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Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

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RainbyPlays fae being from yes Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Hiding
fae being
#396951: Jun 17th 2025 at 7:31:40 PM

District 8

Mika pulled back when his own gun ran dry, ejecting his magazine to the floor and loading another. Then a grenade rolled out from under the car and Mika had only a moment to kick it away and reactivate his still-weakened shield-

"Ah!-"

His world exploded into a burst of sound and pain as the grenade detonated, breaking his barely-reformed energy shield, his body catching a large amount of the resulting shrapenel... but thanks to the shield, not enough to kill him outright.

<User Status: DANGER. Medichines activated, seek medical attention!>

The nanites inside his body started work to (attempt to) staunch bleeding and keep him stable, though they weren't enough to push the shrapnel out- he'd need proper surgery for that. His vision swam in and out of focus, but he grit his teeth and reached into his coat.

He pulls out some sort of autoinjector which- thankfully -hadn't broken from the shrapnel. He slams it into one arm and slams his thumb down on the injection button, and he feels a wave of tingling numbness and energy rush over him as the medicine gets to work.

"Hookay, that's what Avi put in this."

Steadying himself despite the pricks of pain from the shrapnel (down from the white-hot flashes of pain from before the injector,) he took a shaky aim at the man who had left from cover, and fired off another full volley of magnetically-accelerated rounds. (So 8 rounds.)

Mika knew the drugs from the injector wouldn't last for long- but they would last long enough and that's what mattered. He only hoped that he didn't go into shock by the time his shuttled arrived...

aeiou: the second
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#396952: Jun 17th 2025 at 7:40:38 PM

Once Mara has finished explaining everything, Wanda takes a moment to think her words over. Then, she nods, showing her archenemy a look of grim resolve.

"Alright... you have yourself a deal. And I promise you this, Divine Guardian of Evil - when the time comes, I will use everything at my disposal to finally bring you down and annihilate you where you stand," she assures. "Now, where and when were you thinking of having this fight?"

Pietro offers his nephews an encouraging smile.

"See, boys? You mom's got this."


Loki breathes a sigh of relief.

"Good to hear. I suspect the last thing any of us wants is to find themselves relying on the deliberately unhelpful swine that is Porky."

Sylvie flashes a grin at Neodyme.

"So we shall."

Thor looks skeptical.

"I do understand where you're coming from, Pseudo. However, just... be aware of the potential consequences if you decide to execute it."

His attention quickly shifts to Shadow when the latter begins regaling the group with the story of his encounter with Lorenzo. Needless to say, Thor is left more than a little nonplussed afterwards.

"So, this wizard... he foresaw exactly how our quest for the artifacts is going to end. And according to him, Iris will go uncontrollably berserk upon regaining them... and I'll have no choice but to kill her in order to save countless other lives," he mutters, shaking his head. "No. No, no, that-that can't be how it ends. This is not how Iris' story will go. There has to be another way, one that doesn't involve the death of my best friend. Surely, the wizard's vision isn't set in stone. It can be changed... right?"

All three Asgardians are then caught completely off-guard when Shadow and Neodyme drop the bombshell.

"Two bloody worlds worth of hostages... The Assassins truly are nothing more spineless, dishonorable cowards."

"I suppose no matter how little credit we give Mara, it's still far too much. She really is every bit the monster Set was."

"You lot pull off last minute victories in hopeless situations like this one all the time, though, right? Wanda might still have a trick or something up her sleeve... hopefully."

Thor then lays his hands on Iris' shoulders, looking her right in the eye.

"Iris, listen to me. I want Mara to die a painful, agonizing death as much as you do. Perhaps even moreso. But... don't run off to try anything reckless, and do not do anything you'll end up regretting."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Jun 17th 2025 at 9:27:28 AM

ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396953: Jun 17th 2025 at 9:27:20 PM

Estraole

Sensing their own weakness, Glint immediately went into a defensive state, and letting his own core power him, began to coat the immediate area around him in a warding, healing light. Raising his rapier, he held his cloak out as if a shield, trying to face whatever strange foe had beset them.

"Don't forget, I'm with you all in the dark!"

