Coming War
Gravia smiled as the rest of the team regrouped in the Foundry - it meant that, despite resistance, they had managed to handle things up there. Of course, there was more to come, but at least everyone made it this far for now.
She floated through the dimly-lit tunnels, squeezing herself past collapsed chunks of metal, until she eventually reached the hall of storage lockers. Full of weapons and other materials, she was reminded of the facility of her creation, where she often 'borrowed' its unusual weapons & gadgets for the sake of defending herself. Her human partner liked to call it "looting". It seemed quite harsh a term considering the circumstances, but she couldn't help but share his joy in finding "loot". Unfortunately, while escaping from the facility proper, much of her collected equipment was destroyed, alongside the human partner himself...
Gravia's 'ponytail' briefly glowed as she forced her mind's return to reality. If she thought her facility's equipment strange, the ones here were even more so, though perhaps only out of unfamiliarity.
Opening up the green-lit lockers one by one, she went over her options. A panel on her torso opened up, revealing a hidden compartment within which she could store items. She picked up a few of the hand grenades (why do they resemble flesh?...) as well as the tiny tokens, then slid them into her chest compartment.
Gravia held a Kraken in her hands, examining it closely. Her gravity pistol did its job of being silent and shattering fragile objects, but against anything much tougher, it was as good as a rubber ball. A piece of plastic & metal emerged from her wrist, to which she securely attached the Kraken, complete with locking mechanism.
She passed over the Grinlok and Ogris. She felt her trained sniper friends would make better use of them, and she was not quite used to something as high-impact as a rocket launcher.
The matter of the stalker had Gravia worried, but there was not much she could do about it for now. Closing her hidden compartments, she prepared to move with the group.
Edited by Hotpizza on Nov 18th 2024 at 8:51:44 PM
imbatacoming war
Wilhelm tears the flamethrower off of the dead droids just activates one of the drones to carry the flamethrower and float behind him, the fact it locked onto its own allies probably means they can reverse-engineer the technology to match with the droid's for future missions. He enters the Foundry with Zystak close in front and takes a gander at the weapons, he contemplates for a second but realizes that On-Site Procurement is probably for the better and takes the rocket launcher, he can probably exploit the homing ability and amplify it further.
Albeit he kind of smiles at the idea of using this thing in such a mission.
"Any theories on what it could be?"
Either way, he heeds Zystak's advice and moves to the rear of the group while leaving the drone to follow Zystak instead, trying to pinpoint unusual energy signatures — if any — or signs of unnatural movement. He's hoping to quell some tension the group might be feeling by answering where it could be.
He also feels the banter between Dewa, Valorii, and Aila. All he does is just look at the latter two in the eye and slowly does a shush sign before going back to acting as the group's scout
realAcademy Investigation - Entrance
Wrustoiz slowly crept up to the precipice of entering the academy, peering into the darkness with a curious, steeled glance. Drawing one of his lightsabers and raising it, Wrustoiz ignited the crimson blade like a torch and pressed forward, entering the ruined academy. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, evidence of Imperials was immediate.
Mining equipment, plasteel crates that held chunks of mined ruins, spilling from their edges, and then some—scattered volumes of unimportant literature, datapads, filled with lore of the Dark Side. Despite the inanimate nature, it felt as though the words of Sith come and gone called to those who entered, beckoning them to partake of the forbidden fruit. More disturbingly, a desecrated corpse lay on the ground, burned to a crisp, frozen in a state of perpetual agony plain on the victim's face.
Wrustoiz sighed at the sight, clearing his throat and gazing at the hallway that led the group during their first incursion to Laxin. He hadn't battled his master, yet the echo of the battle remained, the clashing of lightsabers and blades quietly pitter-pattering amidst the vacant stone walls. This place was a bastion of darkness, somewhere one could hone in on their worse selves, and Wrustoiz could feel it.
Yet, something in him rejected it. Moving forward, Wrustoiz's boots cracked the slate scattered across the floor, offering insight to the group.
"This has Ranus written all over it. Only he would be so sloppy, but not if he knew there would be consequences..."
Wrustoiz trailed off, absorbed in a train of thought, wondering, if for but a moment, Laxin was truly gone. Regardless, the Sith Lord turned to Ben.
"Lead us to where you fought my master, I believe our biggest question will be answered there."
His command seemed less stern than was typical for the Sith Lord, worry written plainly on his face.
Academy Investigation - The Ground Below - Warrick
Warrick's senses did not deceive him, for the Force was a guide of not-insignificant strength. Force sensitivity was seldom a hidden blessing for those with it, it often takes cultivation, learning, or its benefits swiftly taper off. Warrick's warrior path has led him along this path unbeknownst to him for years, and its benefits have only grown.
The grass billowed in a quiet breeze that upset the brush of the trees, the echo of waves against the beach barely touching Warrick's ear. There was no indication of what was to come, yet something screamed at the Mandalorian to strike behind him. If he followed through on this feeling, he'd find his greatsword clashed with the purple lightsaber of Lord Tenzen, glaring at him beneath her mask.
"Sniffing on the trail of traitors?"
She asked, pushing Warrick away from their blade lock, flourishing her saberstaff. The Sith Lord walked around her opponent, scraping her amethyst blade against the grass, burning it away.
Coming War
Izawano honed his focus on the rapidly approaching IG-110, staring with a narrowed gaze at the tip of the assassin droid's faux lightsaber, taking a deep breath. Even as it continued approaching, Izawano made no indication he intended to move, until the last possible instant. Just as the heat of the blade began to brush against the Jedi Knight's skin, he leapt forward, above the crimson lightsaber of the IG-110 and swung downward, attempting to cleave its arm off.
He then landed on the droid's shoulder, slicing the droid's head clean off before leaping away again, back toward the direction he had originally been standing in before tossing his emerald blade straight into the chest cavity of the IG-110.
