- "The NoHeads... will rise... again!"
- ―Whammo Fireball[src]
Hell Burnbottom's campaign refers to the conflict between the S.M.S.B. and the "Elite NoHeads", secretly a splinter faction of the Apostles. Things escalated when Red Mist risked coming into the open to lead his criminal empire to victory. Around the time Lindsay Kellerman learned of the demonic Umbralord, his discreet manipulation of the war, and his connection to the fanatical Apostles, Hell Burnbottom unexpectedly reformed, and he ended his quest after a fateful mission to Bermuda Triangle.
Background[]
In January 2040, a mass breakout from Beta Prison set three long-imprisoned supporters of the NoHeads — Whammo Fireball, Darren Slade, and the Lunch Money Bandit — loose. Mr. Stupid NoHead's ghost had little trouble arranging this, as many of the jail guards were frightened by the mere sight of him. The newspaper reported the escaped criminals. These three were considered to be some of the most dangerous and highly guarded convicts due to their crimes being legendary. Darren Slade defected afterwards, and was killed as a result of his disloyalty. The other two escapees chose to rejoin Mr. Stupid NoHead and Hell Burnbottom, Fireball because he had nowhere to go and the Lunch Money Bandit because he was still loyal to the NoHeads after everything.
About a year later, the ghost of Mr. Stupid NoHead declared his intentions to take Jonathan’s life as his own, as he had already located the orphan. NoHead departed and attacked ad course. He immediately advanced on him, but Jonathan took up the Sword of Abomination that he had acquired and decapitated him. Upon his destruction, he vanished into black smoke. Although no one knew about this except Hell Burnbottom and Nagatha, it is likely Jonathan would have been famous for his victory had anyone did know.
After the destruction of Mr. Stupid NoHead’s soul, Hell Burnbottom was still very weak and about to give up all hope when Whammo Fireball and Cygnus Evans, also known as the Lunch Money Bandit had returned to their master. Burnbottom planned to regain his old body and strength. To achieve this goal, Burnbottom would require the use of a Dark prism within the ancient and remote Tower of Reincarnation that required him to obtain the three main necessary ingredients for it, bone of the vulture, egg of the crow, and flesh of the hero.
Soon after, Whammo Fireball and the Lunch Money Bandit tortured George Thames I to find the whereabouts of a loyal NoHead pet, Nagatha, who had been imprisoned in the basement of the NoHead base after the Battle of the Fourth NoHead Base and was thought to be dead. Burnbottom uncovered that George Thames I had located and adopted Nagatha after helping her escape the cellar. Myra had stumbled upon Nagatha at his house, and the Lunch Money Bandit placed a short-term memory wipe on her so that she would not report it. They went to George Thames’ workshop, where Hell Burnbottom’s ghost placed another short-term memory wipe on Thames and freed Nagatha, having Whammo Fireball Teleport to Bast Castle with Nagatha in tow.[1]
Return of the Dark Lord[]
Initial stages[]
Left alone to command the remaining NoHeads, Hell Burnbottom said that Fireball and Evans’ applications were to last, though they were NoHead acolytes for the time being and no higher than that. Burnbottom also revealed that with Mr. Stupid NoHead’s destruction, the plan had to be altered to just bring him back, and him alone. For his first mission, Fireball went to retrieve Hell Burnbottom’s sword from the Yellowstone Base, where he found it by the pit leading into the Unterwelt Void. After presenting it to his master, Whammo and the Lunch Money Bandit then traveled to Bast Castle, outside of Lioness graveyard.
Hell Burnbottom’s soul left the Unterwelt Void and followed his two minions there. All three of them took up temporary residence there. Over time, Whammo tried unsuccessfully to convince Burnbottom to use a subject other than Lindsay Kellerman (whose flesh they needed) to rebuild his body, but Burnbottom saw this as an attempt at desertion and claimed that Fireball was regretting ever returning to him in the first place. Hell Burnbottom noted how Whammo always flinched when he set eyes upon him and shuddered when touching him, which further enforced his belief that Whammo would have turned on him were he given the opportunity. On the other hand, Burnbottom was impressed by the Lunch Money Bandit’s unwavering commitment to the NoHead cause.
