.

We're here for the same thing. And we have it under control. There's no need for you to get involved, so back off and let us handle it. We'll get it done with less mess.

Longbow? Less mess? That's a good one.

Very funny, smart alec. Regardless of what you think of Longbow, the people who matter think much worse of you. So I suggest you let us handle the Freakshow and you can run off and deal with something else.

And *why* are you after these Freaks?

That's classified.

I don't really care. But I am going in there, whether you like it or not.

Don't do this, Character. Just walk away!

The Longbow aim their weapons at you.

Alright, look. We've obviously gotten off on the wrong foot.

If you'd just be straight with me, there'd be no trouble.

Actually, I think it was the right foot after all. Now let me by or else.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Fine. (Explain your mission)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option unlocks the door to the rest of the mission. Longbow units remain friendly.

She listens to you intently as you explain everything about Dr. Stribbling, the missing mutant, and everything you learned about the Freakshow's involvement. She looks increasingly troubled as your story goes on. When you finish, she swears under her breath, then straightens up and lets out a sigh.

Alright, Character, here's the thing... We got word that Frostfire and Miss Thystle were seen meeting with the Freakshow here. We thought it was just some alliance brokering between the Freakshow and Outcasts, but after what you said...

There's clearly something more going on here. Frostfire, a powerful mutant, and a top-secret research lab trying to remove powers from people... This whole thing stinks.

Fine, Character, I'll stand aside and let you go in. You're clearly in deeper here than we are. We'll hold the perimeter here, make sure no one gets out. You go in and find this missing mutant.

Glad we could come to an understanding. (Leave)

Guess we're doing this then! (Attack)

The Longbow agents quickly scramble to switch off the safeties on their weapons as you begin to attack.

(Attack)

Look, let's just be straight with each other. (Explain your mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't think so. I need to get in there.

She glances at her subordinates, who tense and watch you with even more intensity than they already were.

And I'm not letting you in. At least not until we finish our work here. Once we bust those Freaks, you're welcome to go in and fish through whatever trash is left behind. Until then, be a good boy / girl and stay here.

I'm not afraid to fight you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

We've obviously gotten off on the wrong foot.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whatever you've heard about me is wrong.

She looks doubtful.

I'm telling the truth. I want the same thing you do. To bring villains to justice.

If that's so, then you should have no problem explaining why you want in there so badly.

Fine. (Explain your mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't care if you believe me. I'm going in there, whether you want me to or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whatever you've heard about me is wrong.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

And *why* are you after these Freaks?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whatever you've heard about me is wrong.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

That's none of your business.

Her face hardens and her posture stiffens, as if she's preparing for a fight.

On the contrary, it's very much my business. Longbow is here on an official law enforcement action. And since I was here first, I have jurisdiction here. So answer the question.

I'm here for the Freakshow.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

And just who are you?

Cpt. Natalia Argent, Longbow. And you are Character, so-called hero. Now answer my question. Why are you here?

I'm here for the Freakshow.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I sense hostility.

A brief scowl crosses her face, but she quickly replaces it with forced passivity.

I've read the reports about how you work. Frankly, if it was up to me, you'd be stripped of your hero registration and placed in the Zig. Heroes are not supposed to behave in the manner you do. There are standards we need to live up to. And you fall well short of those standards.

Now I'm going to ask you again. What. Are. You. Doing. Here?

I'm here for the Freakshow.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I sense hostility.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

And just who are you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I sense hostility.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm here for the Freakshow.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

That's none of your business.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

And just who are you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Cpt. Argent Combat Dialogue

Ambush! Reducing Cpt. Argent to 25% health triggers an ambush by five waves of Freakshow and ten waves of Longbow. Longbow units are hostile to both the player and the Freakshow.

Freakshow 1: The fuzz! Here! Unleash the beast!

Freakshow 2: Red and white, dead on sight!

Longbow 1: Character has gone rogue! Take 'em down!

Longbow 2: The sting is a bust! Arrest everyone you find!

S4pp3r Dialogue

Miss Thystle Dialogue

Miss Thystle

Briefing

Miss Thystle, breathing heavy with the exertion of fighting you, holds her hands up in temporary submission.
Character... I never expected someone like you to get involved in this.

Where is the mutant?

The "mutant"? He has a name, you know! Marcus. Give him that respect.

Fine. Where's Marcus?

You're too late. He's already gone. Frostfire snuck out with him once we spotted Longbow headed this way. S4pp3r and I were here to delay them, but... Well, we didn't count on you to show up.

Where are they?

I'm not telling you anything! Arrest me, beat me up, do whatever you want. I'll never give them up.

Marcus is dangerous!

She looks at you incredulously.

Dangerous? He's just a kid! He's like sixteen or something. He's the one who is *in* danger! He was locked up in that lab, kept drugged and "compliant" in a stasis pod, not able to talk to anyone, not able to see the outside, only ever woken up when he was going to be prodded with needles or injected with experimental drugs...

And you're trying to take him back to that?

I... didn't know that.

That scientist lied to you, huh? Didn't tell you that he had a kid locked up in his lab and he was experimenting on him for no reason? What, did he tell you he was protecting the world from a horrible criminal? Or keeping a poor, unfortunate soul from having his powers run wild and hurt people?

I can't believe people like *you* are supposed to be a hero. Frostfire and I are helping this kid. We want him to be free, away from that monster. You want to take him back, imprison him, and let him be experimented on. You're the danger, Character. You and Dr. Stribbling are a danger to us all.

I don't believe you. You're a villain. You're lying!

She shakes her head.

I might be a "villain", but you're an idiot! I don't care what you believe or not.

You better believe that if you don't tell me where they are, you won't leave here breathing.

Miss Thystle's eyes go wide and she backs away from you in fear.

You're... You're serious.

Deadly. Now tell me *everything* I want to know.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous Alignment Point.

N... never! I won't tell you anything!

Don't test me, Thystle.

You take another threatening step toward Miss Thystle. She starts to retreat, then realizes there's no way to run. Cornered, she puts up her hands.

Fine! Fine, I give up. I can't beat you... Frostfire is taking the kid to the Rogue Isles. They're on a boat now.

Kid?

Y... Yeah, the kid, Marcus. He's the one you're after, right?

I'm after a dangerous mutant with unstable powers.

Unstable? The kid was more in control of his powers than I am! Who told you he was unstable? He's a victim, someone who has been taken advantage of by the system and wants to escape.

What is Frostfire's plan with him then?

What do you mean? The kid *hired* us to break him out of there! He was being tortured in there, kept against his will, subject to all sorts of experiments. Then he insisted that we take him away from Paragon City to somewhere the scientist or Longbow or anyone else couldn't get to him.

That's all I needed to know.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

Miss Thystle stays quiet, still looking at you with fear. You have all the information you need. Now you just need to decide what to do with her.

Get out of here. Go.

Miss Thystle stares at you for a moment in disbelief. Then, before you can change your mind, she turns and rushes out.

(Leave)

Time to sleep. (Arrest Her)

Before she can react, you attack and finish Miss Thystle off. You kneel down and slap a mediporter tuned to the Zig on her and watch as she's whisked away to prison.

Now, to finish this. (Leave)

And why did you take this kid from the lab?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You let a dangerous, unstable mutant run to the Isles?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What is Frostfire's plan with the mutant?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

This'll be fun. (Finish her)

You prepare to give Miss Thystle a beating she'll never recover from, but she falls to the ground and throws her arms over her head.

No! Don't! Frostfire took the kid to the Rogue Isles! They snuck out when we spotted Longbow coming after us.

Kid?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You let a dangerous, unstable mutant run to the Isles?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What is Frostfire's plan with the mutant?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

If you were telling the truth, you'd go to the authorities.

She starts to object, but hesitates.

You... Look, the kid is afraid. He's been abused and doesn't want to be hurt any more. He didn't want to go to Longbow or the PPD or anyone else. I tried to convince him to do it, I honestly did. But Frostfire hasn't had a good history with people who are supposed to be on the right side of the law. He listened to the kid.

She lets out a sigh.

He took him to the Rogue Isles. They're on a boat headed there now. You're too late. You'll never catch them. Just let the kid go.

You think the Isles will stop me?

Maybe not. But are you really going to go there, kidnap a kid, and try to force him to come back where he doesn't want to be? A powerful mutant gets forced back into being locked up in a lab? How do you think that is going to work out?

I'll do what I have to.

She shakes her head and scowls at you.

No! You can't force this kid back! It will break him! I won't let you!

You're the one who decided to make this difficult!

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Look, I didn't know what was happening to this kid.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're taking a child to the Rogue Isles?! Are you crazy?

She flinches back and cringes.

Look, I know it's not... What else were we going to do?! Force him to go to the cops? Do the same thing that was done to him?

The Rogue Isles might be dangerous, but he's strong. His powers will protect him. He'll be free there to do what he wants.

Free to become a villain. One with strong powers.

You don't know that! Even if so, it's his choice. After everything that's been done to him, I don't blame him if he does become a villain.

Maybe I can stop him. Get him help.

She lets out a sigh and slumps forward.

I know. You're right. You're right! Fine. Fine, go try to stop them. Bring Marcus back to Paragon and... tell Frostfire I'm sorry.

I will. But I can't let you go free, either.

She jumps back from you, eyes suddenly wide with fear.

What?! No! I'm not going back to the Zig!

I'll take you down by force! (Finish her)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You can testify in this kid's favor. You'll be more convincing if you come willingly.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

She looks down and sighs.

You're right. Fine. I'll turn myself in.

As you attach a teleporter to her to take her to the Zig, Miss Thystle looks you in the eyes.

You know, the stories about you say you're just a few steps from a villain yourself, Character. But you're certainly not acting like one now. I hope the stories aren't true. Don't make me regret believing in you.

She activates the teleporter before you can answer and is whisked away to prison.

(Leave)

I will, I promise. Now go, before I change my mind.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You and Frostfire are idiots. I'm going to bring him back, no matter what.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe I can convince him. You know this is wrong.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You and Frostfire are both idiots. I'm going to bring him back, no matter what.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Why not go to the authorities, then? Why take him to the Isles?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I believe you. I'll get to the bottom of this. Justice will be done.

She narrows her eyes and looks at you closely. Then resignation crosses her face.

I believe you. If you can help the kid and bring him some justice, then do it. I'm not going to stop you. But you should hurry.

I will. But I can't let you go free, either. You're too important a witness.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I will, I promise. Now go, before I change my mind.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

Miss Thystle looks at you in disbelief for a moment.

You know, the stories about you say you're just a few steps from a villain yourself, Character. But you're certainly not acting like one now. I hope the stories aren't true. Don't make me regret believing in you.

She turns and runs off before you can respond.

(Leave)

But he can't control his powers!

She snorts out a laugh.

What? The kid has better control of his powers than most other supers I know! He hasn't even used them once since he's been busted out of that lab! The kid just wants to be free and able to make his own choices in life, instead of being locked in a lab and having his powers stolen from him.

But the doctor said...

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Frostfire can control his powers and is still deadly!

She sneers at you.

And, what, every kid with powers is going to use them for evil? You're so full of crap! He's just a kid. A scared, abused kid who has been wronged time after time after time! He deserves a chance to live his life how he chooses. He can get that in the Isles.

You're taking a scared, powerful mutant child to the Isles?!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Free to become a villain and use his powers for evil!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You think the Isles will stop me?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

So what? We both know even teenagers can be deadly. Look at your pal Frostfire.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

If you won't cooperate, then why shouldn't I just take you out? Permanently.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus is dangerous! You have to tell me where he is!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't care. He's dangerous. Now where is he?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Where's Frostfire?

Frostfire? I have no idea. He's not here! It's just me and the Freaks.

I heard you mention him! Don't lie to me.

She cringes at you calling her lie. Then she sighs and shrugs.

It doesn't even matter. He's gone. You're too late. He's on a ship headed to the Rogue Isles right now. You'll never catch him! Just give up.

You think the Isles will stop me?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What is he going to do with the mutant he took?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You idiots! You're taking a dangerous mutant to the Rogue Isles?!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Listen, I just want to get the mutant back.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Don't make me have to hurt you, Thystle.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous Alignment Point.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Why shouldn't I just end you right here?