Ben follows Wrusotiz into the academy ruins, drawing and activating his own lightsaber. With the weapon's sapphire blue blade serving double duty as a glowrod, he examines his surroundings, his expression shifting from one of disgust at the sight of the charred and mangled corpse laying at the group's feet to one of intrigue when his gaze falls upon the various tomes and datapads that no doubt contained all sorts of knowledge of the dark side. Knowledge that, if Ben's hunch about Laxin going into hiding was correct, could potentially teach him how to gain the power he needed to destroy the tyrannical Sith Lord once and for all...
"Pathways to abilities some would consider unnatural... Unlimited power... Everything I need to vanquish Laxin and save the galaxy..."
He slowly begin raising his free hand and prepares to call on the Force to summon the nearest piece of knowledge to his waiting grasp. Before Ben can follow through, however, the sound of Wrustoiz's voice snaps him back to his senses.
"Ranus? I thought Tenzen would have assumed command in her master's absence."
Shaking his head, he looks down the hallway leading into the chamber where he had fought Laxin after their clash atop the roof of the academy. The same place where, n his fury, he had succumbed to the dark side's temptation and drawn upon its power to use against Laxin as he had when he fought Tenzen and the war beast back at a certain comms tower.
"Right. Everyone, follow me."
With that, Ben proceeds to start walking down the hallway and towards the chamber. All the while, he does everything he can to banish the now-resurfacing thoughts of wielding the dark side.
Wrong End
Matthew had been introduced to Casper when the latter had bailed him out from danger. Hours (?) later, he was saddened to find that his debt towards the young man had grown. Because Dr. "Harthorn" was now tasked with extracting a toxin (or something like that) from his youthful body. With no anesthetic. Using his sharp wooden hands. With very precious time for Matthew to steel himself.
As Baz, Gau and Reed went and surrounded him, Matthew's thoughts wandered, due to his lips feeling like they've been sealed shut by ice. He so wished to have Dot and Kyra around him for something like that - he liked Gau and Baz, mind you, and Reed was reliable but they weren't like his friends. His friends, left alone in the dark, cold Mad Arena, with no idea where their friend was.
His friends, whom he abandoned to save his own hide, instead of accepting that they'd been duped and letting himself be devoured - what was one more death when they'd all come back together?
Tears begin to stream down Matthew's face - his brain shrieking as separate emotions warred within it. The drive to survive at all costs was still strong, but it found itself matched by a basic interrogation - why? Why were these people doing so much for him? What had he done that none of them could casually replicate? Baz might have gone down to Ekaterina too, but she at least got to do something. He'd been useless - and had been so for a while
But he still didn't want to die - and in his eyes, that made him weak. Because he knew that everyone else within that room would be fearless.
Gau squeezes his hand, which is strong enough to briefly surprise Matthew despite him knowing Gau wasn't a mere child. It's contrasted with the softer way Baz holds his hand, running her fingers up and down his forearm as Reed... stepped up to stand behind him, a bit unsure what to do. But he cared enough about Matthew to want to help - he just had never really found himself in a situation like that.
... I'm with you, Matthew. Look at me, alright? Or Gau, or Reed... None of us are going to let you down. What's happening is... Baz has to stop herself from wincing as the operation begins. Matthew feels something cold worm his way through his skin, and he finally open his mouth to let out a strangled screech. L-look at me, alright? Whatever's going on, we're going to save you. W-we're going into town. Soan, Reed, Gau, Siffrin, Zeloai, Captain America, Totem, R-rick back the fuck of- We're going to help you because you deserve to be helped, alright? Don't falter. I...
You're going to make through this. Reed reassures, grabbing Matthew's head with his own, more or less forcing him to look at him. Point me wherever you want to look. Matthew's eyes move in their eye socket towards Baz, and as Harthorn continues the operation, Baz slowly nod. Not to say that Gau's output doesn't matter here - his strength distracts Matthew from the pain a little, which helps him steel through the rest of it just fine, if with a bit of grit needed.
Ultimately, Harthorn will be successful - and after a bit more delicate handling of Matthew, the latter is freed. Exhausted and tired as he is, not to mention pained, he's at least glad to know that it's from the treatment. And not what the painful treatment was very much meant to avert... Although, from what he could gather, the effectiveness of the treatment was meant to "buy him time".
He was still dying - they'd pushed the date on it back though.
These thoughts flood his mind - as they do Baz's, who kneels next to him. Reed remains uptight behind them, aware of what's going to be announced next. But first... Thank you, Totem. Thank you so much! Baz says, hugging Matthew a little tightly. For his part, the Gravitas soldier is a little delirious,
"Y... you're strong," Matthew slurrs a little, nodding at Gau; "... A-alright, so do we...go?"
Yes. The shelter or the town will have something, surely, Baz says, knowing that the odds of the latter being the place where they'll get it were slim. ... Do you guys feel like you're ready to go though?
I would not mind being away from that snarling dragon. The Spy comments. He figures that, at worst, he can just navigate to the Shelter on his own after getting closer.
If you're ready, I am. Reed also didn't want to be stuck with Corrin - Beruka or not Beruka, it was hard to tell what he could do.
Hu-huh. I'm staying. Rick retorts, crossing his legs and scooting closer to his table to make that point. Good luck getting killed by whatever will have broken into your "shelter". But I found Morty. I'll just wait for him to come back - and then I'm out of here.
The rest of the team look conflicted, with Baz and Matthew being the least so. Rick's point was his own. And admittedly, so far, they hadn't seen him do too many things they couldn't replicate. As such, they nod. Or it's fairer to say Baz nods while Matthew lets himself be taken away. ... I hope you'll get home safely with Morty.
If others want to convince Rick, NOW IS THE TIME. He'll stay behind at Dawnguard with the others if not. And he's not going to simply wait for Morty to come back either.
