Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"... hehehehe... hehehehehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-"

Suddenly, the Judge erupts in laughter, holding his hand on his head. Not some insane, broken laughter, but genuine joyful laughter. It actually takes him a good minute to stop, and in that time his aura, along with everything that suddenly seemed frightening and threatening, ceases to be.

"It... it has been a long time since I lost while giving it my all, but-", he says, still giggling a little in between some of his words.

"But not since I was still in training, in childhood eons and eons ago, was I the one who got outplayed in any way!"

He approaches, now walking in a normal manner. Guess he has feet after all.

Once in front of Luxord, he raises his hand for a handshake.

"My name has been long lost to time. But I am commonly referred to as the Judge. And you, Luxord, have earned my respect."

Edited by DevilPsyco on Mar 20th 2021 at 2:42:50 PM

Luxord shakes the Judge's hand. "It was well played on all fronts. I would have lost far sooner had I made a single more faulty call. A good day to you, Judge."

"Similarly, I would have lost far sooner without the powers I possess.", he says, flipping his coin after their handshake. This time it's just a normal coin flip though.

"As for those other gamblers... should they find me and know about me because you told them about our game, I would be more than happy to challenge them as well."

Edited by DevilPsyco on Mar 20th 2021 at 2:52:48 PM

He ignores the mention of Power Stones - they don't seem relevant to him.

"Eleven was absolutely using Super Saiyan Rosé. Which is kind of bullshit - I can't use god forms 'cause I'm a hybrid, why does she get too? Fuckin' bitch."

"Dangerous for them, yeah. Haha. Ugh. As strong as those they are - and don't get me wrong, they are strong as fuck - there's definitely a surplus of abominations running around in that cosmic wasteland that could go toe-to-toe or even use them as punching bags."

"If you're thinking of going that route, the big question is if they can teleport like you or me? 'Cause if they can the idea's moot."

To Aleifr

"TLDR, my original universe is in the process of being mulched by the hordes of chaos. We've actually already used it as a dumping ground for two previous malefactors."

Luxord does more idle card tricks. "I'll be sure to tell them that. Until then..."

A giant card appears behind him, then flips over him, and he vanishes behind it.

"Flashy all the way through.", the Judge says, after which he continues roaming, this time seeming content.

"Coming here was the right decision."

I just fear that they could break out... We Sisters can live on for centuries, and those two have amassed such might within less than half of one, after all. They cannot teleport, but who knows what they could develop... She says. I can only hope that nothing bad would come out of this.

Then Sarah ponders. Hm, I guess I should look for more people to recruit. However, I don't think Nicole and the others are right for it. They'd underestimate them. I'm not sure the various random strangers could help, and I don't want them to implicate them on it without a deal, hm...

Edited by Bolded1 on Mar 20th 2021 at 3:18:59 PM

College of Winterhold - Arcaneum

"Considering that my first plan was to absorb the powers of one like you to drag a demiplane around safely..." Aleifr starts to say, before Sarah corrects him. "Oh, that's good to hear. It sounds like a feasible stopgap measure, at least." He closes a couple of the open books. "Probably a lot more effective if you combine different methods together. Just based on what you've mentioned, trapping their bodies and souls in different dimensions, for example." He suggests.

"Ah. One of those." He chuckles again as Oca explains his home universe. "Anyway, there's a reason I suggested stealing their powers. If you rejigger your soul separator to be a partial soul extractor, that could be one way to do it." He adds, more for Oca's benefit than Sarah's, as the latter has already experienced it firsthand.

"Well, anything else you wanted to ask me?"

Edited by AqueousBunnies on Mar 20th 2021 at 10:44:18 AM

Impromptu Maverick Base

The two Maverick girls have been stranded somewhere in the Arena once more. For now, they attempt to set up a base in hopes of protecting themselves from the many dangers in this place. Knowing how Inafune hates the two, fate conspires to throw a wrench in their plans. Who dares to ruin their day?

"How exactly do you 'break out' of an universe without being able to warp around? ... Also how do you know Sisters can live for centuries if you guys aren't that old yet..."

"Sarah, you have a soul fucky machine? How does that work?"

"I don't really think that whatever they develop would exceed their surroundings for quite a while. Like yeah, they can cut a swathe through most daemons even just the way they are right now. But given that the number of dae approaches infinity, SS Class daemons seeking them out to feed would probably happen often enough not to give them a break. Either they die during that, or they get tough enough for 'X Class daemons to take notices and that's the end of that."

He gets in a thinking stance.

