10586/Starting On A Good Foot

Starting On A Good Foot
Date of Scene:	30 December 2019
Location:	Liberty Island, Manhattan
Synopsis:	Zorro and Darkhawk save a Charity Event and Madame Masque is captured in the process.
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Zorro, Darkhawk

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Pepper Potts has posed:
Liberty Island was known to most anyone by sight alone. The Statue of Liberty rising up above the grounds. Those grounds were lit up this evening as they were the location of a benefit event to raise money for Good Footing. It was a group that helped benefit the homeless and needy in the city, the money going to support shelters and food banks. It was one that many of philantropists and celebrities supported.

The donations were often in the form of cash, since it looked good in the large donations pots around the outdoor setting when the cameras panned over them. The area had a large number of outdoor heaters in use, allowing for those present to be comfortable as they milled around or sat at tables enjoying a dinner that was well overpriced but for charity.

Tonight, Pepper Potts was in attendance as a representative of Stark-Fujikawa. She was dressed in a simple black dress with full sleeves and simple black pumps on her feet. She was standing with a small group, chatting with a glass of champagne in her hand.

Zorro has posed:
Hector Rodriguez grinned as he lloked around the part of the island where the main festivaties were. Good Footing was one of Hector's favored charities, so his presense at this part was almost a guarntee. As Hector wandered around, he grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter and took a sip. Normally, he wasn't the biggest fan of fancy drinks. But, this was a special occasion.

Hector, champagne in hand, walked towards the donation pot and took out his wallet. He then pulled out two 100 hundred dollar bills. True, 200 dollars was not the best amount to donate, but Hector forgot his check-book. He then looked a little to his left and saw Miss Pepper Potts, a bigwig from Stark-Fujikawa. Deciding to mingle a bit, Hector walks towards Pepper and says," Ahh, Senorita Potts, an honor to meet you."

Darkhawk has posed:
Chris Powell wasn't exactly invited. Technically, his name had been added to the list under some sort of junior achievement thing, just a student getting to attend a fancy dress event.

In truth, it had been arranged as experience. If he was ever going to graduate to Alpha Flight, he'd need to get a wide variety of experience. He looked out of place, not by his outfit, but his body language and face. He was too young and too nice to be at this event. Anyone his age was likely to be a spoiled brat.

Pepper Potts has posed:
At the sound of her name, Pepper turned to Hector and offered a smile. "The honor is mine, Senor Rodriguez. It is truly a pleasure to meet you. I've seen a few of your performances and you are simply amazing." Everything about her was genuine, no stories made up to help people feel better. She had indeed seen him on stage a few times and it was always a wonderful show.

She motioned to the young man in the circle with them. "This is Chris Powell. He was invited to attend through his school, to give him some experience and exposure. Mr. Powell, this is Hector Rodriguez, an amazing performer who regularly is appearing on Broadway."

A light seemed to be approaching over the water, coming in fast. A few people around them began to murmur, oooing and ahhing that Iron Man might be about to make an appearance!

A moment later, those voices were silenced as two eight foot tall, metallic robots landed to either side of the gathering and raised their arms, hands glowing with some sort of blue light and the smell of scorched ozone giving away it was electrical in nature.

A woman in the crowd whipped off her head and face covering, revealing a golden mask beneath and her long black hair falling to her waist in a ponytail. She tore the robe off, letting it all flutter to the ground. She was wearing a blue bodysuit with several firearms, one in her right hand. She fired two shots in the air, to be sure everyone knew what was happening as the band--In the middle of Your Love Keeps Lifting Me--screeched to a halt.

"Attention! Everyone cooperate and this will go more easily!" She moved up toward the stage.

Zorro has posed:
Hector smiled at Pepper and was about to say something to her when he heard the crowd murmuring. He turned, also thinking Iron Man was gonna show up. Suddenly, the Robots showed up and Madame Masque arrived. As soon as she started to make her way to the stage, Hector slipped into the crowd and tried to make his way to the outskirts of the island. He had brought his backpack with him and hid it there. The pack contained his costume and his equipment, besides his rapier, when he buried in the sand.

Darkhawk has posed:
Chris Powell offered a hand in greeting to Mr. Rodriguez when invited over and introduced. He was mildly surprised that Ms. Potts knew his name. "Really, the pleasure's all mine. Thank you Ms. Potts, Mr. Rodriguez. It's an honour to be here."

But then there was some kind of show coming on. Like most of the guests, he thought it was some kind of show by Iron Man. He initially moved closer to get a better look, but that also made it harder for him to find a place to change.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper had eyed the approaching lights, like the others. She didn't expect Iron Man but Tony was known for surprising her. Only it wasn't him. She moved closer to a few of the others in the crowd, putting a comforting arm around a woman who had already started shaking violently in fear. "It'll be okay. We just need to cooperate," she whispered to the woman softly.

Madame Masque turned once she was at center stage, raising her voice to be heard. "We won't be taking more than five minutes of your time." The timer was already started. It should take that long for the authorities to arrive. Likely any heroes too. They should be out of there before that point. "Just put all your valuables in the jars you already have so helpfully provided! Orderly lines please. Quickly and cooperatively and you all will see tomorrow."

