The Mighty Pen
Kage - Punish Without Hesitation
So, Half Good didn't even know what had happened to him? Not likely. Even if he didn't know at the time, he had a guess at least, and if I'd been him, I'd have done some poking around of my own. Well, he had his secrets, just like me. But if he thought to find out one of mine by asking what landed me in the Last Chancers, he was dead wrong. I'd told that story so many times I could tell it without really thinking about it. You heard all the stories thousands of times in the barracks or aboard the troopships. There was never anything new to talk about aside from whatever death was waiting for us. But we still told each other those same stories over and over. It was practically a ritual of some kind. Why not carry on the tradition here? I nodded.
"Not as bad as some others, but yeah," I answered him. "Honestly, I don't think my crime was all that deserving of the legion. It was my escape attempt that got me in, I think. Not that I'll ever know for sure. I was doing sentry on some backwater hole called Stygies. It was a real easy number, watching a bunch of degenerate peasants grubbing around, making sure nothing happened to them. In those situations you have to provide your own excitement, know what I mean?"
"Well, on that world, they have this course called the Path of Fate. It's like this ridicuously lethal obstacle course. Every month all the bravest locals would line up to run it. There's pitfalls, spikes, boiling water, and in the last stretch you're allowed to attack the other competitors. Anyway, after watching this for a few months, my sergeant starts runing a book on each race. We'd gamble rations, that sort of thing. But that gets boring after a while. Then we moved on to more valuable stuff. All we did was give the locals a few rations packs and they'd sell us their daughters. It was amazing." I grinned. "Speaking of young ladies, I had my eye on one in particular. The sarge was soft on her too and rather than contest with each other, we gambled first rights on the Path of Fate. I won, but the sarge got sour. Fat people often get like that and he was a fragging windwhale. Anyway, he bawls me out and threatens to report me to the lieutenant for something he just made up unless I gave him the girl. That was it, I just pulled my blade and gutted the fat fragger then and there. They hauled me out of there and I ended up in the legion and from there, this gulag."
My bottle was empty, and on the pretext of getting another, I got up and shifted over so as not to be between the two halfmen. Then I waited to see what he had to say about my little story.
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu
Vampire Hunter
Juri, Fight with Suika
Juri smirked as she caused Suika to stumble back and readied herself for Suika's next attack. However, as the Oni charged towards Juri, Suika suddenly turned into mist. This transformation lead to Juri walking backwards while she tried to connect one of her kicks with the mist. Unfortunately, Suika successfully grappled Juri despite the Street Fighter's best efforts.
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Throwing her head backward, every muscle in her neck tensed and strained as she put her all into this. Her mighty voice cried out "ONIIIIII..."
And, swinging her head forward with every ounce of power that she could, she finished calling her attack with a brazen cry of "HEADBUTT!" To the awaiting Korean head it flew, really only about a foot's distance, and the fabric of reality might shatter at such a blow. Also her horns are really long if Juri tries to wiggle her head away, don't try that.
Such was the forehead that could sunder the world. May Juri rest in peace.
Lizard Metabolism
Four, -hiss-, Lounge
"Recognizing your own weaknesses is not weakness in itself." Four did not deign to grant Flowey the privilege of eye-contact, continuing to absentmindedly staring at the flame of hope on her palm. "And with friends like you and the host of killers from over there, I'd rather have enemies like Lady Auriel."
Destroymen, Bar
"So you're a sick fuck too. Good to know. I was wondering if people like that green brat are more common around this team." Rudeman commented in a rather direct way, sipping his drink.
"No use crying over spilt milk, I suppose. Seeing as your higher-up was participating in these dealings too, it's good to know one of you got their just desserts. I think everybody agrees we'd rather have you than your sergeant." Politeman added after a moment, idly circling his own glass in his metal hand.
How do lizards fly?
Flowey - The Lounge
After hearing Four's answer, Flowey feigned a suprised, even outraged face. He stammered a few "you" hesitantly before a wide grin formed on his face. He then exclamied a big "YOU IDIOT"
"Where did you pick THAT from, a self-help book? Ladies, the reasons each of us must learn our weaknesses is to actually correct them ourselves, not expect some literal agent from heaven to fix them for us. Let's say that you accept her hope or whatever, then what? Just the fact that you think it will magically make you "whole" show that you've learned nothing from the actions that likely lead you to being called a villain and that you'll just repeat them. In essence, you're just a selfish brats that constantly break thing and expect their parents to fix stuff for them."
"But hey, being a brat would be pretty consistent with your character, wouldn't it. I mean, let's muse over the facts together, shall we?"
