Mixtape Ghost N

Paragraphs: Dragon Dance [Blizz & Mixtape Ghost Note]

---

In a few hours Kari's house became a whirlwind of color and noise, transformed into the perfect setting for a lively slumber party. Soft lights casted a warm glow over a sea of blankets and pillows scattered across the floor. A spread of snacks—popcorn, candy, and chips—rests on the coffee table, alongside a game of monopoly that’s currently the center of attention. Everyone was dressed in pajamas...

”... Yoooooookoooo,” Kari said, giving Yoko a playful grin as she laid on her stomach kicking her legs back and forth. ”It’s just a game, why are you mad?”

Yoko dramatically hopped up to her feet, and pointed a finger at Kari, ”... I’m mad because you cheated!” Yoko’s finger shook as she said, ”How the hell did you land on my property three times in a row?!”

Kari just shrugged.

”... Dumb luck.”

“... You’re just mad because Kari’s wiiiiiiiinning, Yoko,” Elsa chimed in, sitting down, also laughing.

”You’re using your Lux!” Yoko accused Kari.

”My magic doesn’t even work like that!” Kari laughed.

”Yes it does!” Yoko shouted.

”Nuh-uh.” Kari replied.

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Yes it does!”

”Nuh-uh.”

”Why did I agree to this…” Selena muttered, walking in wearing the exact same clothes she had on before robbing the Temple. Minus the Graymoon Cloak, which was folded up over her lap as she watched these two bicker about Monopoly.

”You do know I have white Lux too, don’t you? She isn’t cheating.”

”See, Yoko?” Kari cattily smiled at Yoko, kicking her feet some more. ”Someone else with built in wisdom.”

Before she turned to Selena, ”... Even though she misses the whole point of a slumber party.” She rolled her eyes.

”... Yes, you White… Luxes have to stick together!” Yoko valiantly said.

”White Adepts, Hatanaka.” Selena rolled her eyes. ”Luxes… Unbelievable.”

”Well in that case…” Kari trailed off, ”I’m a Black Adept…” Kari gave Selena the widest, toothiest smile.

”... You know I was trying to avoid that implication.” Yoko rolled her eyes.

”No, you are not.”

”Yes I am,” Kari replied, before pointing at the Monopoly board. ”Actually it’s your turn.”

Selena moved a piece. ”…What game is this?”

Kari facepalmed.

Yoko facepalmed.

Elsa facepalmed.

”... Let’s just watch a movie.” Kari added.

”…Alright. What movie?”

”Let’s watch a serious movie, because you’re a serious person,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”Schindler's List?”

"That's… heavy," Elsa said, her playful demeanor sobering up.

”If you’re going to poke fun at me being serious…” Selena turned and gave Yoko a look.

”…Why don’t we watch Hero?”

”Ahhhhhhhh… a wuxia, good choice,” Kari said as she hopped up onto her feet, and went to the remote. She turned Netflix on, looked up the movie, and put it on. She grabbed some snacks as she hopped onto her sofa, as Yoko and Elsa took her side. Kari smiled, as she gave the empty spot on the sofa a few pats, as she said, ”C’mon, we won’t bite.”

Reluctantly, Selena sat down next to her.

Then watching the movie commenced!

While the movie was playing, Yoko reached into her pocket and pulled out the medallion with the white stones - Kari’s Wayfinder. Out of curiosity, she pressed the central gem and the holographic display, well, displayed. It was distracting for the movie, but Yoko scanned the map of the All-Verse looking for any signs of Goro… there weren’t any. Yoko sighed as she pressed the gem again and it went away.

”... You’ll find him,” Kari smiled at Yoko. ”I promise.”

Yoko sighed, ”I hope its in one piece.” Before she put Kari’s Wayfinder away, and pulled out Goro’s Wayfinder. She deployed the map there… Unfortunately, due to being created by his Mass Production spell, it was nowhere near as good as the original. It only gave a radius for each spell, though interestingly enough, not a majority of the artifacts were even in Shimmer! Curious. She would have to go on an adventure through the All-Verse like that inbred ninja… she could only roll her eyes thinking about Ken.

Though, she zoomed in on one location, in California…
”... Monterrey,” Kari answered the question that she never knew she had. ”Paranormal hotspot, nowhere near as bad as here, though. I kept my eyes on it, its ran by a man named Enzo….”

Yoko tilted her head at Kari, ”He took over the city, rebuilt it under his own design… Nobody goes in or out of the city without him knowing.”

Kari shrugged, ”Maybe you can just convince him to give up whatever he has this time.”

Selena leaned over, looking at the map. ”I’ve heard of him. High standards for everyone in his city, enforced by a group that calls itself the Ivory Court. They keep the peace, put down the dangers. I’ve never been there in person.”

”... What’s with Paranormals and their stupid names for everything?” Yoko said with a roll of her eyes. ”If he has one of my family artifacts, I’m going to get it from him.”

”Don’t go in there guns blazing,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”The Temple went easy on you two.”

”A friend of mine was there once. Three years ago, I think it was. Maybe four. A small group tried to overthrow him. Apparently they marched right into his “office,” and picked a fight with the man directly.”

Selena leaned back away and looked back at the TV. ”None of them walked out alive, and I’m told he was outnumbered… I think five to one.”

Kari turned to Yoko and smiled, ”... Sounds like something you’d do,” Kari began. ”Don’t do that.”

Yoko rolled her eyes, before turning to Selena, ”You want to head there in the morning?”

”Yoooooo…” Kari trailed off.
”... Ko. Finish watching the movie! We got all day! Night! Whatever!”

”I would very much rather not pick a fight with a man like that, if you are suggesting such,” She answered firmly. ”Anyone on this side of the country who knows anything about the paranormal scene has heard of that city. We wouldn’t stand a chance. Now, if you wanted to walk in there politely, ask him for whatever artifact he has of yours and pray he’s empathetic? By all means.”

Yoko rolled her eyes, ”Whatever works.” She shrugged. ”Why are you two acting like I’m an amateur!?”

”... Amy kicked your ass twice, and Leon chewed your food,” Kari noted.

”And you have a terrible habit of overestimating your own skill.”

Yoko crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

”But enough. Movie, ladies.”

They watched movies for the rest of the night.

---

In the morning, a purple wind traveled from St. Portwell all the way to Monterey, California. It went to the beach, and Yoko and Selena appeared and were immediately assaulted by the smell of salt and the sound of the waves crashing. Seagulls could be heard…

Yoko sighed… She wore green cargo pants, combat boots, and a black tank top - with the kanabo in a gym bag slung over her shoulder.

”... This place reminds me of St. Portwell,” Yoko noted.

The beach they were standing on was quiet today. Next to no one was here since it was early, but off in the distance, the city was alive and well. Skyscrapers shooting high into the air on the horizon overlooked Monterey. Much like St. Portwell, it was set against the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean, but the docks that Selena and Yoko could see in the distance were so much bigger. Far off the coast, one could see a cargo ship lumbering away towards a shipyard, not a cloud in the sky. Smaller boats were making their way out into the further stretches at this very moment, owned by families of all ages and numbers.

Overtop the sparse trees, they could see the sight of distant buildings. Drink stands and shade from the hot sun to accommodate the warm weather. A lifeguard tower yet to be occupied.

It was picturesque, in a way. Beautiful.

Selena had changed into a pale, cherry red sundress before coming here, layered beneath a lightweight jacket for pockets. Unlike Yoko, she had dressed appropriately for the weather.

”Well… Here we are,” Selena commented. ”We could stand here and wait for someone to come to us, or we could walk and start following your map. My understanding of the city is that it’s as close to perfect as a paranormal hotspot can be, so we aren’t likely to see anything obvious.”

Yoko just shrugged, pulled out Goro’s Wayfinder, and deployed the holographic map. The map pointed deeper into Monterey, and Yoko silently pressed on.

Selena couldn’t help but roll her eyes a little. She pulled her phone from the Tesseract and caught up with her. The two of them turned down a sidewalk and were immediately met with the sight of the downtown area. This was the heart of Monterey, they passed dozens of storefronts, restaurants and a locally owned bakery. Smells of fresh food mingled with the salt on the wind, filling the streets with all the carefree life that one often had to squint to find back home.

Even here in the early morning, it was still busy. People say at outdoor tables eating and grabbing a breakfast on the go. It was maybe five minutes at most before the two of them were confronted.

”Going somewhere?”

A voice stuck out, vaguely feminine and sounding a touch cocky. Selena turned around and saw that there was a woman staring them down. Dark-skinned, with a death hawk hairstyle white as snow. Her eyes were glazed over, and she wore a pale battle jacket over what looked to be a tank top. She stood with her arms crossed, leaning back against a brick wall of the building the two had just passed.

”Who wants to know?” Selena asked.

”Me.” The strange woman smirked.

Immediately, Yoko put the Wayfinder away.

”And you are…?”

”An envoy, in a way. I work for the Ivory Court, and you two showed up just now without any warning.”

Yoko rolled her eyes at the woman, her hand drifting towards the kanabo she kept in the gym bag. ”We’re tourists,” Yoko said. ”We aren’t bothering you or your group of weirdos. Mind your business.” Yoko narrowed her eyes.

”This is my business, young lady,” She remarked. ”You are in our city, and the Court runs a tight ship. When a new face comes, I’m one of the responders. So you’ll have to enjoy my company a little longer.”

Despite Yoko’s tone and the strange look of the “envoy…” No one was paying attention to them. People were steering around them and giving the three some space. No one even noticed them.

”Again, we are not bothering you,” Yoko rolled her eyes at her. ”We’re just sightseeing - wait, do you weirdos bother everyone who comes into this city?”

”We’ll be the judges of that, and yes we do. If they’re paranormal like the two of you are.”

”Yoko…”

The busy street they were standing on was empty, suddenly. Yoko noticed that, and she was not intimidated in the slightest.

”Well, it was great meeting you, American,” Yoko said. ”We must be going.,” Yoko turned to walk away.

”I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

In the time it took Yoko to turn her gaze away from where the woman was standing, she had repositioned right in front of them both, standing in the way of her and the sidewalk.

”But I’m not used to being ignored so easily. So let me say this a bit less… Politely.”

The woman reached into her battle jacket, and withdrew an envelope.

”Whenever a paranormal arrives in Monterey, they go through a process, or they are sent back the way they came,” she explained. ”You have one hour to be at the address written in this, or your stay in this city will be cut short. Give the man at the door the card inside, and then you will be directed to an authority figure. He will decide whether you stay or not.”

”… You know what?” Yoko said, before she snatched the envelope. ”If we go there, will you finally leave us alone?”

”Oh, honey, I’m just the messenger.” She smirked again. ”No, if we have to meet again, I think you’ve made a mess of things.”

”Pardon my friend’s… Abrasiveness.” Selena jumped in to make sure Yoko didn’t completely fuck them over. ”We’re both a long way from home, and we’re close to a breakthrough in something.”

The stranger studied Selena for a second. And then she nodded, that smile yet to leave her face.

”Then go, girls. You may just fit right in.”

Someone bumped into Yoko from behind, walking past her without even realizing she was there with a thump.

Selena’s attention shifted to that, and in the brief moment they were both distracted, they were alone again.

People were passing them by, all was normal.

”…She’s an Adept.”

”And? So are we,” Yoko rolled her eyes. ”What we should be worried about is the fact we barely stepped here and they are all over us.” Yoko shook her head.

”They may have someone like Wilson,” Yoko theorized, before she looked at the envelope. ”I only played along so she’d go away… But…”

She sighed.

”Let’s just find this asshole.”

”I did tell you this would happen.”

They looked around for roughly ten minutes, and found the place. The address in the envelope took them to the tallest building in the city, an obelisk of glass, concrete and ominous energy. Just going near the place, Selena got a sense that there was something powerful here.

”Out of curiosity,” She asked. ”Is the Wayfinder also pointing us in this direction?”

Yoko pulled out Goro’s Wayfinder, deployed the map, and revealed they are in fact going the right direction. Yoko nodded at Selena.

She walked through, Yoko followed. The interior lobby was fancy. Marble floors and columns, plants around the windows. It was very well air conditioned.

Selena handed the card to the man in a black suit, who stood by the doors. He wordlessly beckoned the two of them to follow. Neither of them could remember his face after they took their eyes off of him.

They went up two flights of stairs, down a long hallway and then took an elevator. It didn’t feel like it was moving in the slightest until after the doors opened. The suited man didn’t say it, but Selena remembered him telling them to go through the black doors at the end of the hall.

They did, and behind them was a large, spacious room bigger than the lobby itself. An executive space, paved with a floor that was stark white, emblazoned with the symbol of a black chess pawn.

Along the walls were glass cases with weapons, books, and other oddities that were fit for a museum. It looked like a mix between the office of a CEO and a war veteran. And at the far end of this room, a man stood with his back turned to them. He seemed to be wearing a white suit that matched his white hair.

His hands were folded behind his back, as he stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Selena and Yoko walked in, an air of nobility made itself clear in this room. They were in a place of dignity.

”Ah… Selena Gallagher Phoenix, Hatanaka Yoko.”

”How do you-” Yoko stopped herself when she realized someone like Kari is in play.

He turned around and fixed a look on them. He seems to be about middle aged, but in a way that someone aged well. Dark brown eyes looked through them both, as if searching for something.

”I trust Mhorosa didn’t give you trouble. I am Grandmaster Enzo Alcaraz, head of the Ivory Court. Allow me to be the first to welcome you both to our city.”

He gestured to the desk before him. A steaming kettle sat with three empty cups. The chairs looked comfortable. ”Sit, I believe we have something to discuss.”

Yoko narrowed her eyes - another blowhard. She entertained him by sitting down, resting her gym bag with the kanabo next to her. But she kept the strap in hand. Yoko kept her eyes on Enzo.

”Let’s. So we can stop these annoying theatrics and get a move on.”

”Yes. Perhaps they are annoying, but they tend to smooth things over with “tourists.” Like the one wielding Oni weaponry.” He gave Yoko a pointed, emotionless look.

Green tea, brewed wonderfully, was poured into each of the three cups. A dish of super cubes was slid closed to the two of them.

”I do apologize for the inconvenience this is. You two are on a journey right now, so I will try not to take up too much of your time.”

He took a slow sip of his tea, never once taking his eyes off the two of them.

”…What business do you have in Monterey?”

”You fellated yourself about knowing sooooo much about us..:,” Yoko rolled her eyes. ”I’m looking for my family’s artifacts - there’s one here. I’m going to find it, then leave.”

”Mm.” He took another sip of his tea. ”And I suppose you’ll do it with that kanabo, rather than your list of rather impressive spells?”

”Yoko, please.”

Yoko bared teeth.

”… That’s not necessary, now is it?”

”Objectively speaking, you could certainly try. However, I would hope your family’s honor means enough to you that you wouldn’t fall to such barbarics.”

”You seem to know us quite well,” Selena mused.

”Knowing things quite well is my role in things, miss Phoenix. Knowing is half the battle, wouldn’t you agree?”

”Well, do you know what we are looking for so we may leave?” Yoko asked.

”Of course. Yurei’s Leash, one of your family’s artifacts. Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to leave with it.”

”Well,” Yoko shrugged. ”… You don’t have to.”

Yoko imbued the gym bag with harden - and swung it at Enzo like a mace. It’d hit like one, too.

…Or rather, it would have. Except Enzo ducked clean underneath it. And he didn’t even try to riposte the swing as it sailed clean over his head.

”I had hoped you would at least enjoy your tea before this. A shame.”

”Shut up!” Yoko shouted.
”You are so goddamn annoying!”

She cocked the gym bag back for another swing.

Calmly, and without standing up, Enzo hooked his left hand underneath the gym bag, and deftly redirected the momentum of the swing over his head to knock her way off balance.

”Yoko!” Selena flinched as the bag came close to smacking the shit out of her. She jumped out of her seat, leaving the cup unattended.

”You do not speak for her, so I will not hold this against you.” Enzo slowly stood from his desk, and reached underneath it. He was now armed with a sword.

”As for you, miss Hatanaka… You have already decided there is no going back. I sympathize with that. But unfortunately, you’ve made a grave error in judgment.”

Yoko dropped the gym-bag, unzipped it, and pulled out the kanabo… she held it in both hands. She narrowed her eyes at Enzo,

”... There is no going back, yes, American,” Yoko rolled her eyes. ”I am not leaving here without Yurei’s Leash, and if that means I have to shove this up your ass, then so be it!”

Yoko raised the Kanabo overhead, and slammed it down on Enzo with enough force to flatten him - shatter wood.

Enzo saw it coming, exactly as quick as Yoko decided to make her move. The sword in his hand flicked upwards, meeting the kanabo and splitting it down the middle with a flick of his wrist.

The two halves went flying off in different directions. Enzo had barely taken a step.

”I would suggest you cease this, but we both know you wouldn’t consider it. Not while your brother and grandfather’s collective honor is at stake.”

”Go to hell!” Yoko said, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a blank card… she applied the Sharpen spell to it, and swung it at Enzo like a knife.

Enzo took one step backwards and used the flat side of his sword to make Yoko overextend. He leapt over the desk, and swung the sword at her leg to knock it out from under her, all without spilling a drop of blood.

Selena moonstepped backwards, ready to blast Enzo when he pointed the sword at her.

”I will not harm your “friend” any further than she insists,” He told her.

Yoko hit the ground, and grit her teeth as she looked up at Enzo, and hopped back to her feet… Enzo’s taunts were nothing to her. Yoko pulled out another paper card out of her pocket, and then cast Extend to it - causing it to lengthen. She also cast Sharpen to it, and then swung it at Enzo like a longsword.

He wasn’t even looking at her, and he pivoted on one foot to block the attack, sword to sword. He twisted his weapon around it, and flicked it out of Yoko’s hands. His other hand remained behind his back, he didn’t seem threatened in the slightest. Yoko grit her teeth as she came up with an idea… she ran over to the desk and applied Impact to it. She flipped it on its side, and when it hit the ground, it caused an explosive amount of force that sent it through the floor. It created a hole in the ground, one that she hoped would throw Enzo off guard.

…But it didn’t. He was just calmly walking towards her.

”That desk contains an artifact that can reverse time within a localized area. Did you think I would be surprised?”