... Good luck. Beruka says either way, fully aware her life was forfeited either way. ... Succeed where I've so pathetically failed. As she speaks, she extracts a particular ORB from one of the pouches on her hip. It's very likely that only Soan will be aware of what it is due to having been involved in Moonrise Crypt : touching it will instantly transport one to Corrin's castle, in the Astral Sea, which itself lead into further areas of the multiverse.
An easy way out - but only if one has a golden ticket.
If they don't, the orb dims and a flashing little image appears inside the orb, depicting a golden ticket with a red cross over it. The cutest way possible to tell someone that they're stuck in a hellpit. Allow me to carry it. I'm not exactly the type of secret agent to run into battle with a gun. The Spy says, holding out his hands to receive the prize.
... Is that a dig at me? Reed scoffs. I'm not getting lip from a "secret agent" who need an invisible watch to avoid detection during an op.
The Spy raises a fascinating eyebrow beneath his mask. And I do not plan on being trash talked by a "spy" who has been getting shot at so often, he has to wear armor beneath his skin.
You always have to be ready for any eventuality - I'd like to see you get into a shootout with that ridiculous suit as your only armor against .50 cal bullets, minimum. Reed replies, trying to hide how incensed he was getting.
Please, the shadows are the only armor a true spy needs... And it's a very good suit, I'll have you known. I will forgive this as unfamiliarity with fashion on your part though - since you find it evidenly so acceptable to constantly assault our eyes with that coat.
Please, you blend in the shadows with a bright red suit?
... I kind of thought it was blue? Baz quips in, a bit scared of venturing out of the room alone.
... We all need an handicap. Histoire de s'amuser un peu.
Hmph, french spies. That's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one.
Hmph, american spies. Just plain morons.
Decadent Dawnguard - Exit
The group leaves Dawnguard two members (three?) short - with the gate leading to the castle descending to make way for the group's car. Driving it is Reed, with the Spy electing to sit at the very other end of the car after their little spat. He's elected, for no real reason, to manspread.
... How cumbersome. Couldn't they have made that orb a little bit smaller?
Baz sits on the leftwards seat, with Matthew next to her. They'd decided to keep the blanket that they had been gifted with. Matthew was leaning against Baz, keeping his eyes closed. With nothing to really do, he'd tried to keep his mind at ease by sleeping. Since there was nothing that fidgeting with his thumbs could help accomplish faster. And because he felt closest to Baz (and because the room was still tight), he'd elected to put his head on her shoulder and count sheeps.
Baz didn't seem to mind - she was fidgety herself, in fact, and looked nervous at every minute or so they wasted. Or maybe she was circling back on Ekaterina. Who knew? She's unusually not talkative this round. But might be coaxed out of it with dialogue.
Cutting through the silence is the heavy rain around Dawnguard, with raindrops battering down the roof of the car like small meteorites. The constant noise and the fact that the rain is thick enough to block/limit the view around it is nerve-wracking for Baz. And even Reed seems to be trying to adjust to it as he start driving off. Generously, he agrees to go first. With the unspoken idea being that, if there's anything in the way, he, instead of Soan, will be the one to have to deal with it.
As the group leaves, the rain amplifies, but only around Dawnguard. And, after about ten minutes of driving, it suddenly dissipates. And the group will only be left with a comforting alternative - instead of being stuck in a rainy dark forest, they're in a dry dark forest.
Mad Arena - Dry Wood
The light and warmth of Dawnguard Fort disappears behind the group as they dig in deeper into the compressed Dawnguard forest. The previous dark forest was cold and dark, but at least it had the benefits of having relatively superb trees that stood tall. Under more gracious weather, it could look perfectly acceptable for a forest.
This one is different - the trees are dead, yellow leaves litter the ground, sometimes being lifted up by an errant wind or footsteps. Jagged rocks are as legion as the dead trees. And, as the dirt road sometimes stretch out upwards, the rocks accumulate at the very end of it, as if to greet unfortunate souls that'd actually stumble down it.
The Mad Arena's cruel moon barely illuminates through the dead branches. And the whole forest is devastatingly quiet - but because it's watching. The grace of a cold wind upon Soan or Gau's back will feel like a cold caress from a foreign hand. The shifting of a dead tree will feel like a whip being reared back to strike with greater cruelty and efficiently than before. An errant leaf will suddenly fling itself forward, as if moved carelessly by an otherwise invisible predator.
Yet it's all in their minds, right? It's the wind, it's a tree, it's only a leaf - the only thing around the group is cold darkness and dead vegetation. With a constant silence only undercut by the sound of roaring thunder in the far distance. Soan will even see, briefly, spears of blue light in the very far distance, striking at a random part of the Mad Arena.
And a few times, these bolts of electricity seem to briefly illuminate the group's surroundings to reveal several figures standing by the sides of the road, their shapes indistinct, all of them glaring down at the group in cold contempt.
Luckily for them, after ten minutes of driving, they'll see a sign of civilization- the woods clear out. And at the very end of them, positioned as a reward, is a large great wooden sign. One with the dead corpse of an Odogaron, the beast strung up by several large, solid-looking chains wrapped around the wooden sign.
It's long dead, with any blood it could have shed dried out. Its body is riddled with nasty injuries - with a large hole blown on its back. It's still recognizable as an Odogaron though. So it decomposes slowly or was recently hanged there.
THE MONSTERS FEAR US The sign displays proudly, in big bold red letters that must have been written using the beast's blood. SAFETY IS RIGHT AHEAD! TO THE ANTHILL! But the premise for safety rings hollows given that the immediate next sign of civilization, a small wooden shed, is empty.
The road to the Anthill leads upwards - the group will need to climb it up to see the actual town. Which is surrounded by large, deep tranches in the earth - presumably where the city's walls once stood.