"Though honestly - why not just kill them? We tossed Taro in there because he kept growing back with his fucky powers. That other guy - Madanga? I heard he was completely immortal. Why don't we just fight these bad Sisters normally, then execute them somewhere they can't respawn?"

Blackreach

The bullet ripped open one of the smaller eyes on Wormwood's face, producing a delayed gush of star-filled ichor. A brief moment later, the bullet shot itself back towards Lady Maria, slamming into the ground near her feet.

   "Oh, I know your kind well, Hunter — but this is not your hunt to claim. Thousands of greater beings than you have tried, and failed, to claim my head — and thousands more will yet try."   

The aberration's voice dripped with... pure disinterest, even as so many more of Wormwood's eyes focused on her.

   "You will learn your place, Hunter, but first I shall address these others. First to you, of the insectoids — I am what you chose to make me. To some, I was a weapon once — to others, a patron. To others still, I am a monster. A god. A demon. A mentor. Such titles are meaningless to me, beyond how I can use them to my own ends."   

Its mandibles chattered unsettling, the clicks and clacks bouncing off the cavern walls. Despite the ichor gushing from his eye, the wound did not bother it overmuch, seemingly. Where the ichor touched stone curls of an luminous smoke rose, inverting the color and light — or lack thereof — that passed through it, and the fluid slowly dissipated as it ate away at the stone.

   "Second to you, Maiden. I go where I will — it is foolish to ask why. My motives, my needs, my desires — they are one and the same, and they are my own."   

While this was all completely true, something about this answer seemed to be hinting at... something else. Some secret to Wormwood's nature. It felt important... but it could just as easily have been a cleverly-constructed Red Herring. Who could say?

   "Third to you, one who calls himself Lambert — you are not like these others, are you? You're something more. Something like me, like we, like us, like I — yet you willingly associated yourself with these creatures on their level. Why not embrace the truth, the logic, of your nature?"   

Several of Wormwood's lateral eyes focused on Lambert, a cold and dangerous curiosity growing in their red, empty gaze.

   "Fourth to you, Lost One. I do not know your kind, nor the titles you seek to apply to me. Call me what you will — Wormwood I shall always remain. You seem different from these others — perhaps... there is something that you seek?"   

Wormwood's head, still gushing with ichor, seemed most focused on the Diver.

   "And lastly to you once more, Hunter — refrain from launching those disgusting projectiles towards me, and I shall refrain from burrowing into your mind and extracting your secrets by force. However... If you decide to continue upon this path, I will not hesitate to release you from this miserable coil."   

A rumbling, ever so slight, could be felt beneath Lady Maria's feet... If she tried something aggressive recklessly, it would likely result in a rather quick and severe castigation of some variety.

Blackreach

Gregoria did a signal with her hands, calling for calm to her partners.

   Wormwood, let me introduce us: we are a collective of women called the Insect Ladies. My name is Gregoria. Every one of us is a human, each one with her own problems, but blessed (or cursed?) with the capability to become an Insect. In my case, I fell in a lake contaminated with nuclear waste. We have something in common, I think. But we use that gift to protect this world. We respect you, and we want you to become our ally. Together we can protect this world.   

Maverick base?

Catalina, the only Insect Lady that didn't traveled to Blackreach, stumbled with the 2 Mavericks.

   "Uh, hi. You are insects too?"   

"My name is Kaho. Kaho Reinol of Lun. As a priestess of purification, it is my duty to cleanse the world of its corruptions. Things that creep in the darkest corners of the world and gnaw at the minds of the people. I believe the gods have sent - no, summoned me here for a purpose. I believe that purpose could be to banish you, but, hearing you speak... even though your existence is a perversion, it seems you are one that can be reasoned with... which is more than I can say for most of your kind. And thus, I am conflicted. My faith calls for your destruction, yet my mercy as a priestess demands I still my weapons."

Maverick Base?

"I'm a m-moth..."

"And I'm a flydragon ... dragonfly. What are you supposed to be?"

   "I'm a ladybug... Well, a human that has the power of becoming an insect. My name is Catalina. And you?"   

Mr. Diver puts a hand to his helmet, thinking.

"Ah reckon this place do be a wee bit small fer da 'neath. Well, dat's where I be from - da Underneath. Underneath the world, ya dig? Sailin' da Unterzee..."

He puts a hand to his chest.

"I ain't never seeked nothin' but the greatest riches da neath has to offer, no bones about it! Me father and me father's father was poor, but I sure as shit ain't gonna be them!"

"A've seen some ugly sum-bitches, but you a new thang. Wormwood? Ya from da surface world?"

Maverick Base?