Enzo leapt at her, and the floor seemed to be repairing itself. He brought the pommel of his sword down quickly, smacking the shit out of Yoko like he was holding a hammer, just in time for the floor to be beneath her. He timed it so she’d be smacked straight into the ground. Yoko’s ears were ringing, and her head was spinning, there was a sharp pain that went through her skull. Yet, Yoko didn’t give up, she rolled on her back onto her feet, not as gracefully as she had hoped. She wobbled a little bit, but narrowed her eyes at Enzo… he was always a step ahead of her. Yoko had never fought anyone like him before… then she felt blood drip from the top of her head down her cheek onto her jawline.

”I’ll… never stop, American,” Yoko said, shaking her head. ”Even if I leave now. I’ll be back. And I’ll shove that sword up your ass!”

”You will experience a bruise at the worst. Your head will be fine. Now…”

In a fraction of a second, the sword cut through the air without so much as a whisper’s worth of noise, and the tip was mere millimeters away from Yoko’s face. ”When I asked you of your business, it was a formality. From the moment you arrived, I knew exactly what the two of you were doing,” Enzo stated, patiently and without emotion.

”You two are searching for Hatanaka Goro, your brother. You are also searching for the artifacts your family created. I know this, because I know more than you can understand. You came in here with the expectation you would meet friction, and an attitude of impatience. And your friend’s exact thoughts at this very moment are of your foolishness.”

He saw through her, knew what she was thinking before even she did. ”You, miss Hatanaka, are officially forbidden from entering this city for as long as you live. If you return, you will be dealt with more severely than this. You have thirty seconds to leave with the Swift Scroll you are carrying. Starting now.”

Yoko grit her teeth… Like hell this bastard was going to serve Yoko her fourth defeat in the last two days! Yoko grabbed her Swift Scroll, and opened it. ”Trust me, I’ll be back American.” Yoko narrowed her eyes. ”I’ll be stronger, better, and I’ll crush you like the insect you are!”

Yoko began the incantation for the Swift Scroll… and Yoko and Selena were teleported away in a purple wind…

---

… The Swift Scroll teleported the two back to Kari’s house, and Yoko stumbled onto one of the rocks in front of her home. Yoko grabbed her head, which stopped bleeding, and she turned away from Selena, hoping that she wouldn’t see the tears well up in her eyes.

Selena stepped away from her, thinking as she crossed her arms, and looked off in another direction.

Suddenly, the door was thrown open.

”... Yoko!” Kari shouted as she ran outside, and wrapped her arms around Yoko. ”I saw the whole thing, are you okay?”

Of course, Yoko knew Kari was only asking as a formality. Kari already knows… but, Yoko couldn’t help but feel defeated. Kari turned towards Selena.

”... Thank you for having her back, Selena.”

”There was nothing to have her back for, Kari. He was just playing games with her.”

”... And Yoko fell right into it,” Kari sighed. Yoko said nothing as Kari let her go. ”So, what did you learn?”

Yoko was silent.

”... Well?”

”I’m not strong enough for this mission,” Yoko sighed. ”I’m a disgrace.”

”You attacked him when he was emphatically diplomatic with you.” Selena turned around and glared at her. ”That had nothing to do with strength! The moment things went different than you planned, you made a mockery of yourself! What was the plan if he decided to stop going easy on you?!”

”You insisted on tagging along, American! I never asked for your input!” Yoko shouted at Selena.

”Well you have it, so learn to deal with it!” She shouted back. ”You can’t find Goro alone, you can’t find your family’s artifacts alone! You’re too reckless!”

”... She’s right you know,” Kari agreed. ”I didn't tell you to let her come along because you necessarily need help. You need perspective.”

”Did you see how easily he fended you off? He could have killed you before you blinked.”

Yoko sighed.

”... Fine, I get it, I’ll slow down” Yoko began. ”But, I’m not going to let him keep my artifact.”

”…I don’t think you have much choice in that. Maybe if you found the others first and were more resourceful.”

Kari nodded at Selena, ”That sounds like a plan. Also, you should have the Hatanaka spellbooks in the Hatanaka Sanctuary. How about you try learning from those?” Kari suggested, before smiling at Yoko. ”... And I know someone who can help. I just need to find him.”

Yoko sighed, as she already didn’t want the help of Selena and now Kari wants to add more people.

”Whatever gets my family’s artifacts back from that annoying asshole,” Yoko rolled her eyes.

”In the meantime, take it easy,” Kari warmly smiled, putting both of her hands together. ”I’m going to invite some people over later… It’s friday. let’s have a little fun.”

”Are you sure about that? Last night was a tragedy, Yoko didn’t even understand the concept of white Lux. What will she fumble this time?”

Kari grabbed Selena’s hand, then Yoko’s, then gently pulled them inside. ”We’ll go easy on her this time, board games are not her strong suit!”

”Hey!”

And then they had a party.

Somehow even gayer than the slumber party!

Paragraphs: Dragon Dance [Blizz & Mixtape Ghost Note]

---

Yoko and Selena approached the walls outside of the Temple. Yoko didn’t like the looks of this place… Goro told her that the Temple tried to recruit him through Leon before. They didn’t seem to have the perimeter fully guarded, but there had to be some security they didn’t know about. However, with Kari watching over them, nothing could go wrong! Yoko turned to Selena and said, ”... Time to see what that fancy cloak of yours can do, American.”

There were a grand total of four Selenas huddled together with Yoko, each with their own copy of the Greymoon Cloak draped over them. ”You know what to do. We’ll scour the grounds for the vault and look for the artifacts, while one of my doubles distracts Lynette. I am ready when you are.”

The spot the two chose for their brazen entry to the property was far along the west end, a dip in the landscape creating a mostly-scalable area that was only blocked by a row of hedges that tried to hide the imperfection. Atop the wall, looking down, the descent was going to be a little more difficult… Or, would be; but thanks to Selena’s unique situation, it’d be a simple thing to create a human rope-ladder.

Once over the wall, the two would find themselves in something like another world. The enchantment of the area was thick, Lux currents creating a breezy forest that seemed to prattle on with life until it was ultimately disturbed by the quiet intrusion. Things went from a distant drone, to a terse and biting silence.
It’d be up to the two to navigate the rough mile between themselves and the Temple proper, but a walk should’ve been a small price to pay for a clandestine entrypoint.

Yoko turned to Selena, ”Let’s get this show on the road! This place gives me the creeps…” Yoko shuddered.

---

The sound of Selena’s footsteps echoed through the hallways of the Temple’s central building. Flanked by two of Lynette’s guards, she silently walked down the passageway as directed by them, and entered the chamber to speak with the head of the Temple there. She lowered the hood of her cloak, met Lynette Richoux’s eyes and slightly bowed her head.

”Madame Richoux, it has been a long few years since we’ve stood in the same room together. I am thankful for the opportunity to speak with you once again.”

Lynette Richoux, as was typical of her nature, was dressed in a dark black sundress that showed off her shoulders and arms. Their subtle musculature was covered in tattoos, wings and vines and plenty of flowers; they matched the lilies and posies that stuck into her thick single-tailed braid. She had a hat, its brim almost two feet around, resting on the conference table.
”Miiiiiiss Phoenix… It is forever my pleasure to welcome members of the esteemed Sycamore Tree Coven; may the Lord rest her name… Now, to what do I owe such magnanimous pleasure?” she asked, voice regal and aloof as the security members flanked the door.

”I have returned home to St. Portwell on a quest to seek out one of our former members, Goro Hatanaka. I have spent weeks searching for him, traveled to three countries outside the United States, scoured the internet for a trace of his presence. And I’ve found nothing. Neither magical nor mundane means have been sufficient to find him,” She explained, calmly. It wasn’t a total lie, at least.

”I’ve come to you because I fear the worst, and I know that you keep a close ear to the wind for what occurs in the world.”

Lynette tilted back slightly.
”Hmmmm… My Dear…-” She seemed lost in thought for a moment, like she was rummaging around in her mind for something. ”-Well… As far as I’m aware, young Goro never took any of our oaths! We certainly keep tabs, my Love, this you know: But we do our best not to keep too close an eye on those uninterested in our causes.”
She turned a smile to Selena, eyes squinting up just like a cat’s would in pleasure.

”But I’m sure we can make a concerted effort to look! I’ll assign some resources, have a few conversations: I’m sure that we can replicate some of the famous Hatanaka artifices… Maybe, something like a wayfinder? To find the master, one must use their skills, no?”

She nodded. ”I have already been to the Hatanaka family’s home in Japan. I think we are closer to that eventuality than you may expect. But, such things take time, and I would be remiss if I did not make proper use of that time. We can accomplish much when we work together, that is the strength of all paranormals. Your people are an example of that, hence my presence here today.”

Lynette looked oh-so-pleased with herself as Selena spoke. Being praised for her unifying efforts was a fast track into Lynette’s good graces.
”Then, bodies it is? Some assistance in your hunting, no doubt?”

”It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare the effort.” A professional grin crossed her face. ”Information, extra eyes in the world, anything you are willing to extend. In return, I will offer favors. I have amassed resources of my own in the years after the Sycamore.”

”Oh, Sweet Pea… Favors simply don’t interest me when it comes to you Sycamites. It’s an honor and a pleasure to do what we can.”
Her assistant, a young woman with striking red hair, moved without prompting toward one of the walls. Pressing her hand against it, the section unfolded into a rack that held a single large, ancient looking tome. She hefted its massive leather volume and brought it before Lynette, who opened it up.

She looked like a librarian hunting the records for something specific.
”Ha-ta-naaaaa-... Well, last time we updated anything, it seems Mr. Hatanaka was still residing in St. Portwell. How off the mark is that from your current information?” she asked, looking up at Selena half expectantly.

”Very,” she answered. ”He returned to Japan years ago, not so long after we sealed the Devil Snake… He hadn’t come back to America since, to my knowledge.”

Lynette closed the book with a gentle flick, the grin never leaving her face.
”Men it is then… We’ve been to Japan before, we can get you back there! And I’ll send a few people with you! You remember my son, Leon? And my niece, Daisy Hunter? There should be plenty of investigative power between the two of them, and with one of our basic Jumpers, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting around.”

”Leon…” He had certainly been a character way back when. ”I have not heard from him in years. How is he?”

---

The forest pathway Yoko and Selena found themselves upon was mostly quiet, save for glimpses and echoes of strange and otherworldly creatures. The magical environment surrounding the Temple’s grounds was maintained by the cult, allowing for the inhabitants of other realms to be found here in comfort.
Strange deer, birds, insects; there was a pond that was suspended mid-air, a giant sphere of hovering water in which a myriad of fish swam.

Eventually they made for a mausoleum, its gate unlocked and its entryway dark. There was a crypt beneath, and a few levels of stone stairs down brought the duo to a hall that looked different from the rest of the place. Wood paneling this far underground was a questionable decision, as some of the structure looked to be weakened or molded from water leaking in at the table level.
But it was mostly unsecured, and eventually the hall gave way to an iron gate. It only took a little finesse to get that open, and suddenly they were in what could only be described as a trophy room.

Glass display cases held artifacts from across Shimmer and beyond, some displays bordering on non-euclidian in their design. It’d be up to the two of them to hunt for the scroll in question, but if it was actually on this property, this is definitely where they’d keep it.

Yoko glanced around… The urge to take everything was defeated by the urge to grab whatever was here and haul ass. Yoko glanced at the Selenas, she would have to check out the Greymoon Cloak when she had a chance. ”Let’s get to work, American. I have a feeling it’s not going to be this easy.” Yoko shrugged, hoping that Kari was also searching for whatever Hatanaka artifact was here.

”You have your Wayfinder, we just need to follow it as closely as we can. I’ll send clones ahead of us just in case we aren’t alone.” Selena’s clones began walking at a quicker pace, manifesting small orbs of pale glass. Selena herself created one and made it float behind them.

”That will prevent us from being ambushed… Which way is it taking us too?”

”Unfortunately the replica of my brother’s Wayfinder is not that accurate,” Yoko said, shaking her head. ”We’re going have to find it the old fashioned way.”

The many different artifact displays seemed to be regional, with some sections consisting of only a few small objects while others seemed to be full of any kind of random crap. One side was dedicated to the Richoux’s participation in both Europe and the Americas, while the other held scant Egyptian and North African artifacts. Then, beyond them, Middle Eastern artifacts from the Arabian peninsula, then India, South-East Asia…

The section of Japanese artifacts had enough substance that it was very clearly separated from the others. There was a rack of scrolls even, covered up by a locked front that denied immediate entry.

”Do any of those look like a Hatanaka artifact? A Swift Scroll, perhaps?”

Yoko was quickly checking them case by case. However, Yoko found a kanabo…Probably the same kind that damn ogre uses. Though, it gave her an idea, she grabbed it from its rack. It was heavy, but Yoko trained for this. Yoko sucked in air as she groaned - using all of her strength to throw the club over.

”... We’re about to find out!” Yoko said as she ran over. ”Get out of the way!”

When she was in range, Yoko slammed the club down on the lock - imbued with the Impact spell. It shattered the lock into pieces, and granted them access. Yoko then stepped forward, dropping the club with a loud thud. She examined the scrolls, before reaching for one. Yoko turned to Selena, stating…

”... This is the Contract Scroll,” Yoko said. ”I think this is it, we should go now. Unless you want to gorge yourself on these cheap replicas.” Yoko rolled her eyes.

”We have what we came for, so let’s-” Selena stopped abruptly, and her head snapped to the ceiling.

”They destroyed the clone.”

Yoko then shoved the scroll into her pocket before her phone began to ring, she pulled it out, and it was Kari calling her. Naturally she answered…

”... Someone’s coming! Wrap it up and go!” Kari said, without so much as a hello.

There wasn’t a great deal of noise or sound that heralded the arrival of the giant in black. Robed, poised between them and the door, the figure’s body began to jostle about as a laugh echoed from beneath its hood.
The figure stepped forward, bare feet against the stone floor shuffling along slowly.

"Ho-ly shit… Well… Can’t say I’m one-hundred percent surprised you’re back for that…”
As his hand lifted, the robe hiding his flesh pulled away to reveal the shimmering hue of flesh anointed with the light of raw Apparitional Lux. A long, thick and calloused finger pointed to Yoko.
"But I always imagined it’d be Goro. Not you, Yoko. Selena? You really hurt Mom’s feelings, tricking her like that…”

He stepped forward one more time, finally pulling the hood away. Leon Richoux: but rather than the raven-haired teen they’d known all those years ago, his hair was white as snow, eyes blue like the sky and piercing as they stared at the two women.

"I think you’ve been blessed regardless… I’ve been instructed to give you a head start. Don’t blow it.”
With an evil grin, Leon dropped to his knees and divested himself of his robe, revealing the flesh beneath that began to writhe and bubble until new growth burst forth in great, bloody wounds. He grunted, snarled, and as he did so, the two would be able to see the muscles and bones themselves break and shift upon his face. Every second, he more and more resembled those awful creatures of fantasy; the hybrids of man and wolf.

He was not the same Wizard he’d once been…

”I’m not blowing it alright…” Yoko hissed as she knelt down, and grabbed the remains of the locks. She applied the Impact spell to it, and then quickly threw it at Leon. With the Impact spell, it should be enough to knock him down. In this moment, Yoko grabbed the Kanabo, ready to shove it up his ass… Then slid the phone in her back pocket.

”Nice!” Kari said, ”There goes your headstart!”

Yoko, for all the smarts, threw an impact-afflicted lock at a werewolf. A werewolf well versed in sparring and fighting against Orange Lux users like her. But none of it mattered, in the end. In a secure location, somewhere nearby and unbeknownst to the duo, was an artifact that stabilized Leon’s transformation to the point where he could push himself to the absolute limit.

A fist lashed out the instant Yoko’s lock left her hand, driving itself into the impact lock like he was punching a moving truck. It stopped the beast’s fist, clanking to the floor in a flattened heap.
"Is that Kari Wilson on the phone!? Ooooh, it's a three-way operation!”

”No, it's your mother,” Kari retorted.

A consummate gentleman, Leon used the inhuman dexterity and speed of his twisted in-between form to kick off the floor at an incredible speed, aiming for the little buzzing electronic audio source coming from the phone. He was told to give them a head start, and he intended to do so…
After all, he was used to playing with his food.

Yoko’s eyes shot open as Leon just ignored the Impact spell. Which was, currently, her primary offensive technique. Yoko acted on reflex when Leon came at her, applying the Hardening spell to her clothes and this club. Yoko hunkered down, anticipating the attack, the spell weighed her down unfortunately so she had to hope she could remain on her feet.

Flinching only made it easier for the half-beast to scarper with the phone, sliding to a stop behind the two women. As much as his wolf-like face could grin, it did. Holding the phone was like holding a little book of matches for Leon, and he ever-so-gently brought it up to his fuzzy ear.

"Kariiiiiii… We’re not animals. We say we’ll give something, we give it. Just like there’s always a place for you here in the Temple.” he growled loudly.

BAM!

Four glowing spikes of pale energy were launched at the beastly Adjoined, each coming from the hand of Selena and her clones. Celestial Spears, that they had charged up to hit him hard and fast while he was throwing Yoko around like a sack of potatoes.

”Leon, Leon, Leon. Surely you haven’t lost your sense of reason in the last few years. You are outnumbered. Do not play this game.”

The beastial man-thing's body twisted in place, dodging spear after spear. One coalesced and sped toward his face, at which point the maw opened and closed down on the broad head of it. Like it was a solid object, he bit down on it and shattered it into golden light.

A few remained to stick out of the thick hide of his leg and chest, but they seemed to be spat out as the wounds recovered on their own. It hurt, enough that Leon didn't want to keep dealing with blows like that… But they didn't kill him outright. He could keep going.

"Who else but us, huh? We get a free pass and still spit in the face of the provider! Long live Sycamore!”
With great force and speed, Leon sent Yoko's phone back toward her face hoping to distract her.
Truth be told, he didn't care that Yoko came to reclaim her family's stolen property: It was only right, after all. He only cared that the two of them were such assholes that they heard “head start” and chose to waste such a grace.

So he was going to show Selena, or whichever clone he got his claws on first, that courtesy was just that. As the phone ripped through the air, Leon pushed off on powerful back legs, arm out and claws forward like a deadly arrow to pierce whatever he hit.

Yoko grit teeth as she caught her phone and wanted to shove this club up his ass. Yoko used all of her strength to raise the club and applied the Parry spell to it. ”... Sycamore is dead, you stupid fuck!” When Leon made contact with the club, Leon was launched aside.

Yoko quickly swung the kanabo at him, with Impact applied to it to give it bone breaking force.

