Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"Yeah... It sucks, but HEYWHATSOVERTHERE"

Surprisingly, this isn't a distraction - Fu is pointing at whatever is moving around.

Scala ad Caelum

Bahamut KAI appears where the others ended up, arms folded.

   "Hmph."   

He closes his eyes and calmly dissolves into sparkles, and then Akordion, Red, and Kaze are all lying there unconscious.

"They're back!" Terlette exclaims, though that should have been obvious.

"What... happened to Bahamut, though?"

Edited by KiriK on Jun 13th 2021 at 6:50:58 AM

Killer Bat can be seen charging towards the doorway from within the Realm of Darkness.

However, thanks to Dr. Strange's interference, he doesn't make it, the door shutting as Killer Bat roars in fury.

Then the door fades away.

The Darkness has been sealed once more. And this time, Killer Bat with it.

Perhaps surprisingly, Mara (now in her 'human skin' form) then shows herself, walking out from behind the entryway and leaning against the wall.

   "You know that you can point things out without screaming, don't you, time criminal?"   , she asks, looking unamused.

Oh crap, she did hear him. At least she doesn't look like she wants to tear him apart over it yet.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jun 13th 2021 at 1:54:36 PM

The Arena — Various Locations

The Elder Tyrant raised his draconic head, pausing as he felt something. A world was no more, somewhere... but the echoes of darkness told him that it was a choice between annihilation, and something far worse. He nodded, and gave a moment of silence for the fallen, as he figured that, even if someone had survived, there was no way that whatever that was had not cost something.

—

Nyr basically tripped and slammed into the wall, feeling like he had just been propelled by some incredible cross-dimensional energy. What the hell was that...?

—

Megan felt a small ripple pass through her, resonating in the mana she bore within herself. Something had happened, but she did not understand what yet...

—

Tiamat and Bahamut exchanged a look with one another.

"I feel... chilly."

"I feel it too. That was... a rare occurence. I shall go and consult with the Chronicles to determine what has happened."

—

Wormwood, ever-coiling, ever-churning, ever-writhing, gave no reaction. It felt the effects just as strongly as the Elder Tyrant, but the ones who had caused it were likely gone now, no? What did it have to worry about with them gone?

—

Augus looked around, assuming that a powerful fighter had caused something to explode nearby, but he was absolutely clueless as to what.

Then he remembered that he was on the moon, where an atmospheric shockwave would not reach him, and he became very, very impressed.

"Guess they really do have what it takes, down there... Hehehe..."

You have been in pie? He asks in answer, after some moment of silence.

me grog.... me like pie too.

...

Both Beet and Akordion are currently too unconscious to really do anything, so Marie get up and stretch her back and arms.

Glad that things are over and done with!

Scala ad Caelum

Defense and 13 power down, Strange granting the android his top and hat back with magic.

Defense: "Oh, that's easy. Bahamut resides in another dimension, sealed away so he doesn't obliterate anything."

Chara mulls over the halved SOUL she took with an inquisitive expression.

Strange notices her inquiry and moves to her.

Strange: "What is this?"

Chara:    "The thing's SOUL. However, there's only half of it here."   

Strange thinks to himself.

Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Jun 13th 2021 at 5:01:55 AM

Terlette looks at the Id's soul-half.

"The other half of his soul has to be back in that void-reality somewhere. Souls can't be destroyed in our world. Argh, if Bahamut was still around, he could probably find it easily."

Mewtwo picks up Red with a psychic hold and places him onto their back.

"I will be taking this one home."

It warps out.

I could look for a future where we find the other half and tell us how we got there.

Marie shrugs and take off her head-wraps before putting on her glasses.

Scaelum

Chara gets a mischievous look, but looks over to see Strange's look of disapproval.

Chara:    "Pff, fine. Do you have a way to look for it?"   

Strange tosses her... a small piece of a building that had fallen off in a previous battle, coated in some sort of magic sigil.

Strange: "Let that resonate with the SOUL's energy, then go back to the void."

Chara does so with a smile...

Only to pop back in a few minutes later with two SOUL halves!

Chara:    "I'll let you do the honors, pal."   

She floats them over to Terlette.