"First, you were summoned here as a villain. While you say that it is mislabing, a "mistake", you regularly call most of the others who've been put on this team psychopatic killers or other such pleasantry, so you recognise that the host's judgement is at least mostly correct, right? And who could blame you? These people have probably lived thousands, maybe even millions, years more than us, watching and amassing knowledge from all sorts of worlds we couldn't even begin to imagine. From their words, we can also summit that they've watched most, if not all, of our lives; they probably know more about us than yourselves. And these people, who possess more knowledge about morality than Birdy here can ever hope to preach, who know all about your live, have judged you a villain. There must be some reason, shouldn't it?"
"But more importantly, let's look at you! Despite being seemingly confident in your morality, even to the point of preaching, you fall seriously easy under influence from strangers. I mean, how long have you known this lady, five minutes at most? Kinda strange, isn't it? Someone who seem to believe in their righteousness so much beforehand now seems so ready to abandon that pride because the cult leader of hope says so? You want to know what I think is the REAL reason behind that attitude change ?"
Flowey's grin then changed into a closed and calm smile, his voice having become a completely serene tone that could have been misunderstood as compassionate if not for the things he was saying.
"You never believed in those words, did you? Your superiority, your morals and your newfound humility. All of that is just a facade. In the first place, what you wanted was acceptance from someone you could up to, an that person just happened to be Auriel. In fact, the phrase you just said was probably someone you admired believed or that you think they would have said, right? I wonder what they were. Where they a teacher? Perhaps a coworker? Could they be an older sibling? Hell, maybe they were a parent." He suddenly chuckled an almost sad-sounding laugh.
"But don't fool yourself, child. You're as empty as your words. And believe me when I say that no one will ever truly love a fool who constantly wear a mask around other.
edited 19th Sep '17 5:42:27 PM by Alecoene
Lizard Metabolism
Four, Ha (Also Denial), Lounge
The flower ranted, so smug in its perceived superiority. Mistaken he was, of course, but for now Four just took in the torrent of this utter drivel, eyes glued to the flame.
"It shows how little you know of me, that you throw around these accusations, fantasies." She said after Flowey was done. "There are only two people for whose acceptance I yearn, but I am not a fool to throw myself away just like that for their favor."
"You, who speaks so callously of others, who makes little of their plights and problems... you're a vermin, a weed that I would root out if I could be certain as to your death. Whoever cursed you into this wretched existence did the world a favor. Their only fault was that you have not suffered more for it." She finally looked at him, and it was a proud look, a carefully kept facade, a porcelain mask with just the tiniest crack running around it. Some of its words did hurt Four more than she would like to admit... but she could not just lash out. It would not do.
How do lizards fly?
Vampire Hunter
Juri, Defeated!
The Oni Headbutt was not the only thing that flew... as because of it, Juri's head flew quite a way, landing where it may without Juri's body attached which was still being held by Suika. However...
The only warning of the incoming attack was the head and body of Juri disappearing. Suika would find herself suddenly besieged by a barrage of balls of dark ki all being kicked at her from the foot of Juri Han. It was her Fuharenjin, a powerful barrage of Fuhajin which served as her own unique ki blast. Juri was pissed at Suika!
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Auriel - Lounge
"Your words are most unwelcome here, Twinkleroot. Begone from my presence at once!" Auriel said to Flowey. "You speak many words, yet say nothing. You chastise against a false premise, being under the influence of others, yet you yourself are deep in denial. So eager to assume the role of a meager servant, willing to align yourself with the values of your new master who has taken you from your world, placed you in these halls, and told you who you are permitted to care for and who you are to hate."She waved the monster off with her other hand.
"I accept no such fate, I bow to no such master, and I refuse such despair. I hold steadfast to hope and love, for there is no greater rebellion against our tormentors than to show benevolence to those we are meant to combat."
Just as dead-Juri disappeared, she got hit in the face, back, neck, legs, and a few other parts with a barrage of densely concentrated danmaku of darkness! Collapsing in a surprising amount of pain and also being on darkfire for a fraction of a second, as often happens when struck by ki-balls, Suika slumped down onto the floor and shrunk back to her normal size.
She pulled herself up with one arm to look at Juri, and she didn't seem happy, or terribly strong right now. "What's with this...best two out of three crap? You lost already," she said.
Vampire Hunter
Juri, Kitchen
"Who says the match has ended yet or that I have to play fair?" Juri said about as serious as she could be... and then broke into laughter before reverting from her fighting stance. "Aw, you surprised me with that mist move of yours! That was pretty cheap, so I got cheap right back!"
"But you did win," Juri walked over to Suika and offered her hand. "Don't expect that mist move to work next time, though... I learn from my losses."
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Flowey - This is Fun! - The Lounge
... Twinkleroot? Even the old fool would find that name lame! And the angel remained completely serious while saying it, like it wasn't the most ridiculous thing he's heard in all his life! But he had others preocupations at the moment. For instance, the lady has responded to his accusations. And she was defiant, wich was good. She would be a fine source of amusement.
