Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

Fuel and Nana turn somber.

"His brother, Lucas...", Nana meekly says.

"He's leaving, and he doesn't want to see Claus again.", Fuel says. "He realized that he was hiding things from him."

"I... I think it broke him."

Fuel then turns to Claus and walks over to him. He puts his hand on his friend's shoulder, which makes him stop moving.

"Hey, Claus. Skippy is here. You remember him, right?", he carefully asks. Claus doesn't answer him, though does turn his head to look at Skippy, taking off the helmet he'd been wearing.

His hair is a complete mess and there's dark rings under his eyes, suggesting he may not have slept at all last night. Speaking of his eyes... they just look hollow. Dead inside. Calmness to a degree that's so worrying that they best keep their eyes on him, otherwise... who knows what he might be driven to do...

"..."

"I don't exactly have a heart.", Pseudo says. "But I will accept your advice with gratitude. What can I do to obtain a few of those cloaks? I'll need to obtain at least two, as it's not a good idea to venture in such a world alone."

"I see. You should be wary who gives you money though. Some sorts of characters could have some darker motifs behind it. I'll leave it up to you to decide what sort of character I am.", he says, slightly smirking.

Then he appears to be amused.

"Don't worry. I happen to really like steak. Where can I order?"

"Oh, shoot..."

Skippy approaches Claus. He doesn't say anything, just looks at him.

Maleficent stares, momentarily dumbfounded.    "I'm talking about your metaphorical heart, brazen machine. If you feel emotions, and know right from wrong, you have a heart. Regardless, if we meet in person, I may conjure these cloaks for you. Otherwise, your only option would be to steal from someone who already has one."   

Edited by KiriK on Apr 5th 2020 at 3:50:44 AM

Oh, I have Kakleon and the security. No one's messing with my little ol' me, so don't worry! And be happy!

She nods and snaps her fingers in an oddly commanding manner. A spotlight shines on a empty table and she attempts to lead him there.

Ohhh, good choice! How would you like it? Raw, cooked, all that... thing? She waves her hands. I don't eat much steak myself!

...

Chloé seems to panic at the sight of fire, so Samsara grabs her aside and leap away. Then, once she's done, she attempts to wipe the strange, pus-like matter on her hand without seeming rude.

Then, she attempts to attack an Arch-vile with Astra. Chloé briefly get over her fear and attempts to use Obfuscate to slink away. Should this work, her presence will be suppressed, and she'll begin to make her way towards one of the shield-making demons...

Edited by Bolded1 on Apr 5th 2020 at 10:51:51 AM

The Wash, Demon Hunt

Homura, backing up, focuses her heavy machine gun at one archvile, Opening fire, .50 rounds spewing out. She begins to yell. Guts, In the meanwhile, grins, saying    "Now this is more like it. COME ON THEN! COME AND GET ME!"    He suddenly enters a sprint, moving in with his massive sword, attampting to cleave through demons on the path to the nearest archvile.

Homura, looking to kyoko, says "Glad you could make it here. Now, get shooting, please."

Falkreath

A massive blast of lightning comes arcing towards Katre from the sky, courtesy of a certain god of thunder. Regardless of whether or not the attack connects, he lands on the ground afterwards, his eyes glowing electric-blue.

"Deut can't save your wretched hide now, you vile piece of shit! When this day ends, you and your pathetic sister finally be rotting in Hel like you deserve!"

Troa, meanwhile, will find an Arcane Bolt being launched towards... her hat. The one who fired the attack, Nicole◊, steps forward to greet the disgraced third Sister with a dangerous smile.

"So, you went from Ain's glorified errand girl... to nothing more than some godly megalomaniac's bitch. I gotta say, you're really moving down in the world, Troa!"

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 5th 2020 at 2:03:11 AM

Claus looks up at him, though his expression doesn't change, and he still doesn't say anything. Fuel looks heartbroken as he continues to look at the state of his childhood friend.

