Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

Hub Centralis - Grand Resurrection Bar

That nineteen year old midget is sitting on a stool at the counter. He has a black eye, various cuts and bruises, and just generally looks like he's been through the the wringer. Most terribly, however, his very snazzy hat seems to be scuffed up.

"..."

He is drinking... a can of Dr. Pepper.

Edited by Rbade on Jan 29th 2022 at 3:02:22 AM

Somewhere

Pepsiman feels a disturbance in the force, like someone, somewhere, has made an insult against his name.

But whatever it's probably it's not like someone is drinking a heathen drink like DR PEPPER

... I guess I should go for the big guy? Sandra ponders, before deciding that it'd be easier to take out the mooks. Mom said she can venture out, but that doesn't mean she can be reckless.

So she instead decides to be awesome anwyway and throws out several chains into the ground, with flaming tips. They float in places before darting down at the mages, attempting to skewer through them entirely. If it fails, then they dive underground, piercing through the rocks... before emerging forth a few meters forward with a tug of Sandra's fingers, aiming to uppercut the mages by coming out of the ground at impossible speed;

Should that happen, Sandra rushes for the closest mages and wraps her left arm in electric chains, blowing up her unfortunate sleeve as she attempts to clothesline them in the throat. If it succeeds, then she attempts to smack them straight through another of the mountains around!

My name is Sandra! You're going to be respecting that! I ain't a sidekick, I'm the main foot coming to kick your wrinkly ass! She then boasts, pointing to Solon.

...

It takes one to kill one, heh? He cryptically comments.

I do hope that we stand in agreement that none should hold these items, right? None of us should have them. Thanos raises an eyebrow. I have long decided that the stones are worthless to me. They... encourage an omnipotent dullness, so to say. I would rather not manipulate them again, lest I fall back into these embarrassing habits of my youth.

...

A bit of the same. But I still take the time to do some fighting here and there! Did you see the family brawl I had with Thor? Good times... I think his teeth were lodged in my knuckles for a while, or was it the opposite? Huh, I don't remember!

... Still, I find that it's fun to unwind and just throw down sometimes. Does it ever happen to you? You put on... I don't know, armor and you go fight someone?

Then she stops smiling and cringe, out of nowhere. ... Sorry about that!

Edited by Bolded1 on Jan 29th 2022 at 12:15:17 PM

Ken Tahn/'Nelson' is standing outside of the bar, having gone out to get some fresh air. He does genuinely like what Majima has done with the place, but he can't stand the amount of smoke inside of the bar itself. Thank god the stairway down is so long, so the smoke doesn't get to the base underneath.

He then notices the mousy thief though, and he recognizes him from way back. Ken Tahn never forgets a face.

He quickly approaches him, not immediately realizing that the other may not immediately recognize him due to his different clothes and haircut.

—

Perhaps surprisingly, it's King Dragon himself◊ who villain-warps into the underground cells once Manfroy has heard Fallen Julia's call.

   "You've made a lethal mistake intruding in my castle."   , Julius says, glaring.

—

Only a few seconds after Ken Tahn left the entrance of the bar, Locke◊ approaches it and walks in. He'd heard about this new bar being pretty good, and he wants to see it for himself. It could be a good way to relax a little for once.

He already seems well impressed when he first lays eyes on the interior. He walks over to the bar, where one of the bandits (in uniform of course) is busy, and sits down next to BF. He's about to order something, but then he notices the state of the boy next to him.

"Boy, are you alright?", he asks, looking concerned.

"I agree. The Stones are simply too dangerous for any one person to have all at once."

Samus listens to Sarah, then looks down at her left hand. Red light briefly flashes around it. "I... couldn't afford to fight for fun. When I want to relieve stress, I turn to companionship. My allies, friends, even animals."

Daroach's snout wrinkles as some of the smoke wafts out of the bar and into the street. He turns around and ends up face-to-face with... 'Nelson'.

His nose knows. "Hold on, are you...?"

—

Rin◊ also enters the bar after Locke. She spares him a passing glance, remembering him from the group that 'fixed' her, only to see Boyfriend and instantly stop dead in her tracks.

His face... it's beat-up and sad, but it's... familiar to her. Uncannily so. She stays standing on the floor, staring at Boyfriend.

Only when Gremlin Chara◊ walks right into her ass from behind does she snap out of it, stumbling forward and snapping, "Hey, watch it!"

   "Oops~!"   

FE!Loki turns to Julius with a sly smile. "On the contrary, this is exactly what I wanted. To be face-to-face with you."

"You may not know me, but I know you very well, King Julius. I am Loki, the god of trickery and mischief."

Edited by KiriK on Jan 29th 2022 at 5:31:38 AM

He quickly makes a 'ssh' motion.

"Yes, it's me, but don't say it out loud."