Before they ended up taken away by the mysterious force that had done the same with the town.
Coming up on the top of the hill, the group will see a large town, shaped like an "H", with two main streets full of various buildings. They join together into what had to be an even busier, if small, street. The biggest building, a ten-story tall and official building, lays within that street, dominating over the smaller buildings laid all around it.
At the western and eastern edges of the town are a bunch of grey factories and other depots - which are a very short drive away from the other buildings. There are some wooden towers near the factories, which look like big blocky squares - unappealing appearances, but by the look of it, it had done the town right prior. As for the wooden towers, which stand taller than some building, they probably were used to spot intruders that'd make it past the walls.
In the soutern half is a dirt road, with a small wooden bridge leading to the town. If the group want to blaze through the town, they'll need to just take that way, then drive up another dirt road leading out of town, back into a creepy forest, this one healthier than the other.
The entire town is quiet and inert. The group won't be able to find bodies or vehicles, nor any sign of destruction. It's as if the entire population of the town simply left - or were taken away by the same force that hijacked their walls.
But yet, one light remains strong.
A glowing red cross, at the eastern edge of the town - a pharmacy, by the look of it. It's a quaint, small white building trapped between two much larger bars. And there are lights coming from within it.
If the group can sense it, they'll find that there's someone inside the pharmacy as well.
... It's a trap. Reed surmises.
... I-I think we should check it out. It could be a straggler. Anyone could wander into that town. Baz offers, unnerved by the town.
Edited by Bolded1 on Nov 19th 2024 at 8:36:47 PM
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterThe Wrong End
Gau isn't bothered one bit that Matthew's looking at Baz. The boy just wants to help someone who's been nice to him. He doesn't let go until Matthew signals to him that he should.
"Gau grew up on Veldt. Law of strongest there."
He nods when asked if he's ready to go. Soan gets up.
"Yes, let us."
He looks at Rick.
"I, too, hope that you are reunited with your family and get back home safe.", he says. Rick's mind is clearly made up and Soan decides to respect his priorities, even if Rick is very useful to have around. Were it not about family, he would've given convincing him at least a try.
He then looks at the orb that Beruka brings out. He looks at Gau for a moment. As long as they have that orb and Gau has his ticket, Soan could potentially push Gau against the orb to send him back if the situation ends up being hopeless.
As such he would be sure to keep his eyes on the Spy. If he's the one holding the orb, Soan would not permit him to potentially run off with it.
Gau looks curious about the orb and approaches a little, but not enough for it to activate and send him away.
—
Decadent Dawnguard
Gau hops back on Soan's back as the latter waits for the car to take off. He does shake a little to get some of the rain out of his fur, though Gau himself seems to enjoy it, even sticking out his tongue to catch some drops.
"My line of sight will be limited in this downpour. Gau, make sure to hold on tight, I may be forced to make sudden turns at a moment's notice."
Gau stops playing and nods, grabbing onto Soan's fur once again. Soan may not have as much trouble with the rain as Reed behind the wheel, but he still wants to be careful.
Regardless, the car takes off and so does he. He's glad once the rain subsides (at least past Dawnguard), now fully able to see his surroundings again.
—
Dry Wood
Gau doesn't like how dead the forest looks at all. He's no stranger to more desert-y areas, but those areas are natural. This feels different. He tightens his grip just a little bit more. Normally the moon, any moon, would serve to calm him, but in this environment even that isn't enough. The biting, death-like cold doesn't help either.
Soan, feeling the grip, immediately knows Gau is uncomfortable here and speeds up a bit, though tries to ensure he doesn't outspeed the car.
Soan sees the distant blue spears for just a moment. He wonders if he imagined them. But in this world one can never be sure, so he chooses to take this as someone he really saw unless proven otherwise. Besides, even if his eyes would ever deceive him, his ears would not. And he knows he heard that thunder-like sound.
They eventually reach the rather grotesque display on the sign. Soan, despite his speed, manages to read what's written on it as he passes by it. He narrows his eyes. This means that either they're heading somewhere safer, where people have a way of fighting back...
Or they're heading somewhere that's worse than most areas in this dead, monster-infested world.
When it's time to climb, Soan manages to get up in mere seconds by jumping and having his claws dig into the stone with each landing. Gau laughs a bit at how wild the ride is this way.
Once up on the hill, Soan and Gau look the distant town over.
"Is... this town we have to go to?", Gau asks. He clearly doesn't like the vibes of the place.
The notion of a trap or straggler comes up, and Soan simply glances at them.
"Gau and I will not go in that building. But we can wait outside of it, and act if necessary."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Fallen Plant Mira, New Los Angeles, Repenta Diner
Jason
◊ is presently sitting at a booth in New Los Angeles' Repenta Diner, wearing casual attire
◊ this time around as he feasts on a steak with a side of fries. Seated across from him is none other than Bucky
◊, who's enjoying some chicken with mashed potatoes.
"So... Things went that badly, huh?"
"Sarge, saying it went badly is like saying Luthor might have a bit of an ego."
"Alright, so what's your plan? You know, besides the whole 'bring a mech to fight this demon parasite' thing," Bucky asks, finishing off his mashed potatoes.
"I was thinking of maybe revisiting your hired help idea from back at that bar," Jason replies, popping some fries into his mouth. "Odds are I won't have to worry about Sukuna buying them off, even if they aren't the greedy type."
Bucky nods in response.
"Guess that's as good a start as any. So anyway, Jason... what are you gonna name that new car of yours, anyway? The Hoodmobile?"
Jason blows out a sigh.
"Well, I'm not Bruce, Sarge. I can't just go slapping part of my name onto everything I make and expecting it to sound good."
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Nov 19th 2024 at 1:20:09 AM
Glitch Realm
"You're kidding me. Is he still brooding in there?", the mink
◊ asks.
