[IC] The Collector

[TheWendil]

Sasha swiped back and forth, ripping apart the small insectoid bodies with fang and nail as she tried not to let the swarm overwhelm her. At this rate, it would take some kind of miracle for any chance of survival. Seeing Daniel summon forth a dome of fire, Sasha made no hesitation to enter the temporary sanctuary and await either salvation or destruction. There were so many of the little hellions, and even now they battled against the flames in a violent manner. They cared not for their own deaths if it meant ripping apart the moving flesh before them.

Unfortunately, it looked like the bugs had finally caught on, for something began to change. The still healthy swarm gathered in a single focal point, buzzing and conglomerating their bulk into solid mass. They were forming....

"A shield?"

Sasha couldn't believe it as these things were apparently smart enough to adapt against the situation. "So they aren't just mindless monsters," she muttered to herself. "Smart mansion." The masked fairies completed their form into something not unlike a shield; it had the circular motions of a shield like before, but now extra limbs were attached to it, comprised of the hundreds of tiny bodies. With a death howl, the massive chattering thing rocketed towards the flamed done with renewed bloodlust. Something about the way it moved towards them....Sasha widened her eyes as she braced for impact. Those weren't limbs. They were blades.

"Holy...these things made a freaking buzzsaw."

[Scarifar]

Something jarred Daniel's concentration before he could shock wave. When he looked to see what the bugs did, he was speechless. To think that they could group together into a single mass was just beyond imagination. He snapped out of it when the blades began piercing his dome. The bugs that touched the flames burned and died, yet some were actually getting through. The dome repaired itself as quickly as openings were being created, but that was just not good enough. They needed a way to defeat the swarm, or even just stop them.

He let most of the fire dome fade away, except for the area between the swarm and his friends. He hardened and heated up the solid flame so they couldn't get past as easily. Then he noticed that he started to feel weak and tired. It seemed like the battles were finally catching up to him, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. "To the door, now! I'll hold them off!" Daniel yelled, pointing at the door from which the swarm originally came. He created several panes of solid fire in an attempt to hinder the swarm's movement, moving them around to further hinder them. Slowly he felt his strength fading away. It wouldn't be long until he could no longer produce even a spark.

[FoxFireOfDawn]

Seeing an array of things happening at once, Xerc only tried a little to understand what was happening. Spider-like bugs had flew in through the only door that they could continue on through and had begun to attack everyone. Taking note of this, he began to make an attempt at chewing and clawing the bugs. He kept his body moving at all times so it wouldn't be as easy to hit, but whenever he tried to swipe a paw at them, they manahed to dodge with ease. The onoy thing that seemed to occasionally work was eating them, yet sometimes they would attack the inside of his mouth if they were still alive.

He noted that Daniel had made a fire dome to protect those within, so after barking at a few bugs and trying to eat them whole, he ran into the dome and frowned. But then, something caught his eye. The small creatures had noticed that their attempt at going straight in for the kill wasn't working. So they had made a formation and were risking to go straight through the fire. Hearing what Sasha said about a buzzsaw, he whimpered. Daniel had now made it so it blocked off only the area between the swarm and them, then saying to get to the door while he would hold them off. "Attempting something like that would end with your death, don't be so stupid as to suggest that option ever again!" He practically barked at Daniel, "We deal with this as a team, not as selfish idiots." Although he made this statement, he had no idea what to do. The area got darker around him as the fire lit up some of the room and he began to growl.

[shi12]

]I]A buzz saw?! [/I] Alexandra mentally shouted, her eyes fixed on it as she set the bear down gently with his pieces. It was a nerve-racking realization and the fact they were starting to break through the wall of fire bothered the shifter greatly.

Alexandra quickly dashed over to where Daniel stood, noticing his fatigue more as she got closer. This was taking a toll on him. When she heard what he was planning on doing though she had to agree with Xerc. It would be suicide if he fought them off on his own. But what if there were two of him? “I’ll help him; we’ve got to start getting the others out of here before those fiends from Hell get to us again. After all-“ she started, her body already shifting. In seconds her body matched ‘Pyro’s’ exactly, though she had a lot more energy. “-what could be better than two masters of fire against an army of bugs?” she finished, her voice matching Daniel’s tone exactly without the fatigue.
Oh, she hoped she wouldn’t regret this later.

[Scarifar]

Daniel was both frustrated and relieved, mainly due to the fact that some refused to leave, but that meant that he wasn't alone in the fight. When Daniel saw Alexandra morph into him, an idea sparked in his fatigued mind. "Quick, give me your fire," Daniel said, raising his outstretched hand toward Alexandra. That fire would revitalize him, and give him the energy he needed to finish the swarm off.

[TheWendil]

"Uh, guys? Do something now!" The whirling swarm of death fairies made impact with the dome of fire. A good majority of the things were incinerated upon impact, but it was just enough to allow the last remnants of the swarm inside without damage. The last ones...Sasha swiped at them from all sides as the survivors descended on their little group. Green liquid sprayed in her mouth as she ripped several apart with her fangs alone. However, they would not escape without injury, as the masked hellions made their final stand with vigor, getting in swift scratches and bites everywhere within their radius.