Leon yelped as he was knocked out of the air and slammed into a display. It must've activated the mechanism in the wall, causing the secret cache of more artifacts to open up behind it as Leon tried to recover.
"No thanks to people like you and Goro, Yoko!”

The sound of bones snapping back into place bounced and echoed through the stone room. The beast stood again, and this time went for a different tactic: Flesh burst open at the neck and shoulders, meat and flesh and muscle forming in rapid fashion as Leon broke and reformed himself.

His neck grew long and snakelike in its range of motion. The same was true of his arms, which were now so long and flexible that they more resembled the tentacles of an octopus than the arms of a beast.
These noodle limbs, attached to massive claws, began to rake out and slash away in a fury. The hydra-like stance of the head waited above it all, searching for a moment to lash out and bite.

While Leon was busy extending his neck out like a damn bungee cord, the Selenas were moving around him. Two of them were floating, jumping above him and damn near banging their heads against the ceiling as they drifted back down with a pale white glow radiating from their hands. That would be the Vitrify spell. The clones shot out beams of energy at Leon, which caused crystalline glass to build up on his skin to weigh him down. It was like a freeze ray, somewhat, but less cold.

Yoko had no choice but to backpedal… What the hell happened to Leon?! Selena gave her an opening, but Yoko had no tools to capitalize on it.

”... You have the scroll!” Kari shouted from the phone, having to raise her voice to be heard, ”Just go!”

Yoko sighed, throwing the kanabo over her shoulder. ”... American! Let's go!” Yoko began, before pointing a finger at Leon. ”I will return! And challenge you and this cult, Yokai!”

The sensation of having one's flesh actively crystallized was one Leon didn't recognize. It didn't mean that he didn't know what to do about it, however, only that it put him on the back foot again. He could hear Kari Wilson's voice echo through the phone speaker as supernatural hearing picked up the electronic resonance over anything else.

He had to retract his head and arms, less they become so brittle and unsupported that they simply snap off. Without any weak structural areas to focus on, Selena would have to dump the spell into the rapidly regenerating core of the beast.
Every time a big enough chunk was crystalized, the flesh would simply sevor the affected area and heal near instantly. Though, he was already getting tired from the heavy usage of Lelou's energy.

"You should really listen to KARI!”
A leg swept out, Leon actively snapping the ligaments that held his form together to ensure a full rotation at maximum power. As it swept forward, he'd aim for every Selena at once with his free hands.

An impact into the actual woman wouldn't involve claws: It almost seemed like he still didn't want to hurt her, even if the power would snap bones of her own. Ultimately, all it did was force all parties involved closer to the door.
"And don't fucking come back! It'll be bad for your health!”

”... God, you’re annoying,” Yoko rolled her eyes, as she backpedaled towards the door. ”Selena! This trash isn’t worth our time! Let’s go!”

In a moment of quick thinking, one of the Selena clones made an orb of crystal in its hands as all of them were tossed backwards. She shattered it in Leon’s face, pulsing a wave of telekinetic energy at him like a shotgun blast. That Selena faded from the scene as the real one ran towards Yoko. ”Let’s go!”

Yoko just darted out of the door, Kari giving her directions on where to get through the phone. Afterward, the two made it out the door to the wall they approached when they got there. Yoko stopped, pivoted on her heel, and turned around and saw that Leon was no longer pursuing them. She panted over and over again…

”... Leon is no longer chasing you,” Kari noted through the phone. ”You should head back here for the night.”

Yoko kept panting, and Kari laughed, ”We can have a cute little slumber party!”

Yoko rolled her eyes.

”Wonderful.”

Paragraphs: Dragon Dance [Blizz & Mixtape Ghost Note]

---

Dusk had settled in St. Portwell.

A purple wind had arrived in front of Kari’s house, and the three had appeared. Kari loudly yawned as she stretched her arms upwards.

”See, that’s faster and less of a pain in the ass than flying, isn’t it?” Kari smiled at Selena.

Yoko, meanwhile, had deployed the holographic display of Goro’s Wayfinder… the map wasn’t as detailed as Kari’s. Yoko turned to Kari as she said,

”Wilson,” Yoko began. ”Why does this seem less detailed than…”

Yoko pulled Kari’s Wayfinder out of her pocket and deployed the map. It was, unlike Goro’s Wayfinder, a three-dimensional map of the All-Verse.

”Oh? That?” Kari shrugged. ”You, my friend, are holding the original replica. Made with Goro’s Mass Production Spell.”

”Oh…” Yoko said, pressing the central gem on Kari’s Wayfinder to turn off the holographic display.

”... The original Wayfinder should be with Goro,” Kari shrugged. ”But, this is just as good… even though it’ll give you a vague estimation at times if you hit me up, I can help you and guide you better.”

Wilson… always willing to help. What a great friend (I don’t deserve it). Yoko sighed before she turned to Selena, still holding the Wayfinder.

”Should we start with the closet one?” Yoko asked.

”It might be leading you to the… Blackmores,” Kari huffed, then rolled her eyes. ”Though, I also know that Goro was trying to get Ashley to give up the Apparition Killer, so maybe she knows.” Kari shrugged.

”We might as well. If Stone is willing to put up with us after this long. Does it say which artifact is nearby exactly?” Selena asked, looking over at the map.

Kari put her hands behind her back, then awkwardly laughed, ”... You know, Goro and I overlooked that. Because you know,” She shrugged. ”The plan was to get all of them, you know.”

”...Fascinating.” She was just a bit underwhelmed at something so simple being overlooked. ”Then I suppose we’re paying the Blackmores a visit.”

Kari rolled her eyes. ”... Have fun with that.” She walked back towards her house, only to come to a stop as she said, ”I know you’re both probably aware, but please be careful. St. Portwell is probably just as dangerous now as it was when we were fighting Stiggy.”

Kari took a moment to push her glasses up her nose as she continued, ”There is a new faction, Das Sonnenrad, roaming the streets, especially at night. I know you two are capable, but, uh, please, just be careful. Promise?”

Yoko smiled, before jamming herself in the chest with a thumb, ”... You know me!” Yoko laughed. ”No promises!”

”... Oh lord,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”If - _{or when} - you get into some trouble or get stuck, just hit me up, and I’ll see what I can do.”

”Will do, Wilson!” Yoko shouted as Kari rolled her eyes again and retreated into her house. Yoko turned to Selena, and figured it was time to pay the Blackmores a visit.

---

It was a short walk to the “Blackmore Manor”. A walk because Yoko refused to get an Uber. When they walked through the gates, and approached, Yoko knocked on the doors - aggressively.

“Who’s bangin’ on the doors like they are the police?!” Amanda shouted.

“... Amanda! Get the door!” Victoria shouted from within.

After some running, Amanda threw the door open - wearing a black tank top, some Adidas sweatpants. She looked at them, and tilted her head.

“How can I help you two?”

”Amanda Blackmore,” Selena pulled the hood of the Graymoon Cloak down off of her head. ”I hope we weren’t disturbing you. We were in the Sycamore Coven together.”

Amanda laughed, “... So were a lot of people, hon.”

Yoko rolled her eyes, then put a hand on her chest, ”I am Yoko Hatanaka,” Yoko then gestured to Selena. ”And this is Selena Phoenix. We are looking for leads on my brother, Goro Hatanaka.”

“Oh?” Amanda said, “Maybe ‘Toria or Drake knows something, lemme ask!”

Amanda poked her head into the house, then shouted, “... ‘Toria! It's Yoko and Selena, they want to talk about Goro!”

“Tell them to come in!” Victoria shouted back.

Amanda gestured for the two to come in, and led them through the Blackmore house. To the living room, which had a black sofa (with Nikki on it), across from a wide screen TV. Next to it was a single seat sofa, with Victoria sitting on it. She was wearing green sweat pants and a black T-shirt… Which was bulging due to her being eight months pregnant.

“Yoko, Selena,” Victoria said, “How are you two doing? You two seem to be doing well.”

”We are. We’re looking for Yoko’s brother, he’s currently missing.” Technically missing. Neither of them actually had a blue if Goro was just hiding or actually in danger.

“Goro,” Victoria answered. “I know… I’ve been trying to find a lead on him myself but I’m currently…”

Victoria tapped herself in the stomach a few times with her hand.

“... Encumbered.” She laughed. While she was talking, Amanda hopped on the sofa and started playing video games with Nikki.

Yoko narrowed her eyes, somewhat envious that Victoria got to experience the joys of motherhood. Though, there was no point in asking her if she had leads because she probably would have told them. What Yoko did instead was brandish Goro’s Wayfinder, and deploy the map. She pointed at the general area that was around the Blackmore House.

”This artifact was made to find my family artifacts,” Yoko raised Goro’s Wayfinder. ”It's telling me there might be some here.”

“... Does it differentiate between artifacts made by Goro at all?” Victoria asked.

”No, because Kari and my brother overlooked that,” Yoko answered.

“It might be detecting The Memory of Adam,” Victoria shrugged.

”... The what?”

“The sword that Goro made with our help,” Victoria shrugged. “Well, it was all Drake’s idea, but me, Amanda, Jade, and Drake helped.”

She paused, then shrugged, “I honestly forgot what it does.”

”I’m going to take a guess that it represents the spells he used in life,” Selena mused.

”We can have Wilson look at it,” Yoko also mused.

“It’s not necessary,” Victoria said. “Ideally, we never have to use it again!” She laughed, before she flicked her wrist.

“Not just that, you’re trying to find your brother. I have some contacts through work, I can ask them and see what they know. Only issue is that I’m on maternity leave.”

”Something tells me that this is going to be a problem,” Selena told Yoko. ”Finding these artifacts along the way, only to realize they aren’t Hatanaka artifacts.”

”I mean if my brother made it, it's a Hatanaka artifact.” Yoko began, then shrugged. ” So it's working as intended.” She smiled.

“Maybe you can talk to Ashley,” Victoria suggested. “I know she kept in touch with Goro…”

”Ashley Stone…” Selena gave Yoko a side-eye. ”We didn’t see eye to eye very often, at all. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t slam a door in our faces.”

Yoko shrugged. While Ashley was far from Yoko’s favorite person in the Old Coven, they had to try. ”I’m certain she’s willing to let bygones be bygones.” She shrugged.

“I’ll tell her you’re coming,” Victoria noted, “Should save ya’ll from any kneejerk reactions.”

”Thank you, Victoria. I had no idea Ashley stayed connected with the paranormal world after so long.”

“She keeps in touch with the people she likes,” Victoria shrugged. “I’m still perplexed on why she’s so obsessed with holding onto the Apparition Killer…”

”It’s a powerful artifact. Anyone would covet something with that potential… Leverage, safety, any number of reasons. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to ask.”

Victoria just nodded her head.

“… Just don’t give her too much hell.”

---

As directed by Victoria, they found Ashley’s apartment which was in south St. Portwell. Selena managed to convince Yoko to take an Uber instead of trying to take public transportation halfway across the city. It took a few flights of stairs before they made it to apartment 431. Yoko knocked on the door, and they heard someone walking up, and it was a moment before Ashley opened the door. Wearing blue Adidas shorts and a white tank-top.

“… Yoko, Selena,” Ashley said, “Victoria called me, so let me nip this in the bud: I don’t know where Goro is, I don’t know where he went.”

”When did you last speak to him?” Selena asked.

“A few weeks ago, when he was bugging me for the Apparition Killer,” Ashley answered, “I told him to get bent.”

Selena looked at Yoko, silently.

Yoko stared at Ashley, clenching her fists, before she said, ”… Why?”

“Because, I’ve been holding onto it just fine so far,” Ashley said. “Everyone keeps acting like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

”… You’re severed, Stone,” Yoko answered. ”You don’t want anything to do with magic, yet you hold onto one of the most powerful artifacts in the All-Verse.” Yoko shook her head.

“… And I didn’t ask you,” Ashley answered.

”What are you doing, then? Is there a chance the Stygian Snake is returning?” Selena narrowed her eyes at Ashley. ”Are you in danger?”

“Stiggy ain’t coming back unless one of you do something stupid,” Ashley answered. “But, I have shit to do; I don’t know where Goro is, I’m not giving up the sword. Get bent.”

She punctuated that with a slam of the door. Yoko looked at Selena, then at the door, before she stepped towards it and started banging.

”…Get back here, you stupid, American!” Yoko shouted as she banged on the door.

”Yoko, Yoko-” She put a hand firmly on the smaller girl’s shoulder. ”Don’t make a fool of yourself.”

Yoko stopped, and turned towards Selena,

”I’m not making a fool of myself…” She began. ”… I’m going to shove my foot up her ass!”

Selena sighed, disappointed already. ”Fine. Through the front door, then?”

”… Where else could we go?!” Yoko asked.

Selena smirked, and raised the hood of her cloak over her head. Yoko blinked and there were suddenly three Selenas standing side by side.

”The windows, a fire exit, anywhere with a hint of subtlety. While one of these two goes through the front.”

”Let’s-” Yoko was about to say before she was interrupted by a phone call. She pulled out her phone: Kari. Yoko, naturally answered and didn’t even get a chance to greet her friend before she said,

”… Yoko, what the fuck?’”

”I-“

”Yes! I was watching you!” Kari answered before Yoko got a chance, before she continued.

”For the love of God,” Kari began. ”Just turn and walk away! Jesus! Are you trying to get arrested?!”

”If it’s any consolation, I would’ve made sure she’d be long gone by then.” One of the three Selenas chimed in.

”Just go!” Kari shouted, and Yoko sighed before she said,

”… Fine,” Yoko then hung up the phone. She turned to Selena, dejected, before she ran down the hall.

”Now what?” the one Selena asked, following her.

Yoko didn’t respond, not until she made it all the way to the park across the street from the apartment. Well that didn’t go well, Yoko figured that she could find one of the Hatanaka artifacts. She pulled Goro’s Wayfinder out of her pocket, and deployed the hologram. It was simple to use: it had a touch interface like a phone! She swiped around this shitty map of St. Portwell until she found it…

A space in the wooden north of St. Portwell where it gave a vague estimate of several of the Hatanaka artifacts. Yoko rubbed her chin, pulled out her phone, before calling Kari, and when she answered she put it on speaker,

”… Yellow,” Kari said,

”Wilson, hello,” Yoko said, ”What area is this?”

”Give me a minute to cross-reference…” Kari was silent for a few moments, before she added, ”… Oh.”

”Oh?”

”Yes, oh.” Kari began. ”That is the Temple of Charming and Graceful Individuals.”

”The cult?” Selena made a face. ”They tried to steal my cloak once.”

”Yes, the cult,” Kari laughed,
”Leon tried to recruit me.”

”So, we’ll just go in there, and take back my artifacts,” Yoko said.

”… They have guns and magic,” Kari dryly noted.

”I was willing to play fair with Stone, but… I do not have a high opinion of “families” like them. But I assume you already knew that, Kari the All-Knowing.”

”… And I’m not saying you do,” Kari began. ”I’m saying they’re dangerous and you need to use some discretion…”

Kari was silent for a moment. ”.., Yoko.”

”Discretion is more my field than yours,” she said, bluntly. ”I have an idea to speak with Lynette Richoux without putting either of us at risk.”

”And what will I do?” Yoko asked. ”I’m a woman of action.”

”You’ll be raiding their storage area with me, while I talk to her to distract her.”

”And I’ll be keeping an extra set of eyes on you,” Kari said.

”Sounds fine to me,” Yoko shrugged. ”I doubt they’ll let us just walk in, however.”

”They’re the Temple. As I recall, they were obsessed with us, I’m sure they’d spare a few minutes out of their oh-so busy schedules.”

”Well…” Yoko didn’t really have anything to say. ”If you have everything figured out, then let’s go.”

Paragraphs: Dragon Dance [Blizz & Mixtape Ghost Note]

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@Blizz & @Mixtape Ghost N





A Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Aside...

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Nine years after the Stygian Snake war, approximately a year before the Sycamore Tree Coven reformed.

June.

The Myozenji Temple was a place that Yoko Hatanaka frequented.

It was a place of mediation.

Of comfort.

Of enlightenment.

Yoko sat in the seiza position, silently meditating as her mind attuned to the subtle energies of this sacred place untouched by chaos. The only light in the room was the soft glow presented by the candles placed around the room, casting shadows on the tatami mat she sat on top of. Yoko was focused on her breathing as she sought inner peace among the chaos in her mind, her life, and the situation she found herself in.

However, the temple's peacefulness was interrupted when the doors were aggressively thrown open so forcefully that the candlelights were blown out. Yoko’s eyes snapped open, and she exhaled out of irritation that somebody would be rude to interrupt her meditation!

Yoko glanced over her shoulder and scrunched her nose at the sight.

Amy Nakamura.

She was wearing jeans, a white tank top, and a facemask… and that damn iron club strapped to her back. Amy stepped forward; every step she took carried the weight of a being a hundred times Amy’s size, and Yoko could see that grin underneath her face.

“Well, well, well,” Amy spoke in Japanese as she stopped, turning her body somewhat sideways. “If it isn’t the great Yoko Hatanaka.”

”... Amy,” Yoko, somehow, against all odds, masked her irritation as she replied in her native tongue. ”Surely you haven’t come all the way from America to come and disturb me. What do you want?” Yoko rolled her eyes.

Amy took a few more steps toward Yoko and said, “I heard you would try to quiet the parade tonight. I’m looking forward to this year’s Parade...”

Ah, the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons… began tonight, coincidentally in Shirakawa-Go. This was why Yoko was meditating here: she had to gather herself before the fight of her life. Of course, the “Ogre-Girl” (Amy) wants to be among her kind. Yoko inhaled through her nose and then exhaled as she stood straight up. However, she grabbed her bo-staff and held it with both hands as she turned.

Amy grinned from underneath her facemask, “... And I wanted to know if you were woman enough to try and stop me.”

Yoko sighed, raising her bo-staff in the air at Amy, ”I’m here to meditate, not engage in your petty games, Ogre.”

“Hate to say…” Amy grinned as she reached behind her back and grabbed her Iron Club. “... Meditation ain’t gonna help you when I club you!” She laughed.

”Humble yourself, Ogre,” Yoko narrowed her eyes. ”I’ve handled way worse than you.”

“Oh?” Amy gave the Iron Club a flourish as she held it with both hands. “... Let’s find out, shall we!?”

That was when Amy launched herself at Yoko. Her bo-staff began glowing for a few seconds, and the second the club made contact, it was launched aside. With a bold sweep, Yoko swung the bo-staff at Amy’s midsection and hit her in the ribs. She hissed in rage as she grabbed the staff with one hand and then flicked Yoko across the room. Yoko shot a beam and bounced against it, rolling to the ground and regaining her footing. Amy charged again, swinging her Iron Club, and Yoko ducked under the first swing, feeling the rush of air whistle past her ear.