"He hasn't said a word at all since yesterday.", Fuel says to Skippy. Nana walks over to them too, looking at Skippy with a desperate expression.

"Skippy, you like bringing people joy, right? Can you do something?"

"My emotions are programmed, I'm certain.", Pseudo says, then Pilly gives him an annoyed expression.

"Alright, sorry. I'll go in with the expectation that I'm just as vulnerable as everyone else."

"I haven't been happy in years. But don't let that discourage you.", Varik says as he makes his way over to the chosen table. Most people would be wary that the lone, available table is positioned to have a light be able to shine down on it, so if Varik is wary about this, he's not showing it.

He sits down, taking off the buckle in which his sword is sheathed to put it next to his chair before ordering.

"Grilled is fine."

Edited by DevilPsyco on Apr 5th 2020 at 11:03:18 AM

   Mind if I try it on?   

She smiles slightly and put her hand on the helmet. If allowed to, she then just put it on, seemingly not really fearful of any backlash.

If not, she retracts her hand.    Ah, well. It would've been fun, maybe.   

...

Okay, I'm going to tell our cook!

She smiles and skips away until she's at the kitchen, at the other end of the room. She leans in slightly and stare at a man in a clown-like getup, who's making some food using a magic ritual.

Make it grilled, fatso. Or it's your fat ass that I'm going to feed to him. She threatens.

Alright boss.

Anita grins happily at Varik from afar and waves. Meanwhile, Varik will see more of the nightclub. It has constantly flashing lights, a weird mist is leaking on the floor and demon people seems to be having fun dancing. Once one of them get tired, they just drink at the bar and then go back to dancing.

In the middle of the mess, there's Kakleon. The blue-haired man is sitting on a couch, being coddled by a few female shadows while some male ones fawn at him. He, after downing a drink, make a two-fingered wave at Varik.

...

Katre withstands the lightning and dust herself off, looking over at Thor.

I don't need saving from you, thunder boy. She smirks. Well, I guess your idiot brother and you saved me from prison though!

She lifts two fingers, and a massive explosion rises out from under Thor.

As for Troa, she simply deflects the bolt away with a backhand and look at Nicole.

Well I could just be a regular bitch like you.

She attempts to target Nicole with a pink beam of energy. If it hits, it'll send a horrible wage of agony into Nicole's brain, which will can't resist against. Then, Troa attempts to slam against Nicole, tackling her through miles before landing on the ground. If this works, then she grabs her by the leg and attempts to repeatedly slam her against the ground, with great force and speed.

She's not weaker. If anything, she's a bit stronger than she used to be.

Edited by Bolded1 on Apr 5th 2020 at 11:09:48 AM

Skippy frowns, rubbing his chin. "If he doesn't want to be happy, I can't cheer him up. But if he'll let me, there's something I could try."

Maleficent smirks.    "Good. Then everyone with whom you wish to see Riku shall come meet me in person. I will bestow your cloaks, and the way to him."   

The angry bird-monster shrieks again, but then Thouzer leaps out and slices away at it with his hands, making it stumble aside. "Enough of your frenzied calls, bird!"

Edited by KiriK on Apr 5th 2020 at 4:09:17 AM

Kyoko nods, raises Ophelia's chaingun, and goes rattatat-tat on the Archviles.

As she does so, the mech charges, and tries to cut a swath through the demons with its chainsaw.

"WAAAGH!"

Falkreach

A small entity, seemingly a butterfly from a rear glance at first, moves in to observe the situation unfolding, Noticing some of the targets which nightmare noted being present... Airy moves to listen in on the fight, hiding in a burning building near the ongoing combat.

Solstheim

   "   Well... My story aside, where... are we, exactly? Maybe not in terms of right now, but overall? What is this place?   "   

Vahasia hesitated, but handed the helmet over to Dahlila after a moment.

   "   I... don't know what might happen. Though, I suspect you're much stronger than it at first would appear — do be careful, though. Even the mighty can fall if they are not prepared.   "   

"I don't know where we are." Trellis huffs. "For the last forsaken time, I'm lost."