"I'm Marcia."

"And I'm Leah. Ni's itce to meet you."

Blackreach

Lambert sighs a bit as he listens to Wormwood's replies to the other people present. One of those who cloak themselves with an air of mystery - not unlike himself in his younger days. It's not going to be easy to get actual answers, though he gleans whatever he can.

Sure, let's turn up the cryptic factor. "My nature is to be pulled in many directions. One foot in each world, to travel far and yet be anchored to my mundane roots. I was born monstrous in more ways than one, almost without a heart. But as I grew into a patron, demon, mentor - so did it, for the people you and many others call in so many words 'lesser'."

"Speaking of which." Rie peeks out from behind, while Reuben floats up to Lambert's shoulder, starting to get used to the presence. Not actively attacking first goes a long way. This is the kind of being that they would have to encounter on a semi-regular basis if they were to become fully fledged spacetime mages. "Say hi."

"Hi." Reuben waves his currently stubby arm, while Rie takes a red bean bun and floats it up next to one of Wormwood's mandibles.

Edited by AqueousBunnies on Mar 20th 2021 at 12:18:26 PM

   "Nice to meet you too. Let me introduce: I am one of the Insect Ladies, a group that patrols the Arena from underground... And both of you look strong. You could be part of the team, too! What do you say?"   

Maverick Base?

"S-sure! We, um, have nothing b-better to do."

Edited by josh6243 on Mar 20th 2021 at 9:45:59 AM

Catalina gave little jumps of excitement.

   "Great! How cool! I must tell Gregoria that we made new friends!... Altough I don't know where they are... Gregoria told me that they gonna go to Blackreach or something like this... But they didn't return yet..."   

Beat

   "Anywho, do you want to go with me to our base?"   

The Bannered Mare - Whiterun

Wrustoiz took a deep breath, meditating in the silent early morning inn. This was very few times he could get peace and quiet, especially with the Jedi watching his every move. The Sith sat completely still, entranced by the intoxicating silence. He was strangely at peace, drawn deeper into the force.

An hour passed in an instant, Wrustoiz undisturbed, until he heard the gentle opening of his room's door. It frustrated Wrustoiz, opening his eyes and staring into the blank wall in front of him.

One footstep, two, three, whoever it was stood directly behind him now. He looked to the dresser next to his bed, the shadow painted by the dim candlelight froze Wrustoiz in terror, it was Laxin's helmet.

   "You'll never escape, apprentice."   

The Sith attempted to raise his hands, but before he could, a crimson blade ignited stabbing right through his chest. Wrustoiz screamed in intense pain, and an instant later he was drawn from his meditative state.

He clutched his chest tightly, breathing heavily. It wasn't real. His gaze snapped to his room's door, the dark presence of his former master shaking him to his core. He rose from his feet, quickly opening his door to find Zeloai and Izawano stood at the campfire, a pleasant look on their faces.

Zeloai turned to face the Sith, his expression turning neutral

"You've been awfully quiet this morning."

Izawano gave Wrustoiz a suspicious gaze, but Wrustoiz responded to neither. Wrustoiz stared at the both of them, fear and confusion gripping onto his mind. He moved to the washroom the group had set up, removing his helmet and washing his face in a cold splash of water.

Wrustoiz looked down into the water, locking eyes with his reflection. He stood there for a few moments, breathing deeply, muttering to himself.

   "Fear... fear is my ally."   

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, a seething aura surrounded the Sith. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to shake the shuddering feeling of Laxin breathing down his neck.

Izawano opened the door to the washroom with the force, Wrustoiz swiftly grasping his helmet and placing it back on his head. He turned to look down at the Jawa, the two matching a brief gaze.

   "I suppose I've had enough privacy for the day."   

He grunted, moving past the Jedi Knight and out into the main room. Zeloai was still stood by the campfire, giving Wrustoiz a wave as the Sith approached. The Jedi Master sensed the intense fear from the Sith before he ever left his room, it was a strong surge in the force.

"Are you alright Wrustoiz?"

   "Just a nightmare, I won't discuss it further."   

The Sith looked around,

   "We seem to be short our armored troops, the Spartan and the clones, where are they?"   

"They're east from here, trying to catch an Imperial supply run, we're running low, and our tank needs fuel."

   "You didn't go with them?"   

"Someone needs to stay here, the supplies we stand to gain are nothing before what we have."

   "We have plenty of capable hands that can watch them. Myself included."   

Zeloai sighed,

"You've still proven nothing about how trustworthy you are, and I am certainly not leaving Ben alone to watch you. I won't take a risk."

