Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"We'll have to prepare for as much as we can then, and then probably hope for the best.", Iris says to Thor, smiling supportively to let it sink in that he has her help in this. Kumatora sighs, then nods to him.

"Yeah, it won't do much good talking about it now."

"But hey, Pseudo was watching this tournament too, wasn't he? I'm willing to bet he's trying to think about a solution as we speak.", Duster says.

"Anyhow, aside from us losing the egg, the tournament itself was pretty exhilarating."

"Even though you got combo'd by Lucas?", Duster asks, making Kumatora look sheepish for a moment.

"Yeah... you probably missed that, Thor, but Lucas managed to perform a 16-hit combo on me. That's one of the ways we used to fight back home, by trying to guess the right times to strike so that we can land multiple attacks."

"We never tried to do that here out of fear that, if we failed, we'd be right open to attacks that could do who-knows-what to us. I guess Lucas just showed us it's still a viable strategy."

"I wonder how he got the idea to do that though, since he shouldn't be able to remember that method at all."

She then turns around.

"And speaking of Lucas, he's over there, talking to Claus. Lucas asked to speak to him in private."

"No idea what they're saying, but I hope it's something good."

Iris, intrigued, peeks at Lucas and Claus as well.

"Are those kids your friends too, Thor?", she asks.

She chuckles.

"Inquisitors are those who carry out the Emperor's will... in clandestine manner, of course. ... Basically, secret agents. In space."

"Tomoe's part of the Order Malleus - she fights daemons and shit."

"I mean no offense, but I'm really not in the mood to discuss the Odin-damned tournament or any tournament-related matters right now," Thor says to Kumatora and Duster. "Not after everything that's happened."

He sighs heavily, then turns to Iris.

"Yes, but there's a lot of complicated matters surrounding those two that I'd rather you not get caught up in."

Familliar yet Unfamilliar

Homura nods, before quickly saying "Sounds somewhat right for Mami, if you live in some sort of odd reality like that... She was always one to be eager to hunt down witches. Even more than usual for people like us... I'll leave it at that."

"I guess that's understandable.", Kumatora says to Thor. "Let's put this behind us for now and focus on how we'll get that egg back."

Iris then glances back at Thor.

"Alright. Though it's a little sad, those two look like such nice ki-oh, hey, they're done."

Lucas is now, indeed, walking away, having left Rope Snake with Claus.

Claus isn't moving a muscle, and Rope Snake looks upset and worried.

"... oh no.", Kumatora mutters as she immediately starts walking towards them, wanting to find out what's wrong. Duster follows her instantly, and Iris looks confused.

"... I'm guessing whatever they're worried about is part of those matters too?"

Northwest Solstheim

Nightmare Wizard materializes in a shower of darkness and sparkles.

Somewhere Vaguely Near the Wash

The Doom Slayer is going demon-hunting.

Southeast Solstheim

A weighty, alien silence passed through the air as Vahasia tried to brace herself to hear the voice of her former patron in her mind... but it never came.

   "   I wish this were merely a costume... Unfortunately, it's far more than that, though I can't imagine either of you want to hear that story right now. What brings you two out this way, then?   "   

Edited by OmegaShadowcry on Apr 4th 2020 at 7:21:14 AM

She snorts.

"Ours is the odd one, sure."

"We had our own version of Madoka... I think she was a Navigator. And..." she pinches her forehead, trying to remember anything about a Homura. Kyoko sighs.

"Sorry, your face just don't ring any bells."

Trellis sighs. "Like I said, I'm lost."

   KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM   

"And I don't have any form of guidance."

Edited by KiriK on Apr 4th 2020 at 6:24:16 AM

"I have to assume so. But why now, of all times?" Thor replies, taking a seat on the ground and letting out a heavy sigh.

   I can listen to your story. Not like I've got anything better to do.    She says.    And I like tragedies.   

She chuckles to herself.    Oh, I'm just an humble Tremere.    She eyes Trellis to see if he'll recognize the clan name.