Raising an eyebrow at Fu's sudden outburst, Wanda looks in the direction he was pointing. Upon realizing that it was Mara he'd spotted, she makes an exasperated noise and her eyes begin glowing red.

"If you're here to try and slaughter him for what happened with Mani, you'll have to go through me first."

"I was always far too curious what you'd do if you caught me," Fu admits. "Torture? Mind break? Rape? Simple and efficient death? Surprise me."

Terlette takes the halves of Aeleris' SOUL. She gives Marie a look and a shrug like 'eh, shit happens, sorry'.

Then she sticks them together, and they quickly start healing. The 'heart' begins to 'beat' again...

"He'll respawn if I bring it to the Arena, I think. First, I want to be sure these three..."

Suddenly Mewtwo.

"These two... are okay."

Edited by KiriK on Jun 13th 2021 at 7:15:12 AM

Scaelum

Defense shrugs.

Defense: "I dunno about the Namekian, but the other guy's ours. He'll be back and brooding in no time. Ain't that right Kaze?"

He huffs out a "Damn right." before Kaze has time to respond.

Strange sighs a exasperated sigh, Chara examining the SOUL while the others talk amongst themselves.

Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Jun 13th 2021 at 5:18:04 AM

Mara shows an amused smirk.

   "Why, of course. That's why I changed back to my weaker form, for that will make killing you a lot easier."   

... yeah, she's messing with them.

She just shakes her head a little, then speaks to specifically Wanda for a moment.

   "I never did forget, you know. Even if I didn't remember your name, I still recognized you the first time I saw you again, by that campfire. Heh, it was a rather pleasant conversation, considering that you didn't know who I truly was yet. A last little bit of pleasantry before I'd have to start fighting you."   

She stops leaning against the wall, now crossing her arms.

   "As to why I exited the stage just now, I simply did not want to see those people again. That is all there is to it."   

She then looks at Fu.

   "Jeez, you almost sound excited about it."   , she chuckles darkly, putting one hand on the other arm as if she's about to create a sword.

But she doesn't do it. She does look serious all of a sudden though.

   "Under most circumstances, I'd probably have all of those things happen to you, save for the last one. But the thing is... I do owe you for your actions. They helped me back then, and they did not create any disturbances in the timeline. So just this once, I will turn a blind eye to this subject."   

She takes her hand off of her arm and waves dismissively.

   "Now get your ass out of here before I change my mind, Fu."   

I think she meant the... girl and the green dude. I'll pick them up since I'm stronger. Ain't ya worry.

She rubs her hands. But I wanna see what I saw when this whole mess started and know that Aeleris's safe!

"... You know, that is surprising. I'm not even really here right now, of course, but I'm... well, I guess you might call it 'proud' of you? Not quite pride, I'm still filled with revulsion imagining handing you any kind of award. Thanks for the head start, because it's only a matter of time before I piss you off again!"

He vanishes like he was never there.

Kaze groans and starts to get up.

"No, I did mean Kaze. But also the green dude. They're the ones who sacrificed themselves to summon Bahamut. The girl... Well, she certainly helped."

Terlette opens a portal back to the Arena.

Edited by KiriK on Jun 13th 2021 at 7:38:58 AM

The glow fades from Wanda's eyes, and she walks over to Mara.

"You know, after I figured out that Mani was a younger version of you, I actually thought about... killing her before she could make the decision that I thought would be inevitable. I'm... honestly relieved that I decided not to go through with it," she admits. "I still can't believe there was a time when you, of all people, used to be so cheery and good-natured and afraid."

She flashes a smirk at her.

"Not to mention cute."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Jun 13th 2021 at 5:41:40 AM

Scaelum

Chara breaks down in laughter as Marie says she's stronger, Defense shooting her a side eye.

Strange moves to help Kaze up.

The other three enter the portal to the Arena.

Marie lift up Beet and Akordion and walk through the portal, then she turns around, looking interested.

Once outside, the SOUL disappears.

And, moments later, Aeleris◊ just pops into existence. "Ah... I... I..."

Everything that happened to him from the moment of turning into Leesarix to the moment Bahamut KAI annihilated the Id has just caught up with 'this' him, and that includes the physical pain. All of it.