"He's not 'brooding', Venice.", the black cat
◊ says. "He told us he's been feeling a change for the past few weeks."
"You think proximity to that lizard did something to him?"
"No, but maybe the girl he tricked into fighting our battle?"
"I still don't feel good about that, even if it turned out she had everything under control."
"You know how Terios is.", a white and pink bat
◊ says as she flies in from above, carrying a large bag. "Not nearly as bad as Blue Bowser, but still not shy to manipulation."
She drops the bag and some donuts fall out of it. Seems it's a bag full of food. Venice and the cat immediately take one, the former with telekinesis.
"You don't need to tell me. I'm still dreadfully awaiting the day we've outlived our usefulness."
"This again? Venice, he has given no indication that he doesn't genuinely consider us friends, as stand-off-ish as he can be sometimes. And we know him well enough to be sure when-"
"Do we, Blaze?"
The bat sighs.
"I'm gonna go get Terios. Hopefully the doom and gloom will have lifted by the time I'm back."
"With Venice? Never."
The bat snickers, then turns and pauses when she sees who's approaching.
"Terios?", she asks, which gets the attention of Blaze and Venice as well. Terios approaches with a smirk on his face, some form of thin, colorful aura surrounding him.
"What's happening to you?", Blaze asks.
"Something that happens to only the luckiest of the lucky in this realm.", Terios responds, smirk turning into a grin. "It seems the world has finally accepted me for who I am."
"Don't tell me... you've become...", the bat gasps.
"'Real', Rouge.", Terios responds, balling his fists. "I don't know what happened, but this is my ticket out of this godforsaken place. Just like the lucky few, I'll be able to teleport in and out at will."
"Can't most people do that now that there's a portal?"
"Portals can be closed, Venice. I'm sure that glowing bastard over in Glitch City and his pet dragon are working on doing just that. But this is permanent for as long as I live. I am no longer bound to this world, no longer forced to express her wish through these lowly, petty acts of troublemaking.", he says while raising one of his hands.
"No, I'll be going to the other side, and I'll gain what I need that way."
"... I... see.", Venice says, glancing down. Terios, Rouge and Blaze look at him, then Terios approaches and...
Puts a hand on his shoulder supportively, getting Venice to look back up at him. Terios' grin is gone, back to its more usual (but also more honest) frown.
"Are you expecting me to leave you all behind, Venice?"
"Erm... I..."
"The first thing I'm gonna do is find a way to ensure you'll all have a stable passing through that portal. Next thing I'm gonna do is make sure that idiotic blue lizard can't follow us out. He still has it out for us, after all. I'm not leaving you behind with that."
Venice looks genuinely shocked. He quickly glances away again, taking on his usual expression of disinterest.
"... and here I thought you'd gotten predictable."
They know Venice well enough by this point to know he's happy and refusing to show it. Terios gives him a soft shoulder clap and then turns back to the others.
"Now, to get things started, I'll just need the eight Chaos Emerald. It shouldn't be too far from here."
"Heh, I already have some leads.", Rouge says as she tosses Terios a donut, which he catches. He hums at it. Sweet food isn't his thing. But he's too happy about these developments to complain and takes a bite out of it.
He nods, silently letting Rouge know he counts on her.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Speaking of Luthor...
Straight to the point, very good. Luthor puts his hands behind his back, listening to Cecil. He had indeed distinguished himself in The Attack. And seeing his efforts acknowledged made him... not happy, that was childish. Simply content to see his efforts rewarded. He'd already set up some troll farms in case the good people of Hub Centralis were to slander him as a "fraud" for failing to stop Sukuna, but it was good to see he wouldn't need them.
And that his expertise would be needed on a more technical level, too.
Any old quadrillionaire could effectively throw money at a problem. But a truly respected one step up to the plate as much as anyone else would - Luthor could conceivably stay in the background... but he saw it as a proof of his human sincerity that he'd fight on against the odds himself. Only a fool would wax about the merits of humanity only to trust an AI or a chump to do the fighting itself.
I agree. Lex says, after initially letting the response hang in the air. A slight test of Cecil's character, to see if he would falter or steel himself to argue for his point further.
I will help you personally. These young ones will need a guiding hand. Running an enormous entreprise has taught me much - chief amongst them being that a job is best done with personal supervision. Not to mention that I am... Lex look up. ... obligated to have a second go at defending this city. A better one, too.
He wasn't humble because he was. Lex blamed Sukuna's apocalyptic ascent on a lot of people but him.
But Lex carefully cultivated his ego - it had to be visibly large, but not enough that he'd look delusional or idiotic. Not that the latter had stopped people with money before - but that was with the general public. Not Cecil and his team.
Thank you for this opportunity to once again raise my shield for Hub Centralis.
Sukuna vs Jerrod - Previous
Crafty little portal.
Sukuna's reflexes and senses are quick - he guess where Jerrod is coming next and where he's planning on hitting him with and wait, arm stretched out. As Jerrod make contact, Sukuna transform that part of his shoulder and arm into Corrin's dragon form's. This armors it up significantly.
Not enough that the blow doesn't hurt, sending shockwaves through Sukuna's body, but enough that Sukuna is undeterred as he attempts to slam his sharpened fingers into Jerrod's guts, planning to impale him out of the air.
Edited by Bolded1 on Nov 19th 2024 at 10:45:21 AM
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterThe Wrong End
Most people were fine with Rick sticking around, and after he had worked with Matthew, Doctor Harthorn shifted uncomfortably into Casper, his bark softening into skin as he sighed, looking back at the others made their way out.
...well, when you're an asshole, people don't want to fight for you. They don't fight to keep you around. They let you go off and do your own thing.
Though Casper figured a shot at Beruka and The Dragon without the others interfering was another factor. So when everyone walked off, he lagged behind to talk with Rick.