"Well, you know what they say: actions speak louder than words. Will you remain loyal to your principles, even if you must travel hell for them? Or will you take the easy way out and start killing people left and right while still claiming to be righteous? I look forward to seeing that. And for your information, the one who "cursed" me in this form did anything but favors for the world. In fact, all she ever did was bring more and more suffering to others even when she was vainly hoping for her next action to save more life than it destroyed." Flowey then adorned his "skull face". "I would love for you to go trough the same treatment I did, if only to show you how much fun it is to be me."
He then turned to face Auriel. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not eager to serve anyone. I'm just smart enough to take an opportunity when I see one. And if that needs me to play the clown for a little time, so be it. I'm not the one in denial; I know we're just pawn to them. You're not rebelling against anyone: you still insult and belittle those who do not adhere to YOUR viewpoint of the world while knowing nothing about them (wich is not exactlty benevolent, by the way) like they want you to. In fact, that little speech of your was probably seen as just another rating grab. You can blab about "hope" or such things, but as long as you don't burst into the director's office and hold them at gunpoint, it's all the same to them. Me? I'm going to win this game, one way or another, because I'm actually Determined enough to grab MY hope."
edited 23rd Sep '17 1:04:45 PM by Alecoene
The Mighty Pen
Kage - Bar - The Incompetent, the Cowardly, and the Treasonous
I reflexively glanced in Smiley's direction to see if she'd heard Halfbad's comment and was getting out that daemonsword of hers before hissing at the idiot.
"You wanna keep your mouth shut with shit like that around her? I'm not getting caught in the blast range if she decides to kill you a few dozen times! And yeah, most of this team is like that. Welcome to the fragging pit fighters' prison. You think they make the crowd cheer with nice reasonable types? And you're damned right you'd rather have me here. Never thought I'd miss having the Colonel around."
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu
Paranormal Activity VII
Azula - Jolly good show! (Kitchen)
Unlike many of the other villains together in the Kitchen and Lounge areas, Azula mainly remained in her own thoughts - thoughts about how to have the remaining villains make up for their loss; thoughts about payback against Tira and thoughts about the role she needed to fulfill to make sure they'd never lose again. In her thoughts, she had probably downed 7 or so of those coconut drinks while thinking. Whomever made them had a talent for making them, she had to admit.
Almost as talented as her comrade Juri displayed as she started a fight with Suika. She stood observing the battle unfold, with Juri taking the demon girl to her limit. While she eventually did lose, the amount of power on display from both Juri and Suika was enough to have Azula slowly clap for both women.
Good showing from the both of you. I was mildly entertained by what you had to show.... Azula said while clapping.
Your works are one trope short.
"And besides, I didn't use a cheap shot! You're not expected to call out all your moves when you're fighting, otherwise your voice would get really hoarse," she continued to inform the obviously novice fighter. "Besides, Ms. Flame Girl liked it," she said with a point over her shoulder.
Lizard Metabolism
Destroymen
"What? No, not Tira. The prim-and-proper one." Rudeman corrected Kage after a moment of mild confusion.
"To be fair, the Hero team proves that nice and reasonable can work out when it comes to views and rating." Politeman said as well. After all, the idea of a modern Hero meant you would hold tight to morals regarded as positive by the society; being polite was simply something that came with that notion.
How do lizards fly?
Vampire Hunter
Juri, Sore Loser
Juri was about to give Suika a rude hand gesture when she commented on someone liking it. The Street Fighter turned to look at Azula, before shrugging. About the only thing that could dissuade her from being rude was the presence of a kid. Juri sat down next to the kid.
"You are on our team, so what's your deal?" The Street Fighter asked Azula. "No offence, but ain't you a bit young to be on our team?"
Was Juri showing a hint of concern for Azula? After all Azula was an actual kid compared to even the teenage-looking Tira.
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Suddenly, an announcement rang out through the Nemesis house from Liberty.
"Attention Nemesis contestants! Tommrrow morning, the next challenge will be commencing at daybreak, and in case you did not know, it is now nighttime!"
Almost as if someone had forgotten to change the lighting, the exterior of the house would suddenly shift from daylight to nighttime with no warning whatsoever.
"You're probably going to want to get some rest while you can, so you should all start heading for bed!"
Tira had spend the duration of the random duel quietly watching while she ate chips, chuckling a bit as the two hit each other and laughing when she saw the blood spill, not caring much that it had been Juri's blood. After all, she would just come back. She started yawning as the announcement came, and so she got up and started making her way to the villain bedroom.
The blade went directly through Raiden's eye, passed through his brain, and came out the other side of his skull.
Suffice it to say, he was dead.
Thus, he fell to the floor before his body vanished, and he reappeared, the red aura that had surrounded him before vanishing. He walked forward, a smirk once again on his face as he extended a metal hand.