[rocketrobie2]

Mr.T could do nothing but watch. He couldn't exactly move in his current state at least not by himself but he was still terrified by the bug creature depending upon them. They were even scarier now that they were all clumped together into one huge bug creature.

[shi12]

Alexandra stiffened for a split second as the creatures descended upon them, fear coursing through her veins. “Alright, I think it’s time someone taught them not to mess with fire.” She chuckles, a ball of flame erupting from her hand. Several of the beasts lashed out at her, only to be burnt to a crisp from her new temporary abilities. Once she was clear of the attackers she let the flame reach out towards the real Daniel, not completely sure what he was planning.

An aching sensation spread through her skull, making her cringe. She knew taking this form wouldn’t end well. It was then a swarm attacked her from the side opposite the flame, and instead of her usual calculating self she felt over confident like she could take on anything. “Bring it on you little devils!!” she growled, her voice still matching Daniels due to the previous shift. Great she was already starting to act like Pyro, she really should have thought this through more.

[Scarifar]

Daniel absorbed the fire into his palm, sighing in relief as he regained some energy. He raised his outstretched hand toward the swarm that had formed some giant creature, and construed a solid fire cube around it. He then quickly closed his hand into a fist, as if crushing something, and the cube responded by imploding on the swarm, crushing and burning them at the same time. Naturally the bugs tried to fight their way out, but Daniel let the flames move as the bugs move, while still crushing and burning them, therefore taking less energy than if he tried to hold them in place. However he didn't notice the swarm that had detached and was now attacking Alexandra.

[TheWendil]

By now, only a few bugs were present in the continuing onslaught. So much so, that the "swarm" buzzing straight towards Alex were but only about three death fairies. Sasha leapt in their way, ripping their limbs with her fangs and tearing their fragile wings with her hands. It took some time, but the final bug was eventually slaughtered. Green ooze and miniature guts lied everywhere, and some even found their stains on the group members. Scowling, Sasha bent down in an attempt to wipe the gunk off. "Aw yuck! It doesn't feel poisonous like the last one.....but it smells like shit! Almost as much as...well speak of the devil."

Ask away, and you shall recieve. Crouching on all fours, Sasha growled as a familiar soft voice rang out in the ball room once more. "My, my! Goodness, you make such messes after your battles! I should have known I was standing in the very presence of such bloodthirsty warriors." Marianne appeared in a single blink, her single seen red eye scanning the area of chaos and mayhem around her. "Goodness me...I don't know if you exactly make my job here better or worse...what ever shall I do with you all?"

As she said so in the tone reminiscent of a mother scolding her children, the dark dressed girl snapped once with her fingers. Immediately, portals much akin from before began springing up, hovering below each individual death fairy corpse. Pale hands reached out to drag the dead bodies into a realm one could only wish to dream in their nightmares; smiling, Marianne walked towards the escaped group. "Alex, Daniel, I think you can lower your guard now. I promise not to hurt you...."

[Scarifar]

Daniel let his crushing cube of fire fade away, the remains of the swarm within it dripping to the ground, then he collapsed onto the ground face first. If he hadn't absorbed that fire, he'd probably have fainted at the very least, if not died. Regardless, he was still exhausted, and it was all he could do to stay conscious.

[shi12]

Alex had been shocked when Sasha lunged at the creatures before her, she hadn’t been expecting it. What shocked her more though was the sudden reappearance of Marianne. Where the hell did she even come from? A cold feeling crept up her spine as the odd woman spoke. She still wondered what she was, especially seeing as she seemed to have no malice towards them yet she was clearing the tattered remains of the bug-like creatures from the marble flooring.

Nonetheless the shifter let the flames in her hand die down, her form slowly and difficultly shifting back into the thin white haired woman she was. The shift took a lot out of her this time and unbeknownst to her the color of her eyes had remained the sapphire blue of her most recent form, not yet back to the aqua color it should be. Overall though the only true strain on her was the pounding headache and the struggle of forcing Daniel’s persona from her mind. It fought back against her, as if it were the true owner of her body instead of the optimistic personality who was trying it’s hardest to dismiss it. This was the side effect of her ability. Taking another’s form, another’s abilities and persona, it took its toll on her the longer she remained someone else. “That’s not me… It’s not who I am, so GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!” she rambled, starting off with a faint panicked voice only to end it in a loud outburst of anger. She was talking to herself, plain as day.

[rocketrobie2]

Mr.T saw Alexandra mumbling and yelling for something to get out of her head. Mr.Teddy used all his might and power to inch parts of him over to her leg and gave what he considered a hug hoping that it would some how help her. Mr.T didn't know if this would help at all but he hoped it would because he didn't like to see people yelling.