Tethering himself to Hachi, he motioned to the two oddities alongside them and spoke up.

"I'm Tethering to you so qe can lay fire down... tell me if I need to switch to them..."

Awawa
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#396954: Jun 18th 2025 at 1:25:17 AM

Estraole

The Vessel stumbles as the curse kicks in ala when being roar stunned by a boss. They felt some alarm at this sudden event, especially when They conveyed more information on the curse's effects. Using their nail to stabilize themselves before standing back up fully, noticing the cloaked figure up ahead.

They kept said nail drawn as they stared at them, both of them suspicious.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#396955: Jun 18th 2025 at 5:02:27 AM

District 8

Mal thinks what he's doing is really fucking stupid and that he'd hate to get shot to death in front of his daughter (who'd then be stuck in a giant robot) but he'll be damned if he dissapoints her. That, and though he was obviously a lot more of a menace in a Xeku, he still had his wits about. Seeing a gun pointed at him, he readied himself to duck and draw his own blaster...

... Until he realized why the gunman had not shot him - and it wasn't because of sudden empathy towards alienkind. But because that "human" from earlier was about to try to shoot him or hammer him.

The heavy footsteps, which Mal only heard in the chaos because they were so close to him, were a clue he didn't need. The young man winced as he prepared himself and moved unto the right slightly, taking the impact of the sledgehammer unto his shoulder. He was 100% certain that it had dislocated it, worrying noises coming out of the struck limb, but he still moved to try to grab Leonid's arms, the Twi'Lek using Leonid's own force against him by attempting to then kick his right leg from under him and flip him over his shoulder and into the car, with the intent of slamming Leonid there, bending over slightly to make the process easier (and also because he was struck by sheer force and couldn't stay still even if he'd wanted to)

Should that work, Mal would then draw his left arm back and attempts to slam it into Leonid's face! Of course, he briefly forget about helping Henry, whom he hopes will be awakened by the car slam.

I don't need that against human thugs like you! He says, trying to reach for his blaster. Should've shot me in the back while you could, dickhead!

THE ROAD TO MINIRA

The cloaked figure is... well, a cloaked figure. Pale, grey hands with long black nail stick out of a brown burlap that hide their features well, although it cannot hide the fact that they apparently have something pretty grotesque either as or on their head. They take no actions as they are approached, instead patiently waiting until the group get closer.

That said, the slower the group, the more the figure shakes upon itself, as if getting progressively annoyed.

Upon being spoken to, it answers back.

Scale-Bearing Merchant:

Make your choice.

> I want my Sun to shine brighter than ever.

> I crave for my light to never fade

> I desire control

> I aspire for material wealth

> I yearn for more power

> I covet the means to mend my wounds

Edited by Bolded1 on Jun 18th 2025 at 5:16:58 PM

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396956: Jun 18th 2025 at 8:25:06 AM

Road to Minira

Hachi gives an affirmative smile and nod to Glint, and proceeds toward the bizarre figure.

Niko cocks their head.    "Ummm..."   

On the Player's end, Niko-specific dialogue options appear over the Scale-Bearing Merchant's options.

  • Make a deal (proceed to the Merchant's menu)
  • Just get rid of this curse, please
  • Refuse the deal

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396957: Jun 18th 2025 at 1:21:11 PM

Bvio's Ship

The guy with the books shrieks for a moment, full-on tossing the book in the air instinctively before turning to look. Now that his face is visible, the Hatchling can see that he looks like he hasn't slept in over a week.

"Who are you? How did you get on this ship? Are you even real? Or are you..."

He gets off of his chair and approaches. His body language doesn't indicate violent intent, but the Hatchling may still be a little unsettled.


The Road to Minira

... okay he is all for cool merchants in (non)-games, but he gets an eerie feeling from this guy.

  • Just get rid of this curse, please

Let's see if this guy is useful and/or trustworthy first.


Old G.E.M. Base

Mara grins in delight. ... it actually seems to be genuine delight rather than evil delight.

   "I'll let you know later. In the meantime, use the time you have to prepare. I want you to be at your best. I won't accept anything less."   