   ... This is going to end badly, you know.   

"Be silent," he says aloud.

Beat

Whoops.

She kept it on for now, and sit down. Dahlila seems content with her new-found helmet, even if her skeletal frame (compared to Vahasia) means that it's nearly funny on her.

   Ohhh, I know that. Better than anyone. Hey, wanna hear my story? It's only fair.   

Dahlila looks at Trellis when he speaks out-loud.

   My, my. Someone should be learning manners.   

Fuel turns to Claus, gently shaking his shoulder.

"C'mon, Claus. Please?", he asks, sounding as desperate as Nana looks. Such a far cry from the cheerful oblivious nature Skippy knows him to have, which should tell him just how much Fuel cares about Claus.

He still says nothing, but he slightly nods. That's probably as much consent as he'll be able to give.

"That's acceptable. We will be right on our way.", Pseudo says, after which he gets off of his chair and starts walking offscreen.

"Wait, you're not taking me with you?"

"Sorry, no.", Pseudo's voice rings from offscreen. "I need you to run things here while I'm gone."

"But I'm not good at-and he's gone.", Pilly mutters. She then looks back at Maleficent.

"... He'll be with you in about a minute.", she says. "Anyhow, thank you very much for being willing to help us."

Varik nods in response to Anita's wave. As he looks around, he's rather conflicted on what to feel. The last months before ending up in this place, he'd spent pretty much every evening in a dancing, nightclub, or just any random joint that'd let someone like him in at night time. So there's a sense of familiarity to this dim environment that makes him feel like these places are like a home to him.

What makes him feel conflicted here are the demon people. He's had bad experiences with monstrous creatures from... back then... luckily he's composed to a point that his nervousness isn't visible at all. To everyone around him, he just looks like any random kid in some weird get-up.

He then notices Kakleon's two-fingered wave. It's normally not Varik's style to greet someone back like that, as he isn't one to potentially give the green light to conversation. But after how much he won in the tournament, he's in a good mood, so he doesn't even immediately realize that he gives him a similar gesture back as a greeting.

Anita walks back in, noticing the greeting. Then, she gains a lightbulb on her head : Ohh, she saw Varik somewhere! Quickly, she approaches.

Ohhhh, I remember now! Didn't you fight at a tournament recently? She says. I remember watching it, it was pretty awesome! A bit destructive maybe but it only make it more impressive if you ask me! I'd be gone in a second under these circumstances!

Kakleon laughs from afar and Anita struggles not to grimace.

Reminds me of my own tournaments heh! Mine were more about one-on-one though... you ever did those too?

Edited by Bolded1 on Apr 5th 2020 at 11:23:40 AM

The explosion throws Thor back, though he quickly manages to recover. In retaliation, he rockets towards Katre like he was just shot out of a cannon, then attempts to uppercut her hard with Mjolnir.

Nicole swiftly draws Olympus's Wrath and raises it to defend herself, the Zeus-forged sword's blue glow illuminating her face as it deflects the beam.

"What, no big-ass speech about how inevitable my defeat is, how feeble I am compared to you, and how your little superpowered Third Reich will become a reality and make you Queen Bitch of the Universe?" she replies, her smile now a taunting grin. "Heh, at least one thing's the same; you still suck at comebacks and insults, ya second-rate Frieza wannabe!"

When Troa charges her, she leaps aside before attempting to slice off her right arm at the elbow. Zeus did tell her that Olympus' Wrath could cut through anything, and she had a feeling that included a Sister's hide.

"And since Deut can't coddle your spoiled ass anymore, I ain't gonna stop until you're nothing but a bloody stain on my fist. Let's go."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 5th 2020 at 2:29:33 AM

The Archviles stand firm, though two of the fire-throwers die.

The summoners complete their windup, conjuring some Pinkies and Mancubi. The Mancubi shoot some stuph at Ophelia and Samsara, while a couple Pinkies try and gnaw on Guts and Homura.