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous Alignment Point.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Bug! The alignment points in this conversation seem to be awarded unpredictably. Usually you can receive only one from the conversation, but not always, and sometimes they don't trigger at all.

You found Miss Thystle at the Freakshow safehouse talking with S4pp3r. After defeating the two, she told you that you were too late... The mutant had already been whisked away by Frostfire, taken to the Rogue Isles. More importantly, Miss Thystle claimed the mutant was only a teenager, one who was in full control of his powers!

Mission Objective(s)

Call Dr. Stribbling to report your findings

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Character, did you finish dealing with the Freakshow? Where is the mutant?

Frostfire has the mutant on the way to the Rogue Isles.

Dr. Stribbling lets out a pained gasp.

What?! That is... unacceptable! The Rogue Isles... You have to get him back, Character! The Rogue Isles are a haven for villainy! He'll be in terrible danger there!

He sounds on the very of panic, but he swallows hard.

And he's a terrible danger to everyone else as well. You need to go there immediately and find him before... Before something tragic happens.

The mutant's name is Marcus.

Y... yes, that's correct. His name is Marcus. Didn't I mention that before? If not, I am sure it was just an oversight.

There is something... off in the doctor's voice, when he says the name 'Marcus'.

I see. I need to hurry after them.

Please, hurry. I can't imagine how much danger the mutant could cause in the Isles. Get him back, safely. He might try to resist, but... If he does, try to talk him down. If you do have to fight, try not to damage him too much. I do not want him dead. It's not very far to the Rogue Isles, Character. Only about 250 miles from Paragon City; or 50 miles outside of the United States' exclusive economic zone. It's unlikely that you'll be able to catch up to a ship before they arrive.

Default

Thankfully, I know of a private transport in Striga Isle who should be able to help. His name is Midway, and he'll get you into the Rogue Isles discreetly. It's the least I can do for the escalating situation we've gotten into.

Clue: 10,000 Leagues of Nope

I was about to call a contact I know in Striga Isle to book passage on his submarine, then I remembered what you told me about being fast earlier. Hopefully you're faster than a nuclear submarine.

The scientist takes a deep breath.

I just hope you don't have to fight him. His powers are unpredictable. They may be too much for you to handle.

Don't worry, I can handle much worse.

The mutant is just a kid!

Uh, well. I mean, he's eighteen years old. According to my records. Legally, he is an adult. Though, even if he were underage, that's even more reason to cure him of his uncontrollable powers before he causes any more trouble.

I see. I need to hurry after them.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

The mutant has full control of his powers.

Who told you that? I can assure you, Character, that the mutant cannot control his powers. I know that for certain. If someone tried to convince you otherwise, they are either sorely mistaken or lying to you.

Dr. Stribbling sounds unusually angry as he makes that statement.

This sounds personal to you.

That's because it is, Character. I mentioned that the mutant had killed a child before, didn't I? Well, that was *my* child. My own newborn son, taken from me by this mutant! His own...

Dr. Stribbling's voice cracks as he continues.

My baby boy should have had his whole life ahead of him. Instead, he was killed after only a few weeks.

This is wildly unethical.

Unethical?! How dare...

He takes a long, heavy breath and lets it out slowly.

Yes, working with a patient who has harmed you is... unusual. But I have been nothing but professional. I treated him no different than I would anyone else. Better, in fact, than many people are treated by the likes of Crey or many other corporations in this city!

Measuring yourself against Crey doesn't speak well of you.

What are you insinuating?

Nothing. Just speaking the truth.

Look, yes, maybe comparing myself to Crey isn't the best look, even if I am saying I am better than them. It is a low bar to cross. I could give you all my data, show you how careful I have been to be ethical. But we don't have time for that right now! We need to get the mutant back into our custody before he's lost to us forever. There's no telling what will happen to him in the Isles!

You're right. I'd better go.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

That I don't trust you.

You don't tr... Look, fine, whatever. You don't trust me, but I have to trust you. You're the only one who can get my... the mutant back. Maybe he'll resist, but try to talk him down! Bring him back without hurting him.

I'll do my best.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whatever you say. I need to hurry after them.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I see. I need to hurry after them.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I see. I need to hurry after them.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You were experimenting on the mutant, despite your claims otherwise.

Dr. Stribbling sighs.

The vast majority of my experimentation is on the mutant's cells in a petri dish. If something seems like it is working, I tested it on him. But oftentimes in medicine, what works in vitro doesn't work in vivo. There have been times when I tried out something on him, but only after ensuring it wasn't harmful. He was always perfectly safe.

I see. I need to hurry after them.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I need to hurry after them.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

First time

Unnecessary Solicitation

There's a smuggler in Striga who can sneak you in easily. Hit him up for a ride into Port Oakes.

Mission Objective(s)

Talk to M1dway in Striga Isle

M1dway was happy to ferry you into Port Oakes from Striga - it would help give his submarine more legitimacy at the ports.

M1dway

Briefing

Yo. Name's M1dway. The 'I' is a 1. Ya know how we Freaks roll. I heard from a nerd that you's gotta take a quick run out fo' groceries 'cross the pond. I just happen to need some hours getting my metal sausage runnin' in and out of the Isles to establish m'self as legit. I know whatcha thinking, I bet. Who would trust a Freak underwater in a pressurized cylinder? Well bro / baby, ain't nobody gotta worry, because I'm not Show. I'm 'Lok - it's all about the legitimate business ventures.

At this point, I think I could do a lot worse. Let's go.

Tight. All right, sub's behind me. Just hop in and buckle up. If you hear any weird noises, don't worry too much - it's just the Lusca hatchling working the ballasts.

Just kidding. We don't use her for submarine work. She's too smart. Smile! It's going to be a fun trip. I'll even wear my captain's hat.

I better make it there in one piece.

I'll be back soon, I need to settle some other business. (Leave)

Flashback only, without 10,000 Leagues of Nope

Unnecessary Solicitation

There's a smuggler in Striga who can sneak you in easily... but you already know this. Armed with the knowledge from last time, you vow to make this next first trip with M1dway more interesting than the last time that hasn't happened yet. Ah, time travel...

Mission Objective(s)

Talk to (or mess with) M1dway in Striga Isle

None

M1dway

Briefing

Yo. Name's M1dway. The 'I' is a 1. Ya know how we Freaks roll. I heard from a nerd that you's gotta take a quick run out fo' groceries 'cross the pond. I just happen to need some hours getting my metal sausage runnin' in and out of the Isles to establish m'self as legit. I know whatcha thinking, I bet. Who would trust a Freak underwater in a pressurized cylinder? Well bro / baby, ain't nobody gotta worry, because I'm not Show. I'm 'Lok - it's all about the legitimate business ventures.

A friend reserved me a seat on your sub. I'll be there soon.

Tight. All right, the sub's parked behind me when you get here. Look for the Blitz-era Arachnos Drones, hop in the sub 'n buckle up. If you hear any weird noises, don't worry too much - it's just the Lusca hatchling working the ballasts.

Just kidding. We don't use her for submarine work. She's too smart. Smile! It's going to be a fun trip. I'll even wear my captain's hat.

Remember to restock the sickness bags!

Hey man, what's good? Tell the Lusca hatchling not to worry about the ballasts.

...wait what? I haven't even tried that joke out yet. How did you...? You pulling my outdated leg? Did Dap-Dap put you up to this?

You can hear M1dway mumbling to himself about getting revenge on 'Dap-Dap' for this astoundingly precognizant subversion of his joke.

You need better security on your joke databank. Just hold my seat.

Hey there, a friend reserved a seat for me, but I have to cancel.

Oh snap, that's hella uncool. Listen bro / baby, I'm trying to go legit. I need fares. I can't make ya come here, but I would totes appreesh the opportunity to slide this steel sausage into port 'n get some cred.

I understand your position... I need to think. Sorry!

Part Five: Retrieval

Unnecessary Solicitation

Remember, the mutant is important to capture alive. If anything should happen to him... Just, please, do your best.

Mission Objective(s)

Out across the port you can see the idle energies of someone's powers, waiting for you.

Recover the mutant
- Talk with Frostfire
  - Talk with Marcus
    - Decide the mutant's fate
Talk with... a Mender of Ouroboros?

You have dealt with Marcus in your own way. Now to talk to his father...

Enemies

Rogues Gallery

Freakshow

Notable NPCs

Frostfire (Boss, Ally) (0-3 souvenirs only)
Mender Roebuck (Boss, Ally) (4 souvenirs only) One of the mysterious Menders of Ouroboros, Roebuck typically provides the important, if dull, service of buying and selling equipment to the heroes and villains who access the Pillar of Ice and Fire. Something has brought him outside of their temporal plane for the time being.
Marcus Stribbling (Elite Boss or Archvillain, Ally)

Editor's Note:

Marcus Stribbling is an Elite Boss unless the player has all four souvenirs from this story arc, in which case he becomes an Archvillain. The EB version gains additional powers if the player killed him on a previous run.

Default

Frostfire Dialogue

Bug! Although this message is clearly meant to play when approaching Frostfire, it plays at the beginning of combat with him instead and doesn't play at all if the player gets past Frostfire peacefully.

Frostfire

Briefing

Character... I'm guessing you're here for Marcus? You realize that it was Marcus himself who contacted me, asked me to get him out of there, right? That despite everything that was happening to him, he somehow managed in the few seconds he was free from his stasis pod, to freeze time and send a distress call, begging to be freed. He's done nothing wrong and just wanted to have his life back.
So before you go in there and try to get him back, let me ask you something... Why?

He's a danger to everyone.

A danger? No, he's just a dumb kid who has been abused by his father.

He seems to be watching you for a reaction.

You didn't know that, did you? That Marcus is Marcus Stribbling. That for the past six years, instead of being in school, making friends, going on a first date, all of that stuff, he has been kept in a stasis pod, only waking up when his dad was going to jab him with a needle to harvest cells from him or to test some new experimental drug on him.

Tell me, Character, does that sound like someone who is dangerous?

His father?!

Yeah, it's pretty messed up, isn't it? I don't know about you, Character. Do you have parents or someone you think of as parents? Even if you don't, I'm sure you can understand how cruel you have to be to do what Stribbling did to his own son.

The doctor would fit pretty well here in the Isles, wouldn't he? But he's sitting comfy in Paragon City while his own son had to run off to the Isles to escape him.

The doctor is horrible, yes. But I can't let the Isles have this kid.

You know what? I agree with you. The Isles will chew this kid up. He'll probably wind up dead or become a villain. But I tried to convince him to go back, to talk to Longbow or the police or Positron or something. He wouldn't listen. He's been broken by what's happened to him. He can't trust anyone except for himself.

If he's forced to go back, he'll never trust anyone and will lash out at every chance he gets. He'll eventually kill his father. He already killed his little brother. You think he'll ever recover from that? At least in the Isles, he can make his own choices, can forge his own destiny.

You're right. I can't force him to go home. He's free to go.

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

Really?

Frostfire looks shocked, then nods his head slowly.

Alright. Good. I'll let him know what you did for him, Character. I'll look out for the kid, try to help channel his anger for something constructive.

Thank you.

Don't make me regret this. (Leave)

Maybe I can convince him. We can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice for his crimes together.

Justice? You really think you can?

Frostfire stands in pensive silence for a few seconds, considering your words.

Alright. You've done some pretty awful things in the past, Character. Everyone says you're a vigilante who doesn't care about true justice. But maybe they're wrong. And even if they're not, maybe that's the type of person Marcus needs to get through to him.

I'll let you go in and talk to him without a fight. But if he refuses, I won't let you take him without a fight. Understand?

Completely.

Better a villain in Paragon, where he can be stopped, than in the Isles.

Fire begins to flicker around Frostfire's hands.

I can't let you take him back against his will. He'll fight you, then he'll get sent to jail. I know how that can ruin a person. You hate villains? Then don't turn Marcus into another Frostfire. Let him go. Maybe, just maybe, he'll find his way through here and come out better the other side.

You're right... Ok, Frostfire. I'll let him go.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

If he comes back with me, I can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I can't risk it. He comes back whether he wants to or not.

Then you leave me no choice!

White hot flames burst around Frostfire's arms. Get ready to fight!

(Get ready!)

I don't blame the kid for wanting to run.

Then why stop him? Let him go free. Maybe the Isles will chew him up and spit him out. But maybe it won't? Maybe he'll come through this all a better person. And no matter what, it'll be his choice. He'll finally have freedom. That's worth the risk.