With a fluid motion, Yoko swung low towards Amy’s legs, but Amy jumped over it, and Yoko rolled forward so she couldn’t hit her from behind. Amy closed the distance and swung the club at her, but Yoko applied her Hardening spell. The staff would have usually snapped under pressure, but it was steadfast. She felt the impact go up her arms, which shook.

“... Awwwwww!” Amy mockingly said. “I pulled that one. You look like you’re ready to collapse!”

She had a wolfish grin that Yoko could sense from underneath her mask, but Yoko didn’t respond. Only when Amy pulled back the club to give another bone-shattering strike did Yoko react. The Bo staff began glowing yellow just seconds before the Iron Club hit and deflected the attack, and Amy’s club almost fell out of her hand as it was launched back. Yoko closed the distance and whacked Amy with a strike imbued with Impact, which was strong enough to launch Amy and send her directly into a support pillar. What would have sent someone else to the hospital…

Amy climbed back up to her feet, holding the Iron Club in both hands.

… Merely inconvenienced Amy.

The girl exploded into fire, her teeth began to sharpen, and she started laughing as her clothes were burnt to shreds right here. Yoko remembered how Amy’s abstraction works… the longer she fights, the more powerful she gets. Damn it. Yoko internally seethed. Amy charged at Yoko faster than before, dragging the club to the ground and leaving a fire trail before she stopped a few feet from Yoko and swung the club. With the club came a wave of fire, an absolute inferno, and Yoko’s eyes shot open just as it was about to hit her…

… Before a wall of ice appeared between herself and Amy (and the inferno).

It crashed against it, melting it somewhat, but it remained steadfast as Yoko looked around.

“... Aiko!” Yoko heard a familiar voice, and she turned her head to see her former Coven “sister,” Kura Yoshida. Wearing a white shirt with a tan checkered skirt and some white sneakers…

“Kura?” Amy asked, turning her eyes towards Kura.

“Aiko, let’s bring this spectacle to an end,” Kura said with a sigh. “Both of us have been through far too much for you to keep acting like this.”

“Kura…” Amy gripped her club tighter.

Yoko just took a few steps back, holding her bo-staff defensively, ”Kura! Be careful!” She tried to warn Kura, but she didn’t stop.
.
“You came to Japan,” Kura flatly said, “And the first thing that comes to mind is to pick a fight with Yoko? You’re better than this. We all are.”

“I came here for the Parade,” Amy said. “Nothing else.”

Kura gestured towards Yoko.

“The Parade isn’t here,” Kura laughed. “Leave this behind, just this once. For your friend.”

Yoko slightly lowered her bo-staff as Amy hung her head, closing her eyes.

“... Fine,” Amy placed her Iron-Club back onto her back, as Kura gave her an understanding nod.

“Let’s go.” Kura gestured, and Amy followed.

Yoko just stood there… and looked around. To her surprise…

… The Temple was still in one piece!

Still, she shook her arms; the fight bruised them. Yoko looked back at her mat as she walked over, folded it, and left. Later, she had to patch herself up for the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons…

… And fix the Temple in the morning, or she wouldn’t hear the end of it.

---

Night had fallen… she could hear the chaos of the Parade going on outside.

Yoko was in her room in the Hatanaka Estate, illuminated by candles, wearing nothing but underwear as she placed an icepack against her bruised arms. Yoko hissed in pain before sighing in relief… she took a beating from that fight, but she was still strong enough to keep fighting. Though she could have done better, Amy came at her with nothing but brute strength, and Yoko still got her ass handed to her - especially when Amy was upping the ante. A map of Shirakawa-Go was on her bed, along with her bo-staff, some protective armor… and her cell phone, all neatly arranged.

However, her cell phone began shaking, and she saw Kari Wilson's familiar face trying FaceTime with her. Yoko smiled as she swiped to accept the call and placed the phone against her lamp so Yoko could see. Sitting in her chair, wearing a robe and her seemingly iconic wide-brimmed hat, Kari smiled at Yoko and waved.

”Hi, Yoko!” Kari chipperly said.

”Wilson,” Yoko said before she spoke in Japanese for a few moments before she shook her head. ”... To what I owe the pleasure, Wilson?”

”What? I can’t call my friend?” Kari feigned offense, gracing a hand against her chest. ”I see you couldn’t bother to get dressed!”

”As if this would bother you, Wilson.”

”What happened to you?” Kari asked.

”I ran into the Ogre-Girl,” Yoko began. ”And she decided to pick a fight.”

”’Ogre-Girl’? Wait, you mean-” Kari asked, before she figured out who Yoko was talking about. ”Are you okay?” Kari asked.

”... I’m still standing, Wilson,” Yoko grinned.

”Now that’s what I love about you, Yoko,” Kari grinned, steepling her fingers as she leaned forward. ”You get hit, and then you pick yourself back up, and then you start swinging.”

Kari chuckled, ”I never have to worry about you, Yoko…” She gave Yoko a broad smile as she put her hands together. ”... But, I know you’re going to that Demon Parade? That’s what it’s called.”

”Hey! Have you-”

”Yes, I saw the entire fight you had with Amy,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”I mean, you told me you go out and fight demons and solve the local supernatural phenomena. Why are you acting like surprised that I know this?”

Yoko just grinned.

”I wonder how many times you caught me in the bathroom, you pervert!”

”... More times than I’d like,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”You know my deal: I watch people to make sure that they’re safe. You also told me I’m free to observe you whenever I’m worried-slash-curious about you,” Kari closed her eyes, tilted her head, and smiled at Yoko.

”... So, that’s what I do!”

”Thank you for keeping an eye on me, Wilson,” Yoko smiled. ”It means a lot.”

”You know I got your back no matter what,” Kari said. ”I’m just… I’m just calling to say I know I can’t talk you out of it, but please be careful.”

Kari was silent momentarily; Yoko adjusted the ice pack on her arm before Kari added, ”Demons, Yokai, whatever… they’re unpredictable. ESPECIALLY during the Night Parade.”

Yoko jammed a prideful thumb into her chest.

”Nothing I can’t handle!”

”... Amy almost pushed your shit in, Yoko,” Kari flatly noted. ”I’m sorry.”

”Hey!” Yoko shouted. ”I was trying not to destroy the temple! If that wasn’t a factor, I would have kicked her ass!”

Kari laughed, ”... Whatever you say.”

”Fine, Wilson,” Yoko rolled her eyes. ”I’ll be careful.”

Kari placed her hands together, ”Excellent! While I can’t be there, I’ll watch over you!” Kari began. ”Anything happens, I’ll know.”

”Thank you, Wilson,” Yoko began. ”Even if it’s from afar, your support definitely makes me feel better.”

”That’s what friends are for!” Kari laughed, steepling her fingers as a devious grin formed. ”Especially when their other friend enjoys diving titties-first into the craziest situations!” Kari gave Yoko a broad smile, teeth out, and tilted her head.

”Hey!” Yoko shouted, jamming a thumb into her chest. ”Dangerous situations typically find me.”

”... That’s one way to put it. ”

Kari rolled her eyes before she yawned, ”I’m going to let you go have at it… I will head back to sleep before I go to work….”

”Go get some sleep, Wilson,” Yoko began. ”I’ll handle things here.”

Kari reached forward before she paused, ”... Now, Yoko, remember. You are currently nursing bruises in your underwear.” Kari began. ”Try not to get anything worse than that, okay?”

Yoko grinned.

”... No promises.”
”Oh lord,” Kari laughed.”I’m just going to let you go. Have a great night!”

Kari ended the call.

---

The clock struck midnight.

The ordinarily serene Shirakawa-Go was turned into a chaotic celebration of supernatural beings. From massive Onis, Tengu, Kitsune, Bakeneko, and Hitodama, various Yokai crawled out of the forest in full force, partying and drinking Sake as they destroyed the serene village. The air was filled with the music of these supernatural beings, from the thunderous drums, flutes, and shamisen, all performed by the Onis. The rhythm of the music matched the chaos…

… Yoko emerged from the shadows, wearing a black tank top and tactical cargo pants with knee pads built in, black combat boots, and forearm guards… with her bo-staff slung across her back. The girl casually followed behind the Night Parade as it rampaged through Shirakawa-Go… leaving behind debris, trash, and even some citizens who had fainted from the chaos! Yoko calmly tailed behind them. This chaos that had come to her hometown was mesmerizing, but it fueled her resolve to restore order, consequences be damned.

She approached a group of three Oni, their laughter reverberating through the village square as they danced and held massive sake jugs. Yoko drew her bo-staff and spun it above her head several times before catching it with both hands. One of the Oni noticed Yoko and pointed at her, laughing at her.

“Look at this pipsqueak, boys!” He said, “I’m not sure if she’s here to fight or if she’s the entertainment!” He raised his sake jug and began to drink it...

… It all came out of his mouth as Yoko slammed her bo-staff into his stomach, imbued by her Impact spell. The Oni went flying and crashed into a wall and landed on his ass. He pushed himself to his feet and hissed in pain as he roared, swinging the club with all of his might, Yoko ducked underneath it, and the Oni charged past her. As she came up, she turned the bo-staff behind the Oni’s knee and there was the sickening sound of his knee being bent the wrong way as he fell to the ground.

Yoko hopped up, landing on the massive Oni’s back; she raised the Bo-staff in the air - pausing to look to the left and right, she had gathered the attention of the other Yokai - before slamming it on top of his head. The Oni was knocked out cold, with his tongue comically sticking out of his mouth.

The other Yokai had paused in their revelry to watch the clash. This was perfect because the Yokai were no longer destroying Shirakawa go… but the music intensified, and more of the Yokai came to fight. The tension in the air thickened as Yoko stood atop the fallen Oni, her bo-staff glinting in the moonlight. The remaining two Oni exchanged glances - One Oni, larger and more muscular than the other, stomped forward, his eyes locked onto Yoko, then brandished a Kanabō. He pounded it onto the ground with enough force to cause it to shake before grasping it with both hands.

“... You’ll pay for that, little girl!” he growled, charging at her with surprising speed for his size. Yoko leaped off the downed Oni just in time, the club smashing into the Oni… Yoko landed, flicked her bo-staff around, imbued with Parry, and deflected the punch the other Oni sent her. It knocked him in the other direction, and Yoko swung her bo-staff at his knee and shattered it - before he received a blow to the head that knocked him unconscious.

The giant Oni roared in fury, swinging his club in a wide arc at Yoko as she ducked yet again; however, the length of the bo-staff extended as she raised it above her head. She brought it down, applying the Impact spell that knocked the more giant Oni silly. She could practically visualize the stars floating around his head. The bo-staff returned to its standard length as he fell over, motionless.

The other Yokai began cheering as if it were entertainment; the music returned to its revelry as Yoko rolled her eyes.

Out of the crowd, a Tengu with bright red skin appeared and brandished a Naginata - before it took to the skies with a flap of its wings. Yoko tightened her grip on her staff as it dove at Yoko with blinding speeds, Naginata out first, and her bo-staff came up imbued with Parry. It deflected the attack and sent the Tengu crashing into a car, feathers scattering in all directions…

… And the crowd erupted into laughter.

Before she could catch her breath, a pair of Kitsune with fiery red fur and multiple tails darted in, and circled Yoko. They grinned, and Yoko knew that they were tricksters… One of them lunged at her with a burst of speed, and Yoko attempted to parry it with the spell she relied on - only to mistime it. The Yokai’s claw slashes her cheek, and she grits her teeth in pain as blood begins dripping. Yoko attempted to counter-attack, but the Kitsune was already gone, but the second one attacked from behind. Slashing her back…

Kari was going to kill her later.

Yoko winced as the pain from her back spread like fire, but she couldn't afford to be distracted right now. The Kitsune charged at her, but this time, she got her timing right and deflected the claw with a well-timed Parry-imbued deflect. Using this opening, the Kitsune received her steel bo-staff to the face, knocking her out. The second Kitsune hesitated, but Yoko made the first move by lunging at her, but she quickly dodged. The Kitsune charged Yoko, then stopped - making her cast her Parry spell in hopes of catching her off guard - but charged in and tackled Yoko to the ground.
Yoko's back hit the ground hard, her bo-staff being knocked away; the breath was knocked out of her as the Kitsune pinned her down, its sharp claws poised to strike. Yoko reached for her bo-staff.

The claws descended towards her.

The bo-staff was out of reach.

There was that familiar sound of a bonk as something with an iron-club whacked the Kitsune so hard that she was launched into the wall. It exploded into a cloud of dust and debris as Yoko looked up at her “Savior”...

…It was Amy Nakamura. Dressed in a dark leather jacket with intricate embroidery depicting mythical creatures and symbols. Underneath, she wore a simple black tank top with some rugged jeans. Around her neck hung various charms and pendants, each for attracting demons…

… And geta on her feet.

“... Well, well, well,” Amy grinned at Yoko. “I thought you handled worse than me!?”

Yoko bore teeth.

Amy put her Iron Club over her shoulder.

“Look at you! On the ground, getting your ass kicked by a lowly demon!” Amy laughed as she approached her bo-staff and kicked it into Yoko’s hand. The girl grabbed it, and climbed to her feet - the pain of her wounds throbbed.

”... I don’t need your help, Amy,” Yoko hissed. ”I can handle this.”

“Help?” Amy tilted her head with a grin that was demonic. “... I’m not here to help.”

Amy dramatically dropped her Iron Club, hitting the ground with a thud. threw her jacket off with one hand and then did the same to her tank top, throwing it on top of her coat. She left her toned figure with nothing but a sports bra and looked around.

“Wonder if I should lose the bra?” Amy then laughed. “Ah… it’s going to burn off if I don’t.” Before she unclipped it and added it to the pile of clothes.

Yoko tilted her head, and her eyes drifted to the left and right, wondering what was happening.

”Ogre! Do you have any shame?!” Yoko shouted. ”Why are you undressing in front of me!?”

“Because they’re going to burn off if I don’t,” Amy said as she took her pants off threw them into the pile of clothes until she was wearing nothing but the getas, and the Onis began cheering. “I don’t have that fancy enchanted robe your brother made anymore… grew out of it.”

Yoko visibly gagged.

”... You’re disgusting!”

With all her clothes off, Amy dramatically grabbed the iron club with both hands and grinned… she exploded into a wreath of fire. A fiery aura like a torch from head to toe surrounded her, as she spoke

“I’m having the time of my life right now, and you’re here fucking it all up!” Amy said, in English, “So, I got a wager for you…”

Amy raised the iron club at Yoko, deviously grinning.

“We fight. I win; you take your sorry ass home, and the boys keep partying until the morning comes,” Amy began. “You win? In the unlikely event that happens, I’ll help you clear out the parade.”

”You're insane!” Yoko exclaimed, her voice tinged with both frustration and disbelief. ”What kind of bet is that?”

Amy chuckled, giving her iron club a flourish, before she spoke in Japanese, "The kind that keeps things interesting, little samurai. Besides, you could use a challenge, couldn't you?"

”Ogre!” Yoko shouted. ”I don’t have time for your games! I have to stop this chaos before this gets out of hand!”

"Chaos? This is a celebration, Yoko!" Amy countered with a laugh. "Let's give these Yokai a show they won't forget!"

Yoko stared at Amy for a few moments… wondering what in the world had gotten into this girl, before she sighed. ”... Fine,” Yoko began. ”But, we do this my way, Ogre!” Yoko said as she pulled a piece of paper and a marker out of her cargo pockets and began sketching Kanji onto the paper. Once she was done, she chanted.

"From the heart of courage, I draw the strength divine,
Through ancient verses, let power intertwine.
Symbols aglow with orange hue,
Grant vigor now, to this soul true.
Strength to endure, resilience unfurled,
In this moment, let your spirit be world."

As she recited the verses, the symbols and kanji began glowing a bright yellow color as she began to glow with a yellow aura. She could feel her Orange-Lux pulse through her body, and once she was near the end of her chant, she slammed the paper against her chest. She felt the pain leave her body, as she felt more robust, faster, and more challenging, thanks to the Vigor Incantation. The paper fell to the ground as she tightly clutched the bo-staff and assumed a fighting position with both hands.
With a playful twirl of her iron club, Amy sauntered closer to Yoko, who determinedly stood her ground.
"Ready, little samurai?" Amy teased, as her fiery aura roared.

---

When the Smoke Clears

---

Without another word, Yoko charged forward and jabbed her bo-staff swiftly to Amy’s side - but she sidestepped it. Yoko didn't relent; she spun around, aiming a series of rapid strikes at Amy, each imbued with Impact. Amy blocked some with her iron club, but most hits hit her, making her stumble backward. Yoko dove forward, whipped Amy across the face, and knocked her onto her back; Yoko then raised her bo-staff above her head and slammed it down onto Amy-
-Amy caught it with one hand while on the ground, sat up, and flipped Yoko backward as if she weighed nothing. Yoko flew into the crowd, who immediately dodged, made a clearing, and came to a rolling stop on the cobblestone. Yoko rolled back onto her feet, but Amy had already flung herself through the air, iron club raised above her head, and slammed it down onto Yoko - who had no choice but to use the Hardening spell to imbue the bo-staff with enough resilience so it wouldn’t have shattered then and there.

The issue wasn’t the impact, but now Amy’s fiery aura - which intensified. The Yokai, now thoroughly entertained by the unfolding battle, roared in approval; they danced, pounded on the ground, and played their music as chaotically and dramatically as possible. Amy relented - before swinging her club low and fast, and Yoko parried it with her magic and sent Amy stumbling aside. Even though her skin was getting red, Yoko followed it up with an overhead swing, whacking Amy in the back of the head. Amy swung the iron club in a wild blow, sending a torrential collum of fire directly at Yoko, and she yelped as she was set ablaze.

Some of her clothes and hair were on fire as Yoko stopped, dropped, and rolled… but this gave Amy the perfect opening to kick Yoko across their “arena”...

… Directly into the feet of a stranger that stood out among the horde of Yokai

A javelin of silvery light shot through the many demons, aimed directly at Amy’s center mass - stabbing her. A burning flash of energy announcing her presence. A warning, that she was not to be trifled with.

”Still up to trouble, Yoko?”

