Adventure 3: Faceoff 
From the moment they met, Captain Gonzo and the Mighty Tim were at odds.  Now it has come to where they intend to beat each other up.  
The duel between Captain Gonzo and the Mighty Tim is to take place in the public eye outside Wells Hall near the center of campus.  Nobody, especially not Ellipsis and Morningstar, is to know about it until the moment it starts.  
Ellipsis has noticed the tension between the two, however, and is now able to find out about the duel by reading Bob Brannigan’s mind without being noticed.  He's inclined just to let them do it.  But he knows that, even if they both survived, neither one would fight alongside the other again.  Nor alongside Ellipsis, probably.  And he can't bring himself to beg them not to fight each other.  (Begging wouldn't work anyway, he decides.) 
Stephen has to retreat into himself to find a solution.  Emerging from trance the next morning, he has the one best solution.  But it isn't all that good.  
The conflict is inevitable.  The best that Stephen Wolcott can do is to ensure that neither is seriously hurt, and possibly to reform the team after the duel.  But this will require utmost control over the proceedings, in a crowded environment - anathema to him~ It just might work, though, and is thus worth the 
effort.  But he needs help.  	- 
Despite his reluctance to find any other person dependent upon him (and thus be responsible towards any other person), Ellipsis finds himself forced to go to Morningstar.  Together they draw their plans to oversee the due1.  
On the day of the duel Captain Gonzo strides out of Wells Hall to meet the Mighty Tim, who has teleported there.  As they face off, Ellipsis parts the crowd.  He proclaims: "This conflict IS under judgment.' 
Gonzo is pissed off.  What's that asshole talking about? Gonzo says, “Can't you make sense for once?” Maybe he can make him make sense.  Captain Gonzo charges Ellipsis.  
Ellipsis is in mental contact with Morningstar, and refuses her offer of help.  Having sped his mental control over his body to five times normal, he throws Captain Gonzo past him.  He then suggests: “Save your 
strength.  The foe of your choosing awaits.” 	- 
60nzo and Tim both wonder what exactly the hell Ellipsis is: neither one has seen him without that strange mask on.  (Not that they can remember, anyway.  He did take it off in their presence once, but chose not to let them remember.) Whatever he is, they didn't think he could defend himself that effectively.  
When Gonzo backs down, Ellipsis dictates the terms of the conflict.  It is to be confined within a hemisphere of 10' radius, and the conflict shall end when Ellipsis decrees a draw or a clear winner.  He who remains on his feet shall be the victor.  Having no option, the two combatants agree to the terms.  
Ellipsis draws a 20' diameter circle with a piece of chalk and sits down.  He then tells the crowd to draw back; after they do, he proclaims the duel begun, 
The Mighty Tim gains an initial advantage from hitting Captain Gonzo from all sides with teleportation, but Gonzo recovers to grab Tim's staff and throw him outside the circle.  Ellipsis stops the match to allow 
Tim to return.  	.  
Tim and Gonzo are equally matched thereafter, until Tim teleports three stories up with Gonzo and throws him at the ground.  At Ellipsis' direction Morningstar stops Gonzo.  Mighty Tim mutters, “Not her, too...”  Ellipsis cites Tim for contempt of the rules.  Tim returns to the ring.  
The combat continues, but Tim suddenly decides to take it elsewhere.  Before Ellipsis can react, he 
teleports Gonzo into another dimension - his dimension of transport.  And he follows.  
In this dimension Tim hits Gonzo all around.  60nzo takes no damage at all, however.  Meanwhile, something is attracted .   It is somehow fami1iar and hungry.  It feeds.  
Both Tim and Gonzo suddenly feel weaker.  Eventually they find they must draw together and pool their selves to repel the menace (which they never quite identify).  When they finally confront this dark menace together, it is uncertain what to do; it withdraws.  
Tim then returns them to the place of the duel~ where Ellipsis and Morningstar and about half the crowd are waiting.  Gonzo says, "Shit... a draw, I guess.  Ellipsis moves to them, fields their arms high, and proclaims them both winners.  (Be it all damned anyway, he thinks.) 
Epilogue 1: Gonzo and Tim walk off together.  Tim says, “We should do this more often.  It makes a good workout.” Gonzo replies, “Oh, fuckin' A, why not...  but skip the other dimension." 
Both winners, huh? Mike Roberts knows bullshit when he hears it.  But why should he be like comic book heroes and hold a grudge forever? 
Both winners, huh1 Bob Brannigan knows bullshit when he hears it.  But he shouldn't make too big a deal about it.  Fighting this Mighty Tim geek forever would ruin his reputation.  
Epilogue 2: Ellipsis, despite himself, telepathically asks Morningstar to fly him away with her.  As they fly away from the crowd.  he finally starts to relax.  But as he does, he starts to shudder.  
Morningstar asks} "Is it all right to land here, Stephen? - Stephen! Are you all right?· He is visibly trembling.  She quickly lands.  
It seems he has no choice but to confide in her.  He says.  ·1 do not believe...  I could have taken much 
more.' 	.  
"Why? What was wrong?" 
What can he say? Is he to simply tell her how much he hates humanity in a mass? How trapped he feels 
among them? 
"I...  despise... crowds.  And besides... I had no options." Laura has no response.  