Additionally, one Archvile puts its hands together and makes a crackling flame appear underneath the Doom Slayer. He leaps out of the way, and after a few seconds, that spot erupts into a roaring fire!

The Doom Slayer now fires his Ballista at the offending Archvile.

"I'm not good at making people smile without making them laugh, but here goes..." Skippy walks up to Claus and puts a hand up to him.

Some sparks dance off his glove, entering Claus's form... if he allows them to. And provided that he does, he will receive a sort of blessing.

Feelings he might associate with... ice cream parties under a bright summer sun. Competing to see who can catch the largest fish. Go-kart racing. Playing with pets. Catching some Z's. Laughing when your friend does something embarrassing, but still helping them up.

Anger. Strife. Turmoil. Confusion. Regret. Most importantly... sadness. All those ideas are clouds, yet a sun still peeks through them. Hopefully, with Skippy's hand, it'll shine at least a bit brighter.

   "I figure living is better than attracting the ire of every single individual who wants that item,"    Maleficent remarks. She then waits.

Edited by KiriK on Apr 5th 2020 at 4:37:54 AM

Katre makes a very stunned face... but then smirks and just lean backward, avoiding Mjolnir entirely while attempting to send Thor flying backward with a punch aimed at the guts. Its potent enough to create a shockwave and send him hurling miles away while destroying the ground beneath her!

So, did ya ever think that it'd end like this? All those efforts to catch us both undone because you two just wanted us to get maimed so bad?

Katre chuckles and fold her arms.

Ya know, Deut's at fault too, but if it weren't for you, I'd be somewhere in a prison cell just counting the days go by instead of having the time of my life beating the shit out of you! She laughs. Thanks, man, I'll have a drink to you and your bro when I lay waste to a planet! Man, if you two are the finest warriors on Asgard it won't be long 'till your piece of shit world get its due.

Troa, meanwhile, stops her charge when she sees Olympus's Blade and spins behind Nicole before attempting to elbow her right in the back of the head. Should that work, she runs right at her and attempts to kick her up far up in the air, before swinging a localized shockwave at her stomach, in an attempt to send her flying!

Oh, I'd rather just beat the life out of you. Says Katre. She then bury her hands into the ground and flip over a large chunk of ground, attempting to have the tons of ground crush the distracted Nicole.

Well, I'm happy to see that you're still more bark than bite, I guess.

Either notices the dragon approaching them, and Troa attempts to ram into it to send it flying!

As for Airy, she's not spotted yet. Y e t.

...

Chloé leaps at the Arch-vile and attempts to bite into its neck to drain it, figuring out that if it bleeds, she can drink it. She does attempts to use Potence to try to neutralize it first, by putting her arms around its own arms!

As for Samsara, she fends off the projectiles but one sends her flooring, though she recovers and attempts to cut down the offending Mancubi with a mighty leap + sword slash!

Edited by Bolded1 on Apr 5th 2020 at 11:48:56 AM

Yian Garuga is sent tumbling into next week. Thouzer gives chase to ensure it dies.

Of all people, King Dedede arrives on the scene to help. Yep, they're screwed...

Then again, maybe not that screwed.

Data UCN

Freddy takes note, before screeching in such a manner to counter the wave of darkness, protecting Chica, who shakes a big bottle of soda and lets it splash all over, restoring energy to all allies.

Foxy, who is not with the others, aims to stop his assault with a drilling move of sorts, like a false Psycho Crusher, going right for Springtrap.

Fukua also notes Freddy's actions, forming a pan with each hand and cleaning them together near Music Man.

Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Apr 5th 2020 at 5:47:35 AM

Claus does let it happen. And while he may have never ridden in a go-kart before, all those other feelings are familiar to him, reminding him of happier days. Easier days. Before Porky appeared and ruined everything.

Once it's done, Claus... doesn't really look different.