Selena Phoenix stood over the girl, one arm behind her and the other pointed in Amy’s direction. Glassy energy curled off of her palm like smoke, and orbs of crystalline structure danced around her like moths to a flame. The Yokai surrounding her did not scare her, nor did Amy. On her shoulders was a gray cloak lined with pale fur, shimmering faintly in the dim light.

”Oh… I come all this way, just to find you both here… Half naked. Am I interrupting something?”

“Our epic fight, yeah,” Amy hissed, pounding the club onto the ground a few times, before throwing her club over her shoulder. “... And the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. Which I would love to get back to…”

Yoko didn’t say a word, only pushing herself to her feet with her bo-staff.

“Scram, lady,” Amy said.

”I’m afraid I can’t do that. I came here for a reason. And believe it or not, I’m not eager to get back on a plane so quickly.”

Amy aimed her iron club at Selena, “... You can leave by plane, train, or whatever, just get out of here!”

More of that glittery white Lux fumed up around Selena. The orbs around her gave her a perfect sense of spatial awareness, which explained why she seemed to calm in the crowd of Yokai. ”Amy Nakamura… You’re a bit of an inconvenience, why don’t you go home? Or, better yet, let me walk Yoko home. I have business with her family.”

Amy tilted her head, before pinching her temples,

“... Lady, are you freebasing?” Amy said. “We are not keeping you here. We were trying to party before you two assholes showed up. Second you leave I gotta find out who jacked my clothes.” Amy threw her hands up, turning around.

”I doubt you just lost them. You haven’t changed much from when we were in the Sycamore Coven together,” she mused. ”Yoko, how badly are you hurt?”

”... I can still fight!” Yoko rolled her eyes as she stepped back, still holding the bo-staff defensively. While she tried to present herself as being okay, she was in excruciating pain. She didn’t want this stranger's help, but at the moment, she was outnumbered. Damn it. Amy still kicks her ass after all these years!

“Wait…” Amy tilted her head before she grinned. She leveled the iron club at Selena’s face. “I remember you now…”

She chuckled,

“... Selena Phoenix, surprised you popped up here of all places,” Amy chuckled again. “Wonder if you still got that stick up your ass...”

”Well, excuse me for having some class.” Selena kept a resting bitch face pointed at Amy, bothered by all the demons around them. ”You always did have a habit of making a fool of yourself. Yoko, we should go.”

All the demons began laughing, including Amy.

“Yeah, walk her ass home!” Amy laughed, before flipping them off.

Yoko sighed. This was a grave insult to her pride! However, this was suicide, so the girl hung her head, turned on her heel and began walking away.

After they left, Amy grabbed the jug of sake from the unconscious Oni cracked it open, then threw a fist into the air.

“... Let’s party!”

---

The pandemonium raged on in the distance. Though, what was worse was the humiliation of being run away and saved by Selena… Of all people. They approached the Hatanaka Estate’s gates, and Yoko walked ahead, and then she looked over her shoulder at Selena. Yoko was silent, before she (painfully) swallowed her pride and said,

”... Thank you, American,”

Selena gave no indication that she was amused at Yoko finally showing some humility for once. ”Neither of us would have lasted long in all of that, anyway. I hope you weren’t planning on being rescued.”

Yoko grinned, ”... The plan was to kick all their asses!”

”On your own?”

”Evidently, American,” Yoko turned away from Selena. ”I don't like to rely on others.”

”Well… Sometimes it’s necessary. Speaking of which, the reason I came here was about your brother, Goro.”

Yoko was silent… Of course, she came all the way here for Goro. Yoko rolled her eyes and twisted her face up. Yoko looked to the side,

”Sorry to disappoint you, American,” Yoko began, ”... He’s not here,”

”Not here? …I’ve looked for him for weeks already. He isn’t anywhere in the United States or in Canada. I haven’t been able to find him at all, where is he?”

”... That, I do not know,” Yoko sighed. ”I’ve been tracking him to no avail, In Yoko terms, that means trying to swallow her pride to ask Kari.

Selena raised an eyebrow. ”I’ve even tried asking others I know to find him. They’ve also failed… When was the last time you saw him?”

”A few weeks ago,” Yoko answered. ”He was on the trail of the Aberration Killer, and that’s all I know…”

Then she sighed as she finally worked up the courage to say, ”..: You haven’t asked Wilson, have you?”

”Kari Wilson? No. I haven’t spoken to her in years.”

”If anyone can find Goro,” Yoko shook her head. ”It’s her.”

”Would you happen to have her number? I don’t.”

”... Yes,” Yoko replied. She resists the urge to say that Kari is her best friend but instead just shakes her head. ”She’s at work right now… how about we go see her in person?”

”…Where?”

”Where else?” Yoko laughed. ”St. Portwell… the greatest… Okay, I can not keep a straight face while saying that.”

”I’ve been getting on and off of planes all week…” She sighed. ”Wouldn’t it make more sense to text her?”

”Fine, but I’ll call her instead,” Yoko sighed, as she pulled out her phone and called Kari. After a few moments, Kari answered.

”.... Yooooooko,” Kari began. ”You finally swallowed your pride! I’m proud of you!”

”Wait, you-”

”Yup, I saw the whole thing!” Kari began. ”... You got your ass kicked.

Yoko rolled her eyes.

”But, it's okay! I was already looking for Goro,” Kari paused. ”Before I forget, tell Selena I said hi.”

Yoko turned to Selena,

”... Kari said hi.”

”I heard. Hello, Kari.”

”I wish you’d call to say hi but you’re all business,” Kari laughed, rolling her eyes. ”Now, give me some time and I’ll find Goro,”

”How long do you think it will take?” Yoko asked.

”I honestly don't know,” Kari sighed. ”It could be five minutes, could be a few days… I also have to watch my own back.”

Kari laughed, ”Tsukino put a big target on my back, you know.”

”That I am aware,”

”Though, if you want to be proactive; I can pass the Wayfinders off to you,” Kari began. ”They are made for this.”

”Wayfinders… We’re both in Japan right now. Do you have a method of getting them to us quickly from where you are?”

”I can send them to you in a bottle!” Kari laughed. ”I can, you know, come to Japan after I’m done with work.”

”Wait how…?” Yoko asked before she narrowed her eyes. ”... Please don't tell me you’re not bringing the Ninja…”

”Who?”

”Murakin,”

”One, he’s great and I will not be helping you if you speak bad on his name,” Kari put her foot down almost immediately. ”Two, he’s off on an adventure… I’m going to use a Swift Scroll your brother lent me.”

”You have a Swift Scroll?!”

”Your brother lent it to me,” Kari answered. ”After I get off work, I’ll head there, okay?”

”Okay.”

”I’ll see you soon, Yoko!” Kari said. ”You too, Selena!” Kari said before she hung up.

After she hung up, Yoko turned to Selena,

”Would you like to wait at our estate?” Yoko asked. ”I can make you some tea.”

””That would be nice… And I am so grateful that I can stay off of a plane for a bit longer.”

---

Back at the Hatanaka Estate, the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons raged in the distance, and Yoko could only feel nothing but failure in herself. Yoko sighed as she slid the door open where Selena was sitting on the floor and placed the steaming hot Tetsubin on the chabudai. Yoko poured the tea into the yunomis - one for Selena and another for herself. Before sitting on the floor across from Selena… there was a burning hot question on Yoko’s mind.

”... What business do you have with my brother, American?” Yoko began, ”It must be important if you got on a plane just to fly all the way here….” Yoko knew that if Wilson were here, she’d tease her by saying ‘it was for a love confession’ or something.

”I wouldn’t say it is groundbreaking or world-shattering business,” Selena picked up her yunomi cup, taking a sip of the tea despite the steaming hot part. ”I’ve been reconnecting with some of the old members from our childhood. The ones that I remember were great at what they did. Goro is one of them.”

Bullshit. Yoko thought to herself as she narrowed her eyes. ”Come now, we have social media for that, American,” Yoko did not so much as avert her gaze from Selena as she added, ”There has to be an actual reason. Don’t try and deceive me.”

”We do have social media for that,” she acknowledged. ”But your brother doesn’t seem to. I would not have come here if it was that simple. He hasn’t been answering messages.”

Yoko facepalmed.

”... What I’m saying, American,” Yoko began. ”Is that I don’t believe that you came all the way out here - from America - just to catch up.”

”Catch up, and not have to catch up again. You see, I was hoping that I could keep in touch with Goro this time. But I haven’t been able to find him at all, either in person or through the internet.”

Yoko still didn’t believe that, but she was unwilling to press the subject further. As stubborn as Yoko is, there was a point where even she knew she was talking to a wall. ”Very well, I understand,” Yoko said, as the truth would be revealed in time. ”If you do not mind me asking, have you contacted others? The Blackmores? Carson? Faris? Han? Stone?”

Then she visibly cringed, ”... Baksh?”

”Some of them. The Blackmores have families now, Stormy Carson is Professor Carson these days. Sloane and Jinhai are busy with their lives… And I don’t think Anya Baksh and I would get along anymore.”

”... What about Tsukino? She would have loved to reconnect; I’d know,”Yoko laughed at her own joke. ”... But, it’s great that they are all doing well,” Yoko softly said.

Selena laughed a little. ”I believe she still works for the mafia. But… Yes, most of the people we knew seemed to be just fine. I’ve been able to find many of them… Except Goro. He’s a blank. No social media presence, no trail,” she mused. ”Normally, I wouldn’t think much of it. But… I’ve been looking for weeks, now. When I can’t find anything about his presence, I turn to look for others in the meantime, hoping something will turn up.”

She took another sip of her tea. ”Nothing has.”

”Well, we have Wilson on the job,” Yoko shrugged. ”If anyone can find him, it’d be her.”

---

Pins & Needles - Silversun Pickups

---

Magical winds appeared - a wind that seemed purple and carried sparkling lights appeared on the opposite side of the room… and at their peak, Kari Wilson appeared. She is wearing a short-shorts and a black t-shirt, her signature wide-brimmed hat, and her trademark smile. Kari pointed at the tea,

”Aw, you didn’t make me some,” Kari began.

”We didn’t know how long you’d take,” Yoko said.

”You know I’d never leave you waiting,” Kari laughed, before she dug into her pockets and pulled out two medallions: one with orange stones, and another with white stones. She held them high as she could (which wasn’t very).

Kari pointed at the medallion with orange stones, ”This is Goro’s Wayfinder. Which can find artifacts, specifically the Hatanaka artifacts.”

Then her finger drifted to the one with white stones, ”And this is yours truly's Wayfinder, designed to find people.”

Kari then gave Selena a catty smile, ”... You can find your boyfriend with this!”

”I stopped seeing him four years ago,” Selena said, without missing a beat.

”... And now he’s got you coming back for more!” Kari laughed.

Selena raised an eyebrow. ”All-Knowing, except for when someone tells a joke, I see.”

”I’m just playing along, don’t be like that,” Kari said, before she held Goro’s Wayfinder in one hand, and Kari’s Wayfinder in the other. She had a wide smile on her face when she said, ”All you have to do is press the gem right here, and it does this.”

With her thumbs, she pressed the central gem on both of the Wayfinders, and they both exploded into hologram protection that displayed the entire known All-Verse. It was two massive maps, one glowing white and the other glowing orange. It showed all known universes. However, it had various beacons highlighted with a Kanji symbol - displaying Hatanaka artifacts, people Kari cares about, everyone else, and all other artifacts.

Kari raised Goro’s Wayfinder,

”This is Goro’s Wayfinder - well, the replica, which finds artifacts - specifically the Hatanaka artifacts.”

Then Kari raised her Wayfinder,

”And this is mine, which illuminates the people you hold dear - and gives you a broad estimate on everyone else,” Kari then shook her head. ”I can’t find Goro with this, but maybe you can.”

”That’s… Impressive. Thank you, Kari.”

”It’s not my work, it’s Goro’s work!” Kari chipperly said. ”Though, I helped.”

Kari held them out, and before Selena could get her dirty paws on her brother’s work, Yoko took both of them… She first pocketed Goro’s Wayfinder, only to utilize Kari’s Wayfinder. She activated it… and it showed only one glowing Kanji symbol, which was right in front of them. Yoko sighed.

”... Thank you, Wilson,” Yoko said.

”No problem, what are friends for?” Kari said. ”Anything else I can help you with? Any other burning questions on your mind?”

Something else was on Yoko’s mind, but she wanted to see what Selena said.

Hmm… ”Where could he have gone, if you don’t know he is?”

”Well…” Kari said as she walked over to the little table and knelt. She was silent for a moment before she helped herself to some of Yoko’s tea.

”Hey!” Yoko protested.

Kari didn’t respond as she put the cup down, and answered Selena, ”As much as I’d like to say I’m All-Knowing; I’m not infallible” She sighed. ”There’s things I can see, and things I can’t. White-Lux gets hard-countered by Yellow-Lux, you know that?”

Selena took another sip. ”True. Are you suggesting he’s being held hostage by a yellow Adept?” She asked, half-jokingly.

”I don’t know…” Kari laughed, ”… Have you spontaneously developed yellow-lux?” She grinned at Selena.

”Not that I know of.”

Kari laughed, before her expression went dead serious,

”I’m just saying it’s a possibility,” Kari began. ”You know the whole thing about magic is that there’s an infinite amount of them!”

Selena nodded, finishing her tea. ”In that case, what possibility do we see right now?” She pointed to the wayfinder’s projection that she assumed was marking Goro somewhere in the world.

”I honestly couldn’t tell you,” Kari sighed. ”... That’s me by the way.”

”That’s you? And this shows the entire All-Verse?”

Selena set her empty cup down. ”...I hope he’s alright.”

”Well, it shows the known All-Verse,” Kari said as she looked at it. ”New worlds pop up now and then. There’s also uncharted worlds, too!” She raised a finger, before rubbing her chin.

”... Though, if Goro was on one of those, it would show it.”

”... What if he wasn’t on one of those worlds?” Yoko finally piped up, who was quietly observing the conversation. ”What about the Pit? What about the Void?”

”That… that…” Kari raised a finger. ”... Is a good question. Because they definitely shouldn’t work there. My Observation spell doesn’t work in the Void, I know. A little finicky in the Pit, but I’m working on that.”

”Didn’t one of us from the coven go to the Void? I don’t suppose he returned, and we could ask him, couldn’t we?”

”Yes, Jack Hawthorne,” Kari answered.

Yoko loudly gagged.

”Yes, I know you think he’s annoying - I mean he really is sometimes, - but that's neither here nor there,” Kari said, before she rolled her eyes. ”I lost contact with him when he left the Old Coven.”

”I fucking heard that bitches” Jack said, dropping out of the void and smacking the yams off of everyone before fucking off again

”Well… That’s inconvenient. I’ll be honest with you Yoko, now I’m worried he might have gotten himself into something he hasn’t been able to get out of.”

”... Then I’ll just have to get him out of it,” Yoko said, full of determination.

”Don’t assume the worse,” Kari smiled. ”This is our problem. We’ve become so reliant on the magic, that we don’t know what to do when it doesn’t work!”

”I’ve been looking for Goro for weeks, Kari,” Selena repeated. ”If he could have been found without magic, he would’ve been found.”

”... Stalking him for weeks you mean,” Kari gave Selena a catty smile. ”He probably went to Stormy and made a cloaking field or something just to hide!” She laughed.

”But, if anyone can find Goro, it’s me,” Kari shrugged. ”I wouldn’t worry about it.”

”I believe you… Thank you. If you ever need something in return, I should not be difficult to find.”

”Don’t mention it!” Kari said. ”And don’t worry, I’m not that kind of person: this isn’t a matter of getting something in return; it’s a matter of life and death. Goro was my friend, too, you know.”

Yoko remained largely silent during their conversation, trying to summon the courage to finally ask Kari for some more help. ”Wilson, can you help me with something?” Yoko asked.

”... You want me to help you get back into the Hatanaka Sanctuary, don’t you?”

”... How’d you-”

”This would be the time where I brag about being All-Knowing,” Kari tapped the side of her head. ”But I watched you attempt to remember the chant to get in.”

Yoko sighed, and Kari got up and gestured for Yoko to come along before turning to Selena.

”... Would you like to come, Selena?” Kari asked. ”I’m sure the tea can keep you company if you don’t.”

”Is the door just locked? I could try and break it.”

”It’s not a mere flimsy door,” Yoko said, narrowing her eyes. ”It’s enchanted to be near invulnerable. Even to magic.”

”It’s also not necessary,” Kari put her hands behind her back and smiled at Selena. ”I can figure out how to open it like that.” She snapped her fingers.

---

Yoko led them through the tunnels underneath the Hatanaka Estate. Down here were various furniture, portraits, and whatnot… until they made it to the end, two red castle doors. When they arrived, Kari approached the doors and placed her hands against them… nestling her forehead against it, with her eyes closed. Yoko looked on, confused, tilting her head and wondering why in the world she was-

”... Okay, Yoko, here’s what you gotta do,” Kari said as she walked over to Yoko and gently pushed her to the doors. ”Since, only a Hatanaka can open the door, you have to do it.”

Yoko didn’t protest as Kari pushed her towards the doors; she was expecting the instructions to be given to her soon. Once she stopped, Kari circled Yoko and threw her arm over her shoulder. ”Now, Yoko, repeat after me…”

Kari raised a finger and it went up and down in an arch, and repeated the chant in Japanese…

”In shadows deep, where secrets lie…”

”In shadows deep, where secrets lie…”

”Reveal the path, let whispers guide…”

”Reveal the path, let whispers guide….”

”Through ancient doors, beneath silent sky…”

”Through ancient doors, beneath silent sky…”

”... By Hatanaka's will, let realms collide.”

”... By Hatanaka's will, let realms collide.”

Kari let go of Yoko, and took a few steps back. Yoko looked at the door, then at Kari, then at the door…

”... It didn’t even wor-” She complained, or tried to, before the door began to open slowly, illuminating the hallway with light. When the door fully opened, she could see the paradise that was the Hatanaka Sanctuary. Floating islands far as the eye can see, and in the center of it all, was the.

Kari shot Yoko some jazz hands.

”... Ta-da” Kari put her hands behind her back. ”Just remember that chant, and you’ll always be able to get into the Sanctuary.”

Yoko took a few steps forward before glancing over her shoulder at Selena as she asked,

”... Would you like to see the Sanctuary?”

”If not, the Night Parade has reached the orgy segment,” Kari added.

Selena’s eyes narrowed in Kari’s direction. ”Pass. Yoko, lead the way.”

Kari laughed, and with a nod of her head Yoko stepped onto the green grass. Despite it being night time in Shimmer, the sun was shining and different floating islands could be seen as far as the eye can see. Yoko’s attention was on one floating island; the one with the massive castle.