She now moves towards the door and Tommy and Billy immediately move to the side, though stick close to Pietro. When next to the three of them Mara stops, making the boys nervous. She turns her head to them, grinning.

   "I do sincerely apologize for using you both like this. But you provided me with a golden opportunity that I couldn't ignore. And regardless of which one of us wins this in the end..."   

Her grin fades, making her immediately look more sinister and imposing.

   "I'd like to have this bit of fun while I still can."   

... huh?

Mara then exits the room, beginning to walk back out through the same way the Maximoffs came in. Even with her gone the tension in the room is probably still somewhat high. Tommy immediately clings onto Pietro while Billy does the same to Wanda. Now that the conversation has happened, they've stopped pretending like they weren't terrified.

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#396958: Jun 18th 2025 at 1:47:47 PM

Wanda nods, her expression equal parts calm and fierce.

"You've see how much more powerful I've become since the last time we fought. Trust me, you'll be anything but disappointed," she assures. "Be seeing you, Mara. I'd prepare for the fight of your life if I were you."

She and Pietro watch as Mara takes her leave. Once the Divine Guardian of Evil has departed from the premises, Wanda hugs Billy right back while Pietro does the same with Tommy.

"It's okay, baby. She's gone now."

"You two were so freaking brave back there, Tommy. Man, am I proud you're both my nephews."

DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396959: Jun 18th 2025 at 2:05:23 PM

"First Agatha and the army, now Mara... why do people keep trying to hurt Mom?", Tommy asks as he looks up at Pietro.

"Mom, c-can we do anything to help you get ready?", Billy asks Wanda. "We wanna make sure you win, and then everything'll finally be okay."

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#396960: Jun 18th 2025 at 2:08:21 PM

The Road to Minira

The Vessel doesn't sheathe their nail, still eyeing the merchant suspiciously and waiting for them to make a wrong move. Neither of them trust this fellow and their overly convenient timing.

Plus, They think the price will be too high to pay.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#396961: Jun 18th 2025 at 2:24:23 PM

Pietro allows a sigh to escape his throat.

"I wish I had an answer for that, Tommy," he replies. "But if she beat the first two, you can bet she'll beat Mara."

Wanda smiles warmly at Billy.

"Well, I wouldn't say no if you boys wanted to train with me."

DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396962: Jun 18th 2025 at 2:28:57 PM

"Yeah!", Billy happily says. "... but, uh... not right away. Today's been..."

Really stressful, yeah. The kids would probably want to train with Wanda the day after, after they've had some rest.

"Can we go back home now? This place is kinda eerie.", Tommy says. And while Wanda and Pietro are much more familiar with this base, even they will probably find the empty space a little unsettling.

Especially since, technically, they don't know if the base really is empty, even though Mara has left.

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396963: Jun 18th 2025 at 2:50:52 PM

Estraole

This metchant gave Glint pause, and he immediately began to transfer energy to his rapier.

Using the tether to Hachi, he gravitated towards her to lean in and whisper to her:

"I think you're should be ready to pull the trigger... I'll place myself infront of the kids."

He immediately spun around to be between the merchant and the vessels, his expression seemingly oblivious.

Awawa
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396964: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:09:41 PM

Road to Minira

   "Actually...I don't think we need any more power right now. But we're...suffering from a curse. If you could just lift the curse and we could be on our way...?"   

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#396965: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:13:00 PM

I am merchant. Not samaritan. the cloaked figure hisses. Offer and receive. Exchange in balance. A lesson for you.

> Pay with money (15,000 currency)

> Pay with vitality (50% current HP)

> Pay with artifacts (1 high-quality item)

> Pay with bloodshed (initiate combat)

Edited by Bolded1 on Jun 18th 2025 at 12:13:40 PM

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396966: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:16:59 PM

Bvio's Ship

The Hatchling folds their arms.

"I dunno. What do you think I am?"

15 Minutes Remain


Equilibrious Beast

Listening to Glint, Hachi's eyes narrow. She readies a weapon resembling a giant pencil and compass combined into a rifle.