Northwest Solstheim

A Certain fairy makes her way into the area, flying in front of the nightmare wizard, with a smile on her face. She quickly says "We meet again, Nightmare. And, Not a moment too soon. Is it time to talk about some further cooperation, with the glorified lightbulb being shattered?"

Prologue One: A Late Meeting

Familliar yet Unfamilliar

Homura nods towards Kyoko, saying "I've always been rather quiet, I mostly care for Madoka, in all honesty, and I'd guess that holds true either way." She looks over to the side briefly, noticing the doom slayer's signature armor in the distance, before looking back, saying "Navigator? You mean a Pilot for a spaceship? And... what about those Demons?"

Somewhere near the wash

A man Clad in dark armor, with a missing eye, a prosthetic arm, and hauling on his back what appears to be a lump of metal one could vaguely refer to as a Sword, is travelling through the area, carrying a bag of supplies in one hand.

Nightmare twirls his finger.    "Indeed it is. I was... eliminated for a while some time ago, but I have returned, ready to continue where we picked up at."   

The Doom Slayer stops and stares at the man with the huge sword.

As if challenging him to a dick-measuring contest, he unveils the Crucible blade, its Sentinel edge thrumming with an ancient godlike power.

Edited by KiriK on Apr 4th 2020 at 6:43:51 AM

Iris looks down at Thor.

"Hey, how about, in a bit, I'll take you to a good bar? There'll be a bit of food, and some drinks as well.", she says, smiling. "I think it'll do you good and help you relax."

Kumatora and Duster can be seen trying to comfort Claus, who tells them something that shocks them both into immediate silence, an expression of disbelief on their faces.

Considering what Lucas had already told them a few days ago, what could be so bad to incite this reaction?

Nevertheless, after a pause, Duster walks back to Thor and Iris.

"Hey, so... something... happened just now that... well, I want to say that it may be better if you don't get involved, at least not right now. We... all three of us will need some time to process this, and it'll be just as painful to have to tell this back in the base too."

"What did that boy say?", Iris asks. Duster glances down.

"He... said that it's all been too much, and he can't get what happened out of his mind, so... he told Claus he'd prefer it if they never met again."

"Never m... oh...", Iris mutters, no longer talking now, realizing that this situation was way more serious than she'd even thought. Duster just nods.

"Lucas is planning on going home and leaving this world... and us... behind. I didn't think... none of us thought he took it this badly. But... well, as I said, you shouldn't get involved right now, Thor. You should go take a rest, and we... we'll see how we tell everyone else in the base about this."

Duster shakes his head a little, then turns around and leaves without saying goodbye. Which just goes to show how badly he's taken it too. He probably forced himself to be the one to share this news with Thor just now so that Kumatora and Claus didn't have to.

Iris looks saddened. She doesn't know these people, but this situation just looks so somber. She looks at Thor again and crouches.

"I think that bar might be a good idea, don't you think?", she softly, caringly asks. "Some food, drinks, rest... and then, once you can go at it again, you can see what can be done about that egg and that boy. What do you say?"

Edited by DevilPsyco on Apr 4th 2020 at 1:42:26 PM

"Well... basically, yeah. They like use their psyker powers to find a path through the warp? At least I think she was a Navigator. I'm certain she was some kinda psyker, though."

"Which daemons?"

She was actually a sanctioned psyker in the inquisition, but whatever.

Kyoko follows Homura's gaze, and does a double-take.

"Is that an Astartes?! I've never actually seen one up close! Er, in real life."

A dark splotch grows in the ground between Doom Slayer and the other sword guy.

Tournament Aftermath

Everyone had gone back to wherever they were before...

Except one.

Sagat looks on at the conversation between Duster and the others before standing up and calling his tiger to walk with him.

Sagat: "Interesting. His soul seems to be troubled."

He turns around, walking without a destination. And he comes across someone troubled, perhaps he can be of help. On his own terms.