"...you and I both know the only way you're escaping is with some tickets. Need two for you and Morty to leave. But those two are going to give you hell, and they'll kill you. And then what happens to Morty, you won't be able to protect him."
He extends a hand for the old man, his face holding that apathetic stare.
"We can find a way that saves him together, but I need to help the others too. You come with us, you escalate our chances of survival. And I don't trust that Morty is going to stay here either."
Edited by ArbiterOfTheBog on Nov 19th 2024 at 2:07:55 AM
AwawaThe Yamato
Aboard the massive battleship, they'll suddenly pick up on an unknown transmission. It seems someone's trying to contact them. They can't trace where it's coming from.
...
Accept the call?
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Commander Yammark and Morph Moth - Hub Centralis Habit Burger
Sometime later...
Commander Yammark and Morph Moth have dragged their new friend Nena to the Habit Burger in the Hub Centralis.
Although they don't need to eat, both Reploids watch their orders being cooked with great interest. These two love the tasting the sensation of fat and meat, don't they?
Licking her lips in anticipation, Commander Yammark asks, "What yre aou getting...?"
Morph Moth suggests, "Yeah! The Double Charburger is t-the best around here!"
Denji
Previously
Denji's solution to corrosive blood? He dives in as soon as Nymbulda attack and briefly disappear beneath its water. And by the time he emerges, his arms are flayed, his face is stripped to a skeleton with a chainsaw poking out of it, and his spine seems to be almost disintegrated, limply coming back up to the surface, even.
Until he drinks up a big portion of blood - and his features regenerate. Flesh, muscles, tendons, all appear to cover his boiling bones before they fall apart again just in time for Denji to start drinking them again, which causes his flesh to heal anew. Doing so, he somehow drain the blood lake fast, giving Nymbulda way more ground to fight on.
GLOBU!
No idea what he meant by that - Nymbulda slams the Wrath Devil, and its face explode as her shield slams against it. But then, as she slams its body further against the wall, she'll feel something push back against it. And will see that it's its head, which is rapidly growing anew.
STUPID BITCH The Wrath Devil calmly describes, as it attempts to force Nymbulda back with a headbutt.
If it succeeds, it then moves with eerie force and speed, shattering the ground beneath it as it throws itself at her then suddenly accelerate in mid-air to fly by her. It'll attempt to punch her in the back of the head, its arm moving superhumanly fast, with enough force that several of its parts break the sound barrier at once, causing an inhumanly loud sound as the punch goes in with a roar.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterThe Arcade
The headbutt catches her off guard, and Nymbulda staggers for a moment. She silently cussed under her breath when she sees the devil go and jump over her, preparing to meet their fist against her head. She doesn't spare a moment. She ducks and drags her horns across the destroyed wall, and in tike raises her shield to go flying to the other side of the arcade, her lance propped from the wall and sort of lazily sitting there.
She groans as she feels at her fins, before looking to the shield. A crack. This is no easy feat, and Nymbulda quickly realizes this.
Yet she charges forward again, this time though she approaches with her horns first, and immediately tries to trample them into the ground, wooden boards splitting around them as Nymbulda tried to pin them again under her broad headgear.
AwawaKonngara nods as a response to Baldi, cautiously following behind George. The Astral Knight looked around the parlor room/bar as she entered.
"...You could say that. We've seen it first hand. Konngara-Douji, yaksha." Konngara introduced herself, continuing. "You know anything we don't about those things?" The yaksha was asking about the whales, if it wasn't clear. Her eyes looked a little glazed-over.
"Whatever that was, it was no mere spirit. Our weapons could cut into it and make it shed some kind of blood. Even when spirits manage to take on a physical form, their body is only an ethereal approximation of what it once was. They can't bleed... unless the wound is a core part of their being."
After briefly reaching a hand to her horn, Konngara refocuses on the mission. They can't afford to waste time on what they left behind.
They have managed to retrieve Vahki. That leaves two.
Well, technically three. Galeem, for all she cares, can rot wherever he ended up. Still, he was taken by Sariel unlawfully, and if only to spite the rogue angel, she wants to retrieve his spirit too if possible. She thinks back to the day that light scorched the Arena of life. A would-be angel making the world into its own vision of purity... Were her own actions really that different? She deserves to rot in the same pit as him, but now is not the time.
She thinks about Sombra and 42. Both, as far as she knows, are redeemed wrongdoers. She has witnessed some of Sombra's atrocities firsthand, but, like all of Pseudo's allies and friends, she now knows they were not of his own will. From everything she has seen of the real him, he seems like a man - or stallion - of honor. His condemnation is just another one of Sariel's failures.
She has also seen 42's sins and her efforts to redeem herself of them. Sariel's sentence to 42 was Heaven.
Though she may not be suffering like the others, knowing the girl, she can't imagine her being content with her penance being cut short.
Neither Konngara nor William's presence is likely to be tolerated up in Heaven, but what choice do they have?
Konngara prepares to slash open a new portal with Morpho Knight's blade, but as she reaches for where the hilt should be, she grasps only air.
"The sword... The sword disappeared!"
Tropique
Previous Post: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=14315151240A21923900&page=15666#comment-391645
Partner Post: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=14315151240A21923900&page=15670#comment-391736
Tropique
Now that Sukuna is finally more inclined to engage in close-quarters combat, something that Jerrod himself favors immensely, the EGO user did not run away for another momentum-based strike once his strike hit the armored arm and he finds his own feet on the ground again. Instead, right after the powerful clash of his own gauntlet and Sukuna's draconic arm, he would pull his hand away from his own weapon and dismiss it, leaving the sorcere grasping at nothing. This isn't a particularly good distraction, but it does let the EGO user avoid the finger jab with a sidestep to the left.