   "All I can offer is the Sun...and I can't afford to give it up."   

"That's okay. Stand back, Niko. We're choosing bloodshed."

Edited by KiriK on Jun 18th 2025 at 5:18:29 AM

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396967: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:25:45 PM

Estraole

"I prefer the term altruistic defense."

He chippered back to Hachi before he began to float up, just hovering a few feet above the ground. His cape billowing the light around his core began to travel around his limbs, though with his scanner behind his billowing bangs looking to the sun... it could be useful.

Several Orbs od light appeared around him like a halo, as he looked to the two behind him.

"What a rude first introduction to the countryside, isn't it?"

Awawa
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396968: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:27:11 PM

Bvio's Ship

For some reason that response brings him pause.

"... hold on a moment."

He turns away, pushing some books aside and then grabbing some kind of strange little cylinder. He turns back to the Hatchling.

"Open your helmet and let me scan your eye or eyes. It's the only way to be sure you're not..."

He doesn't finish that sentence. He also doesn't look like he's planning on elaborating just yet. Since the Hatchling will likely want to save on time, the fastest way to get through this is to just do as he says.

If they open their helmet, he will immediately point the cylinder at it. ... no light comes from it though. Nothing comes out of the cylinder at all. And yet, after a few seconds, he will stop doing so and look at the side of the cylinder.

"..."

He glances back at the Hatchling.

"... apologies. I had to make sure you were safe."

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#396969: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:32:01 PM

Equilibrious Beast

The Vessel was already preparing to fight so the moment They give the command, they rush at the merchant with their nail at the ready. They aim to land a few simple slashes before backing off, probing their defenses more than anything decisive yet.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#396970: Jun 18th 2025 at 3:47:27 PM

FEAR THE EQUILIBRIOUS BEAST

Libra of the Night prepares to unsheath its cloak and engage the fight at its own pace... but the group's opening move shred the cloth to pieces before it can do that and send Libra itself skidding backwards, bearing modest wounds upon its body. A body which is, fittingly, humanoid, although with grotesque bent legs that end in hooves and muscular arms holding unto a golden staff that ends with a flickering yellow flame.

It wears a white tunic with engraving upon it, black vines converging into an eye on its belly to contrast the markedly more organic eyes scattered upon its furry body. Its true, actual eyes are small, vicious, slited golden little marks on its face, with the Nightlord's horns containing much bigger yellow orbs that one could easily mistake for its actual eyes, especially because it start moaning in pain as it grabs unto them.

This will be a opportunity to hit for the brave - and an opportunity to prepare for the cautious before Libra fire off some searing golden bolts from its eyes, arcing over to hit the ground. There are about seven of them, and they leave yellow flames in their wake. Being close to these flames, or worse, getting hit by them, will make one's mind be suspectible to a terrifying Frenzy, building up within themselves.

Only the Player will be able to see what it is : a status effect, depicting a golde eye, with a yellow bar building off of it should Niko be hit by the attack or stay too close to the flame. It's very likely that the player will be uninterested in seeing what happens should the yellow bar completly fill out.

Oh, and the searing bolts themselves are a danger of their own, causing pain should they hit.

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#396971: Jun 18th 2025 at 4:48:11 PM

LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE

Previous

Scoobert

Bolded

Nowh

Boghound

Bonini

Kirik

Situation IX

As the hovering Perceval’s Ether Cone whirled into the Annihilation’s sturdy head, rattling loose a not insignificant amount of spines, Khars’Li leapt from the boiling water, roaring at the heat searing across his scales. He grabbed one of Nick’s air platforms and clambered up onto it, a tight fit for a creature on the larger side such as he. He found Venti and tried to arrange his fingers into a sign of gratitude, the thumbs-up Luin had taught him was apparently quite common among the mainland people.