He glances around for a bit, then motions for the alleyway next to the bar. He quickly walks in.

"C'mon, we can talk in here."

—

   "... you say that. But I do know that name."   , he says, which may intrigue Loki.

   "Regardless."   , he then dismissively says, indicating there'll be no answers to any potential questions she may have had from that remark.    "If you want an audience with me, I'd appreciate it if we weren't holding it with her cell in the middle of it."   

Good, then we are in total agreement. I estimate you have the means to transport yourself out, hm?

...

... Hm, I'll admit I have trouble with doing the same. I think it's a good direction! But it took me decades to talk to people like me. I always felt... maybe lonely, at time? Well, it faded away of course, but for a little while at the begining it was hard to find a common ground with folks.

Sarah folds her arms, as if bothered. I only look human. I often wondered how people got hurt falling from short heights and stuff, when I was a young girl. I couldn't tell them how I felt seeing far ahead or hearing stuff or moving rocks about because most of the time, they wouldn't get me.

I guess you're the same, hm? Pretty on the outside, -a bit less than me- she adds, coyly. But of... a different stature, hm?

He looks up at Locke, and notices Rin as well. He seems to recognize her on some level as well before turning back to Locke.

"Beep..." ... Not really? I was jumped by some guy last night. Barely got away.

BF takes another sip of his soda.

"Oh dear."

Locke looks BF over for a moment.

"It seems you got lucky. It doesn't look like you have any internal damage. It's a good thing you got away when you did."

He looks troubled.

"Do you know who did this to you? We'll have to keep an eye out to make sure this doesn't happen again."

"Yes." Doom teleports away.

"Actually, I'm naturally human," Samus explains. "But I've been modified with the DNA of the Chozo warrior race and that of their ultimate bioweapon, the Metroid. That last one is why I can't fight for fun. If I get too excited or agitated, I'll transform into a Metroid, and I'll uncontrollably suck the energy out of anything I touch. I could kill my opponent too easily because of that."

"Oh? Right you are." FE!Loki taps her staff, and they villain-warp out of the dungeon to atop a wall overlooking the front of the castle.

"Is this more to your liking, Your Majesty?"

Daroach nods and follows Tahn silently.

—

   "Wait, who's 'we'?"   

"... Uhhhhhhhhhh..."

"Bap. Ska da de skidadoo dap?" Yeah, I can usually handle myself. This guy was TOUGH, tho. He also kind of looked like someone from my old world...

"Ba de da? Ske da do. He was tall, I think goopy? Head looked like a lemon after a bit?

Rin suddenly leaps forward, slamming her hands onto the counter and likely startling Locke. "That MOTHER FUCKER!"

   "He sounds spicy."   

Edited by KiriK on Jan 29th 2022 at 6:35:00 AM

Sarah's eyes widens briefly. ... Wow, that's, erm... unfortunate.

She coughs. I had... similar fears of getting too into things, you know? It's not the same, but sometimes I fear I may lose my humanity fighting strong people. Or more accurately, I might lose myself in my power. And that's... also pretty bad.

Then, Sarah shrugs. But it's why I like talking to people now. Why I'm glad to have a family to raise. And why I'm glad to sometimes get my ass kicked in a fight. It shows I'm not an omnipotent alien separated from all thoughts of humanity, hm?

Once in there, Tahn turns to Daroach.

"Don't tell anyone where I am, alright? I don't want Pseudo Porky to send god knows what after me. I haven't exactly robbed anyone since I got out anyway."

—

   "A bit more, I suppose."   , Julius says as he looks around once they get to their new location.

   "So, what is it you wish to discuss with me."   

—

Locke looks somewhat taken by surprise by the part of the description that notes BF's assailant having a lemon for a head.

"Well, I suppose that'll make him all the more noticeable. I will inform my friends of this character and we'll keep an eye out for any sightings-"

Cue him jumping, startled so much that his aura almost forms out of reflex.

"Good god... wait, Rin?"

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jan 29th 2022 at 1:43:22 PM

"Right, no, I get that."

Samus makes eye contact with Sarah for what feels like the first time since she first saw her. "Like you, what keeps me human is having something - someone - above me, always threatening me, reminding me I'm not the most powerful thing there is. It's just, nine times out of ten, that person is an enemy, not a friend."

"Uh... Alright. Not going to. But I gotta go get something. BRB."

Daroach teleports out.

"All I want is a trade offer, dearie. I receive knowledge, and you receive a Røkkr."

Before Julius can ask what that is, FE!Loki continues, "What's that? I'm glad you asked. A Røkkr, you see, is a conglomerate of warrior souls packed into the shape of a renowned person - think of an Einherjar, but with more everything. A single one can take an army of even the most powerful fighters to defeat. And in exchange for telling me all you know about this world, I'll make one and sic it on your enemies for you. I'm especially interested in where you know my name from."

