Mission:Troubled Times - Part Five: Retrieval: Difference between revisions

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'''Notable NPCs'''
'''Notable NPCs'''
* [[Frostfire]] (Boss, Ally) (0-3 souvenirs only)
* [[Frostfire]] (Boss, Ally) (0-3 souvenirs only)
* [[Mender Roebuck]] (Boss, Ally) (4 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 Arch-villain, Ally)
* [[Marcus Stribbling]] (Elite Boss or Archvillain, Ally)


{{EdNote|Note=Marcus Stribbling is an Elite Boss unless the player has all four souvenirs from this story arc, in which case he becomes an Arch-villain. The EB version gains additional powers if the player killed him on a previous run.}}
{{EdNote|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.}}


{{divbox|green|Default|
{{divbox|green|Default|
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::::*{{green|You're right... Ok, Frostfire. I'll let him go.}}
::::*{{green|You're right... Ok, Frostfire. I'll let him go.}}


:::::{{missing}}
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}


::::*{{green|If he comes back with me, I can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice.}}
::::*{{green|If he comes back with me, I can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice.}}
Line 111: Line 111:
:::*{{green|You're right... Ok, Frostfire. I'll let him go.}}
:::*{{green|You're right... Ok, Frostfire. I'll let him go.}}


::::{{missing}}
::::{{DialogueLoop}}


:::*{{green|If he comes back with me, I can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice.}}
:::*{{green|If he comes back with me, I can bring Dr. Stribbling to justice.}}
Line 293: Line 293:
:{{darkorange|He grimaces at you.}}
:{{darkorange|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 dissuage you from the course of action you've unwisely chosen to take.
: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.


:*{{green|And what course of action is that?}}
:*{{green|And what course of action is that?}}
Line 483: Line 483:
:::*{{green|Fine. I'm not going to force you to go with me. (Complete mission)}}
:::*{{green|Fine. I'm not going to force you to go with me. (Complete mission)}}


::::{{missing}}
::::{{DialogueLoop}}


:::*{{green|I can't let you do that, kid. I'm sorry. (Attack)}}
:::*{{green|I can't let you do that, kid. I'm sorry. (Attack)}}
Line 537: Line 537:
:::*{{green|I won't stop you. (Complete mission)}}
:::*{{green|I won't stop you. (Complete mission)}}


::::{{missing}}
::::{{DialogueLoop}}


::*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
::*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
Line 567: Line 567:
:::*{{green|Alright. Fine. I won't force you to go. (Complete mission)}}
:::*{{green|Alright. Fine. I won't force you to go. (Complete mission)}}


::::{{missing}}
::::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
Line 629: Line 629:
}}
}}


{{Flashback|title=[[Flashback]] only, arc was completed at least once before|text=
{{Flashback|title=[[Flashback]] only|text=


{{divbox|blue|One souvenir from this arc, didn't kill Marcus last time|
{{divbox|green|First time, but through Flashback|


{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=
Line 637: Line 637:
{{darkorange|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.}}
{{darkorange|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.}}


{{divbox|white|Freed last time|
{{darkorange|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?}}
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}
 
{{divbox|yellow|Arrested last time|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}
 
{{divbox|green|Returned last time|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}
{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}


Huh... So it's you. Why are you here?
Who... Who are you? Where's Lenny? What do you want with me? What... What's with those ripples?


*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}
*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


:{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.}}
:{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:I'm not going anywhere with you! I don't know why you think I'm gonna change my mind!
*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}


:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}
:{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
:{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
:{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
*{{green|Ripples?}}


:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
:Yeah, around you... Like... You're not all that you should be.


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:Whatever, it doesn't matter! Answer my question!


*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
:*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:Trust you? I still don't know who you are! Get away from me!
:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}
:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
:*{{green|I've traveled through time to come back and save you.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::Save me?! Time travel? What are you... Man, just tell me what's going on!


*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
}}


:{{darkorange|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!
{{divbox|blue|One souvenir from this arc, didn't kill Marcus last time|


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=


::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{darkorange|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.}}


:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}
{{divbox|white|Freed last time|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}
 
{{divbox|yellow|Arrested last time|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{divbox|green|Returned last time|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}


:{{darkorange|Your words don't seem to have much effect.}}
Huh... So it's you. Why are you here?


:I know you don't mean you're gonna help me take down that monster. Not the way I want to!
*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.}}
:{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.}}


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


:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}
:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


}}
:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}


}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


{{divbox|red|One souvenir, killed Marcus last time|
:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Image=Contact Small Marcus Stribbling Enraged.jpg|Text=
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


{{darkorange|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.}}
:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


{{darkorange|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?}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}
*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}


You... you. Why are you here?! You're here to hurt me, aren't you?!
:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.}}


*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}
:Trust you? I still don't know who you are! Get away from me!