[FoxFireOfDawn]

Xerc sat there, confused. After the remaining bugs had been killed, Marianne had appeared as if she had been there all along. What really interested Xerc was the pale hands that emerged from the portals she effortlessly made. That's when Xerc noticed Alex was talking to herself. It was probably something to do with her ability to mimic another fully, because her personality didn't suit what she was doing currently. He sighed and simply stared at Marianne, no clear expression on his face. He didn't care that some of those around him had their problems, as long as it didn't affect him. "Well, at least we can get through the door now..." He mumbled, seeming to smile slightly.

[TheWendil]

The last of the bugs being rounded up, Marianne tilted her head and frowned at Alex's sudden outbreak. Seeing the teddy bear hug her ankle to death, she shook her head. "No, no, Mr. T; it doesn't work like that." Standing in front of Alex, a wide smirk began to spread across her pale lips. "You know, I think I have just the right solution to your little persona problem Alex. Yeah, I'll help you out...but this one won't be a freebie like like last time. I just require some...equivalent to the insanity."

Sasha narrowed her eyes at Marianne's wording. "What the hell are you saying Reeking Lady?" Her nose wrinkled again at the stench surrounding this girl. "And what are you anyway?"

Marianne wagged her finger as if reprimanding a child. "My feral friend, the subject of my nature is of no concern to you. At least not yet...as for what I want, well that's fairly simple. I'll fix up Alex's shapeshifting problem in exchange for me taking one of your lives." She smiled warmly at the gathered group before her.

"Sound like a deal Alex? Blood for blood....?"

[shi12]

Suddenly the shifter went silent, a look of anger crossing her face. “Who the hell do you think you are?” she snaps, locking her now aqua eyes on the strange woman. “I can face my own demons because my sanity isn’t worth someone’s life and if I wasn’t prepared to face my own consequences I wouldn’t have done it.” She growls, her anger quickly flaring. Her eyes scan her battered companions before locking coldly back onto Marianne. “Why is it you keep singling me out, what makes my life more important than everyone else’s. Mr. T is in pieces, Daniel can’t even stand…. Not a single one of us has been unfazed since we got in this Hell hole. Yet you chose to offer ME help. If you knew us as well as you pretend you do then you’d know I’d refuse your offer.” She snaps.

Alex leans down and picks up Mr. T, only to back away from Marianne with the injured bear in her arms. “Now let’s go stitch you back up. Ok?” she chimes, her dark mood lightening a bit as she turned her back on her. With a chuckle she started walking back to where the rest of Mr. T. was.

[rocketrobie2]

At first Mr.T was a little frightened when Alexandrea began yelling at the scary woman but then he began to see that she was right, everyone was hurt sure but Alexandrea seemed the least harmed in Mr.T's opinion. He was literally in pieces, Daniel was almost dead from exhaustion and they were terribly unorganized. When Mr.T was picked up by the now slightly happier Alexandra he gave a little smile or as close as a smile as he could in his current messed up and torn around form.

[TheWendil]

Marianne backed away from Alex in surprise; she didn't expect the shape-shifter to react so violently. "Ah, very well then. You can't blame a girl for trying though!" Marianne's shock became quickly replaced with her signature smile and she pointed a pale finger towards the hallway the death fairies had emerged from.

"I would assume you've all cleaned the path, so it should be safe to use now. Until next time...don't any of you have some last minute questions for me? Maybe even a statement of how utterly horrible I am?"

Sasha growled in response. "Well, you smell horrible. In more ways than one Reeking Girl." Marianne chuckled lightly at that answer.

"Yes, I suppose I do to someone like you...hmm, anyone else? Then again, it's not like this will be our last encounter together...maybe you'll see me again sooner than you think. That's up to you."

[shi12]

A noticeable shiver ran up Alex’s back at the woman’s words. There it was again, that sinking feeling of recognition, and it scared her. Just what the hell is she? she thought, looking down at Mr. T. with a blank gaze. She just couldn’t put a name to it but she knew she had heard of something like her before, a creature that leaves death in its wake.
No that couldn’t be it…
Suddenly the shifter turns her attention back to Mr. T. and his ripped form. In seconds she was kneeling beside the pile of leftover fluff and stuffing, setting the poor bear down gently in her lap. She seemed to have his scattered pieces but she needed a way to piece him back together. Alex pondered for a second before remembering the bag on her hip; maybe some of her personal first-aid kit was still there. If it was then she’d have needle and thread.
In a sudden frenzy she reached for the bag, digging through it and shockingly finding what she was looking for. “So he takes my weapons but leaves me the first aid stuff…. Ok…” she mutters with a chuckle.
Taking the needle and thread in hand she diligently starts sewing the poor bear back together, starting with his ripped fur.

[rocketrobie2]

Mr.T was a little scared as the shape changer began sewing him back together with a needle and thread but he loved how he could finally move once again at least somewhat. "Thank you" Mr.T said making a smile as sons as he could to reassure and hopefully comfort Alex.