It was connected to a lengthy suspension bridge, and Yoko stepped on it. It felt stable enough to stand on… And Yoko silently pressed.

Who wasn’t silent is Kari, ”Awe-inspiring, isn’t it?” Kari said to Selena. ”I remember my first time here.”

”You’ve been here before?” She asked, quietly while staying close behind Yoko. The sun was bright here. It felt warm with her cloak hanging off her shoulders.

”Goro brought me here,” Kari answered, ”This is where we made the Wayfinders.”

”Hmm… How is it that you haven’t been able to open the doors yourself, Yoko?” She asked, trying make conversation

Yoko stopped dead in her tracks, looked over her shoulder, as she said, ”... I forgot.”

”…I see.”

”Oh you admit it,” Kari laughed, ”I’m proud of you.”

Yoko shot Kari a sharp look as she gave her a catty smile in return. Yoko continued to press on until she passed through the gates to the castle into the courtyard. It was… Empty, desolate. Yoko knew that years ago, these grounds were lined with the future generations of Hatanakas and their disciples. Yoko continued up the stairs….

”... You want to head left,” Kari said to Yoko. ”If you want to head to the artifact storage, it’s straight down.”

Silently, Yoko pressed on… However a keen eye would notice the shadow-y monsters tailing after them. Whenever someone turned their heads towards them, they would disappear.

”What is it that follows us while we’re moving? Is that supposed to be here?”

”They may look intimidating,” Yoko began. ”But those are the guardians of the sanctuary. They will not bother you.”

”There’s a bell on the top floor we can ring to get rid of them,” Kari noted.

Yoko didn’t respond. She continued down the halls up to the door—a pair of blue double doors with large black kanji symbols on them—each representing a different concept. This time, Yoko didn't need Kari’s help as she pressed the symbol for Strength, Protection, Courage, Duty, Love, and the final one being…

… Honor.

Yoko stepped back, and the doors slid open, revealing the Hatanaka artifact storage. Around the room were weapon racks and shelves that were oddly empty for the size and the fame of the Hatanaka family. However, there were the artifacts Goro made while in the Old Coven and what artifacts he could recover. Namely, the rack of Swift Scrolls. Yoko walked over and grabbed a few. Then, she walked back to the two…

”So what will you do now, Yoko?” Kari asked Yoko.

”Find my brother,” Yoko began.
”While I look for a lead, I will finish what he started and recover the rest of the Hatanaka artifacts.”

”... And what are you going to do?” Kari asked Selena.a.

Selena looked around the room, curiously. There were some artifacts she recognized from way back when. Elysium, the scrolls, the Wall of Defiance… So this was where they were all hidden.

”I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t very curious as to what Goro’s gone off and gotten himself into,” she said. ”If you’d like help, Yoko, I’ll come with you.”

”I’m quite capable on my own,” Yoko answered.

”Oh, Yoko…” Kari rolled her eyes. ”Don’t be like that.”

Yoko turned towards her.

”She’s offering you help and all you say is ‘I’m quite capable on my own.’” Kari said, then rolled her eyes.

”This is my mission, Wilson,” Yoko said. ”I do not need her slowing me down.”

”... And sometimes having a second set of hands makes things faster,” Kari gave Yoko a catty smile before turning to Selena. ”I’m certain Selena is competent enough to keep up with your pace. Right? Right?”

”I don’t need you slowing me down either,” Selena retorted. ”But I’m still offering. It’ll be easier if we work together.”

Yoko sharply exhaled through her nose, before she said, ”... Fine, but don't make me regret this.”

Yoko sighed as she pulled out Goro’s Wayfinder, and projected the holographic display. Yoko stared at it. So many artifacts…

”Wait, there’s a few in St Portwell…” Yoko rubbed her chin.

”It could be showing the Apparition Killer and the Artifacts that Goro made for the rest of the Coven.” Kari added with a shrug.

Yoko turned to Selena, ”What do you think?”

”I know we all left a few behind. Mostly in case the sealing failed. It might be worth looking into.”

”Sounds like a plan,” Yoko nodded her head.

Kari smiled.

”... Can you two drop me off with one of your fancy scrolls first?” Kari asked.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

@Estylwen Just to be clear, is the Dragon falling into the Veil or onto it?

Recollections: Primal Sinister

Destiny A. Wright

"Am I holding the pieces together or keeping them from falling apart?"

_______________________________________________ Destiny Avery Wright She/Her | 11 | Black | 3'10ft | 80 _______________________________________________ Inevitable. _______________________________________________ Skills & Talents "I didn’t survive the Pit by being smart. I survived by being good at staying alive." ___________________________________ [+] Surival Instincts ⫻ After spending so much time in the Pit, Destiny has developed an acute awareness of her surroundings. She can sense danger, traps, or hidden threats, allowing her to stay one step ahead in the most hostile environments. Grit ⫻ Being in the Pit for so long has hardened her mind and body against the effects of pain. Destiny has trained herself to ignore, mask, or fight through injuries that would cripple others, allowing her to stay functional when others would fall. Improvised Weaponry ⫻ Through necessity, Destiny has learned to use almost anything as a weapon—rocks, broken glass, even scraps of metal. Stealth ⫻ The harsh and dangerous environment of the Pit taught Destiny the art of moving unseen and unheard. Whether sneaking past enemies, blending into a crowd, or moving silently through dangerous territory, she excels at not being detected when needed. Resourceful ⫻ Destiny can make the most out of whatever she finds. In the Pit, where resources were scarce, she developed the ability to scavenge, repurpose, and improvise to survive. This extends to creating rudimentary tools, finding food, or making shelter out of nothing.

Appearance ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "People look at me and think I'm just another quiet kid. Good." Destiny Wright has a reserved and severe aura that sets her apart even among kids her age. She doesn’t speak much, but her expression often says enough, a quiet intensity that suggests she’s always thinking, always observing. People frequently mistake her guarded demeanor for shyness, but it’s more of a cautiousness she carries, like she’s learned early on to protect herself. Her interactions are deliberate and measured, making her seem older than just twelve years. Her earnest gaze often gives the impression that she sees more than she lets on, a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Destiny is of average height for her age, standing around four two, with a slim, slightly skinny build. She’s not particularly athletic, but there’s a quiet sturdiness like she’s used to standing her ground. Her hair is a standout feature, thick, oily, and voluminous, styled into a single high puff that crowns her head. It’s natural and unrestrained, drawing attention without trying too hard, and perfectly frames her heart-shaped face. Her puff seems like an extension of her personality: bold, distinct, and uncompromising. She takes care of her hair, maintaining it with pride, even if she prefers to keep her overall look simple. Destiny’s style leans toward practical and understated, reflecting her no-nonsense personality. She gravitates toward comfortable, functional, and durable clothing, pieces she can move around without worrying about wear and tear. She often wears neutral or earthy tones like browns, greens, and muted yellows that complement her skin tone. Denim is a staple in her wardrobe, whether sturdy jeans or a worn-in jacket that she throws on to complete her outfit. She favors sneakers or sturdy boots over anything flashy, choosing practicality over trends. On chillier days, she might layer with a hoodie or a light jacket, always preferring clothing that serves a purpose over anything overly decorative. Destiny doesn’t accessorize much, but she sometimes wears a simple bracelet or hair ties on her wrist, more out of convenience than style. The way she puts herself together gives off an air of quiet confidence. Nothing about her style is meant to draw attention, but her composed and self-assured presence ensures she stands out in her subtle way. Her face rarely betrays what she’s thinking. She’s not one to smile often; when she does, it’s small and fleeting, as if she’s guarding even her joy. The way she carries herself makes it clear that she doesn’t invite attention or rely on others’ approval. If Destiny does open up, it’s only to those she trusts and doesn’t trust easily.

_{Psychology
^{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}}
"I've seen far too much to believe anyone will stick around."

MAIN GOAL ⫻ Destiny is just trying to figure out this strange new world and her place in it. A fish out of water, she is thrust into an unfamiliar and often unforgiving landscape that brims with magic, danger, and intrigue. Everything about this world feels alien to her—its rules, customs, and even the magic that permeates everything. Despite her awkwardness and uncertainty, she carries the weight of her mother’s sacrifice like a brand upon her soul, a constant reminder of both love and loss. Struggling to make sense of her purpose, she yearns for something more significant: to rebuild what was broken and ensure that no one else endures the helplessness she felt when her world crumbled. Her heart aches to create a sanctuary where hope defies the odds and shines brightly, even in the face of despair. Yet, her journey is fraught with challenges, both external and internal.

PHILOSOPHY ⫻ Destiny believes in finding strength in the connections and fragments of light that persist in even the bleakest circumstances. She carries her mother’s teachings: that hope is fragile and powerful and must be nurtured despite the odds.

SECRETS ⫻ Destiny harbors guilt over her mother’s death, believing she should have been strong enough to save Darlene or keep the portal open. She secretly fears her powers—especially her ability to dominate minds—thinking she might become no better than the horrors of the Pit if she gives in to her darker impulses.

SEXUALITY ⫻ Not applicable. At eleven years old, Destiny is focused on survival, forming friendships, and understanding her magic rather than exploring romantic or sexual interests.

FEARS ⫻ Destiny’s greatest fear is losing herself to her powers, especially the manipulative aspects of her Pink Lux. Destiny worries that the line between using her powers for good and abusing them will blur one day. She fears becoming something she cannot control—someone who bends others to her will, even unintentionally, and losing the part of herself that still clings to her humanity. Her fear of abandonment, rooted in the trauma of losing her mother in the Pit, haunts her deeply. The isolation she felt after Darlene’s death, left to survive alone, is a wound that never fully healed. She dreads returning to the Pit and facing the monstrous entities that once hunted her, knowing how easily she could slip back into that nightmare. But perhaps the most agonizing fear is that her mother might still be alive, trapped and suffering in the Pit, her sacrifice in vain. The guilt and uncertainty of not knowing weigh heavily on Destiny, keeping her trapped between the pull of the past and the need to move forward.

WHAT DID THEY DO DURING THE CATACLYSM? ⫻ During the Cataclysm, Destiny had only recently escaped the Pit and found herself lost in the aftermath, struggling to adapt to the new world of Cloverfield. She didn't participate in the conflict or chaos of the Cataclysm itself. Instead, she focused on surviving in the city’s ruins, navigating her new surroundings, and finding refuge in St. Eleanora’s Orphanage. Destiny spent her time helping where she could—using her abilities to ease the suffering of the children and caregivers, but she remained detached from the wider world.

FLAWS ⫻ The Pit left an indelible scar on Destiny, one that runs far more profound than any physical wound. After being thrust into its nightmarish depths at such a young age, she was stripped of her childhood and thrust into a world where survival was the only rule. The horrors she witnessed—monstrous entities, constant danger, the overwhelming isolation—warped her sense of reality. During her time, there was a never-ending struggle to stay alive, constantly on the edge of despair and fear. This environment bred a paranoia in her that ran through her veins like poison. Destiny has never been able to trust anyone fully, and even when she does, a lingering fear gnaws at her, the fear that anyone she lets close could leave her, betray her, or worse, perish because of her. She learned that attachment equaled loss, and loss in the Pit was a brutal thing. The trauma she endured left her emotionally wounded, her soul scarred by the unspeakable things she had to do and see. While others might try to find solace in relationships, Destiny has learned to build walls, closing herself off from any potential for connection that could make her vulnerable.

She’s too accustomed to pain, too used to the ghosts of the Pit haunting her every step. Every person she encounters seems alien to her—like a creature from another world. The “normal” world of Cloverfield is foreign and suffocating, too bright and too loud, and she feels like an imposter trying to wear a mask of civility. The mundane concerns of others feel trivial, almost laughable compared to the horrors she’s lived through. Destiny doesn’t know how to exist here.

The trauma of the Pit also made her crave control, perhaps as a means of keeping the chaos at bay. She tries to micromanage every situation, even when it’s out of her hands, not trusting that things will work out unless she can make them. This need to control, to hold onto something amidst the unpredictability of her life, pushes people away, further reinforcing her isolation. But even with all her abilities and strength, a part of her never feels good enough. Her failures haunt her—the children she couldn’t protect, the allies she couldn’t save, and the lives lost in the dark abyss of the Pit. That self-doubt clings to her like a shadow and no amount of power or resourcefulness can quiet it. This is why Destiny is driven the way she is. Her need to protect, to never let anyone feel the kind of pain she endured, drives her to reckless extremes. She’ll put herself in danger and sacrifice herself if it means sparing someone else from suffering, all because she believes she’s not worthy of anything better. The ghosts of her past—the monsters, the loss, the desperate loneliness—continue to shape every decision she makes, reminding her that there’s always a cost to the protection she offers, even if it means she’s left broken.

_{Backstory
^{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}}
"My mother taught me something in the Pit—survival is more than breathing. It's about holding on to the light, even when everything around you is darkness."

Destiny Wright was born into The Pit, a realm of fractured realities and relentless danger, where survival was a daily struggle. Her mother, Darlene, guided this broken world, leading a small survivor group that clung to life among the ruins. Darlene taught Destiny to read the ever-shifting landscape of The Pit, stay alert to the lurking dangers, and, most importantly, never lose hope. Destiny’s earliest memories were of following her mother through the desolate remnants of destroyed worlds, learning to adapt and survive. Darlene often spoke of "the world before," a place of light and order, offering a glimpse of something better, a spark that Destiny held onto tightly.

When Destiny was eight, her life took a profound turn during a brutal encounter with an Apparition. The group had been trapped in a narrow canyon, surrounded by twisting, ethereal creatures and nowhere to run. Panic spread quickly, and something deep within Destiny stirred in the chaos. This was the moment of her Kindling Event, but she was caught in a flood of confusion. The rogue Apparition took advantage, launching vicious attacks at the group. But Darlene stepped in, and using her more refined magic, she bent her time ever so slightly to delay the creature’s strikes, buying enough precious seconds for the group to escape.

Darlene recognized the potential in Destiny’s abilities immediately. She knew the Lux needed to be honed and dedicated herself to guiding her daughter through learning to control her newfound powers. Darlene was a patient teacher, combining exercises that would teach Destiny to focus and refine her abilities. The Purple Lux became a tool for telekinesis. Through mental focus, Destiny moved objects or shifted small parts of the environment, like rocks and debris, with just a thought. Her mother used her deep understanding of Purple Lux to teach Destiny how to use telekinesis and manipulate time on a small scale. Destiny struggled at first, the power often slipping from her grasp, but her mother’s steady support kept her from giving up.

Destiny’s Pink Lux emerged alongside her telekinetic abilities, adding another layer to her magical repertoire. Darlene taught her to use her Pink Lux for more than simple emotional manipulation. Destiny learned to create illusions, calming the panicked hearts of her companions or altering their perception of reality to hide from enemies. Her ability to influence minds also grew, allowing her to dominate the minds of those without an Emotional-Field to protect them. As Destiny’s powers grew, they became vital in ensuring the group's survival. It was a constant balancing act—using her powers to protect her people while remaining grounded in the harsh reality of their existence.

But even with all her efforts, the dangers of The Pit never relented. Over time, one by one, the members of the survivor group began to fall, each victim to a different threat. Some were taken by the monstrous entities that roamed the desolate land, while others succumbed to despair and internal strife. Destiny and her mother fought to protect them, using every ounce of their combined strength, but it was clear that no matter how much they fought, they could not stop the tide of destruction slowly wearing them down. The remaining survivors began to thin, with many losing hope in constant peril. Destiny's powers, though growing stronger, could not shield them from the Pit's relentless horrors.

By the time Destiny was ten, only she and Darlene remained. The others were gone, wiped out by attacks from the unspeakable horrors that roamed the Pit. Though Destiny had become far more skilled in her abilities, her heart weighed heavy with grief and guilt. She had saved so many, but it had never been enough. Still, Darlene’s unwavering presence and guidance kept her grounded. Her mother’s teachings never wavered—survival was about more than just fighting. It was about holding onto what remained of their humanity, their hope, and their connection to one another.

But with each passing day, Destiny grew more aware that The Pit wasn’t just a place of survival but a prison that could never be escaped without tremendous cost. As the dangers of The Pit grew, Destiny realized she needed more than her powers to survive. As Destiny wandered the desolate landscape of The Pit, she was suddenly separated from her mother during a violent skirmish. Alone and vulnerable, she knew she had to act quickly to survive. Her mind raced as the ominous sound of approaching monsters echoed through the barren terrain. Desperation clawed at her, and instinctively, she reached out, her powers flaring.

Her focus was on a nearby Autoknight, one of the towering mechanical giants that roamed the land, originally bound to the King of the Pit’s command. Destiny seized control with her Pink and Purple Lux; her will overpowering its rigid programming. The Autoknight, once an enemy, now stood motionless, awaiting her orders. Destiny commanded it to move. A slow yet powerful iron giant lumbered toward her, ready to shield her from any threat. With the creature now under her control, Destiny felt a surge of both power and dread. She wasn’t alone anymore—but she knew this newfound strength came with its burdens. Still, for the first time in years, she dared to believe they could survive, even without her mother by her side. However, the "world before" echoed through Destiny's head, and she knew of a place that could, theoretically, get her there.

The Forge. An ancient factory of untold power, filled with the horrors of the Pit itself. She had been searching for answers, for a way to reunite with her mother, Darlene, who had once been a beacon in her life. Darlene had always spoken of The Forge as a place of untold power, a source of creation, and a nexus where the fabric of reality could be reshaped. Here, Destiny hoped to find the key to her future—her path forward and possibly the answers to what had happened to Darlene. The Forge’s perimeter was heavily guarded, the towering Autoknights marching endlessly around the premises, their empty eyes scanning the terrain for intruders. Destiny knew she had to be clever. Slipping into the shadows, she used her Pink Lux to twist the perceptions of the patrols, cloaking her presence in the fog of illusion.

It wasn’t long before she slipped into the heart of The Forge, and this is where Destiny found Darlene - along with something far more significant than she imagined. Darlene had used the very power of the Forge to create something extraordinary—an artifact capable of opening a portal that would take them out of the Pit. With a flicker of energy, the artifact hummed to life, and a rift began to open in the space before them. It was a tear in the fabric of reality, a portal to a world beyond the Forge and the Pit. Destiny could hardly believe what she was witnessing. Her mother had done it—she had created something that could bring them to freedom. Destiny was filled with relief, hope blooming in her chest. They would be free. They could leave the Pit, escape its endless cycle of creation and suffering, and start anew.