In the summer of 2031, Jonathan woke up in the middle of the night to see a light in Bast Castle. This eluded him, as the castle seemingly had been deserted for centuries. With no other alternatives, Jonathan entered the castle to investigate and was surprised to see Hell Burnbottom’s ghost, hidden from view, and Cygnus and Whammo, discussing on taking Lindsay Kellerman’s life. Jonathan began to listen in, and he figured enough to learn that the master had killed someone with amusement and plotting another murder, directed to a girl. Jonathan prepared to report this to the police, but before he could successfully flee he encountered Nagatha. When Nagatha discovered Jonathan and reported to Hell Burnbottom, the Dark Lord welcomed the orphan into the room. Jonathan attempted to bluff his way out, lying that his parents would notice his disappearance, but Burnbottom saw through it and said that he knew that nobody knew he was there. Whammo advanced with his sword, but Burnbottom told him off. After challenging Burnbottom to show his face “like a man,” Burnbottom obliged. Jonathan was horrified to see an evil spirit in the chair. Cackling, Burnbottom cast a death beam that took Jonathan’s life.
When the Lunch Money Bandit set out to locate a crow egg, he found it when a crow flew to its nest. He immediately fired a freeze beam at it, binding it to the nest to ensure it did not escape Cygnus’ sight. He planned to use its egg when the prism was complete. He then Teleported to Bast Castle and reported that he had found the first ingredient. Hell Burnbottom was so pleased that he used his powers (which were limited to use) to create two one-dollar bills and told him to get a treat from the Candy Store with it. He also gave him a disguise so he could go unnoticed.[1]
Duel with Master Intelligence[]
- "Whammo Fireball! You are very lucky indeed. Your blunder has not ruined everything."
"Master! My Lord, I am...I am so pleased...and so sorry..."
"Nagatha, I guess you are SOL. But there are still the members of the SMSB, I'm sure you'll be getting a bite before too long."
"He is right. I will not be feeding Whammo to you, after all. Now, Whammo, perhaps one more little reminder why I will not tolerate another blunder from you&hellip"
"My Lord...no...I beg you!" - ―Burnbottom punishes Fireball for incompetence[src]
For their next mission, Whammo Fireball and the Lunch Money Bandit were sent to capture Master Intelligence to stop him from interfering with their plans. The next day, at two in the morning, the two set off for the MBH. About an hour after they left, Master Intelligence awoke, only to sense enemy movements outside his room. This was Whammo and the Lunch Money Bandit conversing on how best to capture him. Intelligence grabbed his sword from a drawer and left his room to search for any intruders. Due to Whammo Fireball’s neglect, he managed to locate Cygnus Evans. The Lunch Money Bandit drew his gun and attacked. Still in his pajamas, Master Intelligence dueled him briefly. After jetting off toward the ceiling, Cygnus realized he could not win and called Whammo over to him, who quickly showed up and linked hands before the two intruders Deteleported away from the MBH empty-handed. As punishment for causing the setback, Hell Burnbottom tortured Whammo by blasting him with a powerful beam of energy that sent him reeling.
Master Intelligence was highly eluded by the attempt, and realized the NoHeads would return soon. The next morning, when everyone met together for their first class, he told them about what had happened the night before.[1]
Final stages[]
During the events surrounding Red X’s arrival, Whammo Fireball set off to find a vulture on Hell Burnbottom’s orders. He happened to find one outside the Tower of Reincarnation, who was trying to burrow into the grave of Mean King to eat the corpse below. He pulled out his gun and shot it before it could react. After putting away his gun, Fireball briefly assessed the corpse. He then plucked a bone from the dead body and took it to the other side of the Tower of Reincarnation, finally deciding to bury it in front of Mean King’s grave for safekeeping.