You're right... Ok, Frostfire. I'll let him go.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

If he comes back with me, I can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I can't risk it. He comes back whether he wants to or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Even so, the kid is a murderer. He needs to be brought in.

A murderer? The kid's powers activated without him realizing it! He had to witness his own little brother revert to nothingness before his very eyes! It was a trauma to him. It's a miracle that he didn't break down right there and de-age himself out of existence.

But his father treated him like a monster, locked him up in that stasis tube, and started experimenting on him. The kid has suffered enough! You need to understand that.

That doesn't mean he should run to the Isles!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're right, I don't blame him for running.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

It doesn't matter. He has to come back with me, no matter what.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He still killed someone!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He can't control his powers.

You really believe that, after all I've told you? The kid is in full control of his powers. He's been out of that stasis pod for how long now? He's completely lucid and in control. I watched him use his powers, then stop using his powers. If he wasn't in control, how did he manage to freeze time long enough to get to his dad's computer and send a distress call?

Even worse. I can't let a powerful mutant like him be corrupted by the Isles.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't blame the kid for wanting to run.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Even so, the kid is a murderer. He needs to be brought in.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I still believe in the doctor's work.

Frostfire shakes his head in disbelief.

After all you've learned, you still trust him? He's a liar and a monster! What, did he tell you he'd only use his research to take away powers from "evil" people? When he counts his own son as evil just because the kid's powers activated at the worst possible time?

He's not going to stop with just villains, Character. Penny Yin, Aurora Borealis, Synapse, Mynx... He'll figure out some way to have their powers stolen from them too. And why stop at taking away people's powers? What about other genetic differences? It's eugenics, plain and simple.

Even if he doesn't do it, imagine what happens when the research falls into the hands of someone like Nemesis or the 5th Column. Who do you think they'll use the research on?

We can't stop progress just because someone evil might use it.

There's nothing progressive about what the doctor's doing. And there's no way in Hell I am letting that kid go back to be experimented on and tortured in the name of "progress". That's the same type of stuff Crey and the Council spout. Now you're saying the same thing? You realize what that makes you sound like, right?

You're right... But I can't let the Isles have him!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Stribbling does sound like the Council... Marcus can help bring him to justice!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Considering that, I don't blame the kid for running.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

That's rich, coming from a villain. I'm not letting the kid run.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Alright, you've convinced me... But I still can't let the kid be eaten by the Isles.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're right. And I don't blame the kid for running.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You think the doctor will stop just because Marcus got away? It'll only make him more obsessed!

Yeah, maybe so. So what? Let him find another guinea pig for his experiments. Or better yet, you stop him. You're supposed to bring down evil no matter the cost, right? So go do that, Character. Stop the real evil. Take down Dr. Stribbling.

I can't stop progress.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I will. But I can't let Marcus be lost to the Isles either!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I want to bring Dr. Stribbling to justice. But I'll need Marcus's testimony to do it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

The kid still killed someone.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I believe in the doctor's work.

You believe in the doctor's work? You *really* think that what the doctor is doing is right? You know that Marcus is his son?

He seems to be watching you for a reaction.

You didn't know that, did you? Or maybe you figured it out and didn't care... But Dr. Stribbling was experimenting on his own child. He had Marcus locked up in a stasis tube for the past six years, only allowed to wake up when he was going to have his cells harvested or get some experimental drug pumped into him.

That's torture, Character. You understand that, right? Do you really believe that a man who'd do such horrible things to his own son would use his research for good?

His father?!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He still killed someone!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He can't control his powers.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I still believe in the doctor's work.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He killed someone. He must face justice.

Killed someone?! You mean what happened to his little brother? That was a terrible, tragic mistake, Character! It doesn't meant the kid should be punished for it by being turned into a guinea pig by his own father!

He seems to be watching you for a reaction.

You didn't know that, did you? That Marcus is Marcus Stribbling. That for the past six years, instead of being in school, making friends, going on a first date, doing homework, all of that stuff, he has been kept in a stasis pod, only waking up when his dad was going to jab him with a needle to harvest cells from him or to test some new experimental drug on him.

Does that sound like justice, Character?

His father?!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He still killed someone!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He can't control his powers.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I still believe in the doctor's work.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Frostfire Combat Dialogue

Flashback only, player owns all four souvenirs from this story arc

Mender Roebuck

Briefing

Instead of Frostfire standing here, as you have witnessed so many times before, now stands one of the Menders of Ouroboros.
Character... You're here again.

Who are you?

He grimaces at you.

Well, maybe you haven't come to speak with me yet from your reference frame. But I've seen you many times. I am Mender Roebuck. I've... unfortunately been tasked with trying to dissuade you from the course of action you've unwisely chosen to take.

And what course of action is that?

To ensure that your actions proceed as they are supposed to. Marcus Stribbling is a lost cause. Perhaps you think you can change what fate has in store for him. You are mistaken. The more you fight against his destiny, the more you threaten a ripple becoming a reality which undermines all Ouroboros fights for.

So do I let Marcus go?

Arrest him, let him go, kill him... It doesn't matter. Either he dies or he becomes a villain and gets himself killed before he becomes a problem. Perhaps you are coming back here to just experience doing one of those things again. If so, then Ouroboros's caution is unwarranted.

But know this, attempting to free him from that path will only lead to pain for yourself. Make it easy on us both and don't try anything cute.

Is that a threat?

Yes. I am very thankful you're capable of understanding that. Ouroboros is threatening you. So take the easy path and do as we say.

I'll do what I believe is best. You have no say in it.

He lets out a groan.

In matters of time, Ouroboros has all of the say. But if you wish to allow yourself to be pierced by the arrow of time, it is to your own jeopardy.

And while I have all the time in eternity, I have no more of it for this little diversion. You've been warned.

There is a flash of light and he disappears.

(Leave)

Fine. I won't try to do anything different this time.

Oh yes, well, I certainly believe you fully. Maybe you are speaking honestly, though. Regardless, the message has been delivered. And while I have all the time in eternity, I have no more of it for this little diversion. You've been warned.

There is a flash of light and he disappears.

(Leave)

So do I kill Marcus?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

So do I give Marcus back to his father?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

So do I arrest Marcus so he can escape?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What happened to Frostfire?

He lets out an exasperated sigh.

Is he really the most important thing right now? Worry not about him. He's important to the timeline as a... safeguard against certain potential future... calamities.

He looks you up and down with contempt.

He's been put into a temporal cavity while we deal with this little conundrum you're attempting to cause. Assuming you allow the timeline to play out as it should, this reality will be little more than a ripple and collapse into nonexistence. None of this will have ever happened.

And what conundrum is that?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Calamities?

There are potential timelines where someone attains... an unthinkable amount of power and acts very recklessly with it. The ripples which lead to that timeline are weak, but Frostfire must survive in case they become strong.

There is no more I will say on this matter.

Then why are you here?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What happened to Frostfire?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What are you doing here?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Again?

He rolls his eyes and hooks his thumbs into his belt.

Yes, Ouroboros knows that you have been coming back to deal with these particular... troubled times repeatedly.

First time

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.
Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. If he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?
Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
Who... Who are you? Where's Lenny? What do you want with me?

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.

What?! No, I'm not going with you anywhere! Who are you?! Get away from me!

You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.

No! No, I'll never go back to him! I'd rather die!

I'll just have to make you! (Attack)

Everything seems to speed up around you as Marcus focuses his powers on you.

(Get ready!)

Whoa, whoa! Hold on. No one wants you to die.

You think that, huh? Well, the doctor wants to kill me. Or take away my powers, which is just as good as dead. So I'm gonna kill him before he can kill me. And if you try to stop me, I'll kill you too.

You sound like a villain.

Yeah, so? I want to be a villain! I'm a bad guy, right? I'm a killer! You heroes aren't worth a damn thing. If you were, one of you would have saved me. I wouldn't have had to save myself. No one's gonna look out for me but me. I'm going to kill the doctor, kill anyone who tries to stop me, and then kill anyone who ever tries to lock me up again. I don't care what I've gotta do to get my revenge.

I'm trying to look out for you, Marcus.

You?! You're just here to try to get me to go back! You're lying to me, just like everyone else lied to me. You wanna lock me up? You're gonna have to kill me first!

What about Frostfire and Miss Thystle? They brought you here! They didn't lie.

He hesitates for a second, almost like you're getting through to him. Then he shakes his head angrily.

Yeah, maybe they did, but so what?! They're the bad guys, right? The only people who did right by me are people you guys call evil. So why wouldn't I want to be one of them?

Besides, if I go back to Paragon City, they won't let me kill the doctor. They'll stop me before I'm strong enough to do it. It's only here that I'll be able to do what I want. You want to take me back, you're gonna have to kill me first.

You leave me no choice... I have to stop you! (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Fine... I can't stop you, kid. Go. (Complete mission)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Heroic Alignment Point.

For the first time since you started talking to him, Marcus looks genuinely surprised.

You won't? You're just going to let me go?

A curious expression crosses his face. Relief? Happiness? Fear? Regret? Maybe all of them. But it quickly disappears and a bravado emerges.

Hah, of course you will. You're weak and worthless, just like every other hero. You couldn't help me, so you sure as hell can't stop me. So yeah, I'll let you go too. Get out of here!

I will. Just... Don't let darkness take you over, kid.

He stares at you for a moment, then turns his back to you and slowly starts to walk away.

(Leave)

Bye, kid. Good luck. (Leave)

Marcus's Fate

You decided you could not force Marcus to return to Paragon City... either to his father or to the authorities. You let him go into the Rogue Isles, to whatever fate may await him.

Fine, kid. I'll take you down. But remember, you asked for this. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Frostfire and Miss Thystle begged me to let you go. They care about you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're already too far gone. I'm going to stop you! (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Don't turn into a killer, kid. Let me do it for you.

What? NO! He's mine! He didn't hurt you. He hurt me! You don't get to take that away from me! If you try to kill him, I'll kill you first!

You're too far gone, kid. I have to stop you! (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

... Fine. I can't stop you. (Complete mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Fine. I'm not going to force you to go with me. (Complete mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I can't let you do that, kid. I'm sorry. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Your father just wants to help you.

Help me?! He tortured me. He kept me locked up in a pod for who knows how long?! He pumped me full of drugs so I couldn't keep my powers in check! Half the time I was slowing time down for myself, so it was like every second was an hour! It was horrible! The rest of the time I was speeding things up so much that it was all a blur. I could barely understand what was happening.

He's a monster! The only thing I want to do with him is to kill him!

Well, guess I'll just have to make you come back. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Kill him? You sound like a villain!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Sometimes it hurts to be helped. Your father understood that.

Stop calling him my father! If you are helping him, I'll kill you too!

You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.

You made this choice, kid. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.

Trust you? I don't even know you! Get away from me!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I want to help you.

You want to help me, then you can just let me go. Let me get stronger so that I can come back and kill that monster. I want to stop him from ever hurting anyone again. And I want let anyone stop me. Not you, not Longbow, not even Positron! Nobody!

That sounds like the words of a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Don't become a killer. I already am one. You want him dead, I'll do it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I won't stop you. (Complete mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

Justice? Justice?!

Marcus laughs at that.

I don't want him to be brought to "justice". I know what happens to people like him! They just get back out on the street, working for the government or Longbow or something. Doing the same thing they were doing before, just "legit". I only want him dead. So he can't hurt anyone else ever again.

And stop calling him my "father". That man is not my father! He's just a monster.

Kill him? Those are villain words.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You want him dead? Fine. Let me take care of it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You have to come back to Paragon with me, Marcus!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I just want to help you!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Alright. Fine. I won't force you to go. (Complete mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

He frowns and shakes his head.

What do you know about me? You don't know anything! You're just like all the others, trying to get me to go back to him. I'm never going back, you hear? Never!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa there. My name is Character. I want to bring your father down.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

Your words seem to calm him down a little.

A hero? Did Lenny send you? You're going to help me take out that monster?

If by monster, you mean your father, then yes. I want to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.

What?! He sent you? He's a monster! I'm never going back to him, not until I'm strong enough to kill him! I'm not going to let him hurt me or anyone else ever again! Him and everyone else that hurt me!