The Dreadnought robots moved closer to the stage. A few security personnel rushed to the fore only to be blasted by the electrical charge from the robots' hands. They went down quickly and that curbed the urge to not cooperate by the crowd. They started to form lines, adding wallets, cash, and jewelry into the pots by the stage.

Zorro has posed:
Hector finally reached the outskirts of the island and began to search along the bushes. Eventually, his hand gripped something coarse that felt like cloth. Hector gave a tug, revealing his back-pack. Hector immediatley dove into the bushes and, after a bit, came out dressed as Zorro.

Zorro then proceeded to look down at the sandy ground, looking for something important. Finally, after a minute of looking, he found what he was looking for near a small pile of sand. Quickly digging it up, Zorro pulled out his trusty Rapier. Zorro then steathily made his way back to the party, not wanting to alert Masque early.

Darkhawk has posed:
Chris tried to get free. He wasn't that lucky. He had to give up his wallet and the zero dollars in it, Canadian or otherwise. Everything went on credit or debit. At least there was nothing in there that could identify him as being a hero or part of the Flight.

After having surrendered that, he managed to make his way to a secluded area in which to change. Doing so involved a bit of a light show, but all anyone saw was the strobe effect of the lights.

Once the change concluded, he promptly went invisible and set about trying to surprise a Dreadnaught with a energy blast upside the head. The attack had rendered him visible again as he flapped and floated above the ground, "Bet you can't catch me," and he took off upwards.

But why would they follow? Oh, well, that was the simple matter of the extendable grappling hook that had gone for one of the pots.

Pepper Potts has posed:
As the hero appeared, Madame Masque snarled behind her mask. It wasn't visible to the crowd but her body language showed her frustration. "After him! I have this!"

Flames erupted from the feet of the Dreadnoughts as both went airborne in pursuit of the hero--and half their stolen goods in that jar.

Madame Masque moved for the other jar, keeping her gun trained on the crowds. "Anyone else tries to be a hero, they get a bullet in the head!" Her voice showed anger as she began to back away from the crowd, toward the bushes nearby, intending to make a break for the boat she had waiting at the coastline of the island.

She hadn't seen Zorro yet.

Zorro has posed:
Zorro manages to make through the crowd just as Masque picks up the jar and holds out the pistol. Zorro pulls out a throwing-knife and, with a quick prayer, throws it at the pistol.

Darkhawk has posed:
Darkhawk led the Dreadnoughts away from the party. He radioed in for backup, though knew help would already be on the way. It was New York. Half the party were probably secretly heroes or villains.

Up in the air, he brought Madame Masque's playthings into his arena.

Pepper Potts has posed:
She would still get away with at least half the money. It wasn't perfect. It was enough. For now. "Thank you for your cooperation."

She went to turn and that is when the impact happened. Not only did the knife hit the gun but it was so expertly thrown, the handle managed to smack the back of her hand hard enough that it forced her fingers open. Her gun hit the ground by her feet.

She turned to face the coming threat, gripping that jar in the crook of her right arm and reaching to try to draw another weapon from a holster on her left leg. "Who are you supposed to be?" she demanded of the masked figure.

Zorro has posed:
Zorro bows a bit and says," I am Zorro Senorita. I am afraid i cannot let you run off with that money." Zorro then tosses a second knife at the leg holster

Pepper Potts has posed:
Madame Masque manages to snatch her hand away from the weapon before she loses a finger. But the strap holding the holster in place was sliced, letting that holster fall to the ground. She had more weapons on her other hip, but she was smart enough to know the same would happen again if she reached for it.

She moved the jar of money to the front of her body. It was large enough to cover any major organs at least. "Like the old movies? Interesting choice." He couldn't see it but she glanced to the rapier he had at his side as well. "Bringing a blade to a gunfight doesn't seem too smart." Despite the fact it was working well so far.

Zorro has posed:
Zorro slightly grins at Masque's observation. As Masque glances at his sword, Zorro says," Senorita, i will recommend surrendering. Many have underestimated me like you do, only to have fallen before the blade of Zorro, gun or no gun."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Not happening."

Madame Masque considered. If she took off running, he would have his opening. She reached for her gun, he would probably throw another knife.

"Let's settle this the old fashioned way. No weapons." After all, Zorro was known for his blade. She expected her abilities would be better in hand-to-hand.

Zorro has posed:
Zorro nods upon hearing Masque challenge. He turns to Pepper and hands her his cape and Sword while saying," Please hold these senorita." He then heads over to the center of the area and says," Alright, i accept your challenge." After what seemed like a long, almost brutal fight, Zorro landed a blow to the back of Masque's neck, knocking her out. He then turns to the now cheering crowd and starts to bow.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper could add her voice but not really applaud, due to having her hands full. "That was amazing! If that money had been lost, it would have been devastating."

Off in the distance, the rest of the money was safe in the hands of Darkhawk, who had taken down both Dreadnoughts. It would be returned to the event in short order.

The approaching sound of sirens announced the NYPD was arriving by boat in the harbor, ready to secure the scene. They were joined by SHIELD personnnel, ready to take Madame Masque in custody.

Zorro has posed:
Zorro walked towards Pepper, a grin on his face as he took his items back. He then looked at her and said," Thank you Senorita." He then gave her a poliet bow. Suddenly, he heard police sirens and his eyes widened, He immediatley turned and fled down to the outskirts of the island, disappaering into the sunset as he did.