Whammo Fireball told Hell Burnbottom of this, and added that he buried it in front of Mean King’s grave. Minutes later, Fireball was preparing to leave when Hell Burnbottom contacted him, with the Lunch Money Bandit holding up the phone, telling him to send a probe to the MBH. Whammo complied and summoned three probes before telling them what they needed to do. When they arrived, the probes remained unseen throughout the trip. They learned that the S.M.S.B. members were all making plates as an assignment, and reported back to Whammo. Whammo called Hell Burnbottom’s ghost back and suggested Burnbottom turn Lindsay’s into a transport that only she would be affected by touching. After thinking it over, Burnbottom agreed to that. Shortly before the restoration, Whammo returned to Bast Castle and volunteered to jinx Lindsay’s plate into the secret transport. However, Hell Burnbottom deemed the Lunch Money Bandit better for the task. When he returned shortly before the restoration, the Lunch Money Bandit was given the task of mutating Lindsay Kellerman’s plate into the secret transport. He somehow infiltrated the MBH and sneakily turned the plate into a transport, and left without a trace. As Cygnus did this, Burnbottom and Whammo proceeded to the Tower of Reincarnation, where Whammo Fireball prepared the Dark prism.[1]
Rebirth of a warlord[]
- "Only Lindsay will give a convenient effect. She killed me. She can do this for us. Her debt will be paid, whether or not she likes it."
- ―The spirit of Hell Burnbottom[src]
In the beginning, there were casualties which went unnoticed by most. Myra Gordon was captured by Whammo Fireball and the Lunch Money Bandit in summer of 2031. She was interrogated for information on Nagatha’s whereabouts and then tortured her. Jonathan, the orphan who destroyed NoHead’s spirit, was murdered by Hell Burnbottom on 3 February, 2031, after overhearing Burnbottom’s plans to murder Lindsay Kellerman.
During the events surrounding Red X’s arrival, Fireball killed an erutul for its bone, which he concealed within Lioness graveyard. Hell Burnbottom immediately sent a call telling him to send a probe to the MBH. He found that the S.M.S.B. members were all making plates as an assignment, and suggested Burnbottom turn Kellerman’s into a transport only she could touch. Burnbottom agreed to that and, shortly before the restoration, the Lunch Money Bandit performed the task. Fireball proceeded to the Tower of Reincarnation and prepared the network.[1]
Summoning of souls and the ritual[]
When Lindsay Kellerman put her elbow on the plate, she was whisked away to the tower, much to Master Intelligence’s shock. When she arrived, Whammo Fireball emerged from a small hut. He proceeded to deploy a gadget that knocked Lindsay against a metal board. She was trapped there so that Whammo could take one of her hairs to use in a Dark prism to restore Hell Burnbottom’s physical form. After Whammo had placed Burnbottom’s severed head into a prism containing the near finished prism, he added the first two ingredients — a crow’s egg and a vulture’s bone —causing it to turn from blue to white before he proceeded to obtain Kellerma'’s flesh and energies for his master’s rebirth. Once the final ingredient was added, the prism turned blinding white, sending out bright sparks as it exploded. Fireball telekinetically contained the chaotic energy, directing it into a pile of remains that were Burnbottom. Thus Burnbottom regained his physical body and rose from the floor as Kellerman looked on in horror. A cloak washed over Burnbottom, rendering his body covered.
The plot now successful, the Dark Lord then took some time getting re-accustomed to his new body. After Whammo Fireball gave him his sword back, he summoned the Lunch Money Bandit to the tower. The NoHead symbol appeared in the air, and a cloud emerged and hit the ground roughly. The Lunch Money Bandit emerged from it and apologized for being tardy. Then Burnbottom made both of his new servants NoHeads officially.[1]
Duel and escape[]
From her chains, Lindsay Kellerman, in desperation realized she should kill Hell Burnbottom’s new form before Burnbottom could make trouble. Before she could make a decision, however, Burnbottom turned to her when she pleaded that he show mercy to runaway NoHead Darren Slade. He tortured her with electrical shocks, but she disappeared from her metal bonds and hid behind a bush, her sword at the ready. Burnbottom noticed her and goaded her until she came to face him. He assailed her with fire and repeatedly cast Death beams, taunting her all the while, but Kellerman evaded him, to the astonishment of all present. The two proceeded to engage in sword combat. Suddenly, the ghost of Rotta Hecks unexpectedly emerged from between the duelists, having been summoned by the ritual unintentionally, encouraging Kellerman not to let go of her sword or let herself be overpowered by Hell Burnbottom. Rotta briefly distracted Burnbottom while Kellerman seized the plate, which Hecks had mended, teleporting back to the MBH.