Marcus, no... You want to stop your father, do it the right way. Bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You want him dead? Fine. Let me take care of it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Those sound like the words of a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Look, you're coming back with me one way or another.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Flashback only

First time, but through Flashback

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.
Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. If he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?
Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
Who... Who are you? Where's Lenny? What do you want with me? What... What's with those ripples?

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Ripples?

Yeah, around you... Like... You're not all that you should be.

Whatever, it doesn't matter! Answer my question!

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I've traveled through time to come back and save you.

Save me?! Time travel? What are you... Man, just tell me what's going on!

One souvenir from this arc, didn't kill Marcus last time

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.

Freed last time

Last time, you let him walk away, but is it right to allow him to become a villain? If you say something different, can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. If he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?

Arrested last time

Last time, you sent him to the Zig, only for him to escape. This time, can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. If he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Is his father the only one who can contain him?

Returned last time

Last time, you sent him back to his father. This time, can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. If he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Should you try sending him to the Zig this time?

Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
Huh... So it's you. Why are you here?

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.

I'm not going anywhere with you! I don't know why you think I'm gonna change my mind!

You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.

Trust you? I still don't know who you are! Get away from me!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I want to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

He frowns and shakes his head.

You think you know all about me now? You still don't know anything! You're just like all the others, trying to get me to go back to him. I'm never going back, you hear? Never!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa there. My name is Character. I want to bring your father down.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

Your words don't seem to have much effect.

I know you don't mean you're gonna help me take down that monster. Not the way I want to!

If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

One souvenir, killed Marcus last time

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.
You killed him last time, but was there another way? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. If he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?
Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
You... you. Why are you here?! You're here to hurt me, aren't you?!

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away, clearly terrified.

I knew it! Why are you doing this?! I'm not going anywhere with you!

You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.

Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more fear.

I... I don't believe you! I know what people like you are capable of! You're going to kill me.

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I want to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

I... Because...

He is breathing deeply, eyes never leaving you.

Because that's what you do, right? I... I just know you're going to do it.

Look, I'm not going to kill you, but you're coming back to Paragon with me.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I don't kill people like you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're wrong. My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

Eyes wide with fear, Marcus shakes his head wildly.

And what, if I don't go, you're gonna kill me?! You're just like all the others, trying to get me to go back to him. I'm never going back, you hear? Never! I'd rather die!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa there. My name is Character. I want to bring your father down.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.

Your words only seem to make him more afraid.

No... No, you're just like that monster! I know... I know you're not going to help me kill him. You're going to kill me.

If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Two different souvenirs, neither from killing Marcus

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.

Freed and arrested

You've tried sending him to the Zig and just letting him go. But in the former, he escaped. Either way, he'll go on to become a villain. Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. Should you really return him to his father? That might be the best thing... But if he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?

Freed and returned

You've tried sending him back to his father and just letting him go. But in the former, he's going to be experimented on. In the latter, he'll just go on to villainy. Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. Would the Zig be able to hold him? That might be the best thing... But if he's going to become a villain no matter what you do, isn't it better to stop him now, before he can hurt anyone else? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?

Arrested and returned

You've tried returning him to his father and sending him to the Zig. But in the former, he'll just be experimented on. In the latter, he escaped to become a villain. Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. But if the choice is between him being tortured for the rest of his life or becoming a villain no matter what you do, isn't it best just to end him? He's already shown that he's willing to let others get hurt for his own freedom. Isn't that wrong too?

Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
You... I've seen you before, haven't I? Who are you? I know Lenny didn't send you.

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.
I told you I'm not going anywhere with you! I don't know why you think I'm gonna change my mind!

You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.

Trust you? Even if I have seen you before, I don't trust you! I don't know a thing about you! Get away from me, for real!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I want to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

He frowns and shakes his head.

Why do you think you know so much about me? You're not inside my head. You can't ever know what I've been through! You're just like all the others, trying to get me to go back to him. I'm never, ever going to go back with you! Never! Get it?!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa there. My name is Character. I want to bring your father down.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

Your words don't seem to have much effect.

What do you think saying that is gonna do? You think I'm going to believe that you want to bring down that monster? I know you won't. You won't!

If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Two different souvenirs, one from killing Marcus

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.

Freed and killed

You tried just letting him go, but allowing him to become a revenge obsessed villain can't be how it's meant to go. Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. Should you return him to his father and doom him to torture? Or maybe the Zig can hold him... Though if he escapes, that might even be worse. You killed him once before... But that can't be the way this should end, can it?

Arrested and killed

You tried to return him to the Zig, but he just escaped to become a villain. Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. You killed him once before... But that can't be the way this should end, can it?

Returned and killed

You returned him to his father, but that just means he'll be tortured. Can he be talked down? Can he be convinced to go back to Paragon City without a fight? Maybe. Maybe not. If he can't be talked down, should you let him go? If you do, will it just doom him to the life of villainy? Would the Zig be able to hold him or will he just escape anyway? His powers are clearly dangerous, but he's still young and doesn't know how to fully use them. You killed him once before... But that can't be the way this should end, can it?

Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
You... you. I... know you from somewhere, don't I? Are you... Are you here to hurt me?

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away, clearly terrified.

No! I know you're just trying to get me to trust you so you can kill me! I'm not stupid!

You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

I... Because...

He is breathing deeply, eyes never leaving you.

Because... I know he sent you. I know what you can do! I don't want to die, but I'd rather die than go back to him. So you're gonna have to kill me if you want to take me back!

Look, I'm not going to kill you, but you're coming back to Paragon with me.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I don't kill people like you.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

You're wrong. My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.

Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more fear.

You... You're just trying to trick me! Pretending to be friendly so you can kill me. He sent you, didn't he?!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Hey, hold on. I'm Character. I'm a hero. I want to help you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

Eyes wide with fear, Marcus shakes his head wildly.

You're going to kill me if I don't go back?! What, did he get tired of dealing with me and decided to just try to finish me off if I won't be his prisoner again? Well, it's too late! I'm never going back to him! I'd rather die a million times!

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa there. My name is Character. I want to bring your father down.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.

Your words only seem to make him more afraid.

Are you... Are you really here to help? To help me kill that monster? No... Are you going to kill me? Why are you trying to confuse me?!

If by monster, you mean your father, then I want to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.

The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.

Why do you think I want to kill you?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Three different souvenirs, never killed Marcus

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.
You returned him to his father and doomed him to painful experimentation for the rest of his life. You tried letting him go, but that just means he's going to be a revenge obsessed villain. And when you sent him to the Zig, he just escaped to become a villain anyway! You've dedicated yourself to protecting people no matter the cost... A clean death is far better than a life of constant torture. Right?
Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.
You... Why are you here? Do you think you can change what's going to happen?

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

Marcus widens his eyes and takes a stiff step back. He lets out a sigh.

What makes you think I'll go with you? What in your experience makes you think I'll just give up and go?

You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.

You'll have to kill me before I go back, you know. You can't make me go back any other way. I die or he dies. The two choices; a binary. Walk or run. Negative or positive. Hot or cold. You've already faced the contradictions.

You mean when I fought Frostfire?

Hmm... Was that Frostfire? Did you fight him? I don't know, maybe it happened differently this time.

But sure, if that's what you think I mean, it might as well be right. I don't know what I mean either.

This... this isn't how it's supposed to happen.

No? How's it supposed to happen? Do you give me back to him, turn me over to the police, or let me go? Your choices, your consequences. Or do you kill me? You could do that... It's better than forcing me back into the lab; I said I'd rather die than go back and I meant it. So if you think my father's life is more important than mine, then kill me this time. Or let me go so I can kill him, then stop messing with me.

I didn't want to do this... (Attack)

Everything seems to speed up as Marcus focuses his powers on you.

Around and around it goes.

(Get ready)

I can't kill you... (Complete mission)

Have you finally figured out that you can't stop me from doing what I need to do? That it won't change no matter what you do? Hey, don't feel too bad. At least you tried, right? Gotta give you some credit for that. More than most people ever did for me.

I don't know how this all works. I guess I'll walk out of here and figure it out. I'll kill him and put this all to an end. Or will you try to stop me again?

Marcus's Fate

You decided you could not force Marcus to return to Paragon City... either to his father or to the authorities. You let him go into the Rogue Isles, to whatever fate may await him.

I will. Just... Don't let darkness take you over, kid.

He turns his back to you and slowly starts to walk away.

Don't know if you were expecting something different, but it ain't happening.

(Leave)

You... know more than you should.

+++ Missing Information +++

Bye, kid. Good luck. (Leave)

You're more dangerous than I thought. I have to stop you!

Sure, sure. Each time I'm stronger, you know, if you hadn't realized that. Eventually I'll beat you until you stop getting up. But you've made your choice this time. This time one of us ends up dead.

You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.

(Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I can force you without killing you! (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa, whoa! Hold on. No one wants you to die.

You still believe that? After everything you've seen, everything you've learned? He doesn't care about me! If I die, that's just an inconvenience to him. I died the day my brother did, in his mind.

So he's going to die instead. I'll make sure of it.

You sound like a villain.

Yeah. I am. That much is established by now. Nothing's going to change that. A good, wholesome life isn't something I get to have. It was taken away from me, just like I took it away from my brother. So I've got to embrace it. I'm the big bad. I will kill the people who get in my way. It's the only way forward... Unless I die first.

I'm trying to look out for you, Marcus.

Yeah, so what? Why do you care so much, huh? No one asked you to look out for me. The only thing anyone asked you to do was to drag me back to my prison in that lab. Nothing you're going to do will change that or anything else.

So make your choice. Is it going to be new this time?

What about Frostfire and Miss Thystle? They brought you here! They didn't lie.

Yeah... So I keep getting told. But does it matter? You can't change fate. I live, he dies. I die, he lives. Those are the two outcomes. It doesn't matter if Frostfire and Miss Thystle care about me. It doesn't matter if you care about me for some reason. It winds up the same in the end.

You leave me no choice... I have to stop you! (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Fine... I can't stop you, kid. Go. (Complete mission)

+++ Missing Information +++

Fine, kid. I'll take you down. But remember, you asked for this.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Frostfire and Miss Thystle begged me to let you go. They care about you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're already too far gone. I'm going to stop you!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Don't turn into a killer, kid. Let me do it for you.

He laughs at you.

You're gonna seriously try to tell me that? He's evil, but he's brilliant and paranoid. He doesn't trust you, so the first sign that you're going to betray him, he'll disappear. You know I'm telling the truth! No, the only one who can do it is me. It has to be me who kills him. Not just because I deserve to have revenge, but because I'm the only one who can pull it off.

You're too far gone, kid. I have to stop you!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

... Fine. I can't stop you.

+++ Missing Information +++

Fine. I'm not going to force you to go with me.

+++ Missing Information +++

I can't let you do that, kid. I'm sorry. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Your father just wants to help you.

You know that's not true! You've gotten all the evidence that he didn't care anything about me! I am nothing more than a reminder of everything he lost, so he did all he could to destroy me. Pumped me full of drugs, kept me in stasis. But maybe now I'm just in another type of stasis?

It doesn't matter. This ends in one of two ways. I kill him or you kill me. There aren't any different options this time.

Well, guess I'll just have to make you come back. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Kill him? You sound like a villain!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Sometimes it hurts to be helped. Your father understood that.

That is... really the least convincing thing that you've said to me, you know? I'm surprised you think it could work. Figured you'd know better by now... You gotta know it's not true, so you're just lying to me... for what?

So, yeah, sometimes being helped hurts. And sometimes it doesn't matter how much you're helped, the hurting doesn't stop. So it's time we end this again.

You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.

You made this choice, kid. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

Marcus half-heartedly pulls himself away.

Do you think you've earned my trust? Why do you think I'm going to just trust you?

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I want to help you.

If you really want to help me, then let me go! Stop talking to me, stop trying to change things! It won't work. It won't. I'm going to kill him, Character, and there's nothing you can do to stop me.

That sounds like the words of a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Don't become a killer. I already am one. You want him dead, I'll do it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I won't stop you. (Complete mission)

+++ Missing Information +++

Wait... How did you know who I am?

I wonder... Must have seen you before. On the news or the TV. It must be that, right? No other reason makes sense.

But it doesn't matter. Make your choice. Let me kill him or kill me. Those are your choices.