Darlene motioned for Destiny to step through, and she hesitated only briefly before stepping forward. The moment's weight pressed down on her, she could feel the portal's pull, the promise of freedom. Just as Destiny was about to step through the rift, she heard something significant moving through the air—a faint whistle followed by the sharp crack of gunfire.

It happened so fast.

Before she could even react, a musket shot fired from one of the Autoknights struck Darlene directly in the chest. The force of the shot knocked her back, her body crumpling to the ground in front of Destiny. She outstretched a hand, screaming louder than ever, as the portal closed...

Destiny arrived in Cloverfield amidst the chaos, a solitary figure wandering through the dissolved ruins. The chaos wasn't alien to her, yet contextually, it was far different from anything she had encountered before. As she wandered through the chaos of the Cataclysm, a wave of acid raced toward her. Frozen in place, Destiny could do nothing but watch her end race toward her. At that moment, a stranger intervened, their presence marked only by a blur of impossible speed. In one swift motion, they pulled Destiny out of harm's way just as the acid struck, its deadly path scorching the ground where she had stood.

This mysterious savior vanished as quickly as they had appeared, but their intervention carried her through the ruins to safety. Clad in a soot-streaked dress, with eyes that seemed to see far beyond the broken cityscape, she was mistaken for one of the many orphans displaced by the Cataclysm. Her appearance coincided with the devastation caused by Nyrah the Ravager. Taken in by St. Eleanora's Orphanage, one of the few institutions still standing on the South Bank, Destiny struggled to adapt. The orphanage was overrun with children who had lost everything, their faces haunted by the horrors they had witnessed. The caregivers did their best, but resources were scarce, and the trauma that permeated the air was suffocating.

The orphanage became a place of survival for Destiny, but it was unlike the survival she had known in the Pit. Here, the dangers were subtler—emotional wounds, the fraying of hope, and the cruel reality of a world trying to rebuild itself. St. Eleanora's was far from the Pit's violent chaos, but its despair resonated deeply with Destiny. She often found herself on the outskirts, observing rather than engaging, her Pink Lux allowing her to sense the emotions of those around her. It was a double-edged sword; she could calm a crying child or ease a caregiver's stress, but the constant flood of pain and fear took its toll on her.

Destiny would sneak out to explore Cloverfield when the other children slept in the quiet night hours. Though the destruction was finite here, the city's ruins reminded her of the Pit. The Cataclysm had scarred the land, but there was a sense of recovery—however slow—that the Pit had never known. She wandered the shattered streets, her powers subtly shaping her path. With her telekinesis, she moved debris blocking her way or stabilized precarious structures. Her illusions hid her from scavengers and dangerous gangs roaming the ruins.

During her nightly explorations, Destiny felt a strange sense of purpose she hadn’t experienced since leaving the Pit. Cloverfield was a city trying to rise from its ashes, and though she felt like a ghost wandering its remnants, she couldn’t shake the idea that she might belong here. Each night, she pushed deeper into the ruins, uncovering fragments of the city’s past: forgotten trinkets in burned-out homes, scraps of journals telling stories of lives lost, and murals of hope painted by those who believed in a brighter future.

These discoveries lit a spark within her—a faint but growing desire to rebuild, not just for the city but for herself.

_{Abstraction
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"I'm trying to keep myself in check here..."

TYPE ⫻ Adept.

ABSTRACTION ⫻ Purple & Pink Lux. Channeler is a Silver Locket Darlene gave her in the Pit.

ABSTRACTION DESCRIPTION ⫻ Destiny’s spells, learned from her mother, Darlene, during their time in the Pit, showcase her raw talent and potential despite her still-developing grasp of magic. While she may not have perfect control yet, her spells reflect a deep capacity for growth as she matures. Though still in the early stages of mastery, Destiny has made great strides, and with time, her magical abilities are bound to reach new heights.

Force of Will ⫻ Destiny's primary (and only) offensive tool. Force of Will grants Destiny the ability to manipulate objects through sheer mental power. By focusing her intent on an object, she can move, lift, or manipulate it, regardless of its weight or size, though the more massive the object, the more concentration it requires. She can perform precise movements, such as opening a locked door, retrieving an item from a shelf, or using brute force to throw, crush, or shatter objects at will. The range of this spell can vary depending on her focus and energy levels, with closer objects being easier to manipulate. As the distance increases, the power of her telekinesis weakens, and her concentration becomes harder to maintain. Force of Will can also be used defensively, creating a protective barrier by summoning a wall of telekinetic energy to shield against physical attacks or deflect incoming projectiles.

Domination ⫻ Domination Destiny’s most powerful and dangerous spell, capable of seizing control over an individual’s will. Destiny can invade their mind by focusing on the target, overpowering their sense of self, and imposing their will. The victim’s thoughts and actions become subservient to her commands, turning them into puppets. The strength of this control depends on the target’s mental fortitude; weak-willed individuals are quickly subdued, while those with solid mental defenses can resist, though they will experience increasing mental strain the longer the spell is applied. Emotional-Fields completely block this spell and render it useless against Paranormals. While under Domination, the target is often unaware of their loss of control, though their actions may feel out of character or unnatural. However, this spell can strain Destiny’s mental focus for long periods. If the victim’s will is powerful, the connection may falter, backfiring on Destiny and causing severe mental backlash.

Telepathy ⫻ Destiny’s telepathy spell allows her to establish a mental link with another individual, allowing her to read both surface-level thoughts and more profound, more hidden layers of their mind. The connection bypasses Emotional-Fields, enabling her to perceive thoughts even in individuals who might otherwise be protected from psychic intrusion. This link is invisible and undetectable by anyone other than the target, allowing Destiny to silently receive thoughts, ideas, emotions, and even commands and convey messages or impressions in return. Surface-level thoughts are easily read, like casual observations or fleeting concerns, but with focus, Destiny can access deeper layers of the mind and uncover hidden fears, desires, or secrets.

Deception ⫻ Deception is an illusion spell that allows Destiny to cloak her surroundings or herself in a shroud of deceptive glamour, making them appear as something entirely different. This spell can alter visual and auditory perception, changing the shape, color, and texture of objects or people and masking sounds. The complexity of the illusion can vary, from a simple disguise of a door to an elaborate mirage of an entire environment. The illusions are compelling and often indistinguishable from reality unless the observer attests to magical manipulation. Destiny can also use Deception to project fake sensory input, such as creating phantom voices or footsteps to distract or mislead. However, while the illusions are effective, they are inherently fragile. If someone interacts with the illusion in a way that challenges its integrity (such as touching or closely inspecting it), the spell may break down, revealing its false nature.

Emotional Prism ⫻ Destiny’s Emotional Prism is a spell that grants her the ability to perceive, influence, and manipulate the emotions of others. When cast, this spell creates an invisible but potent aura that allows her to intuitively sense the emotional state of those around her, picking up on feelings like fear, anger, joy, sadness, or anxiety. The more intense the emotion, the clearer it becomes to Destiny. This ability allows her to read individuals with remarkable precision, understanding the underlying causes of their feelings and how they might respond to various situations. Beyond simple perception, Emotional Prism also allows Destiny to manipulate emotions, subtly or powerfully altering the emotional state of others. With focused intent, she can induce calm in a panicked individual, instill confidence in someone who feels weak, or heighten feelings of anger or fear to manipulate behavior. The effect can be temporary, lasting only as long as her concentration or until the person’s own emotions overpower the influence. The strength of this manipulation depends on Destiny's focus, the emotional stability of the target, and her emotional state.

LIMITS ⫻ Force of Will requires an intense level of concentration, which can quickly drain Destiny’s mental energy. The larger the object, the more effort it demands, and if she overextends herself, she risks severe mental fatigue or even losing the ability to focus. Her telekinesis weakens with distance, so manipulating objects beyond a short range can become nearly impossible if she’s not careful. Additionally, using it defensively can create a telekinetic barrier, but this requires constant concentration, and if interrupted, the shield shatters. In stressful situations, her focus tends to slip, rendering her defenseless.

Domination is incredibly taxing on her mental state. The longer she uses this spell, the more it strains her, and the risk of backfire increases dramatically if the target has strong mental defenses. The more dominant a person's will, the harder it is for Destiny to maintain control, and if the connection falters, it can cause a mental backlash that can be debilitating, leaving her mentally drained and vulnerable. Emotional-Fields also block the spell entirely, and it is useless against Paranormals.

The connection in Telepathy is delicate. If Destiny doesn’t maintain focus, the link weakens and may fade quickly, making it difficult to sustain long-term communication or access more profound thoughts. The depth of the connection depends on the target’s mental defenses—stronger wills can create barriers, making it harder for Destiny to penetrate their minds or retrieve specific information. When she’s tired, distracted, or emotionally unstable, her telepathy becomes erratic, and she may inadvertently misinterpret thoughts or fail to establish a clear connection. Additionally, attempting to develop a deep link with multiple individuals can overwhelm her mind, resulting in a loss of clarity or complete mental overload.

Deception, while helpful in hiding herself or altering her surroundings, is fragile and can be easily disrupted. If someone interacts too closely with the illusion—touching it, trying to pass through it, or scrutinizing it too intensely—the glamour dissipates and reveals the illusion for what it truly is. Additionally, creating more elaborate or complex illusions requires enormous energy and focus. If Destiny is under duress or distracted, the illusion can falter, making her vulnerable. The more complicated the deception, the more strain it places on her mind, which can result in physical and emotional exhaustion.

Emotional Prism gives Destiny insight into the emotions of those around her, but the more people she tries to read at once, the harder it becomes to distinguish individual feelings. If too many emotions clash in a single area, the spell becomes a jumbled mess, leaving Destiny unable to interpret anything. The manipulation of emotions also requires significant focus and effort, and it’s easy for the target's emotions to overpower her influence. If she loses emotional control herself, her manipulation could backfire, causing more harm than good. Furthermore, Destiny cannot influence the emotions of those with an Emotional-Field, only read them.

WEAKNESSES ⫻ The Diddler Ghost.

^{Other
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"Survival isn't about fighting the darkness—it's about finding a way to shine through it."

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

---

The Coalition, & The Magma Titan, Babee.

^{From the perspective of Ruby White.}

Interactions: Sully (@Atrophy), Stormy (@Blizz), and Aaron (@NoriWasHere).

Elysium Island.

---

---

”EVERYBODY MOVE, NOW!!!”

Without a second thought, Ruby smoothly slammed the bottom of her tree branch into the ground, and a barrier of vines, roots, and tree branches appeared around her. It tanked most of the spirit bomb, but it was not meant for her but meant for the Magma Apparition. She didn't see the blast itself, but she saw it had launched the Magma Titan across to the other side of the island into the water. It was on its back, in a cloud of steam, but it was still in one piece...

It slowly rose to its feet, the Eustis Veil had reactivated, and the barrage of Ectoplasm bombs ceased as planned. Ruby would have been satisfied with that, but, unfortunately, the Magma Titan climbed to its feet. However, at the very least, the wind had knocked out the bastard as it groaned, huffed, and puffed while in the veil of steam. It made sure not to enter the fallout zone of Stormy's Phantombane.

"Are you sure that turning the Veil back on was a good call?" Jessica asked through the radio. "I can't do my thing with the Veil on!"

"If I weren't, I wouldn't have done it," Ruby said with a roll of her eyes. "We got some breathing room to track down the source of their artillery."

"Hey now!" James grinned as he stuck his axe out and electrocuted a zombie to the cinders. "You have me here! The storm's my turf!"

Ruby sighed.

"... We also have James."

Bullets still whirled by as Sully hopped to his feet and shouted...

"... I live, bitches!"

Sully

"... Hey, that's MY line you sum' bitch!"

Jess shouted, cupping her hands together before boisterously laughing.

However, Ruby's eyes should have been on the Apparition; she was momentarily distracted by Sully's antics and didn't realize that the Apparition had stopped moving. He knelt forward, grabbed a handful of stones, sand, and debris from the mansion, and chucked it at the formation at lightning speeds.

"... Aw, you gotta be," Ruby said as one was coming right for her.

The 317 lady - Lucia Scott - stepped before her, drew a symbol out of blood, and caught the rock in mid-air using telekinesis without a word. It hit the ground, and Ruby sighed. They need to take care of this thing and now. She glanced at the mansion and figured those rich bastards cut and run and sicced their pet ghost on them to keep everyone's attention off them.

In other words, they aggro'd the aggro.

The fact that she was cucked was marred by the fact that the Magma Ghost survived a nuke - albeit, it didn't precisely tank it. It's keeping its distance now, probably trying to lure them into getting close to it.

"Alright, we need a plan!" Ruby turned her head towards Stormy and Aaron. "I don't suppose you two can hit with another one, riiiiight?" She tilted her head.

"Don't we gotta seal that damned thing anyway!?" James shouted as a monstrous bolt of lightning came from the axe and hit the Magma Titan head-on, stagging it before he turned towards Lily and said, "New Yorker! I need a boost!"

"Aye! Papi, I ain't tryna' get bugzapped here!" Lily laughed. "Cut the lightning first!"

"Does ANYONE have another bigass attack like that?!" Ruby asked the Aggro group, though she was tempted to speak into the radio. "WE do, but we need Pearl for it."

"Just grab Pearl!" Jess shouted.

"Hey, Pearl and I are going to head back to the Aggro group," Naomi said on the Radio. We're on our way now!"

Music to Ruby's ears as she raised the radio to her face.

"Double time it, we need you!" Ruby replied.

"Roooooodger!" Naomi said.

---

Naomi Rodgers & Pearl Cho.

^{From the perspective of Naomi Rodgers.}

Interactions: T.

Elysium Island.

---

---

Amara had cut the Veil back on.

Naomi just shrugged.

At the very least, the Ectoplasm rain had stopped. However, all the pressure was on the Veil group, even if nobody knew. If things went south, they had to turn the Veil back off, or else they would be up shit's creak without a paddle! However, she was sure that things would be alright.

“We don’t all need to defend it; we’ve probably got it. Maybe someone else stays, two go?”

Rien

"But if they rush for it..." Pearl noted, looking between Naomi and herself.

"I'm gonna be rea-"

The explosion of the Hallow Blast rocked the island, going off like a nuke that launched the Magma Titan across the island. Naomi thought it looked pretty cool, but the damned thing got back up. Naomi facepalmed. Things were going south, and nobody wanted to admit it.

"Look, I think we should stay," Naomi countered. "While I'm not going to be much help if they start shooting at us, the plan hinges on us right now."

"But, I feel like we're going to need the Maiden Flash against that thing," Pearl sighed. "So, it's best you take me back to the fighting line."

Naomi didn't like this idea, but Pearl was above her on the Greenwood Heirachy. So she just sighed as she begrudgingly raised the radio to her lips.

"Hey, Pearl and I are going to head back to the Aggro group," Naomi said on the Radio. We're on our way now!"

Music to Ruby's ears as she raised the radio to her face.

"Double time it, we need you!" Ruby replied.

"Roooooodger!" Naomi said before turning to Jack. "Catch."

Naomi chucked the radio to him. Meanwhile, Pearl got intimately close to Naomi, who wrapped her arm around the shorter girl.

"It's up to you know. Just let us know if you need anything," Naomi said before she took off with Pearl.

Paragraphs: Agents of Death [FernStone & Mixtape Ghost Note]

---

---

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D.O.A - Aimee Blackschleger

---

Lisa raised a fist.

”Let’s burn this place to the GROUND!” Lisa valiantly screamed. Then she turned her attention to the castle and whispered to Yoko, ”.... Those Wayfinder thingies you lost are in there, right?”

”From my research,” Yoko paused to put the Dragon’s Wisdom back into her hip pouch, ”There’s an artifact storage deep in that castle.”

”Then why didn’t we spring our trap there!?” Lisa whined.

”The Disciple was already trying to break out so that ship has sailed,” Yoko shrugged. ”Besides, we’ll have less control if we break out up there.”

Suddenly, the staticy voice returned.

…? ...?...?...?...Christ…?...?...?...Minutes to find…?...?... the Wayfinders. The voice sounded aggravated even though it popped in and out. ...?...?... Try not to die!

"Well that doesn't sound good," Saskia intoned. Minutes to find the Wayfinders? They couldn't teleport, so that was just impossible. Or perhaps that voice was saying something else.

"I've got everything!" Ella handed back Saskia's knife and Lisa's strangely sticky statue. She put the Ice Scepter back in its holster, then held up the magical orb towards Yoko. "Any idea what this is and how to use it? We picked it up from these people who tried to kill us but couldn't figure it out!"

"... You couldn't have asked earlier?"

"I forgot about it."

Yoko stared at it for a moment as the Yokai Killer glew brighter…

”... I have no idea what that is,”

...?...?...?... Sphere. Control…?...?... weather….?...?...?... Control rain. Summon…?...?...?...?...?...?... Emotions feed it. Anger and desperation amplify it…?...?...?...Unstable. Risk..?...?...?... Uncontrolled wielder loses the-...?...?...?... CONTROL IT OR SUFFER.

”Well, that’s handy! Thanks, weird voice!” Lisa said, waving into the air.

”If it's anger it's useless to me!" Ella shrugged, putting it back in her massive backpack.

The Autoknights took position ahead, forming defensive lines wielding muskets, arrows, and hand-held cannons.

"They've upgraded." Saskia narrowed their eyes at the hand held cannons. ”Let's get rid of them."

Blood coated their body in a protective armour. They pursed their lips, letting off a few shots of sticky spit right towards the musket barrels. And missed.

Ella brandished the Ice Scepter, aiming an icy blast at the cannons. Some were frozen, while other Autoknights took the ice blast for the cannon wielders. The Autoknights opened fire, unleashing s barrage of musket pellets, arrows, and cannonfire, too much for the four to handle.

Yoko took Ella’s side, and said, ”Pull out the Sphere,”

Ella pulled it back out without question, looking at Yoko, clearly waiting for an explanation.

"Hurry up," Saskia hissed, flesh wings shoved out their back. They made them as large as possible, sacrificing sharp spikes for a brittle bone coating. They spread out - protecting the group from some of the barrage, even as it hurt them.

”Disciple…” Yoko sighed, ”... Picture your friends fornicating - CONSENSUALLY - with the Horse creatures.”

"Nooooo," Ella wailed - though it seemed so was unable to not picture it, her desperation immediately obvious. Rain started to pour down on their surroundings, and lightning crackled overhead. Thunder boomed.