:{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away, clearly terrified.}}
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
 
:I knew it! Why are you doing this?! I'm not going anywhere with you!
 
:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:{{darkorange|He frowns and shakes his head.}}


*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.}}
: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!


:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more fear.}}
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


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


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}
*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:{{darkorange|Your words don't seem to have much effect.}}


:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
:I know you don't mean you're gonna help me take down that monster. Not the way I want to!


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


::I... Because...
:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}


::{{darkorange|He is breathing deeply, eyes never leaving you.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


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


::*{{green|Look, I'm not going to kill you, but you're coming back to Paragon with me.}}
}}


:::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{divbox|red|One souvenir, killed Marcus last time|


::*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I don't kill people like you.}}
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=


:::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{darkorange|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.}}


::*{{green|You're wrong. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
{{darkorange|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?}}


:::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}


*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
You... you. Why are you here?! You're here to hurt me, aren't you?!


:{{darkorange|Eyes wide with fear, Marcus shakes his head wildly.}}
*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


: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!
:{{darkorange|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!


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}
:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.}}
:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


:{{darkorange|Your words only seem to make him more afraid.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


: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.
*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.}}


:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.}}
:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more fear.}}


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


:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


}}
:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}


}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


{{divbox|blue|Two different souvenirs, neither from killing Marcus|
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=
::I... Because...


{{darkorange|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.}}
::{{darkorange|He is breathing deeply, eyes never leaving you.}}


{{divbox|white|Freed and arrested|
::Because that's what you do, right? I... I just know you're going to do it.
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


{{divbox|green|Freed and returned|
::*{{green|Look, I'm not going to kill you, but you're coming back to Paragon with me.}}
{{darkorange|{{missing}}}}
}}


{{divbox|yellow|Arrested and returned|
:::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}
::*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I don't kill people like you.}}


You... I've seen you before, haven't I? Who are you? I know Lenny didn't send you.
:::{{DialogueLoop}}


*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}
::*{{green|You're wrong. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}


{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.}}
:::{{DialogueLoop}}


I ''told'' you I'm not going anywhere with you! I don't know why you think I'm gonna change my mind!
*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}
:{{darkorange|Eyes wide with fear, Marcus shakes his head wildly.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
: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!


:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.}}


:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.}}
:{{darkorange|Your words only seem to make him more afraid.}}


: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!
: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.


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}
:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
}}
 
}}


:{{darkorange|He frowns and shakes his head.}}
{{divbox|blue|Two different souvenirs, neither from killing Marcus|


: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?!
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
{{darkorange|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.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{divbox|white|Freed and arrested|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}
{{divbox|green|Freed and returned|
{{darkorange| 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?}}
}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{divbox|yellow|Arrested and returned|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}


:{{darkorange|Your words don't seem to have much effect.}}
You... I've seen you before, haven't I? Who are you? I know Lenny didn't send you.


: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!
*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.}}
{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
I ''told'' you I'm not going anywhere with you! I don't know why you think I'm gonna change my mind!


:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}
:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


}}
:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}


}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


{{divbox|red|Two different souvenirs, one from killing Marcus|
:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Image=Contact Small Marcus Stribbling Enraged.jpg|Text=
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


{{darkorange|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.}}
:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


{{divbox|blue|Freed and killed|
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


{{divbox|yellow|Arrested and killed|
*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
{{missing}}
}}


{{divbox|green|Returned and killed|
:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more suspicion.}}
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}
: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!


You... you. I... know you from somewhere, don't I? Are you... Are you here to hurt me?
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away, clearly terrified.}}
:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}


:No! I know you're just trying to get me to trust you so you can kill me! I'm not stupid!
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}
:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:{{darkorange|He frowns and shakes his head.}}


:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
: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?!


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


::I... Because...
*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


::{{darkorange|He is breathing deeply, eyes never leaving you.}}
:{{darkorange|Your words don't seem to have much effect.}}


::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!
: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!