That sounds like the words of a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Don't become a killer. I already am one. You want him dead, I'll do it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I won't stop you. (Complete mission)

+++ Missing Information +++

My name is Character. I want to bring your father to justice.

You think I haven't heard this all before? So many times, so many times... And it never convinces me! Do you know why? Because there's no other way it can be. Some things never change and one of those is how much I hate that monster.

The only justice that can come for him is death. It's the only way.

Kill him? Those are villain words.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You want him dead? Fine. Let me take care of it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You have to come back to Paragon with me, Marcus!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I just want to help you!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Alright. Fine. I won't force you to go. (Complete mission)

+++ Missing Information +++

I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

He sighs and shakes his head.

Do you think you've learned enough about me to talk me out of what I'm going to do? You're kidding yourself. You're delusional. I think the definition of insane is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, right? I heard that once, sometime...

So get it through your skull... I'm not going back with you. Not now, not before, not ever.

Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whoa there. My name is Character. I want to bring your father down.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

Your words don't seem to have much effect.

You know, even if you wanted to help me bring down that monster, it's not going to work. He's smarter than you. He's smarter than either of us. The only way to stop him is to let me go, so I can plan to kill him when he gets complacent. You can't keep me from that.

If by monster, you mean your father, then I want to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.

I know he did. Why else would you be coming after me? He must have done something... He's smart enough to do it. That's why I can't go back to him, not willingly. He'll do worse than whatever's going on now. So I have to kill him. It has to be me. It can't be anyone else.

Marcus, no... You want to stop your father, do it the right way. Bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You want him dead? Fine. Let me take care of it.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Those sound like the words of a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Look, you're coming back with me one way or another.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Change? What do you mean, change?

You don't know? You've walked through blizzards and conflagrations to get to me. I can still see the marks on you. I just didn't understand what it was until just now.

But you can't change things. You can't. Someone dies in the end. Me or the monster who made me. I guess you get to choose.

You mean you see how I fought Frostfire?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

This... this isn't how it's supposed to happen.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Blizzards and conflagrations... Ice and Flame?

Yeah. Yeah, that's it. Ice and Flame. I can mess with time a little bit, but that's on another level. Big bang and heat death. Past and future. Life and death. I kill my father or I get killed by you. Those are the only two outcomes, you know?

So which do you choose?

I have to stop you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I can't kill you. (Complete mission)

+++ Missing Information +++

Three different souvenirs, one for killing Marcus

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come face to face with Marcus Stribbling. He really does look like a little kid. A scared kid. But fear is dangerous. And there's more than just fear there. There's anger, hate, and paranoia. He doesn't trust anyone. Not his father, not Frostfire, not Longbow, and not you.

Freed, arrested, killed

You tried arresting him, letting him go, even killing him. None seem right. Maybe returning him to his fa -

Freed, returned, killed

You tried sending him back to his father, letting him go, even killing him. None seem right. Maybe the Zig could h -

Arrested, returned, killed

You tried arresting him, sending him back to his father, even killing him. Maybe letting him go -

Do you really need to stand there and think about this again?! You know what the choices are here! Don't try convincing me. I've heard it all before, over and over and over! You already killed me once... Or did you do it more than that? Are you coming back to do it again?
Whatever! I don't care! Are you gonna let me go this time or are we going to fight?

Whoa! Ok, fine. I'll let you go!

He immediately turns and runs, giving you no more chance to do anything else.

That... That wasn't how it was supposed to go down.

(Leave)

Bug! Although this choice is probably supposed to complete the mission, it actually just ends and resets the conversation. Talking to him again and choosing any other dialogue option allows the player to fight and defeat him, then choose to free him.

What are you talking about?!

No! I'm not listening to you any more!

Everything seems to speed up around you as Marcus focuses his powers on you.

(Get ready)

How do you remember?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

All four souvenirs

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

You come to Marcus Stribbling, expecting the repeat of a scene you've experienced so many times before. Instead, he sits on the deck of the ship, facing away from you.
You took a bit longer to get here this time than before.

Before?

Yeah, the other times you've been here. The other times you tried to... Well, I don't know what you were trying to do. Why'd you keep coming back to me, same time and same time again? Were you trying to stop me? Trying to catch my father?

I wanted to stop you.

Really? But you did that a couple of times. Turned me over to my father once; killed me once. So I guess you just killed me twice, to be honest.

You really think your father would have killed you?

You don't? He was gonna do it eventually. Maybe he was telling himself that he'd "cure" me. But even if he did figure out how to get rid of my powers, I know he'd never stop at that with me. He didn't hate my powers. He hated me. And I hate him back.

So do you still want to stop me?

I was looking for a different way.

A different way? You've tried this again and again. What different way is there? You let me go, I go and kill my father. You arrest me, my father runs, I escape, and I kill him. You turn me over to him and he keeps me locked up for the rest of my life. Or you kill me. Those are the ways.

What different way is there?

You walk away from all this.

You know that's not going to happen. I can't live in peace while the man who tormented me for so long is out there, still trying to hurt others. If he's allowed to just walk free, he'll eventually figure out how to steal the powers from mutants like me. I can't let that happen.

So let me kill him.

You? No... You know that won't work, right? You've seen it time and time again. If you don't come back with me, he runs. He's prepared for you to betray him. Even if you do send me back, he won't stay where he is. You know too much. He'll be gone before you ever get there. Only I can kill him.

Wait, you're still going after him?

Yeah. Of course. Every time you came after me, it was just more proof that my father is a monster who needs to be stopped. I've had this day repeated for me so many times, each time the hate for him building up in me. It's just compounding. Plus, I know you never were able to get him. Only I can do it. It'll make the world a better place!

Maybe you're right. Take the knowledge you learned and get him. (Complete mission)

I'll do my best! You know, you might not like the results of what happens after all. You might come back here again. If you do, I'll let it play out the same as long as you do. Maybe you can do something different and surprise us both!

You feel time begin to warp around you, then Marcus suddenly blinks out of existence. He must have stopped time and left. His powers certainly seem to be stronger... But it seems apparent that he'll still be walking down the path of the villain.

Marcus's Fate

You decided you could not force Marcus to return to Paragon City... either to his father or to the authorities. You let him go into the Rogue Isles, to whatever fate may await him.

(Leave)

We should work together! Take him down the right way.

Justice, huh. What does that even mean? Like, my father was... is... Damn, I don't even know the right terms to use. Whatever, he's a monster. Letting me go off and kill him would be justice. Right?

But that leads to you becoming a villain.

Yeah, so? I don't care. Even now, I don't care. Who gets called a villain or a hero depends on who you ask. I'm going to do something I know is right. My father doesn't deserve to live.

You're right.

Yeah. I am. Which is why the only way to stop him is for me to kill him. Maybe if you let me go this time, I can finish him. I know enough now. All this fighting, over and over, it's made me stronger. So let me go and I'll finish this, once and for all.

So if I let you go, you're going to kill him?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I hope so, Marcus. Good luck.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe there's another way.

No there isn't. You keep trying, but you keep failing. If you don't come back with me, he runs. He's prepared for you to betray him. Even if you do send me back, he won't stay where he is. You know too much. He'll be gone before you ever get there. Only I can kill him.

So if I let you go, you're going after him?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe we can use that against him, though.

Huh? What do you mean?

We trick him. Trap him. He doesn't know about all of this.

You're right. Yeah... Yeah, we can do this! I got it. I can put myself into temporal stasis, then you send me back to my father. He'll think you're working for him still and try to drug me again. But it won't work because I'm in stasis.

Then I'll release myself and send you the location of the lab. I'll disable his alarms. You can come in. We can take him down together!

Let's do it. (Complete mission)

Alright. I'll put myself in stasis now. Once I'm down, send me back to him like you've done before. He'll never know what's coming.

Marcus lays down on the ground and closes his eyes. The change is almost imperceptible... or maybe you just imagine it. But there is definitely a now-familiar warping of time as he activates his powers. You kneel down and place the teleporter on him to return him to his father's lab.

Marcus's Fate

After continually trying to change the past and save Marcus, you seem to have finally succeeded. You sent Marcus back to his father's lab, though he has used his powers to protect himself from being put into stasis. You'll be meeting him there soon to bring justice to his father.

(Leave)

We go together. He can't face both of us.

Together? Maybe, but... We can't just go to him. He'll realize something is wrong if you go to him without sending me. He'll run, just like he did every other time.

No... No, we need to trick him. We need to trap him! I have an idea. You send me back, but... let me put myself in a temporal stasis first. It will look like you've knocked me out and he'll try to drug me again, but because I'll be in stasis it won't affect me.

Then I'll release myself and send you the location of the lab. I'll disable his alarms. You can come in. We can take him down together!

Let's do it. (Complete mission)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No. He deserved to be punished by the law.

Does he?! Why? You know what happens to people like him, right? They sit in prison for a while, then they break out or someone breaks them out... Or worse, someone important decides that he's worth letting out, so long as he works for them. Then he gets protected so that no one can touch him.

No, he doesn't deserve to be let go. I have to kill him. That's the only way.

Maybe there's another way.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

So you still plan to kill him?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I really wanted to kill him though.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe we can use that against him, though.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe you're right.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What if there's another way?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I kill him.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

We work together to bring him to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe you're right.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I enjoyed the fight.

You do? Well... Why not go around again? I feel like each time we fight, I get a little bit stronger. So do you too, I bet. Maybe this is the point of all this. We keep fighting until one of us gets strong enough.

Let's go! (Attack)

He nods and you start to feel the familiar sensations of time warping around you. This time you can see flashes of the Pillar of Ice and Fire that brought you back to this moment in time. It seems as if time is being warped even more than normal.

Maybe it'll be different this time.

(Get ready)

Wait. No. I want to try a different way!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I was looking for a different way.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I enjoyed the fight.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I wanted to save you.

To save me? Just let me go, that's what you need to do. You've done it before. I go and kill my father. Why not just do it again?

But that leads to you becoming a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No. He deserved to be punished by the law.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I really wanted to kill him though.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I wanted to save your father.

Really? Why would you want to save him? You told me you believed in his work once. I think. It might not have been the you who is you, but a you who might have been or wasn't. It's real confusing, man.

Besides, you turned me over to him at least once. That didn't work?

To save him from his own hate.

He shakes his head.

I don't know if that can happen. How would he? He'll never let me be free... If I go back, he'll try to capture me again. Or run because he's afraid. No. He can't be saved. I think you know that.

Maybe you're right.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

But why not try a different way?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I honestly don't know.

He chuckles.

Man, after all this, and you still don't know something? I figured you must have figured everything out by now!

Oh well. I don't know anything either. So... What do we do now?

I think we fight again. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I wanted to stop your father.

Hmm, yeah. I guess that makes sense. He kept getting away from you, didn't he? He was ready to skip town the second anything felt off to him. I think that's why he went back to his lab before you went back to the city. Hedging his bets in case you didn't bring me back.

Sorry you never could catch him.

So you don't want to kill him any more?

Huh? What made you think that? Every time you came after me, it was just more proof that my father is a monster who needs to be stopped. I've had this day repeated for me so many times, each time the hate for him building up in me. It's just compounding. Plus, I know you never were able to get him. Only I can do it. It'll make the world a better place!

Maybe you're right. Take the knowledge you learned and get him.

+++ Missing Information +++

We should work together! Take him down the right way.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

There's still a way.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I just wanted to see what would happen.

Heh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Try messing around with time, see what gets spit out. Gotta admit, it sounds pretty cool. But why me? Why not, like... stop Statesman from getting killed or warn people about the Rikti? Why bother with me?

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Those can't be changed.

Says who? Them? What if they're lying?

Before you can answer, he shakes his head and lets out a sigh.

But I dunno, I'm still confused about all of this. I guess it doesn't matter much, does it? Even with my powers, I can't travel through time. They can.

So what do we do now?

I think we fight again. (Attack)

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Changing something big can be dangerous. Changing something small...

Really? I guess that makes sense.

He laughs.

I guess I'm just a small thing, then. Not big in the whole scheme of things. That kinda... feels good, yeah? I'd been worried with all this that I was someone important.

So what do we do now?

I think we fight again. (Attack)

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Ouroboros doesn't want it changed. That's enough reason for me.

Orborbus? What's that?

No. Or-oh-boar-os.

Or-oh-boar-os. Ouroboros. Ok...

Still doesn't answer my question about who they are.