And on the topic of Luin, to her (technically Deluge’s) side hurried Adinoth, healing the monster’s wounds as he unfurled and moved onto his legs. The Namielle dipped his snout into the water, jaws latching onto something, and pulling a hazy Luin up by the arm. Consciousness returned quickly to her just in time for the water to start heating up. The panic across her expression was hidden only halfway by her helm as she clambered onto Deluge’s back, nodding gratefully at Adinoth before taking the reins and clutching tightly to them; the Elder Dragon’s wings spread in a spray of whitewater and kicked into motion, gliding out of the flood just as the first bubble reached the surface. Yet as they took flight, Luin saw a dark shape drop into the shallow sea. Deluge—begrudgingly yet at his rider’s command—pivoted directions and dipped his front paws into the scalding sea to fish Yuji from it, clutching the teen close to his chest as the heat swirled beneath his wings and lifted them up, up, through the sweatbreaking fog and eventually out of them, back into cool air, circling around the great pillar of steam generated in the plaza. Luin swung herself around in the saddle onto its side, extending a hand of offering to bring Yuji up behind her. She watched the scene, saw some break from the cloud while others remained inside, either refusing to back down or simple unable to. And at the center of it all, though she could see but she knew, was the beast.

From within the cloud, a blinding flash.

In the battle below, the Annihilation’s sight—still lidded with that pale membrane—was largely unaffected by Nagadilotep’s lightburst, though the same could not be said of the leviathan’s grappling of his wing, the patagium canvas already littered with torn holes through which Vento’s arrows had burst. The death roll strained at the muscles in the monster’s shoulders, snapped tendons as the Eater of Elders howled, thrashing in wild efforts to loose the leviathan’s grasp. Something was rapidly approaching from above; if it landed on the monster’s already vulnerable back, the damage could be catastrophic. He made a decision most of his ilk couldn’t. With a violent yank, the Annihilation forsake its wing to Nagadilotep, tearing himself free and escaping the soulblade-ridden area just as Souleater crashed down upon it.

The profusely bleeding wound where his wing had been didn’t slow the Annihilation in the slightest, refusing to give either monster even a moment to recuperate, charging back in and throwing his weight at Souleater with the intent of not only puncturing the Magala with as many spikes as he could, but slamming it against Nagadilotep in turn.

Beams scorched across his flesh, charring the scale coating and leaving a bubbling wound marking where Soulstealer’s and Reddie’s met. The Annihilation’s gaze jerked upwards and his snout sniffed at the heat-thick air, still finding the Emperor within it. He spread a sole wing before remembering his sacrifice, instead opting to call forth from the heavens a storm of lightning-strikes over Soulstealer’s general area, the branches of hate glowing a visceral crimson.

Yet a pained roar thundered from the monster’s jaws as the wound was further capitalized on by Mark’s slam, the man finding himself about waist-deep inside charred flesh. At this, the beast flew into a rage targeting the Gundam and any fool enough to come between him and his target: wide, sweeping claw-strikes enhanced with an alternating combination of flame, lightning, and wind. His rage abated only by the sensing of a familiar presence—

Above, outside the steam, the sky darkened. Deluge dodged the crimson lightning by only the slightest of twitches on its voyage to the Soulstealer’s shadow below, veering away towards a night-black cloud crawling over the hotel. Thunder rumbled like drums of war. Luin’s heart dropped as the cloud took shape, a tusked and brutish jaw stretching open as jade flashes sparked across its form. She knew that face yet denied it all the same because it was impossible, she had seen his corpse, but down below, the dead walked.

A sharp pain split suddenly across the Eater’s jaw, deviating him from his battle with Reddie. A colossal axe lodged itself in the jawbone, its owner stomping after it. Grimgor thundered a fist against his armor, worn and tattered already by his death. Many of them had watched him die only a couple hours prior, yet the crazed glow in his eyes shone with unmistakable vigor. The storm above descended onto the plaza, emerald bolts splitting the air as they burst against the ground now devoid of water; all of it boiled away. Yet those struck by them would fall victim to an interesting effect: strengthened beyond their prior limits, yet driven battle-mad for the minute or so the effect lasted.

Environmental Effect: ORKSTORM!