::*{{green|Look, I'm not going to kill you, but you're coming back to Paragon with me.}}
:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I do! I want to bring him to justice.}}


:::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


::*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I don't kill people like you.}}
:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}


:::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::*{{green|You're wrong. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
}}


:::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
}}


*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.}}
{{divbox|red|Two different souvenirs, one from killing Marcus|


:{{darkorange|Marcus immediately pulls away and looks at you with even more fear.}}
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=


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


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
{{divbox|blue|Freed and killed|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{divbox|yellow|Arrested and killed|
{{darkorange| 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?}}
}}


:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}
{{divbox|green|Returned and killed|
{{darkorange|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?}}
}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}


:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}
You... you. I... know you from somewhere, don't I? Are you... Are you here to hurt me?


::{{DialogueLoop}}
*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
:{{darkorange|Marcus's eyes flare wide and he backs away, clearly terrified.}}


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


*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.}}


:{{darkorange|Eyes wide with fear, Marcus shakes his head wildly.}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


: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!
:*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
 
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
:*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}
:*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::I... Because...


*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.}}
::{{darkorange|He is breathing deeply, eyes never leaving you.}}


:{{darkorange|Your words only seem to make him more afraid.}}
::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!


: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?!
::*{{green|Look, I'm not going to kill you, but you're coming back to Paragon with me.}}


:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I want to bring him to justice.}}
:::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
::*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I don't kill people like you.}}


:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}
:::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}
::*{{green|You're wrong. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}


:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}
:::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::{{DialogueLoop}}
*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But I'm not here to hurt you.}}


}}
:{{darkorange|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?!


{{divbox|blue|Three different souvenirs, never killed Marcus|
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=
::{{DialogueLoop}}


{{darkorange|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.}}
:*{{green|Hey, hold on. I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}


{{darkorange|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?}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}
:*{{green|My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father to justice.}}


You... Why are you here? Do you think you can change what's going to happen?
::{{DialogueLoop}}


*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


:{{darkorange|Marcus widens his eyes and takes a stiff step back. He lets out a sigh.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:What makes you think I'll go with you? What in your experience makes you think I'll just give up and go?
*{{green|Marcus, listen. I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}


:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.
:{{darkorange|Eyes wide with fear, Marcus shakes his head wildly.}}


::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'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!


::*{{green|You mean when I fought Frostfire?}}
:*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}


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


:::But sure, if that's what you think I mean, it might as well be right. I don't know what I mean either.
:*{{green|Whoa there. My name is {{Character}}. I want to bring your father down.}}


:::*{{green|This... this isn't how it's supposed to happen.}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


::::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.
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


::::*{{green|I didn't want to do this... (Attack)}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:::::{{darkorange|Everything seems to speed up as Marcus focuses his powers on you.}}
*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you, not hurt you.}}


:::::Around and around it goes.
:{{darkorange|Your words only seem to make him more afraid.}}


:::::{{green|(Get ready)}}
: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?!


::::*{{green|I can't kill you... (Complete mission)}}
:*{{green|If by monster, you mean your father, then I want to bring him to justice.}}


:::::{{missing}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:::*{{green|You're more dangerous than I thought. I have to stop you!}}
:*{{green|No, your father sent me. I'm supposed to bring you back.}}


::::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.
::{{ReverseGray|The rest of this branch of the conversation is the same as before.}}


::::{{darkorange|You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.}}
:*{{green|Why do you think I want to kill you?}}


::::*{{green|(Attack)}}
::{{DialogueLoop}}


:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
}}


::*{{green|I can force you without killing you! (Attack)}}
}}


:::{{DialogueLoop}}
{{divbox|blue|Three different souvenirs, never killed Marcus|


::*{{green|Whoa, whoa! Hold on. No one wants you to die.}}
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=


:::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.
{{darkorange|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.}}


:::So he's going to die instead. I'll make sure of it.
{{darkorange|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?}}


:::*{{green|You sound like a villain.}}
{{darkorange|Maybe there is no right choice here... But you have to make one.}}


::::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.
You... Why are you here? Do you think you can change what's going to happen?


::::*{{green|I'm trying to look out for you, Marcus.}}
*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}


:::::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.
:{{darkorange|Marcus widens his eyes and takes a stiff step back. He lets out a sigh.}}


:::::So make your choice. Is it going to be new this time?
:What makes you think I'll go with you? What in your experience makes you think I'll just give up and go?


:::::*{{green|What about Frostfire and Miss Thystle? They brought you here! They didn't lie.}}
:*{{green|You're dangerous. You need to be stopped and taken in. Don't resist.


::::::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'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.


::::::*{{green|You leave me no choice... I have to stop you! (Attack)}}
::*{{green|You mean when I fought Frostfire?}}


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


::::::*{{green|Fine... I can't stop you, kid. Go. (Complete mission)}}
:::But sure, if that's what you think I mean, it might as well be right. I don't know what I mean either.