They're a group of time travelers who prevent other people from messing with the past.

But they're letting you keep coming back to change things around? Why?

I really don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

It's complicated.

Alright. Yeah. I barely understand what's going on and I can control time, so... I believe you.

So... What do we do now?

I think we fight again. (Attack)

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Well, it's more they want time changed to prevent the destruction of the universe.

The destruction of the universe? Uh...

His eyes are wide with awe.

Well. Ok. I don't know how I could have anything to do with that. But, uh... I don't really want to think about that either.

So what do we do now?

I think we fight again. (Attack)

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Honestly, I don't know. They're kinda weird.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I had to see justice done.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I had complications getting here.

Oh, yeah. You mean the Crooked Eights, I bet. I was wondering what they were up to. They didn't hurt Lenny, did they?

Crooked Eights?

Yeah. You know, those guys with the big eights on their shirts. There's the one guy with the big, spiky hair, the dude with the weird glasses, the pretty lady with the crazy eyes, that other dude with the weird glasses.

They're called Ouroboros.

Orborious? What's that mean?

No. Or-oh-boar-os.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

They're a group of time travelers who prevent other people from messing with the past.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Honestly, I don't know. They're kinda weird.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Wait, you've seen Mender Silos?

Silos?

You describe Mender Silos to him.

Yeah, that's the one. He sounds pretty important. That's pretty cool, that someone so important is keeping watch on me. I wonder why, though?

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

It must be because you can manipulate time.

Yeah, those guys are time travelers too, right? I never really got a close look at them to make sure, but it always seemed like they had some ripples around them too. So it makes sense that they're after me.

Do you think they want me to join them?

Yeah, that must be it.

He gives you a wry smile.

Alright. Well, I guess they're having you come back in time over and over to test me, make me stronger.

So... What do we do now?

I think we fight again.

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No... They didn't care if you died.

Oh.

He looks away and takes a deep breath.

Well... It's happened before. Hopefully it doesn't need to happen again, huh?

What are we going to do now?

I think we fight again.

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What are these ripples you're talking about?

It's hard to explain... It's like, when I look at you, I see a bunch of afterimages. Like everything is a few milliseconds out of sync. I think it's me seeing different possibilities, different things that you've done or will do in this moment but aren't doing now. That doesn't make sense, does it?

I have no idea.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Yeah, time travel is really weird.

He laughs.

Yeah, I'm the one on this side of it and I think it's strange. I can't imagine how weird it is for you actually being the one going back and changing stuff. That's pretty wild! I wonder if I'll ever get to do that?

He shakes his head.

Well, this isn't time to think about the future. The present - or I guess the past to you - is what we gotta pay attention to. So what are we gonna do?

I think we fight again. (Attack)

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You must be important to the timeline somehow...

Really?

He looks down at his feet and remains silent for a few moments.

I... I can't be important, can I? No, maybe... Maybe it's because of you? That must be it. It's because you're important and this is important for you.

I don't know...

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Yeah, that must be it.

Yeah... Yeah...

He shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts.

So, I guess the only thing left is for us to decide what happens next.

I think we fight again. (Attack)

+++ Missing Information +++

Since you've realized things, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We break fate. We bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm pretty sure he's actually Nemesis.

Nemesis? He's a pretty bad dude, right? Guess it just goes to show that I become a serious villain, if that guy is watching me! You think I become some sort of rival to him in the future?

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

It must be because you can manipulate time.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You must be important to the timeline somehow...

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

That's an infinity symbol, not an eight.

Oh, huh... Ok. Is that important?

Not really. Why are they so interested in you?

I dunno. You know more about them than I do. What do you think?

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

It must be because you can manipulate time.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You must be important to the timeline somehow...

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You've seen Ouroboros?

Yeah, but like never straight on. I used to think I was crazy or something. I'd see a weird person in a uniform in the corner of my vision where there shouldn't be anyone. Watching me, like they were trying to figure out what my deal was. But the past couple of loops they've been more visible. One of them was with the Freaks that Miss T was working with. Another was part of the ship crew that brought me here. They weren't wearing the uniforms then, but they were the same people I'd seen before.

Why are you so important to them?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

How do you remember all of this? Me coming back?

Yeah, but no one else seemed to realize anything was happening... Even you acted like things were still the same, mostly. I knew I was acting different, but not you. I guess you did that on purpose. Probably because I wasn't supposed to realize it. But eventually I started seeing the ripples... And you did let it slip a little bit, eventually.

I bet it's because of my time powers. They're messing with the time loop that you're stuck in, making it so that I realize what's happening. And I figured you're stuck in the loop because of me, right?

This isn't a time loop.

It's not? If it's not a time loop, then how come the day keeps repeating?

I'm time traveling and replaying these events.

Really?

His eyes actually widen in excitement.

So... You keep coming back to do all this? Why?

I wanted to stop you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I wanted to save you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I wanted to save your father.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I wanted to stop your father.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I just wanted to see what would happen.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I had to see justice done.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

It doesn't matter. I don't think Ouroboros wants you to know.

Ouroboros? You must mean those Crooked Eight guys. There's the one guy with the big, spiky hair, the dude with the weird glasses, the pretty lady with the crazy eyes, that other dude with the weird glasses.

Wait, you've seen Mender Silos?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

That's an infinity symbol, not an eight.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You've seen Ouroboros?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No one else has ever noticed when I time traveled.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

This explains why Ouroboros is so interested in you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What are these ripples you're talking about?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Mender Roebuck said he's fine.

Oh. You trust them?

Yes.

Alright. Well, I hope you're right. Lenny's a pretty good guy. He tried to save me in every loop, you know, always trying to get me on the straight and narrow.

Why didn't you listen to him?

I'm too angry. I bet you're thinking, "Hey, he doesn't seem angry!" That's because I tried being angry with you and you kept coming back. So I'm being friendly with you. So, while I'm still friendly, what do we do now?

We go back to being enemies and fight. (Attack)

+++ Missing Information +++

If we're friendly, I let you go.

+++ Missing Information +++

We use this friendship to bring your father to justice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He's still a villain.

I don't think he wants to be one any more. He wants to be a good guy... I don't know why. But like I said, he was trying to help me out, so I want him to be alright.

Why didn't you listen to him?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't know if he ever will.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't know about that.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't know.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No.

Oh...

He looks rather bothered by that.

Well... If you decide to go through this all again, can you make sure he's ok? I don't want him to get hurt. He tried to save me in every loop, you know, always trying to get me on the straight and narrow.

Why didn't you listen to him?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He's still a villain.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't know about that.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.

He laughs, though he doesn't sound amused, then stands and turns around.

You don't gotta do that anymore, man. I've finally figured it out. We've been through this all before. How many times has it been?

Before?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Five.

Really? That's it? It seems like a lot more to me. I didn't understand what was happening at first, I just thought it was the drugs wearing off me. But it kept happening, so I thought I was stuck in a time loop, like in that old movie? Like I had to figure something out and fix it before I could get to another day. But things didn't seem to change much based on me doing stuff different. So then I thought maybe it was Lenny, that he was stuck until he figured out how to beat you...

Eventually I realized that I only saw the ripples around you. That's when I realized it was you who was stuck in the time loop.

I'm not in a time loop.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't think you're supposed to notice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I've lost count.

Yeah, me too. You know, at first I thought I was stuck in a time loop, like in that old movie? Like I had to figure something out and fix it before I could get to another day. But things didn't seem to change much based on me doing stuff different. So then I thought maybe it was Lenny, that he was stuck until he figured out to beat you...

Eventually I realized that I only saw the ripples around you. That's when I realized it was you who was stuck in the time loop.

I'm not in a time loop.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't think you're supposed to notice.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

What are these ripples you're talking about?

This dialogue option leads into Marcus's first-time Flashback dialogue. This is probably a bug.

How do you know that?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm Character. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Marcus Stribbling Combat Dialogue

Ambush! If the player bypassed Frostfire without fighting, damaging Marcus Stribbling triggers an ambush by Frostfire and one wave of Freakshow.

Frostfire Ambush Dialogue

Flashback only (replaces combat dialogue if arc was completed by killing Marcus at least once)

Marcus Stribbling Combat Dialogue (killed Marcus before)

Marcus Stribbling Combat Dialogue (all four souvenirs)

Default

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

The young mutant lies defeated before you on the ground. Like this, he appears so weak and fragile...
The fight you just had with him proves that he is not. He is a very powerful mutant and, given more time, he might become one of the most powerful mutants alive.
Of course, you've been here before. Though even still, his power was surprising...
Now you're just left to decide what to do with him this time.

(Let him go.)

Even though you fought and beat him, in the end you can't bring yourself to finish the job... He deserves to go free and make of his life what he will.

Hopefully, your victory will dissuade him from the life of villainy, but... You have a feeling that won't be the case.

Regardless, you've made your choice. The consequences are still to be seen.

Marcus's Fate

You decided you could not force Marcus to return to Paragon City... either to his father or to the authorities. You let him go into the Rogue Isles, to whatever fate may await him.

(Leave)

(Arrest him.)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous Alignment Point.

You kneel down and place a mediporter on him which will take him to the Zig. They'll treat his injuries and put him in custody. That way they can protect him from his father while keeping him from taking his revenge... You hope.

Regardless, you've made your choice. The consequences are still to be seen.

Marcus's Fate

You decided that while it was wrong to turn Marcus over to his father, you also couldn't let him go free. You sent him to the Zig for the police to deal with him.

(Leave)

(Return him.)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous Alignment Point.

You kneel down and place a mediporter on him which will send him back to his father. It may seem a cruel fate for the boy, but sometimes the best choice is merely the least worst choice. At least now he won't kill his father and become a dangerous villain.

Regardless, you've made your choice. The consequences are still to be seen.

Marcus's Fate

You decided that Marcus couldn't be allowed to go free and that the safest bet was to return him to his father's control.

(Leave)

(Finish him off.)

Editor's Note:

Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Vigilante, one Villainous, and one Heroic Alignment Point, while claiming to award four additional Heroic Alignment Points. This is probably a bug.

Despite everything that has happened to him, Marcus is still a threat to everyone. He has proven he will use his powers to evil ends. He pretty much vowed that he would. Someone like that can't be allowed to exist. You make it a quick end.

You've made your choice. The consequences are still to be seen.

Marcus's Fate

You decided Marcus's powers were too dangerous to exist. You ended his life, ending whatever threat he might become.

(Leave)

Flashback only, all four souvenirs

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

Once more, the young mutant lies defeated on the ground before you. He was even stronger this time around. How strong could he get if allowed to grow? Will he continue to get stronger every time you come back here?
Is that why Ouroboros was so insistent on you not changing things? Do they fear his powers of time manipulation?
Whatever it is, you are faced with the choice you've had many times before. What will you do with him?

(Let him go.)

+++ Missing Information +++

Marcus's Fate

You decided you could not force Marcus to return to Paragon City... either to his father or to the authorities. You let him go into the Rogue Isles, to whatever fate may await him.

(Arrest him.)

+++ Missing Information +++

Marcus's Fate

You decided that while it was wrong to turn Marcus over to his father, you also couldn't let him go free. You sent him to the Zig for the police to deal with him.

(Return him.)

+++ Missing Information +++

Marcus's Fate

You decided that Marcus couldn't be allowed to go free and that the safest bet was to return him to his father's control.

(Finish him off.)

+++ Missing Information +++

Marcus's Fate

You decided Marcus's powers were too dangerous to exist. You ended his life, ending whatever threat he might become.

Debriefing

Character, I assume your call means that you have finished the job?

Epilogue: Freedom

Editor's Note:

You receive this mission if you chose to free Marcus.

Briefing

Excellent! Is the mutant on the way here?

About that...

What did you just say? Sorry, my connection must be bad down here in my lab...

The call disconnects. Did he just hang up on you?

Mission Objective(s)

Call the doctor again

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Hello, Character? Ah, excellent. This connection is much better. Unfortunately, underground labs tend to act as Faraday cages! Anyway, about the mutant...

I let him go.

You did what? Why?! The mutant is dangerous and unstable! Who knows what damage he will cause! Not to even mention how far back this will set my research!

I know everything, Stribbling. (Confront)

You tell Dr. Stribbling everything you have learned about Marcus. The doctor remains silent throughout the entire thing. When you finish, he remains quiet for several seconds, then lets out a loud sigh.