Upon arriving, Lindsay told Master Intelligence what had happened. Intelligence did his best to comfort Lindsay, but he realized a mission was in place that the S.M.S.B. had not taken for years. After the Second Fencing Tournament ended, he kept a patrol should Hell Burnbottom attack the MBH. After the battle, a newly restored Burnbottom returned to his headquarters, Bast Castle, with his henchmen. He set to rob another bank and then return to the base, where he plotted how to best defeat the S.M.S.B. Meanwhile, open war upon the community had begun. Master Intelligence was another target of Hell Burnbottom, who was rapidly growing in power.[1]
Government's denial[]
Shortly after Kellerman emerged from Canada claiming Hell Burnbottom had returned, Robbie Evans, the President of the United States of America, refused to believe it, as it might compromise his position as President. Instead of working with Master Intelligence to prepare the community for battle and try to stop the Elite NoHeads, Evans, under the then unknown influence of mind control, launched a campaign to slander and discredit both Lindsay Kellerman and Master Intelligence, as Evans was paranoid that Master Intelligence was after his job. Evans used his influence at the Perpetual Seer to convince the public that Kellerman and Master Intelligence were crazy, attention-seeking liars and that everything was going well in the world.
Disappearances continued to occur as Burnbottom gained power, while the government turned a blind eye to it. The Elite NoHeads took full advantage of the government's denial and kept a low profile, rebuilding their forces quietly and secretly. They managed to recruit noils because the government refused to take the suggested actions. The only resistance the Elite NoHeads met with, at the time, was the S.M.S.B. itself, which was suppressed by the government's propaganda and threat of dismissal, thus furthering Burnbottom's freedom of action.
After Kellerman stood trial, Cardarphen cleverly used the NoHead Sign to summon Burnbottom, who hastily fled, thus causing Evans to finally believe Master Intelligence and Kellerman's claims about the NoHeads' return.[2]
Open war[]
Dark forces rising[]
There were numerous casualties of war in 2032. When the State Senator refused to surrender the government, Hell Burnbottom and Cygnus Evans destroyed two famous bridges, drowning many civilians. Flora Fortescue and Katie Black's successor both went missing and George Thames’ shop was emptied, but there was no sign of struggle. Flora Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor showed evidence of a struggle or fight, but no sign of her was ever found. A man named Octavius Jackson disappeared in the early spring. Darren Slade was found dead under a NoHead Sign for his defection. Police officer Emily Fiennes and Head of Justice Amelia Vane were murdered by unknown assailants. These events allowed Hell Burnbottom to replace the State Senator as the new head of government.
During this time, Hell Burnbottom also gathered the strengths of the lions, panthers and werewolves to his cause. Because of the government’s original denial, Burnbottom was able to rebuild his forces unhindered, which led the government to fall far too back behind by the time they finally accepted the truth. Burnbottom also set a plan in motion to assassinate Master Intelligence, the leader of the resistance against him, striking a crippling blow against the world’s morale as well as removing the S.M.S.B. from existence.[2]
Attack on New York City[]
Hell Burnbottom stormed into the Town Hall and ordered the governor to surrender. When he steadfastly refused, Burnbottom left, warning that “you’ll be sorry.” The next day, the NoHead Sign appeared over New York City and, moments later, Whammo Fireball, the Lunch Money Bandit, and Hell Burnbottom himself stormed through Park Avenue and Broadway Street, and broke into the Empire State Building. For as of yet unknown reasons, they ransacked Flora Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor, killing Flora Fortescue herself. They also assaulted Thames Metalle and the blacksmith chose to come with them quietly; no signs of struggle were left to be found. Taking stacks of guns to arm their fast growing legions with them, the original trio proceeded to quickly Disapparate.
To finish the job, Hell Burnbottom and his two minions destroyed the Golden Gate Bridge, flying around the bridge in a spiral motion to create a twisting and buckling movement on the bridge walkway, killing several pedestrians in the process.[2]
Locating Darren Slade[]
- "The boss has ways of tracking his enemies."