:::::::{{missing}}
:::*{{green|This... this isn't how it's supposed to happen.}}


:::::*{{green|Fine, kid. I'll take you down. But remember, you asked for this.}}
::::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.


::::::{{DialogueLoop}}
::::*{{green|I didn't want to do this... (Attack)}}


::::*{{green|Frostfire and Miss Thystle begged me to let you go. They care about you.}}
:::::{{darkorange|Everything seems to speed up as Marcus focuses his powers on you.}}


:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
:::::Around and around it goes.


::::*{{green|You're already too far gone. I'm going to stop you!}}
:::::{{green|(Get ready)}}


:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
::::*{{green|I can't kill you... (Complete mission)}}


:::*{{green|Don't turn into a killer, kid. Let me do it for you.}}
:::::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.


::::{{darkorange|He laughs at you.}}
:::::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?


::::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.
{{Mission Clue|Name=Marcus's Fate|Text=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.}}


::::*{{green|You're too far gone, kid. I have to stop you!}}
:::::*{{green|I will. Just... Don't let darkness take you over, kid.}}


:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
::::::{{darkorange|He turns his back to you and slowly starts to walk away.}}


::::*{{green|... Fine. I can't stop you.}}
::::::Don't know if you were expecting something different, but it ain't happening.


:::::{{missing}}
::::::*{{green|(Leave)}}


:::*{{green|Fine. I'm not going to force you to go with me.}}
:::::*{{green|You... know more than you should.}}


::::{{missing}}
::::::{{missing}}


:::*{{green|I can't let you do that, kid. I'm sorry. (Attack)}}
:::::*{{green|Bye, kid. Good luck. (Leave)}}


::::{{DialogueLoop}}
:::*{{green|You're more dangerous than I thought. I have to stop you!}}


::*{{green|Your father just wants to help 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 ''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?
::::{{darkorange|You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.}}


:::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.
::::*{{green|(Attack)}}


:::*{{green|Well, guess I'll just have to make you come back. (Attack)}}
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}


::::{{DialogueLoop}}
::*{{green|I can force you without killing you! (Attack)}}


:::*{{green|Kill him? You sound like a villain!}}
:::{{DialogueLoop}}


::::{{DialogueLoop}}
::*{{green|Whoa, whoa! Hold on. No one wants you to die.}}
 
 
:::*{{green|Sometimes it hurts to be helped. Your father understood that.}}
:::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.
 
 
::::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 he's going to die instead. I'll make sure of it.
 
 
::::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.
:::*{{green|You sound like a villain.}}
 
 
::::{{darkorange|You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.}}
::::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.
 
 
::::*{{green|You made this choice, kid. (Attack)}}
::::*{{green|I'm trying to look out for you, Marcus.}}
 
 
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
:::::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.
 
 
:*{{green|I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
:::::So make your choice. Is it going to be new this time?
 
 
::{{darkorange|Marcus half-heartedly pulls himself away.}}
:::::*{{green|What about Frostfire and Miss Thystle? They brought you here! They didn't lie.}}
 
 
::Do you think you've earned my trust? Why do you think I'm going to just trust you?
::::::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.
 
 
::*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
::::::*{{green|You leave me no choice... I have to stop you! (Attack)}}
 
 
:::{{DialogueLoop}}
:::::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
 
::*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I want to help you.}}
::::::*{{green|Fine... I can't stop you, kid. Go. (Complete mission)}}
 
 
:::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.
:::::::{{missing}}
 
 
:::*{{green|That sounds like the words of a villain.}}
:::::*{{green|Fine, kid. I'll take you down. But remember, you asked for this.}}
 
::::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
::::*{{green|Frostfire and Miss Thystle begged me to let you go. They care about you.}}
 
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
::::*{{green|You're already too far gone. I'm going to stop you!}}
 
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
:::*{{green|Don't turn into a killer, kid. Let me do it for you.}}
 
::::{{darkorange|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.
 
::::*{{green|You're too far gone, kid. I have to stop you!}}
 
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
::::*{{green|... Fine. I can't stop you.}}
 
:::::{{missing}}
 
:::*{{green|Fine. I'm not going to force you to go with me.}}
 
::::{{missing}}
 
:::*{{green|I can't let you do that, kid. I'm sorry. (Attack)}}
 
::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
::*{{green|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.
 
:::*{{green|Well, guess I'll just have to make you come back. (Attack)}}
 
::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
:::*{{green|Kill him? You sound like a villain!}}
 
::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
:::*{{green|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.
 