Thor is left completely speechless at this revelation, and he remains silent even after Duster leaves. Once he's managed to completely process everything, he looks at Iris.

"That... is exactly what I need after today, Lady Iris."

He manages to pull himself back up, then holds out a hand for her to take.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 4th 2020 at 5:01:44 AM

A certain obsolete protector of reality, in his human guise, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, seems to be taking a walk around. He is wearing headphones, from which music can faintly be heard, and is excitedly singing along:

"And it might keep you warm, but you can't see the fire

It might keep you calm, but you're in love with a liar

While you dance all night, you watch as the web gets tighter

These are the reasons why a butterfly can't love a spi-"

He suddenly grows silent.

Holy shit! Is that who I think it is??? Fuck me this place is kind of awesome.

Edited by Arachnos on Apr 4th 2020 at 8:00:42 AM

A Late Meeting

Airy nods at nightmare, replying "Well, As it's been a while, what is your plan for this realm, or, at least, what do you want done? Chaos? Destruction? Fear? Or something grander..."

Puelli Psyker

Homura, distracted from her earlier questions, and now focusing more on the doom slayer, says "I've met that man before. I don't know if he's an astartes or what, but he seems to be more than a normal man, that's for sure." She points to the doom slayer, to indicate that's who she means. "He fights like he's rage incarnate..."

The black clad swordsman grins at the Crucible, saying    "Nice blade. Not my style, but it looks good. Mind not swinging that at me? I've got enough shit to deal with."    As the black spot forms, however, he drops his bag, reaching for the back of his neck, as it begins to bleed.

   "Fear sounds good. Let's go with fear."    Nightmare chuckles.    "After all, I am... a living nightmare."   

Doom Slayer shrugs his shoulders and points the Crucible down at the splotch with one hand. With his free hand, he pulls out his Combat Shotgun and fires it into the air, trying to get Arachnos' attention... and to point out that there's fighting to be done.

Edited by KiriK on Apr 4th 2020 at 7:18:50 AM

Duster and Kumatora lead Claus away from the area. They'd all need some rest. If Claus and Kumatora had been old enough to drink, they could've followed Thor's and Iris' example.

Speaking of them, Iris takes Thor's hand, then puts her other hand on his shoulder.

"I found a great one three days ago that's less than ten minutes flying from here. Let's go there.", she says, still smiling, hoping that it'll at least make Thor feel a little better.

If he agrees, she'll start flying away with him.

Samsara's startled by the noises and look back, noticing the Combat Shotgun.

What is...

That's a big shotgun. Says Chloé. Nasty thing. It could probably cut a man in half.

Are those... the weapons of the future?

Well, yeah. Swords are nice but modern warfare is all about killing someone in Asia.. while you're sitting in your cushy seat at the Pentagon.

Samsara tilts her head.

Kill people from far away, that stuff.

She nods, and wonder : Could she perhaps ask to receive such an extraordinary weapon (though perhaps more adapted)? Hm... She would need to investigate.

"Wow... he's... shorter than I would've thought, but still! He looks fucking awesome!" She seems in awe.

A slimy little demon [pictured] crawls out of the splotch, and gurgles at Doom Slayer.

Darn, there's even Homu-

Arachnos hears the gun shot and immediately turns to the source, almost instinctively saluting. His ear buds fall out of his ears.

"Yes Mr. Slayer, sir, at your command!" he says in a somewhat shaky voice that clearly shows that he is both awed and intimidated to stand in the presence of a living legend - the man who's gone through Hell a hundred times over - literally - and survived everything from demons and inhospitable realms of fire and brimstone to the dreaded Terry WADs.

Edited by Arachnos on Apr 4th 2020 at 8:10:47 AM

Despite everything, Thor manages to flash a slight smile at Iris. Perhaps it was that lovely smile or her general sunny, charming demeanor, but she was always able to lift his spirits.

"Heh... by all means, lead the way."

With that, he begins flying away with her.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 4th 2020 at 5:14:00 AM