- ―Lunch Money Bandit[src]
After Hell Burnbottom's restoration to his body and power, Darren Slade fled for his life. Darren feared Burnbottom’s return because he had betrayed too many of the late Dark Lord's servants to be allowed back into the fold, but the Lunch Money Bandit doubted he would get far, as his boss had ways of tracking his enemies. Contrary to his belief, Slade was able to stay alive for a whole year, fleeing to parts unknown. Inevitably, however, Darren was finally tracked down to a shack in the north. He was killed by the Elite NoHeads, though he managed to put up a fight and pleaded mercy, and Darren's body was found in the shack for his disobedience to the Dark Lord, under the NoHead Sign.[2]
Fall of the Tower of Reincarnation[]
 |
The S.M.S.B. decided to attack and destroy the one place capable of spawning new life and thereby keep its existence a secret. The initial force consisted solely of Master Intelligence and his pupils. Soon, reinforcements arrived, but Stan sensed that Hell Burnbottom had become aware of the attack and had sent reinforcements. She withdrew a phial and successfully destroyed the tower along with anyone's chance to initiate rebirth through the Darkness.[2]
Locating the Telecron[]
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Hell Burnbottom went to the Bermuda Triangle in search of the Telecron.[2]
Aftermath[]
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Behind the scenes[]
- Although Nagatha was in the tower during the rebirth, she was not seen during that sequence. The reasons for this are unclear. In a deleted scene, Rotta destroys her, but this cannot be considered canon as Nagatha dies shortly before the Battle of Bast Castle at Sebiscuits’ hand. Also, Jonathan shows up with Rotta and voices to Lindsay his shock that he was killed by a mutant and tells Lindsay to stand her ground.
- In the book, Whammo tied Lindsay to a wooden board so tightly and gagged her that she could neither move nor speak. In the graphic novelization, Whammo levitated Lindsay high above the tombstone and had a metal board hold Lindsay with a neck-lock.
- Originally, D. Isaac Thomas planned Hell Burnbottom’s way he was reborn slightly differently. In earlier drafts, Hell Burnbottom rises and exits from the prism naked and is clothed by Whammo. In the actual book, however, the network exploded and quickly merged with Burnbottom, making him appear dressed in the black robes already. This was changed for censorship reasons.
- Although the fight appears directly in S.M.S.B.: Where Are You Now?, it is only mentioned in the graphic novelization.
References[]
| Wars and Conflicts in Sol History | |||
| Prehistory • Mutant Wars (2579 BCE - 2973 BCE) • Don Rice's campaign (1840s) • War on Metta (1936) • World War II (1939 - 1945) • War for Planet 12 (1960s) • Vlad Conspiracy (1980s) • Zira Miranda Grover's campaign (1990s) • First NoHead War (1990 - 2004) • Viskaan War (1980s - 2003) • War on Terror (2001 - 2021) • Conspiracy against the Red Cavalier (2015) • Dartus Outbreak (2016 - 2017) • Lily Elazar's War (2017 - 2023) • Dinobot Invasion (2020) • School War (2021 - 2022) • Attack on Earth (2022) • Insurrection of the Cavaliers of Thornton (2022 - 2023) • Time Army Offensive (2024) • Expansion (98,000 BCE - 2027) • Inequity War (2027) • Contingency (2024 - 2028) • Poe Ledsa's campaign (2028) • Second NoHead War (2029 - 2030) • Mutantry-2001's Incursion (2031) • Mongolian Incident (2035) • War of Darkness (2035) • Erno Silva Multiversal Crisis (2035 - 2036) • Sourland Invasion (2037) • Hell Burnbottom's campaign (2041 - 2042) • The Gladiator's campaign (2050 - 2052) • Vault Crisis (? - 2050) • Cosmic War (2050) Post-Deviation Timeline: War of Jupiter (2052) • Ramona Meyer's campaign (2052 - 2064) • Renascence (2060) • Dominion of Iron Crisis (2072) • Insurrection (2071 - 2094) • Return of Nebelon (2070s - 2150) • Shadow Wars (2095 - 2130) • War of the Everlasting Ark (2190s) | |||
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