"Now hit them with it," Saskia tried their best not to laugh- made easier by the arrows and musket pellets wedged in their bleeding wings.

Ella grimaced, and a massive gust of wind suddenly battered the Autoknights, followed by lightning strikes at their location. The strikes ravaged their formations and threw aside their weapons and iron frames, utterly destroying them. Yoko grinned as she raised the Yokai Killer into the air, and valiantly shouted,

”Forward, friends! Your second chance lies ahead- calling, waiting! Yoko began as the Yokai Killer shined through the fog and rain, ”... We will claim it together! As Nakama!”

Yoko led the charge forward as the storm raged overhead, soaking the already grim Kingdom with torrents of rain. The Autoknights staggered underneath the onslaught of rain and thunder, making it easy for them to be felled by the Yokai Killer. Their heavy footsteps clattered in the streets as they struggled to regroup or visualize the group. However, they retreated towards the Castle.

A guttural horn blasted from the direction of the retreating Autoknights.

Yoko’s eyes darted towards the source of the sound, ”... That doesn’t sound good,”

”Look for the white flag!” Lisa said, shaking rain from her hair, ”Maybe we wrecked them too hard!”

”I doubt it’s going to be that simple,” Yoko said.

The ground trembled. At first, it felt like the rumbling of the storm, but it grew more powerful and focused. Its silhouette was enormous through the fog and rain, several stories tall, emitting a cloud of boiling hot steam from its maw. Soon, it's horrid body pierced through the veil of thunder and storms. It was intimidating with its rocky hide, mutated appearance, and the jagged, almost fungal, spiked growths along its back. It opened its maw, ripping cheek flesh and revealing teeth in places that were just impractical.

Then, it roared so loudly it broke the surrounding glass.

Lisa raised her hands as the ground shook for a moment; before stopping, she turned towards Ella and said, ”... Put down the damn orb. I can’t summon spiders like this!”

"I can just stop it!" Ella shouted, the rain ceasing - though not without one last lightning strike at the horrible creature. She still shoved the orb back in her bag. It was replaced by a fistful of brightly coloured bracelets she pulled over her wrists. The colour immediately started leeching from them, boosting her strength and magic.

Lisa raised her hands, and a wave of spiders appeared like a carpet of chitin, surrounding the various surfaces. However, five glowing cocoons appeared, scattered across the battlefield in multiple places. Spider legs then splayed from her back...

Saskia grimaced, narrowing their eyes at the thing. But with the rain stopped they could use their blood… They pulled shattered, wounded wings back into their back, curling over at the excruciating pain that came with them being so damaged. But they’d done their job.

As the broken bones from the wings snapped back into place inside them, Saskia raised their hand, shooting a blood bullet at the creature's eye - a test shot. It knocks out its eye, but in a few moments, a sludge covers it, and it’s good as new as it kept marching. When it got close, it hunched forward and opened its maw, the skin around its mouth tearing, and there was that sickening crack of bones. It loudly gagged, coughing for a few moments before an utter flood of black tar-like substance spewed forth from its jaws. When it hit the ground, it sizzled and eroded everything in its path as it utterly filled the street and came towards the four like a flood.

Lisa’s spider legs allowed her to climb an adjacent building quickly - however, most of her spider horde went down with it. Yoko lept into the air and landed on a tilted street light before leaping again on an adjacent building. Ella followed right behind Yoko’s path, glowing legs propelling her up.

Saskia cursed, shoving themselves out of the way with a blood tendril. It hooked around a barely standing street light to pull them up, swinging onto the Lisa was on.

The static-y voice returned…

...?...?...?... Stalling for...?...?...?... Creature….?...regenerate so much…?...?...?... Autoknights forming a defensive…?...?... castle…?... Eliminate it. Quickly.

"Can we do Deathcrater?!" Ella shouted.

"On what floor- no! Just hit it!" Saskia grimaced, looking over at Lisa. "Death Blow?"

”Yeah! Let’s ram it up his ass!’” Lisa pumped a fist into the air and summoned a large black spider.

Yoko grasped the Yokai Killer with both hands - one on the sheathe, and the other on the hilt - leaning forward a bit. ”... I’ll draw it's attention.” Yoko began breathing in deeply for a few moments before she disappeared in a blur of motion. Moments later, she reappeared on the other side of the monster as a massive would on its abdomen. It rotted into a thick sludge as its intestines hit the ground, followed by a mixture of blood, stomach acid, and that corrosive sludge.

Its wounds began to regenerate as it quickly began to pivot towards Yoko.

Saskia began to forge a massive bone spear, concentrating fully on making it happen. It felt like she was pulling out her own spine - but what was a little pain? Exciting, if anything. When it was finished, she carefully loaded it into the spiders maw.

”... Yoko, take cover!” Lisa shouted, and Yoko disappeared in another blur of motion. Before the spear was launched at the monster and hit it in the side of the head before exploding into acidic fragments. It hit the ground, but for some reason it's dick unsheathed. It was pink and fleshy, long and girthy as a city bus with several growths with teeth and eyes on it. It oozed a little bit of green sludge from the tip as its thick, see-through, veins pulsed.

Ella started screaming.

”It's dead, Disciple!” Yoko cupped her hands together, ”... WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING!?”

”It just reminds her of her uncle!” Lisa shouted back.

…?...?...Stop, joking...?...that, Lis-...?...?

The voice said, before adding.

…?...?... He was big but not THAT big.

"... How do you know that?" Ella whimpered.

"Oh my god, Ella, it hardly looks like a dick," Saskia rolled their eyes, hand shooting out to cover Ella’s mouth to muffle the scream. "Come on, let’s go before they set up whatever defences the weird voice was talking about."

Ignoring the incredibly interesting, if somewhat grotesque, monster cock - as much as Saskia wanted to take a closer look - they started making their way towards the castle. Lisa followed behind them, clinging to the side of the building.

The acid bubbled against the rain for a few moments, as Yoko followed after them. Then she paused, looking at the creature for a moment. ”Wait!” Yoko shouted, ”... It's not dead!” Yoko reappeared by the group’s side in a motion blur.

The creature jerked itself back to life violently as the hole in the side of its head sealed. It climbed back to its feet, dick out, and roared, spraying the corrosive sludge into the air.

"Are you fucking with me," Saskia swore. If that hadn't killed it… what would? They sighed, turning to the other three. "Well it was nice knowing you."

"No way! We just… we just need to figure out what it's weak too. Maybe fire!" Ella said, before creating a massive, pink fireball in her hand. She lobbed it at the creature, and it streaked through the air before it slammed into the monster’s chest. Then, with a low, guttural snarl, it shrugged off the fire. The pink fire dissipated, leaving nothing but charred sludge rapidly regenerating into fresh flesh.

Lisa gave Ella the thumbs up.

”... I think you hurt it’s feelings, Ella!” Lisa said, as the ground shook with each step of the behemoth. Occasionally, it’s member would scrape against the ground.

”We’re going to need a lot more fire than that,” Yoko pulled out some paper scraps, before turning to Saskia and Lisa. ”I’m going to boost Ella… keep the monster distracted.”

Lisa nodded.

"Sure, we'll give it a nice show," Saskia chuckled lowly. They grimaced as they once again pushed wings out their back, still slightly ragged from the last encounter… but the muscular surface was there. Just a few broken bones… they could deal with that. "Let's get it's attention away from here."

With a flap of their wings they launched themselves off the building, moving around the front of the monster towards the other side. They shot off a small blood bullet to get its attention, which might have well when a cotton ball. However, it turned around towards Saskia and sprayed a geyser of corrosive sludge.

Saskia coated themselves in blood armour and lightened their bones as they twisted themselves midair, wings pulling in to propel them out of the way. Some of the sludge hit their feet - it stung, but they ignored it.

"Keep spraying at me, you gross dicked bastard," Saskia snorted as they kept moving. With her bones lightened she could move around incredibly quickly… and the weakness of them wouldn't be a problem if Yoko boosted Ella quickly. The monster roared again, before it jumped through the air, trying to land on Saskia.

"Fuck me," Saskia muttered as she spun to the side, half crashing into a building opposite her friends to avoid getting crushed by it.

"GET BURNED BY THE LIGHT OF FRIENDSHIP, CREATURE OF DARKNESS… DIE!"

Bombs of fire blasted into the monster. Massive fireball after fireball were thrown at it, before Ella switched to a continuous stream of super charged fire. It spread out wide and far, and with a final, deafening roar, the creature’s body collapsed, black sludge pouring from its orifices as the fire consumed it. Its regeneration faltered, then failed as the flames spread into its core.

Lisa ran over to Saskia and helped them to their feet while Yoko landed beside them, Yokai Killer in hand.

”... They likely set up whatever defensive perimeter they had planned,” Yoko noted, ”It might just be just a little bit harder, but we are up to the task.”

Yoko sighed.

”Let’s go.”

Yoko approached the castle, stepping over the leftover sludge that sizzled against the rain. As they marched towards the castle, there were zero Autoknights, and the residents of this city looked up at them in horror and astonishment. Yoko barely gave them more than an aside glance, while Lisa flipped them off every time they made eye contact. Eventually, they made it to the Castle, its gates dark and foreboding. However, a balcony hosted a a morbidly obese figure wearing a crown that sat on a stone chair, with two Autoknights by her side, and held a strange spear in her hands. Even though she wore the mask, they could just feel her sneer.

“... So, you four are the ones that have been causing me so much trouble,” The King of the Pit's voice dripped with disdain, “You’ve destroyed my creations, ruined my defenses, and disgraced the sanctity of my city. Pathetic little insects, crawling into my domain thinking yourselves heroes. Do you think yourselves righteous? Do you think tearing through my kingdom makes you savior? Oh no, you’re no better than I. Murderers. Destroyers. But unlike you, I have no delusions. My creations have a purpose. Yours? Nothing but chaos wrapped in self-righteous fury…”

”... Otten,” Yoko spoke it less like their name and more like a command, as she quickly unsheathed the Yokai Killer.

Saskia rolled their eyes as this weirdo started going on and on. They raised a hand, blood forming in their palm before shooting right towards the King of the Pit’s neck. "You talk too much." It pierced right through, spraying blood as she screamed.

”... YOU BASTARDS WILL PAY FOR THAT!”

The Autoknights by her side lifted her as the ground began to shake violently, knocking Lisa and Yoko off their feet. A nearby building, a mess of several different styles of architecture forming itself into some type of abomination of a square, collapsed into smoke and dust debris. A silhouette could vaguely be seen through the smoke.
Yoko’s jaw dropped.

”... You can not be serious,” Yoko groaned as she looked up at the towering figure that had to be the size of a skyscraper.

It took a step, and it shook the ground like an earthquake.

”Oooooooooh, boy,” Lisa awkwardly laughed. ”... Where the fuck did they put that thing?!”

It took another step, and its titanic figure came into view. They could feel the heat radiating off of it as it kept marching. The King of the Pit spoke one last time before she was carried off into the castle.

“... Your fate was sealed when you stepped foot here!”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

---

Elysium Island - In the Tunnels of Mobster Dick. Artifact Group.

Interactions: Before Freezing to Death: Aislin/Layla (@Estylwen), & Luca (@FernStone).

---

The alarm was still blaring in Adora's ear, but the rush of familiar power drowned it out, making it easy to ignore as she utterly molly-wopped this demon. She didn't even expect to knock it over! Yet, Adora had to remain focused - remember that this power-up wouldn't last forever. Though, it was still more resilient than expected when it immediately began to correct itself (Just means I gotta punch it again)...

The twister hit Adora with the force of a freight train, slamming into her mid-motion as she geared up for another punch. The impact stole air from her lungs, and she staggered back. She barely had time to brace as the frosty cyclone enveloped her, making her wish that she had worn just a little bit more than this. The wind howled around her, drowning out everything except the relentless chill. Adora clenched her teeth, refusing to let out a cry of pain, though her body screamed in protest. Adora swung her arm to break the icy grasp on her, yet they only grew stronger, crawling higher, constricting her movement.

Adora knew that, at this rate, Autumn's power-up was going to fade, and she was going to be sooooo shit out of luck. Adora gritted her teeth, fighting the chill and sapping her muscles' strength. She tried to fly free, yet she was getting immobilized as all she felt was cold seeping to her core. ”Ashy... Layla... Luca...” Adora forced out the words, ”Get out of here!”

Her vision blurred as the frost continued to creep, and the overwhelming stillness settled in.

Yet again, Adora felt the sharp sting of helplessness.

---

Elysium Island - In the Tunnels of Mobster Dick. Artifact Group.

Interactions: Luca (@FernStone), Sloane (@Atrophy), & The Undead King/Layla/Alizee/Aislin ([@Estlywen]).

---

The vines thankfully blocked the electricity meant for Britney!

This gave Britney a vital moment to catch her breath and assess the situation before she took action. The Greenwood girl had boosted Adora, and she flew off the moment this situation popped off. Most of the Artifact group decided to mob the mobster, so that didn't require much action on her part. Unfortunately, that left the monster and the Mobster Monster (which Adora was fighting now). The alarm had gone off and announced their entire position to the entire island; they had zero time to lollygag. She had the Noble Vow in hand, so she had the perfect weapon to take out the Undead King - which had reigned to freeze most of the Artifact group (including Adora!).

However, they needed to free up Layla and Alizee.

Britney turned her head towards the monster, which unfortunately got its dick rotten off by Luca (Damn it! I was going to save that for Linqian!). Britney ran over to the dick-monster while Alizee and Layla were holding it down and swung the Noble Vow at its neck. With one clean, precise swipe, its head hit the ground and rolled briefly before becoming stationary. Then Britney turned towards Sloane and Aislin... who were cowering. There was that urge for Britney to call Sloane out for her request for the Noble Vow only to stand around taking cover... but if they were going to get out of this in one piece, they all had to pull it together. They had the numbers advantage, yet they weren't using it.

Britney lowered her free hand to the ground, but as she did so, she spoke.

”Aislin, Sloane,” Britney's hand was almost to the cold concrete of the ground. ”Now's not the time to stand around and gawk! Do something!” Britney followed that statement with a dismissive roll of her eyes as she thrust her hands downwards.

The moment Britney's hand hit the ground, she set forth on a wild gambit as the cold from the Undead King's twister hit her by proximity. Britney accessed a more potent and more chaotic variant of her Bloom spell, Verdant Bloom, to create a massive tree that was sharp at the tip. Less of a tree and more like an oversized stake that would impale the Undead King (hopefully) and give them a few moments to counterattack (if it didn't finish the damn thing off in one hit).

---

Elysium Island.

Interactions: Kenshiro (@AtomicEmperor), and the Dargon (@Estylwen).

---

Drake couldn't help but crack a grin.

A Magma Titan and a Dragon? These guys are corny! Drake mused as he crawled out of cover after Stormy and Aaron nuked the Magma Monster. The Magma Ghost took one hell of a hit, but the Dragon, on the other hand, was unaffected. Kenshiro took the initiative by trying to shove Doomsday at it; however, whoever the hell is controlling that damn thing opened a portal right in his path! There wasn't any time for Drake to help. However, he was not going to let this Dragon off the hook. Electricity pulsed around Drake as he began flying through the air to get just the perfect angle...

If they were going to win this, they had to take this stupid little lizard out of the picture. The electricity crackled around him as Ride the Lightning built up to a crescendo. ”Get ready, you scaly bitch,” Drake cracked a smirk as he twisted mid-flight, charging a burst of Purple Lux into the core of his spell. The orb around him surged brighter, lightning bolts flaring outward in wild, jagged patterns. The energy wasn’t just raw power—precise, honed, and aimed squarely at the dragon’s exposed flank.

As Drake angled downward, the dragon seemed to sense him. A torrent of fire erupted from its maw directly at him, but Drake didn’t flinch. He drove straight into the flames, his electrified barrier sizzling and sparking as it clashed with the intense heat. The fire bent and twisted around him but couldn’t penetrate his orb of lightning. He kept charging, going faster and faster, as he screamed,

"... RIDE THE LIGHTNING!"

Charging at the Dragon with enough power to launch it into the surrounding storm.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

---

Autumn Hayes & Kashmira Sarai

Elysium Island - No Longer in the Tunnels of Monster Dick, now the Tunnels of Dick Mobsters. Artifact Group.

Interactions: A Mobster who's about to get that smirk wiped off his face (@Estylwen).

---

“And here I thought I'd get the jump on ya'll.”

Clapping Asshole

As if the situation couldn't get any worse!

Adora's head darted towards the mobster as he clapped down the hall. He was cocky. Adora wished she could wipe that smirk off his face. However, he didn't come alone as a portal opened up right next to the cocky bastard.

"Oh for fuck- KASH!" Autumn shouted. Kashmira quickly sang a song in a language Adora couldn't understand, and a barrier formed between Alexander and the Artifact Group comprised of plants, roots, vines, and more (which also blocked his electrical shot).

In the blink of an eye, their auras illuminated the whole island in red, and a loud (and annoying) sound also gave them away. Adora hoped that the Aggro group was causing such a stir that they were keeping the zombies occupied so that the tunnels weren't going to get flooded (they were fucked, and not in a fun way in that case). They needed a plan. Fast. Adora would trust Britney's judgment and maybe be able to turn it around, but she didn't have much to offer except for-

Wait.

A sinister grin formed on Adora's face as she turned towards Autumn; she remembered it being brought up that she could boost abstractions. She glanced at the sole Trinity Ring she possessed (Thanks, Sloane!), before she looked up at Autumn.

”Autumn, boost me!” Adora shouted, ”It's the only way we're getting out of this in one piece!”

"Okay," Autumn nodded at Adora before summoning the Apparition of Al Slaughter beside her. Al Slaughter pointed his hand at Adora and fired a beam of pure Orange Lux at her, boosting her abstraction exponentially. She felt powerful for the first time in ages... yet unworthy. She sighed as she felt her muscles capable of far more than usual. Adora nodded at Autumn in a silent thanks before quickly flying out from behind the cover. She flew up into the air, almost hitting the ceiling. Her first target was the mobster, but Cyrus took care of him, so it was up to her to take care of the monster.

Though Adora had words for Alex as she flew towards the Undead King at high speeds with her fist cocked.

”If that bitch just took the hint and stayed the fuck away from us,” Adora said as she closed the distance, the last words accentuated her super strong strike, ”... MAYBE SHE WOULD STILL BE HERE!”

Adora swung as hard as possible, probably strong enough to send this freak flying.

Meanwhile, vines came out of the ground to bind Alexander, courtesy of Kashmira.