Armor Status

TAIL: Minimal Damage

Back + Wings: Broken

Hind Legs: Decent Damage

Left Foreleg: Great Damage

Right Foreleg: Broken

Head: Some Damage

LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE // LOVE // HATE

Edited by ISZATSO on Jun 27th 2025 at 7:27:42 AM

With great power…you know the rest.
josh6243 Betty "Blast Hornet" Blanctorche Doppler from Digital Realm Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Betty "Blast Hornet" Blanctorche Doppler
#396972: Jun 18th 2025 at 5:13:39 PM

Vanilla Cream Sherbet - Utopia Facility

As the fight continues onward, Vanilla's too focused to care about the Joker escaping. As more assholes come in for a sneak attack, she quickly creates a vine barrier to shield herself.

Unfortunately, Leda is almost on the receiving end of a much disliked present from these masked hoodlums, but Jason is there to save the day.

"Thanks," praises Vanilla. "I owe you one!"

Following Sephiroth's orders by staying close to him, Vanilla attempts to focus her mana on giving Leda a protective barrier to prevent further attacks on her ally at the same time. A stitch in time saves nine, as they say.

"Cover for me," orders Vanilla to Tony Stark. "Who knows what could happen if Leda dies right here!"

SacredSpirit123 Isengrim Heath-Stalker - Lupine Lawman from Jorrvaskr (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Isengrim Heath-Stalker - Lupine Lawman
#396973: Jun 18th 2025 at 5:32:11 PM

Blackreach HQ (easier to type lol especially since there’s been a lot of Expo in these posts)

Neodyme gives Ninten a look of surprise, though their expression then turns pensive.

"…well…"

They tilt their head, squinting warmly.

"I do not like to judge individuals against each other, but I must say I was deeply moved by everything that my brother told me about you. You are a hero in every sense of the word."

Shadow smirks to Helryx.

   "Appreciate the honesty. But yeah, I've helped people through situations like this, so I have a good feeling about it."   

He and Neodyme look amused when Pseudo notes the pun in his use of ‘Aspect’.

   "Hey, I punned myself earlier without even trying, so it's free game, really."   

He nods.

   "Yeah. It looks like my day is…far from over, so I'll keep that in mind, since I'm making all kinds of stops. I've still gotta' talk to the Guardians about the Odio situation, after all, because that was a bit too close for comfort. I can easily fit Pandora into my schedule."   


Shadow gives Ninten a grim smile.

   "I pray you never have to."   

Shadow and Neodyme blink when Iris mutters the name of the cards, seeming especially surprised when she gives a name to the blank card. They exchange a look, and glance back at Iris.

"…excuse me. Iris, are you alright?"

Shadow frowns tentatively.

   "You identified that blank card as 'Whispers', which suggests that, either you can see something we can't, or you…recognize this deck. What's this mean?"   

After Thor voices his worries, Shadow gives him a confident nod, smiling with stalwart determination. Neodyme squeezes Shadow's hand, nodding as well.

   "As Aspects of Unity, our life's work is proving that's the case, so I'll be damned if I don't give it everything I've got. Worth noting that, when I told Lorenzo that I would throw everything imaginable at the situation in order to keep it from getting to that point, he said he admired my conviction and could tell I meant it completely, that my words were just and true. It brought him some visible relief."   

"We have averted more than a few apocalyptic prophecies in our time, and I can happily say that we have not yet had to take an innocent life in order to do so."

Shadow gives a wry smirk.

   "And I gave him one of my business cards, too. Slipped it right into his Tarot deck without him even noticing until I brought his attention to it with a pun."   

He smiles.

   "He appreciated the gesture and said he hoped to see me again, so I can always give him a ring if you or Iris want to come with me and talk to him yourself."   


Shadow and Neodyme listen to the group's conversation, the former still visibly shaking as the latter keeps him in a comforting hug. Neodyme telekinetically retrieves the pebble that Shadow had thrown, and presents it to him. Shadow studies the pebble for a moment, then fixes Sylvie with a silent glance that seems to say, 'remember what I said? Yeah, this is the one', before giving it a quick kiss as if it was a good-luck charm - which it very well may be - and then pocketing it, wrapping his wings around Neodyme in a grateful gesture. Shadow's about to say something, but his eyes snap wide in confusion, as do Neodyme's. They give each other a disbelieving glance, before looking back to the group. Shadow tilts his head.