You don't understand anything at all about my situation. I misjudged you, Character. I thought you would sympathize with my goals. You don't let something as insignificant as the law get in the way of you dispensing justice. And I don't let something as unimportant as emotional attachments or family keep me from advancing science.

Oh well, I suppose I'll have to start over with a new mutant. I am sure I can find one somewhere. Perhaps they will arrest Barracuda and I can research on her... I am sure you won't object to that, will you?

I'll bring you to justice, Stribbling.

It's unfortunate that you think that way, Character. Well, do what you will. You don't know where my lab is... and by the time you find it, I'll be long gone. It's a shame you decided to side against the course of history. Goodbye. I do not think we will see each other again.

The phone disconnects.

You'll be punished eventually, Stribbling...

I'll make sure you'll never hurt anyone again.

I should have never trusted you, Character. You're just a villain who wears a hero's cape. You're not going to stop me. You don't have any idea where my lab is and I'll be long gone before you ever discover it. I might not have my mutant, but I will figure out how to cure him one way or the other. Goodbye, Character. We won't see each other again.

The phone disconnects.

I'll end you eventually, Stribbling...

I'm done with all of this. Bye, Stribbling. Stay off my radar.

Wait! I need to know where my mutant is! Where is -

You hang up on the doctor. Hopefully, you'll never have to deal with him again.

(Leave)

For my own reasons.

Your own reasons?! Are you crazy? Do you have any idea how much this will set back my research? Without the mutant, I'll need to start virtually entirely over! I thought I could trust you, Character. I can't believe you've done something so incredibly reckless!

Reckless? I know what you've done, Stribbling!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Consider yourself lucky I'm too busy to deal with you.

Busy? What in the world are you talking about?!

I know everything you've done.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Nothing. Keep your nose clean, Stribbling, or I'll find time in my schedule.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Bye, doctor.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I had to kill him. (Lie)

You did what? Why?! I needed that mutant! Without him, I will more or less have to completely start over my research! Unbelievable. I should have known better... I've heard all the stories. You're a killer. I guess it would be too much for you to exercise any amount of restraint.

That's what you care about?! I know everything, Stribbling!

You tell Dr. Stribbling everything you have learned about Marcus. The doctor remains silent throughout the entire thing. When you finish, he remains quiet for several seconds, then lets out a loud sigh.

You don't understand anything at all about my situation. I misjudged you, Character. I thought you would sympathize with my goals. I thought you didn't let something as insignificant as the law get in the way of you dispensing justice, but actually you just love to kill. There's no excuse for killing the mutant.

Oh well. I suppose I'll have to start over with a new mutant. I am sure I can find one somewhere. Perhaps they will arrest Barracuda and I can research on her... I am sure you won't object to that, will you?

You don't even care that your son is dead...

My sons died a long time ago. Both of them died on the same day. One was murdered, one became a murderer. The mutant was just what was left behind. If my research had come to fruition, maybe I could have brought one of my sons back to me, but... Well, I suppose you've kept that from happening now.

I doubt the authorities will see things your way.

Dr. Stribbling lets out a clipped laugh.

I doubt you will do that. After all, you killed the mutant. You admitted it yourself. If you go to the police, they'll bring you in as well.

I don't care. You don't deserve to walk free.

Well... You can throw away your life for nothing if you want. You don't know where my lab is and I'll be long gone before you ever find out. Goodbye, Character. I doubt we'll be seeing each other again.

The phone disconnects.

You'll be punished eventually, Stribbling...

I killed him... Now I'll kill you too.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'll bring you to justice, Stribbling.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'll make sure you'll never hurt anyone again.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I'm done with all of this. Bye, Stribbling. Stay off my radar.

I suppose we both have our secrets to keep. If I were you, I'd -

You hang up on the doctor. Hopefully, you'll never have to deal with him again.

(Leave)

I had my reasons.

You can't even explain yourself. Amazing. Utterly amazing. Go, Character. I'm done with you.

Oh no you're not. I know what you've done, Stribbling!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Consider yourself lucky I'm too busy to deal with you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Bye, doctor.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Debriefing

The phone rings twice, then the operator picks up and informs you the number has been disconnected. It seems the doctor prepared for the eventuality that he'd need to disappear quickly.

Epilogue: Long Arm

Editor's Note:

You receive this mission if you chose to arrest Marcus.

Briefing

Excellent! Is the mutant on the way here?

About that...

What did you just say? Sorry, my connection must be bad down here in my lab...

The call disconnects. Did he just hang up on you?

Mission Objective(s)

Call the doctor again

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Hello, Character? Ah, excellent. This connection is much better. Unfortunately, underground labs tend to act as Faraday cages! Anyway, about the mutant...

I caught him. But not for you.

Excuse me? What do you mean?

I know he's your son. I know what you did to him.

There is a long pause. Then Dr. Stribbling lets out a long, ragged sigh.

Yes, he's my son. So what? He still killed my other son. His own brother! He's still dangerous. He still needs to be controlled! No one should have his powers!

You tortured him! And you lied to me.

I never lied! I... I just did not give you all the information. It would have just complicated things, as can plainly be seen from your pointless objections here. Honestly, the fact that he's my son gives you even less standing! I'm his father, I decide what is best for him. And taking away his dangerous powers is what's best for him.

You're not disputing that you tortured him.

It was *not* torture. It was experimentation! Look, sometimes, in science, you have to be a little unsavory. You hook electrodes to a rat's brain or inject a guinea pig with chemicals or extract a horseshoe crab's blood. It's all for the greater good. In the end, he'd have been cured of his dangerous powers and the world would be a better place. It would be worth the cost.

Your child isn't a lab animal, you monster!

A monster? No, no, no. I'm a visionary. And it's pretty rich, coming from you. I know what you are. You are a vigilante. You don't let a little thing like the law or ethics dictate what is right. You hurt people, you kill people, to deliver justice.

I'm no different, Character. I am just honest enough to admit it.

Oh no. Not the "we're not so different" card. I only punish the guilty.

Convenient, when you're the one who decides who is guilty or not. I haven't killed anyone, it's debatable if I've even hurt anyone. Unlike the mutant, who definitely killed my son. I lost two sons that day, Character. One was regressed into nothingness, the other became a real monster with monstrous powers. I am just trying to get one of those sons back.

The authorities will judge you.

It's unfortunate that you think that way, Character. Well, do what you will. You don't know where my lab is... and by the time you find it, I'll be long gone. It's a shame you decided to side against the course of history. Goodbye. I do not think we will see each other again.

The phone disconnects.

You'll be punished eventually, Stribbling...

I do judge you guilty. And you will pay with your life.

I should have never trusted you, Character. You're just a villain who wears a hero's cape. You're not going to stop me. You don't have any idea where my lab is and I'll be long gone before you ever discover it. I might not have my mutant, but I will figure out how to cure him one way or the other. Goodbye, Character. We won't see each other again.

The phone disconnects.

I'll end you eventually, Stribbling...

We'll see what the authorities think of your vision.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're right, I do kill people. People like you.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

We'll see what the authorities decide!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're disgusting! I will end you, Stribbling!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

But you abused him! You're a monster.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You won't get away with this. I am going to the authorities.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You don't deserve to live, Stribbling.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He's in full control of his powers!

What? No, he... He killed my son! He couldn't control his powers! He couldn't! I saw it every time I took him out of his stasis pod and felt time go too fast or too slow.

Because you kept him drugged! Once he was awake, he had full control.

W... well, that's even more reason to turn him over to me! His powers are dangerous! No one should have them. And it doesn't change the nature of my research. Once I can take his powers away, I can take them from anyone else who is dangerous!

You know it won't just stop with him.

Of course I won't. We'll strip the powers from anyone who wants to use them for harm. But now, thanks to you, it will take far longer than it would otherwise. I'll have to start all over with a whole new subject. And who knows how long that will take?

You won't get away with this. I am going to the authorities.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You don't deserve to live, Stribbling.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You've clearly proven you can't be trusted to do that.

Oh? And who can be trusted? You, with your judge, jury, and executioner mindset? Don't make me laugh! At least I would have worked within the bounds of the law... Though now, who knows? Without the mutant to continue assisting my research, I will have to start nearly from scratch. It won't be easy.

You won't get away with this. I am going to the authorities.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You don't deserve to live, Stribbling.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

No one deserves what you did to him, you monster!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Maybe once. But not any more. He had full control.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

I don't care about your excuses, Stribbling.

They aren't excuses! It's the truth! He was dangerous, but I kept him from causing any more harm! And it's only by continuing my work that I'll ever be sure he can't hurt anyone else ever again. If I don't do this, he'll have to spend the rest of his life in a stasis pod, behind bars, or completely isolated from other people.

It seems cruel now, but sometimes medicine is bitter. One day he'll thank me for it.

You lied to me, Stribbling.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He is in full control of his powers!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

There's no excuse for torture!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You're a monster!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

The authorities will hear about everything!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

You don't deserve to live.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Debriefing

The phone rings twice, then the operator picks up and informs you the number has been disconnected. It seems the doctor prepared for the eventuality that he'd need to disappear quickly.

Epilogue: Captured

Editor's Note:

You receive this mission if you chose to return Marcus to Dr. Stribbling.

Briefing

Excellent! Is the mutant on the way here?

About that...

What did you just say? Sorry, my connection must be bad down here in my lab...

The call disconnects. Did he just hang up on you?

Mission Objective(s)

Call the doctor again

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Hello, Character? Ah, excellent. This connection is much better. Unfortunately, underground labs tend to act as Faraday cages! Anyway, about the mutant...

He should be in your lab now.

Excellent! Ah, yes... I have him here now. Excellent work! Hmmm, some obvious injuries to him. But I suppose it was too much to hope that he would not put up a fight. Fair work, nonetheless, Character. I'll have to run some tests, obviously, to make sure there are no additional internal injuries...

But I think I'll be able to start experimenting very soon! Then, hopefully, one day soon you'll hear about how Dr. Chris Stribbling was able to help make Paragon City... no, the entire world a safer place by preventing dangerous villains from using their super powers. And you helped make sure it happened, Character. I'll make sure everyone knows that.

Now what?

Well, now I repair my original lab and get back to work. Then, hopefully, one day soon you'll hear about how Dr. Christian Stribbling was able to help make Paragon City... no, the entire world a safer place by preventing dangerous villains from using their super powers. And you helped make sure it happened, Character. I'll make sure everyone knows that.

Good. Don't forget it.

Oh, uh. Yes. Of course, I won't. Well, I had better get working. The sooner I get my lab back in order, the better. Goodbye, Character. Hopefully you'll never have to pull my bacon out of the fire again.

I hope not. Bye, doctor.

No. No one can know I helped you.

Ah! Yes. Of course. I understand. Many people still have a... negative view about your activities and how you handle things. People might get the wrong idea if they knew about your involvement. Very noble of you, Character, to refuse any credit for helping me. Thank you.

... Yes. Exactly. Goodbye, Stribbling.

Debriefing

The phone rings twice, then the operator picks up and informs you the number has been disconnected. It seems the doctor prepared for the eventuality that he'd need to disappear quickly.

Epilogue: Finality

Editor's Note:

You receive this mission if you chose to kill Marcus.

Briefing

Excellent! Is the mutant on the way here?

About that...

What did you just say? Sorry, my connection must be bad down here in my lab...

The call disconnects. Did he just hang up on you?

Mission Objective(s)

Call the doctor again

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Hello, Character? Ah, excellent. This connection is much better. Unfortunately, underground labs tend to act as Faraday cages! Anyway, about the mutant...

I let him go. (Lie)

Editor's Note:

Except for this option being a lie, the rest of this conversation is identical to the one from Epilogue - Freedom.

I had to kill him.

Editor's Note:

Except for this option being true, the rest of this conversation is identical to the one from Epilogue - Freedom.

Debriefing

The phone rings twice, then the operator picks up and informs you the number has been disconnected. It seems the doctor prepared for the eventuality that he'd need to disappear quickly.

This entire mission can be played only through Flashback and only with all four souvenirs from this arc.

Part Six: Recompense

Editor's Note:

You receive this mission if you chose to devise a plan with Marcus to trick Dr. Stribbling.

Briefing

Excellent! Is the mutant on the way here?