::::{{darkorange|You start to feel the passage of time changing around you erratically.}}
 
::::*{{green|You made this choice, kid. (Attack)}}
 
:::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
:*{{green|I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
 
::{{darkorange|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?
 
::*{{green|Look, kid, you're coming back to Paragon City with me, whether you like it or not.}}
 
:::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
::*{{green|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.
 
:::*{{green|That sounds like the words of a villain.}}


::::{{DialogueLoop}}
::::{{DialogueLoop}}
Line 1,367: Line 1,442:
{{divbox|red|Three different souvenirs, one for killing Marcus|
{{divbox|red|Three different souvenirs, one for killing Marcus|


{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Image=Contact Small Marcus Stribbling Enraged.jpg|Text=
{{Mission Briefing|Contact=Marcus Stribbling|Text=


{{darkorange|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.}}
{{darkorange|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.}}
Line 1,471: Line 1,546:
:::::::*{{green|Maybe you're right. Take the knowledge you learned and get him. (Complete mission)}}
:::::::*{{green|Maybe you're right. Take the knowledge you learned and get him. (Complete mission)}}


::::::::{{missing}}
::::::::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!
 
::::::::{{darkorange|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.}}
 
{{Mission Clue|Name=Marcus's Fate|Text=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.}}
 
::::::::*{{green|(Leave)}}


:::::::*{{green|We should work together! Take him down the right way.}}
:::::::*{{green|We should work together! Take him down the right way.}}
Line 1,491: Line 1,572:
::::::::::*{{green|I hope so, Marcus. Good luck.}}
::::::::::*{{green|I hope so, Marcus. Good luck.}}


:::::::::::I'll do my best! You know, you might not like the results of what happen 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!
:::::::::::{{DialogueLoop}}
 
:::::::::::{{darkorange|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.}}


:::::::::*{{green|Maybe there's another way.}}
:::::::::*{{green|Maybe there's another way.}}
Line 1,693: Line 1,772:
:::{{darkorange|Before you can answer, he shakes his head and lets out a sigh.}}
:::{{darkorange|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 me powers, I can't travel through time. They can.
:::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?
:::So what do we do now?
Line 2,169: Line 2,248:
::*{{green|What are these ripples you're talking about?}}
::*{{green|What are these ripples you're talking about?}}


:::Yeah, around you... Like... You're not all that you should be.
:::{{ReverseGray|This dialogue option leads into Marcus's first-time Flashback dialogue. This is probably a bug.}}
 
:::Whatever, it doesn't matter! Answer my question!
 
:::*{{green|Marcus Stribbling. You're coming with me.}}
 
::::{{ReverseGray|This dialogue option leads into Marcus's default, first-time dialogue. This is probably a bug.}}
 
:::*{{green|Marcus. I know you're scared... But you can trust me.}}
 
::::{{ReverseGray|This dialogue option leads into Marcus's default, first-time dialogue. This is probably a bug.}}
 
:::*{{green|Marcus, listen... I know what happened to you. But running to the Isles isn't the answer.}}
 
::::{{ReverseGray|This dialogue option leads into Marcus's default, first-time dialogue. This is probably a bug.}}
 
:::*{{green|I'm {{Character}}. I'm a hero. I'm here to help you.}}
 
::::{{ReverseGray|This dialogue option leads into Marcus's default, first-time dialogue. This is probably a bug.}}
 
:::*{{green|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!


:*{{green|How do you know that?}}
:*{{green|How do you know that?}}
Line 2,305: Line 2,362:


*{{green|(Return him.)}}
*{{green|(Return him.)}}
{{EdNote|Note=[[File:Align Status Villain.png|left]] Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous Alignment Point.}}


:{{darkorange|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.}}
:{{darkorange|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.}}
Line 2,316: Line 2,375:
*{{green|(Finish him off.)}}
*{{green|(Finish him off.)}}


{{EdNote|Note=[[File:Align Status Villain.png|left]][[File:Align Status Hero.png|left]] Choosing this dialogue option will award the character one Villainous and one Heroic Alignment Point, while claiming to award four additional Heroic Alignment Points. This is probably a bug.}}
{{EdNote|Note=[[File:Align Status Vigilante.png|left]][[File:Align Status Villain.png|left]][[File:Align Status Hero.png|left]] 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.}}


:{{darkorange|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.}}
:{{darkorange|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.}}

Latest revision as of 00:39, 8 August 2024

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.



Ambush! If the player bypassed Frostfire without fighting, damaging Marcus Stribbling triggers an ambush by Frostfire and one wave of Freakshow.



Debriefing

Character, I assume your call means that you have finished the job?