   "So we've been continuing to watch Mara and Wanda. I hate saying this, but…it looks like Mara's kids are beyond our help, and that kills me. But I now know why she's so horrible to them. She actually accidentally tipped me off before when I was talking to her and Lar, but now I've got a more complete picture."   

He frowns grimly.

   "She's trying to turn them into Divine Guardians. They were born without souls, and Mara accidentally let that slip when she was talking to me. Her energy is the only thing keeping them alive, but she's been starving them out, challenging them to prove to her that they're deserving of a soul. This was the same way that her own fathers turned her into a Guardian, and she doesn't care if her children die before they meet her standards, because those were the stakes for her when she was raised. She said she's willing to keep trying, keep making children and submitting them to the same horrible treatment, until she succeeds. Furthermore, she just did something neither of us expected."   

"She just…negotiated. She challenged Wanda to a duel."

Shadow frowns.

   "Mara said that she wants to have a no-holds-barred duel against Wanda, without any assistance from any other parties. That means Wanda gets no help from us, but it also means that neither the Assassins nor the Divine Guardians will intervene on Mara's behalf. And the stakes…if Wanda satisfies Mara with her efforts, then she'll undo her curse on Tommy and Billy."   

Shadow glances at Iris, and his gaze reflects a deep understanding of her anger, though he pulls Neodyme in tighter and frowns slightly.

   "Iris…Neo and I are as furious as you are. But we can't just barge in there. Wanda's setting up the plans for the duel right now, so we just have to trust she knows what she's doing. Have hope."   

Neodyme looks to Pseudo, giving them a serious look.

"There is a catch."

   " If Wanda actually manages to beat Mara, and has her at her mercy…"   

"…then Mara has given her permission to execute her."

   "Naturally, we can't have that, so excuse us while we put in a word to Wanda."   

Shadow and Neodyme then close their eyes, and join hands, telepathically contacting Wanda.


Intrigue

Wanda should find that a new pair of voices appear in her head, though at least one of them quickly becomes familiar.

   'Wanda, it's Shadow. I know, been a long time.'   

'Excuse me?'

   'Oh, right. That's my little sibling, Neodyme, the Aspect of Metal. Long story. But…we've seen everything, and we're sorry for the situation you've found yourself in. We're at Pseudo's base right now as we've been briefing the gang on some pretty major events…including this.'   

'Miss Maximoff, no matter what happens, if you find Mara at your mercy, you must not execute her. Even if she attempts to goad you into it.'

   'She has more than just your kids under her thumb. Two of the Assassins, Jack Frost and General Logi, are only working for them because she resurrected a major chunk of both of their world's populace solely to use as hostages. If you kill her, you're not only damning all those souls to die all over again, but you're also most definitely going to set off Jack and Logi. Then there's likely no way we'll be able to get them to come around peacefully, and I'd really hate to have to fight them. We've seen too much death lately. Also, there's another individual who I've come into contact with, the Winged Being from the Nightmare Realm, who is currently aiding Mara for his own reasons, but he's truly benevolent at heart, if emotionally unstable and psychologically scarred, and he's at least open to tentative negotiations with me at the moment, though he likely won't be if you kill Mara, since they seem to consider each other genuine friends, as unbelievable as that probably sounds to you. I'd rather not lose that potential ally before we can fully explore the situation. He and I…have a lot in common, and he actually told me I'm his personal role-model. I want to know more about him. Regardless, cluing Mara in that you know any of this might not be a good idea, considering what she's done in the past when she realized she had some leverage.'   

'Please, for the sake of not just the Arena, but for two other worlds, do not let your grudge make you act rashly.'

   'Don't take the bait. There will be a time and a place for revenge. You don't want to trigger her Dead Man's Switch by killing her like she's offering…if you even manage to defeat her that thoroughly. Which I fully support, mind you. Give 'er Hell…but just don't send her back there.'   

'We will be watching.'

   'Good luck, Wanda…hopefully we'll see you back here soon.'   