"Good fight, I haven't met many people who can keep up with me like that. Sorry about what happened at the end there, didn't expect to have to unleash Jack or I'd have warned you in advance, I-"
At that point, the announcement went off.
"Well, should probably get to bed, don't want to lose to the nutjobs over on the other team cause we didn't get enough sleep. We can talk tomorrow, I'm curious to learn more about where you learned to fight like that."
edited 1st Oct '17 8:12:38 PM by Meanken
Auriel - Lounge
"We shall see, Twinkleroot," Auriel said to Flowey. "Only time will tell. We shall bring harmony to this realm in chaos, or we shall allow it to consume our very souls."That damned voice from above declared it was time to sleep. The reasoning made sense - most of the people she had seen thus far were humans, and humans had to yield to the demands of their bodies. Good or evil, they required sleep.
"If you need more time to think of what sort of healing your soul desires, I am more than willing to resume this discussion at another time, Lady Four," she said. "In the meantime, I do not have the needs of mortals. I can keep vigil over any of those who must slumber, if you would prefer having a guardian Angel while you rest."
Vampire Hunter
Juri, Kitchen to Bed
When the announcement came through the loudspeaker, Juri frowned, "Ah, looks like we'll have to continue this tomorrow." Soon enough, Juri headed off to bed.
Chun-Li, Dojo to Bed
"I am glad you're enjoying the dojo," Chun-Li smiled slightly at the place she wished for already getting good use. It was then that the announcement came through the loudspeaker.
"See you tomorrow!" Chun-Li waved her hand at the others and headed to bed as well.
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Jedi of the Old Republic
Gemini
Gemini, who was totally here the whole time, heard the announcement and headed off to bed.
What is this "signature" of which people speak?
Fear me
Rachel
-The catman announced a new challenge coming up, but didn't actually say what it was. I went off to an empty bunk, wondering what kind of entertainment could possibly be worth keeping a bunch of immortal psychos around to kill each other to pass the time.-
Wulfrik
-Slowly lifting his head from the table where he has been attempting to drink away the memory of the island fiasco, Wulfrik vaguely hears the beastman's voice announce another planned round of idiocy. The alcohol must be working despite his own exceptional resistance- he hallucinated a walking, talking flower at some point- but as the lights dim, so does the Norscan's vision, and soon his snores resonate throughout the house.-
Lizard Metabolism
Soma
Oh, neat. We're about to get hit with another challenge soon.
To be fair, it was getting a bit stale. Best to keep some of the more needy members of the house satisfied so our lives don't suffer just because they didn't kill enough. Or get out enough. It's hard to tell with some of these people. In any case, Menardi and Raiden's duel came to a close, with the latter losing. "Sleep sounds convincing to me, yeah." Agreeing with the cyborg ninja, I bid the others farewell before heading to the hero bedroom, ready for yet another night in this place.
Destroymen
Well, that was a good call to call it quits for tonight. "Well, we'll be seeing you." The Politeman smiled at Kage as he and his other half got up and left for the villain bedroom after Tira.
Four
There was an announcement for them to retreat to their bedrooms. "...yes, perhaps I should think this through. I'd rather not squander such a gift." Four said after a moment of hesitation. "Thank you for your concern, Lady Auriel, but I doubt you will be welcome in the bedroom of the villains. We can talk tomorrow however." Smiling at the angel, the Intoner thus decided to get some well-needed rest before tomorrow's challenge.
How do lizards fly?
With her temporary entertainment deciding to go to sleep like a real square, Suika was left in the rapidly thinning room. She took a swig of her sake again, and...wait, wasn't she on a no-booze pact with Genos? Where was that guy, anyway?
...
...
Well, whatever. Bottoms up.
The contestants, if not already awake when the next morning came, would be woken up by liberty.
"Alright contestants, it's time for the next challenge to begin! Assemble in the main hall!"
Once everyone had arrived, Liberty would appear, a cue card in his hand that he started reading off of.
"In a far off world where magic reigns supreme, two mighty powers are locked in an endless war, unable to break the stalemate. One, The Kingdom of Tarasan, is ruled by the evil Queen Tacna of the dark elves. The other, The Kingdom of Carcan, is ruled by the beautiful Queen Seldanna of the light elves These two will explain your overall challenge goals, but one rule has been changed, For the duration of this challenge, death will not spell a trip back to the house, you will be respawned in designated safe zones to continue the fight. Please enter the portal now, and let the challenge begin!"
With that done, the silver arch lit up, ready to allow the contestants entry.
Hoping to get to a point where she herself could call out an attack name, she went for the quick and dirty maneuver. Suika started to cover the ground between them, but suddenly turned into mist and reappeared directly in front of Juri. Like, uncomfortably close. Assuming this was too close to get kicked in the face again, she then tried to grab her by the shoulders.