"... a... and?", Duster asks as he and Kumatora now approach as well. Claus glances down, which means he doesn't feel much different.

Which should clue Skippy in that Claus, most likely, feels nothing right now.

"Ah. That's fair.", Pilly says.

... Cue an awkward few seconds before Botar◊ warps in with Pseudo and, surprisingly, Ninten◊.

Varik glances at her.

"Yeah, that tournament. I was one of the participants."

Then he looks back at Kakleon. Well, shit, he did just invite him to a conversation, and he can't really back down now. He doesn't know how this guy would react if he did, and being forced into a fight and then thrown out without getting to eat isn't something he'd enjoy. He's only got himself to blame for this.

"No, that was the first tournament I've ever been in. I'm normally a bounty hunter."

Springtrap dies. The Phantoms all vanish.

Data Mr. Hippo rushes Fukua with a barrage of strikes.

Music Man shifts slightly, but does not awaken.

"We need to mess with the music to wake him up and make him vulnerable," notes Addison. "Let's save that until the only remaining fighting foe is defeated."

The seal shoots more bubbles at Mr. Hippo.

Neo Metal gets sucked to Old Man Consequences' pond.

Bloody Bunny takes a breather.

Skippy pulls his hand back and shakes his head. "He's not sad, or angry, or anything. He's just... empty. I've only barely felt like this, once before. I hardly know how to handle it."

Maleficent regards them without any surprise. Another tap of her staff, and a black cloak sized for each of the three in front of her appears in their hands. Yes, Botar's will make him look like a comically huge lich of some kind, and no, Maleficent does not hide the fact that this image amuses her.

Edited by KiriK on Apr 5th 2020 at 4:53:35 AM

Versus Demons

Homura, suprised by the sheer speed of the pinkies, backs off, shifting her gunfire to them, Panicked. The box feeding into her machine gun starts to sound a bit more hollow as the casings fly out.

Guts, in the meanwhile, grins, attempting to swiftly cleave through the pinkies with the dragonslayer, still rushing at the archvile.

Fighting time

Airy, seeing an opportunity to gain some trust, Darts out of cover, flying near the fight between Katre, troa, thor, and Nicole, and attempts to blast Troa with Acedia, Flying in an erratic pattern afterwards, saying, quickly to Thor, "Hit her with something elemental! This is all I can do to help! I'm not much of a fighter!"

(Acedia: Removes Stat buffs, Applies weakness to all elements. One of Airy's Signature moves. Due to the arena's balancing, and the fact this ability is usually utterly bullshit, This CAN be dodged in the arena.)

Edited by ReynTheLord on Apr 5th 2020 at 2:58:10 AM

Sophie leaps in front of Fukua to tank the damage. Her elastic nature does make her resistant to blunt force after all, so while she's sent flying, she quickly shoot a thumb-up to her ally as she prepares to get back to her feet.

I can sing loudly and warp the music!

...

Ooohhh, interesting. Well, you handled yourself well. You've had some stiff competition.

Anita makes a "oohhhh" sound and look back at Varik, jerking her thumb backward. He's a big shot in tournaments. There's a lot of young fighters who'd die to receive such praise!

One wonders what such a veteran is doing running a seedy nightclub like this... but then, the clown man kick the door open.

HEY ANITA DO YOUR JOB AND SERVE THAT GRILLED STEAK!

YEAH ONE SEC!

She smiles at Varik and goes to the kitchen to fetch a plate. Kakleon laughs fairly loudly. Don't worry about it, she's, hah, my niece.

Solstheim

   "   My apologies — I didn't mean any rudeness, my mind is simply... a mess, at this moment. I'll gladly listen to your story.   "   

The inside of the helmet was strange... dark, but filled with tiny points of light. Despite the six eyes on the helmet, there seemed to be only two in here, and they bot showed Vahasia and Trellis and figures made of green flames and interconnected black dots, like inverse stars. Additionally, a number of strange symbols dominated the forehead region of the helm's interior...