As soon as he avoided the attack, the ritual-bearer would summon the gauntlet to his left hand again and smash it directly into the unarmored arm's elbow with a blow that's aimed to utterly pulverize both flesh and bone. Whether that succeeds or fails, Jerrod would feign a kick to Sukuna's knees, only to slam that foot down in an attempt to pin the sorcerer down by the foot. At the same time, he would thrust his index and middle fingers towards the sorcerer's face, aiming to literally cram them into his nostrils and lift him up by the nose. Jerrod, while as skilled as Jeremy, isn't afraid to fight dirty in ways that even most dirty fighters wouldn't consider.
Konngara and Gregoria
Pina snickered, than laughed heartily, though it intentionally did sound like the hooping of a gibbon as she fell onto her ass holding her stomach.
Huey raised a brow, looking to Konngara as if waiting for a signal, before Pina wrapped her arm around Gregoria's shoulder.
"No my insectoid friend, that'd not necessary. He just likes the cute guy with the glasses-"
She then looked at Anders again before leaning in to whisper into the roach's ear again:
"Don't see why..."
Patting Gregoria in the shoulder she hopped onto a pool table and walked over on all fours towards Konngara.
"You must be new to this Yaksha business. He's a dragon... duh. Devil Whales are just one of the many dragons one can find. They gather around Lament for.... something." She shrugged and stretched, unfortunately her garmentry was obviously not for the more prudish to see, as she than looked to Riley's and Baldi's stunned expression, Legoshi now looking away.
"...yeah you guys aren't from here."
Edited by ArbiterOfTheBog on Nov 20th 2024 at 9:04:19 AM
AwawaSukuna vs Jerrod
Sukuna accepts that he didn't land a hit - but he isn't helpless up-close either. And as Jerrod try bringing down his weapon on his other arm, the Moonlight Greatsword once again fly into view, deflecting the weapon and sparing Sukuna's arm. But not his foot, which Jerrod seemingly is able to stomp on...
... Only for Sukuna to use the momentum to sink his foot underwater with Jerrod's. And while this damage their footing both, Sukuna's likely going to be much more ready for it - ready enough that he quickly adjust his knee and burst his leg out of the water, aiming to slam his knee into Jerrod's crotch, as an acknowledgement that he, too, can fight dirty.
He then capitalize on it by stomping his foot downward and trying to punch Jerrod in the ribs with a powerful fist backed up by Corrin's draconic strength, which is not held back by any of Corrin's usual consideration. It's a meteoric jab with enough power to kill an armored human in one hit - and inflict damage upon foes of much higher standing. And Sukuna will try to jab again, aiming for Jerrod's left side.
As for his right arm, it returns into view, with Sukuna trying to grab Jerrod's wounded right side with it before squeezing tightly with the empowered limb. Both to pierce and rend his flesh with Corrin's claws... but also to start applying Cleave unto Jerrod.
To make things even worse, Sukuna swings the Moonlight Greatsword back. Not in anticipation of an immediate attack, but to make Jerrod focus on it and not Sukuna's limbs.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterThe Wrong End
Dawnguard
Siffrin had been off... somewhere. After the whole fight, it was as if they had simply vanished-
Which wasn't far from the truth.
Their body was hidden away somewhere people wouldn't happen to check, but their mind was elsewhere.
...
For a while, anyway. Eventually, Siffrin snapped awake with quite a start.
(WHEN I WISHED TO LEARN ABOUT THIS POWER I DIDNT EXPECT THAT)
They're breathing heavily, taking their hat off for a moment before taking a deep gulp of air.
"T-that... What the hell was that?"
With a heavy sigh, they put their hat back on, adjusting it before rushing out into the night...
...landing on the car with a soft thud before letting themselves in.
"Hi guys. Fancy seeing you here."
Woods That Clearly Need a Drink of Water
Siffrin is... rather quiet during the whole ride, idly doing tricks with their knife to entertain themselves. When the group finally arrives at the deserted town, Siffrin looks at the pharmacy the others have taken interest in.
"Looks more like a harmacy than a pharmacy. This'll go well."
Regardless, Siffrin, being the token 'ablative meat shield' of the party, is the one who decides to walk forward first, their body tensing as they draw on their mental training to reinforce their body with Cursed Energy- hopefully making them just a bit more durable.
Burning Sandstorm in Lourent
Artemis nods towards Charlian, before thinking for a moment.
Wait- you mean to tell me you made friends with two people who have similar powers to yours?? Huh...
She takes a momentary interest in the robots that appeared from the Hotel, tapping her chin as she thinks. Whatever she's thinking, she keeps it to herself.
So... how would you find me, anyway? ...actually, I'm probably pretty easy to find with the right tools, huh.
Then, she turns to regard Chavah, a small smile forming on her lips.
"I don't... have a destination in mind currently, really. I don't live... here."
She doesn't know exactly how to explain it- how she resides within a place she'd managed to make on her own, a whole small reality she'd willed into being. But that's a topic for another time.
"And I'll warn ya- I'm not the most... amazing for conversation, but I'll try."
Centralis
Artemis (the other one) & Sarah
Artemis lets out a small chuckle as she walks in, looking back at Sarah for a moment.
"A draw, then?"
She wastes no time in flopping into one of the booths, letting out a long, tension-draining sigh.
"Man... I never thought I'd manage to miss the atmosphere of a pizza place of all things..."
Edited by RainbyPlays on Nov 20th 2024 at 9:26:15 AM
aeiou: the secondThe Foundry
Zystak cast a sideways glance at Dewa Faisung. He enjoyed the words he was speaking, he only wished they hadn’t been coming from the mouth of a Rangdang.