Edited by SacredSpirit123 on Jun 19th 2025 at 9:37:33 AM

"Life isn't a fairytale. There isn't always a 'Happily Ever After' waiting for you at the end of the road." ~ Isengrim Heath-Stalker
BoniniBanana Fortunate Sun I from real Since: Aug, 2021 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
Fortunate Sun I
#396974: Jun 19th 2025 at 8:35:18 AM

UTOPIA

How Beel describes Uzi to the group sounds wrong to William. Their methods are—

"These people... That girl's not a person to them either. This isn't how you deal with living weapons..."

For a second he thinks he's entered a moral dilemma but with further thought he did actively choose to go with a guy named Beelzebub. He can't mull on these objections for long, lots of brass beasts to deal with.

William doesn't try and soak up damage — only god knows where those weapons came from and if they're magical he might as well be killing himself. Instead, he immediately starts sapping as much of the surrounding energy as possible. While doing so, he creates a thin barrier around him.

This is evident the explosions of the rockets being reduced in size and being quieter — only absorbing them after the rockets explode to essentially dilute magic that can mistakenly enter his system.

However, pinpointing each and every explosion and reducing their output comes at the cost of having to ignoring the smaller yet greater threat of the bullets present. Thankfully Gonzalete is there to give a hand.

His intent with the aggressive heat sapping is to form a thick dome of ice to deal with but the hectic fast-moving battlefield means a lot of the would-be ice is in the form of snow. But when the Gaikarmog makes its full arrival, the ice dome's silhouette starts being filled out to protect to the rest of the group. It's really only supplementary at most given the circumstances and would probably instantly break the moment Seven's attack makes contact with Uzi but its the thought that counts at least.

Edited by BoniniBanana on Jun 19th 2025 at 11:40:50 PM

real
engie Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#396975: Jun 19th 2025 at 9:49:36 AM

FACILITY 08-3333 - FACILITY INTERIOR - UTOPIA PLOTLINE

Kuveli is quickly learning that getting any sort of flank attack on Darth Sion is incredibly hard to do, and also that a war of attrition will not work on him. Conversely for her, her shields flicker into view every time the lightsaber nearly makes contact with her body - and the moment it actually does hit her, the downward slam having come at precisely the worst timing for her attempts at evasion, her shields visibly shatter in an instant, the warframe sliding backwards along the hallway with her metal gauntlets crossed over her body. A glowing orange heat line along each gauntlet marks the part she blocked with, and while those gauntlets have remained intact, she already has her conclusion based on the feeling.

He doesn't need to be careful. She does. Direct confrontation is not worth the personal risk.

She surges forth once more as though to reengage, but suddenly slides on the floor, hops up to the roof, and slams herself back down into the ground in a rather physics-defying manner. From the impact, an infernal circle of blood-red flame erupts on the hallway ground, certainly looking dangerous even if it... really isn't in the current context. Then she reevaluates...

Kuveli promptly whirls around and punches a hole through the wall, ducking through it into one of the adjacent rooms, then goes as silent as she can. She's decided that sneaking past would be a lot easier than trying to directly brute force through Sion, and really really hopes that the others either follow suit or were already doing the same.


THE PRISON - THE BIG ROOM - UTOPIA PLOTLINE

Having not much time to reposition or counterattack, the headphone guy visibly expresses moderate concern as he sees the bouquet of death aimed at the group. He needs an instant answer to it, but he's short on quick notice invulnerability methods and doesn't want to give his opponent too many new potential abilities. Therefore...

Well, he did just break the axe, and that's given him some resource to work with. A black boxy backpack manifests onto his... back, and a somewhat beat-up bugle similarly manifests into his hand, which he then blasts a short tune out with. Those who stick close to him for the next short while should find themselves mysteriously toughened up, especially against things that should have been fatal...

He just needs two more tricks in order to actually not die here. One of those tricks is manifesting huge fists of steel over his own hands and taking cover behind them, bullets pinging off the thick layers of metal even though there's still quite the number tearing into his body proper. The other is, of course, calling for help.

REQUESTING ALLY ASSISTANCE - MIQUELLA

"Might need healing here!"

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.

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