About that...

What did you just say? Sorry, my connection must be bad down here in my lab...

The call disconnects. Did he just hang up on you?

Mission Objective(s)

Call the doctor again (and trick him)

Dr. Stribbling

Briefing

Hello, Character? Ah, excellent. This connection is much better. Unfortunately, underground labs tend to act as Faraday cages! Anyway, about the mutant...

It was great! He should be in your lab now.

Excellent! Ah, yes... I have him here now. Excellent work! Prime condition, barely a scratch on him. Wonderful work, Character. I'll have to run some tests, obviously, to make sure there are no internal injuries...

But I think I'll be able to start experimenting very soon! Then, hopefully, one day soon you'll hear about how Dr. Chris Stribbling was able to help make Paragon City... no, the entire world a safer place by preventing dangerous villains from using their super powers. And you helped make sure it happened, Character. I'll make sure everyone knows that.

Great! See you around, doctor.

Um... Yes, I am... uh, sure we perhaps will, some time down the road. But for now, I must be getting to my work. No rest for the wicked and all that.

He hangs up. Now to wait for the signal from Marcus.

(Now to wait for the signal)

The signal from Marcus soon comes through, pinging the location of Dr. Stribblings new lab. It's located in a complex at Jannissey Heights, not too far from here.

Time to finish this.

It has been a long, twisting road to get here. You traveled back in time again and again, refusing to give up on bringing Dr. Stribbling to justice and saving Marcus from the path of villainy... Or worse. But now you are only a few steps away from defying fate, Ouroboros's wishes be damned.

(Leave)

Unnecessary Solicitation

Marcus is waiting for you to come to the lab so that you can take down his father.

Mission Objective(s)

As you enter Dr. Stribbling's new lab, you suddenly have an overwhelming sense that something is wrong.

Take down Dr. Stribbling
- Defeat Fallen from Grace!
- Defeat Blast Furnace!
  - Defeat Flambeaux!
  - Defeat Grym!
    - Find Dr. Stribbling

Dr. Stribbling has been... dealt with.

Enemies

Notable NPCs

Fallen from Grace (Boss)
Blast Furnace (Boss)
Flambeaux (Boss)
Grym (Boss)
Marcus Stribbling (Archvillain, Ally)
Dr. Stribbling? (NPC Analyst)

Alright, enough lingering around here. Character should be here soon, time to get to the doctor.

Fallen from Grace

What the... who are these people?

The guy with wings looks like he's temporally locked, but the others are moving...

They aren't reacting to me though. Huh.

Can't let them know I'm here... Let's see if I can do some timey stuff to get through it.

Blast Furnace

These guys have strange temporal ripples around them. What is going on?

This guy is out of time, like Character was...

Shining Stars

Almost there... My hands are shaking... Why am I so nervous?

The wolf and fire lady are also out of time. But the others... It's like they are temporally unbound.

Oh well, I'm sure Character can deal with all of these guys first.

Deep breath. The doctor is through that door.

The final room

Marcus Stribbling: Hello, doctor... Father.

Fallen from Grace Dialogue

Blast Furnace Dialogue

Flambeaux and Grym Dialogue

Marcus Stribbling

Briefing

Marcus turns away from staring at the immobile man to look at you.
Don't worry. I've figured everything out.

What happened?

It went exactly as planned. I pretended to be in stasis. Then I released myself from it. I confronted my father and I fixed everything.

He glances back to the frozen man.

Fixed?

Yes. I was going to kill my father. That's what I thought I wanted. Even after all these cycles... I was ready to kill him.

But when I came for him, he was terrified. I could see in his eyes that he didn't see me as a person, even, but a monster. What I was going to do was just prove him right. Prove that I was the monster he had been afraid of and... I just felt sorry for him. The man who had spent years torturing me and I felt sorry for him!

Some monster I am, huh?

This has all been a terrible tragedy and I don't want it to play out again. I can't go back in time to change things... At least, not with my powers the way they are now. But I can reverse time on a small scale.

So that's what I did. I turned back time for my dad, to before I killed my brother. It doesn't erase what I did, but it does erase him remembering it. So maybe we can start over. He won't hate me and I can prove I'm not dangerous. Then we can work together to make things right. It'll be a happy ending.

Can you "make things right"?

He sighs.

I don't know. And the way Ouroboros was trying to stop you... Maybe I won't even be allowed to. But I'm going to try and I won't give up until I get my little brother back and erase all the pain once and for all.

He might not hate you now, but once he learns what happened...

Maybe. And if that happens, well... I'll let him go. He won't have the years of research to continue and my powers are so strong now. He won't be able to catch me. So I'll just go it alone, try to make it right.

I understand. I hope you can do it.

Thank you, Character. I knew you'd understand after all you've been through to save me. You really are a true hero at heart. Thank you. I won't forget everything you've done for me. Maybe we'll see each other again someday!

He starts to turn away from you.

Wait!

Marcus and his father suddenly disappear before you can even finish the words. It seems he froze time and left. He's probably already far away.

(Leave)

Goodbye, Marcus.

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

The deal was we'd kill him. I intend to stick to that deal!

Marcus frowns as you lay out your intent to finish off his father.

I'm disappointed to hear that. I'm not going to let my father die, Character. I'd hoped you'd understand. I just want to make things right.

Do you really think you can "make things right"?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

He's going to hate you once he learns the truth!

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Alright, I can't stop you. I hope you can do it, at least.

Thank you, Character. I'm glad you were able to understand me. I won't forget everything you've done for me. Maybe we'll see each other again someday!

He starts to turn away from you.

Wait!

+++ Missing Information +++

Goodbye, Marcus.

+++ Missing Information +++

No! He deserves true justice, not absolution!

Marcus sighs.

I hope one day you'll reconsider. Bye, Character.

Suddenly, Marcus and his father are gone as if they were never there.

Damn time control!

(Leave)

This man is your father?

Yes. He's looking pretty spry, isn't he? Well, aside from being frozen in time.

I've fixed everything.

Fixed?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Is that your father?

This selection loops to another branch of this conversation which is already documented.

Badge

Completing this mission awards the Loop Hero badge.

Loop Hero

After much trial and tribulation, you were able to use Ouroboros to put an end to the Stribbling family drama. By your own count, you must have gone around at least 5 times... but the real number could be well into the thousands.

Debriefing

Marcus and Dr. Stribbling are both gone. You have changed both of their fates, hopefully for the better. What of Ouroboros's warnings, that this will lead to tragedy? Can they be trusted? Will they keep trying to undo this event or has time been indelibly altered? Perhaps it is only for the future you to know. Or maybe not. Time travel can be weird.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{stub}}
+{{wip|date=2024-07-15}}
 == Overview ==
 {{Infobox Contact
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 |introed=None, Walk-up
 |intros=None
-|enemies={{Enemy Arachnoids}}{{Enemy Hydra}}{{Enemy Snakes}}{{Enemy Wailers}}{{Enemy Freakshow}}{{Enemy Rogues Gallery}}
+|enemies={{Enemy Arachnoids}}{{Enemy Hydra}}{{Enemy Snakes}}{{Enemy Wailers}}{{Enemy Freakshow}}{{Enemy Rogues Gallery}}{{Enemy Time Echoes}}{{Enemy Rogue Isles Villains}}{{Enemy Paragon Heroes}}{{Enemy Shining Stars}}
 |badges=[[File:Badge_storyarc_stribbling.png|22px]] [[Loop Hero Badge|Loop Hero]]
 }}
-{{Contact Overview|Name=Dr. Stribbling|City=vig|Zone=Brickstown|Pronoun=his|HoodYN=N|OriginYN=N|LevelYN=Y|Level=30-34}}
+{{Contact Overview|Name=Dr. Stribbling|City=vig|Zone=Brickstown|Pronoun=his|HoodYN=N|OriginYN=N|LevelYN=Y|Level=30-34}} He is standing at the north entrance to a multistory building, 317 yards east of the monorail station or 114 yards NW of The Crescent. He offers a story arc with four normal endings, plus a secret "true" ending that awards a badge. Dr. Stribbling was added in [[Issue 27#Page 6|Issue 27 - Page 6]].
 __Toc__
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 === Prior to Introduction ===
-{{missing}}
+None, walk-up.
 === Initial Contact ===
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 *{{green|Who are you, exactly?}}
 :I am Dr. Chris Stribbling, a multidisciplinary scientist. You might have heard of me if you read many scientific journals. I have published in... well, all reputable ones at least. My request deals with my research, so are you able to help me?
+:*{{green|Sure. What do you need?}}
+::{{DialogueLoop}}
 === Greeting ===
@@ Line 56: / Line 60: @@
 === Too Busy ===
-{{missing}}
+I believe you might be a bit overtasked at the moment. Come back to me once you're a bit more free.
 === Too Low Level ===
@@ Line 62: / Line 67: @@
 {{Character}}, I've heard you're doing the type of work that really needs to be done to clean up this city. I hope you're able to keep it up. Thankfully I don't have any problems that require your help right now.
-You must be at least Security Level 30 to speak to this contact.
+{{darkorange|You must be at least Security Level 30 to speak to this contact.}}
+=== Too High Level ===
+I'm afraid I don't have anything for you to do.
 === No More Missions ===
-{{missing}}
+{{darkorange|You call the number Dr. Stribbling previously gave you. There is no answer.}}
 == Store ==
-*None
+* [[Inspirations]]
 == Story Arc ==
+{{ArcAward|m=20}}
 === {{UL|Troubled Times}} ===
-{{missing}}
 ==== Souvenir ====
-{{missing}}
+{{Souvenir|Stasis Pod Shard}}
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Part One: Break-In}}
-=== {{UL|Get information from Freaks}} ===
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Part Two: Full Press}}
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Part Three: Dirty Details}}
-'''Mission Objective(s)'''
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Part Four: Twists in the Road}}
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Part Five: Retrieval}}
-* Get information from Freaks
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Epilogue: Freedom}}
-** Defeat 10 Freakshow
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Epilogue: Long Arm}}
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Epilogue: Captured}}
-''You learned about a hacker working with the Freakshow.''
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Epilogue: Finality}}
+{{Mission:Troubled Times - Part Six: Recompense}}
-{{EdNote|note=Even though it isn't stated in the compass text, only defeating Freakshow in Brickstown counts toward mission progress.}}
-'''Enemies'''
-{{Enemy Freakshow}}
-'''Debriefing'''
-Ransomware is all over the 'Net these days. So it's not guaranteed that this hacker is the one who was responsible for the stuff on my lab mainframe... Still, though, it's your best bet for tracking down the mutant. I think you should go look into this as soon as possible!
 ==See Also==
 * [[Homecoming Story Arcs]]

Dr. Stribbling: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:31, 15 July 2024

Overview

Contents

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

Contact Introduces

Information

Wrong Alignment

Prior to Introduction

Initial Contact

Greeting

Too Busy

Too Low Level

Too High Level

No More Missions

Store

Story Arc

Troubled Times

Souvenir

Part One: Break-In

Part Two: Full Press

Part Three: Dirty Details

Part Four: Twists in the Road

Part Five: Retrieval

Epilogue: Freedom

Epilogue: Long Arm

Epilogue: Captured

Epilogue: Finality

Part Six: Recompense

See Also

Navigation menu

Dr. Stribbling
Multidisciplinary Scientist
Zone	Brickstown
Coordinates	(-1142.9, 16.0, -1629.2)^[Copy]
Level Range	30-34
Introduced By	None, Walk-up
Introduces	None
Enemy Groups	Arachnoids Hydra Snakes Wailers Freakshow Rogues Gallery Time Echoes Rogue Isles Villains Paragon Heroes Shining Stars
Badges	Loop Hero
v • d • e

Dr. Stribbling: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:31, 15 July 2024

Overview

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

Contact Introduces

Information

Wrong Alignment

Prior to Introduction

Initial Contact

Greeting

Too Busy

Too Low Level

Too High Level

No More Missions

Store

Story Arc

Troubled Times

Souvenir

Part One: Break-In

Part Two: Full Press

Part Three: Dirty Details

Part Four: Twists in the Road

Part Five: Retrieval

Epilogue: Freedom

Epilogue: Long Arm

Epilogue: Captured

Epilogue: Finality

Part Six: Recompense

See Also

Navigation menu

Search