Or…
Could the fault of his mistrust towards this man he’d barely known lie not within the prince, but him? Zystak disregarded the notion just as soon as it had come to him. The Rangdan were evil, just as much as the Imperium. They were not to be trusted, much the same way he’d never trust an Astartes were one to someday join them. Or a Drukhari…
Still, even as the kroot tried to suffocate the idea of his prejudice having only himself to blame, it would not drown completely and remained in the back of his head, a quiet voice of reason amidst the jumbled sea of emotion taken on by the multitudes of essences he’d ingested and only barely suppressed at any given time, kept at bay from his innate personality by a paper-thin floodwall. Regardless, it warranted a response: "No doubt mass produced, as you said…like their soldiers. If the Grineer and the CIS has one thing in common, it’s strength in numbers. Though I expect your average Grineer soldier’ll give us more trouble than any B1 we’ve met, should we end up running into them…"
He looked to Aila next. "We’ll continue. The Jedi and Josef can handle themselves, and they’ll have an easy enough time catching up." Being entirely honest, he was more worried about their group without them, than he was them without their group. Josef had proven himself quick on his feet and reliable, and Izawano’s more esoteric abilities would be solely missed if they found themselves in a spot of trouble. Still, they were on a time limit here, and every second they wasted brought the demise of Steel Meridian closer. Even being in this foundry now was a gamble: they could severely cripple the CIS’ efforts here by sabotaging it, but if they took too long, then that’d mean nothing when the droids had already won. But it was a gamble he felt they’d need to take. Who knew how many droids they had in these jungles already, searching…
He sighed and shook his head at Wilhelm’s query. "I thought for a moment it could be some kind of animal native to this planet. Back home, there’s thousands upon thousands of species with adaptations for natural invisibility. But I’m not so sure…if I had to guess, I’d say we’re dealing with another prototype." It was far from uncommon for the CIS to test their new technology out on unsuspecting planets, but Zystak was certain that wasn’t the sole reason for their attacking this planet. After all, it was far from undefended; it surely took them a not insignificant military effort to lead their raid on the world, as well as chase its military leadership across its surface and actively try to destroy them in an act of war. There were dozens, hundreds of quaint backwater towns elsewhere with little more than militias to defend them that would’ve made much better testing grounds. No, there was another reason for the CIS being here, some piece of the puzzle he was missing…
The hallways emptied out finally into an antechamber with two open doorways that each led to a different set of stairs, both ascending to the same destination: a sickly green haze covered the open-roofed hall, a complex web of overlapping conveyor belts upon which glided hordes of droids, B1s on some and B2s on others, fed through stamping presses attached to giant pillars that added new pieces to the droids with each. They were, all of them, thankfully inactive, showing no signs of life whatsoever as they were guided via belts into tunnels on the other end of the giant chamber. The amount of droids wasn’t the disturbing part to Zystak, however, but rather the lack thereof. For despite the nigh endless yet vulnerable droids being forged, there were none to protect them. Not a single patrol, or a probe droid, or even an active camera.
It has to be a trap. But they’d have to spring it somehow, because it was much too late to turn back now. How they sprung it was up to them…
There was one more thing, too. At the edges of the room were a series of connecting hallways that led either to empty observation decks or bridges over the conveyor system. These bridges, after a steady bit of visual tracing, looked to all lead to a metal island in the room’s center: a control center of sorts (background irrelevant);
amber screens attached to some sort of pumping structure that, with a storm of hisses, filtered liquid through it and into the rest of the giant foundry, of which this room was but one small (albeit very vital) part of.
Past that, and drowning out the hisses every now and then, a giant power generator
resided in the wall opposite them, over the tunnels the conveyor belts went into. For at least a few seconds every half minute it began to roar, drowning out not just the steaming hisses of the pump but every other noise below it.
Zystak muttered to himself as he gazed upon the scene, but soon looked to the others silently, wondering first what they had in mind.
With great power…you know the rest.Wrong End - Zeloai
Zeloai narrowed his gaze upon Rick as the group began readying themselves to leave, considering asking the alcoholic to tag along, but silencing himself. The Jedi Master didn't need to keep track of much, but he patted along his belt to ensure his saberstaff was there all the same. Though the Force was weakened within him, Zeloai could sense Matthew's approaching death, a greatly disturbing fact. Leaving Casa de la Shepherd, Zeloai marched his way to the car, entering with a stern gaze at the Spy's lack of manners.
Though perhaps he was the most polite Frenchman.
As they drove through the ruined grounds of the Mad Arena, Zeloai's eyes scanned the horizon, lightning flashing against his deep, brown eyes. He wondered if his lessened connection to the Force was a blessing here. To feel all the pain, the desecration, it would be insufferable. It was a rare thought, but Zeloai wondered what Laxin, this Laxin, was doing right now. Perhaps if Baz could change, he could too.
The shapes of individuals flashing with each burst of a storm's rage did not disturb the Jedi Master, but he kept his eyes glued as they started getting closer. Missing the Odogaron sign, Zeloai waits until they're in town to exit the vehicle.
The glowing sign is of immediate interest, in addition to the presence of an individual.
"Perhaps our lion friend is correct, investigating what remains could lead us straight to what caused it. I'm not certain this is a good idea."
If everyone else had decided to enter, though, Zeloai would follow.

A surprising development.
"Apology accepted!", Flayn immediately says. Seteth nods.
"I accept it as well."
Seiros seems more confused than anything about Stand User Bernadetta's declaration.
"Saint?"
"Your battle against Nemesis went down in history. By the time where Flayn and I came from, you are regarded as a saint. Just like your siblings."
Right, he's not immediately going to tell people that he and Flayn are also ancient dragons.
"I see. Fear not, girl. I am not here to 'smite' anyone. We have come to join your cause against the Einherjar."
She then turns to Beruka.
"I thank you for allowing us to stay here."
Edited by DevilPsyco on Nov 18th 2024 at 1:09:46 PM
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.