Terlette rushes forward and gives him a big, and very necessary, Cooldown Hug. "It's okay. You're okay. Everything is going to be fine."

As he slowly calms down, she takes his hands in hers and holds them closer to her heart, recreating Marie's vision of the future.

Marie smiles quietly and leaves with her quarry, not wishing to disrupt the moment.

Mara grumbles.

   "Not only a time criminal but annoying to boot."   

She looks back at Wanda.

   "I had a feeling you wouldn't act on such desires if you had them. I'm surprised you're relieved by it though. Part of me expected you to regret it. Ah, maybe you still will in the future. Or perhaps I'm underestimating you yet again."   , she shrugs.

   "... well, time changes people. As do certain lifestyles. Going down a path of evil makes it difficult to stay so innocently-minded and... cute, apparently. Age and dabbling in necromancy magic do a number on one's body, as you can tell. Regardless, I had genuinely-thought-out reasons for the choice I made."   

She playfully raises a finger.

   "Reasons that I am committed to taking to my grave, so don't bother guessing. All you'll get is that I chose it out of my own free will."   

She stops crossing her arms.

   "Your restraint on your desires was the right choice to make though. Killing my younger self would've irreparably screwed up the timeline, and you would've had a bunch of angry guardians after you because of it. And trust me, some of them can be just as terrifying as me."   

She smiles.

   "But I am grateful. So I will give you a gift, Wanda Maximoff."   

If Wanda lets her, Mara will put a hand on her shoulder. She oozes no ill intent, so it's... probably safe?

   "We've had the luxury of casual conversation for a good while ever since Galeem caused a ruskus here. But the next time we meet again, Wanda, it'll be on the battlefield as enemies once more. And the day that happens won't be very far from now."   , she grins.

   "This is my gift to you, Wanda. Time. Time to prepare, time to warn your various allies, and the possibility of not getting caught off guard once our group of Assassins gets back on the move. I suggest you use that time well. Because the boss has planned some big things for the future."   

She then playfully whispers.

   "The boss also doesn't know I'm telling you all this, so don't go loudly warning your friends out in the open or he might just move things along a little quicker. Be a little discreet if you want to be ready in time."   

Then she takes her hand off of Wanda's shoulder (if she let her put it on her shoulder in the first place) and turns around.

   "Until next time, Wanda Maximoff. Let's hope it won't be the last time. I've come to rather enjoy our little interactions, whether they be talking or fighting."   , she chuckles, after which she walks off.

Intrigue

Near the ruined temple, where the Door to Darkness had once been opened, it had been sealed shut once more. Simply accessing it isn't an option anymore.

Yet, the lingering (though harmless) remains of Killer Bat's dark aura still ended up drawing someone close to this location.

The man◊ who had previously sensed its power now wanders the temple blindly, searching for clarity, and wanting to see if there is anything useful to be found.

After all, the power he had felt would be of great help for his own ambitions...

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jun 13th 2021 at 3:20:28 PM

Intrigue

The Six Shogun warp out, leaving the moment undisturbed, happy that they can keep the timeline straight.

Ansem watches on, grumbling, only to turn around and see a Sonic plush behind him.

Wanda listens intently as Mara speaks to her, even allowing her to place a hand on her shoulder. Once their little conversation ends, she turns on her heel and walks off in the opposite direction, planning to train and share what she learned with the others.

Windhelm

A foulness lingers in the air, a deep purple filling the skies in swirls of different shades, almost hypnotic in their nature. The entire city is almost entirely silent, save for a few isolated voices.

All the lights have gone out, even the wind has gone still... just what happened here?

One man has endeavored to find out. Pepsi Man stands at the gates to Windhelm, and politely knocks on the door, standing back just in case they open his direction. Nobody answers.

"Darn! Whatever curse has fallen over this place has stopped even the door-pushers! Who could have done such a thing?"

ALL THAT WHICH CAN LOVE CAN LIE

Edited by Whoma on Aug 24th 2022 at 7:39:26 AM

3 women, also needing to enter the town, walks toward the blue-clad man

Hey, what business do you want here?