Call of the Busbar Part Two

As Captain Busbar and The Copper Powered Components stood at the base of the imposing Eaves Bluff, their eyes were drawn to the enigmatic figure of Colton Rose, a local wiseman and tracker, who stood among the shadows cast by the towering cliffs. The terrain around them was treacherous, the sheer magnitude of the bluff making it seem impassable. Colton’s presence seemed to infuse the atmosphere with an air of mystique, as if the ancient spirits of the Cherokee Nation watched over him. Groundswell leaned over to Ampere, his mechanical voice tinged with awe, “Impressive, isn’t he? Colton exudes wisdom and power in equal measure.”

In a voice that resonated with wisdom and experience, Colton began to weave a tale of history and tragedy. He recounted a story of a house atop the bluff, a house that had once been a beacon of tranquility and hope until it was forcefully seized by Union soldiers during the Civil War. The house was turned into a makeshift hospital, and the clashes that followed between the soldiers and the fearless inhabitants of Meigs county had turned the place into a blood-soaked battlefield.

Amidst the harrowing tale, Colton’s words revealed the fierce determination of the Meigs county residents, who fought valiantly for their beliefs, even to their last breath. Their fearless stand was etched into the very soul of Eaves Bluff, a testament to their unwavering spirit.

Colton’s gaze shifted to a small opening in a copse of trees, nestled between jagged rock formations. It was the only visible entrance to the heart of Eaves Bluff. As Captain Busbar and the team approached the barrier, an ominous surge of malevolent energy erupted, propelling Captain Busbar backward with incredible force, causing him to collide with a massive boulder. The impact resonated like a thunderclap, reverberating through the air, and the violence of it left an indelible mark on Captain Busbar’s mind.

With Colton’s help, Captain Busbar rose to his feet, only to realize that something was profoundly different. His skin, once the hue of polished copper, had now transformed into the complexion of untarnished skin. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning — his connection to copper, the source of his power, had been severed. The barrier’s magic had stripped him of his abilities, leaving him vulnerable and unable to ground the energies around him. This wasn’t just any magic; it was the dark work of a notorious group of gypsies in Meigs county, known only as “Cobre maldito.”

“It’s alright team, nothing to worry about.” Captain Busbar’s reassuring words held a hint of tension, his bravado masking the fear of his newfound vulnerability. His stoic façade cracked slightly, a flicker of concern showing through as he grappled with his powerlessness.

Colton’s keen eyes caught sight of two massive tablets chiseled into the side of the cliff near the copse. Written in an ancient elvish tongue, the tablets contained a riddle that spoke of five epicenters of evil that needed to be vanquished before the barrier blocking their path would dissipate. Colton, with his innate connection to ancient wisdom, quickly translated the inscriptions. Voltsmaster observed, his voice a mixture of intrigue and puzzlement, “Colton, I’m familiar with some of these markings, but there’s an element of the unknown here. How do you decipher these glyphs? I’ve honed my ability to perceive magnetic fields, a skill that should allow me to see the intricate dance of energies completing these letters!” Colton chucked at Voltsmaster and suggested they discuss this at a later time, maybe over dinner.

As Colton explained, the second tablet depicted a sprawling dreamcatcher superimposed over the local geography of Meigs county. It was a map, a map that pinpointed the locations of the malevolent sources of power. The Copper Powered Components marveled at the revelation, their collective gasp echoing through the air. Each of the five locations was marked by a bead on the dreamcatcher, like stars in an otherworldly constellation.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Captain Busbar’s heart. He pictured the suffering that these centers of darkness had caused to the innocent citizens of Meigs county. A tear slipped down his cheek from under his helmet as he wiped it away with determination. Turning to Colton, his voice resolute, he asked, “Colton, where is the nearest hotspot?”

Colton’s eyes met Captain Busbar’s gaze, his expression unwavering. “The Kangaroo,” he answered, his voice laced with both urgency and the promise of courage. The Kangaroo, a seemingly innocent gas chain by day, revealed its sinister side by night. The Kangaroo’s facade of normalcy was a stark contrast to the malevolent forces that lurked beneath its surface, waiting to be unveiled under the cover of darkness. It was a hub of darkness that The Copper Powered Components were now ready to confront, fortified by unity, a newfound ally, and the best grounding solutions available in the county.