Ellipsis thinks.  He called them both winners - when they're nowhere close to that as yet.  But he had no choice... He continues.  
"I...  mean...  had I  left them to their own hatred, they would be at each other's throats forever.  One would probably be hospitalized right now.  It would be roughly what they deserved.  I wish it did not matter to me.”
"So what made you care enough to stop them?" 
"I have to care, so long as I wish to team with them." 

"Stephen... caring about other people is all part of being human." 
	“Human...”	- 
Laura wonders: What isn't Stephen telling her? 
Stephen catches this thought.  He asks: 'You can't feel it at all, can you?”
“Feel what?· 
"I... sometimes wonder if normal people can feel it, even just a 1ittle.  Feel the thoughts... piling 
up around you... ready to fall upon you. " 
“You feel other people's thoughts?" 
He's let his secret out! "- Am sorry to have mentioned it.  Should not have been weak...” 
“But, Stephen... Stephen!" As Laura looks at him.  he disappears from plain sight! 
She says in a sad voice, "But, Stephen, it's all right.  Whatever it is...” 
Interlude: Learning Curve 
Driven by his cold logic, Stephen Wolcott finally decides to learn the martial arts.  The next time his acquaintances are troublesome, he'll at least have another option for his own defense.  
He finds and attends a self-defense seminar quickly learning everything the instructor teaches.  He then arranges for continued instruction.  Telepathically he learns it all - far faster than his body can acquire the stamina for it.  Well, no matter: it's only intended to keep him in a fight long enough for his mental abilities to enter play.  But he continues practice privately, even though it disrupts his normal routine.  
At the Maranatha Christian Fellowship they talk about the new campus powers who inhabit human form.  They must be demons; the men whom God created in his image have no power like theirs! Laura Greene, at the fellowship meetings, doesn't know how to respond.  At home that night, she prays for guidance.  
Morningstar still doesn't know everything that the stone of hers can do.  Sometimes it scares her...
Captain Gonzo and the Mighty Tim begin to spar together.  Gonzo is still in a mood to show this geek who's boss (so long as it's not another big deal public grudge match.  Things 1ike that can't help his reputation).  Mighty Tim wants a good opponent.  In addition, he has started to think of a superhero team - with the Mighty Tim as leader.  
At first they spar outdoors in part to give onlookers a thrill.  (Both heroes think, Why the hell not?) As winter comes, though, they get driven indoors.  Generally they teleport into the horse arena.  Their skill improves, but Gonzo is still not as agile as he could be.  
One day as they spar, Stephen Wolcott walks into the horse barn.  Tim fells Gonzo again as he watches.  
As the two take a break.  they notice him watching.  Gonzo says in an agitated tone, "Enjoying the show, 
guy?”	- 	_ 	- 
“If you worry of your relative lack of coordination, there are ways to change that.” 
“None of your fuckin' business!”
"It might be.  I think you know me.”
·Oh, shit...” says Captain Gonzo.  
“... Ellipsis,· says Mighty Tim.  
Gonzo thinks: What's he want with us now? 
Tim thinks: There must be something he wants from us.  Is he going to make his move now? 
Stephen, having noticed all Bob's worries, addresses the matter of agility: he suggests that Bob tryout for the MSU gymnastics team.  Bob resists the idea for about ten seconds, but Stephen says, “You're a natural.  Why the hell not? Once you caught on,  you'd never have to worry about agility ever after.” (And he realizes: he just spoke in Brannigan s own vernacular tongue.  If this goes on... ) 
Shortly thereafter, Bob shows up for open gymnastics trials.  The coach decides he might have real potential, and puts him on the reserve team.  (Bob complains to Stephen about not being on varsity, but Stephen asks him why the hell he should care as long as he can blow his opposition away.  Ability will win in the end.) 
Mike decides Captain Gonzo could use some long-range weaponry, maybe something he could throw.  Bob suggests Frisbees in jest.  Mike says, “... Why not?”  He helps Bob develop some special-effect throwing disks.  
Mike Roberts thinks: With four super-powered adventurers as students on the campus, Michigan State University might just find itself home to a superhero team.  Real-life role playing - and a chance to try his leadership! He wants to form the team - but Gonzo's the only one he knows how to find! Only Ellipsis knows how to find all four of them.  
And it looks 1ike Ellipsis might be interested in forming the team.  After all, he's taken an active interest in him and Gonzo.  But if so, what's he waiting for? 
One day Mike notices Ellipsis in civilian form, walking across the campus.  (Creepy looking guy - and Mike still doesn't know his name!) Mike catches up to him, and asks what's going to happen with these people.  Stephen says: ·Am waiting.  For what, I do not know.  When it comes, we might be a team, if I can balance you together with me.· 	
	'What do you mean, you balance us?' 	_ 
Stephen would prefer not to respond, but now he must.  ·The four of us are so disparate... and me most of 
all.  If you think you can keep the others together with me - do it!" 
	“But they 1ike you!” 	- 
“They do not know me yet." 
Mike wonders.  Ellipsis is the most imposing person he knows, so why's he acting so insecure? He begins to realize where the subplots in superhero comics reflect in real life.  
Mike replies: “We're a natural team, with well-balanced abilities.  If you'll have them, I'm sure they'll have you.  And if we can find a good team name we're all set.”
'So long as we balance against each other, I shall personally call it the Balance.·”