The Sith's anger swelled, the only thing managing to escape his lips being an unpleasant grunt.

Beat

BOOM

A massive earthquake-Esque shaking began to rock the entire city of Whiterun, the trio of force-wielders being forced to their knees. Wrustoiz is the first to stand back up, shortly followed by Zeloai, the two running outside of the mare and looking up.

"No..."

Return

A massive fleet of dreadnoughts looms overhead, bombarding the city, swiftly reducing building after building to rubble. One blast from a dreadnought lands on the road in front of the pair, throwing them back into the bannered mare. The roof began to fall apart, a massive chunk poised to land on top of Wrustoiz until Izawano caught it with the force.

The intense bombardment didn't allow for the Jedi Knight to focus for long, but it gave Wrustoiz long enough to roll out from the chunk of the roof before Izawano was forced to drop it.

The endless barrage continued, and with each shot came the echoes of impending death.

The Avenger - Bridge

Laxin was stood in front of a holo-terminal, each individual ship's captain appeared before him.

   "Have we found our stolen tank?"   

"No my lord but the bombardment is progr-"

The captain clutched his throat, choking as she was slowly raised into the air,

   "AND WHAT, may I ask were my orders under the event we could not find it?"   

The captain attempts to speak, but can't, as her throat is slowly crushed by Laxin's force choke. Another captain meekly spoke up,

"To cease the bombardment at once, take prisoners."

Laxin stood silent for a few moments, the bombardment below coming to a grinding halt as each of the captains walked away from their holoterminals briefly to issue orders.

   "They will not escape, keep all dreadnought guns trained on their position, and send down fighters to surround them."   

"How will we retrieve the rebels?"

   "I have something special in mind."   

The holoterminal flickers off, Laxin looking up toward the door exiting the bridge. It opened, Lord Tenzen◊, and Lord Ranus◊ stood in front of a large group of Sith Centurions◊.

   "I need prisoners, and I expect results."   

The two sith bowed, turning to leave.

The Bannered Mare

The bombardment had stopped, the trio of force wielders stood.

   "I suspect we're about to become prisoners."   

"I will not be held by Laxin and his forces, come we must leave."

Wrustoiz grasped the Jedi Master by his arm,

   "And where do you expect to go with a fleet of dreadnoughts above our heads? Your optimism is misplaced, I suggest surrender."   

"I suspect we'll have more help than you think, that bombardment served as our own flare, the force will guide them to us."

The time is now

Edited by KrampusTheTherapist on Mar 21st 2021 at 4:38:26 AM

Some of the species making us up like that long, and Cinke told us to at least. Plus I've seen insane feats of strength before. You can break out of anything if you have enough raw force.

She nods to Aleifr. Good idea, that one.

Then type back. Well, it took all ten of my sisters to do it and we had the advantage of surprise. Plus, remember Limit Breaker? They could still use it, probably. A straight-up fight is a doomed endeavor, or could cause significant damage, and that's assuming there's zero-interference through it.

Hell, have you seen what they did to Thor? He's dumb but he's amazingly strong. True, he was caught unaware, but...

...

Maria looks at the bullet being shot back at her feet and tilt her head, apparently unimpressed, yet aware that it seems that none of those gathered are too hot to fight a demon worm hellbeast.

...

Doomed Whiterun

My cherry pies nooooooooo!!!!! Bemoans Blackbeard, as he punch out of the rubbles he was trapped beneath. For someone who was caught in such a barrage, he seems pretty fine-ish. Could be that the debris took some of it for him?

Edited by Bolded1 on Mar 21st 2021 at 12:25:00 PM

Maverick Base

"Of course," exclaims Commander Yammark. "Lead the way."

College of Winterhold - Arcaneum

"I was thinking some of these methods could be how we bring them down to something manageable so we actually can kill them." Aleifr says/types to Oca. "And Sarah's right, they're walking contradictions to regular physics. I mean, we all are, but they take it to a new level. According to the space guys, their stored energy density alone should've made them collapse into black holes a while ago. And yet, there they are. Brute-forcing a wormhole isn't entirely out of the question."

He gets up. "Well, if you don't have any immediate questions for me, I'll be going." He waves his hand over the stack of books, and one by one they get sucked into his palm like a sizeshifting vacuum cleaner, before he clips into the ground floor of the college and walks out.

Something is left on the table, however, its shine most likely catching Sarah's eye. A white crystal, no longer singing. It can still corrupt, but only at the behest of its wielder.

Metatron.

Edited by AqueousBunnies on Mar 21st 2021 at 12:57:12 PM