Hub Centralis

"Why does my life have to be like this?"

Walking around the cold night was a little girl, barely reaching 4 years old, and definitely not dressed for the weather.

Despite how obviously cold she was, she seemed to be evading all people and public places she could go to for warmth, staying as out of sight as possible, but her blue hair naturally made that a chore

You're right about that, I do have- she stares into her eyes, and blinks appropriately. -and I'm thankful, allies as strong as I, or even stronger! Like Thor, very big guy with an hammer, that... dodgey little girl who dodge a lot. i wouldn't want enemies, I'll admit it. I have a family and I'd hate them to suffer.

She then ponders. I'll be happy when my kids surpass me, but of course, it's their choice to do. I do not really need a successor in keeping the peace beside.

But I'll admit... having danger on the horizon keep one sharp. I can see that in you, you- she points a finger. You're smart!

"Ska de skidoo brepbap." He had some weird thing going on where his head was all shifty and trippy. It took a bit to turn into a lemon.

After the outburst, BF snaps his fingers.

"Beep!" Right! That's her name!

"... uh... okay.", Tahn mutters. He then leans against a wall as he waits.

—

   "I did not ask."   , Julius quietly grumbles while FE!Loki is explaining. However, he becomes more interested as her explanation goes on.

   "For that, dear God, I will gladly tell you all there is to know about this world."   

"Thanks." Samus steps back.

"Much as I appreciated this conversation, I'd like to get back to work. Anything left you want to say to me?"

"Took your sweet time noticing," Rin snarks to Locke, before turning her attention to Boyfriend.

"... Who even are you, again?"

—

Daroach warps back in, carrying a briefcase with 200 million US dollars.

"I know that whoooole ransom situation is long over, but... well, this was for you. I'm a mouse of my word, and also my boss has been giving me the stink-eye every time I looked at him ever since I got all those valuables liquidated. I never kept my riches in paper bills, and since I didn't tell anyone about you, they've been real suspicious of me."

Edited by KiriK on Jan 29th 2022 at 7:40:49 AM

Sure, would you mind if we talk elsewhere, later? I'd be curious to see you in action, and I like the talk... Find me at huh, Hub Centralis's plaza if you wish, hm? I'll be hanging out there when I can.

Edited by Bolded1 on Jan 29th 2022 at 2:46:17 PM

Tahn's eyes go wide when he sees the briefcase.

"W-wait, for real!?"

He accepts the briefcase, though he looks back at Daroach right after.

"Are you really sure about this though? I mean, I'm not gonna say no to money, but the way I was initially gonna get it... well, I feel like a lot more people who were involved back then would give you some stink-eyes too if they found out about this. Not that I'm gonna tell them though."

—

"I mean, I was worrying over this kid..."

He then looks between Rin and BF.

"Oh? You two know each other as well?"

"Dip da skadee." My name is Hatsune Boyfriend.

"Ba ske doo?" I've seen her around once or twice? Never got her name though.

Hypno slinks out of an alleyway, eying the girl.

"Fresh meat will curry favor with the master."

It calls out to her in a raspy, yet oddly compelling, sing-song voice as it swings its pendulum.

"C̴o̶m̸e̴ ̷t̸o̷ ̴H̸y̵p̴n̴o̴"

"I guess someone's here to help now"

She said in a quite frustrated tone as she looked at the alley, trying to make out what was calling her

"I'm...ok. I don't n-need your help"

She was beginning to shiver in the cold now

Throat of The World

"What is it with magic and always having to fight up-close"

She charges up, freezing the air around her further, although to her surprise it isn't as effective as she thought due to the climate. Despite this however her power still surges rapidly.

"It... Isn't doing the thing?"

"Welcome to cold environments Emma, fits you."

"FLINT THERE'S A MAGE H-"

"Bye."

Emma's sniper rifle morphs into an old musket bayonet as she flies towards the mage that blocked her energy shot. The end barrel and knife being charged up with energy as she plunges towards the barrier at high speeds. Intending to break it and fire an energy shot to the mage if it breaks open in a way.

Flint forcefully cuts off Jenkyov's line for a quick moment before reconnecting it.

"Welcome to cold environments Emma, fits you."

"Bye."

Seems sudden banter is 50/50 among the two.

"..."

Flint makes a dash and slides underneath the acid bullet and not stopping at all afterwards, intending to get in point-blank range to the bug. Once reached he fires his gauntlets underneath them, aiming at the bug in a way that would not only launch it but also make it spin uncontrollably if they do survive.

If the launch does happen, his aim with the shotgun is enough to snipe the backside cleanly with an extremely cold bullet. If not then he shoves them away with the buttstock of the shotgun.